Participants: Pr. Taj Pacleb
Series Code: ROHB
Program Code: ROHB000003
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00:39 Our message tonight, "The Lamb of Revelation."
00:46 It is one of the most important topics of this whole seminar, 00:50 an essential foundational message. 00:54 We are studying Revelation. 00:57 We are studying Bible prophecy 00:58 as it relates to us in these last days. 01:02 And remind me, friends, 01:04 what is the primary purpose of prophecy? 01:09 It is not simply to inform our minds with information, 01:13 but the primary purpose of prophecy 01:16 is so that we might know Jesus. 01:21 The Bible tells us 01:22 that the Book of Revelation is all about Jesus. 01:25 It is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ. 01:31 And we can talk about prophecy 01:34 without making it centered in Jesus 01:36 because it's all about Him. 01:38 Can you say amen? 01:39 And so I want you to notice 01:40 why is that so important to focus on the prophecies 01:43 concerning the life of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. 01:46 And here is the essential reason. 01:47 The Bible tells us in John 17:3. 01:50 Please, write it down. 01:51 It says, "This is life eternal." 01:54 Here in Jesus, here Jesus in this passage, 01:56 distills for us what it means to be saved? 02:00 What it means to have everlasting life? 02:03 "And He says, this is life eternal 02:05 that they might know, what, thee, the only true God 02:10 and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent." 02:12 The Bible makes it clear Jesus words. 02:14 He said that salvation and eternal life is found not in 02:18 what you know, but in who you know. 02:22 To know Jesus Christ equal as salvation and eternal life. 02:26 And eternal life is not just talking about quantity of life, 02:29 it's also talking about quality of life, 02:31 abundant like a peace and joy and hope. 02:34 How many of you want to have this life? 02:36 Well, it's found, brothers and sisters, 02:38 not in head knowledge, 02:39 but a heart experience with the person Jesus Christ. 02:43 He is the way the truth and the life. 02:47 And so tonight in this foundational message, 02:50 let's take a look at the lamb of revelation. 02:53 Yes, we are gonna talk about the beast. 02:55 We are gonna know who the beast, 02:56 the antichrist, all that we are gonna cover in detail. 02:58 It's gonna be clear, 02:59 but first let's talk about the lamb of revelation. 03:04 In the world today, there are many different beliefs 03:06 concerning the man Jesus Christ. 03:09 Some people believe that Jesus Christ 03:10 is a frictional character that never really existed. 03:14 Those holding these views are speaking from ignorance. 03:19 Because virtually all modern scholars of antiquity 03:22 agree that Jesus Christ actually existed as a historical figure. 03:27 And this is based upon the empirical evidence 03:30 of thousands of valid historical documents 03:33 and archeological discoveries. 03:35 Many documents and discovers 03:37 show that Jesus Christ literally existed as a real person. 03:41 And, friends, to hold the view 03:43 that Jesus is frictional that means, 03:45 you have to say that Alexander the great never existed either 03:48 because there is more evidence 03:49 that Jesus existed rather than Alexander the great existed, 03:52 but it's interesting. 03:53 No one questions whether or not Alexander the great exists. 03:56 You see, brothers and sisters, 03:58 most people are educated enough to realize 04:00 that that's not true. 04:02 He was a real character 04:04 that literally existed Jesus of Nazareth. 04:07 But most people view Jesus simply as a good moral teacher, 04:13 but not the Son of God. 04:15 You see, when you look at Jesus of Nazareth, 04:17 you only have three options of how you view Him. 04:22 Number one, either He is a liar, 04:24 claiming to be someone that He wasn't 04:27 or He was a lunatic, 04:29 thinking that he was someone that he wasn't 04:33 or He is the Lord. 04:36 He was exactly who He claimed to be. 04:40 Only three options and He is not a liar 04:44 and He is not a lunatic, 04:46 but here is a question. 04:48 How can we right now know this for sure? 04:51 Where is the evidence that Jesus Christ 04:53 truly is the Lord of glory? 04:56 Friends, not just based on logic and history, 04:59 but the testimony of prophecy tonight will show us 05:03 that Jesus Christ is the centre and source of salvation. 05:07 The focus and foundation of faith. 05:10 The premise and the purpose of prophecy. 05:13 You see, God in His word has given us clear 05:15 and abundant testimony pointing to Jesus of Nazareth 05:19 as the Son of God, the Messiah, 05:22 the Lord and the Savior of the world. 05:25 And, friends, if you study carefully, 05:26 I'm gonna give you a handout tonight 05:28 which shows that there are over 350 messianic prophecies 05:33 in the Old Testament, 05:35 concerning the coming of Messiah. 05:37 350 messianic prophecies now of the 350-360 05:42 of those prophecies are major prophecies. 05:45 And above 290 of them are additional details. 05:48 Now these prophecies in the Old Testament 05:50 pointing for to the coming of Messiah, 05:52 they were all written 400 years before 05:55 Jesus actually came into this world. 05:58 And all of these prophecies had to be fulfilled in one man 06:02 and almost all the prophecies Jesus had no control over it. 06:06 Therefore, there was no possibility for Him 06:08 to manipulate anything. 06:10 And the likeliness of all of these prophecies 06:13 is being fulfilled by chance 06:16 in one human being is humanly impossible. 06:20 In fact, there is a group 06:21 of American scientists and mathematicians, 06:24 they are asked to calculate the odds of probability 06:27 that one man could fulfill just eight. 06:31 How many? 06:32 Just eight of the 60 major prophecies 06:36 of the 350 prophecies of Messiah. 06:38 They are asked to calculate 06:39 how probable is it for one man to fulfill just eight of them. 06:43 And amongst the committee were notable scientists like, 06:46 Dr. Peter Stoner, John Madell and Harold Hatcher. 06:49 And after studying this and calculating through math, 06:53 the odds of probability. 06:54 Here is the committees' analysis. 06:56 Dr. Peter Stoner said, 06:58 "We find the chance that any man could fulfill 07:01 only 8 of the 60 prophecies 07:03 to be 1 out of 10 to the 28th power." 07:09 Friends, do you know how much that is? 07:12 One chance out of 10 to the 28th power. 07:16 What exactly is that? 07:17 Let's try and understand this number. 07:19 You see, that's the one to the 28th power 07:23 is the number with 28 zeros after, 07:26 that's the number. I can't even say that number. 07:29 Luckily we gonna try it. 07:31 But, friends, how much is that? 07:34 Let me illustrate it like this. 07:36 Let's say we take a whole bunch of quarters, 07:39 let's say we take 10 to the 28th power of quarters 07:44 and we cover the State of Texas with these quarters. 07:48 The quarters will cover the entire State of Texas 07:50 two feet deep. 07:52 That's how big that number is. 07:53 Now, Texas it's a lot bigger than coin, isn't that right? 