Participants:
Series Code: UBP
Program Code: UBP000011S
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00:01 Is there a One-World Government coming?
00:02 Is this something that God will want for our world? 00:06 Do you need to be afraid of this power? 00:09 What can you do now 00:10 so you're prepared for what is to come? 00:13 I'll share these answers next. 00:15 My name is Cami Oetman. 00:17 Unlocking Bible Prophecies starts now. 00:20 The rise of an international pandemic. 00:24 Polarizing global politics. 00:26 Increasingly disruptive natural disasters. 00:30 Bush fires in Australia 00:31 are a warning of what may be to come around the world. 00:34 What does it all mean? 00:36 What does the future hold? 00:38 Pause... 00:40 Join international Speaker, Cami Oetman, 00:43 on a journey for answers in: Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 00:47 In her travels around the world, 00:49 she's come face to face with real-life struggles 00:52 but in the midst of them, she's found miracles of hope. 00:55 Join Cami Oetman 00:57 for unlocking Bible prophecies 00:59 as she shares how Bible prophecy is being fulfilled 01:02 faster than ever before. 01:04 Music... 01:12 Welcome back to: Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 01:14 I pray these programs are a blessing to you 01:17 and that you have a clear sense of God's plan in your life. 01:20 Remember, you can find all previous episodes 01:23 at awr. org/bible 01:26 Our goal is to provide you with resources 01:30 to continue your spiritual growth. 01:31 Isn't God amazing? 01:33 Yesterday we learned that we do not need to fear 01:36 the Mark of the Beast 01:38 and most certainly do not need to receive it. 01:41 In fact, God is preparing His people right now 01:44 through the Holy Spirit 01:46 so we are ready to face the end days. 01:48 You can receive His Seal 01:51 through a Holy-Spirit inspired prayerful obedience to Him. 01:55 Today, we will continue to focus our attention 01:58 on end-time events 02:00 and see an amazing prophecy unfold. 02:02 God through the Apostle John in the book of Revelation 02:06 predicted a time in our future 02:08 where Church and State will reunite once again. 02:13 Has that already begun? 02:15 Are we about to enter that time? 02:17 Stay with me for the answers to these very important questions. 02:22 Let's pray now and begin our Study: The Harlot. 02:26 "Heavenly Father, 02:28 Lord, empty me of self 02:30 and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. 02:32 Anoint my lips with only Your words 02:35 and may I be Your vessel right now 02:38 to clearly give a message, Lord, 02:40 that is so important for our generation. 02:43 Be with me now, Lord, and speak through me. 02:46 In Jesus' precious name, amen. " 02:48 Pause... 02:50 A pastor in Tanzania encouraged His members 02:53 to use a Christian Radio Program as a witnessing tool 02:57 to share the messages with their friends and family. 03:00 Mama Meambe took this to heart 03:03 and began carrying her little radio 03:04 with her wherever she went. 03:06 Now, Mama Meambe had a garden located by the town's bar. 03:11 Daily as she tended to her plants and vegetables, 03:14 she sat down her radio and turned the volume up. 03:18 Inside the nearby bar the owner began to listen 03:22 and take interest. 03:23 He became so intrigued with what he heard 03:26 coming from the radio in the garden, 03:28 he decided to find the channel on his own radio 03:31 so he could hear it better. 03:33 While serving his customers, he listened intently 03:36 to sermons like: Unlocking Bible prophecies. 03:38 Soon, he was not the only one listening. 03:41 The drunkards who daily came by started to listen 03:45 and ask questions. 03:46 Finally, they all agreed to meet together 03:50 and listen to the radio instead of drinking. 03:53 The owner and his customers met in the bar 03:56 with their Bibles and radio. 03:58 As the Adventist World Radio Program presented 04:01 Bible-based messages, 04:03 the men discovered precious truths 04:05 they had never heard before. 04:07 At the end of the 20-day Series, 04:10 the owner decided to give his life to Jesus 04:13 and was baptized along with 20 of his customers. 04:17 It was a joyous day. 04:18 After their baptism this new little congregation 04:22 decided to change the bar into a place of worship instead. 04:27 They meet together every Sabbath 04:29 to sing praises and study the Bible together. 04:32 Mama Meambe often joins them with a heart full of joy 04:36 for what God was able to do through her. 04:39 Is this not an amazing testimony to the power of the gospel? 04:44 A place of frivolity and drunkenness 04:47 is now a place of praise and worship to our Creator. 04:50 These men heard the truth... 04:52 confirmed it in their Bible 04:55 and committed to following it. 04:57 It can be that easy. 04:59 The book of Revelation describes two systems of religion. 05:03 It depicts two ways of worship. 05:05 Revelation presents us with one of two choices. 05:10 It really does not leave us any middle ground... 05:12 you can no longer remain neutral. 05:15 It presents a strong appeal to men and women 05:18 in the last days of earth's history. 05:20 Jesus makes an urgent call to commitment. 05:24 This appeal can be summarized in the symbolism 05:27 of the two women in Revelation. 05:29 The women in white is described in Revelation 12. 05:32 In prophecy, a pure woman symbolizes the... 05:37 the bride of Jesus or the true church. 05:39 the prophet says, 05:42 "I have likened the daughter of Zion 05:45 to a lovely and delicate woman. " 05:47 "The daughter of Zion" is a term portraying God's people. 05:51 Here God compares His church to a beautiful pure woman. 05:56 In Ephesians chapter 5, 05:57 Jesus is a faithful husband to His church... the bride. 06:01 In Revelation 12, there is a striking symbol 06:05 of a woman dressed in white. 06:07 She is faithful to her true lover Jesus. 06:10 She is undefiled with the corruption of false doctrine. 06:13 She is described as Christ's bride or His church on earth. 06:17 In Revelation 17, another woman arises. 06:21 This woman rides upon a scarlet-colored beast. 06:25 The Bible calls her a harlot woman. 06:27 She has left her true lover, Jesus, 06:30 and this harlot is the apostate system of religion. 06:34 Tonight we will look especially at this harlot. 