Participants: C.A. Murray (Host), Pr. Taj Pacleb
Series Code: AOT
Program Code: AOT000176A
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00:12 Welcome to Anchors Of Truth,
00:15 live from the 3ABN Worship Center. 00:24 Good evening, and we do welcome you to our 00:27 first night of what we anticipate will be a 00:30 thrilling and spiritual treat for us all for this last 00:34 Anchors Of Truth for 2015. 00:37 We've done about 180 of these Anchors Of Truth, 00:40 and each one has been different and unique 00:43 and informational and inspirational. 00:45 And we expect no less than that this very evening. 00:48 I welcome you, I am C.A. Murray, and welcome you 00:50 to the Thompsonville Seventh-day Adventist Church, 00:53 the 3ABN Worship Center here in beautiful downtown 00:58 Thompsonville, Illinois. 01:00 It is a warm night for December. 01:02 And our hearts are warm inside as the weather is warm outside. 01:06 Our guest speaker is Taj Pacleb. 01:09 And we are so happy to have this international 01:12 evangelist with us. 01:14 He is a young man. 01:16 But a consecrated young man. 01:18 He was born in the islands of Hawaii. 01:21 So you will see an interesting lei around his neck. 01:24 That is sort of his signature. 01:26 And he had them brought in today, and we get a 01:29 chance to see that. 01:30 But as a young man, in reading his bio, Taj was 01:36 one of those kind of young people who got involved in 01:38 drugs and partying, and that kind of thing. 01:40 And when I see that kind of background, I always have to 01:44 smile, because he's just another proof that God can snatch 01:49 from the burning any soul that yields itself to Him. 01:52 So when you hear of a fellow who's gotten himself 01:54 into a little hot water and sort of run after the devil, 01:57 then you see them being used in such a mighty way 02:00 for Jesus Christ, it's just another testament to the 02:03 fact that no one can run too far or too fast for Christ 02:07 to catch them and then use them in a marked and mighty way. 02:12 At age 16 he went to a Bible prophecy seminar, 02:17 and that began his road to Jesus. 02:19 And if you look at him, you almost think that 16 was a 02:22 couple years ago, because he is a young man and he looks young. 02:25 He's got that healthy Adventist lifestyle glow about him. 02:29 But now he's serving the Lord; Revelation of Hope Ministries. 02:33 And if you watch 3ABN Proclaim, 02:34 you've seen Taj many, many times. 02:36 He's a powerful preacher, 02:37 and a powerful young man of the Lord. 02:39 He is here in the company of his wife. 02:42 Wati is here. What a pretty name. 02:44 She is from Fiji and was a teacher at SOULS West, 02:50 and has the same love for evangelism. 02:52 She is a registered nurse, so she is a good partner for him. 02:55 And together they make a formidable team 02:58 for the cause of Christ. 02:59 They both have evangelistic zeal and evangelistic DNA 03:04 in their blood, and they love serving the Lord. 03:07 So we are expecting great things from our speaker, 03:10 Taj Pacleb, during the next several sessions. 03:14 And we know that God is going to bless us as we give ear 03:17 to the word of the Lord. 03:20 The title, as has been mentioned, for tonight's 03:23 messages is, The Face Behind The Veil. 03:26 And the Anchors Of Truth is, Almost Home, which is 03:29 the overall theme. 03:30 And we are just very, very excited for Taj 03:34 and for the team that he has brought with him. 03:37 Our music is coming from Jacqueline Jewel. 03:40 She is going to be singing, I Want To See Jesus. 03:43 We will pray first, we will have Ms. Jewel sing, 03:46 and then the next voice that you will hear 03:49 will be that of our friend, international evangelist, 03:52 young man for the Lord. 03:54 And you like to see these young men stand up for the Lord, 03:56 because you know that the work is in good hands 03:59 for those of us who are fading off the scene. 04:02 God is bringing a whole new group of young people in 04:05 to take up the mantle and lift up the name of Jesus. 04:07 So we will pray now, Jacqueline Jewel will sing, 04:11 and then you will hear from Taj Pacleb. 04:13 Shall we pray? 04:15 Gracious Father, how we love You and thank You tonight 04:20 for the privilege that is ours to sit and hear the word of God. 04:26 We thank You, Father, for the call that brought us 04:28 from darkness to light, and from error to truth. 04:31 We are thankful for the word that is preached with power. 04:35 And we're thankful for the promise that comes from You 04:38 that Your word will never return void, 04:41 but it will accomplish the mission where unto it is sent. 04:46 We ask for an anointing on Your speaker this night, 04:49 and each night may You speak to him so that he can speak to us. 04:56 May You bless him so that he can be a blessing to us. 05:00 May You work through him and use him as an instrument 05:04 to turn our hearts towards home. 05:08 Thank You, dear Lord, for the pastor. 05:11 Thank You for the church. 05:12 Thank You for the movement. 05:14 Thank You for the promise that one day Christ is coming soon. 05:19 May each of us be prepared this day for that day. 05:25 And we thank You, my dear Father, in Jesus' name. 05:28 Amen and amen. 05:51 There is One who loves me so that for me He died; 06:02 He's my dear, precious Savior so true. 06:10 On the cross for my sins, He was crucified; 06:19 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 06:29 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 06:37 He's my dear, precious Savior so true. 06:46 On the cross for my sins, He was crucified; 06:54 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 07:03 When I'm weary and faint, He is always there; 07:11 with His songs, He my strength does renew. 07:19 And He comforts my heart singing words of cheer; 07:27 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 07:37 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 07:45 He's my dear, precious Savior so true. 07:53 On the cross for my sins, He was crucified; 08:01 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 08:11 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 08:36 Good evening and aloha to all those, my brothers and sisters 08:39 here in this sacred studio. 08:42 As well as all of those who are joining us from online 08:44 and around the world on television. 