Pillars of Faith

The Third Angel's Message, Part 2

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

Program transcript

Participants: John Dinzey

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Series Code: POF

Program Code: POF000020A


00:25 Hello and welcome to, Pillars of Faith.
00:28 And we welcome you to the
00:29 Thompsonville Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:31 which is also the 3ABN Worship Center,
00:34 for this very special, Pillars of Faith, series
00:38 brought to us by Pastor John Dinzey,
00:40 who is the General Manager of 3ABN Latino channel.
00:45 He has been dealing with and explaining to us
00:49 the three angels' messages of Revelation 14.
00:52 And this last presentation will be, The Third Angel's Message,
00:58 part two.
00:59 And he has been giving us very insightful, informative
01:03 information on this very important passage of Scripture
01:08 found in the book of Revelation.
01:10 Revelation chapter 14.
01:11 And you know how important the three angel's messages are,
01:15 not only to the Laodicean church, but to the church
01:19 in general, and the world actually needs to hear
01:22 these messages for they are of import.
01:25 We know that because they are given to angels,
01:27 and they are flying in the midst of heaven.
01:29 And I don't want to re-preach or preach his sermon.
01:31 I'll let Pastor Dinzey do that.
01:33 But what a powerful passage of Scripture for our contemplation
01:37 and for our study in these last days.
01:39 And we are so thankful that Johnny has undertaken
01:43 to bring this message to us in clarity, with power.
01:48 And we are so thankful that the Spirit of God has
01:51 joined him and anointed him during this time.
01:53 And so today's message is, The Third Angel's Message, part two.
01:57 And I suspect you could take five parts for each
02:00 one of these messages, they are so full of import
02:03 and so full of information for us.
02:05 But Johnny has tried to squeeze the three angels' messages
02:09 into five presentations.
02:12 He's done a fine job.
02:13 And we look forward for a blessing from the Lord
02:17 through him to us during the next hour as he speaks.
02:22 I'm going to ask you now to bow your heads with me
02:23 in a word of prayer as we ask God's blessing
02:27 upon this presentation.
02:29 We should always pray when we're going to open the Word of God,
02:31 particularly when we delve into the book of Revelation.
02:35 Shall we pray. Father God, again we thank You
02:39 and praise You, for truly You are a good God.
02:43 A wonderful God.
02:44 And You've given us the book of Revelation,
02:47 the companion book of Daniel, to let us know what
02:50 is happening, what will happen, just prior to the second coming
02:54 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
02:56 We echo the sentiments of Amos 3:7, "Surely the Lord will
03:00 do nothing, but that He explain it or give it to
03:04 His spokesmen the prophets."
03:06 And You are about to end this world and come back
03:08 to take Your children home.
03:10 And You've given us explanations and You've given us words of
03:13 encouragement to get us ready for that great and awful day.
03:17 And we thank You for those who have studied those truths
03:20 and who explain them to us even now.
03:23 We thank You for Pastor John Dinzey
03:25 and for what he's going to give us through the unction
03:29 of Your Holy Spirit.
03:30 We pray for open ears, understanding hearts.
03:33 And we thank You, Father.
03:35 In Jesus' name, amen.
03:40 Amen, amen.
03:41 Thank you, Pastor C.A. Murray.
03:43 And we praise the Lord for his ministry here at 3ABN.
03:47 And we really appreciate Pastor C.A. Murray.
03:51 As well, we praise the Lord for the
03:54 Three Angel's Broadcasting Network
03:56 that the Lord is using to bring the everlasting gospel
04:00 to the world.
04:01 We just praise the Lord also for your support
04:05 and your prayers that make possible preaching
04:08 the everlasting gospel 24 hours a day all around the world.
04:11 And we continue to need your support as we endeavor
04:15 to reach every person for Jesus Christ.
04:19 So we have been studying the three angels' messages
04:22 and it has been a journey to go through the Scriptures
04:27 and study and try to condense these messages into five.
04:33 And I humbly say that if you need more information
04:38 than that which we have given during these five topics,
04:42 you are welcome to call 3ABN and ask for some more
04:46 information on the three angels' messages
04:48 and we will send you some information to continue your
04:52 study in this topic.
04:54 Because it is a vital one to understand
04:56 for these last days that we're living in.
04:58 And I am among those that believe that
05:01 Jesus Christ is coming soon.
05:02 And I hope that as you take a look at the things going on
05:06 in the world you will come to the same conclusion,
05:08 because our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ,
05:11 is soon to come.
05:13 Before we continue, I'd like to go to the Lord in prayer
05:15 one more time.
05:16 It is my need to go to the Lord in prayer.
05:20 I would like to kneel and ask for you to pray for me
05:23 and for yourself, and for all those that will join us
05:25 around the world.
05:27 And so at this time let us pray.
05:30 Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You so much
05:34 for Your great mercy and kindness toward us.
05:38 Lord, as we take this moment to study the third angel's message,
05:43 we ask for Your blessing and for Your Holy Spirit
05:46 to guide our thoughts.
05:48 And Lord, I place myself in Your hands, that You may be the one
05:52 speaking to Your children.
05:53 I ask, Lord, once again that every word will come from
05:56 Your throne of grace.
05:58 And we pray that in all things Your name
06:01 will be honored and glorified, and Your children
06:03 around the world will be blessed.
06:05 We ask You, Father, in Jesus' holy and blessed name.
06:09 Amen and amen.
06:11 Well we continue our message in Revelation chapter 14.
06:17 As previously stated, this is message number two
06:22 of, The Third Angel's Message.
06:25 And once again, I would like to read the first two
06:29 angels' messages before we launch into the third.
06:32 So we ask you to join me in the book of
06:34 Revelation 14 verses 6 and onward.
