[Music] as we know as seventh-day Adventist there is a very close relationship between the heavenly sanctuary and the earthly sanctuary in Hebrews chapter 8 were told that the earthly sanctuary was patterned after a model of the heavenly sanctuary and you know this evening we're going to talk about the Day of Atonement because we are now in the day of atonement you know sometimes we emphasize so much what the high priest did in the sanctuary on the day of atonement that we forget that the people outside the sanctuary were supposed to do a work as well and we usually focus on the fact that yes Jesus is performing the work of judgment in heaven and he saw he's cleansing the sins from the sanctuary and that's what we focus on but the people on the day of atonement also had a very important work to do in parallel fashion to what the high priest was doing in the sanctuary and so what I want us to focus on is not so much on what Jesus has been doing in the sanctuary in the most holy place since 1844 but what his people should be doing on earth while Jesus is cleansing the sanctuary in heaven there are several very important points in dealing with this issue of what God's people should be doing first of all we know that the day of atonement was announced by the sound of trumpets by the Feast of Trumpets and the purpose of the Feast of Trumpets was was to attract the attention of the people to the upcoming Day of Atonement because 10 days after the Feast of Trumpets began the day of atonement would begin and the people had a very important function to fulfill on the day of atonement and so before the day of atonement actually arrived the it's announced to the people that needed to get ready that they needed to to prepare for this awesome Day of Atonement now there are several interesting things that the people were required to do on the Day of Atonement first of all several times in Leviticus 16 and in Leviticus 23 we are told that the people were required to gather around the sanctuary it was required that they couldn't stay in their tent they had to come and they had to actually gather around the sanctuary now if if you remember the sanctuary the court of the sanctuary the people could see what happened in the court right they could see the victim being brought the victim that had note no blemish and then they could see the priest sacrificed the victim but the people could not see what happened in the holy in the most holy place only the priests could enter the holy in the most holy place and so the work in the court represents the work of Jesus on earth it was on earth that Jesus lived his perfect blameless life it was on earth that Jesus was sacrificed for sin there you have represented he is living with us in the camp and his sacrifice at the altar of sacrifice so to speak so you know Jesus came to this earth and people could see him but when Jesus went to heaven he was beyond the sight of people and people had to follow him by faith in other words we can enter the heavenly sanctuary but we can't enter physically there we enter in our thoughts and so the purpose of the people gathering around the sanctuary on the NIV atonement was so that they could follow the work of the high priest as he was performing his work in the most holy place of the sanctuary and by the way this is the reason why the high priest had bells at the bottom of his garment because the people could could hear the movements of the high priest through the sanctuary by listening to the sound of the Bell the bells weren't there just as ornamental elements they actually had a specific purpose so the people were to gather around the sanctuary on the day of atonement because their minds were supposed to be in the sanctuary with the high priest sympathizing with the work that the high priest was doing now should we today gather around the heavenly sanctuary as Jesus is cleansing the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary of course we should how do we do it we can't go in there we're on earth and Jesus is in heaven we do it how by faith and by the way that's the reason why God gave a description of the sanctuary do we have in our minds clearly what was in the most holy place of the sanctuary the Ark of the Covenant and the law in the in the in the censor that was used there but we we know what a description of the most holy place is and the purpose is that even though we can't enter physically we can follow the work of Jesus in our minds and that's what it means to gather around the sanctuary of the Day of Atonement it means that we're supposed to have our minds there focused on the work that Jesus is doing another thing that people had to do on the day of atonement the congregation several times this were told this for example in Leviticus 16 29 and 30 and in Leviticus 23 verse 27 we are told that the people in the day of atonement were to afflict their souls and basically afflicting the soul as you examine it in the Bible means to have sorrow for sin to repent of sin to confess it and to plead with the Lord for victory over sin that's what it means to afflict the soul it means being sad for sin repenting of it because we're sorry for sin and confessing to God that we are sinful and pleading with the Lord to give us victory over sinn so the people were supposed to be afflicting their souls Alta outside the sanctuary as the high priest was examining the cases in the sanctuary and cleansing the sanctuary from the sins of the people another thing that the people would require to do on the day of atonement was that they were supposed to fast on the day of atonement now in what sense do we fast today does that mean that we're supposed to fast from 1844 till today well we would all be dead if we had to fast in the way that we usually think of fasting we usually think of fasting as not eating but Ellen White and the Bible give us a different definition of what it