08:46 We want to welcome you to this special broadcast, 08:50 Anchors Of Truth. 08:51 Our theme for the next few days is very simple, just two words; 08:55 Almost Home. 08:57 And these two words are the words that many parents 08:59 have said in response to restless children who 09:04 can't wait to get out of the car after a long road trip. 09:07 Almost Home. 09:09 And you know, we've been living in this world 09:12 for over 6000 years now. 09:14 And many restless generations have asked the question, 09:17 "Are we there yet?" 09:18 "When are we going home?" 09:20 "How much longer will it take?" 09:22 And heaven's answer to us is that we're almost home. 09:25 As we see terrorism rearing its ugly head in our streets 09:28 and neighborhoods, and even knocking on our door, 09:31 We often wonder how many more people have to die? 09:33 When will all the pain be finished? 09:35 Heaven's answer to us, "We're almost home." 09:38 As we see natural disasters ripping up the foundation 09:41 of our homes and stripping the stability of our lives, 09:45 we cry out, "When will we ever be safe? 09:48 How much more people have to die?" 09:50 Heaven's answer, "We're almost home." 09:52 As our loved ones are taken from us by cancer, 09:55 stripped away from us by disease and death, 09:58 and our hearts groan with pain and agony too heavy 10:02 for human ears to hear, and we ask God, 10:05 "Why have You allowed this to happen to me? 10:07 When will You come back to put an end to the 10:10 pain and suffering?" 10:11 Heaven's answer to us is that, "We're almost home." 10:15 These two words which is our theme for this weekend 10:17 reminds us that this world is not our home. 10:21 We're just passing through, amen? 10:23 We're on our way to the Promised Land. 10:25 And so these words, "almost home," inspire us with the 10:28 holy faith to hang on, to hold on, and keep moving forward, 10:32 because heaven is just around the corner. 10:34 We're almost home. 10:36 But friends, before we can enter into our heavenly home, 10:39 there is an earthly preparation that we all must be 10:41 engaged in this evening. 10:44 The prophet wrote these words over a hundred years ago 10:47 in the book, Evangelism, page 219. 10:50 It says, "All heaven is astir..." 11:17 And friends, as we consider the condition of our world, 11:21 we realize that these words are more true now 11:23 than it's ever been before. 11:25 For we live in a world that is in the midst 11:28 of a terrible crisis. 11:30 We see natural disasters quickly increasing 11:33 in intensity and frequency. 11:35 We see moral and political corruption all around us. 11:39 Economic instability that is stripping our fiscal 11:42 and financial freedom and security. 11:44 Religious relativism sweeping the Christian world 11:47 into compromising ecumenism. 11:49 We see terrorism stripping away our sense of peace and safety. 11:53 And national and international unrest 11:55 that's awakening within people a blind desire 11:58 for peace and safety, but it's at the cost 12:02 and the sacrifice of civil and religious freedom. 12:05 And friends, as things are rapidly getting worse and worse 12:08 down here, the intensity of the salvation operation 12:13 is escalating up there. 12:15 Like the quote we just read. 12:17 It says that all of heaven is engaged in preparing 12:20 for the day of vengeance and deliverance. 12:23 And so in light of that quotation, which basically 12:26 builds the foundation for our theme this weekend, 12:29 we want to ask two questions. 12:30 Question number one, what exactly is heaven doing up there 12:35 in preparing for the day of God's vengeance? 12:37 And then question number two, what is God calling us 12:40 to do down here to prepare for the day of our deliverance? 12:44 And we want to answer those two questions 12:46 in that sequential order. 12:48 Because, friends, only as we first understand what 12:51 heaven is doing up there will we then be able to understand 12:54 what God is calling us to do down here. 12:57 And so in the next few nights we will address subjects 13:00 that give a very solid answer to those two questions. 13:04 And it is my earnest prayer and desire that as we hear 13:07 the Word of God, as we pray together, as we fellowship 13:10 one with another, that we would leave this weekend 13:13 with a renewed sense of urgency that truly 13:16 we are almost home. 13:17 And even more importantly, that we might be better 13:20 prepared to actually go home when the Lord Jesus comes. 13:22 Can you say amen? 13:24 And so with that in mind, our foundation, our topic tonight, 13:27 is entitled, The Face Behind the Veil. 13:31 I invite you to take your Bible and open with me 13:33 to the book of Psalms, the 80th division. 13:36 In the book of Psalms, the 80th division, 13:38 we find a very powerful prayer of desperation. 13:43 And I want you to notice what it says. 13:45 Psalms, the 80th division. 13:47 For those who are watching at home, as well as here 13:48 in this studio, I encourage you to take out your Bibles, 13:51 bring out a notebook, a writing utensil, 13:53 I encourage you to write down the Scriptures 13:55 that we'll be sharing. 13:56 We're going full circle in this presentation this evening. 13:59 Psalms, the 80th division. 14:00 Oh Father in heaven, please speak to us 14:04 and give us spiritual ears to hear Your voice tonight. 14:07 This is our prayer. 14:08 In Jesus' name, amen. 14:11 Psalm 80:1, the Bible says... 14:38 Here, we find the psalmist is appealing to the great 14:42 God of heaven to lend His ear. 14:44 He pleads with the sweet Shepherd of Israel, 14:46 the One that leads Joseph like a flock. 14:49 He invoking the one that dwells between the two cherubims 14:52 in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuary. 14:55 And his prayer is simple and profound at the same time. 14:58 He's asking for God to shine His face upon him. 15:02 And this prayer is so urgent, so desperate, that he actually 15:04 repeats it three times in the chapter. 15:07 Again in verse 7 and again in verse 19, his prayer, 15:10 "Turn Your face upon us. 15:13 Cause Your face to shine. 15:15 And we will be saved." 15:16 You see, the psalmist understands 15:19 that salvation is found when we see the face of God. 15:24 But what exactly does it mean to see the face of God? 15:28 What about the face of God brings eternal salvation? 