06:37 As we study this subject together, 06:39 we will see how crucial our theme is. 06:42 If it's in the Bible, I believe it. 06:45 If it disagrees with the Bible, then it's not for me. 06:48 Even if the whole world follows fables and human dogmas, 06:53 we need to stand on God's Word 06:55 and if none go with me... I still will follow. 06:59 The New Testament Church... God's true church 07:03 radiates purity and holiness 07:05 because Jesus is predominant in her life. 07:08 Her affections and heart are fixed on Him. 07:11 Her love can be given to no other... 07:14 she will never betray Him as He is her everything. 07:18 She is a faithful bride of Christ. 07:21 But this beautiful picture changes. 07:24 Another woman saunters on to the scene 07:27 in direct contrast to the pure woman in white. 07:31 Revelation 17:1 says, 07:34 "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls 07:37 came and talked with me, saying, 07:39 'Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot 07:42 who sits on many waters, 07:44 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, 07:47 and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk 07:49 with the wine of her fornication. '" 07:51 Pause... 07:53 Here's a picture... not of the true church 07:55 but of the fallen church. 07:57 The harlot has walked away from her true lover... Jesus. 08:01 What does it mean? She sits on many waters? 08:05 The Bible interprets itself. 08:07 In Revelation 17:15, 08:09 "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, 08:13 are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues... 08:16 with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. " 08:20 Well, what is fornication? 08:22 It is an illicit, adulterous union. 08:25 In the Fallen-Church System, 08:28 the church is united with the State. 08:30 In the True-Church System, the Church is united with Jesus. 08:35 The fallen church looks to the kings 08:38 and the political leaders of the earth for power 08:41 and when the church leaves its true lover Christ, 08:44 it instead has to look for power from a secular source 08:48 as it is no longer connected to Jesus. 08:51 This church looks for power from the kings of the earth 08:55 or the State authorities. 08:57 This adulterous woman catches the attention of the masses. 09:01 She knows how to seduce new lovers 09:04 draped in her purple and scarlet red... 09:06 dripping in jewels and sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, 09:09 This fallen church gets her power from the State 09:13 as she influences the governing bodies 09:16 to support her false teachings. 09:18 She passes around her wine cup of false doctrine. 09:22 This world becomes intoxicated with error. 09:26 Millions drink of the wine of Babylon and are deceived. 09:31 Pause... 09:32 Revelation 17 verse 3, 09:34 "So he carried me away in the Spirit, into the wilderness. 09:38 And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast 09:41 which was full of names of blasphemy, 09:43 having seven heads and ten horns. " 09:45 This false System of religion is an opposition to God. 09:50 This is Satan's counterfeit. 09:53 God is painting a vivid picture of warning 09:56 when He assigns kings and kingdoms to beasts in prophecy. 10:01 He's saying, "Heads up Everybody, 10:04 pay attention. " 10:05 These beasts fall into the harlot's traps 10:08 from which she then derives her power 10:11 to influence kings and govern laws 10:14 for her own agenda and corruption. 10:17 The harlots buys an illicit union between Church and State. 10:22 On page 593 of the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary 10:27 Volume 4: Philippians to Revelation, 10:30 "these Protestant authors 10:32 make a remarkable statement on Revelation 17... 10:35 'State and Church are precious gifts of God. 10:39 But the State being desecrated... 10:42 becomes beast-like; 10:43 the Church apostatizing becomes the harlot. '" 10:47 Revelation 17:4 says, 10:50 "The woman... " or fallen church... 10:52 "was arrayed in purple and scarlet, 10:54 and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls... " 10:57 Let's think about this. 10:59 Do you know of a religious System 11:02 whose priests wear purple and scarlet? 11:04 Yes... 11:06 Frequently, Cardinals wear scarlet 11:09 and these priests wear red on Good Friday and Palm Sunday, 11:12 Pentecost 11:14 and purple on Advent, Lent and at funerals. 11:17 The official clothing worn by the Pope 11:19 is richer in gold and jewelry than any earthly crown. 11:23 The Papal Tiara's value is beyond comprehension. 11:27 Pause... 11:29 Riches are lavished on the icons of Catholicism. 11:32 Golds, pearls and precious stones deck the statutes 11:36 of saints and Catholic buildings worldwide. 11:39 Pause... 11:40 Now, I'd like to pause right here. 11:43 It's important for me to personally tell you 11:45 that the topic we are talking about tonight 11:47 is a sensitive one 11:49 and the information shared 11:50 is not intended to accuse individuals 11:53 but show prophecy fulfilling. 11:55 I believe there are many sincere seekers of truth 11:59 in every walk of life 12:00 and when truth is revealed, they follow it. 12:04 The information quoted here 12:07 is directed only towards the System of Roman Catholicism 12:10 that has a number of doctrines which we will see 12:13 clearly go against Scripture. 12:16 I believe you are here with me because you seek truth 12:20 no matter how difficult it is to hear, Friend. 12:22 Now, continuing in verse 4, 12:26 "having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations 12:30 and the filthiness of her fornication. 12:32 In other words, 12:33 in the hand of this fallen System of religion 12:36 whose colors are purple and scarlet, 12:39 there is a golden wine cup 12:41 and all the world drinks and becomes confused 12:44 and intoxicated by these false doctrines. 12:47 Revelation 17:5 says, 12:51 "And on her forehead a name was written: 12:53 MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, 12:55 THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS 12:56 AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." 12:58 Okay, so the Bible says she's a harlot 13:03 as well as a mother 13:04 which means... she must have children. 13:06 We will see 13:08 that not only does the Bible identify Roman Catholicism 13:12 as the Mother, 13:13 but the Catholic System calls themselves 13:16 the mother of all churches. 