means to fast it does not mean ceasing to eat actually Ellen White in the book medical ministry page 283 defines fasting in a very interesting way listen to the the description that she gives us true fasting the true fast which 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 interesting definition of fasting isn't it why were the people on the day of atonement supposed to fast because they needed to have clear minds to follow what the high priest was doing in the most holy place of the sanctuary what would be the purpose of practicing health reform today is it so that we don't get cancer is that the primary reason no that's not the primary reason the primary reason for not participating of stimulating kinds of food and the proper use of wholesome food is so that we have a clear mind so that we can grasp what Jesus is doing in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary but the Bible also gives another definition of fasting very interesting Isaiah 58 verses 6 and 7 Isaiah 58 verses 6 & 7 notice this interesting definition of fasting that God gives in his word 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 so fasting is practical godliness it's meeting the needs of those who are less fortunate the poor the naked not only physically but spiritually giving clothing giving food and giving comfort to those who are afflicted and so that's what God's people should be doing during the heavenly day of atonement we are supposed to be first of all partaking of foods that are not stimulating and eating a proper amount of wholesome food so we have clear minds and were supposed to practice a practical godliness by blessing other people who are in need another thing which the people did on the day of atonement was to abstain from work and some people would liked the idea that we're supposed to abstain from work from 1844 forward but the reason why God told them to abstain from work is because they had to gather around the sanctuary you know it worked would interfere with their gathering around the sanctuary so I believe that what God is trying to teach us is that anything that distracts our attention from what Jesus the most is doing in the most holy place as our high priest we need to set aside on the day of atonement the people had to gather around the sanctuary that was their focus they could have absolutely no distractions and finally on the day of atonement while the high priest was cleansing sin from the sanctuary the people were supposed to be cleansing sin from the sanctuary of their Sol from the sanctuary of their heart and so we have all of these elements of the Day of Atonement and I've gone through them because what we're gonna notice a very interesting passage in a few moments regarding the Day of Atonement so let's review first of all there was announcement by trumpets that the day of atonement was coming so that people were aware secondly the people were supposed to afflict their souls they were supposed to repent of sin have sorrow for sin confess their sins and plead with the Lord for victory over sin they were supposed to fast because they had to have clear minds to follow what the high priest was doing they were supposed to practice practical godliness they were not to work because if they were working they couldn't gather around the sanctuary and they had to do a parallel work of gaining the victory over sin cleansing the sanctuary of the soul while the high priest was clang cleansing the sanctuary because the high priest would not cleanse anything from the sanctuary that the people had not cleansed through the Grace and power of God from their heart now I would like us to take a look at several passages that clearly are describing God's people and the day of atonement go with me to Revelation chapter 6 and verses 14 through 16 Revelation chapter 6 and verses 14 through 17 here it says and of course we've read this passage many times it says in 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 and 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 which event is being described in these verses what historical event is being described in these verses the second coming of Christ right very very clearly but I want you to notice now that the passage ends with a question after saying you know that that human beings are going to be hiding in the caves and they're gonna be pleading for the rocks to fall on them the passage ends with a very significant question and here it is for the great day of his wrath has come and who is able to stand so the Second Coming is described and the wicked are hiding in caves and they're crying for the rocks to fall on them and the question is asked this is the day of God's wrath who is going to be able to stand on this day now we need to take a look at what it means stand to stand I'm going to go through several Bible verses that use the identical word stand so that we understand what it means in mark three 24 and 25 I'm not gonna read the verses I'm just going to refer to them mark 3 24 and 25 Jesus stated a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand what would be another way of saying that a kingdom divided against itself will fall right because the opposite of stand is foe of course in John 8 verse 44 jesus said that Satan did not stand in the truth what does that mean that Satan did not stand in the truth it means that he fell he fell into sin we also find in 1st Corinthians 10 verse 12 it says he that thinks that he stands let him take heed lest he fall see there you have the two concepts the standing and the falling he who thinks that he stands let him make sure that he doesn't fall so once again to stand means to remain firm it means not to follow go with me to Ephesians 6:11 13 this also uses the expression to stand twice and this is an important passage so we're going to read it Ephesians 6 beginning with verse 11 put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil in other words thought the devil can't get you to fall for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the 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 stand that means to remain firm to remain solid to not fall notice also 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse 19 on this expression to stand actually actually one Greek word 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse 19 says nevertheless the foundation the solid foundation of God stands that means that whatever is built upon that foundation is not going to watch it's not going to fall now what is that solid foundation that stands the Apostle Paul explains having this seal the Lord knows those who are his and that everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity so what does it mean what is the solid foundation that stands people are to what to depart from iniquity let me read one more verse that uses this expression this identical expression to stand and this one is dealing directly with the second coming of Christ Luke 21 and verse 36 Luke 21 and verse 36 it says watch therefore and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things he's described events relating to the second coming so what's therefore and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to what and to stand before the Son of man so when the soonas ask the great day of his wrath has come and who will be able to stand its Sain who is not going to hide in the caves and who is not going to cry for the rocks to fall upon them who is going to be able to remain firm and stand when Jesus comes now revelation chapter 6 ends with the question who shall be able to stand where would you expect to find the answer to that question how about the very next chapter you think if a question is asked you would expect the answer in the next chapter so let's see who is going to be able to stand when Jesus comes revelation chapter 7 verses one through four by the way this is the chosen generation this is the chosen endtime generation it's a special generation such as never has existed in the history of the world I call it the faithful generation they will face death they will not be able to buy or sell they will be persecuted they will lose everything that they have just like Jobe did but they will stand they will not fall so notice revelation 7 1 through 4 and the emphasis here is on the sealing of this group nothing is mentioned about their character in Revelation 7 we only have a description of the fact that they were sealed let's read verses 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 on the sea or on any tree then I saw another angel ascending from the east having 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 the answer to the question who will be able to stand is given in the very next chapter the hundred and forty-four thousand we'll be able to stand because they were sealed before Jesus came before the winds of strife were released but we don't find much here in revelation 7 verses 1 through 4 about what kind of people they were these were it simply tells us that you know before the releasing of the winds and before Jesus came they were sealed but the good news is that in Revelation 14 we encounter this same group again but the emphasis in Revelation 14 is not on the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand the emphasis is on the character of the hundred and forty four thousand and by the way that's what we should focus on you know sometimes we focus on on insignificant details like well is the number literal or symbolic well I believe that it's a symbolic number it's a much larger group than hundred forty four thousand God simply gives that number because it's related to Israel you know it's a multiple of 12 and it's an intensification of the mult of a multiple of 12 but but the important point is not whether this number is literal or not we know that these people are gone is the group that is going to be alive when Jesus comes those are the ones that Paul described as those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord that's the group so the question is not whether the number is literal symbolic the question is if we are alive are we going to be in that group and are we going to have the character that's necessary to be able to stand now what is their character like and incidentally let me just mention this this whole idea of the sealing in Revelation chapter 7 it comes from Ezekiel 9 so the background to the sealing of 144,000 and the character of 144,000 is found in Ezekiel 9 I'm sure that you've read Ezekiel chapters 8 & 9 you know in chapter 8 you have a description of all of the abominations that were being committed among God's people listen carefully not the abominations that were being committed by the Philistines not the abominations that were being committed by the Babylonians and the Egyptians know Ezekiel chapter 8 describes the abominations that were being committed by those who profess to be God's people and if you read chapter 8 it's a depressing chapter because God shows Ezekiel an abomination that's being committed among God's people in Jerusalem and Ezekiel says Lord that's bad God says you haven't seen anything yet I'm gonna show you a worse abomination this so then God shows Ezekiel and other abominations that means that's being committed among God's people and Ezekiel says wow that that's got to be the worst oh no you haven't seen anything yet I'm gonna show you a worse abomination than that and this sin that culminates the list is that 25 men of the elders of Israel had their backs to the temple of the Lord and they were worshiping the Sun they were practicing worship to the Sun let me ask you in the end time is the Christian world that claims to be following Jesus Christ are they going to be carrying on an apostasy that has something to do with the son yes they're gonna