15:32 The Bible gives us the answer in the book of Proverbs 16:15. 15:37 Please write it down. 15:48 So the Bible tells us that in the countenance of the king 15:51 is three things: there's life, light, and the latter rain. 15:56 And so as we look upon the face of God, 15:59 everything that we need in order to survive in these last days 16:02 is actually found in God's face. 16:04 We need His light in this world of darkness. 16:07 We desperately need the life of God in this 16:09 world full of decay and death. 16:11 And we need the latter rain in this dry and thirsty land 16:16 where it seems to have no spiritual water. 16:18 And so, I invite us this evening to look upon the face of God 16:24 by faith, that we might behold the King 16:27 in all of its beauty, that we might receive the light, 16:30 the life, and the latter rain of the Lord. 16:33 You see, friends, from the very beginning of time, 16:36 God desired for us to see His face. 16:39 This was His original plan when He created us. 16:43 It was the privilege of our first parents Adam and Eve 16:46 to be able to look into the face of their kingly Creator. 16:50 There was no veil of separation between God and man. 16:54 And this is how God meant it to be. 16:56 But unfortunately, this face to face relationship 16:59 was short lived. 17:00 Sadly and tragically, sin severed this relationship 17:03 and erected a veil of separation between God and man. 17:07 And that's the reason why the Bible says in Isaiah 59:2, 17:11 notice what it says... 17:23 Because of our sins, we were separated from God. 17:26 No longer were we able to look into the face of God and live. 17:30 Because of sin, God's presence would be to us 17:32 like a consuming fire. 17:34 Sin made us unfit for fellowship with Him. 17:37 And so as a result, the salvation operation 17:40 was set in motion to restore this face to face communion 17:45 and fellowship with God. 17:47 You see, friends, what God wants to do, 17:49 He wants to remove the veil so that He can kiss His bride. 17:52 He wants to see us face to face. 17:54 He wants to give us His light, His life, and the latter rain 17:59 that's found in His face. 18:01 How many want to see the face of God tonight, amen? 18:04 And so we want to find out what does this mean 18:06 practically and personally. 18:10 What does the face of God reveal to us? 18:14 The Bible gives us the answer in 2 Corinthians 4:6. 18:35 Here, the Bible tells us that when you look into the face 18:38 of Jesus Christ, you see the light of the knowledge 18:41 of the glory, or the character, of God. 18:44 So to look into God's face simply means to understand 18:48 the knowledge of who God is, His glorious character of love. 18:53 You remember the story when Moses was upon the mountaintop. 18:56 And he said, "Lord, show me Your glory." 18:58 And God showed him His face. 19:00 Not His literal face, but He showed him His character. 19:03 And that's what it means when the Bible says that 19:05 Moses had a face to face relationship with God. 19:08 He did not see the literal face of God, 19:10 but he beheld the beautiful character of God. 19:13 And so the question is, what has God given to us 19:18 that reveals His face or His glory to us? 19:22 It's the Bible. Can you say amen? 19:24 The Bible is God's book that reveals the face 19:28 of Jesus Christ. 19:30 The written Word is none other than a reflection of 19:33 the living Word. 19:34 It shows us who God is and it reveals His face. 19:37 I like to say that the Bible is God's facebook. 19:40 Can you say amen? 19:41 It reveals pictures of who the Lord is. 19:44 When you look into the facebook of God, the Bible, 19:48 you understand God's update status. 19:51 You learn where Jesus is and what Jesus is doing. 19:53 You get to know the likes and the dislikes of God. 19:56 You get to know who all the friends of God are. 19:59 You see, friends, we need to spend more time in the 20:01 facebook of God rather than the Facebook of man. 20:03 Can you say amen? 20:05 And that's what the Bible does. 20:07 Because as we behold God's face in the Word of God, 20:11 the Bible tells us we become changed 20:13 into that same image. 20:15 Notice what it says here in 2 Corinthians 3:18. 20:19 The Bible says... 20:34 The Bible says that by beholding we become changed 20:36 to whatever it is that we are beholding or thinking about. 20:40 And so as we look upon the glory of God, 20:42 as we study His character and His ways, 20:45 we begin to experience a change, a transformation, 20:48 a sanctified experience, so that like Moses who came 20:51 off the mount to the valley below, 20:53 his face was shining with the glory of God, 20:55 we'll have that same experience in our lives. 20:58 People will see the difference 21:00 if they see God's character reflected in us. 21:02 But I want you to notice the verse. 21:05 It tells us that this transformation 21:08 does not happen overnight. 21:10 But rather, it says that it happens from glory to glory. 21:14 This, my friends, implies that there is a progressive 21:17 process of one phase of glory to a much brighter 21:21 and higher phase of glory. 21:24 And so my question tonight is simply this: 21:26 What exactly is this process, "from glory to glory"? 21:30 The process of the removing of the veil that separates 21:34 us from God so that we might behold His face and live. 21:40 Well friends, the answer to that question 21:42 is found in the Sanctuary of God. 21:45 In Psalm 77:13, it says, "Thy way, O God, 21:49 is in the Sanctuary." 21:51 The Sanctuary reveals to us the ways of God. 21:54 It's the way in which God is seeking to remove the veil 21:57 that we might come back into His glorious presence. 22:01 When the Israelites were wondering in the wilderness, 22:03 God said to Moses, in Exodus 25:8, 22:07 "Let them make Me a Sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." 22:13 You see, my friends, that Sanctuary was God's way of 22:15 coming close to the human race without us being consumed 22:19 by His glory in the process. 22:22 Because our God, friends, is an intimate God. 22:24 He's a God of connection, a God of communion. 22:26 A God that simply wants to be close to you and to me. 22:31 The Sanctuary veiled His glory so that He could draw close, 22:35 and we could draw close to Him and not be consumed 22:37 by His presence. 