Participants: Pr. Kenneth Cox
Series Code: RJC
Program Code: RJC000011
|
00:20 Good evening. Very happy to welcome all of you again
00:24 tonight as we continue this series on 00:28 Revelations from The Throne of God. 00:31 We looked at the other night where John was invited to 00:36 come up into the throne room. 00:38 And he told him, he said: "We will show you things to come. " 00:41 And everything in the book of Revelation thereafter 00:45 is from the throne room. 00:47 All the things that we talk about... you'll find those 00:50 beings in the throne room are involved such as 00:54 the four living creatures. Such as the 24 elders, 00:57 angels, and so forth. All those are there in the throne room 01:01 and they're the ones that are ministering to John 01:04 and telling him what's to take place. 01:07 So this particular series we're looking at Revelation 01:10 the 4th chapter through the 12th chapter. 01:13 That's what we're looking at as we talk about 01:16 different things that were shown John. 01:19 And this evening we're taking a look at the 144,000. 01:25 Now the 144,000 are still part of the seals. 01:30 Because we talked about the seven seals, and the seven seals 01:34 cover the sixth chapter of Revelation 01:39 and over into the first verse of the 8th chapter. 01:45 So they cover 6, 7, and the first verse of the 8th chapter. 01:49 And tonight we're looking at the 7th chapter 01:52 on the 144,000. 01:54 Tomorrow evening: tomorrow evening our presentation 01:58 is entitled Seven Trumpets. 02:03 This you will find is God's warning. 02:09 And we're going to talk about the seven trumpets 02:11 and what the scripture has to say about it. 02:14 I would suggest that tomorrow night's subject 02:19 is not really too good of a subject for small children. 02:24 I would just simply suggest that 02:27 because there's some pretty serious things 02:31 in that chapter on the seven trumpets. 02:36 So you'll want to follow carefully as we talk about it 02:40 because it's very, very important. 02:43 But tonight... the 144,000 02:46 are God's people and the sealing of them and what all 02:50 is involved in them. And so I'm sure you will 02:52 find it - I hope - encouraging 02:55 as the scripture shows what's going to take place and happen 02:59 just before Jesus comes. 03:02 And as best I can tell from the study of Revelation, folks, 03:05 you and I are living at that time. 03:08 So all of you that are watching by television 03:11 or listening on the radio 03:13 or taking care of it through the Internet, 03:16 we're glad to welcome you here and we hope you'll enjoy 03:20 the presentation as we go into it tonight. 03:23 We are very, very happy to have 03:27 Pam and Jimmy Rhodes with us. 03:30 They're always special guests for us and we appreciate that 03:33 very much. Pam is singing tonight a song 03:37 entitled Calvary. It talks about the sacrifice of Jesus 03:42 for you and for me. 03:45 But before she sings tonight 03:48 Chuck Allgaier is going to come out and he's going to read 03:51 about the 144,000. 03:54 The 144,000 will cover the 7th chapter and it will cover 04:00 five verses in the 14th chapter. 04:04 Those two chapters is what will be involved. 04:07 The 7th chapter and five verses in the 14th chapter 04:10 as we talk about the 144,000. 04:17 Well, if you have your Bibles tonight, we're going to get 04:20 right to the Bible. If you have your Bible, we're going to read 04:24 Revelation chapter 14... I'm sorry, Revelation chapter 7 04:27 then we're going to read Revelation chapter 14 04:30 1 through 5. 04:31 So if you have your Bibles, turn with me to Revelation 04:34 chapter 7 then we'll skip over to Revelation chapter 14. 04:37 Let's read together: 08:45 There were three crosses raised 08:50 on Calvary. 08:54 Only one held the Son 08:59 of God. 09:04 His only crime... 09:08 He pardoned sin like mine. 09:12 Now I praise Him 09:15 for He set me free. 09:22 Calvary means heaven 09:26 to me. 09:30 From the cross 09:33 to eternity. 09:39 Now I'm no longer 09:44 a slave in sin. 09:48 My Jesus paid the ransom 09:53 for me. 10:06 Like the thief on the cross 10:11 I believe. 10:15 He's the One... only Son 10:20 of God. 10:25 Sin lost its power 10:29 in that final hour. 10:33 Now I praise Him 10:36 for He set me free. 10:43 Calvary means heaven 10:47 to me. 10:51 From the cross 10:54 to eternity. 