be keeping what the day of the Sun it's called Sunday and you say well pastor Bohr it's not the same thing to worship the Sun as it is to worship on the day of the Sun and I believe that in principle it's the same thing let me just express it this way who made the Sun God did he make the Sun as an object of worship no so what happens if you make the Sun an object of worship what is that called idolatry who made the first day of the week God did he make it as a day of worship no so what happens if you make it a day of worship its idolatry and that's why Ellen White multiple times in her writings refers to Sunday as the idol Sabbath and she speaks of the of the Christian world worshipping this idol she calls it this child of the papacy and she says Protestants have cradled and they have fed this baby because she personifies Sunday as a baby in the Protestants you know they protected this day and they've cuddled this day and they fed this day making people think that this is the day of worship the day of the son in principle it's basically the same thing to worship the Sun as it is to worship on the day of the Sun because they in one case you have an object that was made as a day as an object of worship by man the other is a day of worship that is a day made by man for worship as well and so in Ezekiel 9 you have most of God's people in apostasy God's people who claim to be God's people anyway in other words we are going to go through a time of trouble just like Jesus did and and so it says that they follow Jesus wherever he goes they follow him to get semmen into the cross then a 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 Greek word is pseudos in their mouth was found no deceit and by the way that means that the heart is clean too because the Bible says from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks so if your mouth is not speaking deceit it's because there's no deceit in your heart and then it finishes by saying and in their mouth was found no deceit for they are without fault before the throne of God quite a sterling character isn't it a beautiful character that's the reason they were sealed because they follow the lamb wherever he went because they had the father's name or character inscribed in their mind they sing a new song they were not defiled with the apostate churches or their theology there was no deceit in their mouths which means that they had a clean heart and they were without fault before the throne of God but you know it's interesting revelation 6:17 is not the only place where this question is asked go with me to the book of Joel the book of Joel chapter 2 Joel chapter 2 and while you're looking for that chapter let me just mention that the first 10 verses of this chapter are describing the second coming of Jesus we don't have time to look at all of these 10 verses verses but it's speaking here about an invading army this is Jesus coming from heaven with his armies I'm going to read verse 11 because that's the culmination of the second coming that's described in Joel chapter 2 so let's read Joel 2 verse 11 remembering that the first 10 verses are describing the second coming Ellen White and great controversy uses Joel chapter 2 to describe the second coming it says here the Lord gives voice before his army is Jesus gonna come with with his armies revelation 19 he comes with the armies of heaven on white horses right so it says the Lord gives voice before his army for his camp is very great for strong is the one who executes his word and now notice how the passage ends for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible who can endure it are you catching the picture the day of the Lord the day of the coming of Jesus it says is great and very terrible who can endure it sounds very similar to the great day of his wrath has come and who shall be able to stand now where would you expect to find the answer to this question the great day of his wrath has come and who is able to stand where would you expect to find the answer in the book of Joel how about the very next verse and the following verses I want you to notice in beginning with verse 12 that you have a description of the Day of Atonement notice all of the elements of the Day of Atonement God's people participated in the Day of Atonement and they fulfilled what the people we're supposed to do on the day of atonement that's why when the day of the wrath of God comes they're gonna be able to stand because they've met the conditions of the Day of Atonement notice what it says in verse 12 now therefore what does therefore mean it ended with the question right the second coming who'll be able to stand it says now therefore says the Lord turn to me how with all your heart with what hmm that sounds like the day of atonement with fasting with weeping and with mourning does that sound like afflicting the soul absolutely so 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 he will turn in relent and leave a blessing behind him a grain offering and drink offering for the Lord your God blow the trumpet in Zion it does that bring something to mind blowing trumpets oh it's announcing the day of atonement blow the trumpet in Zion consecrate a what a fast call a sacred assembly where the people required to assemble around the sanctuary and exactly gather the people sanctify the congregation assemble the elders gather the children and nursing babes let the bridegroom go out from his chamber and the bride from her dressing room not time for a honeymoon and what are the ministers supposed to be doing it says here the people are supposed to turn to the Lord they're supposed to weep they're supposed to mourn they're supposed to fast they're supposed to rim the heart because the trumpet has announced that the day of atonement has arrived what are the ministers supposed to be doing during the day of atonement in order to be able to stand it says here let