22:38 And everything that took place in the Sanctuary, friends, 22:40 was God's visual aid, it was an object lesson, 22:44 to teach us about the plan of salvation. 22:46 Everything that took place in that Old Testament tent 22:49 pointed to our only hope in Jesus Christ. 22:53 And I just want to take a few moments to review 22:54 what we already know about God's way of salvation 22:58 found in the Sanctuary. 23:00 That Sanctuary had three main parts to it. 23:02 How many parts? 23:04 Three main parts. 23:05 And these three parts represents the three phases of the 23:09 salvation experience. 23:11 There is the outer court, the Holy Place, 23:13 and the Most Holy Place. 23:15 And so when the sinner first came to the Sanctuary, 23:17 they entered into the outer court 23:19 where the first phase of salvation is experienced. 23:22 And that's what we call, justification. 23:24 There were two articles of furniture in the outer court. 23:27 The altar of sacrifice where the lamb was slain and the 23:30 blood was shed, which was a symbol of Calvary's cross 23:33 where Jesus would die and shed His blood for the remission 23:36 of the sins of humanity. 23:38 But then after the altar of sacrifice was the laver, 23:44 which was a basin of water where the priest would 23:46 wash himself just before going into the Holy Place. 23:50 And that basin of water was a symbol of baptism, 23:54 which is the next step in the salvation experience. 23:56 You see, when we have accepted the death of Christ 23:59 in our hearts that took place at the altar, 24:02 the next logical step is the outward expression 24:06 of the inward experience. 24:08 And the outward expression is simply water baptism. 24:11 And that took place in the outer court. 24:13 It's where the sinner was justified. 24:15 Justified. 24:16 Never sinned before. 24:18 It was the work of an instant. 24:19 It had nothing to do with behavior, but it had 24:22 everything to do with faith in the blood that was shed; 24:25 as well as in the waters of baptism. 24:28 But then after that, we find the second phase; 24:32 which is the Holy Place experience. 24:34 And in the Holy Place experience, there are only 24:36 three articles of furniture. 24:38 On the side of the north was the table of showbread, 24:41 representing Jesus, the bread of life. 24:43 But also how that man shall not live by bread alone, 24:46 but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. 24:49 It represents Bible study. 24:51 It's the table where we feast upon the very life of God 24:54 and we study His words and as the word is made flesh 24:59 in our experience. 25:01 That table, when we feast upon the bread, 25:04 is partaking of the life of Christ 25:07 in the experience of Bible study. 25:09 Now opposite to that you know is the golden candlestick 25:12 filled with oil that caused the fire to burn brightly 25:15 that brought light in the Holy Place. 25:17 And that candlestick also represents Jesus, 25:20 the light of the world. 25:21 But also how God is calling us to be the light of the world 25:25 as witnesses for Him. 25:27 And as we are filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, 25:31 it enables us to be on fire for the Lord 25:34 causing us to burn brightly in this world of darkness. 25:36 That candlestick represents the church on fire as witnesses 25:41 and missionaries and evangelists in the last days. 25:45 And notice, they're side by side. 25:47 Because you can't have one without the other. 25:50 You can't just eat the Word of God 25:52 and not share the Word of God. 25:53 And the only way you can share the Word of God 25:55 is if you have spiritual calories by eating the bread 25:59 that causes you to burn brightly for Him. 26:02 Can you say amen? 26:03 And so, table of showbread; Bible study. 26:05 Candlestick; witnessing. 26:07 And then you have before the veil the altar of incense, 26:09 representing our prayers ascending to heaven 26:12 mingled with the incense of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 26:16 And so in the Holy Place, the second part of the Sanctuary, 26:19 you find Bible study, prayer, and witnessing. 26:22 And as we partake of these things every single day, 26:26 God is enabling us to experience the second phase of salvation, 26:29 which is sanctification. 26:31 Setting apart for holiness. 26:34 And this is not the work of an instant. 26:36 It's the work of a lifetime as God makes us holy 26:40 and separates us from the world unto Himself. 26:43 And then you have the third part of the Sanctuary, 26:45 the Most Holy Place. 26:49 That's where the glory of God was shining the brightest. 26:51 It's where we receive the final atonement. 26:54 And that's the third phase of salvation. 26:56 What we call, glorification. 26:59 It's the place where the bride and Groom are made one. 27:02 At-one-ment. Atonement. 27:04 It's the secret place of the Most High. 27:06 It's the bedroom chamber of God. 27:08 It's the place of ultimate intimacy. 27:11 And in that Most Holy Place was the ark of the covenant. 27:14 A chest-like piece of furniture overlaid with gold 27:17 containing the Ten Commandments. 27:18 Just above that, the mercy seat; representing the throne of grace 27:22 where the Shekinah sat between the two angels. 27:26 And that, my friends, is the place of ultimate intimacy. 27:30 It's the place where we see our God face to face. 27:33 Oh, there's so many beautiful truths in the Sanctuary. 27:36 How many of you appreciate the Sanctuary message? 27:38 So many things that we don't have time to go through tonight. 27:41 But I want us to notice, as we highlight and zero in on 27:45 something interesting about the Sanctuary. 27:48 In the Sanctuary, there were two main veils 27:52 that represents our separation from God. 27:58 The first one was the veil, or the door, that was 28:01 the entrance to the Holy Place. 28:02 And you can find that in Exodus 26:36. 28:06 The second veil or door was the entrance to the Most Holy Place. 28:10 And you can find that in Exodus 26:33 and Hebrews 9:3. 28:15 The Bible calls that second veil... 28:18 The entrance into the Most Holy Place was called, 28:22 the second veil. 28:23 Now there was another veil at the entrance to the outer court. 28:26 But we like to call that, the ever open veil. 28:29 It was a door that was always open. 28:31 An open invitation. 28:33 Friends, the reason why is because no matter 28:35 how sinful we may be, no matter who we are, 28:39 or what we've done, we all have access to Calvary's cross. 