Participants:
Series Code: UBP
Program Code: UBP000012S
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00:01 Does God really have a true church on the earth today?
00:03 Can we really trust any man-made institutions? 00:07 And in Revelation, who is God referring to as the Remnant? 00:10 It says... the dragon makes war with the Remnant. 00:13 Why? 00:15 Hi, I'm Cami... 00:16 let's explore the Bible answers to these questions together 00:19 on: Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 00:22 The rise of an international pandemic. 00:26 Polarizing global politics. 00:28 Increasingly disruptive natural disasters. 00:32 Bush fires in Australia are a warning of what may be to come 00:35 around the world. 00:37 What does it all mean? 00:38 What does the future hold? 00:40 Join international Speaker Cami Oetman 00:45 on a journey for answers in unlocking Bible prophecies. 00:49 In her travels around the world, 00:51 she's come face to face with real-life struggles 00:54 but in the midst of them, she's found miracles of hope. 00:57 Music... 00:58 Join Cami Oetman for: Unlocking Bible Prophecies 01:01 as she shares how Bible prophecy is being fulfilled 01:04 faster than ever before. 01:06 Music... 01:14 Hi Friends, I am so excited you have joined us 01:17 for: Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 01:18 This is a continuing Series of Presentations 01:21 exploring the greatest prophecies of the Bible. 01:23 Tonight is Number 12 of 14. 01:26 I'm so honored to spend this time with you 01:29 from all around the globe. 01:31 Also, remember you can view any previous Program 01:34 at awr. org/bible 01:38 I want to remind you that these topics build on each other 01:42 so it's important that you watch them in order 01:45 to have a foundation for each successive Presentation. 01:48 Even though we only have two more Presentations after tonight 01:52 you can stay connected with us through our Bible School. 01:55 Tonight's Presentation is really a continuation 01:59 of last night's Program 02:00 as we learned about spiritual Babylon 02:03 and the confusion that she has caused. 02:05 We also read about God is calling His people 02:08 out of Babylon now. 02:10 We can rejoice in the fact 02:11 that God never calls us out of something 02:13 unless He is calling us into His something. 02:17 Jesus says, "Follow My footsteps... 02:19 I have left you an example in My life and My teachings. " 02:23 We read the various truths from God's Word 02:26 like you and I have been doing here together. 02:28 Then, we take these truths like a map 02:31 and we go find a church that upholds and stores 02:34 all God's truths like treasure. 02:37 Tonight, we will answer the question, 02:39 "Does the Bible really reveal 02:41 what God's last-day church will look like?" 02:43 Stay tuned... 02:44 Let's pray in preparation for our study: The Remnant. 02:48 "Heavenly Father, 02:50 Lord, thank you so much for bringing us all together. 02:53 Please empty me of self 02:55 and fill me with Your Holy Spirit 02:56 and use me as a vessel tonight to describe from Your words 03:01 the Remnant and what the characteristics are 03:04 in Your true church, Lord 03:06 so, it's very clear to all of us 03:08 on how to find and be a part of Your end-time group. 03:12 We love You so much and be with us here tonight. 03:16 In Jesus' name, amen. " 03:17 Pause... 03:19 Armand and his wife Clarisse live in Madagascar. 03:22 Every day for work, he rides his bike from shop to shop 03:25 selling various products. 03:27 He enjoys his job 03:28 and at the time of this story, 03:30 they were living far away from the capital city 03:32 in a remote mountain village. 03:34 One day, Armand's brother shared that he and their father 03:38 were daily listening to an interesting radio broadcast. 03:41 Later that day, when Armand visited the family, 03:44 they heard the Program together. 03:46 Armand was interested but Clarisse was unhappy. 03:51 She was a devout Catholic 03:53 and felt that what was being said on the radio 03:55 was speaking wrongly against her church. 03:57 But though Clarisse did not like Adventist World Radio Programs, 04:01 her conscience began bothering her 04:03 and the only way to quiet it 04:05 was listening to the only radio program she despised. 04:08 As Armand listened daily to the radio, 04:11 he became convinced by the words he heard. 04:14 Unbeknownst to him, 04:15 the Lord was working on Clarisse's heart as well 04:18 and she too was being convicted. 04:21 Armand finally went to his wife and said... 04:23 they must find a church which preaches this truth. 04:27 She happily agreed and they searched and searched 04:31 but the only one they heard about was far away 04:33 and too far to attend. 04:35 Then one day, someone told Armand about a church 04:38 in a nearby village. 04:39 They went to check it out 04:41 and found a group meeting on Saturday 04:44 just like the radio talked about. 04:46 Soon the whole family was attending the church 04:49 every Sabbath 04:50 and together, they were baptized 04:52 into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 04:53 Just like Armand and Clarisse, there are millions of people 04:57 who are seeking for something they can hold on to... 05:00 something that gives them hope and peace. 05:03 Many have tried everything the world has to offer... 05:07 wealth, fame, power, pleasure and entertainment. 05:13 Yet they still find their hearts are empty 05:16 and their lives filled with problems. 05:18 There certainly is a hunger for genuine Christianity 05:22 in the hearts of thousands right now. 05:24 There is a longing for something more than they have 05:27 so that longing is not merely for a church 05:30 but to be connected with God and His truth. 05:34 Does God have a church on earth today 05:37 that is solidly grounded in the Bible? 05:40 With recent events like COVID-19 and riots around the world, 05:44 Perhaps you are feeling desperate 05:46 to know Bible truth and how to find God's church. 05:49 Pause... 05:51 But can you find the right one 05:53 when there are hundreds of church denominations 05:55 in the world? 05:56 Most claim to be God's true church 05:59 and all are alike in certain areas 06:01 and different in others. 06:02 It would take an entire lifetime 06:05 to examine the teachings of all these groups. 06:08 It would be so overwhelming, frustrating and futile. 06:12 Tragically, millions share such sentiments. 06:15 Perhaps you yourself feel that same way tonight. 