13:17 In September of 2000, 13:20 the Vatican decreed that the Catholic Church is the quote 13:23 "Mother of all Churches" end quote... 13:26 and banned the term "Sister Churches" 13:29 to describe other denominations 13:31 as this could harm Vatican efforts towards unity 13:34 with other believers. 13:36 Hmmm... 13:37 Not sisters... but daughters. 13:40 Quoting Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger 13:43 who later became Pope Benedict, he said, 13:47 Quote "It must be always clear 13:49 that the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic universal church 13:53 is not the sister but the mother of all the churches. " 13:58 End quote. 13:59 Pause... 14:00 Protestant Denominations came out of Catholicism 14:03 but have retained some of her false doctrines. 14:06 These are the daughters of the mother church. 14:09 Pause... 14:10 Friend, no matter what your religion, 14:12 God is calling you back to His truth... 14:14 that's all that matters. 14:15 He is so merciful that He is giving us warning 14:19 that we are running out of time. 14:21 God is calling people from all around the world... 14:25 in every culture 14:27 and religious Sect 14:28 and they're responding. 14:30 Like in India, 14:31 when I was asked to share a similar message 14:34 with a congregation of pastors and bishops 14:36 in a capital city, 14:38 these prominent church leaders 14:40 are searching for prophetic truth 14:42 and currently, making important decisions 14:45 on whether to leave their tradition 14:47 or to follow their Bibles. 14:49 And like in Papua New Guinea, 14:51 now, this is just in one Province, 14:54 64 Sunday Pastors and their families 14:58 have accepted the Bible Sabbath truth 15:00 and are now baptized members 15:02 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 15:03 This is not just happening in Papua New Guinea, 15:07 but in Uganda, 15:08 Kenya, 15:10 and the Philippines... 15:11 across the globe. 15:12 People are coming out of Babylon right now. 15:16 God is calling them from the errors 15:19 that have slipped into the church from paganism... 15:21 simply put... paganism is in opposition to God and His ways. 15:27 God is calling His people to the truth of His Word 15:32 and Friends, I believe you want something more 15:34 than sweet soothing words that keep you comfortable. 15:37 Being comfortable makes you vulnerable to the counterfeit. 15:41 Pause... 15:43 For me personally, 15:44 my desire to know truth is stronger 15:47 than wanting to be soothed or pacified. 15:49 I believe you are studying with me 15:51 because you too want to see truth directly 15:54 and simply from the Bible. 15:57 So, let's look together some more. 15:59 What does the Bible mean when it says: Mystery Babylon the Great? 16:05 By the first century, literal Babylon... 16:08 a city that existed in the Old Testament 16:10 had already perished. 16:12 So, this is not talking about "Literal" or "Physical" Babylon. 16:16 This is referring to "Spiritual Babylon. " 16:19 In other words, 16:20 a religious System that would depart 16:23 from the pure teaching of God's Word. 16:24 False doctrines would come into the church 16:27 through the counterfeit religious System called Babylon. 16:30 Now, notice... they would be accepted by the church 16:33 but not by God. 16:36 John 17:17 says, 16:38 "Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth. " 16:42 What does the word "sanctify" mean? 16:45 It means: to set them apart. 16:48 So, God says, "I'm calling my people 16:50 from the false doctrines of Babylon 16:52 to the truth of My Word. 16:54 In the Old Testament right after the flood, 16:57 humans devised a plan to outright defy God. 17:00 A massive structure which became known as the Tower of Babel 17:05 is mentioned in Genesis 11 verse 9. 17:08 "Therefore its name is called Babel, 17:11 because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. " 17:16 As man built the skyscraper to reach heaven, 17:20 they were erecting it in defiance to God's promise. 17:24 They did not believe 17:25 that the earth would never again be destroyed by a flood, 17:28 they substituted a man-made idea to outsmart God. 17:33 But you can't outsmart God. 17:36 Every time man substitutes a counterfeit for God's Word, 17:40 it is because there is a rebellion in their heart. 17:43 This world is in a perpetual mess because of rebellion 17:48 tracing all the way back to Lucifer's fall from heaven. 17:51 Lucifer... now Satan... 17:54 rebelled against God's government of love. 17:57 In a brilliant strategic move, 18:00 God confused their languages at the Tower of Babel. 18:03 People could no longer communicate. 18:06 They were unable to understand each other so the work stopped. 18:10 I find this super interesting and so symbolic. 18:14 Later, the city of Babylon 18:16 was built on the very site of the Tower of Babel. 18:20 Now, the word "Babylon" comes from "Babel. " 18:25 Babel means confusion. 18:27 Babbling is to make speech sounds 18:31 that do not make sense to the hearer... 18:33 to talk foolishly or too much... 18:35 to mutter or mumble meaningless confusion of words and sounds. 18:39 Friends, I'd like to point out here 18:42 something else very interesting related to this babbling. 18:45 Serious instruction is given by Jesus 18:49 in Matthew 6:7, 18:50 "When you pray, do not use vain repetitions... " like mantras... 18:57 "or babbling like heathen pagans do, 18:59 for they think they will be heard 19:01 because of their many words. " 19:03 Pause... 19:04 So, in the matters of religion, 19:05 when a church accepts man's ideas 19:08 rather than God's instruction, 19:10 it becomes muddled and confusing. 19:14 It becomes man's confusing ideas... 19:18 babbling man's tradition 19:19 and when a church babbles in confusion, 19:22 it loses all of its God-given power. 19:25 In contrast, when a church clearly preaches 19:29 God's straight simple truth, 19:31 it is not babbling... it is proclaiming 19:34 and there is a huge difference 19:36 between proclaiming truth and babbling tradition. 19:39 Pause... 19:41 The Bible says in Daniel 4:30, 19:43 "The king spoke saying, 19:45 'Is not this great Babylon, 19:47 that I have built for a royal dwelling 19:49 by my mighty power 19:50 and for the honor of my majesty?" 19:52 Spiritual Babylon represents a man-made religion 19:57 established by men based on human teachings... 