11:01 Now I'm no longer 11:05 a slave in sin. 11:09 My Jesus paid the ransom 11:14 for me. 11:19 Now I'm no longer 11:23 a slave in sin 11:27 for Calvary means heaven 11:32 to me. 11:59 Father in Heaven, tonight 12:02 as we open Your Word 12:05 we pray that Your Holy Spirit may be present. 12:10 We ask, Lord, that we each 12:14 might see and understand 12:16 what You have revealed in Your Word. 12:20 We are thankful for the promises 12:22 for the hope that we have in Jesus Christ 12:25 and for the assurance that our salvation is secure in Him. 12:31 For these things we ask in the name of our Savior, 12:35 Amen. 12:43 The 144,000. 12:46 Who are they? 12:49 Why are they a special group? 12:52 What does the scripture have to tell us about them? 12:55 To begin with let me just say that the 144,000 13:00 and what it has to say here in the 7th chapter 13:03 is kind of an interlude 13:06 that is put in between the 13th and 14th verses 13:12 of the 6th chapter. 13:14 OK? Did you follow me on that? 13:16 What is given in the 7th chapter 13:19 is kind of an interlude that goes in between 13:23 the 13th and 14th verses of the 6th chapter 13:28 because that's where it comes down and talks about 13:32 what takes place and then after that comes the coming of Christ. 13:35 And so this fits right in there. 13:38 And that kind of helps you and I know where we are 13:41 in the stream of time... what's taking place. 13:44 So we find here it says: 13:59 So we have four angels. We've come through the 6th chapter. 14:04 God has made it clear to John what's going to happen 14:07 to the wicked... what's going to take place. 14:10 And then he says these four angels 14:13 are holding back the winds of strife. 14:17 That's what they're doing... 14:19 they're holding it back. And dear friends, 14:21 as far as God's Word is concerned 14:24 you and I are living in the time in which they are holding 14:27 back the winds of strife. 14:29 Wind in Bible prophecy represents war... 14:34 strife. 14:50 So it says the Lord has a controversy with the nations. 14:53 This is what He's going to do. 15:07 So here God uses a whirlwind to represent war, strife 15:13 coming on the people. Another text that says: 15:22 So we find that the wind represents war and strife. 15:26 And God has these four angels 15:31 that are holding back the winds of strife that are going to blow 15:36 on the earth. And I have some question 15:39 that maybe you and I are living in the time 15:44 when they slowly begin to release those winds of strife. 15:50 Because things are happening today, folks, 15:53 like I have never seen... 15:55 not in my lifetime. 15:57 And so we are at that period of time. 16:05 Who are these people? 16:07 What do they represent? 16:16 So it says 144,000 of all the tribes 16:19 of the children of Israel. And as you read, 16:22 12,000 from each tribe. 16:26 OK. Let me just say a word about 144,000. 16:31 144,000 as you know is a multiple of 12 16:36 and then multiplied by 1,000. 16:39 There's a lot of reason for that in the scripture 16:41 because you'll find that even the armies of Israel 16:45 were divided by thousands. 16:47 This is something it used, and it represented God's people. 16:53 Does it mean Jews? 16:57 Does it mean that this 144,000... 17:00 12,000 from each tribe of Israel... 17:03 does that mean they are literal Jews? 17:07 How are we to look at this when it speaks of 144,000 17:12 because there are some people that believe 17:14 that it is literal Jews 17:16 that will be here and take place and all that. 17:19 Let's see what the scripture has to say. 17:21 Jesus said to the children of Israel: 17:29 When they refused to accept Him, 17:33 rejected Him as the Savior... as the Messiah, 17:38 He told them: "You house is left unto you desolate. " 17:43 And you remember as He hung there on the cross 17:46 the veil in the temple that separated the holy 17:51 and the most holy place, that veil began to tear 17:54 at the top and tore all the way to the bottom. 17:57 And the way into the most holy was open 18:00 and showing that the sacrifices and the offerings 18:05 and the ceremonial system that the Jewish people had practiced 18:10 for centuries had come to an end. 18:13 That the Savior had died. 18:16 That the Lamb of God had been offered 18:19 and that whole system was to come to an end. 18:23 Now folks, there is no way to describe 18:27 what took place here 18:31 because with the ending of that 18:33 something very dramatic happened. 