07:57 So the whole State of Texas will be covered 07:59 two feet deep with that amount of numbers of quarters, 08:04 then let's say we take one of those quarters, 08:06 a gold quarter and we through it somewhere in the midst 08:10 and then we blindfold someone, 08:12 and we say to that person you have one chance, 08:15 to go blindfold and find-- 08:19 Put your hand there and grab that quarter 08:21 and the likeliness of that man on his first try 08:25 grabbing that one quarter out of 10 to the 28th power of quarters 08:30 is the same odds of just 8 prophecies 08:35 out of the 350 being fulfilled in one man. 08:39 And, friends, not only were 8 of them fulfilled in Jesus, 08:41 but all 350 prophecies were filled, 08:44 fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 08:46 Jesus is the Lord of glory. 08:49 Can you say amen? 08:51 And, friends, there are many prophecies 08:52 we don't have time to go through them, 08:53 but I'm gonna give you list, a handout. 08:55 I spent some time on this. 08:57 A list of all the 350 prophecies in the Old Testament 08:59 and how they were fulfilled in the life 09:03 and ministry of Jesus Christ. 09:06 But one of my favorite prophecies, 09:07 Messianic prophecies concerning Jesus is this one in Isaiah 53. 09:12 This is the one we want to focus on tonight. 09:14 The Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:7, 09:17 "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, 09:19 yet he opened not his mouth: 09:21 he is brought as a, what, 09:24 a lamb to the slaughter." 09:27 And, friends, this picture, this imaginary of the lamb 09:31 permits the prophetic Book of Revelation, 09:34 Friends, if you are to look up the word lamb 09:36 in the New Testament, 09:38 it is found 31 times in the New Testament. 09:40 How many times? 09:42 That's how many times the word lamb 09:43 is found in the New Testament 09:44 and of the 31 times 27 of those occurrences 09:47 are all found in the Book of Revelation. 09:50 27 out of 31 times, the word Lamb is in the New Testament. 09:53 It's right there in the Book of Revelation. 09:55 You know why? 09:56 Because Revelation is all about the lamb, Jesus Christ. 10:02 The power of the lamb over the beast in these last days, 10:07 the Lord of glory is also the lamb of grace 10:12 in the Book of Revelation. 10:14 I want to show you a few examples of this. 10:17 In Revelation 5:6, He is the lamb that was slain. 10:21 In Chapter 5:8, He is the lamb that is worshiped. 10:24 In verse 12 of the same chapter, 10:26 He is the lamb that is worthy. 10:27 In chapter 6:16, He is the lamb 10:29 that is victorious over evil. 10:31 In 7:14, He is the lamb that washes us 10:34 in His own blood. 10:35 In 7:17, He is the lamb that feeds us. 10:37 In 12:11, He is the lamb that gives us the victory. 10:42 In 14:4, He is the lamb that leads us. 10:45 In 15:3, He is the lamb that is our song. 10:47 In 17:14, He is the lamb that wins 10:50 the Battle of Armageddon. 10:51 In 19:7, He is the lamb that is married to us. 10:55 In 21:23, He is the lamb that is the light. 10:58 In 22:1, He is the lamb that quenches our thirst. 11:01 In 22:3, He is the lamb that reverses the curse. 11:05 The Lord of glory is the lamb of grace 11:07 in the Book of Revelation. 11:09 Can you say amen? 11:11 Well, friends, Jesus is the lamb 11:19 that slays the beast 11:20 and the dragon in the last days. 11:23 This is-- He is the lamb that removes all fear 11:26 from the antichrist kingdom that we might have. 11:30 Friends, there is only one other animal in Revelation 11:32 that is mentioned as many times as the lamb. 11:35 And you know what animal that is? 11:37 It's the beast. 11:39 The only other animal mentioned as many times 11:40 is the antichrist beast kingdom. 11:42 You see, the word lamb is found 27 times in Revelation, 11:46 but the beast is found in 27 verses 11:51 in the Book of Revelation. 11:53 So we find when you study Revelation carefully 11:55 there is a contrast and there is a conflict 11:59 and a context between the beast and the lamb 12:03 between Jesus Christ and the antichrist. 12:06 You see, Revelation is about a war between two beasts. 12:11 The lamb and the beast. 12:14 Between two kids, two forms of government, 12:18 two different types of laws, 12:20 two different types of kingdoms. 12:22 And, friends, these antichrist beasts 12:24 we're gonna study in detail on later night, 12:25 but this beast is simply a counterfeit of the lamb. 12:31 For every truth that God has Satan has a, what? 12:36 And we notice that this antichrist beast kingdom 12:39 copies everything that Jesus Christ the lamb did. 12:44 I want you notice some amazing striking contrasts 12:48 and similarities between the lamb Jesus Christ 12:52 and the beast the antichrist kingdom. 12:54 I want you notice there are five contrasts. 12:56 Write them down very quickly, 12:57 both the beast and the lamb begin their reign 13:01 by coming up out of water. 13:03 In fact, let's read it. 13:04 Turn with me in your Bible to the Revelation 13. 13:07 We are gonna study this more in detail. 13:08 We are just laying the foundation tonight, 13:10 but notice the beast is simply the counterfeit of the lamb. 13:13 He is trying to copy Jesus Christ. 13:15 The Bible tells us in Revelation 13:1, 13:19 the Bible tells us. 13:21 If you are there, would you please say amen? 13:23 It says, "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, 13:26 and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, 13:29 having seven heads and ten horns, 13:31 and upon his horns ten crowns, 13:33 and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." 13:35 So we find that this antichrist beast kingdom 13:38 will begin his reign by coming up of the waters, 13:41 and in the same way that's what Jesus did. 13:44 He began His ministry by coming up 13:46 out of the waters of baptism 13:48 and the beast is simply trying to copy Jesus 13:51 because it is simply the counterfeit of Jesus. 13:53 And remind me, friends, what is a counterfeit? 13:55 Something that looks real, feels real, 13:59 sounds real, but it's what? It's faith. 14:03 A counterfeit is truth and error mixed together. 14:08 So the beast copies the lamb by coming up out of the water 14:11 in the beginning of its reign. 14:13 And I want you to notice also the second parallel 14:15 is that both the beast and the lamb 14:17 have horns and crowns. 14:19 We just read right there in Revelation 13:1 14:22 that this beast that comes up out of the water 14:24 has ten horns and ten crowns 14:27 but, friends, the lamb has the same thing. 14:30 We know that Jesus according to Revelation 19, 14:32 He wears many crowns. 14:35 He has a crown with in a crown, 14:37 but notice in Chapter 5:6, 14:40 you can write that down and look up when you go home. 14:42 It talks about the lamb that was slain. 14:44 And it says that this lamb representing Jesus 14:46 has seven horns and seven eyes. 14:49 The number seven is the significant number 14:51 in Revelation. 14:52 It's a number that represents perfection or completeness 14:55 because it takes seven days to make a complete week. 14:58 And what it describes the lamb having seven eyes, 15:00 that means He has perfect vision, 15:02 perfect discernment, 15:04 but what about those seven horns. 15:06 What do horns represent in the Bible? 15:08 Write it down. 15:09 In Habakkuk 3:4, we find that Horns in the Bible 15:14 are a symbol of power. 15:16 Notice what it says in Habakkuk 3:4, 15:19 it says, "And his brightness was as the light, he had, what?" 15:24 This is a messianic prophecy, cornering Jesus by the way. 15:27 It says, "His brightness was as the light, 15:29 he had horns coming out of, where? 