the priests who minister to the Lord weep between the porch and the altar let them say spare your people o Lord see this is not a time to be jumping up and down in church and rolling in the aisles this time for celebration it's a time for affliction seeking out sin and through the grace of God overcoming sin that's what we should be doing under the of atonement the celebration comes on the Feast of Tabernacles that's spoken of in Revelation chapter 7 the great multitude you know they're singing songs that they're having a great time together you know the Feast of Tabernacles is the only feast that has not been fulfilled yet we're in the Day of Atonement those only one feast left and that will take place a thousand years in heaven that's the time for the celebration now is the time for God's people to afflict the soul seek out sin through the power of God cleanse sin from the heart as Jesus cleanses sin from the sanctuary and so it says spare your people o 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 is their God in fact Ellen White says that they're in the time of trouble the wicked are going to say where is your God now that you're going through this period of suffering God's not intervening where is he so the minister should be praying that the Lord will spare his people do you see that the question is the in Joel chapter 2 verse 11 for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible who can endure it so the question is who can endure it those who meet the conditions of what the people should be doing on the Day of Atonement and we are now living in the Day of Atonement but Revelation chapter 6 and Joel chapter 2 are not the only places where the question is asked go with me to Isaiah chapter 33 Isaiah chapter 33 and we'll read verses 14 through 16 Isaiah 33 14 through 16 first of all we have the question and then you're going to notice that we have the answer it says in the question thus before the question you have a statement 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 you know people denominations that are not seventh-day Adventist they say that the wicked are going to be in the flames of Hell forever but the Bible teaches that it's the righteous that are going to be living in the midst of the flames but they have fireproof characters well not the wicked that are gonna be in the fires it's the righteous that are gonna be in the fires you say really well notice two questions who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings and of course who is the consuming fire God is it says in Hebrews chapter 12 that the Lord is the devouring fire so who is gonna live in the presence of the Lord who is a consuming fire that's the question where would you expect to find the answer how about verses 15 and 16 notice in verses 15 and 16 the emphasis on the lifestyle of those individuals who will be able to dwell in the presence of God it once again it highlights the character of those it says he who walks righteously by the way when the Bible uses the word walk figuratively it has to do with behavior or conduct so it doesn't mean walking like we walk from here over there no walking in in a symbolic sense refers to your conduct or to your behavior and that's why first John 2:6 says he who says that he is in Jesus ought to walk even as he walked in other words we should behave as Jesus behaved so it says he who walks righteously and speaks up rightly he who despises the gain of oppressions in other words taking advantage of people who gestures with his hands refusing bribes in others they're not corrupt who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed even on television 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 what is highlighted here the character of those who would live in the midst of the everlasting fire but this isn't the only place where the question is asked go with me to Psalm 15 Psalm 15 verse 1 Psalm 15 and verse 1 here once again we have a very similar question and then of course we're going to have the answer it says there in verse 1 Lord who may abide in your tabernacle do the hundred 44,000 serve the Lord in his temple day and night they most certainly do so the question is who may abide in your tabernacle who may dwell in your holy hill what is God's holy hill what's it called Zion where are the hundred 44,000 standing on Mount Zion so you see the connection so the question is who may abide in your tabernacle who may dwell in your holy hill where would you expect to find the answer how about the very next verse he who walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart he who does 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 in other words once you make a promise you keep your promise as long as it's not against divine principle he who swears to his own hurt and does not change he who does not put out his money at usury in other words you don't charge the exorbitant interest to take advantage of people nor does he take a bribe against the innocent now notice this he who does these things shall never be moved would that be this very similar to who shall be able to stand are the hundred 44,000 gonna have a very special character yes but this isn't the only place where the question is asked there's one more place that we're gonna go to Psalm 24 some 24 this is an interesting some it's actually describing the song that it's gonna be sung is describing the second coming of Jesus Christ and and also it describes the Ascension of Christ when he went to heaven now let's read first of all the question in verse 3 who may ascend into the hill of the Lord what is the Oliv the Lord again Zion 144,000 are standing who may ascend into the hill of the Lord or who may stand in his holy place where would you expect to find the answer about the next verse he who has clean hands by the way when the Bible speaks about the hand it's talking about your actions okay he who has