06:18 Did you know that in Revelation, 06:21 God clearly describes His church for these last days? 06:24 Once you know what He says, 06:27 you can easily select His true church 06:30 from among all churches 06:32 just like you can easily select your country's flag 06:35 from all other flags. 06:36 Let's review our theme: 06:38 If it's in the Bible, I believe it. 06:42 If it disagrees with the Bible, then, it's not for me. 06:45 It is no doubt that Satan panics 06:48 when people begin studying the book of Revelation. 06:51 He knows God's church is clearly described in this book. 06:55 He uses every imaginable tactic 06:58 to prevent us from getting serious over its study. 07:00 If everyone understood Revelation, 07:03 Satan's kingdom would be in immediate jeopardy 07:06 and God's great name and His Church 07:09 would be lifted up and exalted. 07:11 When God created us, 07:13 He planted an innate longing deep within our souls 07:17 to desire Him... 07:19 to hunger for Him... 07:20 to thirst for Him and His Word. 07:23 As you look back through the history of the Christian church, 07:27 God always had a people to stand up for Him 07:30 and proclaim His truth to that generation. 07:33 In the Old Testament, 07:36 God instructs His people to have voices like trumpets 07:39 to loudly proclaim His Name... His truth... 07:43 like in Isaiah 58:1... 07:44 we are not to hold back 07:46 or be afraid of sharing His gospel messages. 07:49 In page after page of our Bibles, 07:53 we read incredible examples of how mightily 07:56 God can work through humans that listen to Him. 07:59 When people stand up for the truth 08:02 and are faithful in following the Lord's lead, 08:05 they are greatly rewarded. 08:07 Let's look at a favorite. 08:09 The story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho falling down. 08:13 It is recorded in Joshua 6:1 through 27, 08:16 this example vividly demonstrates 08:19 the miraculous power of God 08:21 when His people follow His direction. 08:24 The strategy to conquer Jericho was unique 08:28 and laid out by God Himself. 08:30 The key was that Joshua followed God's instructions 08:34 to the letter... so should we. 08:36 Jericho was one of the strongest fortresses in the area. 08:40 Wealthy palaces and temples of luxury, 08:44 vice and idol worship dominated the land. 08:47 This was all in defiance of God. 08:52 So, Christ appeared to Joshua 08:53 and promised victory over this impenetrable city. 08:56 In direct obedience to the divine command, 08:59 Joshua marshalled the armies. 09:02 They were instructed that no assault was to be made. 09:05 God's plan was to use the most unexpected... 09:08 innocent method of operation. 09:11 His ways are always the best and they're not always our ways. 09:17 When the people did finally shout, 09:20 the massive walls collapsed instantly 09:23 and obedience to God's commands always brings victory. 09:27 When we face seemingly insurmountable odds, 09:30 we must learn that our Jericho victories 09:33 are won only when we are faithful. 09:36 There is a vast difference between God's way and man's way. 09:40 From a military standpoint, 09:43 it was irrational to storm Jericho with simple marching 09:46 and trumpet blasts... 09:48 but we need never to question God's purpose or instructions. 09:52 We must have faith that God is who He says He is 09:57 and will do what He says He will do. 10:00 This story beautifully illustrates 10:03 how God keeps His every promise... 10:05 always has... always will. 10:08 The walls of Jericho fell because God said they would. 10:12 God's promises to us today are just as certain, Friend. 10:16 They are exceedingly great and wonderfully precious. 10:20 We must simply be instruments in the will of God 10:24 just like Noah listened and obeyed God's instructions 10:28 over a 120-year period. 10:31 Now, that's a lot of patience and dedication. 10:34 Noah did not give up and say, 10:36 "Why you're taking so long Lord?" 10:39 No... 10:40 Noah trusted in His friendship with God 10:43 and was ultimately saved because of it. 10:46 Jesus says in Luke 17:26, 10:50 "And as it was in the days of Noah, 10:52 so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. " 10:55 So, that says... the time just before His second coming 10:59 will be like Noah's day. 11:01 How many ways of escape were there in Noah's day? 11:05 Only one... 11:07 Genesis 7:1 says, 11:09 "Then the Lord said to Noah, 11:11 'Come into the ark, you and all of your household, 11:14 because I have seen that you are righteous before Me 11:17 in this generation. '" 11:18 In Noah's day, only eight chose God's way 11:23 into the ark of safety. 11:24 In the last days, 11:26 the Bible says the ark of safety is God's true church 11:29 who stands for all of God's truths. 11:32 Was God's one-way message to safety 11:36 that was preached through Noah 11:37 popular in the world? 11:39 No... 11:41 Matthew 7 verses 13 to 16, 11:43 "Enter by the narrow gate; 11:46 for wide is the gate and broad is the way 11:48 that leads to destruction, 11:49 and there are many who go in by it. 11:52 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way 11:55 which leads to life, 11:57 and there are few who find it. 11:59 Beware of false prophets, 12:01 who come to you in sheep's clothing, 12:02 but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 12:05 You will know them by their fruits... " 12:07 How many faiths or churches did Paul say Jesus has? 12:13 Ephesians 4 verse 5, 12:15 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism. " 12:19 In the last moments before Jesus comes, 12:23 two groups will form... 12:25 one group following man's popular word 12:28 and one group following God's eternal word. 12:30 Just like in Noah's day, 12:32 God has but one boat or church 12:35 that is going through to safety. 12:36 Be certain you board the right boat. 12:39 Jesus died to bring His church into His kingdom. 12:42 Ephesians 5:25-27, 12:45 says, "Husbands love your wives, 12:47 even as Christ also loved the church, 12:49 and gave Himself for it; 12:51 that He might sanctify and cleanse it 12:54 with the washing of water by the word, 12:56 that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, 13:00 not having spot, or wrinkle, 13:02 or any such thing; 13:03 but that it should be holy and without blemish. " 13:06 In the days of the New Testament, 13:09 Peter preached powerfully. 13:11 3,000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost. 13:14 As they were baptized, 13:16 they stepped out and became God's special people 13:18 to keep His commandments. 