Participants: Lonnie Melashenko
Series Code: VOPS
Program Code: VOPS000024
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00:32 A number of years ago, Flight number 316
00:35 with 68 passengers sat on the runway 00:38 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. 00:41 Authorities delayed the flight for hours. 00:44 Then the hours stretched into a day. 00:47 Two days. 00:49 For three long, dreary days, 00:51 Flight number 316 just sat there. 00:55 Why? 00:56 Why was that flight held up? 00:58 Was it mechanical trouble? Weather problems? 01:01 A hijacking? No. 01:03 United States authorities wanted to be sure 01:06 one particular passenger aboard that plane 01:09 wasn't leaving the country against her will. 01:13 You see her husband had defected from another country 01:15 to the United States of America 01:18 but then he had wanted her to join him. 01:21 So she came. 01:23 Now the question was, 01:25 had she been pressured to leave? 01:28 Was it the Taliban? 01:30 Did anybody force her to board the plane? 01:33 That was her husband's fear. 01:35 She was leaving, but why? 01:38 With television cameras whirring 01:39 and reporters' cameras clicking, 01:41 this woman stood in the presence 01:43 of the officials of both nations 01:45 and made her final statement. 01:48 "I love my husband. 01:50 But he made his decision to stay here. 01:53 And I have made mine to leave." 01:56 And she turned, walked away. 01:59 Well, U.S. Immigration officials wanted to know, 02:02 had she spoken freely without coercion? 02:05 Did anybody force her to say this? 02:08 But she made her decision. 02:10 And so after 72 hours on that runway, 02:14 television lights switched off, 02:16 reporters hurried to the telephones, 02:18 and Flight number 316 lifted into the evening sky. 02:26 Is the ship of time being held on the runway 02:30 waiting for certain passengers on board 02:33 to make up their minds? 02:36 According to the Book of Revelation 02:38 that is a fairly accurate description 02:41 of what's happening on our nervous spacecraft. 02:45 It's precisely what four special angels 02:48 have been commissioned to do. 02:50 We read in Revelation 7:1, 02:53 "After these things I saw four angels 02:57 standing at the four corners of the earth, 02:59 holding the four winds of the earth, 03:00 that the wind should not blow on the earth, 03:03 on the sea, or on any tree." 03:07 Winds on a leash, 03:10 angels holding back the winds of war and destruction, 03:13 holding back the flight of time, 03:16 turning aside disaster, 03:18 blunting the power of wars and hurricanes and floods, 03:21 restraining the winds of terror and violence, 03:24 holding the hourglass on a slant 03:27 so that the last grains of sand 03:29 will not escape forbidding history 03:32 from signing out just yet. 03:33 Because God's unwilling to wrap it all up 03:36 until every man and woman has decided 03:39 by their own free choice, 03:40 what they want to do with their eternal future. 03:45 Is restraining hand mysteriously 03:47 holds the winds of international terror, 03:49 or else folks Armageddon will erupt. 03:53 Prophecy warns us that one day soon 03:56 those winds will be unleashed 04:00 and they'll blow with a fury that defies imagination. 04:04 In fact, so furiously 04:06 a whole planet will need to be evacuated. 04:10 Why are the angels holding the winds? 04:13 Holding our flight? 04:15 Bible says, "Then I saw another angel 04:19 ascending from the east, 04:20 having the seal of the living God. 04:23 And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels 04:26 to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 04:28 saying, 'Do not harm the earth, the sea, 04:31 or the trees till we have sealed 04:34 the servants of our God on their foreheads.'" 04:38 Angels, friends. 04:40 Angels are holding back the winds 04:42 until God's people are sealed in their foreheads. 04:46 With some sort of visible tattoo? 04:49 No. 04:51 We've learned millions of men, women, 04:53 and children will be so in love with Jesus 04:56 that they will say, "Lord, 04:58 I just want to be marked as one of Your children forever. 05:01 I accept. I obey Your forever seal." 05:06 But other millions, in fact the majority, 05:10 unfortunately will say in their hearts 05:13 or by their actions, well, "No thank You, Lord. 05:17 I mean, I know You died to save me. 05:20 But I don't want to be sealed. 05:23 I choose to go another way, my own way." 05:27 2 Peter 3:9 says that just hurts Jesus 05:33 so much to hear men and women say that well, 05:36 they want to accept the gift of salvation 05:38 that cost Him so much 05:41 but then reject His gift of restoration. 05:46 And so God keeps waiting a little longer 05:49 holding our plane on the runway of time 05:51 because He doesn't want a single one to be lost. 05:55 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, 06:00 as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, 06:05 not willing that any should perish 06:07 but that all should come to repentance." 