18:36 Because before, the gospel 18:40 and what was done for mankind and salvation 18:44 all was contained within the Jewish nation. 18:48 If you wanted to know about God and what He was doing, 18:54 you had to basically become part of the Jewish nation. 18:57 As long as it was with the Jewish nation, 19:02 it was able to be contained. 19:05 Another power could come down and could capture them 19:11 and they could control them and confine them 19:14 and the spread of the gospel could be contained. 19:18 But when all of a sudden Jesus came and died 19:22 and that was no longer contained within the Jewish people 19:27 but every individual no matter who they were 19:30 could accept Him and become a child of God. 19:33 There was no longer Jew and Gentile. 19:36 There was no longer that division, and all of a sudden 19:39 the gospel was free to go to the world. 19:43 And it changed the whole complex... 19:46 it changed the whole scenario of things. 19:50 But what you and I need to understand 19:52 is the book of Revelation is full of symbolism. 19:57 You have to understand that. 20:00 For instance, we just studied earlier about the 7 churches. 20:05 There were seven churches, 20:07 but those 7 churches, folks, were symbols 20:11 of seven periods of time and God's church on earth. 20:15 That's what they represent, so it was symbolic of that time. 20:19 Also it talks about Jezebel. 20:22 It talks about Jezebel in Revelation. 20:25 Jezebel in Revelation's not alive! 20:27 She would have to be 600-700 years old. 20:31 Jezebel was a real person that existed but she's 20:35 not alive in Revelation... she's symbolic. 20:39 OK? Are you with me? 20:41 Talks about Balaam in the book of Revelation. 20:44 Balaam's not alive. 20:46 Lived back... period of time... was there... 20:48 but it's symbolic of something. 20:51 So you find that as it talks about... Revelation 11 20:54 talks about spiritual Sodom and Egypt. 20:58 Revelation 18 talks about Babylon. 21:01 Babylon's no longer in existence 21:03 in the time of... the book of Revelation was written. 21:06 It is symbolic. And you must look at it 21:08 when we talk about the 144,000 21:12 you're going to have to understand 21:14 that it has symbolic meaning. 21:16 Now it could be a literal people but that alone is not enough. 21:20 It definitely has symbolism as all the other things do. 21:24 And I want to clear up one other point. 21:27 There are no lost tribes. 21:32 I hear people talk about oh the lost tribes. 21:36 Nowhere in this book does it ever talk about the lost tribes 21:39 of Israel. That doesn't exist, folks. 21:42 That's just something that's been made-up. 21:44 The lost tribes of Israel? No! 21:46 If you want to know, go to the book of Ezra. 21:50 This is after they had been in captivity all those years. 21:53 And in the book of Ezra you find that they offered 21:56 sacrifice for each one of the tribes. 22:00 And they could not do that without one of those people 22:04 from that tribe present because nowhere 22:07 do they ever offer a sacrifice by proxy. 22:10 Just didn't happen! 22:12 So there's no such thing as lost tribes of Israel. 22:16 That doesn't... Sure, they were carried into captivity, but 22:18 it doesn't mean they didn't exist. 22:21 So you need to be very, very clear on that. 22:24 So what is it talking about? 22:41 In other words, when you and I accept 22:46 Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, 22:50 you become a child of God. 22:54 You become part of spiritual Israel. 22:57 You become a descendant of Abraham by faith. 23:03 And the promises that God made to Abraham of old 23:07 belong to you. 23:09 That is what was given. Let's go on. 23:21 No longer do we have separate there. 23:25 They're all one in Christ. 23:41 Promises that God made to Abraham belong to you 23:46 through Jesus Christ! 23:49 That's what's given to you and to me. 23:52 So when He talks about 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel 23:57 this is not talking about literal Israel. 24:00 This is talking about spiritual Israel. 24:02 This is talking about God's people... 24:04 and there were to be 144,000. 24:16 He said: "No, that doesn't make you a Jew. " 24:23 Said: "That's not the way it's looked at. " 24:32 "The Jew who is one inwardly. " That means what I believe. 