13:20 1st Peter 2:9 says, 13:22 "But you are a chosen generation, 13:24 a royal priesthood, 13:25 a holy nation, His own special peculiar people, 13:30 that you may proclaim the praises of Him 13:32 who called you out of darkness 13:34 into His marvelous light. " 13:35 God's special people were always characterized by obedience. 13:41 They loved Him enough to obey Him. 13:43 This group was carved out from the majority 13:46 by being a commandment-keeping group. 13:49 God called them from darkness to light... 13:52 from error to truth... 13:54 from commandment breaking to commandment keeping 13:58 into a deeper relationship with Him. 14:01 When some people listen to a series of meetings like this 14:05 and they learn new truth, 14:06 they go through a struggle. 14:08 They discover new truths from God's Word 14:10 and it produces a conflict 14:12 because it calls them to make a change. 14:15 There is a battle in the mind 14:17 and they wonder... to follow new truth, 14:20 will I have to deny everything I believed in the past? 14:23 Certainly not. 14:24 Look back at the past and say, 14:27 "I thank God for it. 14:29 Every church has some truth... some light from God. " 14:32 While we may appreciate our past, 14:34 we commit ourselves to following all the truth 14:37 God has for us today. 14:39 If you were brought up as a Methodist, a Baptist 14:43 or a Pentecostal, 14:44 why not say, "God, thank You for the path You have led me on. 14:48 I will now accept further light 14:50 because you have blessed me with further truth. " 14:52 So, you are not denying anything 14:55 that was true in your past heritage. 14:57 You are just leaving off errors that you accepted 15:01 because they were handed down to you. 15:03 You are simply letting go 15:04 of what does not harmonize with God's Word. 15:07 God is calling... 15:09 and you are walking ahead in the fullness of truth. 15:12 Since God has only one true church which He will save, 15:17 what will happen to the sincere Christians in other churches? 15:20 John 10 verses 16 and 27, 15:23 "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; 15:27 them also I must bring, 15:30 and they will hear My voice; 15:31 and there will be one flock and one shepherd. " 15:34 "My sheep hear My voice, 15:36 and I know them, and they follow Me. " 15:39 Here Jesus is pictured as the good Shepherd with one flock. 15:44 His people are His precious sheep... His church 15:49 and they are His fold. 15:51 Jesus plainly says 15:52 that some of His sheep are not yet in His church, 15:55 but that He will call them 15:57 and they will follow Him into His church. 15:59 John 17 verse 17, 16:02 says, "Sanctify them by Your truth, 16:05 Your word is truth. " 16:06 John 8:32, 16:08 "And you shall know the truth, 16:10 and the truth will set you free. " 16:12 Friends, if we come to God with an open mind... 16:16 with a seeking spirit... 16:17 and an honest heart, 16:18 He will reveal His truth to us. 16:21 But if I come locked in my own opinions 16:26 or only desire to prove my position, 16:29 then I will be unable to understand further truth 16:33 and discover His will. 16:35 My own thoughts will influence what I read in His Word. 16:39 Pause... 16:40 We need to pray, "Lord, show me the truth 16:43 even if it's different from what I already have already believed" 16:46 through His Holy Spirit, 16:48 He will reveal His will and His ways. 16:51 The book of Revelation describes God's faithful people 16:54 who will cling to truth at any cost. 16:57 Revelation the 12th chapter 16:59 describes more clearly than any place in the Bible, 17:02 the history of the Christian Church. 17:04 Like a movie, it shows us God's plan and people 17:09 down through the ages 17:10 along with Satan's vicious attacks. 17:13 It reveals to us without a shadow of a doubt 17:16 the identifying characteristics of the special group of people 17:20 called God's Church today. 17:21 The Bible begins in Revelation 12, 17:24 by describing a woman... a woman who appears in heaven, 17:28 the Bride of Christ. 17:29 We learned that a woman represents the church 17:32 in Bible prophecy 17:34 and great battle between good and evil ensues. 17:38 Revelation 12:9, 17:39 So the great dragon was cast out, 17:42 that serpent of old, 17:44 called the Devil and Satan, 17:45 who deceives the whole world; 17:47 he was cast to the earth, 17:49 and his angels were cast out with him. " 17:51 Let's follow the story through Revelation chapter 12. 17:55 Satan rebels against God in heaven... 17:58 but Christ wins and Satan loses. 18:01 Satan is cast out of heaven 18:03 while God is victorious as we see in the following text, 18:07 Revelation 12:4 and 5, 18:09 "His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven 18:12 and threw them to the earth. 18:13 And the dragon stood before the woman 18:15 who was ready to give birth, 18:17 to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 18:19 She bore a male Child 18:21 who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. 18:24 And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. " 18:27 Jesus is this male Child that Satan tried to destroy. 18:31 Satan through Herod passed a decree 18:35 that all male children under the age of 2 18:37 be killed in Bethlehem. 18:39 Joseph and Mary were forewarned by an angel 18:42 and they fled to Egypt and God preserved them. 18:45 They escaped the ruler of Rome's death decree. 18:48 Though the dragon represents Satan 18:51 it also has a secondary dual application to pagan Rome. 18:55 Herod was a Roman ruler 18:58 whom Satan used to attempt to murder Jesus as an infant. 19:02 Satan's intentions from the very beginning 19:05 were to deceive the universe... 19:08 all the angels... 19:09 Adam and Eve... 19:10 all of mankind... 19:12 to destroy all opponents. 19:15 What outstanding and extremely crucial facts 19:18 are mentioned in Revelation 12:10-12? 19:21 Let's look, 19:22 "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 19:25 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, 19:28 and the power of His Christ have come, 19:31 for the accuser of our brethren, 19:33 who accused them before our God day and night, 19:35 has been cast down. 19:37 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb 19:40 and by the word of their testimony, 19:43 and they did not love their lives to the death. 19:45 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, 19:48 and you who dwell in them! 19:50 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! 