06:12 But friend, one day soon every living person 06:15 will have completely made up their mind, 06:18 those who have chosen Jesus and those who choose Him not. 06:24 God knows their decision is irrevocable, 06:27 so the fateful decree goes forth in Revelation 22:11, 12. 06:34 "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still, 06:37 he who is filthy, let him be filthy still, 06:40 he who is righteous, let him be righteous still 06:43 and he who is holy, let him be holy still. 06:46 And behold, I am coming quickly, 06:49 and My reward is with Me, 06:51 to give to every one according to his work." 06:55 We call that decree the close of probation. 07:01 For men and women on Planet Earth 07:02 there'll be no more changing of camps after that. 07:06 Not because God wants to be arbitrary. 07:09 Not because He wants to cut anybody off. 07:11 Rather, the decree simply reflects 07:14 the fact men and women have made their final choice. 07:18 And now God will honor those choices 07:22 and it's time for the flight to take off. 07:26 But notice what the prophet Daniel says 07:28 will happen at that time in Daniel 12:1. 07:33 "At that time Michael shall stand up, 07:36 the great prince who stands 07:37 watch over the sons of your people 07:40 and there shall be a time of trouble, 07:41 such as never was since there was a nation, 07:43 even to that time. 07:45 And at that time your people shall be delivered, 07:49 every one who is found written in the book. 07:52 And many of those who sleep in the dust 07:54 of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, 07:57 some to shame and everlasting contempt." 08:02 And friend, then the winds will blow. 08:06 Then it says, we'll be ushered into a time of trouble 08:09 such as this world has never known. 08:12 Then the seven final judgments of God, 08:14 the seven last Plagues, 08:16 will be released upon the enemies of God. 08:19 Then the predictions of Revelation 08:21 will reach their final fulfillment. 08:23 The last grains of the sand of time 08:27 will slip through the hourglass. 08:30 But then the prophet Daniel encourages us, 08:33 God's people will be delivered and Jesus will return. 08:40 Are you prepared for the winds to blow? 08:45 See friend, doomsday hasn't happened 08:48 to an unsuspecting planet earth yet 08:52 but it will not be this way for long. 08:55 In fact, even now those angels could be letting go the winds 09:00 in places like Afghanistan, the West Bank, Iraq, 09:04 North Korea, Indonesia, Libya, 09:06 Lebanon, Nicaragua, Colombia. 09:10 As we turn to prophecy in our study today, 09:14 we discover that tomorrow the roar of unleashed winds 09:18 on the eve of Armageddon may deafen us with their fury. 09:22 And once they are unleashed, 09:24 human destiny begins its final approach on the runway of time. 09:30 One of these days it will be too late. 09:35 The prophecy we're turning to now 09:37 is about how we can escape the seven last plagues. 09:44 But let me remind you of a technique of God. 09:46 We have discovered in our studies 09:49 that God's great Bible prophecies are consistent. 09:53 They reveal a God who is predictable. 09:56 The way God has worked in the past, 09:58 He will work again today. 10:00 Notice Hebrews 13:8, 10:04 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." 10:11 So, in other words, 10:13 if we'll carefully study for example 10:15 the ten plagues of the Old Testament 10:18 and the great miracle of that 10:20 great cataclysmic deliverance of the Exodus, 10:22 we'll discover some secrets 10:25 as to how we here in the New Testament 10:28 can escape the seven last plagues 10:30 and the final days of tribulation. 10:33 In other words, those things in the past 10:35 are written for our benefit to alert us in the last days. 10:39 Notice 1 Corinthians 10:11, 10:43 "Now all these things happened to them as examples, 10:47 and they were written for our admonition, 10:50 upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 10:53 Friend, here's what this means, 10:56 those Old Testament miracles during the Exodus 10:59 when the plagues fell on Egypt but God's people escaped. 11:03 They are extremely important 11:04 because this has something to do with our message tonight. 11:09 It directly impacts us. 11:11 It has a sobering parallel 11:13 to the final exodus from planet earth. 11:16 But before we look at the time 11:18 when God rains down those seven last plagues 11:21 here in the end of the New Testament. 11:23 Let's go back and review for a moment. 11:25 Let's remember that first of all 11:27 He rained down ten plagues on Egypt in the Old Testament. 11:32 And if we'll closely look at those, 11:35 we get some hints of how it will happen again in our day. 11:38 If we examine what He did then, 11:40 it will help us understand how He'll operate now. 11:45 You remember that God first sent Moses and Aaron 11:48 with a prophetic message, Pharaoh, 11:50 Pharaoh, this is God's end-time message. 11:53 You don't have to receive these plagues. 11:56 Pharaoh, if you cooperate with God, 11:58 He'll bless you. 11:59 "Thus says the Lord God Jehovah, 12:02 'Let My people go.'" 12:05 But you remember the story Pharaoh wouldn't budge. 12:09 Refused. 