28:43 Can you say amen? 28:44 And so if you're wandering out there in the wilderness 28:47 and you have no shelter, you have no refuge, 28:49 come to the Sanctuary, come to the altar of the cross. 28:53 You're not going to be turned away at the door. 28:55 Because Jesus promised, "He that comes to Me, 28:58 I will in no wise cast out." 29:01 It's a safe place, friends. 29:04 In the wilderness of this world, there's access, 29:07 there's an open door for us. 29:09 I'll never forget when I first came to God. 29:12 I came as a young 16 year old druggie. 29:14 Burning up my brain cells, chasing the world, 29:16 and messing up my life. 29:18 But I'm thankful that when I came to God, 29:20 He accepted me just as I was. 29:23 But He loved me enough not to leave me in that condition. 29:26 He was the one that brought the change and 29:28 transformation in my life. 29:30 And so there's an ever open veil right there at the entrance. 29:33 But I want us to notice that after the cross, 29:36 the altar of the cross, there are still two veils; 29:40 representing man's separation from God. 29:44 And these two veils, it shows that there was still 29:47 a work to be done after the altar of the cross. 29:49 There's the Holy Place veil and the Most Holy Place veil 29:53 that needs to be removed before we can get back 29:56 into the presence of God. 29:58 And these two veils are opened three times 30:01 in the book of Revelation. 30:04 And so what we want to do right now is we want to 30:05 ask the question, what does it mean 30:09 when the veils were removed in Revelation? 30:11 What is the prophetic personal and practical application 30:16 of the opening of these two veils? 30:19 And friends, we're going to discover that the books of 30:22 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John reveal the story of 30:25 Jesus' work in the outer court. 30:27 But the book of Revelation expounds upon the work 30:30 of Jesus in the Holy and the Most Holy Place. 30:35 Those two veils are opened three times in this end time book. 30:39 And so notice with me as we go to Revelation chapter 4, 30:42 as we take a look at what happened after the cross. 30:45 Revelation chapter 4 beginning with verse 1, 30:47 the Bible says this... 31:11 Here we see John in prophetic vision. 31:15 He sees a door that's opened in heaven. 31:17 And as John enters in through this veil, he sees a familiar 31:21 Sanctuary scene. 31:22 In this compartment of the Sanctuary 31:24 John said that he saw a throne, and One sitting upon the throne. 31:28 Now question, which throne is this? 31:31 Where is this throne specifically placed 31:34 in the Sanctuary? 31:35 Verse 5 has the answer. Notice what it says. 31:38 Revelation 4:5 31:52 So here we see, friends, that this throne, just before it 31:56 is the seven branch candlestick. 31:59 Now friends, where exactly is the seven branch candlestick 32:02 in the Sanctuary? 32:03 It's in the Holy Place. 32:05 And so in this vision of Revelation 4, John is 32:08 actually looking into the Holy Place. 32:10 That candlestick, friends, represents the church 32:13 that's on fire because they're filled with the oil 32:16 of the Holy Spirit, and they're on fire for the Lord. 32:20 But the question is this: 32:21 When exactly did Jesus, our High Priest, 32:24 enter into the Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuary 32:27 and light up the early apostolic church? 32:32 He only did it after He was finished with His work 32:35 in the outer court. 32:37 And so you remember, friends, Jesus died at the altar 32:41 of sacrifice; the cross. 32:43 And then after that, He resurrects at the laver 32:46 of baptism; which is also a symbol of resurrection. 32:49 Because in Romans chapter 6, the Bible says that when we're 32:51 baptized, we're baptized both into the death 32:54 and resurrection of Christ. 32:57 So Jesus dies at the altar of the cross, 32:59 resurrects at the laver, and then enters 33:02 through the door, through that first veil, 33:05 into the Holy Place, and He sees the throne. 33:07 Now what exactly does this mean? 33:11 Where did Jesus go after He resurrected? 33:15 The book of Hebrews tells us that He endured the cross, 33:18 despising the shame, and then is sat down at the 33:21 right hand of the throne of God. 33:23 So the next stop for Jesus after the laver 33:26 would be the Holy Place. 33:28 And in that Holy Place He sees the throne. 33:30 And the article of furniture that symbolizes that throne, 33:34 I believe, is the table of showbread. 33:37 Now friends, something interesting about this 33:38 table of showbread. 33:40 It was located on the side of the north, 33:42 which is the same place that God's literal throne is 33:44 in the Bible. 33:46 Around the table of showbread was a golden crown molding. 33:49 A crown fit for a king. 33:51 There were two stacks of bread upon the table, 33:53 representing the Father and the Son, who is our bread of life. 33:57 This is the throne that's placed right before the candlestick. 34:00 And we don't have the time to study it in detail. 34:03 But you can read more about the two thrones of God 34:05 in the book, Early Writings, and on page 55. 34:08 The point is simply this, friends. 34:10 This verse in Revelation 4 is pointing to us 34:13 the time that Jesus entered the Holy Place for us. 34:17 And it's very significant what took place. 34:20 Before the door was opened in heaven, 34:23 the disciples on earth anticipated that something 34:26 great was about to happen. 34:28 Towards the end of the ministry of Christ, 34:30 they thought that Jesus would take His seat on an earthly 34:33 throne as the King of glory. 34:35 They thought, "Now our enemies will be vanquished. 34:37 Now Israel will rule the world." 34:39 But they saw that Jesus, instead of going to the throne, 34:43 He went to the altar. 34:45 They saw their King crowned, not with a royal diadem, 34:49 but a crown of thorns. 34:51 They saw Him nailed to the cross instead of 34:52 exalted on the throne. 34:54 And when the disciples saw that, their hopes were 34:57 shattered and their dreams were dashed to pieces. 35:00 They experienced a bitter, devastating disappointment. 35:05 The reality is, friends, that cross should have been 35:08 the source of their greatest rejoicing. 