19:52 For the devil has come down to you, 19:55 having great wrath, 19:56 because he knows that he has a short time. '" 19:59 So, we see the accuser, Satan, is cast down. 20:03 God's remnant overcame by the blood of the Lamb Jesus. 20:08 The devil is angry because his time is short. 20:12 Three facts are established here. 20:14 Jesus defeated Satan... 20:16 the accuser of the brethren at the cross 20:19 and all of us can overcome through the blood of Jesus 20:23 and by witnessing. 20:24 The devil is furious. 20:25 We cannot expect him to behave like a gentleman. 20:28 Satan is the arch enemy. 20:30 In the wilderness years later, 20:34 Satan appeared as an angel of light 20:36 tempting Jesus in hopes of destroying Him. 20:39 Through this entire experience found in Matthew 4... 20:43 and I love how Jesus remains steadfast. 20:47 With an aura of majesty He says, 20:49 "It is written, 20:51 you will worship the LORD your God, 20:54 and Him only will you serve. 20:56 I command you to leave Me, Satan. " 21:00 The great dragon was repulsed and silenced. 21:04 He has zero power to withstand this imperial dismissal. 21:09 Jesus has this power and courage 21:13 because He stays connected to His heavenly Father 21:16 through prayer 21:18 and quotes Scripture as His shield against the devil. 21:23 He's giving us a perfect example of what we need to do. 21:28 In Ephesians 6:10 to 11, 21:31 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord 21:34 and in His mighty power. 21:35 Put on all of God's armor 21:37 so that you will be able to stand firm 21:39 against all strategies of the devil. " 21:42 On the cross, Satan tried to destroy Christ 21:46 but our Lord triumphed again. 21:48 Jesus' last words are, 21:51 "Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit... " 21:55 and then He draws a deep breath 21:57 and He gives what seems to be a shout of victory. 22:02 The words ring out over the hillside. 22:05 "It is finished... " 22:07 Jesus dies triumphantly. 22:11 There is a peal of thunder 22:13 and the very sun seems to go out. 22:15 Darkness almost as thick as black wool 22:18 settles over the land 22:20 as if the earth has finally seen all it can stand. 22:23 A terrible earthquake shakes the ground. 22:27 Jesus had foreshadowed His victory 22:29 but Satan could have never anticipated this plot twist. 22:34 John 12:31 to 32 says, 22:37 "Now is the judgment of this world: 22:40 now shall the prince of this world... " Satan... 22:43 "be cast out. " 22:45 The ruler of this world with his evil principles 22:48 is about to be cast out... 22:50 he's going down. 22:51 Well how? How will that happen? 22:54 Will it be with force? 22:56 Will it be with might? 22:57 No... 22:59 Verse 32... 23:00 Jesus says, "If I am lifted up from the earth, 23:05 I will draw all people to Myself. " 23:09 When people look at the cross, 23:11 they encounter love that draws their hearts to their Savior. 23:15 Jesus does not force you 23:17 or manipulate you 23:19 or deceive you... no. 23:21 Those are Satan's methods. 23:23 Jesus simply completely loves you. 23:28 By giving His own life, He wins the war. 23:31 He went into the grave and was raised from the dead. 23:35 Jesus is our only Savior. 23:38 He alone has the power over the grave. 23:41 Jesus' mission of salvation is accomplished 23:45 and he ascends to heaven. 23:47 After Jesus' ascension, 23:50 Satan now turns his wrath on the followers of Christ. 23:54 He must change his tactics. 23:56 So, the evil one intensely pursues each of the disciples 24:01 as they spread the gospel message. 24:03 All but one of the disciples died a martyr's death. 24:08 But to no worry... 24:09 their reward is great in heaven. 24:12 After Satan failed in destroying Jesus when He was here on earth, 24:17 he turned his focus... his fury 24:20 and continued to attack the church 24:22 represented as a pure woman in white. 24:25 You know, Satan not only deceives 24:28 but he attempts to completely destroy. 24:31 He persecutes and makes brutal attacks 24:34 on Christ's followers. 24:35 Today, Satan has thousands of ways to persecute Christians 24:39 through family troubles... addictions... 24:42 depression... loneliness... 24:44 financial burdens... 24:46 even total self-destruction. 24:49 Satan allures them to give up their faith 24:53 or he keeps them distracted and so busy 24:55 that they make no time for their relationship with Jesus 24:59 who is their only life line to victory. 25:02 Pause... 25:04 In the days of Constantine, 25:06 Church and State united. 25:08 For a while the Church enjoyed the State's favor 25:11 and unusual popularity. 25:13 As Church and State joined hands, 25:15 Satan attacked and took the opportunity 25:18 to fiercely persecute God's true believers. 25:21 So, now in Revelation 12:6 it tells us, 25:25 "Then the woman... " God's church... 25:28 "fled into the wilderness, 25:30 where she has a place prepared by God, 25:33 that they should feed her there 25:35 one thousand two hundred and sixty days. " 25:38 Now, remember in Bible prophecy 25:42 one prophetic day equals one literal year. 25:46 Ezekiel 4 verse 6 says, 25:49 "I have appointed thee each day for a year. " 25:53 Numbers 14 verse 34, 25:56 "After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, 25:59 even forty days, 26:00 each day for a year... " 26:03 God's remnant church was in the wilderness for 1260 years 26:11 of persecution. 26:12 There is only one time period in earth's history 26:16 that can be represented by this particular number of years 26:19 of Christian persecution and it reveals so much. 26:23 This period of tribulation is repeatedly mentioned 26:26 in the Bible because it is the worst ever 26:28 that God's people will face up to that time. 26:31 Matthew 24:21... 26:33 "For then there will be great tribulation, 26:36 such as has not been since the beginning of the world 26:38 until this time, no, nor shall ever be. " 26:42 I love how Isaiah 59:19 promises 26:46 that when the enemy comes in like a flood, 26:48 the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. " 26:52 We must hold on to Jesus and His standards... 26:56 His ways... to overcome evil. 26:58 At this time in history, 27:01 we see that the popular Church and State and still united. 27:05 Faithful men and women of God 27:07 clung to the truths of God's Word 27:08 as they hid in seclusion. 27:11 The wilderness typifies the deserted 27:13 and remote places of earth. 