12:11 Hardened his heart. In fact he insulted God. 12:14 So the smart bombs began to fall. 12:17 Let's review those ten calamities 12:19 exploding one by one, like patriot missiles. 12:23 Remember that first the Nile River, 12:25 worshiped by the Egyptians, turned to blood. 12:27 Bible says all of the fish died, 12:30 all the water in Egypt became blood for seven days. 12:34 But Pharaoh still refused to let God's people go. 12:37 So next a plague of frogs infected the land. 12:41 Millions of them, they were in their food, 12:43 in their beds, everywhere. 12:45 Pharaoh stubbornly refused to budge. 12:49 A plague of lice came next. 12:51 Well, the arrogant ruler's cabinet 12:53 of advisers thought well, 12:54 maybe this is just sort-- some sort of trick. 12:57 So Pharaoh had his magicians 12:58 tried to replicate the pestilence. 13:01 But Pharaoh still wouldn't agree to let the people go. 13:05 By the way, the Bible tells us 13:08 that those first three plagues 13:10 fell on both the Hebrews and the Egyptians. 13:14 But from here on, 13:15 the plagues fell only on the ungodly Egyptians 13:20 and that when things really began 13:22 to get a whole lot more serious. 13:25 The fourth plague came, stinging, venomous flies. 13:29 So epidemic, so awful, it swept through the land. 13:33 But then the fifth plague came, 13:34 destroying farm animals and livestock, devastating. 13:38 With the stench of death everywhere. 13:41 To the point now Pharaoh's curiosity was aroused. 13:44 Wow! 13:46 You know, he said "I wonder, have the animals 13:49 of the Hebrew people up there in Goshen been destroyed too 13:53 or have they been protected as Moses predicted?" 13:56 Notice this Exodus 9:7, "And behold, Pharaoh sent, 14:02 and there was not one of the cattle 14:04 of the Israelites dead. 14:06 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, 14:09 and he did not let the people go." 14:13 So, the sixth plague fell, boils on man and beast, 14:17 head to toe, miserable boils. 14:21 Still the obstinate monarch refused 14:23 to release the children of Israel. 14:25 So the next smart bomb, a plague of hail, 14:29 laced with lightning and thunder so stupendous 14:32 the Bible says that that lightning 14:34 was kind of like carpet bombing by B-52s 14:37 because the lightning it ran along the ground. 14:39 Wow! 14:41 And for a few fleeting moments Pharaoh 14:43 actually toyed with the idea 14:45 maybe I'll obey God now and let the people go. 14:48 Because every living plant and crop and tree was flattened 14:53 but when the bombardment abated, 14:56 so did his good intentions. 14:58 So the eighth plague hit a cyclone 15:02 of locusts eating up every living thing 15:04 the hail didn't get. 15:06 In fact, Pharaoh's counselors 15:08 in the Cairo Stock Exchange pleaded with him, 15:11 "No more, please. 15:12 No more plagues. 15:14 Pharaoh the market has crashed, 15:15 Wall Street's beans and commodities 15:17 and pork barrels are gone. 15:19 Pharaoh, it's over, please. Let those slaves go." 15:23 But still the king refused. 15:27 So then the Bible says came three days 15:29 of mysterious darkness. 15:32 So cold, so intense, so bitter and oppressive, 15:35 it could be felt. 15:38 But rebellious Pharaoh 15:39 continued to defy the God of heaven. 15:42 Finally the tenth plague, the climactic grand finale. 15:48 Slaughter of all the firstborn. 15:51 Exodus 12:29, "And it came to pass, 15:56 that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn 15:59 of the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh 16:02 unto the firstborn of the captive 16:04 that was in the dungeon, 16:05 and all the firstborn of cattle." 16:09 But where the blood had been sprinkled 16:10 on the doorposts in obedience to God's instructions, 16:14 not one home was touched. 16:17 Can you imagine what that would have been like 16:19 as the clock approached midnight up 16:21 in the camp of God's children of Israel? 16:23 "Daddy, daddy, can't go to sleep. 16:27 Daddy, did you sprinkle the blood? 16:29 Have you killed the lamb? 16:30 Is it on the doorpost yet? 16:32 Well, son, yes I'll do it in few more minutes. 16:35 Few minutes later daddy, daddy, 16:36 did you do it like God instructed?" 16:39 Thousands of anxious firstborns must have stayed up 16:41 until midnight asking that question. 16:44 "Yes, dear, yes, I have done it. 16:49 The angel has passed over." 16:52 But not throughout the vast kingdom of Egypt. 16:56 Oh, no, cries of mourners could be heard. 16:59 Death wailing, even in proud Pharaoh's household, 17:03 as with trembling legs and hoarse voice. 17:05 In anguish he finally bellows 17:07 into the microphone out in the streets, 17:09 let the children of Israel go. 17:11 Get out of Egypt. 17:13 And hurry or, we'll all die." 17:15 And the Bible says with shoes on their feet 17:17 and coats on their backs, 17:18 at the stroke of midnight the children of Israel 17:21 were on their way to the Promised Land. 17:26 Someone asks, "But Lonnie, 17:27 what's this old 3,500 year old story 17:30 have to do with us anyway today?" 17:32 Ah, my friend, listen. 17:34 Revelation tells us 17:36 it's profoundly significant to us 17:38 right here in the 21st century 17:40 because Bible prophecy warns us history will be repeated. 