clean hands and what 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 so once again what is underlined is the character of the group that will be on the hill of the Lord and will be able to stand on Mount Zion now the interesting thing is that immediately after asking the question in Psalm 24 and giving the answer speaking about the sterling character beginning in verse 7 you have this magnificent hymn that was sung at the Ascension of Jesus where Jesus is ascending with the heavenly hosts and you know as he's ascending to heaven you have this responsive song you have some angels that were left inside the city to guard the city but most of the end have come to earth to pick up Jesus and so now they've picked up Jesus and of course Jesus was caught up in a cloud and so now Jesus is ascending to heaven and you have this beautiful hymn that's being son let's go to Psalm 24 and let's notice verses 7 through 9 Psalm 24 verses 7 through 9 fantastic song it says there in Psalm 24 verses 7 through 9 the following lift up your heads o you gates the gates to what of the New Jerusalem right open up you gates and be lifted up you everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in where's the King of glory Jesus he's ascending to heaven see and he's going to enter through the gates into the city and then those who are inside according to the spirit of prophecy they asked the question who is this King of glory ah now comes the answer from those who are coming with Jesus the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battle and then you have lift up your heads o ye gates lift lift up your everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in once again those who are accompanying Jesus are seeing this and then those inside say once again who is this King of glory the Lord of Hosts he is the king of glory and then of course Jesus enters through the gates into the city and you have the scene of Revelation chapter 4 and 5 where the father is seated on his throne in the midst of the throne of the cherubim and the Seraphim surrounding the throne of the 24 elders the representatives of the worlds that never sinned in front of the throne is the Holy Spirit in his fullness represented by the seven burning lamps of fire and then Jesus goes before the father and you know he wants to make certain that his sacrifice has been accepted he appears there as the Lamb as though he had been slain he shows the father his hands and his feet his side and his brow and the father says your sacrifice is sufficient some you can bring all of your people home with you and then of course the angels who are silent because Jesus had raised his hand and told them not to sing now there's an explosion of praise that you can read in Revelation 5 verses 9 and following that's the scene that we have here but you'll notice here that it says that only he who has clean hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his eye his soul to an idol nor sworn deceitfully in other words that's the kind of character that Jesus had when he ascends to heaven and by the way that's the kind of character also that those who accompanied Jesus had as well do you know that Ellen White explains that those who went to heaven with Jesus those who resurrected with Jesus and went to heaven she says that they were martyrs that gave up their lives to be faithful to Jesus now if you're willing to give up your life you must have been really committed to Jesus right and so these people they and they had this experience they could enter with Jesus into the city but you know what this scene is going to be repeated again once again all of the holy angels are going to come to this earth with Jesus Christ it says that Jesus is coming with all of his holy angels isn't that what the New Testament says he's coming with all of his holy angels to pick up the rest of his people see he took the firstfruits the little sample the downpayment if you please but now he's coming to rescue everyone those who are alive and remain 144,000 those who died in Christ and resurrect and now he's going to take them to heaven and the question is who may ascend into the hill of Lourdes who may stand in his holy place and then you have a description of the character and then you have this magnificent song that is gonna be sung again who is going to be waiting in heaven for the arrival of God's people God the Father is gonna be there you know we developed these these what I call myths in the church you know there's the idea when Jesus comes he's coming with his father noise not at the second coming Jesus does not come with the father fact Elwin has a statement where she says that the father will be waiting at the gates of the sea to welcome us to the city furthermore Acts chapter 3 sense that says that the father will send forth Jesus does a scumming with Jesus he will send forth Jesus so once again you'll have the father sitting on his throne you'll have the cherubim and Seraphim in the midst of the throne the representatives of the worlds will have been invited there because now all of God's people are coming home and you're going to have this wonderful hymn of Psalm 24 that is sung all over again you know this this scene can be described by a parable that Jesus gave the parable of the lost sheep you know we usually apply this parable to an individual in an individual way we say well you know when one of the church members leave sees a stray sheep we should be that good Shepherds to go and rescue that sheep and bring the Sheep back to the church and and that has an application but lo8 explains that this parable has a much broader application she says that the ninety-nine sheep that are safe in the fold represent the worlds that never sinned they're safe and by the way there's not only 99 worlds it's just the number just like there are not five true believers and five false believers in the parable of the ten