06:40 Revelation 14 beginning in verse 6,
06:42 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
06:47 having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them
06:51 that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,
06:54 and kindred, and tongue, and people,
06:57 saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to him;
07:02 for the hour of his judgment is come.
07:05 and worship him that made heaven, and earth,
07:09 and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'"
07:12 The second angel said, "And there followed
07:15 another angel saying, 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen,
07:21 that great city, because she made all nations
07:24 drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.'"
07:28 The third angel, "And the third angel followed them,
07:32 saying with a loud voice, 'If any man worship
07:36 the beast and his image, and receive his mark
07:40 in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink
07:45 of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out
07:48 without mixture into the cup of his indignation;
07:52 and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone
07:55 in the presence of the holy angels, and in the
07:58 presence of the Lamb.
08:00 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up
08:03 for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night,
08:07 who worship the beast and his image,
08:10 and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.'
08:13 Here is the patience of the saints:
08:15 here are they that keep the commandments of God,
08:18 and the faith of Jesus."
08:22 As we hear these words, please understand
08:25 that because of our limited time we have to be brief
08:29 in some areas, and some areas we will not be able to cover.
08:32 But by God's grace we hope that you will be blessed
08:35 as we study together.
08:36 As we hear the third angel's message we have to
08:39 ask ourselves, what is it that we are hearing?
08:41 We're talking about a time when the end of things
08:47 is before us, the mark of the beast is already proclaimed,
08:52 and people are having to make a decision
08:57 whether or not to take the mark of the beast.
09:00 And this is a dangerous time to be living in.
09:03 We are very close to seeing that take place.
09:05 So I want to encourage you to listen carefully
09:08 and also to continue studying this topic
09:10 as we study the third angel's message.
09:13 We encourage you to take notes as well.
09:17 The issue, of course, in the end time is worship.
09:20 Worship the Lord or worship the beast, his image,
09:26 and the dragon.
09:28 So in John 4:23, I would like to bring to your attention
09:33 the words of Jesus Christ.
09:35 John 4:23-24, notice the words of Jesus.
09:39 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers
09:44 shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
09:49 For the Father seeketh such to worship him.
09:52 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him
09:56 in spirit and in truth."
10:00 And so I say to you that in churches all around the world
10:04 there are people that worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
10:09 However, there are people that do not worship the Lord
10:12 in spirit and in truth.
10:15 There are people in churches that do not.
10:18 They honor the Lord with their lips, but their heart
10:21 is far from the Lord.
10:24 How do I know this?
10:25 Because the Bible says that there are wheat and tares
10:29 in the church, even unto the end of time.
10:32 And so I know that in every church there are wheat
10:36 and there are tares.
10:37 And I say to you, it is not my job, it is not your job,
10:41 to say, "Well which ones are the wheat?
10:43 Let's see, I think that guy over there,
10:45 he must be one of the tares.
10:46 And that person over there, surely that's a tare."
10:48 And so, we do not have the job to decide who is wheat
10:53 and who is tares.
10:54 That is a job for the Lord.
10:56 However, be aware that we need to keep our eyes
10:59 on Jesus Christ instead of people.
11:02 Those that you see and you say, "Oh, that is a person
11:05 that is an example for me."
11:06 Be careful.
11:08 The example that we should have is Jesus Christ.
11:10 And I say to you, put your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ
11:14 and not on people because people can fail.
11:17 And many will fail, as a matter of fact.
11:20 Now I invite you to join me in Mark 7:5-6.
11:30 Notice the words of Jesus.
11:31 "Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him,
11:35 'Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of
11:39 the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?'
11:44 He answered and said unto them, 'Well hath Esaias prophesied of
11:48 you hypocrites, as it is written,
11:51 "This people honoureth me with their lips,
11:54 but their heart is far from me."'"
11:58 And so it is that in Jesus' time there were people honoring Him
12:02 with their lips, but their heart was far from Him.
12:05 In the same today, we have people that honor Him with
12:08 the lips and that is as far as they go.
12:12 They do not allow the Lord to take full
12:15 possession of their hearts.
12:17 And today the Lord is looking for people
12:19 that will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
12:22 And you will have to make a choice:
12:23 worship the Lord in spirit and in truth
12:27 or worship the beast.
12:30 And I encourage you to worship the Lord
12:32 in spirit and in truth.
12:34 Surely He has done much to save you.
12:37 Surely He is worthy of all your worship.
12:40 So we must worship with all of our heart
12:43 because we love the Lord and are grateful for His blessings.
12:47 Consider the great sacrifice that heaven has made
12:51 for your salvation.
12:53 Jesus Christ gave up His life for you, shed His blood
12:56 on the cross so that you could be saved,
12:58 so come to the Lord and follow Him with all your heart.
13:03 Now let's take a look, since we are talking
13:06 about the antichrist power that calls upon people
13:09 to take on the mark of the beast.
13:11 Paul warns us, let's see how this developed,
13:15 Paul warns us or warns God's children
13:18 of the danger that was ahead during his time.
13:21 Let's go to the book of Acts 20 and we are going to
13:27 read verses 29-30 again.
13:29 We have read this in the past, but we need to read it once more
13:32 because there may be many joining us that were not
13:35 with us last time.
13:37 Let us begin. Acts 20:29-30.
13:40 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
13:46 enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
13:50 Also of your own selves shall men arise,
13:54 spreading perverse things, to draw away
13:57 disciples after themselves."
14:01 Question, do we have such a thing happening today?
14:04 I would say to you that there are grievous wolves.
14:07 I say to you that there are people trying to
14:09 draw disciples after them.
14:11 And some are doing it just for the gain of popularity.
14:15 Some are doing it for the gain of money.
14:18 And they are deceiving people with fanciful words.