17:46 The final events on planet earth 17:48 during the final tribulation 17:50 will parallel the Exodus story almost identically. 17:55 Not ten plagues, but the seven last plagues 17:58 will fall only on a more devastating scale. 18:02 Global catastrophes. 18:04 This time, culminating not in the Exodus from Egypt, 18:09 but the final exodus from spiritual Egypt 18:12 and our planet in rebellion. 18:14 The final deliverance of God's people. 18:18 Now, I don't mean to be critical 18:20 of Tim LaHaye's "Left Behind" books, 18:22 because he at least gotten people 18:24 to thinking about end time in prophecy. 18:27 And also I admire him for clearly admitting 18:29 that his books are simply biblical fiction, 18:33 they are not necessarily Bible truth. 18:36 But here's something Tim LaHaye misses 18:38 in his "Left Behind" books. 18:40 He says God's people won't be here for the plagues. 18:45 We'll be raptured, we we'll be up there in heaven 18:49 on the front row seats looking down on all of this. 18:53 But I want you to look down at the biblical record. 18:56 Look at the prophetic evidence. 18:58 The children of Israel 19:00 they didn't get to avoid the plagues back then. 19:04 They didn't get raptured then. 19:06 No, they had to endure a time of affliction and tribulation 19:11 first before their glorious deliverance from Egypt. 19:15 They were there to witness the plagues. 19:17 They were there for the tribulation. 19:19 They were there when the plagues 19:20 were falling all around them on the Egyptians. 19:24 Well, friend, Revelation clearly says 19:27 God's church will be here at the end 19:30 on earth going through affliction 19:32 as we witness the outpouring of the seven last plagues 19:35 all around us on the wicked just prior to Christ's coming. 19:40 But just as God delivered them then, 19:44 just so we'll experience the miracle 19:46 of being preserved from the plagues 19:49 by God's angels now. 19:51 Do you see? 19:54 Now those books of fiction in the bookstores 19:56 would have you believe 19:59 we'll be up there with God during the tribulation 20:02 looking down through heaven's closed circuit TV 20:05 on all of this will be safe and secure. 20:08 Boy, will some people be in for a big, big surprise. 20:12 Because friend, the prophet Daniel 20:14 clearly describes this period of tribulation 20:18 and trouble for the saints, 20:20 right here just before Jesus comes 20:22 in the battle of Armageddon. 20:23 Listen to Daniel 12:1. 20:27 "And at that time shall Michael stand up, 20:31 the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people 20:34 and there shall be a time of trouble, 20:36 such as never was since there was a nation 20:39 even to that same day and at that time 20:42 thy people shall be delivered, 20:44 every one that shall be found written in the book." 20:48 Do you see, delivered right in the middle 20:51 of all this tribulation? 20:52 Delivered in the midst of the seven last plagues. 20:56 Yes, the everlasting Gospel 20:59 will have been preached to all of the world. 21:01 Yes, the call of the second angel's message 21:03 to "come out of Babylon" 21:04 and the false systems of worship 21:06 will have been given. 21:07 And yes, the third angel's message has been proclaimed. 21:10 But notice the warning nonetheless, 21:13 God's final appeal, He says, 21:15 "Please everyone, everyone, you can escape the plagues." 21:20 Listen! Revelation 14:9, 10. 21:24 "If any man worship the beast and his image, 21:26 and receive his mark in his forehead, 21:28 or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine 21:31 of the wrath of God." 21:34 My friend, that is the most awesome warning 21:36 in all of the Bible ever addressed to mortals. 21:39 And we discovered that it is only 21:41 when these issues are plainly 21:43 set before the inhabitants of earth, 21:45 not until this final crisis forces every individual 21:49 to make a final decision to choose 21:51 between the Commandments of God or the commandments of men, 21:54 that's the only time anyone receives 21:57 the mark of the beast and the seven last plagues. 22:00 But then probation's door closes forever. 22:06 But we're still here, 22:08 God's church is still here on this earth 22:12 which infuriates Satan to the point 22:14 he finally he goads the wicked 22:16 to get so angry with us 22:18 they want to destroy us with a death decree 22:21 because we won't accept the mark of the beast. 22:24 But when they say, "Destroy them!" 22:28 that's when God says, "My children, its enough. 22:33 They've gone too far. It's over. 22:36 They have rejected My last messages of mercy." 22:40 And then the Bible says the seven last plagues come. 22:44 That's when Revelation 14:10 says 22:47 the wicked people 22:49 "drink of the wine of the wrath of God." 22:53 But you see, we righteous are still here 22:56 because in heaven the solemn announcement is made, 22:59 "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: 23:02 and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still, 23:04 and he that is righteous, 23:06 let him be righteous still and he that is holy, 23:09 let him be holy still." 