virgins yeah it's this number that is given to fill out the details in the parable so the 99 represent the world's that never sinned they're safe in the fold the one sheep that went astray is this world the act of the shepherd leaving the safety of the ninety-nine to come to a dangerous world to rescue the world represents Jesus coming to this world to rescue the world for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and so Jesus is going to bring this world back into the fold but there's one element that perhaps we don't emphasize very much the Bible says that after the Shepherd found the sheep he placed the sheep on his shoulders and he brought the Sheep home and then he called all the friends and all the neighbors those are the ones that are there for the celebration says come on let's celebrate because the sheep that was lost I have found it's once again default that's gonna be a glorious day and so we need to prepare for that glorious day now let me read you some statements from the spirit of prophecy on what we should be doing on the day of atonement are you following the study this afternoon this is urgent it's vital let me read you some quotations about what Ellen White says concerning what we should be doing while Jesus is cleansing the heavenly sanctuary this is from the book Maranatha which is a devotional book page 249 from the Holy of Holies there goes on the grand work of instruction so the Holy of Holies there's some instruction that's going on the angels of God are communicating to men so they're communicating to men something regarding the most holy place and then she she states Christ officiates in the sanctuary we do not follow him into the sanctuary as we should Christ 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 and now notice this there must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth in harmony with Christ's cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven so as Jesus is qul' and cleansing the sanctuary in heaven from the sins of the people the people should be cleansing their lives from sin through the power of God and I know that there are people who say that we're going to be sinning until Jesus comes the bible does not teach that the Bible teaches that God's people will gain totally total victory over sin before the close of probation because after the close of probation there will be no mediator we will have a protector don't get me wrong Jesus isn't going to say see you later you know take care of yourselves you're on your own no Jesus is going to be Michael is going to stand up to defend his people during the time of trouble but he's not going to intercede for sin so victory must have been won over sin you know when you say that it's impossible to overcome sin because the flesh is weak what you're really saying is that God isn't strong because you're saying that your flesh is more powerful than God so you really demeaning the power of God let me ask you is God powerful enough to give us victory over sin that's the big question of course he is he is our human flesh more powerful than the power of God to overcome sin no you know that famous verse that says I can do some things through Christ who strengthens me I can do most things I can do all things except overcome sin through Christ who strengthens me know all means all he is able to keep us from falling if we meet the conditions now there's I have several statements here but our time is up let me just read you one or two more statements here this is a powerful one this is found in great controversy 6:23 you know the question was asked this afternoon whether whether Christ had a sinful nature and whether that means that Christ was a sinner fact is that having a sinful nature does not mean that you're that you sin because sin is allowing the sinful nature to express itself in sinful acts or sinful thoughts or sinful words only when you allow your sinful nature to express itself in sin then you're looked upon as a sinner but having a sinful nature a nature that is inclined to sin that it's bent toward sin does not necessarily mean that you're a sinner sin is a choice sin is transgression of the law Anila white says that's the only definition in the Bible of sin sin is transgression of the law now in the light of what I just said notice this statement from great controversy page 623 this isn't the chapter on the time of trouble after the close of probation now while our high priest is making atonement for us we should seek to become perfect at Christ what should we do be doing wide while Jesus cleansed in the heavenly sanctuary we should seek to be perfect in Christ and now notice this not even by a thought could our Savior be brought to yield to the power of temptation Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold some sinful desire is cherished by means of which his temptations assert their power but Christ declared of himself the prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me Sagan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory he had kept his father's Commandments and there was no sin in him that Satan could use to his advantage and now listen to the conclusion this is the condition in which those who must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble Wow amazing in great controversy page 425 Ellen White also states those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above our to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator their robes must be spotless their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of the sprinkling through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil while the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven while the sins of the penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary there is to be a special work of purification of putting away of sin among God's people on earth there supposed to be a parallel