27:15 God's people fled for their lives 27:18 and hid in solitary places of refuge. 27:21 God's church dared not operate in the open 27:24 or else its members would not have survived. 27:27 God warns us that His true church did not exist openly 27:32 as an Organization during these 1260 years 27:36 because it fled into the wilderness... out of sight. 27:40 The Waldensians were the first people of Europe 27:43 to obtain a translation of the Holy Scriptures. 27:45 Hundreds of years before the Reformation, 27:48 they possessed the Bible in manuscript 27:50 in their native tongue. 27:52 The had the truth unadulterated and were persecuted 27:56 for upholding God's Word. 27:58 History is clear that the Papacy... the Pope of Rome 28:02 was the Power which persecuted Jesus' followers 28:05 for 1260 years... 538 A.D. to 1798. 28:11 The period began in 538 A.D. when Papal Power became supreme 28:16 in Christendom 28:17 due to the letter of Roman Emperor Justinian 28:20 which acknowledged the Bishop of Rome 28:22 as the head of all churches. 28:24 This notorious letter became a part of Justinian's code... 28:28 the fundamental law of the Empire. 28:31 This brutal time for Christians ended in 1798 28:34 when Napoleon's General Berthier took the Pope captive. 28:38 History establishes... at least 50 million Christians died 28:44 for their faith during this period of death decrees 28:47 by the Roman Catholic Church. 28:48 Doctrinal unity is achievable 28:52 only when the church rules by fear. 28:54 In the Fifth Lateran Church Council... 1512 to 1517... 28:59 Cardinal A. Pucci took note 29:01 that no dissenters had dared to attend. 29:05 In the book Romanism and The Reformation, 29:07 Pucci told the Pope quote, 29:09 "The whole body of Christendom is now subject to one head, 29:14 even to thee; 29:15 no one now opposes, no one now objects. " 29:19 End quote. 29:20 The irony of the Cardinal's statement 29:23 is that shortly afterward on October 31st, 1517, 29:27 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door 29:31 in Wittenberg 29:32 sparking the Protestant Reformation. 29:34 There are always some who are fearless 29:38 or who fear God more than man. 29:41 Satan persecuted the Reformers for their solid faith. 29:45 Their minds were bound by the principles of God's Word. 29:48 As we stated the wilderness period ended in 1798 29:53 with the capture of the Pope by Napoleon's General, Berthier. 29:57 Here is where the prophecy becomes fascinating. 30:01 We know now that God would raise up His end-time people 30:05 some time after 1798. 30:08 This is important to note Friends 30:10 because it helps make it clear who the Remnant Church is today. 30:14 Since God's woman of Revelation 12 30:17 hides or disappears out of sight for 1260 years, 30:21 then God's woman... His Church 30:24 must come back on to earth's scene after 1798. 30:29 Just like in the days of Noah, Abraham and Moses... 30:34 God has special commandment-keeping people 30:37 throughout the Old Testament, 30:39 New Testament, 30:40 the Dark Ages... 30:41 so it makes logical sense 30:43 that He would have His followers... 30:46 His church in the world's last days. 30:48 The identifying characteristics of God's last-day people 30:53 is found in Revelation 12:17. 30:55 God's remaining church 30:57 is the church that will preach the final warning message 31:00 to the world. 31:01 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, 31:04 and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, 31:08 which keep the commandments of God, 31:10 and have the testimony of Jesus. " 31:13 In the last days, God will raise up a people 31:17 who love Him so much 31:18 that they obey Him and keep His Law. 31:21 In the heart of His Ten Commandments, 31:23 we discovered the very basis for worship. 31:26 We exalt God because we are His created beings. 31:30 The Sabbath command leads us to worship Him supremely 31:35 as the Creator of heaven and earth. 31:39 Exodus 20 verses 8 through 10, 31:42 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 31:45 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 31:48 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. " 31:53 This is important to Jesus 31:55 that His remnant group follows in His footsteps 31:58 by keeping the seventh-day Sabbath. 32:00 Here are the people of the New Covenant. 32:04 God says of them in Hebrews 10:16, 32:07 "I will put My laws into their hearts, 32:10 and in their minds I will write them. " 32:12 God's people are not some super saints. 32:16 They are weak and make mistakes 32:18 and require God's forgiveness. 32:20 They acknowledge that they need their Savior Jesus. 32:24 God has placed His law in their minds... so they know it 32:28 and in their hearts... so they love it. 32:31 Let's discover more. 32:33 The book of Revelation describes this last-day people 32:36 as having two characteristics. 32:38 They keep the Commandments all of them... 32:42 and they have the testimony of Jesus. 32:44 The Bible defines the Testimony of Jesus 32:47 in Revelation 19:10, 32:50 it says, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. " 32:55 Well, that's clear... 32:57 God's last-day people 32:59 will be guided by the gift of prophetic word. 33:02 In 1st Corinthians 1:7, 33:04 "So that you come short in no gift, 33:07 eagerly waiting for the revelation 33:09 of our Lord Jesus Christ. " 33:11 The church waiting for the coming of Jesus 33:14 will not be lacking any spiritual gift. 33:16 One of the gifts of the Spirit is the Gift of Prophecy. 33:20 If the gift of prophecy was needed in the 1st-century church 33:24 to guide it and protect it from error, 33:26 it will certainly be needed in the last-day church. 33:29 All the gifts of the Spirit will be manifested 33:33 in God's church. 33:34 It will be a powerful Spirit-filled church 33:37 that impacts the world. 33:39 He will bless His church with unusual prophetic insight. 33:43 There will be dramatic breakthroughs. 33:44 The Holy Spirit will be poured out. 33:47 Thousands upon thousands 33:49 will become part of His spiritual community. 33:51 Jesus commissioned His disciples to go into all the world. 33:55 The true church will be a world-wide body 33:58 committed to Christ and obedient to His Word. 34:01 He said in Matthew 28:19 and 20, 34:04 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations... 34:08 teaching them to observe all things 34:10 that I have commanded you; 34:12 and lo, I am with you always, 34:14 even to the end of the age. Amen. " 34:17 In every age, God would have people who respond to His grace, 34:22 commit their lives to Him 34:24 and obediently follow Him into baptism. 