23:10 And behold I come quickly. Why? 23:15 To get us then. 23:19 You see, Christ's work as our Great High Priest in heaven 23:22 has finally ended. 23:23 Every case has been decided 23:25 for eternal life or eternal death. 23:28 The door of God's mercy is shut. 23:31 And just before Jesus descends in glory, 23:34 now earth's inhabitants are plunged 23:37 into one great final "time of trouble such as never was," 23:41 spoken of by the prophet Daniel. 23:44 Are you listening, friend? 23:46 According to the Bible, friend, 23:48 it's not going to be like Tim LaHaye's fiction. 23:51 God isn't going to snatch His people. 23:53 Not yet. 23:55 Not until after the plagues are over. 23:58 We'll be right here on earth, 23:59 right to the end but we'll be protected, 24:04 just as were the children of Israel 24:06 during the plagues of Moses. 24:09 No, we won't be free from difficulties and suffering. 24:13 It will be a time of trouble the Bible says for everyone. 24:16 Big time. 24:18 In fact, God's Voice of Prophecy says 24:21 our wild imaginations can't comprehend 24:23 the magnitude of its reality, 24:25 as the wicked now drink the full cup of God's wrath 24:29 unmixed with mercy. 24:32 In fact, John was given a sneak preview 24:34 of this terrible time of trouble. 24:37 Revelation 15:1, "And I saw another sign in heaven, 24:43 great and marvelous, seven angels 24:45 having the seven last plagues 24:47 for in them is filled up the wrath of God." 24:51 Seven last plagues, terrible. What are they? 24:56 Well, you can read about them in Revelation 16 24:59 in greater detail, 25:00 but I want you to notice some striking similarities 25:03 to the ones that fell upon Egypt. 25:06 God's four angels, holding back the four winds, 25:09 finally let go, so the first heavenly missile is launched. 25:13 Revelation 16:2, "And the first went, 25:17 and poured out his vial upon the earth, 25:19 and there fell a noisome and grievous 25:21 sore upon the men 25:23 which had the mark of the beast, 25:24 and upon them which worshipped his image." 25:28 Perhaps sores similar to the cancerous boils 25:32 suffered by the Egyptians. 25:35 You'll discover your downlink sites 25:36 on another night that Revelation Chapter 13 says 25:40 this vial specifically targets 25:43 the United States of America 25:45 and any country where the mark of the beast 25:48 is legislated and observed. 25:51 Imagine the impact of such a plague that 25:53 that would have for example 25:54 on America's 21st century society. 25:58 Boys, schools will close. Factories will shut down. 26:02 Stores won't be able to open. 26:03 While even hospitals will be overflowing 26:05 with people seeking emergency treatment, 26:07 but the doctors and the nurses 26:09 will be suffering from the same affliction. 26:11 And so the hospitals close. Millions die. 26:15 Will we, too? 26:17 Oh, no, friend, because just as the Israelites 26:21 had the sign of the blood on the doorposts 26:23 that caused the destroying angel 26:24 with the plague of death to "pass over" them. 26:28 So God's people have a sign, a seal which causes the angel 26:32 with the vial to pass over them. 26:36 Notice that wicked people 26:38 will still be suffering from their sores 26:40 of these boils when another calamity strikes. 26:43 Revelation 16:3, "And the second angel 26:46 poured out his vial upon the sea 26:48 and it became as the blood of a dead man 26:51 and every living soul died in the sea." 26:55 When you talk about dead man 26:56 walking what a sight, what a stench. 27:00 I mean, infection breaks out everywhere. 27:02 Creatures in the sea just kind of wash ashore. 27:05 No more unclean seafood to eat. 27:09 People stumbling over one another 27:10 to escape their beach homes. 27:13 Those governments that have legislated 27:15 against Sabbath keepers, mandating "You can't buy food 27:19 for the family or milk for the baby, 27:20 because you don't have the mark of the beast." 27:22 Now God turns the tables 27:24 and they can't get food, period. 27:27 But then another plague follows, 27:28 Revelation 16:4, 27:31 "And the third angel poured out his vial 27:34 upon the rivers and fountains of waters 27:36 and they became blood." 27:41 Just think, a person turns on the faucet 27:45 to get a drink blood gushes out. 27:48 We talk about total chaos. Could anything be worse? 27:52 The angel says, all this is God's "strange act," 27:59 that God's justice is finally being mysteriously vindicated. 28:03 Revelation 16:5, 6 "Thou art righteous, O Lord, 28:07 because Thou hast judged thus. 28:09 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, 28:12 and Thou hast given them blood to drink." 28:17 Before I want to tell you that in all this 28:20 there's some wonderful good news. 28:23 While the wicked are perishing of thirst 28:26 because they have nothing to drink but blood, 28:28 God's people who walk righteously 28:30 well, they have a fantastic promise to them. 28:32 Isaiah 33:16, "bread shall be given him, 28:38 his waters shall be sure." 28:41 Perhaps though even rain down for us manna, wow. 28:46 Will that bread and water taste good 28:48 when the wicked have only blood to drink? 