Stephen Bohr - Redemption Draweth Nigh 08 - Living in the Day of Atonement

the study that we're going to have this afternoon is not found in the syllabus I need to add this additional chapter so if you're following along and you have a pen and you have paper you might want to write down the references the title of our study this afternoon is living in the Dave atonements we all know what Jesus is doing in heaven Jesus beginning with Adam first person who lived on this earth continuing chronologically with those who died after Adam Jesus has been judging the dead and in 1911 Ellen White stated soon no one knows how soon the judgment will pass to the cases of the living and of course when the last living person is judged the kingdom of Jesus will be complete and then will come to come the time of trouble and Jesus will come after the time of trouble to rescue his people from the wrath of the powers of the world to take them to the new Jerusalem for a thousand years and then to bring them back to this world to know heavens the new earth for ever but we need to understand what we are supposed to be doing while Jesus is performing his work up there there has to be a parallel work on our part as Jesus cleansed as the heavenly sanctuary we are called upon to cleanse the sanctuary of our soul or our soul temple I'd like to begin by reading Hebrews chapter 8 and verses 1 through 5 Hebrews 8 1 through 5 you have it on the screen the gist of this passage is that the services of the earthly sanctuary were a shadow or a type of the services of the heavenly sanctuary and I know you've read this before but let's go ahead and read it again Hebrews 8:1 through five now this is the main point of the things we are saying we have such a high priest who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens a minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord erected and not man for every high priest is appointed to offer gift both gifts and sacrifices therefore it is necessary that this one also have something to offer for if he were on earth he would not be a priest since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law and then after reading this we come to the conclusion that I wanted to focus on speaking about the earthly sanctuary it says who serve the copy and shadow of heavenly things so you notice that the sanctuary services were in the earthly sanctuary were a copy or shadow of the heaven heavenly things and then it says as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle for he said see that you make all things according to the pattern showing you in the mountain so the point that I want us to begin with is that the services of the earthly sanctuary actually are an illustration a small-scale model of the services in the heavenly sanctuary but there's something that perhaps we have not focused on as much and that is what was expected of the people during the Day of Atonement you see the description in the Bible not only tells us what the high priests did in the sanctuary but the Bible also describes what the people outside were supposed to be doing while the high priest was performing his work in the sanctuary so if what Jesus does in the sanctuary was foreshadowed by the services of the earthly sanctuary what was done by the people in the earthly sanctuary would foreshadow what God's people are supposed to be doing today while Jesus is performing his work in the most holy place now I mentioned this this morning but I'm going to mention it again and that is that the work in the camp and in the court of the priests could be seen by the people of course in the camp you know everybody lived there in the court they could actually come into the court and watch the priests sacrifice the animal but when it came to the holy and most holy place the people actually could not enter the holy of the most holy place they could enter only by faith they could follow the work of the priests by faith because Moses had given a description of the sanctuary so the people back then could not actually go into the sanctuary to follow the work of the priests and in the case of the most holy place the high priests they had to follow by faith let me ask you is it any different with us Jesus today is performing the work of cleansing the sanctuary that was done on the day of atonement in the Old Testament so would we expect also for God's people to go to heaven in their minds and follow Jesus in the work that he is doing in the heavenly sanctuary obviously yes so we are going to discuss what the people did outside the sanctuary and see if we can gain some spiritual lessons that will teach us what we're supposed to be doing while Jesus is in heaven performing the work of cleansing the sanctuary the first point is that the day of atonement was announced by the sound of trumpets in other words the purpose of the sound of trumpets was so that everybody would be aware that the day of atonement was even at the door we have received also warning of this we've been studying about this in fact the Feast of Trumpets was fulfilled in the millerite movement they were the ones that announced before the coming of the judgement that the hour of God's judgement is about to come another interesting thing about what happened outside was that everyone was commanded to assemble at the sanctuary three times that Day of Atonement is called a holy convocation what is the convocation it's a calling together of God's people to assemble so in other words everybody was required to assemble around the sanctuary let's read from Leviticus 23 verse 21 verse 24 and then verses 26 and 27 it says regarding the day of atonement and you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you you shall do no customary work we'll come back to that again no customary work on it it shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations speak to the children of Israel saying in the seventh month on the first day of the month you shall have a Sabbath rest a memorial of blowing trumpets once again what does it say a holy convocation verse 25 you shall do no customary work on it and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord and the Lord spoke to Moses saying also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement it shall be a holy convocation for you you shall afflict your souls and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord so during the day of atonement the people were together around the sanctuary and their minds were to be focused on what the high priest was doing of course they couldn't then go in physically they went in through faith is it any different today must we enter the most holy place with Jesus to follow him in the work that he is performing in the sanctuary we most certainly must do that we must follow Jesus by faith Ellen White constantly repeats this in the work that he's doing in cleansing the heavenly sanctuary in other words we are also called to assemble so to speak around the sanctuary to follow the work of the high priest another thing which the people were supposed to do outside the sanctuary and this is repeated in several places I've only included one specific text that is that people were supposed to afflict their soul the day of atonement was not a day to play the drums in church and jump and have a jolly good time the David Tolin was a solemn day of heart searching it was a day to seek out sin in the life and by the power of God and the Holy Spirit gained the victory over sin several times we are told in Leviticus 23 and in Leviticus 16 that people were to afflict their souls they were to do soul searching they were to sigh and cry because of the abominations that were being done not only in the world but in the church because Ezekiel 9 is speaking about things that were happening among God's professed people in Israel so the second aspect was to afflict the soul the third thing that people did besides assembling and afflicting their soul was to fast on the day of atonement it was the only day in the Hebrew calendar that was a required fast now we're going to come back to Isaiah 58 and Joel 2 in a few moments but one of the things that had to be done on the day of atonement was the people were too fast and of course we usually identify fasting with not eating but the biblical definition of fasting is much broader than that let's notice in the book medical ministry page 283 what the Lord's servant says the true fasting we should be recommended to all is abstinence from every stimulating kind of food and the proper use of wholesome simple food which God has provided in abundance isn't that an interesting definition of fasting let me answer what would the purpose of fasting be is it a physical thing no the purpose is that we have our minds what that we have our minds clear so that we can follow what Jesus is doing in the sanctuary and we can sympathise with his work you know I've had a lifelong custom since I entered the ministry and that is from Friday night through 7 noon I fast I don't I don't have any breakfast on Sabbath because I find that my mind is so much clearer to expound upon God's Word when a person is fasting and so one definition of fasting in the Bible is abstinence from every stimulating kind of food and the proper use of wholesome simple food that God has provided but there's another definition of fasting it's found in Isaiah 58 I have a whole sermon in Isaiah 58 unfortunately we don't have the time to get into the entire chapter this chapter is describing the day of atonement the entire chapters is phenomenal it describes what God's people should be doing including proper sabbath observance notice how isaiah 58 verses 6 & 7 define fasting is this not the fast that I have chosen to loose the bonds of wickedness to undo the heavy burdens to let the oppressed go free and that you break every yoke is it not to share your bread with the hungry and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out when you see the naked that you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh it's called practical godliness what is fasting on the day of atonement practical godliness in reaching out to those who are in need so fasting is more than abstain from food yes it includes abstaining from stimulating food and also partaking of food that is helpful but it also means practicing practical godliness with those who are in need and this reminds me of the scene of Matthew chapter 25 the separation of the sheep from the goats you know God is not only going to judge us by what we did and should not have done but by what we should have done and didn't do it's called the sin of omission we usually think that sin are the bad things that we do but sin is also abstaining from doing good that's why Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto do he didn't say don't do unto others as you wouldn't have them do unto you the religion of Jesus is an active religion it means giving your cloak it means going the second mile it means praying for your enemies it means it means giving yourself to other people that is defined in the Bible as fasting the people were also to abstain from work from their daily work schedule I think that probably what this means is not that we are to cease from working from 1844 on I know there are some people that would love that that we wouldn't have to work after 1844 but we're speaking in spiritual terms and so might this perhaps mean that we are to abstain from our own works during the day of atonement because actually six days you shall labor and do all your work is what the fourth commandment says so the work we do during the work is our work but