34:26 Revelation 14:6 describes this last-day movement. 34:31 "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, 34:34 having the everlasting gospel 34:36 to preach to those who dwell on the earth... 34:38 to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people... 34:42 saying with a loud voice, 34:44 'Fear God and give glory to Him, 34:47 for the hour of His judgment has come; 34:49 and worship Him who made heaven and earth, 34:53 the sea and springs of water. '" 34:54 Friends, this is not a little non-denominational movement. 34:59 This is a world-wide global movement 35:03 that is proclaiming the gospel loudly. 35:06 To fear God does not mean to be afraid... 35:09 it means respect and give reverence to Him. 35:13 We glorify God by honoring Him in how we live 35:16 both in our diet and lifestyle. 35:19 1st Corinthians 10:31 says, 35:22 "Whatever you eat or drink, 35:24 do all to the glory of God. " 35:26 The angel's message flying in the midst of heaven 35:29 represents a church... a movement 35:32 which calls men and women to the fact 35:35 that we are accountable to God for our actions. 35:38 In an age of irresponsibility, 35:42 God is calling for us to be moral and obedient. 35:45 God's final message for mankind declares, 35:48 "The hour of His judgment has come. " 35:51 This is a special time in earth's history... 35:55 no more "business as usual. " 35:57 God's final call is to worship the Creator. 36:02 The Sabbath is part of God's urgent last-day message. 36:05 Jesus hands you the specifications and says, 36:10 "Go find My church. " 36:12 What does He promise when we seek? 36:15 Luke 11 verse 9, 36:16 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; 36:20 seek, and you will find; 36:22 knock, and it will be opened to you. " 36:25 I treasure this promise. 36:26 God's remnant will meet the identifying characteristics 36:30 of the true church in Revelation 12. 36:32 Through Scripture we can see that God's church 36:36 will appear after the wilderness... 36:39 after the dark ages. 36:41 We studied in Bible prophecy 36:43 God's remnant church appears on earth's scene 36:45 after the year 1798. 36:48 That is very telling. 36:50 Friend, the Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 36:54 The Remnant will hold the same truths 36:57 as the New Testament Apostles. 36:59 Teachings will agree with all the Holy Bible. 37:02 God's New Testament Church was simple and Biblical. 37:07 God's last-day church is simple and Biblical. 37:11 They are the same. 37:13 The Remnant Church will teach what Jesus taught. 37:16 So, when Christ said, "Lazarus is in the grave asleep" 37:20 and I see the Bible refers to death as a peaceful sleep 37:23 until Jesus comes, 37:25 and then I learn that when Jesus does come 37:28 in the sky to rescue us, 37:30 it's with all the power and glory of heaven... 37:32 so, it's no secret. 37:34 I then must find a church that upholds Jesus' description 37:38 and teaches that too. 37:40 The Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 37:43 The Remnant will keep all of the Ten Commandments 37:46 including the fourth 37:48 which is to remember the 7th day Sabbath. 37:50 The Remnant will lead people back to the Bible Sabbath 37:53 and worship their Creator. 37:55 The Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 37:58 The Remnant will have the gift of prophecy. 38:01 They will proclaim and teach Bible prophecies to the world. 38:04 Again, the Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 38:08 The Remnant will preach the final end-time message... 38:12 the three angels' messages of Revelation 14. 38:16 We studied these verses and saw clearly 38:18 that the hour of God's judgement is come 38:21 and we are to worship Him who made heaven and earth 38:24 and that Babylon is fallen, and we are to come out of her. 38:27 We are not to be partakers of any of her sins. 38:31 God's church for today must be calling people out of Babylon 38:35 not uniting with it. 38:37 And beware of the beast and his image and his mark. 38:41 God's church today 38:42 will be telling people how to avoid the Mark of the Beast. 38:45 Jesus says, "These are my three important last-day messages 38:50 to take to the world. 38:51 His Remnant Church will carry out His instruction 38:54 because they love Him 38:56 and out of their love for others, 38:58 they want to warn them so they are saved. 39:02 The Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 39:05 The Remnant God's Church 39:08 will be teaching that God's judgment is now in session 39:11 and that we must worship and honor Him as Creator 39:13 by keeping His Sabbath... the sign of His creative power. 39:17 The Remnant will call people to a total commitment to Christ. 39:20 Again, the Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 39:24 Pause... 39:25 The Remnant will be a world-wide mission-driven movement 39:28 spreading the gospel to every nation, kindred, 39:30 tongue and people. 39:32 It will be a movement that accepts men and woman 39:35 of all races... all language groups 39:37 and all creeds. 39:39 A movement that does not believe 39:41 that God is the God of any one race or people. 39:44 The Seventh-day Adventist Church 39:46 is the largest international Protestant mission movement 39:51 in the world 39:52 established in over 215 of the 237 countries 39:57 and territories as listed by the United Nations. 40:00 So, the Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 40:04 The Remnant will teach that salvation is only through 40:08 Christ Jesus... He is the everlasting gospel 40:11 and the true church will stress Revelation 12:11, 40:14 "And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb. " 40:17 God's last-day people are overcomers of sin. 40:21 They become like their Master Jesus. 40:24 God's church will make it very clear 40:26 that salvation and righteousness 40:28 come by faith in Jesus Christ alone. 40:31 The Seventh-day Adventist Church qualifies. 40:35 And the Bible tells us that the Remnant will exemplify Christ 40:40 in how they live 40:41 maintaining a healthy mind and body. 40:44 The Remnant will encourage people 40:46 to take care of their total health 40:48 and treat their bodies like a temple of God 40:50 to promote overall wellness in both mind and body 40:55 exemplifying the positive attitude of a Christian. 40:59 We can choose what kind of attitude we live. 41:02 This reminds me of a simple illustration. 