35:11 Because that cross, friends, brought them one step closer 35:14 to seeing God face to face. 35:17 You see, the moment Jesus died, the veil in that earthy temple 35:20 was torn from top to bottom, signifying the heavenly ministry 35:25 is now replacing the earthly ministry. 35:27 And so mankind, in Christ, is brought one step closer to God. 35:32 And the disciples should have rejoiced because of that. 35:35 But instead, they were disappointed. 35:37 They were devastated. 35:39 And why? Here's the reason. 35:41 Because they misunderstood Bible prophecy. 35:45 You see, those early disciples, they had the prophecy 35:47 of Daniel 9, the 70 week prophecy, pointing to this 35:51 event of the cross. 35:52 That in the middle of the 70th week Messiah would die 35:56 by crucifixion, that He would be cut off. 35:58 Not for Himself, because He never sinned before. 36:00 He would be cut off for the sins of humanity. 36:03 Cut off so that we could be reconciled back to God. 36:07 They had that prophecy, but they did not understand it. 36:10 They misinterpreted it and misunderstood it. 36:14 And as a result, they suffered a bitter, 36:16 devastating disappointment. 36:18 You see, it was like there was a veil before their eyes. 36:20 They did not see the glory of the cross. 36:23 But thank God, friends, that after that devastating 36:25 disappointment, they went into the upper room 36:28 and they began to pray and study like they never did before. 36:31 And as a result, God sent light to penetrate the darkness 36:34 of their confusion. 36:36 They understood that Jesus had to go to the altar 36:40 before He could go to the throne. 36:43 And as a result, they understood the significance of the opening 36:47 of that first veil. 36:49 They understood where Jesus was 36:51 and what Jesus was doing for them. 36:53 And as a result, it began to rain with the former rain. 36:58 Fire came down from heaven and the prophecy 37:01 of Revelation 4:5 was fulfilled. 37:04 John said that from the throne was lightning, 37:06 thunders, and voices. 37:08 For what? 37:09 It was to light up the seven branch candlestick 37:10 just before the throne. 37:12 Here is the early apostolic church on fire 37:15 at the day of Pentecost. 37:17 They're filled with the oil of the Spirit sent from Jesus 37:19 who's at the throne for them. 37:21 Like the sound of a mighty rushing wind, 37:23 with tongues of fire, the disciples began to preach. 37:26 And the thunder of their message and the lightning of their 37:29 witness caught the ear and the eyes of the people 37:32 as the voice of God was heard speaking 37:35 through the early church. 37:37 Revival and reformation took place 37:39 from prayer and prophetic study. 37:42 The first veil opened to their understanding. 37:44 They understood where Jesus was and what Jesus was 37:48 doing for them. 37:49 And so now humanity is brought one step closer 37:52 to seeing God face to face. 37:55 But friends, after that there was still another veil 37:57 that was to be opened. 37:59 Another revelation and revival that was yet to take place. 38:03 And that's the Most Holy Place veil 38:06 that separates us from seeing God face to face. 38:10 And I want us to notice now as we go to Revelation chapter 11 38:12 where this second veil is opened and another revival takes place. 38:17 Turn with me to Revelation chapter 11, 38:19 and notice what it says in verse 19. 38:24 Revelation 11:19, the Bible says... 38:40 So here we find, friends, this veil, this door is opened 38:43 in heaven, and John now sees the ark of the testament. 38:46 Well when was this passage fulfilled? 38:49 Listen carefully, friends. 38:51 Just as the early apostolic church had the 70 week 38:55 prophecy of Daniel chapter 9 pointing to the opening of the 38:59 first veil in the year AD 31, so too the remnant of the 39:05 early apostolic church had the 2300 day prophecy 39:10 of Daniel chapter 8 pointing to the opening of the second veil 39:14 in the year 1844. 39:18 And friends, what happened around this prophetic date 39:20 was very significant. 39:22 Revival, history tells us, was sweeping across the churches. 39:26 As people studied the 2300 day prophecy 39:28 pointing to the cleansing of the Sanctuary, 39:31 they believed that this was pointing to the return of Jesus 39:34 in the fall of the year 1844. 39:37 A sweet anticipation and expectancy 39:39 swept over the people. 39:41 They thought that the final veil would be removed 39:43 and now they would see God face to face. 39:46 But we know that 1844 came and went. 39:49 And those pioneers were bitterly disappointed. 39:52 That which was at first sweet in their mouth 39:55 became bitter in the belly. 39:57 What specifically took place in 1844? 40:01 It wasn't that Jesus was going to return. 40:03 But rather that He would step into the Most Holy Place 40:06 of the heavenly Sanctuary to begin the investigative 40:09 judgment, the blotting out of sin. 40:11 You see, friends, rightly understood, 40:13 1844 should have been a cause of great rejoicing. 40:16 Because what Jesus was doing, He was bringing humanity 40:19 one step closer to divinity. 40:22 Those pioneers, for them it wasn't rejoicing. 40:26 It was the source of a bitter disappointment. 40:29 The reason why is because they, like the early church, 40:32 misunderstood and misapplied Bible prophecy. 40:36 But afterwards, even though they were devastated, 40:41 they went into the upper room and they began to pray 40:44 like they never prayed before. 40:45 They pleaded for light from the Lord from above. 40:48 They would spend even entire nights 40:50 in prayer and Bible study. 40:52 And upon further investigation, they realized that they had 40:55 the right date, but the wrong event. 40:57 They thought that the Sanctuary was the earth, 40:59 but they were wrong in that assumption. 41:00 However, the Spirit led them to the book of Hebrews 41:03 where they learned that there was a Sanctuary in heaven. 41:06 And when they understood that, they realized that Jesus 41:09 was blotting out their sins; 41:11 preparing His people for His soon return, 41:15 to begin a work of cleansing, to secure the final atonement. 41:19 And now they understood the true significance of 1844. 41:23 And as a result, was born the remnant church 41:26 of Bible prophecy. 41:27 A movement that would sweep across the whole world 41:30 to restore all truth in these last days. 41:32 These three angels would shake the world 41:34 like a mighty earthquake. 