20:00 established on human ideas. 20:03 There is a form of man-made religion that is built by clever 20:07 brilliant human religious leaders 20:10 that stands in opposition to the power of the gospel 20:13 and the true church that Jesus built. 20:16 Jesus is calling us from all human systems of worship. 20:20 He is directing us back to the Bible... 20:23 back to being loyal to Scripture. 20:26 He is steering us to faithfulness to His Word. 20:30 The Church of Jesus is not a man-made institution 20:33 because it was built by Jesus Himself. 20:36 In Colossians 1:18 it says, 20:39 "And He is the head of the body, the church, 20:42 who is the beginning... 20:43 that in all things He may have the preeminence. " 20:47 Jesus is Number One in the true church 20:51 and maintains preeminence. 20:53 Christ in heaven is the only Head of the Church. 20:56 Earthly Babylon in the Old Testament 20:59 had an earthly Head. 21:01 When a Babylonian king spoke, it was law. 21:04 King Nebuchadnezzar sat in his temple on his royal throne 21:08 and ruled as a god. 21:10 His commands were supposedly the voice of God. 21:13 Jesus is warning us to look out for a System 21:18 that would rise called: Spiritual Babylon... 21:20 who would have a spiritual leader 21:22 claiming to speak as God. 21:25 A mere mortal claims to speak in the place of God. 21:30 Spiritual Babylon would have a leader 21:33 who professes that his word has the authority and power 21:36 when speaking from his throne 21:38 as if he's the very God of heaven. 21:41 The first identifying feature of Spiritual Babylon 21:45 is that it has an earthly head who speaks for God... 21:48 in place of God. 21:50 2nd Thessalonians 2:4, 21:53 "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God 21:58 or that is worshiped; 22:00 so that he sits as God in the temple of God, 22:03 showing himself that he is God. " 22:05 Pause... 22:07 Isaiah 37:16, 22:09 "O Lord of hosts, 22:10 God of Israel, 22:12 the One who dwells between the cherubim, 22:14 You are God, You alone... " 22:17 Pause... 22:19 Now truly, this is the ultimate act of blasphemy 22:22 to sit yourself in throne between two golden cherubim 22:26 dressed in white linen like God. 22:28 Even in the time of the apostles, 22:31 Paul sought errors creeping into the church 22:34 that would prepare the way for the development of the Papacy. 22:38 Heathen customs found their way into the church and stayed. 22:43 The Apostle Paul warns his brethren 22:45 that "For the mystery of lawlessness 22:47 is already at work... " 22:49 in 2nd Thessalonians 2:7. 22:51 But there is a second thing 22:53 about this Babylonian System of religion. 22:56 Babylon was the center of image worship 22:58 through all of the Old Testament. 23:01 To have deeper understanding of Revelation 17's 23:04 Mystery Babylon the Great, 23:06 let's gather insight from Old Testament Babylon. 23:10 Image worship thrived in Babylon 23:12 whereas Christ invites us to come directly to Him... 23:16 directly. 23:18 We do not need anything between us... no... 23:21 like images... priests or saints. 23:24 There is no need to come to Jesus through intercessors. 23:28 He loves you so much that He wants you close to Him. 23:34 Nothing needs to come in between you and your Savior. 23:37 Exodus 20 verses 4 and 5, 23:41 God says, 23:43 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image... 23:46 any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, 23:49 or that is in the earth beneath, 23:50 or that is in the water under the earth; 23:52 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. 23:56 For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God... " 24:00 Did you hear that? 24:02 Jesus says, "Do not use images in your worship service. " 24:06 Period. 24:07 Babylon used images prolifically 24:10 and many of those images found their way from paganism to Rome 24:15 and then creeped into the Christian church. 24:17 Church Fathers and Leaders deemed these images 24:20 as sacred and holy. 24:22 Theodore Maynard a Catholic Historian 24:25 in his book: The Story of American Catholicism, 24:28 says, "Catholicism is overlaid with many pagan incrustations. 24:33 Catholicism is ready to accept that accusation... 24:37 and even to make it her boast... 24:39 The great god Pan is not really dead, he is baptized. " 24:43 End quote. 24:44 The Bible clearly repeats... there is only one Mediator 24:49 between God and Man and that is Jesus. 24:53 Your salvation... 24:55 your way to eternal life is only through Him... 24:59 not His mother or any of His apostles. 25:02 Pause... 25:04 Jesus proclaims in John 14:6, 25:06 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. 25:10 No one comes to the Father except through Me... " 25:13 and... "for unless you believe that I am He, 25:17 you shall die in your sins. " John 8:24. 25:21 The Apostle Peter echoed these words, 25:24 "Nor is there salvation in any other, 25:27 for there is no other name under heaven given among men 25:31 by which we must be saved. " Acts 4:12. 25:34 Millions of Christians revere so-called images 25:37 as objects of worship. 25:39 This is a counterfeit 25:41 distracting you away from the only One that can save you. 25:44 This is one of Satan's deceptions 25:47 to cloud human minds from the truth of God's Word. 25:50 The third important characteristic 25:53 we need to know about Old Testament Babylon 25:55 is that it was the center of false teachings about death. 25:58 It taught the counterfeit about what happens to you 26:02 when you die. 26:03 This is where you get the pagan doctrine 26:05 of the immortality of the soul. 26:07 The false idea that the dead live on. 26:10 The lie that when you die there is an immortal soul 26:14 that continues eternally. 26:15 This does not come from Christianity 26:18 and definitely not from the Bible. 26:20 Ezekiel 8:13 and 14, and God said to Ezekiel, 26:25 "Turn again, and you will see greater abominations... " 26:29 meaning: detestable actions that they are doing... 26:32 "So He... " God 26:33 "brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord's house; 26:36 and to my dismay, women were sitting there 26:40 weeping for Tammuz. " 26:41 Now, who is Tammuz? 26:43 Tammuz is the pagan god of vegetation. 