41:05 An old native told his grandson, "My son, 41:08 there is a great battle between two wolves inside us all. 41:12 One is evil: it represents anger, jealousy, 41:17 greed, inferiority, resentment, lies and ego 41:23 while the other one represents good. 41:25 It is peace, love, joy, hope, humility, kindness, 41:32 empathy and truth. 41:34 The little boy put his head in his hands 41:37 and thought about it for a while. 41:39 Then he asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?" 41:44 The old man quietly replied with a solemn face, 41:47 "The one you feed, Son... the one you feed. " 41:51 The Seventh-day Adventist Church 41:54 has a beautiful biblical health message 41:57 and again... it qualifies. 41:59 In the days of Noah, God had a unique message for all humanity. 42:04 Noah appealed to men and women to enter into the ark of safety. 42:09 The majority rejected God's call 42:12 but God still had a few faithful people 42:15 who entered through the ark's door. 42:17 The faithful stepped out from the majority... 42:20 away from the popular masses. 42:23 There was a call to take a step in faith 42:25 and get into the ark. 42:27 Today, there is a call 42:29 to obey God and get into His ark of safety... His church. 42:34 Noah preached, "Repent of your sins... 42:38 come out of the world... 42:39 get into the ark... 42:41 judgment is coming... 42:43 the end is upon us. 42:45 The Remnant church is preaching: repent of your sins... 42:49 come out of Babylon... 42:50 run... get into the ark... the true church... 42:54 judgment is upon us... 42:55 Jesus is coming. 42:57 The Seventh-day Adventist Movement 42:59 is the only church spreading God's end-time message... 43:02 His three angels' messages in full. 43:05 The everlasting gospel... the Mark of the Beast... 43:09 and calling God's children out of Babylon... 43:11 the warning in its entirely, Friends, 43:15 throughout the whole world just as Jesus commands us to do. 43:20 Satan sees the signs of impending doom 43:23 and is currently making his push 43:25 to gain the loyalty of all the world through his agents 43:28 like the beast of Revelation 13 43:30 So much so that almost the whole world 43:34 is wondering after the beast. 43:35 Pause... 43:37 Satan would much prefer 43:38 that God have no territory left on this planet 43:41 so that Jesus does not have the right to return 43:45 and rescue His people. 43:47 We must stand up for all God's truth 43:50 just as Noah did 43:52 even though, we may be laughed at... mocked 43:55 and jeered by unbelievers. 43:58 As God's Remnant, we must live a life of prayer, 44:01 Bible Study and witnessing to others. 44:04 We need a generation of believers 44:07 who are not ashamed of the gospel... the 3 Angels' messages 44:10 who will stand on God's holy Word above all else. 44:14 We need a generation 44:16 that will proclaim salvation is in Jesus' name alone. 44:19 We need to better understand the power in prayer. 44:22 It is an act of war. 44:24 Our communication with Jesus is our armour... our shield 44:28 in this great-controversy battle. 44:30 We need to learn to fight on our knees in prayer. 44:34 We must have the kind of personal relationship with Jesus 44:38 that will help us through the upcoming trials ahead. 44:41 We must do our very best to represent Jesus 44:45 and share His words of salvation to others right now. 44:49 Just as in Noah's day, people must understand 44:53 that there are only two options... 44:55 they either choose God's way and get into the ark of safety 44:58 or choose popular man's way 45:00 and be swept away to eternal destruction. 45:03 People must have a clear understanding 45:06 of these two options... 45:08 the Bible... or man's tradition. 45:12 This is the battle of good versus evil. 45:14 The Bible tells us who wins... 45:17 King Jesus. 45:18 From Genesis to Revelation, 45:22 God has only ever had a small percentage of humanity. 45:26 Think about it. 45:27 A small Remnant who follow His commands completely 45:32 and wholeheartedly. 45:34 Consider this... 45:35 Noah entered the ark as the minority 45:39 but he stepped off the ark as the majority. 45:44 Our Jesus offers His matchless power 45:48 as a free gift. 45:49 With Jesus' power we cannot fail. 45:52 Satan's fury need not affect us. 45:55 He is already a defeated foe. 45:57 He was defeated in the war in heaven and cast out. 46:01 He was defeated by Jesus at the cross and lost his dominion. 46:05 He will be defeated legally 46:07 in his case... in the great and final judgment. 46:10 He will again be defeated when he attacks God's holy city 46:15 and finally, he suffers the defeat 46:18 of being blotted out from the face of the earth 46:21 in the lake of fire. 46:22 Before he suffers his fate, 46:25 the enemy of God does not want the world warned. 46:29 Satan feverishly builds walls up 46:31 and places roadblocks in the way of spreading the gospel. 46:33 Friend, make sure nothing or no one stops you 46:39 from attending and learning your Bible 46:41 during this Series. 46:43 Pause... 46:44 Satan is like a roaring lion knowing that his time is short 46:49 and he tries to discourage us in every which way 46:52 but these barriers... borders and obstacles 46:56 and obstructions tumble down just like the walls of Jericho 47:01 when we call on the power of Jesus. 47:03 My Friend, with God as your leader, 47:07 there are no wall... no borders 47:10 and no limits that He can't help you overcome. 47:13 My Friends, 47:15 we know there is only one perfect Christ crucified... 47:19 one empty tomb... 47:21 one risen redeemer who is coming back soon. 47:26 Do not be tempted to dilute the power of God 47:29 to just be pleasing to the ear. 47:31 Now is not the time for placating. 47:34 Time is marching closer and closer 47:37 to when the last trumpet will sound 47:39 and then, there will be no more. 47:42 People crave truth 47:44 that they could put their wholehearted in. 47:47 They need to know who they can bank their eternal lives on. 47:51 Jesus only. 47:52 Let us not be ashamed of our king 47:56 or be concerned about being peculiar. 47:58 Every person who makes God the ruler of His life 48:02 will be considered peculiar. 48:04 But this is the faith we need... 48:06 this is the experience that we must have. 48:09 We must stand out from the world and be different 48:13 if we are to be the sons and daughters of God... 48:16 the heirs of heaven. 