24:44 So dear friends, the 144,000 as we look at it tonight 24:49 we have to look at in the sense of God's people. 24:53 Now the number twelve is used many, many times 24:57 in scripture as you can see here. 25:10 The number 12 represents God's kingdom. 25:15 It's a kingdom number, and that's the way it is used. 25:19 So when it speaks of 144,000 25:23 that is talking about God's people as a complete whole. 25:28 That's what it's talking about: as a complete whole. 25:32 Now I know there's people that try and take and make it 25:35 a literal number, but as far as I'm concerned 25:38 it has more to do with all of God's people that is complete 25:43 and whole. 25:45 Could be a literal number, but in the best meaning 25:49 it means God's people as a whole. 25:58 You see, God is putting an end 26:04 to sin. 26:07 God does not want to get 10,000 years into eternity 26:13 and have someone say: "Well, Lord, 26:16 these people that were of this particular make-up, 26:20 personality, character... they just didn't make it. " 26:23 God doesn't intend that to happen. 26:27 God said that "We're going to show every type of character. 26:32 Every type of character, and there will be 12,000 from each 26:38 type. " And so He lists them. 26:41 You'll find that as He talks about the 12 tribes 26:45 he tells their characteristics. 26:47 Jacob in the 49th chapter of Genesis 26:50 lists what they're like each one. 26:53 And there's a book called The Lamb that was written 26:58 by Leslie Harding. In that he describes some of their 27:02 characteristics, and I thought you might enjoy them. 27:05 Judah? Says he was independent. 27:36 This was their characteristics, their make-up. 27:40 That's the way they were. 27:42 Now I want you to take your Bible 27:45 and I want you to turn over to the 7th chapter of Revelation 27:50 that we're looking at. 27:53 And as you look at the 7th chapter here 27:57 notice that this list of the 28:01 sons of Jacob which made up the twelve tribes 28:06 of Israel... there's two that are missing in Revelation 7. 28:13 Two that are not there. 28:15 Do you know what two they are? 28:20 The two that are missing here 28:23 is Dan and Ephraim. 28:27 Those are the two that are missing. 28:30 And there's a very definite reason why they're missing. 28:36 Ephraim... Ephraim was the son of who? 28:44 He was the son of Joseph. 28:47 Have you thought about that? 28:49 He had everything he ever wanted. 28:55 His father was the prime minister of the country. 29:01 When it came to wealth, anything he wanted. 29:07 And he grew up that way, and as you read about Ephraim 29:12 he was also one of the foremost that was leading the children 29:15 of Israel into idolatry. 29:18 Led them away from Him... 29:20 Dan? Critical. 29:23 And friends, you and I need to take a close look at that 29:28 because he will not make it into the kingdom of God 29:31 because he was critical. 29:33 When you and I have a tendency to be critical of other people 29:38 and criticize other people, you'd better write it down. 29:41 And by the way... so was Judas. 29:46 So they're... they're left out. 29:49 They're left out... and when you... 29:52 This list that you have here in Revelation 7... 29:54 that's the same list of the names 29:58 that are over the gates of the New Jerusalem. 30:02 And by the way, have you ever looked at what gate 30:05 you're going to go through? 30:09 Because according to your personality and character 30:12 you're going to go through that gate into the city. 30:14 So here you have the 144,000 30:18 each from a different type of personality. 30:39 Now folks, I want to just pause on this point 30:43 here and I'll come back to it in a little bit. 30:45 But I want to point out that this text in Revelation 7:14 30:49 not only applies to the 144,000 30:53 but it applies to the great multitude... 30:56 not to just the 144,000. 30:59 And I run onto people who try to take that and apply it just 31:02 to the 144,000. Not it doesn't! 31:20 So when you read this 7th chapter, it describes 31:23 144,000; brings you down; and then it says after this 31:27 "there was a great number that no one could number 31:32 of all the nations of the earth, clothed in white robes. " 31:36 What I'm trying to get across to you: yes, there's 144,000 31:39 but there is a great multitude of people 31:43 that are saved in God's kingdom. Not just the 144,000. 