work and you say pastor Bohr how is this possible the secret is twofold you know overcoming sin if we if we fulfill the formula it's not impossible to gain the victory over sin what is the formula number one keep your mind from from seen everything that is evil and secondly focus your mind upon Jesus if we abstained from evil putting evil in our minds and we focused our sight on Jesus we would gain the victory over sin but the trouble is we're all caught up with worldly music and we're all caught up with watching violence on television we're all caught up on these things that defile the mind and then we're not focusing on Jesus we're not spending that thoughtful hour a day studying the life of Christ which transforms us into his image so it's not rocket science the Apostle Paul says that beholding Jesus Christ we are being transformed into his same image by the way that were transformed is the is the Greek word meta morpho what word do we get in English from Metamorpho metamorphosis do you know what a metamorphosis is it's the most marvelous miracle of nature actually it's of God through nature it's when a worm turns into a butterfly let me ask you does a butterfly look like a worm no it's a total transformation so Paul says as we behold Jesus we are changed into his image let me give you an illustration as I close when I taught theology in Colombia had many hundreds of students go through my class my classes but I had one student which stood out above all of the other students presently he's a theology teacher at South Western Avenue University in Keene Texas brilliant he would come to class every day and he would sit in the first line of chairs he would open his notebook he had his Bible he had his pen and all throughout the class some of the other guys might have been talking or distracted but he he had his eyes fixed on me he was taking notes and he was paying very close attention of course he always got the highest range perfect grades in all the classes that he went through well several years later I was preaching here in a certain place in the United States and a lady came up to me and she says pastor Bohr do you know Jorge Rico that's his name I said oh of course I know him very well and she looked at me and she says you preach just like he does are you getting the point in fact a few months ago we had Jorge leak will come to our studios to do a 10 part series in the book of Revelation and you know it was in the daytime so we didn't have an audience so I figured I'm gonna sit down I'm gonna I'm gonna watch him I'm gonna listen because he has a lot of good material to offer and so I sat down and you know as I watched him preach this as I'm watching myself why why I does Jorge you know he moves his arms in the same way he his voice you know him in tones his voice a very similar way why because he spent three years in the classroom and had his eyes glued on me this is a small-scale illustration of what can happen when we have our eyes glued on Jesus that's why you know Peter and John says when they saw their baldness they knew that they had been with Jesus and so on the day of atonement we have to have our eyes focused on Jesus turn your eyes upon Jesus shall we sing that song as we turn your eyes upon Jesus [Music] look fallen his wonderful face and the plains on Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace in that song you have my whole sermon return our eyes upon Jesus and the things of Earth grow strangely dim because really we're not gonna take anything to heaven except our character so if you're focusing on accumulating money in houses and cars and fame and popularity you know you might enjoy 70 or 80 years on this earth like many you know there are rich people you know they're not thinking about Jesus coming and about living eternity with Jesus yet they're enjoying life in the here and now for 80 or perhaps 90 years but we have an eternity ahead of us in a perfect land where there will be no suffering and no pain and no sorrow where there will be no death where we will have an abundance of possessions limitless and you know one time an individual says to me well you know I have a beautiful house and I said is it made of gold he said oh I have a I have a BMW beautiful cars that does it fly [Music] there's nothing in this world that's better than what we're gonna have there so why do we focus on here let's focus on Jesus so that we can overcome sin in their lives and that way we'll be ready to stand when the time of crisis comes is that what you desire we understand if that's your desire we need to take a stand and we need to leave here and we need to get down to the business of developing our character by contemplating Jesus and barring from our minds that which defiles pray father in heaven we come before your presence to thank you because in the last days of the history of this world you will have an entire faithful generation that will make you look very good and make the devil look very bad we thank you Lord that that we believe that we're living in the last moments of the history of this world father we need to form a character that is fit for heaven but we need to do more than that we need to go and tell the world what a wonderful thing it is to serve Jesus to focus on Jesus then it gives us peace and it gives us joy in the even in the midst of suffering the world needs to know this the world is out there confused without hope we have the message that can bring hope and can bring victory to them so lord help us to form a character that is fit for heaven through the Grace and power of Jesus and I also ask Lord that you will empower us to go and reveal Jesus in our words and in our life so that many souls can join us in the kingdom when Jesus comes thank you Father for having been with us and for being such a wonderful God and we approach your throne boldly because we come in the name of Jesus amen [Music]