28:51 But then the Bible says in Revelation 16:8, 9, 28:55 "And the fourth angel poured out 28:57 his vial upon the sun 28:59 and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 29:03 And men were scorched with great heat, 29:05 and blasphemed the name of God, 29:06 which hath power over these plagues 29:08 and they repented not to give him glory." 29:14 God in essence says, 29:16 you billions who persist in worshiping the sun 29:19 through remnants of sun worship on the sun's day 29:23 in open defiance to God you want the sun? 29:26 Okay, have all the sun you want. 29:30 In fact, God will give you more sun-days than you can handle. 29:36 But God's people? 29:37 Oh, friend, God promises air conditioning for them, 29:41 a cloud will protect them like the children of Israel had. 29:46 What's next? 29:47 Revelation 16:10, 11, listen to this. 29:50 "And the fifth angel poured out his vial 29:53 upon the seat of the beast 29:55 and his kingdom was full of darkness 29:58 and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 30:00 and blasphemed the God of heaven 30:01 because of their pains and their sores, 30:03 and repented not of their deeds." 30:08 You see what's happening here? Look, a total reversal. 30:11 Now the tables are turned, from solar-atomic heat 30:15 and global-warming big time now freezing cold. 30:20 Operation deep freeze. 30:22 Want you to notice, this text reveals 30:24 something very interesting. 30:26 Evidently not all of the plagues 30:28 are going to be universal, nor fatal. 30:32 This plague particularly falls on the seat of the beast power. 30:37 The papal power is rewarded double darkness, 30:41 double indemnity for what she measured out 30:43 to God's saints for 1,260 years. 30:46 Darkness so deep and dark it can be felt. 30:52 But then the sixth plague. 30:54 Under the sixth plague 30:55 comes the great final battle of Armageddon. 30:58 We talked about that in our opening night. 31:00 Revelation 16:12-14, 31:03 "And the sixth angel poured out his vial 31:06 upon the great river Euphrates 31:07 and the water thereof was dried up, 31:09 that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 31:13 And I saw three unclean spirits 31:15 like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, 31:17 and out of the mouth of the beast, 31:18 and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 31:20 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, 31:23 which go forth unto the kings of the earth 31:26 and of the whole world, 31:27 to gather them to the battle 31:28 of that great day of God Almighty." 31:32 We saw on our opening night that Revelation 16:16 tells us 31:38 that's when the whole world gets involved, 31:41 Armageddon, it's the final conflict. 31:45 But then right in the middle of Armageddon 31:48 friend, suddenly it's all over. 31:52 Revelation 16:17, and on. 31:55 "And the seventh angel 31:56 poured out his vial into the air 31:58 and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, 32:02 from the throne, saying, 'It is done.' 32:06 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings 32:08 and there was a great earthquake, 32:10 And every island fled away, 32:11 and the mountains were not found. 32:13 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, 32:16 every stone about the weight of a talent 32:19 and men blasphemed God 32:21 because of the plague of the hail, 32:23 for the plague thereof was exceeding great." 32:27 You know, I don't know about you 32:28 but it's hard for me to get my minds 32:29 around the immensity of this disaster, 32:32 hammering our planet. 32:34 Fifty seven pound hailstones? 32:37 Can you imagine the devastation? 32:39 We'll read about hailstones 32:40 a size of golf balls or maybe even baseballs. 32:43 Fifty seven pound hailstones? 32:46 Folks, there'll be nothing left after the seventh plague. 32:50 Oh, but friend, there will because that's is precisely 32:53 when Jesus comes. 32:55 The Second Coming interrupts the seventh plague 32:58 or everyone would be destroyed. 33:01 Prophecy says that's when Jesus Himself 33:04 personally interrupts the chaos and conflict 33:07 as He rides forth in majesty and power and glory 33:10 with all the armies of heaven to deliver His people 33:13 from this planet in rebellion. 33:15 And finally folks, we're rescued. 33:18 We are home at last. 33:20 As Martin Luther King said, free at last. 33:23 Free at last. 33:25 Thank God Almighty, we're free at last. 33:29 It's all over. 33:31 Jesus comes to end the saga of sin and sickness 33:36 and suffering and disease and sadness and selfishness. 33:41 You ask, "Wow. 33:44 I sure hope I'm on God's side then. 33:48 How can I make certain of God's protection for me 33:50 when this great time of tribulation comes 33:53 and when the plagues begin to fall?" 33:56 friend, there is only one way. 34:00 The Bible says it's the very same way people 34:03 escaped the flood in Noah's day. 34:05 The same way that the children of Israel escaped from Egypt. 34:09 The same way throughout all salvation history 34:12 it's still the same way today, 34:18 sprinkling the blood of the Lamb 34:21 on the doorposts of our lives. 