on the day of atonement we should rest not in our work we should rest in his work and then finally we find the description of what will happen with those who not fulfill these requirements on the Day of Atonement Leviticus 23 verses 28 to 30 says and you shall do no work on that same day for it is the Day of Atonement to make atonement for you before the Lord your God for any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be what cut off from his people so did the person belong to the people before the ending of the Day of Atonement yes but if they did not afflict their soul during the day of atonement they would be cut off from among the people let me ask you when Jesus performs the work of investigating judgment is it going to be found that some Christians are wanting some that belong to the people of God have been found wanting yes and what will happen they will be cut off from among God's people but there's more it says for any person was not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people it gets worse and any person who does not does any work on that same day that person I will destroy from among the people now commonly you will hear people say it's not possible to overcome sin before the close of probation it's not possible to gain the total victory over sin before the second coming of Jesus we are actually going to continue sinning according to this idea until Jesus comes and changes this lowly body into the likeness of his glorious body have you heard that before now let me share this with you folks this is very important when you say that it is impossible to overcome sin because the flesh is weak what you're really saying is that your flesh is more powerful than God you know that Texas says I can do almost all things who Christ was with through Christ who strengthens me I can do most things through Christ who strengthens me know if I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me it doesn't say I can do all things except overcomes sin through Christ who strengthens me the Bible says that it is possible to gain victory over sin in sinful flesh because sin is a choice it's not a state and if we get this wrong we are going to teach that we're going to continue sinning until Jesus comes but the Bible tells us that we can gain the victory as Jesus gained the victory so when you say that it's impossible to gain the total victory over sin before Jesus comes you're not saying that the flesh is weak you're saying that God is not powerful enough to give you the victory over sin now there are several texts in the Bible that teach that there's a special preparation necessary for the coming of Jesus notice Hebrews 12 verse 14 and then verses actually will be 14 through 16 and then we'll read verses 28 and 29 pursue peace with all people and what holiness without which no one will see the Lord will anyone see the Lord without holiness no and then we have an example looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble and by this many become defiled lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau who for one morsel of food sold his birthright you know the story of Esau has a powerful lesson for us can you imagine giving up your birthright just because of a momentary period of hunger he did not consider sacred things important for him it was the year and now that mattered not the sweet by-and-by then we find in verses 29 28 and 29 therefore since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptable with what with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire holiness without which no one will see the Lord we have first John chapter 3 verses 1 to 3 behold what manner of love the father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God therefore the world does not know us because it did not know him beloved now we are the children of God and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be but we know that when he is revealed we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is and now comes the key verse and everyone who has this hope in him what hope the hope of being like him and seeing him like he is everyone who has this hope in him what does he do purifies himself just as he is pure Matthew 5 verse 8 blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God and by the way if the heart is pure your life will be pure for from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and the actions come notice Titus 2:11 2:14 for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men teaching us now notice people talk a lot about grace don't think it's a grace grace you know when you come to Jesus he'll forgive your sins he'll consider you as if you've never sinned and that's it doesn't really matter what kind of lifestyle you live but notice that the grace of God teaches us something let's see what the grace of God teaches us for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men teaching us the denying what ungodliness and what else and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present age now why should we live that way verse 13 looking for the Blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who gave himself for us why did he give himself for us so only so that he could forgive sins no it says who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for himself his own special people zealous for good works now let's see what Ellen White has to say about the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary and what we should be doing here in parallel fashion I have two statements here from the Holy of Holies there goes on the grand work of instruction what's happening in the Holy of Holies there's a work of instruction the angels of God are communicating to men so the question is what are the angels communicating to us what is the instruction that they're