41:35 And just like the early church, lightnings, and thunderings, 41:38 and voices was heard once again as this movement spread 41:42 spirit-filled truth to every nation, kindred, 41:44 tongue, and people. 41:46 Revival and reformation took place. 41:49 And the rain began to fall. 41:51 The second veil now is opened to their understanding. 41:55 They knew where Jesus was and what Jesus was doing for them. 42:00 Can you say amen, friends? 42:02 There is deep prophetic significance 42:04 of the opening of the first and second veils. 42:07 And there are very profound parallels between the two. 42:12 But here's the thing, friends. 42:14 We're still not back in God's presence. 42:17 We are still unfit to see our Lord face to face. 42:22 And why is that? 42:24 Because that second veil, the Most Holy Place veil, 42:27 must be opened one more time. 42:32 And when that happens, the final revival 42:35 is to take place. 42:36 And that veil is opened in Revelation chapter 15. 42:39 Notice with me Revelation chapter 15 42:43 as we read about the second veil being re-opened 42:46 and as we understand it's prophetic significance. 42:49 Revelation 15:5, it says... 42:58 So it's opened. 43:00 The veil is opened. 43:02 John sees the tabernacle of the testimony. 43:04 This is the Most Holy Place. 43:06 But then notice what happens next in verse 6. 43:08 "And the seven angels came out of the temple... 43:17 I want us to notice, friends, that when this veil 43:20 is re-opened, the traffic is flowing out. 43:24 It's not flowing in. 43:25 Seven angels with the seven plagues are exiting 43:28 that Most Holy Place. 43:32 They're going to pour out the seven last plagues 43:34 upon the world. 43:35 And as they go out, no one can come in. 43:37 Notice verse 8. 43:39 It says in verse 8... 43:53 The Bible says that as the angels go out, 43:55 no one can come in. 43:56 And here's the reason why. 43:58 Because by the time this veil was opened the second time, 44:00 by the time the angels leave, probation is closed. 44:04 And if you've not entered in beforehand, 44:07 now it's too late. 44:09 The angels pour out the seven last plagues. 44:12 It is the final storm that hits the world by surprise. 44:16 And friends, in this final storm, we need an anchor 44:19 of truth to steady us. 44:21 And where is this awesome anchor of truth? 44:24 It's found, friends, within the veil. 44:27 Notice what it says in Hebrews 6:19-20. 44:32 The Bible says, "This hope we have as an anchor..." 44:48 You see, friends, before this final storm hits, 44:52 we must by faith follow Jesus into the Most Holy Place. 44:56 That is the Sanctuary, the shelter, in the time of storm. 45:00 It's a Sanctuary of refuge in an hour of crisis. 45:03 Just like the song says, "When darkness seems to veil His face, 45:07 we will rest upon His unchanging grace. 45:10 And every high and stormy gale, 45:12 our anchor holds within the veil. 45:15 On Christ the solid Rock we stand, 45:18 all other ground is sinking sand." 45:21 The question tonight is, what is your foundation? 45:24 What are you building your life upon? 45:27 Is it the solid rock? 45:29 Friends, in times like these we need to be very sure 45:32 that our anchor holds and grips the solid Rock 45:36 behind the veil. 45:38 Because those on the outside, by the time the angels leave, 45:41 have no foundation, no Sanctuary, no shelter, 45:45 no safety, no salvation. 45:47 You see, friends, the re-opening of the second veil 45:50 is a lot more serious than its previous openings. 45:53 Now what is the significance of this vision? 45:57 When will the second veil be re-opened? 46:01 You see, in the Old Testament Sanctuary... 46:07 The first time was when the high priest entered into the 46:10 Sanctuary to cleanse it and to secure the final atonement. 46:15 And then the second time was when the high priest 46:17 exited that Sanctuary to bless the people waiting for him 46:22 on the outside. 46:24 And friends, that represents the coming of Christ. 46:28 Soon and very soon, our great High Priest 46:30 will lay off His priestly garments, 46:33 and He will clothe Himself in the regal robes 46:35 of King of kings and Lord of lords. 46:38 He will come back to the earth to give us an eternal blessing. 46:41 And when that takes place, it will remove the veil, 46:44 every single veil, completely that separates God and man. 46:49 It's then that we will see our Lord face to face. 46:51 The Bible says in Revelation 22, "They shall see His face..." 46:59 Oh friends, I want to see the face of Jesus. 47:00 How about you? 47:03 Only faintly now we see Him with a darkening veil between. 47:08 But a blessed day of coming when His glory shall be seen. 47:12 Face to face with Christ our Savior, 47:15 face to face to see and know; 47:17 when with rapture we behold Him, 47:19 Jesus Christ who loves us so. 47:22 I want to see the face of Jesus. 47:24 How many are looking forward to the opening of the second veil? 47:28 But friends, before we close tonight, we must consider 47:32 some serious implications about the re-opening 47:37 of the second veil. 47:39 Just as there was a revival surrounding the opening 47:43 of the first and second veil with the early church, 47:45 as well as the early remnant church, 47:48 so too the greatest and the final revival will surround 47:52 the re-opening of this second veil. 47:54 The revival of the last days is just upon us. 48:00 And I want you to notice, Great Controversy, page 646, says... 48:07 Before the seven last plagues. 48:09 Before the angels leave the Most Holy Place. 48:21 The opening of the first veil. 48:28 And friends, God is not calling us to be passive spectators. 48:32 But He's calling us to be active participants 48:34 in praying for, pleading for, seeking for, and yearning for 48:38 this final revival in these last days. 48:42 And the question is, will you be a part of it? 48:45 Will you be an idle spectator or an active participant? 48:49 I want us to notice, friends, the difference 48:51 between what happened in the opening of the first veil 48:54 and the first opening of the second veil 48:57 in comparison to the re-opening of that last veil. 49:02 There are many powerful parallels, 49:05 But there are also some alarming differences. 49:07 And here's the difference, listen carefully. 