15:31 His hand, and there was the hiding of his." 15:35 So the horns represent power. 15:37 And these horns out of His hand 15:39 were strings of light 15:40 because from the hands of Jesus 15:42 from the wounds of Christ 15:43 flowed the light of the love of God, 15:45 the blood, friends, that gives us power over evil. 15:49 Can you say amen? 15:51 And so we find both the beast 15:53 and the lamb have crowns and horns. 15:57 Notice the third parallel and similarity, 16:01 both of them reign for exactly three-and-a-half years. 16:05 When Jesus came up out of the waters of baptism, 16:08 how long was his public ministry? 16:10 Three-and-a-half years. 16:11 Friends, we realize that that is exactly 16:12 how long the beast reign for, not literal years, 16:15 but three-and-a-half prophetic years. 16:17 We're gonna find out what this means 16:18 more in detail later on, 16:19 but notice I just want to set the foundation, 16:21 get a more of an overview tonight. 16:23 It says in verse 5 of Revelation 13 16:25 that that beast, the antichrist kingdom, 16:27 it says, "Power was given unto him to continue how long? 16:32 Do you know how long 42 months is? 16:34 Exactly three-and-a-half years. 16:38 Jesus public ministry three-and-a-half years, 16:40 the beast reigns 16:41 for three-and-a-half prophetic years. 16:43 And then at the end of the three-and-a-half years, 16:45 both the beast and the lamb 16:48 receive a deadly wound that is healed. 16:53 Notice what it says in Revelation 13:3, 16:56 it says, "And I saw one of its heads." 16:59 He is talking about the beasts. 17:00 "As it were wounded to death, 17:02 and his deadly wound was, what? 17:05 Healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." 17:08 And so, the beast after reigning 17:10 for three-and-a-half prophetic years, 17:11 he receives a deadly wound, his power is stripped 17:13 from him and in the same way, the lamb of God Jesus 17:16 after three-and-a-half year public ministry, 17:19 he received the deadly wound 17:21 as He was sacrifice on Cavalry's cross, 17:23 but praise the Lord that that wound was healed. 17:25 Can you say amen? 17:26 As He came forth 17:27 from the grave as a conquer over death. 17:30 So the beast wound was 17:32 healed and then all the way we found of the beast, 17:34 but so to the lamb's wound 17:36 would be healed as He resurrects 17:38 and then we find the fifth striking similarity. 17:42 After their wounds are healed 17:44 both are given universal power on dominion. 17:48 It said in verse 3 of Revelation 13, 17:50 "That all the world wondered after the beast." 17:55 In other words, the wound is 17:56 healed and now he has universal power 17:59 and dominion over all the world 18:00 except for God's people, of course. 18:02 Can you say amen? Amen. 18:03 But so to win Jesus when was here-- 18:05 When He resurrected before He ascended to heaven, 18:08 He said to the disciples all power is given unto me 18:11 in heaven and in earth." 18:14 Can you say amen? Amen. 18:16 "And so to the beast his wound was healed 18:17 and all the world wondered." 18:18 So we find five striking 18:20 similarities between the antichrist beast 18:24 and Jesus Christ the lamb. 18:25 Number one, both start their reign 18:27 by coming up out of water. 18:29 Number two, both have crowns and horns. 18:33 Number three, both reign for three-and-a-half years. 18:35 Number four, both receive 18:36 a deadly wound that is healed. 18:37 And number five, after the wound is healed 18:42 both receive and are given universal power and dominion. 18:46 You see, friends, 18:47 what the antichrist kingdom is seeking to do is to copy 18:51 that lamb of God in order to make it counterfeit, 18:55 in order to deceive almost the whole world 18:58 into following Satan. 19:01 And for this cause, tells me, 19:04 do you think it's important to know exactly 19:07 who the true lamb is? 19:09 If the beast looks so much like the lamb that shows 19:13 that we have to look a little bit deeper 19:15 and make sure that we really know the true Jesus 19:21 because Jesus said in the last days 19:22 of many false Christ and false prophets. 19:25 Showing great signs and wonders so much 19:27 that if they were possible, 19:29 He would deceive the very elect. 19:32 And many people who are satisfied 19:34 with a surface experience for the Lord, 19:36 many say, many people who are used to being 19:39 spoon-fed by ministers instead of studying the Bible 19:42 and having their own personal walk with Jesus. 19:45 Many people just might end up 19:47 following the antichrist thinking that is Jesus Christ. 19:53 And so we need to know for sure who the real Jesus is 19:58 because if we don't, we can be 20:00 easily let astray by our false Christ. 20:04 And so... 20:08 do you see the importance of knowing 20:10 the difference between the beast and the lamb, 20:12 if so, would you please say amen? 20:13 But, friends, here is the thing 20:14 that I want us to understand tonight. 20:17 You don't have to worry about the beast 20:20 as long as you know the lamb. 20:23 In other words, victory over the beast 20:26 is found by simply knowing the lamb of Revelation. 20:32 And so from the very beginning of time, 20:35 God sort to save us from the power of the beast kingdom 20:39 by connecting us with the Lamb of God. 20:42 You see, friends, from the very beginning 20:44 as soon as sin came into this world, 20:46 the Bible tells us that God set up a system of salvation 20:51 to keep the reality of the lamb's power 20:54 ever before our eyes. 20:56 In our minds, constantly from the very beginning 20:59 as soon as there were sin there was a Savior and God 21:02 wanted us to understand 21:03 and keep to the forefeet of a mind, 21:05 the power of the lamb that gives us victory over sin. 21:08 And that's why the Bible says in Revelation 13:8, 21:11 it says that, "He is the lamb slain from, 21:14 where, from the very beginning of time, friends." 21:18 The Bible says that the lamb was slain, 21:21 but how was he slain? 21:23 We know that Jesus is the lamb, 21:24 but how was Jesus slain? 21:25 I thought He was slain 21:26 just when He came to the world on the cross 21:27 but, friends, Jesus was slain 21:29 from the very beginning of time, how? 21:30 Through types. 21:32 Sacrifices, symbols and ceremony. 21:36 You see, we know according to the Bible 21:38 that as soon as there was a sin there was a Savior. 21:40 As soon as Adam and Eve 21:41 for took of that forbidden fruit, 21:43 they became sinners and they were subject to death, 21:48 but then God said, "To slay the lamb." 21:53 And this little innocent animal that Adam need 21:55 to had to slay to sacrifice was a symbol of Jesus. 22:01 And in the order for their nakedness to be 22:04 covered with the coats of skin that God provided, 22:08 an innocent animal had to sacrifice, 22:10 had to be scarified in order for guilty man to be 22:13 covered of their nakedness. 22:14 You see that those coats of skin represents 22:17 the righteousness of Christ that could only be 22:20 given to the human race by the death of Jesus. 22:24 As soon as there was sin, God will show the human race, 22:29 the lamb is the solution to sin. 22:33 Can you say amen? Amen. 22:34 The power of the lamb given us victory over the beast. 