giving us notice Christ officiates in the sanctuary we do not what we do not follow him into the sanctuary as we should Christ's and angels work in the hearts of the children of men the church above United with the church below is warring the good warfare upon the earth now listen to this there must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth in harmony with Christ cleansing of a sanctuary in heaven here's another one godliness sobriety and consistency will characterize the life and example of every true Christian the work which Christ is doing in the sanctuary above will what engage the thoughts and be the burden of the conversation because by faith he that is the the believer he has what entered into the sanctuary he that is the believer is where on earth but his sympathies are in harmony with the work that Christ is doing in heaven Christ is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary from the sins of the people and it is the work of all who are laborers together with God to be cleansing the sanctuary of the soul from everything that is offensive to him so what are God's people supposed to be doing well Jesus is cleansing the sanctuary while he's cleansing the records we are supposed to cleanse through the power of the Holy Spirit or so or intervene from sin she continues writing everything like evil surmising envy jealousy enmity and hatred will be put away for such things grieve the Holy Spirit of God and put Christ to an open chain love of self will not exist nor will any engaged in this work be puffed up the example of Christ's life the consistency of his character will make his influence far-reaching he will be a living epistle known and read of all men so sometimes we focus so much on what Jesus doesn't cleanse in the heavenly sanctuary that we don't understand how it affects us what we're supposed to be doing in parallel fashion we're supposed to be doing what the people did in Old Testament times they gathered around the literal earthly sanctuary and followed by faith we are together around the heavenly sanctuary and follow the work of Jesus they're by faith as well now I want to take a few moments to read several verses that speak about the second coming of Christ and each of these passages ends with a question you're going to see how important this question is revelation 6 14 through 17 and the kings of the earth the great men the rich men the commanders the mighty men every slave and every free man hid themselves in the caves in the rocks of the mountains and said to the mountains and rocks fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb let's stop there for a moment what event is being described in these verses the second coming of Christ but now notice the question for the great day of his wrath has come and what is the question who shall be able to stand in other words when Jesus comes again the question is who will be able to send now we need to understand what the word stand means here what is the antonym of stand the antonym of stand is fall right I have several examples here same identical Greek word a kingdom divided itself against itself cannot what stand that means that a kingdom that is divided against itself is going to what it's going to fall that's right we're told in John 8:44 that Satan at the beginning did not stand in the truth so what happened with him he fell from the truth in first Corinthians 10:12 we find he that thinks that he stands let him take heed lest he fall see there you have the antem enter name and then we have Ephesians 6:11 2:13 put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places therefore take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to what to stand same Greek word 2nd Timothy 2:19 nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands having this seal the Lord knows those who are his and let everyone who names the name of Christ do what depart from iniquity so what is the foundation excuse me the solid foundation of God that stands let everyone depart from what let everyone depart from iniquity one more Luke 21:36 watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to what stand before the Son of man so the question is who is going to be able to stand when Jesus comes where would you expect to find the answer to that question you think perhaps the next chapter would be a good place to look I think so well let's read revelation 7 verse 1 remember the question chapter 6 describes the second coming ends with a question who shall be able to stand and then we have the answer revelation 7 1 through 4 after these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth that the wind should not blow on the earth or the sea or on any tree then I saw another angel ascending from the east having what the seal of the Living God and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea saying do not harm the earth the sea or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads and I heard the number of those who were sealed 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed so who are the ones that are going to be able to stand 144,000 are going to be able to stand now in Revelation 7 we have no character description of 144,000 the emphasis in revelation 7 1 through 4 is that there will be a group who is going to stand and that group will be sealed before the winds are released what is the releasing of the winds when are the winds of strife released when probation closes that's when the Holy Spirit is withdrawn see the releasing of the winds is the same as withdrawing the Holy Spirit from the earth and Satan is in full control other finally in penitent so what's going to happen with God's faithful children before the close of probation when the Holy Spirit of withdrawn and the winds of strife are released they are going to be what sealed I'm