31:48 The 144,000 are a special group of people, 31:52 but they're a special group of people for a definite reason. 31:55 These - and when it says these it's talking about 31:58 the great multitude - came out of tribulation. 32:03 They have passed through a time of tribulation. 32:08 They have come out... the great multitude... 32:10 and they have washed their robes and made them white 32:13 in the blood of the Lamb. 32:14 Paul has this to say: 32:16 "And not only that, but we also glory in" what? 32:21 Have you done that lately? 32:23 Gloried in tribulation? OK. 32:37 Yes, necessary to your character and mine 32:42 that we go through tribulation 32:45 because that's what it takes to develop character. 32:51 And dear friend, you need to understand 32:55 that the development of character takes place here... 32:59 not in heaven. 33:01 It takes place here... not in heaven. 33:04 So you and I need to be very much aware 33:09 of what God is doing. 33:24 They were redeemed from where? 33:26 So they're individuals just like you and I, see. 33:31 They're redeemed from the earth. They're people just like us. 33:35 Every different type of character so you can't say 33:39 there was no chance for you. 33:41 Because they're there... 33:42 every one from every type of character. 33:45 And they sing a song that only they learn 33:49 because it has to do with their experience. 33:52 That's the song that they're singing 33:55 that they're the only ones that learn. 34:01 What makes them a special group of people? 34:11 That's the first thing that makes them special. 34:14 And they took and they washed their robes 34:19 and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 34:22 The only way you can wash your robe and make it white 34:28 in the blood of the Lamb is you have to wash it 34:33 in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 34:37 That's the only way that it happens 34:41 is if you and I wash these lives of ours... 34:46 our characters... in His blood. 34:48 Oh dear friend, you and I need to be 34:51 on our knees praying daily 34:55 that God will change us. That He will make us 35:00 into His character, into His likeness. 35:04 That we would be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. 35:14 Say's they're virgins. 35:17 Never married, right? 35:21 Is that what it's telling us? 35:24 These have not been defiled with women. 35:27 What is it telling us? 35:29 Well, we need to introduce somebody here. 35:33 Revelation 17 verse 4. 35:50 This is the woman that leads them... 35:55 this is the woman that will lead people into adultery 36:00 or fornication. 36:02 This woman of Revelation 17: she's referred to as the great 36:07 harlot. And therefore this 144,000 36:13 have not been defiled by her. 36:18 What does that mean? 36:21 Well, a woman in Bible prophecy represents what? 36:26 Church. "Husbands, love your wives... " 36:39 So if they're not defiled with women 36:43 what does that tell you? 36:49 It means, dear friend, that if your belief 36:55 and your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ 36:59 is based on the church, you've got it in the wrong place. 37:05 That's what it means. 37:07 You see, my relationship with Christ 37:12 has to be built on this 37:15 so it never changes because 37:21 if you were to set out and say: "Well, I'm going to find 37:24 the truth" and set out to do it by going to churches, 37:28 there's over 300 different major denominations. 37:33 That's a long, long road. 37:37 You and I have to go to God's Word, and I have to 37:41 get into the Word and study it and find out what it says 37:44 and build my faith on the Word of God... 37:48 NOT ON A CHURCH. 37:50 Now it doesn't mean that I shouldn't belong to a church. 37:54 That isn't what it means at all, because 37:56 the scripture speaks of good woman which is a good church. 37:59 But you do not find truth by a church. 38:04 You find truth by the Word of God. 38:07 And these people are those who were faithful. 38:12 They had not been defiled with women 38:16 because they were true to God 38:18 and they followed the Word of God. 38:23 Simply what it's telling you that they have not been 38:27 defiled. How do you commit spiritual adultery? 38:34 How do you do that? 38:38 Well you do it by adulterating the Word of God. 38:41 That's by teaching false belief. 38:45 By teaching something that does not have Biblical foundation. 