22:39 God provided coats of skin from an animal sacrifice. 22:43 As soon as there was sin, there was a Savior. 22:45 And Adam and Eve passed this beautiful truth, 22:47 the system of salvation in the sacrificial services 22:50 passing this truth down to their children Kane and Abel. 22:54 And as we move down through time, 22:57 we find the touching story. 22:59 The father-son story of Abraham and Isaac. 23:03 You remember the story, don't you? 23:05 God called Abraham to sacrifice his beloved promise son. 23:10 You know, sometimes God says things to us 23:11 that doesn't make sense at first, 23:13 but we need to trust that voice. 23:14 Can you say amen? Amen. 23:15 We need to recognize that God would never ask us 23:17 to do something that will hurt or harm us 23:19 only to save us and bless us. 23:22 So Abraham was willing to do it and he called this son Isaac 23:26 to go up to the Mount Moriah to sacrifice, 23:28 but this father-- 23:29 Can you imagine it? 23:31 He could not bring himself to reveal God's will to his son. 23:34 Here is the story of the heart of a father seeking 23:36 to protect his little boy, 23:38 but finally that young man Isaac pointed 23:41 the problem out to the father. 23:42 And notice what he said. 23:45 In Genesis 22:7 and 8, 23:47 "And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, 23:48 and said, My father, behold the fire and the wood, 23:51 but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" 23:54 You see, Isaac realize that the central figure 23:57 of worship is the lamb. 24:00 So, father, we have the wood, the fire, 24:02 the knife, we have everything, 24:04 but where is the lamb? 24:06 Where is the lamb, father? 24:08 And, friends, that's the question of all questions. 24:11 Throughout every generation in the Old Testament, 24:14 people wondered the answer to this question, 24:16 where is the lamb as thousands upon 24:19 thousands of animals were slain 24:20 for the forgiveness of sins, people wondering 24:22 where is the lamb? 24:24 When is he coming to die once in for all? 24:27 Where is the true Messiah? The Lamb of God? 24:30 Where is the lamb? That's the question. 24:34 Abraham's responses to the question by saying, 24:37 "My, son, God will provide, 24:41 what, himself a lamb for a burnt offering." 24:47 Jehovah-jireh is not just referring to God 24:49 supplying your needs, friends. 24:51 And how he's gonna help you pay 24:52 the mortgage on the bills. 24:54 The context of Jehovah-jireh is the fact that God 24:57 will provide the sacrifice for our salvation. 25:00 He will provide Himself a lamb to be slain. 25:07 And so... 25:11 Abraham in obedience to God 25:14 began to walk up Mount Moriah, not knowing exactly 25:17 how it's gonna workout, but knowing 25:18 that God would provide. 25:20 And on Mount Moriah, can you imagine 25:22 what a dramatic scene as now Abraham 25:25 binds his little son Isaac upon the altar. 25:29 And in obedience to the voice of God, 25:31 He lifts up the knife, 25:34 he is about to slay the promise son 25:36 and obedience God's command. 25:37 You see, father Abraham did not with hold from God, 25:44 that which was most precious to him. 25:48 Friends, this story is a picture 25:51 of how the true father in heaven did not with hold 25:55 giving his son for you and me. 25:59 He didn't hold it back. 26:01 He didn't try to protect his son. 26:04 He said, "I want to give You my son, 26:06 he is gonna die for all the word for God. 26:08 So love the word 26:09 that He gave us only begotten son." 26:14 And when Abraham lifted up that knife 26:16 and was about to slay his boy, 26:20 then he heard the voice from heaven, 26:21 God saying, "Lay not your hand upon the lad for now 26:24 I know that you fear Me, it was a test of love." 26:28 And Abraham passed the test. 26:29 And after God said that then Abraham looked 26:32 and he saw a lamb whose horns 26:36 were caught in the thicket. 26:38 And instead of the son Isaac dying, 26:41 that lamb now died. 26:42 It was a symbol of Jesus the lamb, 26:45 the Lamb of God died, so that we wouldn't have to. 26:50 Can you say amen? Amen. 26:52 So throughout the Old Testament over and over 26:54 through every generation, God was wanting 26:56 to impress upon the minds of all of His children 26:58 that there is salvation only in the blood of the lamb. 27:02 It is knowing the lamb that gives us power over the beast. 27:08 And as time went on, later on Abraham's children 27:12 the Israelite nation found themselves 27:15 in the bitter bondage of Egypt. 27:18 But God came to liberate them from the oppression 27:22 and how was it possible for God's people to Passover 27:26 from bondage into freedom. 27:28 How did it Passover from death into life, 27:30 from slavery into salvation? 27:32 By what means, do you remember? 27:34 By what means were they freed 27:36 from the bondage of Egypt, by what means? 27:41 It was the blood of the Passover lamb? 27:46 Applied to the door post of their houses 27:49 which was a symbol of the door post of our hearts. 27:51 You see, friends, the thing that gave them freedom 27:54 from bondage was the blood 27:57 and that which gives us freedom 27:58 from the bondage of sin is the blood of Jesus Christ. 28:02 You see, friends, the Lamb of God, 28:04 He is the one that brings life and liberation 28:06 when there is nothing, but decay, 28:09 bondage and death over and over again, 28:12 Jesus or God was trying to impress upon 28:14 the minds of every generation that there is only 28:17 hope in the lamb 28:19 and this is what revelation is all about. 28:21 He brings liberation and He brings life. 28:24 Can you say amen? Amen. 28:25 And upon exiting Egypt, God reviewed then 28:28 a more organized system of sacrifice 28:30 so that they would never forget so that God's people 28:33 you and I would never forget the efficiency 28:36 of the blood of the lamb. 28:37 Upon leaving Egypt, 28:38 God didn't said to them in Exodus 25:8, 28:41 "Let them make me a--" What is that word? 28:43 "Sanctuary that I may dwell among them." 28:47 And this sanctuary, this Old Testament temple, 28:50 this was the centre of the sacrificial services 28:54 and it was in this sanctuary that God will teach a man 28:57 about the plan of salvation through types, 29:00 ceremonies and symbols so that we could get ready 29:04 for the coming of the true lamb of God. 29:06 You see, this was the center of the sacrificial services. 29:08 Everything that was done in this Old Testament 29:10 sanctuary was to be an object lesson. 29:12 A what? An object lesson or a visual aid. 29:16 And, friends, the most significant character 29:18 in this sanctuary was the lamb. 29:21 You see, every thing that took place 29:22 in the sanctuary revolved around the lamb that was slain. 29:28 And I want to share with you, tell you about it tonight 29:30 because this is very important foundation 29:32 for tomorrow night's topic. 29:33 You see, if we lived in Old Testament times 29:35 and we wanted to be forgiven of our sins, 29:38 we would have to bring 29:39 a spotless lamb to the sanctuary. 29:42 And then we'd have to place our hands 29:44 over the head of that innocent animal, 29:46 then we would confess our sins to God. 29:49 And now symbolically our sins are being 29:50 transferred from us the sinner, 29:53 now it's being placed upon the innocent lamb. 29:55 In other words, the lamb now bears the sin of the sinner. 