thankful to the Lord that we have a description of the character of this group see in Revelation 7 we only have the sealing of this group before the releasing of the winds and the withdrawing of the Holy Spirit but in Revelation 14 we have a description of the character of his group now let me just mention that this whole sealing a scenario actually comes from Ezekiel chapter 9 right remember it says there that an angel with an ink horn is supposed to go throughout Jerusalem and put a sign or a seal on the forehead of everyone who what who sighs and cries because of the abominations that are being committed among the Philistines they are being committed among the Babylonians that are being committed among the Egyptians those who sigh and cry because of the abominations that are being committed among God's own people that's where this comes from so what kind of people will God have that will receive the seal they sigh and cry the because of the abominations that are being committed within the church now let's notice the character of this group revelation 14 1 through 5 then I looked and behold a lamb standing on Mount Zion and with him 144,000 having what his father's name written on their foreheads but some people get all hung up they say well the King James says in the forehead well on the forehead and in before it simply means that these individuals have the character of the father where in the frontal lobe in their forehead the forehead is where your mind is in other words they have the character of God continued saying and I heard a voice from heaven like the voice of many waters and like the voice of loud thunder and I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps they say as it were a new song before the throne before the four living creatures and the elders and no one could learn that song except 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth now does that mean that there's going to be some people who will not be able to understand the song no what it means is that there will be those who did not go through this experience when the wins were released that will understand the words of the song but they will not have the experience that is expressed in the song let me give you an example you remember that after Israel crossed the Red Sea they sang the song of Moses it's an exodus 15 difficult somebody could put that song to music today you think we could sing that song sure do you think that we could sing it the same way as Rael did why not because we were not at the edge of the Red Sea under the death sentence they could sing if they can drink because was the song of their experience if gotta like in the United States we have what you call Negro spirituals you know I've heard quartets of white guys who sing Negro spirituals and I've heard a quartet of African Americans singing the same song I'll tell you the the white guys don't hold a candle to the black guys why not because the white people were never slaves it's the song of their experience and so it doesn't mean that we're not be able to understand the words it means that we will not be able to sing it with the same enthusiasm unless we go through that end time experience it continues saying these are the ones who were not defiled with women so if you're married you're sunk let me ask you that's marriage defiled so this can't be referring to the fact that you were married because marriage doesn't defile what is it that defiles going outside the bonds of marriage and having illicit relationships what does this mean that 144,000 were not defiled with women they were married only to Jesus and they did not fornicate with the apostate harlot and her daughter's they abstained from connections with apostate Babylon in other words it continues saying these are the ones who follow the lamb wherever he goes they're followers of Jesus if Jesus went see its Emily they go to get seven if Jesus went to Calvary they'd go to Calvary if Jesus went into the holy place they'd go to the holy place if Jesus went into the most holy place they'd go with Jesus into the most holy place they follow the lamb wherever the lamb goes their minds are focused on Jesus and then it says these were redeemed from among men Amendment being first fruits to go into the lamp first fruits is used in two centers in the Bible it's used in the sense of the fruits that are harvested first it's also used to describe the fruits that are the highest quality this means that this is this is the highest quality in the history of the world so I'll continue saying these were redeemed from among men being first fruits to God into the lamb and in their mouth was found no deceit the word pseudos they always told the truth and then it says for they are without fault before the throne of God who shall be able to stand so take a special character to stand how do we develop that character by going with Jesus into where into the most holy place of the heavily sanctuary by fasting the way that the Bible says by ceasing from our own works and allowing him to do his will in his pleasure in his work in us the works that he prepared for us from the foundation of the world but this isn't the only place where this question is asked go with me to Joel chapter 2 and verse 11 I wish we had time to read verses 1 through 10 we don't have the time verses 1 through 10 are describing the second coming of Jesus very clearly in verse 11 culminates the description of the second coming of Jesus and it says here in chapter 2 verse 11 the Lord gives voice before his army is Jesus coming with the armies of heaven according to Revelation 19 they're coming on white horses yeah that's what this is describing the Lord gives voice before his army for his camp is very great for strong is the one who executes his word for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible and who can endure it similar question where would you expect to find the answer how about in the next verse from verse 12 to 17 you a clear description of the day of atonement to prepare in order to be able to endure the day of Christ's coming members to endure the day of Christ's coming it's necessary to do on the day of atonement what the people did in Old Testament Israel notice the description beginning with verse 12 now therefore the question is asked once again the day of the Lord is great and terrible who can endure it says now therefore saith the Lord turn to me with half your heart this will make sure you're still awake turn to me with all your heart with what hmm that sound like the day of atonement with weeping does that sound like afflicting the soul and with what morning so rend your heart is that afflicting the soul rend your heart and not your garments return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and he relents from doing harm who knows if we will turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God blow the trumpet in Zion does that have to do with the day of atonement yes blow the trumpet in Zion consecrate a lot a fast call a sacred assembly is this the day of atonement only those who do this during the day of atonement will be able to stand continue saying blow the trumpet in Zion consecrate a fast call a sacred assembly gather the people sanctify the congregation assemble the elders gather the children nursing babes let the bridegroom go out from his chamber and the bride from her dressing room no time for a honeymoon and what should the ministers be doing let the priests who minister to the Lord weep the day of atonement is a day for weeping not a day for celebrating the celebration comes at the Feast of Tabernacles that's the celebration of revelation 7 but first there has to be an afflicting of the soul of preparation to stand so once again Joel says let the priests who minister to the Lord weep between the porch and the altar and let them say what spare your people Oh Lord and do not give your heritage to reproach that the nation's should rule over them why should they say among the peoples where's their God that's what the wicked are going to say about God's people during the time of trouble say where's your God now so once again we have a description of the Day of Atonement as the preparation to stand that's not the only place where the question is asked it's asked again in Isaiah 33 verse 14 has the question the sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulness has seized the hypocrites who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings now I want you to notice that in all these cases the answer to the question has to do with your lifestyle without and 44000 does it have to do with your lifestyle yes the book of Joel doesn't have to do with your lifestyle overcoming sin afflicting the soul etc yes notice the answer to the question who's going to be able to dwell with the devouring fire the Bible says God is a devouring fire who is going to dwell with everlasting burnings you know evangelicals say it's going to be the wicked that are going to be in the fire but it's the righteous we're going to live in the midst of the fire because they have a fireproof Gary notice the answer he who walks righteously whenever the Bible uses the word walk symbolically it means your conduct your behavior he who walks righteously and speaks up rightly he who despises the gain of oppressions who gestures with his hands refusing bribes who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from seeing evil he will dwell on high his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks bread will be given him his water will be sure are those who are going to be able to stand going to have a special lifestyle and character yes that's not the only place where the question appears Psalm 15 Lord who may abide in your tabernacle who may dwell in your holy hill what is God's holy hill then where are the hundred 44,000 standing on Zion so this must be related who may abide in your tabernacle who may dwell in your holy hill notice the answer once again the victory victorious lifestyle he who walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart he was not backbite with his tongue nor does evil to his neighbor nor does he take up a reproach against his friend in whose eyes a vile person is despised but he honors those who fear the Lord he who swears to his own hurt and does not change that mean doesn't break his promises he who does not put all his money at usury in other words that excessive interest you don't take advantage of people in business transactions nor does he take a bribe against the innocent and now notice the conclusion he who does these things shall never be moved who shall be able to stand never shall be moved is there any relationship yes it's not the only place the question is asked sound 24 verses 3 through 6 need to tell you something about this som some chapter 24 was son by the Angels that came to pick up Jesus to take him to heaven and his ascension you can find that in the last chapter of desire of Ages and you know what it was like I you know as Jesus was ascending the question first of all asked in verse 3 who may ascend into the hill of the Lord or who may stand in his holy place that sounds like a similar question in this case it's Jesus but this Psalm is going to be R is going to be sung again we're going to notice that in a few moments what is the answer to this question notice verses 4 & 6 he who has what clean hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul to an idol nor sworn deceitfully he shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the god of his salvation this is Jacob the generation of those who seek Him who seek your face and