14:22 And I will say to you that instead of feeding the flock
14:25 with the meat of the Word, they are feeding the flock
14:28 with whipped cream.
14:30 I listened to some sermon, I was in a particular city recently.
14:35 And I heard there was a famous evangelist that has
14:42 radio and TV programs.
14:43 Even has a large church.
14:45 And I said, I've heard much about this individual.
14:47 Let's see what he has to say.
14:49 Never heard this individual.
14:50 So I prayed and I asked the Lord to bless me with wisdom
14:54 so that I am not deceived.
14:56 And I listened for a few minutes.
14:57 And I do not know what the rest of his messages were like,
15:01 but on that particular day, after listening a few minutes
15:05 I said, "Well there seems to be a lot of whipped cream here,
15:08 and not what you would call something to feed your mind
15:12 and something that will be of my spiritual help."
15:15 So I had to turn it off.
15:17 So I ask you to do the same thing.
15:19 The Bible says that the Bereans, they heard the Word gladly.
15:25 But then they went home and searched the Scriptures
15:28 to see if those things were true.
15:31 And every message, including this one,
15:33 search the Scriptures to see if these things are true.
15:39 Notice now in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
15:46 Continuing looking at the development of the antichrist,
15:50 the man of sin, let's begin reading in verse 3.
15:54 "Let no man deceive you by any means:
15:56 for that day shall not come, except there come
16:00 a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed,
16:04 the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself
16:08 above all that is called God, or that is worshiped:
16:13 so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,
16:18 shewing himself that he is God."
16:22 So we see here that Paul warned the people
16:25 that the time would come when a man of sin
16:28 would come upon the scene.
16:30 And this man of sin would deceive people,
16:34 and would sit apparently in the temple of God
16:37 and deceive people, showing himself
16:40 that he is God.
16:42 And there is a power that has done this and has even claimed
16:46 to be God upon the earth.
16:49 And we want to ask you to take heed and be warned
16:53 because we are living in the time of the end.
16:56 2 Thessalonians 2, now we move on to verses 5-7.
17:01 Paul continues by saying, "Remember ye not
17:04 that when I was yet with you I told you these things?
17:08 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might
17:12 be revealed in his time.
17:14 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work.
17:19 Only he who now letteth will let, until he
17:23 be taken out of the way."
17:25 So we see that the mystery of iniquity was already working.
17:30 Paul was beginning to hear and see signs
17:34 of iniquity coming into the church.
17:36 The church was pure as the disciples went forth
17:41 to preach the gospel among the Jews first,
17:44 and then eventually all around the world.
17:46 The church doctrines were pure, the people were honestly
17:51 seeking the Lord, but eventually, Paul says
17:54 that wolves would come in seeking to draw away
17:57 disciples after them.
17:59 Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 24 that there would be
18:02 false christs and false apostles seeking to deceive many.
18:08 And so this was prophesied, this was said to happen.
18:13 And also it says that there would come a falling away.
18:17 A general falling away from the purity of the doctrines.
18:21 However, we know that the Lord has always preserved the truth.
18:26 Has always persevered people that understand
18:29 the truth of the Scriptures.
18:31 So, we continue and so we ask the question,
18:37 what was the origin of the great apostasy?
18:40 How did the church first depart from the simplicity
18:44 of the gospel?
18:45 I tell you, it was by conforming to the practices around them,
18:50 conforming to the practices of paganism,
18:53 to facilitate the acceptance of Christianity by the heathen.
18:57 They tried to draw more people, they tried to draw the pagans
19:03 to come into their churches and worship with them,
19:06 and they would not come.
19:08 So they made some concessions, they adopted some of their
19:12 festivals, they adopted some of their beliefs
19:15 to try to persuade them to come in.
19:18 Including the Bishop of Rome, the church at Rome in particular
19:23 was primarily doing this.
19:27 Remember that persecution came about, and God's true followers
19:31 fled into the wilderness, as is prophesied
19:34 in Revelation chapter 12.
19:36 We will look at that briefly if we have opportunity.
19:39 And so it is that little by little the church began to
19:44 accept worldly practices and were led astray
19:48 from the path of the Lord.
19:50 So the apostle Paul declared even in his day,
19:54 "The mystery of iniquity doth already work."
19:58 And so during the lives of the apostles
20:00 the church remained relatively pure, following the Lord.
20:07 And I quote to you a historical book from Robert Robinson
20:11 in, Ecclesiastical Researches, chapter 6 paragraph 17,
20:16 page 51, and I read, quoting, "Toward the latter end of the
20:22 second century, most of the churches
20:25 assumed a new form; the first, simplicity, disappeared:
20:30 and insensibly, as the old disciples retired to their
20:34 graves, their children, along with new converts, came forward
20:39 and new-modeled the cause."
20:43 In other words, they began to depart from the simplicity of
20:46 the truth and made changes so that the church could then be
20:51 more appealing to the worldly minded.
20:55 And so I question, do we have that taking place today?
21:00 Do we have churches adopting worldly practices
21:04 to try to draw people in?
21:06 Yes, it's taking place. It's taking place.
21:10 All you have to do is do some research,
21:12 go into some churches and see what they are doing,
21:15 and you will notice that worldly practices are coming
21:18 into the church even today.
21:19 And I tell you, it's time to be wide awake
21:22 to know what is the truth and what is a lie.
21:26 We need to be in prayer asking the Lord that
21:28 we are not deceived.
21:29 Because the Bible says in Matthew 24 that if it were
21:33 possible, they would deceive the very elect.
21:38 So another quote that I would like to bring to you
21:42 is from Gavazzi, Lectures, page 278.
21:47 This is Alessandro Gavazzi, 1854.
21:50 Also known as Father Gavazzi.
21:53 As a matter of fact, the previous book I quoted to you
21:56 and the book I'm about to quote to you from,
21:58 they're available for free on the internet.