30:01 And then when the lamb took the sin. 30:03 That man that just confessed their sin, 30:05 they would have to take a knife 30:07 and they would have to cut 30:08 the throat of an innocent animal. 30:11 The jugular vein causing the blood to flow 30:13 and the priest was there 30:14 with the bow to catch all the blood. 30:16 And so we find that that man with his own hands 30:19 had to slay the lamb in order to be forgiven. 30:22 And, friends, the reason why that lamb 30:24 had to be without spot and without blemish 30:26 because every animal that was sacrificed 30:29 represented the true Lamb of God, 30:30 Jesus Christ and in order for Christ 30:33 to be our Savior and sacrifice. 30:35 He had to be without spot, without blemish, 30:38 without any sin for if he sin once, 30:40 he would have been a sinner 30:41 and he wouldn't need a Savior. 30:43 And so through the ceremony, God was trying to impress upon 30:48 the dull centers of the human race that sin 30:50 is not a good thing. 30:53 Sin is an ugly thing. It is a terrible thing. 30:56 It is bloody. It is glory. 30:58 It is terrible because the wages of sin is death. 31:02 And God was trying to put in them 31:04 hearts of the human race, hatred towards sin 31:07 that causes so much pain. 31:09 Friends, you notice the media. 31:11 They make sin look so beautiful, so appealing, 31:14 so attractive. 31:15 Oh, it's so much fun. 31:16 It feels so good but, friends, 31:18 if we are to know that sin really is and what it does, 31:21 we would leave it alone. 31:23 Sin would cause an innocent animal that have to die, 31:26 representing Jesus, he was slain by our sins. 31:29 It was as if when we sin, it's like we are taking a knife 31:32 with our own hands and we're slaying the lamb, 31:35 is that we are taking the lamb on the hills 31:37 and driving it through the hands and feet of Jesus. 31:40 This is what sin does, friends. 31:43 It brings pain to God. 31:47 And so God asked the people to do this 31:50 because He wanted them to know that in order 31:53 for guilty man to live, the innocent lamb had to die. 32:00 In order for us to go free, 32:02 that lamb had to split his blood. 32:05 The Bible says, without the shedding of blood 32:07 there is no remission of sins. 32:09 This happened right here at the altar of burnt offerings. 32:12 It was the first article of furniture that the people 32:16 would see as they entered into the sanctuary. 32:18 Now, friends, let me back up just a little bit. 32:19 This sanctuary of which the primary character was the lamb. 32:24 The sanctuary had three main parts to it. 32:27 How many parts? Three. 32:28 The first part is called the outer court. 32:30 What is it called? Outer. 32:32 And in the outer court, 32:33 there are only two articles of furniture. 32:35 The first one was the altar of burnt offering. 32:38 That represents the cross. 32:40 That's where the lamb's blood will shed. 32:42 It's the cross. 32:44 And when the sinner first come to the sanctuary, 32:46 the first thing they see is the altar which shows 32:49 that when we first begin our spiritual walk, 32:50 we begin at the foot of the cross. 32:53 Amen. 32:55 And I'm so thankful, the ground is level 32:57 at the foot of the cross and there is room 32:59 for whosoever will come at the foot of the cross. 33:04 And so the lamb was slain right there, 33:06 the blood was shad and the animal 33:08 now was consumed by the fire, 33:10 but then notice remember, what did the priest do 33:12 when the blood was shed. 33:14 He had a bowl 33:15 and all the blood was collected in that bowl 33:18 and then what the priest would do is he would 33:21 take the blood symbolic of the sin 33:24 into the second part of the sanctuary 33:26 which was called the Holy Place, 33:28 before that he will stop right there at the laver 33:31 which was the basin of water, representing cleansing, 33:33 it represents baptism. 33:34 You see, friends, once we've accepted 33:36 the cross of Jesus at the altar in our hearts, 33:38 the next logical step after that is the laver 33:41 which is a symbol of baptism as an outward expression 33:45 of the inward decision of accepting the cross. 33:49 So the priest would watch himself 33:50 then he would take the blood symbolic of the sin 33:52 into the second part of the sanctuary 33:54 which was called the Holy Place. 33:55 The what place? Holy Place. 33:57 And in that Holy Place, 33:58 there were three articles of furniture. 33:59 How many? Three. 34:01 On the side of the north was a Table of Showbread, 34:04 representing Jesus the bread of life, 34:05 but also how that man should not live by bread alone, 34:08 but by every word that proceeds out of mouth of God, 34:11 that's what the Table of Showbread represents. 34:13 It represents Bible study. 34:15 Opposite to that was the golden candlestick, 34:17 it representing-- 34:18 It represents Jesus as the leg of the world, 34:20 but also how God is calling us to be the leg of the world 34:23 and we can only be the leg of the world 34:25 as we are filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit 34:29 that causes to shine brightly in a world of darkness. 34:32 Can you say amen? Amen. 34:33 In other words, the candlestick represents witnessing. 34:36 It's across from the Table of Showbread. Why? 34:39 Because you can't witness 34:40 unless you have something to witness of. 34:43 If you are trying to witness without the word of God, 34:45 you just entertain people. 34:47 You see, there must be substance in the witness 34:49 and the substance is at the Table of Showbread. 34:52 But, friends, you can't just leave the word of God 34:54 and not share with others. 34:56 When you eat the word of God 34:57 then you will have spiritual calories 34:59 to burn brightly for Him. 35:02 Can you say amen? Amen. 35:03 And then the third part of the article of furniture 35:06 in the Holy Place was the Altar of Incense, 35:09 right before the curtain the veil, 35:11 it represents prayer. 35:13 Our prayers ascending to heaven, 35:14 mingled with the sweet incense 35:17 of the righteousness of Christ. 35:18 You know why? Because our prayer stink. 35:22 If we pray through our own merits, it is stink. 35:27 And that's why when Jesus told us to pray. 35:30 He said as anything in My name. 35:32 His name, His merits, His righteousness, 35:33 that's the incense. 35:35 It causes the prayers to be a sweet smell 35:37 in the nostril of God. 35:38 Here we find in the Holy Place, 35:39 Bible study prayer and witnessing 35:42 these three things go together. 35:44 It's found in the Holy Place. 35:45 And so the priest what he would do is, 35:47 he took the blood symbolic of the what? 35:50 The lamb's blood which is symbolic of the sin, remember? 35:53 The sin is transferred from the sinner to the animal, 35:56 now to its blood. 35:57 So you take the blood symbolic of the sin 35:59 into the Holy Place and then he would sprinkle 36:03 the blood upon the veil in the sanctuary 36:07 and by doing that, the sin was now transferred 36:11 into the sanctuary. 36:14 And, friends, this happened every single day. 36:16 It was called the daily service. 36:19 It was called the what? 36:20 And, friends, that veil which was a curtain, 36:23 according to Hebrews 10:20, 36:25 the veil symbolizes the flesh of Jesus. 36:30 So the sprinkling of the blood upon 36:32 the veil represents sin being placed upon Christ. 