26:47 The Babylonians believed that when winter darkened, 26:51 the sky... and there were long nights 26:54 that Tammuz had died 26:56 but in the spring... he would resurrect 26:58 and some of God's people... the Jews... 27:01 accepted this false idea from Babylon 27:03 straight out of paganism. 27:05 That's why Ezekiel describes them as "worshiping Tammuz. " 27:10 They are worshipping the dead. 27:12 This false doctrine that the dead live on 27:15 and the soul is immortal 27:17 slithered into the Old Testament church 27:19 directly from paganism. 27:21 Friends, those of you that have been with me each night 27:25 know what the Bible says about death. 27:28 Ecclesiastes 9:5, 27:30 "For the living know that they will die; 27:32 but the dead know nothing, 27:34 and they have no more reward, 27:36 for the memory of them is forgotten. " 27:39 Satan's first lie to the human race 27:42 was, "You shall not surely die. " 27:44 He schemed... "Eve, you are immortal. " 27:48 This ancient lie is still deceiving humans 27:53 1,000s of years later. 27:54 Immortality of the soul or worshiping the dead... 27:58 bowing down before images that supposedly represent the dead 28:02 all of these are counterfeit ideas 28:04 that led to the pagan doctrine 28:06 of bringing offerings for the dead. 28:09 Let's look at the false doctrine of saints 28:11 that are supposed to be hovering around. 28:14 This goes against what we have read together. 28:18 We studied how the Bible equates death to sleep 28:21 50 times in Scripture. 28:23 Since the dead are in their graves, 28:26 then who are these hovering spirits? 28:28 They are not dead people. 28:31 Revelation 16:14 tells us, 28:33 "For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, 28:37 which go out to the kings of the earth 28:38 and of the whole world. " 28:40 2nd Kings 23:24, 28:42 "Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, 28:46 and the wizards, and the images, 28:48 and the idols, 28:50 and all the abominations that were spied 28:52 in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, 28:54 did Josiah put away, 28:56 that he might perform the words of the law. " 28:59 Also, think about this, 29:02 The teaching of the soul having immortality 29:06 takes away the power of the second coming of Christ. 29:10 Pause... 29:12 Why then would we need a Savior to save us from this earth 29:15 if we float to heaven once we die? 29:17 If you believe in the immortality of the soul, 29:20 then you believe that when you die, 29:22 you will immediately go to heaven, 29:24 but if this were true, 29:25 why would Jesus come to resurrect the dead 29:28 from their graves if they were already in heaven? 29:30 This false teaching deletes the need of the Second coming. 29:36 Pause... 29:37 God wants us to be longing and excited for Jesus to come. 29:41 All of heaven is eager for this climactic event. 29:44 It was God's intent that the church in every age 29:48 would long for His return. 29:50 Pause... 29:52 According to the Bible, 29:53 our loved ones sleep in Jesus until then. 29:56 Together with them, 29:57 we will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. 30:00 So, why is it today that many churches are spiritually dead? 30:04 Why do so many churches lack spiritual power? 30:08 They have lost the urgency of the second coming of Christ... 30:13 the burning passion for Jesus to come. 30:16 The Bible... our guide... 30:19 constantly points humanity towards our rescue 30:22 from this sinful world to take us home to heaven. 30:26 Pause... 30:28 Now, back to the Babylon... 30:29 it was also the center of sun worship. 30:33 All sun worship came through varying pagan channels. 30:38 Ezekiel 8:16 says... and this is an important text, 30:42 "So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house; 30:46 and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, 30:49 between the porch and the altar, 30:51 were about twenty-five men 30:53 with their backs toward the temple of the Lord 30:56 and their faces toward the east, 30:58 and they were worshiping the sun... " 31:01 S... U... N... 31:02 "towards the east. " 31:04 Here is a fascinating bit of history 31:06 which helps us understand the origin of Sunday worship. 31:09 The Jews accepted the Babylonian idea that the soul was immortal 31:15 so, they were praying to dead Tammuz. 31:17 They were in the temple of the Lord's house... 31:20 the Jewish temple... 31:21 where they were supposed to be worshiping God. 31:24 They literally turned around and faced the sun 31:27 so that they would be facing the sun rise towards the east. 31:31 Pause... 31:33 These leaders were worshiping the sun... 31:35 that's S... U... N... 31:37 instead of Son... S... O... N. 31:40 This is a slap to the face of God. 31:43 Sun worship slithered its way into the church. 31:47 Babylonian religious practices united with Judaism. 31:51 Then the worship of sun came into the Christian church. 31:54 Pause... 31:56 The Worship of Nature by James G. Frazer Volume 1, 32:00 Page 529 says this, 32:02 Quote, "In ancient Babylonia 32:05 the sun was worshipped from immemorial antiquity. " 32:09 End quote. 32:10 The sun was revered... considered holy. 32:14 The sun was part of that worship system. 32:16 This was Satan's attack early on in the Christian Church. 32:20 Pause... 32:21 The history book... The Two Babylon's 32:23 by Dr. Alexander Hislop, Page 105 says this, 32:27 Quote, "To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, 32:32 Rome, pursuing its usual policy, 32:34 took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals 32:38 to amalgamate, 32:39 and to get Paganism and Christianity... 32:42 now far sunk in idolatry... 32:44 in this as in so many other things, 32:48 to shake hands. " 32:49 End quote. 32:51 So, Christianity and paganism shook hands. 32:55 Sunday became a vehicle to unite paganism and Christianity. 33:00 Do you see what God is saying in Revelation 17? 33:05 He is saying that many false doctrines 33:07 would come into the church. 33:09 He is warning that the great mother church 33:11 drifted away from the truth of Scripture. 33:13 Now, here is probably the most incredible, amazing statement 33:18 I've ever read by a Baptist author. 33:20 Those of you that are Baptists 33:22 will be interested in this as well. 33:24 The author of the Baptist's Manuel is Dr. Edward T. Hiscox. 33:28 He made this interesting statement in 1893 33:32 to 100s of Baptist ministers. 