then we have the description you see we have three steps here we have the question we have the answer and then we have the entrance through the gates into the city are you with me now you know the story the angels that are with Jesus the angelic hosts are ascending to heaven with Jesus by the way in heaven if you read Revelation chapter 4 they're sitting on the throne is God the Father in the midst of the throne as a cherubim and the Seraphim the four living creatures surrounding the throne of the 24 elders the representatives of the worlds that never sinned and before the throne are the seven lamps of fire representing the presence of the Holy Spirit they're all already in the holy place of the sanctuary waiting for Jesus to arrive with the angelic hosts now some angels were placed at the gates to the city and so you have this end if '''l song this responsive song on the part of the angels that are inside the gates and those who are coming back with Jesus let's read it verse 7 lift up your heads o ye gates and be lifted up you everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in those are the ones the singing that are with and then the question is asked by those inside the city who is this King of glory the longs the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battle why does it say the Lord mighty in battle because Jesus had just won the Battle of Armageddon at the end of time anyway he's won the battles across with the devil verse 9 lift up your heads o ye gates lift up you but you out you everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in who is this King of glory comes the answer the Lord of Hosts he is the king of glory and then the gates are open and Jesus goes in and is this God beautifully in desire of Ages he goes in as the Lamb that was slain he shows his father the wounds on his hands his brow his side his feet and he says father I need to know that my sacrifice was was enough to bring all my people home he says I have this little sample here the first fruits the first fruits are not the 24 elders because the elders are there before the fruits first ones get there but Jesus has Abbas little sample but I need to make sure that I can bring the rest of my people home was what I did sufficient and at this point there's absolute silence in heaven because the father has told the angels be quiet lly describes jesus goes into the presence of the father and he says these words and the father embraces Jesus and then he says to the Angels let all the angels of heaven worship Him and suddenly there's an explosion of praise in honor of the Lamb because it's found in Revelation chapter 5 folks this story is going to be repeated again once again Jesus is going to come to this earth with all of his holy angels God the Father will remain on his throne in heaven there's this myth that the father's coming with Jesus the Bible doesn't teach that neither does the spirit of prophecy Acts chapter 3 says that the father shall send forth Jesus and I'm going to restate my from Ellen White in a moment where she says that the father will be waiting at the gates of the New Jerusalem so the father will be there the representatives of the worlds will be there the cherubim and the Seraphim will be there the angels who are singing from inside the gates are there and now Jesus is ascending to heaven with all the redeemed Saints not just with the firstfruits but with the last fruits and once again Psalm 24 will be sung once again you'll hear the question or the command lift up your heads o ye gates and be lifted up your everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in but now he's with all of the redeemed ah the Angels inside who is this king of look they know who he is it always says that they know who he is but they love to hear his name and so the gates of the New Jerusalem open and God the Father welcomes all of his children home listen to this statement from Ellen White seven Bible Commentary 950 the sacrifice of our Savior has made ample provision for every repenting believing soul we are saved because God loves the purchase of the blood of Christ and not only will he pardon the repentant sinner not only will he permit him to enter Heaven but he the father of mercies will wait at the very gates of heaven to welcome us to give us an abundant entrance to the mansions of the Blessed Oh what love what wondrous love the father has shown in the gift of his beloved son for this fallen race and this sacrifice is a channel for the outflow of His infinite love that all who believe in Jesus Christ may like the prodigal son receive full and free restoration to the favor of heaven what a beautiful statement it reminds me of a little terrible lost sheep you know we usually have a limited view about what that parable means it has a small scale dimension has a much broader one see the ninety-nine that are safe in the fold represents the world that never sinned Illinois give this application now don't don't believe it there's 99 worlds okay the parables use numbers you know there's five foolish and five wise versions that doesn't mean there's only going to be five people saved okay so numbers are given us to fill in in the parable the ninety-nine that are safe in the fold represent the world that never sinned the one sheep that went astray is this little planet this little world the act of a shepherd leaving the safety where all the other other worlds are safe and to come to a dangerous world represents Jesus leaving heaven and coming to earth to give his life for his beloved sheep but there's one aspect of the parable that many times we ignore and that is that after he finds his sheep he puts it on his shoulders and he goes back to the house and he calls his friends and his neighbors for a celebration that represents the fact that after Jesus