38:48 By teaching something that is not supported 38:51 by the Word of God. That is adulterating the Word of God 38:55 and that is committing spiritual adultery. 38:58 And it says that these don't do that. 39:01 They're virgins. 39:09 Are you getting the picture about these people? 39:14 "In their mouth was found no deceit. " 39:17 In other words, what it's talking about... 39:20 it's talking about a special group of people 39:23 that by the grace of God He has been able to change them 39:29 and change their character until in them 39:33 is found no fault. 39:38 Now let me just tell you right now 39:42 they're never going to know who they are. 39:47 You'll never find these people - the 144,000- 39:52 coming around saying "well, I'm one of the 144,000. " 39:57 If they do, you'd better run - 39:59 see? - because that will never happen. 40:03 Because, dear friend, it's impossible... 40:07 it's impossible for you and for me as human beings 40:11 because the closer you come to Christ 40:15 the more sinful you're going to appear in your own eyes. 40:18 And so they're not going to come to that way but - that place - 40:22 but they are to the place in their Christian experience 40:27 that they are as the scripture says "without fault. " 40:35 They have come to that place in their Christian experience. 40:41 So by the grace of God He has changed them, 40:46 made them different. 40:49 And I want to say this evening, folks, 40:52 you and I cannot change ourselves. 40:58 You can't. 41:00 That's an impossibility. 41:02 The scripture says: "Can a leopard change its spots? " 41:04 No, we can't do that. 41:07 But what we can do... 41:09 I CAN spend time with the Lord. 41:14 I can spend time in the Word of God. 41:17 And as I spend time with Him open my heart up 41:22 to the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will change you. 41:26 That's HIS work... that's not your work. 41:29 That's His work: to make us different, 41:31 to change our characters; to make us like Jesus Christ. 41:35 And this 144,000 are those that that happened... 41:39 that took place in their lives so that they are 41:42 without fault before the throne of God. 41:57 He said... you see, He's down here to the place 42:01 where all these seals have taken place 42:05 and Christ is about ready to come. 42:07 The great earthquake and all that is about ready 42:10 to take place and He's saying: "Don't harm the earth 42:12 or anything until we have sealed the servants of God 42:16 in their foreheads. " 42:17 And please notice folks: He seals them where? 42:21 In the forehead. 42:24 Not like the mark of the beast 42:25 that can be in the forehead or in the hand. 42:28 But the seal of God is placed only in the forehead. 42:32 What does the seal do? 42:38 What is the purpose of the seal? 42:40 The purpose of the seal is two: 42:41 1. It shows ownership 42:44 and 2. it shows protection. 42:47 Those are the two things that the seal of God does. 42:51 And He says: "Don't do anything till we have sealed 42:54 the servants of our God in their foreheads. " 42:57 Do you know what it means by sealing? 43:02 When it says sealing them? Sealing, folks, 43:06 is settling into the truth. 43:10 Do you understand what I mean by that? 43:12 Sealing is settling into the truth. 43:15 In other words, what I mean is that I need to study. 43:19 I need to spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ 43:22 so I come to the place where I say "Yeah, 43:27 that's truth. I know it's truth. 43:29 Without a question it's the truth of God 43:32 and I am going to follow it and walk with my Lord. 43:35 I'm settling into the truth. " 43:37 And when a person does that, 43:39 that is God sealing that individual. 43:43 And you've got to be settled. You've got to be sealed. 43:48 You've got to be into the truth enough so that as 43:51 the tribulation comes you stand firm. 43:55 You don't move. You say: "Yes, this is what I believe. 44:00 I'll stand firm for the Word of God. " 44:13 Places a seal upon them. The Lord says: 44:16 "That one's mine... belongs to Me. " 44:23 God is saying: "These are My people; they belong to Me. 44:27 They're sealed. 44:30 They are faithful to Me. They're settled in the truth of God. " 44:34 This is the sealing that takes place. 44:46 "Bind up the testimony; 44:49 seal the law among My disciples. " 44:54 You see, the law - the law of God - 44:59 is a transcript of God's character. 