33:34 He was explaining about how Sunday came into the church. 33:38 Quote: "What a pity that it... Sunday... 33:42 comes branded with the mark of paganism, 33:45 and christened with the name of the sun god, 33:47 then adopted and sanctioned by the papal apostasy, 33:51 and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to Protestantism!" 33:55 End quote. 33:57 Now that is a revealing statement 33:59 by the author of the Baptist's Manuel. 34:01 He says, it's a pity 34:03 that Sunday has come through the muddy waters of paganism... 34:06 then into Catholicism... 34:08 and then, we Protestants have accepted it. 34:10 Pause... 34:12 Ezekiel the prophet would also say, "What a pity... " 34:14 because God gave us the Sabbath as His sign. 34:17 Ezekiel 20 verse 12, 34:19 "Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, 34:22 to be a sign between them and Me, 34:25 that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. " 34:28 Teachings from ancient Babylon 34:31 would sneak into the large Mother Church. 34:34 Protestant churches would leave the Mother Church 34:37 and God would raise up great men... the Protestant Reformers 34:42 but they would retain errors from the Mother Church 34:45 like the immortality of the soul and Sunday worship. 34:49 Many of them loved Jesus, of course, 34:52 but we are living in the last days, Friends, 34:55 truth is truth and must be followed. 34:58 Pause... 34:59 God is unlocking Bible prophecies to everyone 35:02 the Baptists, Catholics... Methodists... 35:04 Episcopalians... Pentecostals... 35:07 Evangelicals... 35:08 everyone who loves Jesus and wants to follow His truth. 35:12 You may be learning new things from God's Word. 35:15 As you learn these new teachings, 35:18 you identify it as truth. 35:19 There is something in your heart that responds... this is truth, 35:24 these are things I always wondered about... 35:26 that have always troubled my mind... 35:28 and now, I've read them for myself. 35:32 Pause... 35:33 This makes me think of a married couple in Papua New Guinea... 35:36 Helen and Simon. 35:37 They were both Sunday church pastors 35:40 that became increasingly uncomfortable 35:42 with texts in the Bible about the Sabbath 35:45 and while Helen was preaching, 35:46 she would intentionally skip over 35:49 any text that referred to the Sabbath. 35:51 One Sunday while she was delivering her message at church 35:55 again, she had to avoid one of those texts. 35:58 She knew right then and there... she needed to do a deeper study. 36:02 On the way home, she and her husband prayed 36:06 that if God would lead them to His truth, 36:08 they would follow it. 36:09 Friends, this prayer is a prayer that God will always answer. 36:16 God revealed His truth to them in the fourth commandment. 36:19 In response, they accepted the beautiful seventh-day Sabbath 36:23 and now, Helen and Simon are preparing to be baptized 36:27 and join the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 36:29 They... with their seven children 36:32 are so committed to sharing this truth 36:35 that they have even torn down their own house 36:37 to build a church on their property. 36:40 Amazing! 36:41 Pause... 36:42 Now, in the days of Ezekiel, 36:44 when error slipped in among the people of God, 36:47 God cried out as He would today. 36:50 In Ezekiel 22:26, 36:52 "Her priests have violated My law 36:55 and profaned My holy things; 36:57 they have not distinguished themselves between the holy 37:01 and unholy, 37:02 nor have they made known the differences 37:04 between the unclean and the clean; 37:06 and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, 37:10 so that I am profaned among them. " 37:12 Pause... 37:13 Daniel cried out that there would be a Power today... 37:16 and this is in Daniel 7:25... 37:19 that this Power would think to change times and laws. 37:23 Friends, no earthly church 37:26 has the authority to change God's Law 37:28 or change His Word. 37:30 There is no question 37:32 that preachers need to get back to preaching from the Bible 37:35 God's truth and flee Babylon... the harlot woman. 37:39 Babylon's false teachings 37:41 about God's character and government 37:43 are His reason for calling His people out. 37:46 God abhors these false systems of worship. 37:49 They are doctrines of devils. 37:52 However, God clearly loves His people 37:57 who seek Him sincerely 37:58 and even though they may be currently deceived, 38:01 He wants them to leave Babylon 38:04 and all its counterfeit teachings. 38:06 Proverbs 16:25, 38:08 "There is a way that seems right to a man, 38:11 but its end is the way of death. " 38:13 Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin. 38:17 When there is every opportunity, Friend, right now 38:20 to know the will of God... 38:22 He has given us His Word 38:24 that we may become acquainted with His teachings 38:27 and know for ourselves what He requires of us. 38:31 When the lawyer came to Jesus 38:33 and asked, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 38:37 The Savior referred him to the Scriptures saying, 38:40 "What is written in the law?" 38:43 It is not enough to have good intentions... 38:46 it is not enough to do what you think is right 38:49 or what the Minister tells you is right. 38:52 Your soul salvation is at stake 38:55 and you should search the Scriptures for yourself 38:59 because for every Bible truth, 39:02 Satan has his popular counterfeit 39:04 so you need to know your Bible for yourself. 39:08 Think of it this way, 39:10 if you smelled smoke coming from outside 39:13 and you ran outside to see your neighbor's house is on fire, 39:17 you would at the very least call out to them, 39:20 "Fire... get out... run...!" 39:23 Wouldn't you? 39:24 Friend, if your church teaches 39:29 that God's Ten Commandments are no longer binding... 39:32 that God's moral law which reflects His character 39:36 was somehow done away with 39:37 and no longer applies to us now, 39:40 run... 39:42 run to the Bible. 39:43 Jesus pleads in the New Testament, John 14:15, 39:47 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. " 39:50 Friends, that's New Testament. 39:53 If your church teaches Sunday sacredness... 1st day worship... 39:57 in the place of God's 7th day Sabbath, 40:00 run... run to the Bible. 40:03 This change in God's law 40:05 is fully admitted by the Catholic Church 40:08 as their prerogative... not God's. 40:10 "For I am the Lord, I do not change... " 40:14 Malachi 3:6. 