22:01 This is where I got it from.
22:03 On the internet for free.
22:04 As a matter of fact, I'll even tell you where you can get it.
22:07 Just go to Google Books, you'll see the quotes on the screen.
22:11 Take down the name, take down the information,
22:14 the name of the book, and you can get the book for free
22:17 in pdf form.
22:19 So this is what he says on page 278 of the Gavazzi lectures.
22:25 It says, "As the Christian religion secured the favor
22:30 and support of secular rulers," the church was getting united
22:34 with the state, "it was nominally accepted
22:37 by multitudes; but while in appearance Christians,
22:42 many 'remained in substance pagans,
22:46 especially worshiping in secret their idols.'"
22:50 And so this is what history reveals.
22:53 Constantine, you may hear this name as you watch 3ABN,
22:58 he was the one that created the first Sunday law
23:02 commanding people to stop working on Sunday
23:04 and go to church.
23:06 He was an individual that nominally accepted Christianity.
23:11 He didn't fully give his heart to the Lord.
23:13 It is said that he decided that anyone that wanted to join
23:17 his army would have to become a Christian.
23:19 And so because of the benefits of being a soldier in his army,
23:24 some say, "I'll be a Christian," and became "Christians,"
23:28 not fully giving their hearts to the Lord
23:30 but remaining pagans and worshiping idols.
23:34 And so beginning these type of things.
23:37 As a matter of fact, some have said that Constantine
23:42 one time said, brought his soldiers through a river
23:48 and said, "Congratulations, you are now baptized.
23:51 You are now Christians."
23:52 Just as simple as that.
23:54 And so, friends, we have to be very careful
23:57 because every wind of false doctrine is blowing even today.
24:03 So we're talking about the development of the
24:05 antichrist power.
24:07 Let's move over to Revelation chapter 17.
24:10 Revelation 17, let's begin reading in verse 3.
24:15 Notice, "So he carried me away in the spirit
24:19 into the wilderness.
24:21 And I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast,
24:26 full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads
24:30 and ten horns."
24:32 So I'd like to point out to you that here we have a
24:35 woman sitting upon a scarlet colored beast.
24:39 And it says, "full of names of blasphemy."
24:42 Now at this point I would like to bring to you,
24:45 what is the beast?
24:46 The Bible declares to us what a beast is.
24:48 The Bible defines itself when it uses symbols.
24:52 Daniel 7:23 will help us understand what a beast is.
24:56 Daniel 7:23, "Thus he said, 'The fourth beast shall be the
25:02 fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse
25:07 from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth,
25:10 and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.'"
25:14 So we know then when we look at Revelation 17:3,
25:19 the beast that the woman was sitting on
25:21 is a kingdom or nation.
25:24 So what is a woman then, we ask.
25:26 The woman in Revelation 17:3, the Bible tells us that
25:34 a woman is a symbol is a church.
25:39 A woman is a symbol of a church.
25:41 And there are some scriptures that helps us.
25:43 And we have shared with you in the past.
25:47 And so at this point I would like to say to you,
25:50 a corrupt woman in Bible prophecy is a corrupt church.
25:55 In Revelation 17:3, it says this woman is full of blasphemy.
26:01 So it must be a corrupt church.
26:04 We're talking about the development
26:06 of the antichrist power.
26:08 A corrupt church full of blasphemy,
26:11 and it is said to be sitting upon a beast.
26:15 In other words, upon a kingdom.
26:16 In other words, when you sit upon an animal,
26:19 you control the animal.
26:21 You sit upon a horse, your desire is to control the horse
26:24 so the horse will go where you want the horse to go,
26:27 not where the horse wants to go.
26:29 Now there are a few animals that you can do this with.
26:32 Obviously, there are some that you cannot
26:34 because they will go crazy and they'll try to knock you off.
26:37 Some horses do, I understand.
26:39 But for the most part, horses can be tamed.
26:42 In this instance, the woman is sitting on the beast
26:44 symbolizing she controls the kingdom,
26:48 she controls the power.
26:50 And the woman has the authority over the beast.
26:54 So I say to you that, how is it, where can we look
26:59 as we look around to see, is there such a thing?
27:03 Is there such a thing taking place today?
27:05 Yes there is.
27:07 You can look all around the world and say,
27:10 "Is there a religious power
27:12 controlling a kingdom or nation?"
27:14 You can look all around the world and you will find
27:17 that the Roman Catholic Church perfectly fits this description.
27:23 The Roman Catholic Church perfectly fits this description.
27:26 The Pope is said to be the head of the state;
27:30 the state or the country is the Vatican.
27:33 The Vatican is a country,
27:35 for those of you that did not know it.
27:37 The Vatican is a country, but also it is a church.
27:41 So the Pope is the supreme power in that country.
27:45 And here we have a perfect fit with what the
27:49 prophecy is trying to tell us.
27:52 In Revelation 17:4, the Bible says, "And the woman was
27:56 arrayed in purple and scarlet color..."
27:59 You can see that these are colors used by the
28:01 Roman Catholic Church.
28:02 "...and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls..."
28:05 Very rich.
28:06 "...having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations
28:10 and filthiness of her fornication."
28:13 Therefore, as you research this power, this church,
28:16 you will find that the doctrines do not line up
28:19 with the Scriptures.
28:21 And we have to say this with respect,
28:24 we have to say this with care.
28:27 I have family that are Catholics.
28:29 Unfortunately, this power, this church does not follow
28:35 the pure doctrines of the Bible.
28:37 We're not here to criticize, we're here to point out
28:40 what is truth and what is error.
28:42 And as we consider the identifying characteristics
28:46 of the little horn presented in Daniel chapter 7,
28:49 Revelation chapter 13, the beast power,
28:52 Revelation chapter 17, and even 18, it talks about Babylon.