34:24 Friend, if you want those destroying angels 34:26 with their patriot missiles to pass over your house, 34:30 then you and I have got to follow 34:31 God's explicit instructions 34:33 and make the one necessary preparation now. 34:38 We've got to apply the blood. 34:42 And just as God spared His faithful people 34:44 during the plagues in Egypt, 34:46 just as He set them free, rescued them, 34:50 just as God spared Noah's family 34:52 in the tribulation days of the flood, 34:53 just so when the seven last plagues 34:56 fall in the final tribulation, 34:58 God's people will be spared and escape only, only friend, 35:02 if we've accepted the blood of the Lamb 35:04 as our sacrifice and allowed His blood 35:07 to cleanse us from our sins. 35:09 We've sprinkled the blood on the doorposts. 35:12 Do you see the parallel? 35:14 And just as God delivered His people from Egypt 35:16 then He is going to do it again today, 35:20 here in modern Egypt. 35:22 Folks, that's Bible pure and simple. 35:26 And we are choosing today which side we'll be on, 35:30 God's side or the side of a rebel angel? 35:35 And the point is this, once destruction begins 35:39 friend, its going to be too late to change sides then. 35:43 Because probation's door will close forever. 35:47 That's why God is pleading with love today. 35:50 Friend, won't you place yourself on Jesus' side now 35:55 under the protection of His blood? 35:58 Because the saddest words men will ever hear 36:01 will be uttered then as Jeremiah 8:20 says, 36:05 "Oh, the harvest is past, the summer is ended, 36:09 and we are not saved!" 36:13 Some of my very favorite people on this planet 36:15 are watching this series down 36:17 in Australia in the Pacific Rim. 36:20 I remember the story of a lumberjack in Australia 36:22 who built a little cabin at the edge of the forest. 36:25 It wasn't much, but for him it was home. 36:28 But one day he returned home from work, 36:30 he was absolutely stunned, 36:31 heartbroken to find his little cabin 36:35 just a heap of smoldering ruins. 36:37 In fact, all that was left were a few pieces 36:40 of charred lumber and some metal, 36:42 blackened by the flames. 36:44 He walked out to the place 36:46 where his old chicken coop had stood. 36:50 All he found was a mound of ashes 36:53 with some burned wire there. 36:55 Aimlessly he shuffled through the debris. 36:59 And then, glancing down at his feet, 37:02 his eye caught sight of a curious little mound, 37:06 a lump of charred feathers. 37:10 Idly, he just sort of kicked it over. 37:14 And what do you suppose happened? 37:16 Four little fuzzy, baby chicks scrambled out, 37:19 miraculously protected by the wings 37:22 of a loving mother hen. 37:26 In the most beautiful and meaningful 37:28 language of Scripture, God poetically describes 37:32 that's what He longs to do for every one 37:34 of His children on earth when the plagues fall. 37:38 Listen to Psalm 91:1, 4 37:41 "He that dwelleth in the secret place 37:43 of the most High shall abide 37:46 under the shadow of the Almighty. 37:48 He shall cover thee with his feathers, 37:51 and under his wings thou shalt trust, 37:55 his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." 38:00 Friend, listen to the wonderful assurance 38:02 God gives to those who choose to follow Him 38:05 and His truth as their shield and buckler. 38:07 Psalm 91:5 and on. 38:10 He says, Lonnie, "Thou shalt not be afraid 38:13 for the terror by night, 38:14 nor for the arrow that flieth by day, 38:16 nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, 38:19 nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 38:22 A thousand shall fall at thy side, 38:24 and ten thousand at thy right hand 38:25 but it shall not come nigh thee. 38:29 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold 38:32 and see the reward of the wicked. 38:34 Because thou hast made the Lord, 38:36 which is thy refuge, 38:37 even the most High, thy habitation," 38:40 listen "there shall no evil befall thee, 38:44 neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 38:48 For he shall give his angels 38:50 charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways." 38:55 Could anything be more reassuring? 38:57 Friend, when the times of trouble and tribulation come, 39:01 I want to be sheltered 39:02 under the wings of the Almighty, don't you? 39:05 When those plagues begin to fall 39:07 and when there's no place to hide, 39:08 you know what, your Heavenly Father 39:11 wants to protect you. 39:13 He wants to save you, not destroy you 39:15 in the hour of trouble and destruction. 39:19 The question is, will you let Him? 39:23 Will you turn your life over to Him? 39:25 Today. 39:26 Now. 39:28 Friend, He's able to protect you 39:30 just as a mother hen gathers her little chickens 39:33 under her wings. 39:35 But you see, the choice is up to you today. 39:40 Not then. Friend, it's too late then. 39:44 The decision is yours. 39:46 Today. 39:47 Now. 39:49 Oh, I'm certain God would like to make your decision for you 39:52 so that you can be with Him throughout eternity, 39:54 but friend, He cannot do this. 39:56 You have free choice. 