36:36 Are you with me, yes or no? 36:38 So everything in the sanctuary was to teach man 36:40 about the power of Jesus, the power of the lamb 36:43 that takes away the sin of the world 36:46 is only by the blood that we can be forgiven. 36:50 And so we see this was God's-- 36:53 This was a daily service. A what kind of service? 36:55 Daily service. 36:56 A continue to happen all the way to the first coming of Christ, 36:59 all the way to the time of Messiah. 37:01 This was God's way of teaching man about the coming 37:04 the Lamb of God and it says in Colossians 2:17, 37:08 "That these are shadows of things to, what, 37:11 come but the body is of what? 37:14 So these sacrificial ceremonial services 37:16 where shadows of things to come. 37:18 In other words, they were prophecies. 37:21 That's what we are looking at it tonight. 37:23 This sanctuary and all of the things ceremony 37:26 were taking in where prophecies pointing us 37:28 forward to the true name of God 37:31 that would come and live out all of these things 37:34 in his body in the flesh. 37:36 And so the lambs were being slain every single day, 37:41 all the way to the coming of Christ and it came, 37:43 it became a routine. 37:45 People forgot the true significance of what it meant. 37:49 They thought the outward action 37:51 is what brought forgiveness of sin, 37:52 but then he realize, it was just a symbol 37:56 that they were putting faith in, 37:58 the true Lamb of God was the only one 38:01 that can remove sin. 38:03 And so as generation passed off 38:07 the sense after generation, as innocent animals 38:10 are being slain everyday in the sanctuary, 38:13 people were wondering. 38:14 "Where is the lamb?" That was the question of Isaac. 38:16 "Where is the lamb?" 38:18 Generation after generation passed off the scene 38:21 and this urgent question remained unanswered. 38:24 People were looking and looking. 38:25 "Where is the lamb? Where is the lamb? 38:27 When is He coming?" 38:28 And then Galatians 4:4 tells us, 38:31 "But when the fullness of the time was come, 38:34 God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, 38:37 made under the law." 38:38 When the prophetic time came, 38:42 then Jesus the lamb was incarnated into this world. 38:47 When the prophetic clock struck, 38:50 Jesus came into the world and he spent 38:52 the first 30 years of his life in his father's carpenter shop. 38:56 And he was a good carpenter, by the way. 38:58 Can you say amen? He fixed homes. 39:00 He fixed thing. 39:01 And by the way, friends, Jesus is still a carpenter today 39:04 because He is still fixing homes, 39:06 marriages and lives today. 39:07 Can you say amen? Amen. 39:08 He is still building beautiful households today. 39:11 And so for the first 30 years, he spent in the carpenter shop, 39:14 but then another prophetic time came 39:17 and Jesus realized now 39:19 it's time to begin my public ministry. 39:21 And so when He was 30 years old, 39:24 Jesus set down his hammer. 39:26 He put aside his saw. 39:28 He retired His level, put up his tool belt 39:32 and he went down to the River Jordan. 39:33 There was a young preacher by the name of John 39:35 that he wanted to listen to and when Jesus 39:37 approached the River Jordan, that preacher of God, 39:39 John the Baptist suddenly he saw Jesus. 39:42 And, friends, when he looked at Jesus, 39:44 he saw the Desire of all Ages. 39:49 When he looked upon Christ, 39:51 he saw the longings of every generation 39:54 since the very beginning of time, 39:55 he saw He in whom all their hopes had rested upon, 39:59 the one that they have been waiting 40:01 for after generation and generation 40:03 and when John saw Jesus, He said to the people, 40:06 "Behold the Lamb of God." 40:10 In other words, he was answering the question of Isaac. 40:12 Remember what's the question? 40:13 "Where is the lamb? Where is the lamb?" 40:16 And now John says, "There he is. He is here. 40:20 The true lamb is here to die once 40:22 in for all for the sins of the human race." 40:25 And it says, "Behold the Lamb of God, 40:27 which takes away the, what? 40:30 "The sin of the world." 40:31 You see, God provided himself a lamb in His Son, Jesus Christ. 40:39 He would come to live the perfect life 40:42 that we did not live. 40:44 And then he would die a vicarious death in our place 40:48 and through His sacrifice, he brought salvation 40:51 within the reach of all. 40:53 And, friends, the very moment Jesus died. 40:56 Guess what happened 40:57 in the Old Testament, earthly temple? 41:01 The Bible tells us that the veil was torn 41:05 from top to bottom, not bottom to top 41:08 because a human hand could've done that. 41:10 Top to bottom, because God Himself torn the veil. 41:11 In other words, 41:12 the sacrificial services in the sanctuary now are finished. 41:15 Why? 41:16 Because now the reality, the substance, 41:19 the body is come. 41:20 Jesus died and now the early sanctuary services 41:24 are no more and nor of us to be forgiven, 41:26 we don't have to slay a lamb. 41:28 All we have to do is pray to the lamb. 41:32 And He applies cleansing blood. 41:33 Can you say amen? Amen. 41:34 Friends, that there was torn, Friends, remind me, 41:36 what does the veil represent? 41:38 It represented the flesh of Jesus. 41:43 His flesh was torn, friends. 41:47 And by the way, do you know what cured Jesus? 41:51 Do you know what Jesus died off? 41:54 Not the physical pain. 41:56 Remember after He died, the solider came 41:59 and speared Him in the side and what came out? 42:02 Two things. Blood and water. 42:05 Friends, you ever wondered why? 42:08 Medical science have showed. 42:10 When a person experiences 42:11 an extreme case of mental agony and stress, 42:18 their heart can actually break and explode within their chest. 42:23 And when the heart breaks, the red blood cells 42:26 and the plasma separate. 42:30 When the solider speared Jesus in the side, 42:33 he was making sure that that Jesus was dead 42:36 under the ribcage, spring Him right in the heart. 42:39 To make sure that He was dead 42:40 and out of the heart of Christ flow blood and water 42:43 which shows us, friends, 42:45 that Jesus died of a broken heart, 42:51 not the physical pain, friends. 42:54 The mental and emotional pain of being 42:57 rejected by you and me. 43:01 The pain of being forsaken by his father. 43:04 We broke the heart of God. 43:09 But praise the Lord that mercy is still freely given. 43:14 Amen. Has your heart being broken? 43:20 Friends, God can take and heal your broken heart 43:24 as long as you give Him all the broken pieces. 43:26 Amen. And so the lamb died of a broken heart. 43:32 And now the sacrificial services 43:34 that sanctuary is finished, it's done away with. 43:38 The type had met antitype. The reality is now here. 43:42 The lamb that gives us power over the beast kingdom. 43:46 This is what prophecy is all about, friends. 43:49 The hope we have in the lamb. 43:51 Oh, friends, how many of you are faithful for the lamb? 43:55 Don't worry about the beast, friends. 43:58 You don't be have to be afraid of the beast 43:59 as long as you know the lamb. 44:00 But, friends, let me tell you. 44:01 If you don't know the lamb, 44:02 you have a lot to be afraid off. 44:05 You have a lot to be afraid of if you don't know 44:07 the lamb because you have-- 44:08 You are no match for the beast. 