28:58 And the woman that controls the beast we can safely say,
29:03 we can conclude that it is the Roman Catholic Church.
29:08 But some may say, "Well why are you criticizing other churches?
29:12 Shouldn't Christians love one another?"
29:15 And yes, Christians should love one another
29:18 and should be careful not to criticize others.
29:21 As the Bible says, "Why do you criticize your brother,
29:25 the speck in your brother's eye, and there you have a
29:28 beam in your own eye."
29:29 We have to be careful with these things.
29:31 And so this is why we have to go to the Scriptures
29:34 and stay with the Scriptures and compare this with history
29:38 to see if it is true.
29:40 And so I say to you about the statement,
29:44 "Why are you criticizing others?
29:45 Shouldn't Christians love one another?"
29:47 Are we to be quiet when what could be our fellow brother
29:52 in danger and is in a church that is teaching doctrines
29:56 and may be lost?
29:57 Should we be silent if somebody is inside a house
30:00 that is on fire, and the house is about to be
30:04 consumed with flames?
30:05 Should we say, "Well why bother the brother?
30:08 He may be in there nice and relaxed and enjoying
30:11 a nice rest in his bed with his family.
30:14 Why wake him up during this fire?
30:17 He's probably tired."
30:18 Should we just be silent when there's danger?
30:21 We need to say something to help others.
30:25 And so I also bring you the example of Jesus Christ.
30:28 Did Jesus Christ keep quiet when the Jews were in danger
30:34 of being deceived?
30:36 And He went around preaching, and He preached the truth.
30:39 But the time came when He had to say things
30:42 in a plain, "Thus saith the Lord..."
30:45 Matthew chapter 23, you may read.
30:47 There are many other things other than what I will read.
30:50 But I'm going to read Matthew 23:23-25.
30:54 Following the example of Christ.
30:56 This is what we're trying to do here.
30:59 Notice what Jesus says.
31:00 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
31:03 For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin,
31:07 and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment,
31:11 mercy, and faith.
31:13 These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
31:19 So here we have Jesus clearly pointing out
31:23 the errors and sins of the scribes and Pharisees.
31:28 Would you say to Christ, "Wait a minute, Jesus.
31:30 We should love one another."
31:31 Be careful.
31:33 Jesus had to say those things to try to wake them up from
31:35 the danger that they were in and realize that they were
31:38 far from God instead of close to the Lord.
31:41 Notice also Matthew 23:24-25.
31:44 "Ye blind guides," Jesus said, "which strain a gnat,
31:49 and swallow a camel."
31:51 Verse 25, "Woe unto you..."
31:54 He's telling them of their danger.
31:55 "...scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
31:57 For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter,
32:01 but within they are full of extortion and excess."
32:04 Jesus said these things with the desire for them
32:09 to repent and give their hearts completely to the Lord.
32:13 And these things I say, that we're talking about here,
32:17 with the desire that people who are listening
32:20 that may be in danger of receiving the punishment
32:24 that the Bible says will come upon those
32:27 that take the mark of the beast...
32:31 The Bible says that they will receive the wrath of God.
32:34 So we are hoping that people will realize the
32:37 danger that they are in and come out of that confusion,
32:41 because they are in danger.
32:44 So I say to you that research will reveal,
32:48 as you research the Scriptures, as you look at history,
32:51 as you research the doctrines that you may believe in now
32:55 and compare them to the Scriptures,
32:57 you will come to the understanding that the
32:59 antichrist power is none other than the Roman Catholic Church,
33:05 and anyone else that follows those type of teachings.
33:10 So I encourage you to look at this, pray about it,
33:13 and follow the Lord with all of your heart.
33:15 You may be surprised to know that God calls
33:19 this power a harlot.
33:22 This is because it has departed from the pure
33:26 doctrines delivered to the saints.
33:29 Please understand that God called the people of Israel
33:32 a harlot when they departed from following the Lord.
33:37 I'd like to point to you, once again, how the Bible
33:42 calls this power that we are talking about, Babylon,
33:48 the corrupt woman in Revelation 17:5.
33:54 Revelation 17:5.
33:57 We read verse 4, that the woman was arrayed in
34:01 purple and scarlet, etcetera, and had a cup full of
34:04 abominations and filthiness.
34:06 Revelation chapter 17 verse 5 says the following.
34:10 "And upon her forehead was the name written,
34:13 'Mystery, Babylon the Great,
34:17 The mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth.'"
34:22 So I say to you, look, the Bible says that this power
34:28 God calls a harlot.
34:30 And so you may be surprised when the Bible says this.
34:34 However, you have to understand that this is the language
34:38 the Bible uses for His children, God's children,
34:43 that depart from the pure doctrines and start to follow
34:46 false doctrines and take on worldly practices.
34:51 So I would like to bring you the example
34:53 of the people of Israel that followed the Lord
34:56 that the Lord said, "I am married to you, Zion.
35:00 I have likened you to the daughter of Zion,
35:04 to a comely and delicate woman," the Bible says concerning
35:09 Israel, concerning the people of Israel.
35:12 I quoted also Paul, I paraphrased him.
35:17 Now let's look at how the Lord Himself
35:20 called the people of Israel.
35:21 Notice Ezekiel chapter 16.
35:24 Ezekiel chapter 16, and we're going to read verse 1
35:27 to give you the context to know that we are
35:29 talking about the people of Israel.
35:31 Notice Ezekiel 16:1-2.
35:33 "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
35:36 'Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations...'"
35:42 And then from verse 3 and onward, it begins to
35:45 talk about the abominations of Jerusalem.
35:49 I am going to read only verses 35 and 36
35:52 of the things mentioned.
35:53 Notice the following.