39:58 Free will. 40:00 You are the only one that can make that decision. 40:04 Don't wait. 40:06 Do it today, just now. 40:10 Well, we enter our time of prayer 40:11 in concentration as e Joey sings. 40:21 There are days I know 40:26 When you get so discouraged 40:30 It seems that all hope is gone 40:37 But there's only One 40:41 Who can give you courage 40:46 And strength to carry on 40:53 Never give up, Jesus is coming 41:01 It's the darkest just before dawn 41:08 Never give up, Jesus is coming 41:16 Never give up, keep holding on! 41:25 Never give up, keep holding on! 41:38 Let us pray together. 41:41 Precious Savior, we've had the light of 6,000 years. 41:45 God's holy word the Voice of Prophecy 41:48 speaking and inviting and vowing, 41:51 pleading what are we going to do about it? 41:57 Today, you've given us another sobering glimpse 42:00 into the not too distant future, 42:02 great time of tribulation soon to steal on planet earth. 42:07 But Lord, there is no need for us 42:09 to be surprised or alarmed 42:11 because if we accept Jesus, 42:14 He saves us, protects us, rescues us. 42:20 Lord, we confess, we kind of let our attention 42:24 be diverted to often to everyday stuff, 42:28 little things, innocent things like school, 42:31 our job, our career, our families, 42:34 our home building a house, 42:35 maybe a little fame and fortune. 42:38 Right now, well, we just don't want to be distracted 42:42 with spiritual things. 42:43 But Lord, tonight we realize 42:46 we don't want to do that any longer. 42:48 We really do wonder recommit our hearts 42:50 and our lives to eternal things, 42:53 things that matter most. 42:56 Would You bless each sincere heart 42:58 who chooses to respond to Your invitation 43:01 just now who want to be remembered 43:04 in this closing prayer may every listener 43:07 make their decision for eternity just now. 43:13 While our heads are bowed in this prayer 43:17 it's time for us to reach out into those containers 43:20 as the row captains pass them to you. 43:23 Like to invite you to take that commitment card 43:26 and to fill it out as I go through it with you. 43:31 The first response is when I hope 43:33 every person listening will respond to. 43:35 It says, I surrender my life to Jesus, 43:38 accepting Him as my Savior and Lord. 43:41 Wouldn't you like to put that down? 43:42 Put a check beside number one. 43:45 And number two, 43:47 there may be many here as you've listened 43:48 to the messages from night to night. 43:49 Have been impressed tonight to check this 43:51 and say I desire to follow Jesus in baptism. 43:55 I hope to be a numb of people tonight will say, 43:57 this is the moment for me. 43:59 I desired to be baptized. 44:02 And then number three, there maybe individuals 44:05 who would like to check and say, 44:07 I desire to be re-baptized. 44:10 I'll tell you friend, I have loved ones in my own family 44:13 who been good members of the church, deaconess, leaders. 44:18 They felt that they want to make sure 44:20 that their lives are absolutely ready for Jesus' coming 44:22 and they have taken the step of being, 44:24 being re-baptized. 44:25 I have baptized some of my own family again. 44:29 If you feel that God wants you to take that step, 44:31 make sure your life is clean and pure before God. 44:34 Please check that third one. 44:36 I desire to be re-baptized. 44:40 And finally number four, there maybe individuals tonight 44:42 who would like to make special prayer request 44:45 or to make a commitment 44:47 that they like to learn more about Jesus, 44:49 you need special prayer. 44:50 Would you just check number four, 44:52 I need special prayer to make my commitment 44:55 I would like to learn more about my Savior, 44:57 check number four as Joey sings. 45:03 Never give up, Jesus is coming 45:10 It's the darkest just before dawn 45:18 Never give up, oh, Jesus is coming 45:26 Never give up, keep holding on 45:35 Never give up, keep holding on 45:47 Father, thank You, for that wonderful word 45:49 of encouragement that we need. 45:51 Never give up for keep holding on to Jesus, 45:55 He will never let us go because underneath 45:58 are the everlasting arms and we can trust them. 46:02 Bless each commitment tonight in Jesus name, amen. 46:09 I want to remind you friends, 46:10 that our Discover Bible school has graduations 46:13 that are continuing even this week and next week. 46:16 And if you haven't yet picked 46:18 all of the Discover Bible lessons 46:19 be sure you get the one for tonight. 46:22 It's on this subject of the tribulation. 46:24 Want you to make sure that you get it 46:26 and there are other lessons in the series, 46:27 they are available at the Discover Bible School 46:29 right there in your downlink location. 46:32 Now remember next week these messages 46:34 continue in a very, very unusual presentation 46:37 that I don't want you to miss. 46:39 It's called "Messages From Beyond the Stars." 46:43 Join us, won't you? 46:44 Until then remember friend, 46:46 as we close our broadcast every single day 46:48 we share these words with you, 46:51 friend, God really does love you. 46:56 Goodbye. |
Revised 2015-04-09