45:03 That's what it is. 45:05 And since it's a transcript of God's character 45:09 and you and I must have our characters 45:15 made into His likeness, 45:18 that's why it's talking about "Bind up the testimony; 45:22 seal the law among My disciples. " 45:25 That it brings their life into harmony with the Word of God. 45:30 Now a seal... a seal - as I said - 45:35 has authority and protection. 45:39 And a seal has certain things in it. 45:42 The President of the United States has a seal. 45:45 As you can see here, you have the seal. 45:49 The name: Abraham Lincoln. 45:52 That's his name. Title: President. 45:55 You know what that seal does? 45:58 That gives authority to it. 46:01 And territory: the United States. 46:04 Those are the things that are in a seal. 46:08 Now if he's going to seal the law among His disciples, 46:14 then is there anything in God's law 46:19 that expresses the seal? 46:22 That's what you've got to look at. Now, 46:25 I can take the 10 Commandments 46:29 and I can take 9 of them 46:32 and I can apply them to this altar. 46:35 In other words, I can take this altar 46:38 and say it's my god. 46:40 And I can say: "My god tells me I'm not to have any other 46:45 gods before it. " 46:47 My god tells me I'm not to take its name in vain. 46:51 My god tells me I'm to honor my father and my mother. 46:55 My god tells me I'm not to kill. 46:59 I can take and make that altar my god and say... 47:04 But I cannot take the 4th Commandment and do that 47:10 because it says: 47:25 That just left my altar out. 47:28 See? The Sabbath of the Lord your God. 47:34 Left it out. 47:36 OK. 47:46 Listen: 47:48 "for in six days the Lord made" 47:52 That makes Him the Creator; 47:56 again leaves out my altar. 47:59 He is the Creator of heaven and earth: 48:04 His territory. 48:12 That 4th Commandment contains the seal of God. 48:17 That's what's there. Has His name: 48:19 the Lord your God. 48:22 Creator: title. 48:25 Territory: heaven and earth. 48:28 That's why it says: "Seal the law among My disciples. " 48:33 And in this day and age, God is looking for people 48:37 who are willing to say: "Yes, Lord. 48:42 I'll build my faith on Your Word. " 48:47 "I'll build it on what the scripture says and I'll stand 48:51 on Your Word even though the whole rest of the world 48:55 may go the other direction I'm going to follow Your Word. " 48:58 "I'm going to walk in the light of Your Word. " 49:01 And God says: "These are My people" and will seal them. 49:07 You see, He even says that. 49:26 That Lord who does what? 49:29 What does that mean? 49:31 That means change of character. 49:37 Follow me? 49:39 That's what it means. 49:41 He said: "I'm the One... I'm the One that will change 49:45 your character and make you different. " 49:49 "If I can take and make a day holy, 49:52 I can make you holy. " 49:55 And He does that for us. 49:58 This 144,000 are a special group of people 50:01 because God has been able to work in their lives 50:04 in such a way that they've come to the place that they are 50:07 without fault before God. 50:09 But dear friends, don't mix it up. 50:12 There is a great, great multitude 50:16 clothed in white robes 50:19 having palms in their hands 50:21 standing on the sea of glass. These are the redeemed. 50:25 Yes, the 144,000 as it says are the first, 50:31 but it doesn't mean first in quantity... 50:36 it means first in quality. 50:40 They have developed characters like their Lord. 50:46 That's what they've done. 50:48 They are a special group of people. 51:01 You see, they're the firstfruits but they're the firstfruits 51:04 in quality... not in quantity 51:10 but in quality. They have developed characters 51:14 that... to God and the Lamb. 51:25 This 144,000 are a special group. 51:28 They serve the Lord... before Him all the time. 51:32 You know why? 51:34 Do you know why? 51:36 Because, folks, they are living proof... 51:40 they're living proof of what the grace of God can do. 51:44 So down through the ceaseless ages of eternity 51:48 He can point to these people and say: "Look, 51:51 these are the ones who so surrendered their life to Me 51:56 that I could work in their life 51:59 and change them and make them like Me. " 52:02 That He could do. And He said: "Here's living proof 52:05 that it can be done out of every personality, every type 52:09 that was on earth... there they are: 52:12 living proof of what the grace of God could do. " 52:17 This is why they're there: they'll serve Him. 52:26 You see, throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity 52:29 wherever Christ goes 52:32 He can take these along and say: "Here, these were the ones 52:37 who were redeemed from the earth. 