35:55 Concerning Jerusalem the Bible says,
35:57 "Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD.
36:00 'Thus saith the Lord GOD, "Because thy filthiness
36:04 was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered
36:07 through thy whoredoms with thy lovers,
36:10 and with all the idols of thy abominations,
36:13 and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst
36:16 give unto them..."'"
36:18 So the Lord called Jerusalem a harlot when she departed
36:22 from following the Lord and started worshiping idols.
36:26 I bring to you also 2 Kings 17:16-17.
36:30 2 Kings 17:16-17, notice.
36:34 "And they left all the commandments of
36:38 the LORD their God, and made them molten images,
36:41 even two calves, and made a grove, and worshiped
36:45 all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
36:49 And they caused their sons and their daughters
36:51 to pass through the fire, and used divination
36:54 and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil
36:57 in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
37:01 So when the people of Israel departed from the Lord,
37:04 started worshiping idols, and also left all the commandments,
37:09 the Lord called the people of Israel a harlot.
37:15 So in the time of the end, the same thing is
37:18 taking place with Babylon.
37:20 The same thing is taking place with the Roman Catholic Church.
37:24 And notice that in Revelation 17:5 it says that
37:30 Babylon is the harlot, and that she is the mother of harlots.
37:35 In other words, there are others that follow the same
37:40 practices, the same beliefs, as this Roman Catholic Church.
37:44 They borrowed some of their beliefs that are
37:46 not from the Bible, and are therefore considered
37:49 also that they have departed from the pure doctrines
37:52 of the Lord and are considered apostate churches.
37:56 They're considered to be separated from the Lord.
37:58 And they're not fully following the Lord, and the Lord
38:01 considers them as harlots.
38:03 This is why later the Lord says, "Come out of her, My people,
38:07 and be not partakers of her plagues."
38:09 Because the Lord will visit them with punishment.
38:15 And so, we are talking about the antichrist power
38:18 and the danger that they are in.
38:19 We are talking about the third angel's message
38:22 in Revelation chapter 14 verses 9 and onward.
38:26 And there is a warning given to the people
38:30 that take on the mark of the beast
38:33 in their foreheads or in their hands.
38:36 Let us move to Revelation 13:3.
38:40 We talked a little bit about this yesterday.
38:42 I mean, the last time we were together.
38:45 Revelation 13:3.
38:47 "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;
38:52 and his deadly wound was healed.
38:53 And all the world wondered after the beast."
38:57 So we see here one of the characteristics
38:59 of this beast power, which we understand
39:01 is the Roman Catholic Church.
39:03 And when I say, "We believe," we're talking about
39:06 that we believe, but also a host of people respected by
39:12 Christendom that includes Luther, Zwingli,
39:16 and many, many of the reformers.
39:18 There are quotes by them.
39:20 We do not even have time to give you them,
39:22 but we will send them to you if you contact us.
39:25 So it says the whole world wondered after the beast.
39:29 Remember, we are talking about a church that is controlling
39:35 a kingdom or a nation.
39:37 We're talking about the Roman Catholic Church.
39:39 And here it says the whole world wondered after the beast.
39:43 Question, is there a religious leader, the president
39:48 of a denomination that can go to a country, another country,
39:53 step out of a plane, and receive all the media attention;
39:58 radio, television, newspapers, to come and watch or report
40:05 what that religious leader is doing?
40:08 You can look all around the religious world
40:14 and look at the different presidents of denominations,
40:16 and there's only one religious leader that draws the attention
40:21 of television and radio and newspaper.
40:23 And we're talking about
40:25 the Roman Catholic pontiff, the pope.
40:28 And you have seen this take place through the different
40:31 popes that have come upon the scene.
40:33 And recently Pope Francis came to the United States,
40:37 and thousands upon thousands were glued to their televisions.
40:42 Thousands upon thousands went to see the pope.
40:46 Their eyes were fixed onto the television screen
40:51 as the pope stepped out of his plane,
40:53 went into that little car.
40:54 It was the news media, that was the major story
41:01 for the day.
41:03 So when we say, the whole world wondered after the beast,
41:05 it is happening even today.
41:07 But this prophecy is talking about an even greater impact
41:11 as time continues.
41:13 And we urge you to consider these things
41:16 in prayerful consideration.
41:18 So can the president of the Baptist church,
41:21 if there's such a thing, go to, let's say, another country
41:28 come out of a plane and receive that type of attention?
41:31 I'm sure he has gone to a few countries
41:34 and has been as any other person walking in.
41:38 The president of Pentecostal church, of the Lutheran church,
41:41 whatever denomination you may want to name,
41:44 step out of a plane, go anywhere, and draw media
41:48 attention such as the Roman Catholic pontiff, the pope?
41:52 No, they are not doing it, and will never do.
41:56 Unless they commit, of course, some great sin that the world
42:02 wants to know about.
42:03 So we have mentioned in the past that the message
42:07 of the little horn in Daniel chapter 7,
42:09 the beast power in Revelation chapter 13,
42:12 and the Babylon of Revelation 17 describing the characteristics
42:16 and activities of the antichrist power is the same power
42:21 being described by these different names
42:24 that persecute God's people for 1260 years;
42:28 also referred to as 42 months, time, times, and half a time.
42:33 We looked at that in our last time together.
42:35 And we said that this would take place
42:37 from the year 538 to the year 1798.
42:42 538 to the year 1798.
42:45 Matthew 24:21 speaks of this time and says,
42:51 verses 21 and 22, "For then shall be great tribulation,
42:54 such as was not since the beginning of the world
42:57 to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
43:00 And except those days should be shortened,
43:03 there should no flesh be saved.
43:05 But for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
43:10 The beast power of Revelation 13 is said to have
43:13 ruled for 1260 years.