44:11 The beast kingdom will destroy you. 44:13 But, friends, Jesus the lamb has the power 44:15 to slay beasts and drag us. 44:17 Can you say amen? Amen. 44:19 Now, friends, the reason why this is important 44:21 in light of the revelation of hope is because, 44:24 friends, did you know. 44:26 The reason why John emphasis the lamb 44:29 so many times in the Book of Revelation 44:31 is because the structure, the literary structure 44:35 the Book of Revelation is built upon the sanctuary. 44:40 And the lamb is the central figure of the sanctuary. 44:42 In other words, in order to truly understand 44:44 the Book of Revelation, 44:46 we have to understand the foundation of it. 44:47 And what is the foundation? 44:49 It's the sanctuary. 44:50 And what is the foundation of the sanctuary? 44:52 It's the lamb. 44:53 You see, revelation is filled with sanctuary language 44:57 from the Old Testament. 44:59 Symbols of the sanctuary. 45:00 And, friends, listen it's easy for a Jewish mind to capture 45:04 and to notice the language before us rest our minds, 45:07 it's hard for us to catch. 45:09 And so let me break it down very simply 45:11 as we get ready to close. 45:13 In the Book of Revelation, we find different series, 45:17 different sets of sevens. 45:20 We find different sets of sevens. 45:21 Seven churches, seven seals, seven thunders, 45:25 seven trumpets, seven signs, seven places. 45:27 You see, seven is God's favorite number, folks. 45:29 And when you study revelation you will find 45:32 that before every major set of seven 45:36 there is a sanctuary scene 45:39 that is given to John the revelator. 45:42 Before the seven churches, the seals, the plagues, 45:44 there is a sanctuary scene that is found 45:46 in the Book of Revelation because God is wanting 45:48 to focus us back to this Old Testament 45:51 sanctuary of which the lamb was the central figure of. 45:56 Now, friends, we don't have the time to go through 45:57 every single sanctuary scene in Revelation. 46:00 And every single seven, but tonight before we close, 46:02 let me just give you the first and the last. 46:06 I want us to notice in Revelation 1:12 and 13. 46:11 The Bible tells us, "And being turned, 46:13 I saw seven golden, what, candlesticks. 46:17 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks 46:18 one like unto the Son of man." 46:20 This is a scene that is given to John 46:23 just before the vision of the seven churches. 46:27 So just before John right-- 46:28 The vision of the seven churches, 46:29 He sees the son of man amongst 46:32 the seven golden candlesticks. 46:35 This, friends, is sanctuary language 46:37 because where was the seven branch candlestick? 46:41 In the sanctuary. 46:42 But which part of the sanctuary. Do you remember? 46:45 In the Holy Place. 46:47 There you have the seven branch candlestick. 46:50 In other words, as revelation begins, 46:53 automatically we see Jesus in the Holy Place. 46:57 Not talking about the early Holy Place, 47:00 but in heaven. 47:01 He is amongst the seven branch candlestick 47:03 in the heavenly sanctuary. 47:05 And the question I asked is why does revelation 47:07 begin by depicting Jesus in the Holy Place? 47:11 Why is He there? 47:12 What does He start right there 47:14 and not in the outer court? 47:16 And here is the reason. 47:17 The gospels, Mathew, Mark, 47:19 Luke and John describes Jesus work 47:22 in the outer court of this row. 47:24 Remember in the outer court, 47:25 there was the altar of burnt offering. 47:26 And what did that symbolized? The cross. 47:29 And where was the cross? In this world. 47:31 Isn't that right? 47:32 That was the work of Christ in this world. 47:35 The outer court was the ministry of Christ 47:36 and the gospels Mathew, Mark, Luke and John 47:38 describes the outer court ministry of Christ. 47:41 But by the time the Book of Revelation is written, 47:43 Jesus is finished with His work on earth. 47:45 He is already ascended back into the heavens 47:48 and that's the reason why John 47:49 in the first chapter of Revelation sees Jesus 47:52 in the Holy Place and then in the Most Holy Place 47:55 because listen Revelation describes Jesus' special work 47:59 that He would continue to do for us in heaven above. 48:03 Because you see, friends, Jesus not only died for us, 48:06 but He ever lives to make intersession for us. 48:11 Can you say amen? 48:13 It's a special work that He is doing right now 48:15 for us in heaven above as our great high priests. 48:19 And so revelation, it is like the continuation, 48:22 the gospel is the earthly ministry of Christ. 48:24 That's the outer court. 48:26 But the Book of Revelation is the ministry of Christ in heaven 48:28 in the Holy Place and in the Most Holy Place. 48:34 And the reason why this is important 48:36 because notice what Hebrews 12:2 says. 48:40 It says that we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. Amen? 48:43 And it says, "Looking unto Jesus." 48:46 Now, friends, think about this. 48:48 If you are looking at Jesus 48:50 and Jesus moves what's gonna happen to your eyes? 48:54 Your eyes need to move with Him, isn't that right? 48:56 So we look at Jesus in the outer court, 48:58 in the gospels, but then He resurrects. 49:00 He goes to heaven. 49:01 And what should our eyes be doing? 49:04 Following Him. "Looking unto Jesus." 49:08 And what do we see? 49:09 "The author and finisher of our faith, 49:13 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 49:17 despising the shame, and is set down 49:18 at the right hand of the throne of God." 49:21 Friends, when you look at Jesus, 49:22 you see that what He has started, 49:24 He is able to finish. 49:26 He is the author and the finisher of our faith, 49:27 but here is the question. 49:29 When that He author of our faith and when does He finish it? 49:31 Friends, notice it's right there in the passage. 49:33 He finished it right here at the throne. 49:37 And so the Book of Revelation describes what Jesus is doing 49:40 right now in heaven at the throne 49:42 and how He is wanting to finish our faith 49:47 and prepare us to stand in the last days. 49:50 Can you say amen? 49:52 Now, friends, in that Old Testament sanctuary, 49:54 beyond the veil there was the Most Holy Place 49:58 with was the third main part of the sanctuary. 50:01 It was called the which place? 50:03 And in that Most Holy Place, 50:04 there was only one article of furniture. 50:05 It was called the Ark of the Covenant. 50:09 It was a chest like piece of furniture overlade with gold 50:13 on the inside contained the Ten Commandments, 50:15 the Holy law of God above the Ten Commandments 50:19 was a solid slab of gold that covered the ark, 50:22 the chest and that slab of gold was called the mercy seat 50:26 because on the mercy seat sat the Shekinah Glory 50:31 which was the visible manifestation 50:32 of the glory of God between the two angles. 50:35 This mercy seat was a symbol of the throne of grace. 50:42 Are you with me? 50:44 Just above the Ten Commandments. 50:46 The mercy seat, the throne of grace 50:49 and it's at the throne that Jesus finishes our faith. 50:54 And by the way, friends, this Ark of the Covenant 50:57 was also called the Ark of the Testament. 51:00 The Ark of the what? So whenever you saw-- 51:03 You see the Ark of the Testament, 51:04 that's what it's referring to. 51:05 It's referring to the Most Holy Place, 51:08 the special work that Jesus would do 51:10 there after the resurrection. 