52:40 These are the ones that surrendered their life, 52:44 walked with Me, followed Me. 52:46 These are the ones 52:48 that I have made like unto Me. " 52:53 So these are the 144,000. 52:57 These are the special ones. 53:05 Sealed in their foreheads. 53:09 They have the Father's name. That means they're like Him 53:14 in character. That's what that means. 53:17 And so dear friend tonight you and I 53:21 have the privilege of so surrendering our lives 53:26 to Jesus Christ that He can do His work in us. 53:32 And oh, dear friend, we're so close to the end. 53:37 Jesus is coming. 53:40 We only have a little bit of time. 53:45 Surrender your heart. Surrender your soul to Him. 53:50 Let the Lord Jesus Christ work in your life. 53:53 Let Him shine forth from your life in all of His glory 53:59 and all of His righteousness and all of His love 54:03 that you and I may reflect His glory to those about us. 54:07 Let us pray. 54:09 Father in heaven, 54:12 we thank you... thank you, Lord, for the assurance of Your Word, 54:17 the promise that Jesus is coming soon 54:23 and that each one of us can be among those that will stand 54:30 on the sea of glass clothed in white robes 54:34 and palm branches in our hands and sing praises to You. 54:38 Grant to us, Lord, the grace... 54:43 grant to us the opportunity 54:47 to follow You and to worship You. 54:49 Bless each one here tonight. 54:52 May they reach out in faith, 54:54 take hold of the promises of Your Word. 54:58 We ask in Christ's name, Amen. 55:04 Our next presentation is on the seven trumpets. 55:09 The seven trumpets. 55:11 As I mentioned earlier, I don't really recommend this 55:15 as a subject for little children. 55:17 So I would encourage you to be sure and be here. 55:22 Bring your pencil and paper as we take a look... 55:25 because these are the judgments of God and what He has to say 55:30 is going to happen. Good night; God bless you. 55:37 Every day thousands risk their lives to protect and serve 55:41 their fellow man. 55:43 They have a deep commitment to excellency in teamwork 55:46 and when others run from danger, they run to it... 55:50 even if it means personal sacrifice. 55:53 Even if it means making the supreme sacrifice for another. 55:57 They're always on call, ready to serve no matter what. 56:02 Friends, you and I can learn a lot from firefighters. 56:05 In the United States, the majority of them are volunteers. 56:09 That's right... volunteers. 56:11 But even for those who are paid it's more than a job... 56:15 it's a calling. 56:16 Jesus said in John 15 verses 12 and 13: 56:20 "This is My commandment: 56:22 that you love one another as I have loved you. 56:25 Greater love has no one than this: 56:28 than to lay down one's life for his friends. " 56:31 Those who follow the words of Jesus are His friends. 56:34 But Romans 5:8 says that "God demonstrated His own love 56:38 towards us in that while we were still sinners 56:41 Christ died for us. " 56:43 What an amazing thought! 56:45 Christ laid down His life for us 56:47 even though we were not His friends. 56:50 A firefighter is willing to do the same. 56:53 He's constantly preparing for his next mission 56:56 because his own life and the life of others 56:59 depends on his training and qualifications. 57:02 My friends, that's what we're doing right now 57:06 with this series: we are preparing you 57:09 for what is to come. 57:10 Our goal is to make you skilled in the Word 57:13 so that by the power of God you can bring others to safety - 57:17 the safety that can be found only 57:19 in the arms of a loving Savior. 57:22 Won't you help us to train and prepare others 57:24 to fulfill this mission? 57:26 Please consider what you can for those 57:29 who still don't know about Jesus. 57:31 As the Holy Spirit impresses, 57:32 please send your tax-deductible gifts to: 57:48 Thank you for helping us spread the light of God's Word 57:51 through television. Your gifts bring the blessed hope 57:54 of salvation to millions around the world. |
Revised 2014-12-17