43:16 That is from 538 AD to 1798 AD when the French general
43:24 Louis Alexandre Berthier took the pope captive
43:29 in February of 1798 putting an end to his rule.
43:34 And I say to you that many millions of people died
43:40 during the years of 538 to 1798.
43:46 There shall be great tribulation, the Bible said,
43:49 such as has never been seen.
43:52 Such as has never been seen.
43:53 Millions of people gave up their lives
43:56 because of their faith.
43:58 But the Bible says that the deadly wound would take place.
44:03 And that was in the year 1798.
44:05 But the Bible also says the deadly wound would be healed.
44:09 So let's move quickly to that in Revelation 13:11.
44:16 Let's talk about the wound being healed.
44:20 "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth;
44:23 and he had two horns like a lamb,
44:27 and he spake as a dragon."
44:29 You see, in Revelation 13 another power appears
44:33 to join with the other beast, the first beast,
44:36 to bring about the image of the beast
44:39 and to bring about the death penalty.
44:42 The context of this second beast is that it arises
44:47 after the first beast receives a deadly wound.
44:50 The deadly wound happened in 1798.
44:53 So I ask you, was there a nation...
44:55 Let's look at all the nations arising in 1798.
44:59 Notice in Revelation 13:1, "And I stood upon the sand of
45:03 the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea..."
45:06 This is the first beast.
45:08 "...having seven heads and ten horns,
45:09 and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads
45:13 the name of blasphemy."
45:16 So here we have the first beast that rises up out of the sea.
45:21 The Bible tells us what the waters or the seas symbolize
45:26 in Revelation 17:15.
45:30 John is told, "And he saith unto me,
45:32 'The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth,
45:37 are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.'"
45:40 In other words, when the beast rises up out of the sea,
45:43 it's a symbol of power rising up out of a populated area,
45:48 because it talks about sitting upon people, multitudes,
45:51 nations, and tongues.
45:52 Therefore we ask, what does it mean when the beast
45:57 rises up out of the earth, as is the case with the second beast.
46:01 The second beast is said to be rising up out of the earth.
46:05 This means that it rose up in a relatively
46:09 low populated area.
46:11 Not too many people around the area.
46:14 So this is clue number one.
46:16 The second beast is also said to be lamb-like.
46:20 That is in the beginning.
46:21 In other words, innocent, freedom loving, rather than
46:25 dictatorship and kingly power.
46:29 So the second beast rises up out of the earth
46:33 and has two horns like a lamb, but eventually
46:35 it speaks as a dragon.
46:38 When you look at 1798 and compare the nations,
46:42 which one was relatively young, coming up?
46:45 There's only one nation that fits that description.
46:48 And that is the United States of America.
46:53 Lamb-like in its beginning.
46:57 It was not a nation, the United States did not rise up
47:01 conquering this nation and conquering that nation
47:04 to gain territory.
47:06 The United States became a mighty nation
47:09 by purchasing, you may remember the Louisiana purchase,
47:12 and purchasing land even from Mexico,
47:15 so that it gained a lot of territory and it became
47:19 eventually a mighty nation.
47:21 There's only one nation that fits that description.
47:24 And that is the United States of America.
47:29 And so there are some quotes by some prominent writers
47:32 that help us understand, even describe how the United States
47:36 became a great empire.
47:38 I quote to you one.
47:39 G.A. Townsend, The New World Compared With The Old.
47:43 You can find this book for free on the internet.
47:46 He states, "Like a silent seed we grew into an empire."
47:53 In other words, not creating great wars
47:56 or anything of the such.
47:58 A European journal in 1850 spoke of the United States
48:02 as a wonderful empire, which was emerging,
48:06 and "amid the silence of the earth daily adding
48:10 to its power and pride."
48:12 And so little by little, the U.S. became a mighty nation.
48:16 And it fits the description in Revelation 13.
48:20 Revelation 13 verse 11 states that eventually
48:25 it speaks as a dragon.
48:26 And so we see this nation that has freedom of speech,
48:31 freedom of religion, eventually would speak as a dragon
48:35 and begin to mandate things to people
48:38 that are contrary to its principles that are now held.
48:42 And so even now, since 2001 especially,
48:47 we have seen some liberties that have been little by little
48:51 taken away from the people.
48:53 Revelation 13:12 says, "And he exerciseth all the power of the
49:00 first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which
49:05 dwell therein to worship the first beast,
49:07 whose deadly wound was healed."
49:10 So eventually the deadly wound was healed.
49:13 This verse tells us that the dangerous times are ahead.
49:16 And we are in danger, and we need to study the Scriptures
49:19 that we may understand the time that we are living in.
49:23 You may remember that we mentioned that the
49:25 Catholic church received a deadly wound when its leader,
49:30 Pope Pius VI, was taken prison by the French general,
49:34 Louis Alexandre Berthier.
49:37 This deadly wound began to be healed
49:41 when Benito Mussolini singed a treaty, a concordat.
49:47 They said the Prime Minister of Italy, Benito Mussolini,
49:52 signed the Lateran Treaty on February 11, 1929.
49:57 On the internet you can find information about this treaty.
50:01 I'm quoting to you from an article even in Wikipedia.
50:04 Some say it's a great thing.
50:06 "On the 11th of February 1929," I quote, "he signed a concordat
50:12 and treaty with the Roman Catholic Church."
50:14 Quoting, "Under the Lateran Pact, Vatican City was granted
50:19 independent statehood and placed under Church law,
50:23 rather than Italian law..."
50:25 In other words, it created its own laws.
50:28 "...and the Catholic religion was recognized
50:30 as Italy's state religion...
50:33 Pope Pius XI praised Mussolini, and the official Catholic
50:38 newspaper pronounced, 'Italy has been given back
50:42 to God and God to Italy.'"