40:16 Pause... 40:17 And if your church teaches... 40:19 that you have a second chance to be saved after Jesus comes, 40:22 run Friend. 40:25 We have seen repeatedly in Scripture together 40:27 that Jesus brings His reward at His Second Coming 40:30 for each person. 40:31 Jesus compares it to the time of Noah 40:34 when the door of the ark was sealed shut. 40:37 There is no second chance. 40:39 Your opportunity is now. 40:41 You are not guaranteed tomorrow 40:43 especially with our world in such a riotous up rise. 40:47 Take care of what matters most... 40:50 your salvation through Jesus. 40:53 Pause... 40:54 Friend, if your church teaches the Secret Rapture, 40:57 run to the Bible. 40:59 Together we have read that every eye shall see Him 41:02 coming in the clouds, 41:04 with the brightness of His angels... 41:06 with a shout and loud trumpets... 41:09 this is a noisy, brilliant 41:11 world-wide climactic momentous event... 41:15 Jesus' Second Coming is anything but secret. 41:19 If your church teaches eternal torment 41:22 with sinners burning now and forevermore, 41:26 then run... run to your Bible. 41:29 We studied the Scriptures and saw with our own eyes 41:33 that hell is not burning somewhere. 41:35 The fire will consume the wicked completely 41:38 and then, it will go out. 41:40 Hellfire is eternal only in its effects 41:44 not in its duration. 41:46 Friend, if your church teaches the immortality of the soul, 41:52 then you must run. 41:53 We all sin and come short of the glory of God. 41:57 The Bible confirms that the soul that sins... it shall die. 42:01 Scripture clearly says, "The dead know not anything. " 42:05 Ecclesiastes 9:5. 42:07 Only God has immortality right now. 42:10 Pause... 42:12 A big danger is this... 42:14 a man reads the Bible and it says clearly to him 42:19 that the wicked are turned to ashes 42:21 and put out of existence in the fire of hell 42:24 but since he has been taught eternal torment by his church, 42:28 he assumes it is true 42:31 and surmises that he is unable to understand 42:34 the plain word of Scripture... 42:36 so, he abandons his Bible Study 42:39 thinking it is too deep and complicated for him... 42:41 that the truth is that... 42:44 the truth is... 42:45 is that he understood God's plain Word correctly 42:47 but had been taught falsely. 42:49 Pause... 42:51 Matthew 7:13 and 14, 42:53 Enter by the narrow gate; 42:55 for wide is the gate and broad is the way 42:58 that leads to destruction, 42:59 and there are many who go in by it. 43:01 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way 43:05 which leads to life, 43:06 and there are few who find it. " 43:08 Remember Friends, there were only eight people 43:12 who stepped into the ark in Noah's day and were saved. 43:15 Only eight... out of the world at that time. 43:18 This text tells us... 43:20 it will not be the majority of people 43:22 that will choose to be ready when Jesus comes. 43:25 Matthew 7:15... Jesus warns us... 43:29 "Beware of false prophets, 43:30 who come to you in sheep's clothing, 43:33 but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 43:35 Yikes... 43:37 Ezekiel 22:25, 43:39 "The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst 43:42 is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; 43:44 they have devoured people; 43:46 they have taken treasure and precious things; 43:48 they have made many widows in her midst. " 43:50 Friends, beware of false teachers. 43:53 The teachings of men anchor people to falsehood 43:57 and prevent them from looking for truth 43:59 because they are certain that they already possess it. 44:02 Jesus refused to accept tradition 44:05 or the doctrines of men 44:06 because such teachings undermine His truth. 44:10 In Matthew 15:3, 6-9... 44:14 says, "Why do you also transgress 44:16 the commandment of God by your tradition? 44:18 You have made the commandment of God of none effect 44:22 by your tradition. 44:23 Hypocrites!" That's a strong word coming from Jesus. 44:26 "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 44:30 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, 44:32 and honor me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. 44:36 And in vain they worship Me, 44:39 teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. '" 44:41 God never calls you out of something 44:45 unless He is calling you into His something... 44:48 His remnant... last-day Bible-keeping movement. 44:52 What does the church or movement look like? 44:56 We will study: The Remnant tomorrow night. 44:59 Jesus is beckoning, 45:01 "Come back to Me... My simple truth. " 45:04 If your desire is to not stay in a fallen church, 45:08 Jesus will give you the courage and strength 45:10 to come out of Babylon 45:12 and to take a stand on Bible truth alone. 45:15 Pause... 45:16 Now, you may be wondering... 45:17 what about the people in my life who need to know this truth? 45:21 Friend, you will be a much greater witness 45:24 to your loved ones and friends 45:26 by following the footsteps of Jesus 45:28 more than you ever could be by staying in Babylon with them. 45:32 How then could you warn others of the Mark of the Beast 45:36 while you're worshiping on Sunday with them? 45:38 It will be seen as hypocritical and be fruitless. 45:41 Jesus openly said 45:44 that He has precious sheep who are not yet in His fold, 45:48 but when they hear His truth calling them, 45:51 they will choose His way. 45:52 We are in this timeframe now. 45:56 We see the world crumbling... 45:58 God's prophecies are coming true... 46:00 now is the time to listen and follow Him all the way. 46:05 There is no more time left to sit indecisive 46:08 on the Babylonian fence. 46:10 Pause... 46:11 When the testing time comes, 46:13 those who have made God's Word their rule of life, 46:17 will be revealed. 46:19 Just like in... in the summertime, 46:21 there is no noticeable difference between Evergreens 46:23 and other trees... 46:25 but when the blasts of winter come, 46:27 the Evergreen remains unchanged 46:30 while other trees are stripped of their leaves. 46:33 So, the false-hearted professor 46:35 may not now be distinguished from the real Christian. 46:38 But the time is just upon us 46:40 when the difference will be apparent. 