51:12 Now I want you to notice we looked 51:13 at the first sanctuary scene, 51:15 Jesus in the Holy Place just before the seven churches. 51:18 Now let's look at the last sanctuary scene 51:21 just before the seven last plagues. 51:24 John the Revelator in Revelation 15 51:26 sees the Temple of God open in heaven, 51:29 and notice what He sees now. 51:31 Revelation 15 beginning with verse 5. 51:33 And when you get there would you let me know by saying amen. 51:37 Revelation 15, we find the last sanctuary scene 51:42 just before the seven plagues are poured on. 51:45 And, friends, by the way on the future night, 51:47 we are gonna discuss in detail 51:49 what these seven last plagues are and what it means, 51:51 but tonight we're just laying a good foundation. 51:54 Notice with me, Revelation 15:7. 51:55 Just before the seven last plagues, 51:57 John sees another sanctuary scene. 51:59 And I want us to notice, 52:00 where He sees the Lord now in the sanctuary. 52:04 Notice, Revelation 15:5. 52:06 The Bible says, "And after that I looked, 52:10 and behold, the temple of the Tabernacle of the, what? 52:14 Testimony in heaven was opened." 52:17 So, friends, remember. What is the testimony? 52:19 Referring to the Ark of the Covenant 52:21 is referring to the Most Holy Place. 52:23 So now John in Revelation, 52:24 He sees the Most Holy Place opened before Him. 52:28 And notice what He sees. 52:30 "And the seven angels came out of the temple, 52:32 having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and fine linen." 52:34 Oh, excuse me. 52:35 "White linen, having their breasts 52:37 girded with golden girdles. 52:38 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels, 52:41 seven golden vials full of the wrath of God." 52:43 Full of the what? 52:45 "Wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 52:47 And the temple was filled with smoke from the Glory of God 52:51 and from His power 52:53 and no man was able to enter into the temple 52:56 till the seven plagues 52:57 of the seven angels were fulfilled." 52:59 So here we find just before the seven last plagues, 53:01 the Wrath of God is poured out in the last days 53:03 just before this great time of trouble. 53:05 John sees a sanctuary sense. 53:08 He sees the Ark of the Testament. 53:09 He sees the Glory of God Jesus 53:11 right there in the Most Holy Place. 53:14 You see what's happening is this? 53:17 God is moving us from the outer court to the Holy Place 53:22 into the Most Holy Place experience. 53:26 That's what revelation is doing this, friends. 53:28 When you see the sanctuary scenes and the sequence, 53:30 it's Jesus moving us forward in a relationship with Him. 53:35 It's when we follow the lamb whithersoever He goes, 53:38 we keep our eyes fixed on the Jesus the lamb 53:40 and when He moves our eyes move and we move with Him. 53:43 Are you with me? 53:45 Now here is the question though. 53:46 Why in the world will Jesus want 53:48 to bring us in the Most Holy Place? 53:52 Why does Revelation point our eyes to a special work 53:55 that Jesus is doing for us. 53:56 Because listen, during the seven last plagues, 53:58 during the great time of tribulation, 54:00 the only place of safety for God's people 54:03 is in the sanctuary in the Most Holy Place. 54:08 Notice what the Bible says in Psalms 20:1 and 2. 54:11 It says, "May the Lord answer you in what day." 54:15 The day of trouble. 54:16 May the name of the God of Jacob defend you, 54:18 May He send thee help from, where? 54:21 The sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion." 54:23 You see, friends, during the day of trouble, 54:25 the time of great wrath, the only place of safety, 54:29 the only safe shelter 54:31 and Hagen of protection is the sanctuary. 54:34 And, friends, that word sanctuary, 54:35 do you know what it means? 54:36 It means a refugee, a place of safety. 54:41 We have bird sanctuaries, marine sanctuaries. 54:44 What does that denote? 54:45 A place of safety, a protection 54:48 and this is why the Book of Revelation is built of-- 54:51 The literally structure of Revelation 54:52 is built upon the sanctuary 54:54 because Jesus wants us to know that 54:56 He has a place of refugee for us in these last days. 54:59 We don't have to be afraid of the beast and the antichrist. 55:02 All we have to do is keep our eyes on the lamb. 55:05 Jesus Christ and be with Him 55:07 where He is in the sanctuary above. 55:10 Can you say amen? By faith, friends. 55:13 Looking at what Jesus is doing for us. 55:15 In fact, notice what it says in Hebrews 4:16. 55:18 It says, "Therefore because we know where Jesus is. 55:22 In the Most Holy Place. 55:23 It says, "Therefore let us come, 55:25 how, boldly to the throne of grace, 55:28 that we might obtain mercy 55:29 and find grace to help in our time of need." 55:32 Friends, where is the throne of grace in the sanctuary? 55:34 It's the Most Holy Place, the Ark of the Covenant. 55:38 The mercy seat was a symbol of the throne of grace. 55:41 And this is where Jesus finishes our faith. 55:45 This is where He prepares us for the very end of time. 55:47 And because we know where He is, 55:49 following Him as He moves to Revelation. 55:51 Now we can go to that place because it is a place of grace. 55:56 A place of safety, a place of protection. 55:59 Can you say amen? And then notice what it says. 56:02 In Psalm 91:1 and 2. 56:03 Friends, this Psalm is a Psalm 56:05 for those who live in the last days. 56:07 Psalm 91:1 and 2 it says, "He that dwells." 56:11 What word was that? 56:13 You see, friends, God not only wants us 56:14 to come to the Most Holy Place, 56:16 He wants us to dwell there to abide, 56:19 in other words, to stay there. 56:21 Can you say amen? 56:22 And stop going in and out and back and forth, 56:25 but to remain in Christ. 56:27 It says, "He that dwells 56:28 in the secret place of the Most High 56:29 shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 56:33 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, 56:37 in my God, in him will I trust." 56:40 Don't be afraid of the beast, friends. 56:42 Just keep your eyes on the lamb. 56:44 Revelation is only a scary book 56:47 for those who choose to follow the beast, 56:49 but those of us who are following the lamb, 56:51 it's not a scary book, it is an exiting book. 56:53 Can you say amen? 56:55 It gives us so much hope. 56:56 It points to the lamb that has a sanctuary or refugee for us. 56:59 And I want you to notice 57:00 what happens to the heavenly temple 57:02 once the lamb comes back to take us home. 57:04 And it says in 21:22 "And I saw no temple therein, 57:09 for the Lord God Almighty 57:10 and the Lamb are the temple of it." 57:13 Then it says, in 22:3-4 57:16 "And there shall be no more curse." 57:19 Why? Because the lamb has reversed the curse. 57:23 He took our curse so that we could have His blessing. 57:26 And it says, "But the throne of God 57:28 and of the Lamb shall be in it, 57:29 and his servants shall serve him, 57:31 and they shall see his face, 57:36 and his name shall be in their foreheads." 57:39 Oh, friends, I want to see Jesus, don't you? 57:42 I want to look upon the face of my God. 57:45 And as we close tonight, 57:48 how many of you want the lamb of grace 57:52 to be your Lord of glory? |
Revised 2014-12-17