50:46 And so we see that the deadly wound began to be healed
50:50 in 1929 when the Roman Catholic Church was given territory
50:55 that formerly it owned, and it became its own country.
51:00 Revelation 13:13-14 says the following.
51:04 "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire
51:07 come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
51:10 and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth
51:12 by the means of those miracles which he had power to do
51:15 in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on
51:18 the earth, that they should make an image to the beast,
51:20 which had the wound by a sword, and did live."
51:24 We see here that the United States of America
51:26 will play a leading role in the world to persuade the world
51:31 to make an image to the beast.
51:33 Revelation 13:15 says, "And he had power to give life
51:37 unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast
51:39 should both speak, and cause that as many as would not
51:42 worship the image of the beast should be killed."
51:46 The people of the world in the near future
51:49 will be required to worship the beast.
51:51 And those that don't will be killed.
51:55 Notice Revelation 13:16.
51:57 "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor,
52:01 free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand,
52:04 or in their foreheads."
52:06 So I ask you, what is that mark?
52:09 What is that mark?
52:10 We believe the answers are found in historical writings.
52:14 Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore claimed that Sunday keeping
52:18 was the mark of Roman authority.
52:21 Notice, "Of course," quoting, "the Catholic church claims
52:24 that the change was her act.
52:27 It could not have been otherwise, as none in those
52:29 days would have dreamed of doing anything,
52:32 in matters spiritual, ecclesiastical and religious
52:36 without her.
52:37 This act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power
52:42 and authority in religious matters."
52:46 Another letter from Cardinal Gibbons on October 28, 1895
52:51 says, "Of course the Catholic Church claims
52:53 the change was her act.
52:55 And this act is a mark of her ecclesiastical
52:58 authority and religious power."
52:59 Actually, this is the place where you can find it.
53:02 Another quote from Stephen Keenan from the
53:04 Catholic Doctrinal Catechism, the third edition, 174.
53:10 "Have you any other way of proving the church has
53:13 power to institute festivals or precepts?"
53:15 That is the question found on page 174.
53:19 The answer is, "Had she not such power, she could not have
53:23 done that in which all modern religionists agree with her:
53:28 she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday
53:31 the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday
53:34 the seventh day, a change for which there is
53:38 no Scriptural authority."
53:40 I am quoting.
53:42 So another quote from Louis Gaston Segur,
53:47 Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today,
53:50 London: Thomas Richardson and Son, 1874, page 213.
53:55 "Thus the observance of Sunday," I'm quoting, "by the Protestants
53:59 is a homage they pay, in spite of themselves,
54:02 to the authority of the Catholic church."
54:05 So I say to you that the mark of the authority of the
54:08 the Catholic church, which eventually will become
54:11 the mark of the beast, is Sunday worship.
54:17 At this point in time you cannot say that those who
54:21 worship on Sunday have the mark of the beast.
54:23 Why? Because it is not a law at this point.
54:27 People do as they will.
54:29 But the time will come when it will be a law.
54:32 And when it becomes a law where it will have fines
54:36 at first, prison sentences, and eventually death,
54:40 then it becomes the mark of the beast.
54:43 And if it is the mark of the beast, then we need to be aware
54:47 that we need to follow the true Sabbath,
54:49 the Sabbath of the Lord.
54:51 Let's go back to the third angel's message.
54:53 Note, "And the third angel followed them, saying
54:55 with a loud voice, 'If any man worship the beast and his image,
54:58 and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
55:01 the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God,
55:04 which is poured out without mixture into the
55:07 cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented
55:10 with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels,
55:15 and in the presence of the Lamb.
55:17 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever:
55:19 and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast
55:23 and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name.'"
55:27 Note the contrast.
55:28 Verse 12 of Revelation chapter 14.
55:31 "Here is the patience of the saints:
55:33 here are they that keep the commandments of God,
55:36 and the faith of Jesus."
55:37 A difference is made here between those that receive
55:40 the mark, those that worship the beast,
55:42 and those that serve God.
55:44 Who are those that serve God?
55:46 Revelation 14:12.
55:47 "Here is the patience of the saints:
55:49 here are they that keep the commandments of God,
55:52 and have the faith of Jesus."
55:55 I say to you that God also has a seal and a sign.
55:58 And that is the Sabbath commandment.
56:01 The Sabbath commandment, which is found in Exodus 20:8-11.
56:07 Notice what God says concerning this sign
56:09 in Ezekiel 20:12.
56:12 "Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths,
56:15 to be a sign between me and them, that they might
56:18 know that I am the LORD that sanctify them."
56:22 Verse 20 of Ezekiel chapter 20, "And hallow my sabbaths;
56:25 and they shall be a sign between me and you,
56:27 that ye may know that I am the LORD your God
56:31 that sanctifieth you."
56:33 So we see here that the Sabbath is the seal of God,
56:36 the sign of those that are in allegiance to God.
56:40 And so I encourage you to consider these things.
56:43 Our time is fast leaving us.
56:46 I bring you to Revelation 18 rather quickly here.
56:50 In Revelation chapter 18 is foretold that an angel
56:54 comes down from heaven "having great power;
56:57 and the earth was lightened with his glory."
56:59 We do not have time to talk more about this,
57:02 but the time will come when God's people,
57:04 under the anointing of the Holy Spirit,
57:06 will go forth to proclaim the everlasting gospel,
57:09 and say, "Babylon is fallen! Babylon is fallen!
57:12 Come out of her My people, and be not a partaker
57:16 of her sins and her plague."
57:18 The message will soon be preached.
57:20 And I encourage you to come out of confusion,
57:22 look at the Bible, read and study,
57:25 and show yourself approved unto God.
57:27 We'll see you next time on, Pillars of Faith.


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