redeems humanity some day he's going to take this world upon his shoulders to heaven and we will have that glorious celebration that is described in Revelation chapter 19 verses 1 through 10 now folks let me read you some statements in closing not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them it is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters to cleanse what the soul temple there's the earthly aspect of every defilement then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples great controversy 483 all who have truly repented of sin and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God their sins will be blotted out and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life the Lord declares by the prophet Isaiah I even I am he that blood is held by transgressions for my own sake and will not remember your sins you say now how can this be done we can't do it it's impossible the way in which sin is overcome is described in Hebrews 12 one two three it's such a simple formula but it's difficult for us to implement it basically it's to focus your thoughts on the good and to abstain from evil notice after mentioning all the heroes of faith the Apostle Paul whom I believe is the author behind the book of Hebrews says therefore we also since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us so what is the first thing we're supposed to do lay aside what lay aside the weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us so one thing is laying aside every weight and the sin that beset us the other is in verse 2 looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God for consider that means put in your mind him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself lest become weary and discouraged in your souls and of course the Apostle Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 3 verse 18 that by beholding Jesus we are what we are being changed to continuous tense in Greek we are being changed into the same image into the glory from glory to glory it says now let me just give an illustration in closing we are what we do well on what we allow our mind to dwell on that's what we are as a man thinketh in his heart so is he I had a student in Colombia he was the best student I ever had got perfect grades always said in the front row always had his notebook taking notes always had his Bible his eyes glued on the teacher always got perfect grades in the three years that I had him as a student well he graduated by the way he's a teacher now at Southwestern it's southwestern evidence University in Keene Texas one day I was preaching in a certain location and a sister came up to me and she said pastor Bohr do you know and she mentioned his name I said of course I do I know him very well she said well you preach just like he does [Laughter] and of course I looked at her I said sister I hit him in my classroom for three years he's been beholding me for three years we had him recently in our studio and he did a ten-part series in Spanish he's from Colombia and I sat there through all the presentations that was amazed to see myself preaching their own fleshly by beholding we are changed what you choose to focus your mind on Jesus in definitely things vary his sacrifice on the cross how wonderful he is and abstaining from that which defiles the mind will prepare a character that will be able to stand in that day so when we leave here let's make up our minds through the Grace and power of the Lord that we are going to implement that simple formula simple God's things aren't complicated it's just that we interpose our will I pray to the Lord that there will be the experience of all of us and as people see Christ reflected in us you know you won't have enough space for here to have gap meeting you're going to have to find a bigger place because this place is too small and and then you know what is happening here the churches will be it will be contagious in the churches and there'll be a revival in the churches say well this is great this is what we want and the church will come back to where God wants the church to be there's another time to bail out you know in many many evidence are disheartened by what's happening in the church they say oh you know what's the use the music and evangelical sermons and all of these things you know saying that you can't gain the victory over sin before Jesus comes oh it's hopeless don't think it's hopeless God is sitting on the throne support your local church attend church support your church financially pray for your leaders pray for your pastor be nice and reflect the character of Jesus folks that will work miracles this is God's church you know an offshoot group is not going to finish the work it's God's church planted everywhere on this planet let us pray father in heaven we thank you because you've given us a simple formula your things are easy we complicate them father we thank you for your presence with us in our study through Revelation 10 the judgment the day of atonement 2300 days what a joy and privilege it is to belong to this remnant movement the Lord I ask once again help us not to just enjoy the benefits but belonging to the remnant help us to fulfill our responsibilities help that fire to burn in our bones like Jeremiah work it we cannot keep quiet but help us to be loving and kind and courteous in the way that we say things in the way that we do things thank you Father for having been with us and thank you Lord for hearing our prayer where I ask it in the precious name of Jesus amen you

Channel: Autumn Leaves NZ

Views: 10,742

Rating: 4.826087 out of 5

Keywords: Stephen Bohr, Autumn Leaves, Autumn Leaves summer camp, Daniel, Revelation, Judgement, Prophetic, Redemption Draweth Nigh

Id: xGCplEljrvw

Length: 63min 2sec (3782 seconds)

Published: Sun May 07 2017