48:18 All through the ages, 48:21 God has had moral heroes 48:23 and He has them now. 48:25 Leaders like Joshua, Daniel and Elijah 48:28 were not ashamed to be His peculiar people. 48:30 My Friends, those that stand for Jesus in these last days... 48:35 He will stand for you in the courts of heaven. 48:39 Pause... 48:41 The commandment-keeping Seventh-day Adventist movement 48:44 is the only church spreading God's end-time message 48:48 throughout the whole world. 48:50 Just as Jesus commands us to do, 48:52 we must stand up for all God's truth. 48:56 As His Remnant people, we must live a life of prayer, 49:00 Bible Study and witnessing to others. 49:02 We need to be the generation of believers 49:07 who are not ashamed of this book. 49:10 We need to be the army of believers 49:13 that hates to be lukewarm 49:15 and will stand on God's holy word above all else. 49:19 We need to understand the incredible power in prayer 49:24 that our communication with Jesus 49:27 is our armour... our shield 49:30 in the great controversy battle. 49:32 Jesus wants you as His forever. 49:38 Jesus is coming soon 49:40 and He desires to spend eternity with you. 49:44 Let me pray for you. 49:47 "Heavenly Father, 49:49 thank You Lord that You seek us 49:52 and You hear our faintest cries. 49:55 Even at just the whisper of Your name... Jesus... 49:59 You would end out an army to rescue us 50:02 from the darkest places. 50:03 Lead us into Your truth. 50:06 Take us by the hand and carry our loads 50:09 when they are too heavy. 50:10 Alert us to the snares of Satan that might trap us. 50:14 Make the way clear when life seems muddy. 50:17 We courageously follow in Your footsteps tonight. 50:20 Give us the strength, Lord, not to cower or compromise 50:23 under outside pressures 50:25 but be firm in our convicted hearts. 50:28 We want to stand by You as Your chosen Remnant people. 50:32 Save us in Your kingdom to come, 50:34 in Jesus precious powerful name, amen. " 50:38 Thank you so much for watching tonight. 50:41 We have two more topics left in this Series. 50:44 Our final topic will sum up the great controversy... 50:47 the unseen war that we are in... 50:50 but first, please join us tomorrow night 50:53 where we will study what to do next 50:55 once you recognize God's true church from Scripture 50:58 in our topic: The New Life 51:00 on Unlocking Bible Prophecies. 51:03 Choose God's way. 51:05 Good night Friends. 51:07 As a special bonus for our 3ABN Viewers, 51:11 we want to share this story 51:13 featuring one of God's incredible miracles 51:15 before we end this Program. 51:17 Thank you for your prayers and support 51:19 of Adventist World Radio. 51:20 Every day, lives like these are being changed for eternity. 51:25 Music... 51:30 An island nation located off the coast of Africa... 51:33 this biodiverse land home to thousands of animal species. 51:38 Rainforests... beautiful beaches... 51:41 and towering Baobabs. 51:44 Join Ray Allen and myself as we discover 51:47 how God is using the radio to transform lives. 51:50 We are in Madagascar and this is AWR 360. 51:57 Trumpet: Lift up the Trumpet and loud let it ring, 52:01 Jesus is coming again. 52:10 Music... 52:15 My name is Armand... 52:17 my wife, Clarisse, and I live in Antanamalimfu, Madagascar. 52:21 Every day for work, I ride my bike from shop to shop 52:25 selling various products. 52:27 Music... 52:31 I enjoy my job. 52:33 When this story began, 52:36 Armand and Clarisse were living far away from the city 52:40 in a remote mountain village. 52:42 One day Armand's brother shared that he and their father 52:46 were daily listening to a very interesting 52:49 Christian radio broadcast. 52:51 Later that day when Armand and Clarisse visited the family, 52:54 they heard the Program. 52:55 Radio... 52:58 Armand was interested but Clarisse was unhappy. 53:03 Music... 53:08 I was a devout Catholic 53:11 and believed what I'd heard on the radio 53:13 was speaking wrongly against my church. 53:16 But though Clarisse did not like the AWR Program, 53:21 her conscience began bothering her 53:23 and the only way to quiet it 53:25 was listening to the very radio program she despised. 53:28 Radio... 53:34 As Armand daily listened to the radio, 53:36 he became convinced by the words he heard. 53:39 Unbeknownst to him, 53:41 the Lord was working on Clarisse's heart as well 53:44 and she too was being convicted. 53:46 My husband finally came to me and said, 53:51 "We have to find the church 53:53 that preaches the truth on the radio. " 53:55 I happily agreed. 53:58 We searched and searched 54:00 but the only one we heard about was far away... 54:04 too far to attend. 54:06 Then one day, someone told Armand 54:10 about a church in a nearby village. 54:12 They went to check it out 54:14 and found a group meeting on Saturday 54:16 just like the radio talked about. 54:18 Soon the whole family was attending church 54:22 every Sabbath morning 54:24 and together they were baptized 54:25 into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 54:27 Sometime later, Armand and Clarisse moved to Antananarivo 54:32 and one day Armand happened to meet 54:34 one of our AWR Radio Broadcasters. 54:36 When the Broadcaster introduced himself, 54:39 Armand got all excited... 54:41 this was the voice he had listened to for over 20 years. 54:46 The two embraced and Armand shared 54:48 that he and Clarisse had named one of their sons after him 54:52 because of the impact his radio program had on their lives. 54:56 Some people think an Adventist came to teach us in person 55:02 but no... everything we know... we learned it from the Radio. 55:08 We are grateful to God for Adventist World Radio. 55:12 Today, Armand is a faithful missionary 55:18 sharing the good news of Jesus and AWR wherever he goes. 55:22 Armand speaking... 55:25 Narrator: He witnesses to his community weekly 55:29 preaching and distributing Bible lessons 55:32 in the open markets of his town. 55:34 He is known as "Pastor" here 55:36 and the vendors are always happy to see him. 55:39 To Armand's joy, many have requested further Bible Studies 55:43 and are interested in baptism. 55:46 Together Armand and Clarisse are doing their part 55:50 to hasten the soon coming of Jesus. 55:53 Music... 55:56 There are many more stories like Armand and Clarisse 55:59 still to be discovered. 56:01 God is at work in this land 56:02 and we are excited to be partnering with Him 56:05 in spreading the three angels' messages. 56:07 And together, we are making waves 56:11 from Broadcast to Baptism, this is AWR 360. |
Revised 2022-02-24