46:42 When persecution begins, 46:44 the half-hearted and hypocritical will waver 46:47 and give up the faith 46:49 but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock. 46:53 His faith stronger... 46:54 His hope brighter than in the days of prosperity. 46:58 Jeremiah 6:16, 47:02 "This is what the Lord says: 47:03 'Stand at the crossroads, 47:05 look and see, 47:07 ask for the old, ancient paths, 47:11 where the good way is, 47:12 and walk therein, 47:14 and ye shall find rest for your souls. '" 47:17 Some of you may be standing in the crossroads tonight. 47:21 Will you come out of Babylon and choose God's way? 47:24 Friend, would you like to anchor yourself to truth 47:28 and know that He will continue to lead you into all truth? 47:32 Pray with me Friends, 47:34 "Heavenly Father, 47:37 I pray for a special awakening in every heart tonight, 47:41 Lord, you hear those crying out. 47:44 Take my life and let it be Yours. 47:47 I give it all over to You 47:49 and when everything seems to be crashing down around us, 47:53 everything we once knew... 47:55 we know we're not alone because of You, Lord, 47:59 we can remain calm and assured in Your promises. 48:03 You have always been faithful to us. 48:05 Lord, help me run to Your Bible for every answer 48:10 and with every step that I take, 48:13 You are before Me and behind Me 48:16 and in every fear that I face, 48:18 I know that I am safe under Your wings. 48:21 You are calling me out of confusion 48:24 and into a freedom that only comes from You. 48:27 You gave Your life to give me mine. 48:30 In You... I find my worth and my identity. 48:35 I pray these things in all my heart. 48:38 In Jesus' precious name, amen. " 48:41 Pause... 48:44 Friend, is the Holy Spirit working on your heart right now? 48:47 Are you thinking to yourself, "I see it in the Bible... 48:51 but how am I going to live it?" 48:53 My Friend, when you commit to truth, 48:56 Jesus makes the way 48:58 and thank you so much for watching: 49:01 Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 49:02 Meet me back here tomorrow night 49:05 to study God's description of His last-day church 49:08 so we can identify it from all the rest. 49:11 Our topic is titled: The Remnant. 49:14 Choose God's way. 49:16 Good night Friends. 49:18 As a special bonus for our 3ABN Viewers, 49:22 we want to share this story 49:23 featuring one of God's incredible miracles 49:25 before we end this Program. 49:27 Thank you for your prayers and support 49:29 of Adventist World Radio. 49:31 Every day, lives like these are being changed for eternity. 49:35 Music... 49:41 Rising above the Serengeti landscape 49:44 is the tallest mountain in Africa... 49:45 the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. 49:48 Surrounded by grazing gazelles, 49:50 sleepy lions and the elusive leopards 49:53 this land holds wonder and enchantment to excited tourists 49:57 and the humble people who call it home. 49:59 I am in Tanzania and this is AWR 360. 50:05 Trumpet: Lift up the trumpet and loud let it ring 50:08 Jesus is coming again. 50:15 Music... 50:19 Adventist World Radio was brought to Tanzania in 1993 50:24 making it the first non-government radio broadcast 50:28 of its time. 50:29 Now, over 25 years later, 50:32 a team of dedicated locals operate ten stations 50:36 across the country. 50:37 Broadcasting in Swahili and Maasai, 50:41 thousands of people can daily listen 50:43 to programs in their own language. 50:46 After seeing thousands of baptisms 50:49 as a direct result of the radio work, 50:52 many Seventh-day Adventist churches have become excited 50:56 and desirous... of participating in some way as well. 50:59 Music... 51:02 One church decided to sponsor a 21-day Sermon Series 51:07 called: Rays of Hope. 51:08 The pastor encouraged the members 51:10 to use this radio program as a witnessing tool 51:13 and to share the messages with their friends and family. 51:16 Mama Meambe took this to heart 51:20 and began carrying her little radio with her 51:23 wherever she went. 51:24 Music... 51:26 Mama Meambe had a garden 51:28 and her garden was located close by the town's bar. 51:32 Daily as she tended to her plants and vegetables, 51:36 she set down her radio and turned up the volume. 51:40 Radio... 51:42 Inside the nearby bar 51:44 the owner named Eliya began to listen and take interest. 51:49 Radio... 51:52 I was so intrigued with what I heard 51:54 coming from the radio in the garden, 51:56 I decided to find the channel on my radio 51:59 so I could hear it better. 52:01 Music... 52:06 So, while Eliya was serving his customers, 52:09 he was also listening intently 52:11 to sermons from the Rays of Hope Program. 52:13 Radio... 52:15 Soon, he was not the only one listening. 52:19 The drunkards who daily came by 52:21 started to listen and ask questions. 52:23 Radio... 52:26 Finally, Eliya suggested they meet together 52:29 and listen to the radio instead of drinking 52:32 and they all agreed. 52:35 Music... 52:36 The owner and his customers began meeting with their Bibles 52:39 and radio. 52:40 Music... 52:42 And as the AWR Program presented Bible-based messages, 52:46 the men discovered precious truths 52:49 they had never heard before. 52:50 Music... 52:52 At the end of the 21-Day Series, 52:54 I decided to give my life to Jesus and was baptized 52:58 along with 20 of my customers... it was a joyous day. 53:04 After their baptism, 53:06 this new little congregation 53:08 decided to change their bar into a place of worship instead. 53:13 They meet together every Sabbath to sing praises 53:18 and study the Bible. 53:19 Mama Meambe often joins them with a heart full of joy 53:25 for what God was able to do through her. 53:27 I am so thankful for AWR 53:31 and for the messages of hope that saved us. 53:34 Song... 53:40 Is this not an amazing testimony to the power of the gospel? 53:44 A place of frivolity and drunkenness 53:47 is now a place of praise and worship to our Creator 53:50 and all because one woman was willing to carry her radio 53:54 with her and let it be heard from her garden. 53:57 Will you join us in spreading the good news of Jesus 54:01 to a hurting and dying world? 54:02 Through your prayers and generous support 54:05 of Adventist World Radio, 54:06 light is breaking the darkness 54:08 and truth is triumphing over falsehood. 54:11 From Broadcast to Baptism, this is AWR 360. |
Revised 2022-02-17