49:09 Both the early apostolic church, as well as the early remnant 49:14 church, had a time prophecy pointing to the opening 49:18 of that first and second veil. 49:20 The apostles had the 70 week prophecy, 49:22 the pioneers had the 2300 day prophecy, 49:25 pointing to the exact date that those veils would be opened. 49:28 But both of them misinterpreted those prophecies 49:32 and were disappointed. 49:33 But thank God that both of them were able to rebound 49:36 from their disappointment. 49:38 They went into the upper room and they prayed and they 49:40 understood, and they learned from hindsight. 49:43 But for us in these last days when that second veil 49:45 is about to be re-opened, we do not have a time prophecy 49:49 pointing to the event. 49:51 Because no man knows the exact day or hour of His coming. 49:55 And because of that, we do not have the opportunity 49:58 to learn from hindsight. 50:00 Once that veil is re-opened and the angels come out, 50:05 no one can come in. 50:06 It is too late, friends. 50:08 He that is unjust will remain unjust still, 50:10 and he that is righteous will remain righteous still. 50:13 And therefore, friends, before that veil is opened 50:15 the second time, we must get it right, right now 50:18 before it's re-opened. 50:20 And that's why we've been told, friends, 50:22 "We have nothing to fear..." 50:32 God wants us to look back at the past so that we don't 50:35 repeat the mistakes. 50:37 Those who fail to learn the lessons of history 50:40 are bound to repeat it. 50:41 But we can't afford to make this mistake, friends. 50:44 In the book, Early Writings, page 71, the prophet wrote... 51:05 What a challenge! 51:23 Why no shelter? 51:24 Because they did not enter into the veil when the door was open. 51:27 They did not follow the High Priest in the secret place 51:30 of the Most High. 51:32 They were waiting for a sign instead of watching the Savior. 51:35 And therefore, there is no Sanctuary, no refuge, for them. 51:39 Friends, it's a challenge for us 51:41 to keep our eyes on Jesus, to follow Him wherever He leads. 51:46 He's not only the Lamb that died for us in the outer court, 51:49 but He's the High Priest that lives, and ever lives to make 51:52 intercession for us in the Holy Place 51:54 and the One that blots out the sin in the Most Holy Place. 51:57 Blotting it out from the record above, 51:59 but He's also seeking to blot it out from the experience below; 52:03 from our hearts. 52:05 In the book, Great Controversy, page 488, it reads, 52:10 "Satan invents unnumbered schemes..." 52:21 What work is that? 53:02 And so my question, friends, is this: 53:04 Where are you? 53:06 Are you in the place where God wants you to be? 53:10 What are you doing? 53:12 Are you doing the things that God is calling you to do? 53:15 Those who do not know where Jesus is and what Jesus is doing 53:19 for them right now are not going to be able to know 53:22 where they need to be and what they ought to be doing 53:24 right now in this solemn time that we live in. 53:27 And friends, when the Lord comes, there's going to be a 53:29 group of those people, they're going to run to the 53:31 rocks and mountains, and they're going to cry, 53:33 "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him 53:39 who sits upon the throne." 53:41 What a terrible tragedy, friends, 53:43 hiding from the face of God. 53:47 But then there's going to be another group 53:50 who will follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. 53:52 Not just to the altar in the outer court, 53:55 but beyond that first veil into the Holy Place, 53:57 and then that second veil into the Most Holy Place, by faith. 54:01 And so when Jesus comes, when that second veil is re-opened 54:05 and the High Priest comes as King of kings and Lord of lords, 54:08 notice what's going to happen next. 54:09 Isaiah 25:7-9. We're almost finished. 54:12 It says here... 54:21 That veil is removed for eternity. 54:34 "And it shall be said in that day..." 54:48 Oh what a day that will be, friends, 54:50 when our Jesus we shall see. 54:54 When we look upon His face, 54:56 the One that has saved us by His grace; 54:59 when He takes us by the hand 55:01 and leads us to the Promised Land; 55:03 what a day, glorious day, that will be. 55:07 And this solemn prophecy tonight points us to the 55:09 reality that that day is right around the corner. 55:13 We're almost home, friends. 55:15 So hang on. 55:16 Get back up, keep moving forward, don't give up. 55:19 We're almost home. 55:20 We're too close to give up now. 55:23 Keep holding on to Jesus. 55:25 Keep your eyes on Christ. 55:26 Take your eyes off of yourself, your circumstances, 55:29 and others; look upon the Lamb. 55:31 Behold the Lamb of God that died in the outer court, 55:34 and behold the High Priest that cleanses the Sanctuary above. 55:38 And as we behold His face, we will become changed. 55:43 But why isn't He here yet? 55:45 What prevents Him from removing that veil and coming back? 55:50 We're not home yet, friends, because Jesus is not home yet. 55:55 What do we mean by that? 55:57 Revelation 3:20, here's what Jesus is waiting for. 56:01 He's not waiting for a time prophecy to be fulfilled. 56:03 Since 1844, time no longer. 56:06 What Jesus is waiting for is you and me 56:09 to open our door and our homes to Him. 56:13 Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock..." 56:25 Why are we not home yet? 56:27 Because Jesus is not home yet. 56:30 He's waiting for us to open the veil of our hearts to Him. 56:33 Jesus wants to make our hearts His home. 56:36 And so, my friends, let's open the door of our 56:39 hearts to Jesus today. 56:40 Let's let Him make our hearts His permanent residence 56:46 that we might look upon His face and receive His light, His life, 56:51 His latter rain, so that we can go home. 56:53 Oh my friends, I plead with you, let us turn our eyes 56:56 upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. 57:00 And the things of this world will go strangely dim 57:03 in the light of His glory and grace. 57:07 How many of you want to go home? 57:10 Really, the question is, how many of you 57:13 will let Jesus come home into your heart tonight? 57:18 We want to go home, but let's first let Jesus come home. 57:22 Let Him take full control of our lives today. 57:25 And when that happens, it won't be long. 57:28 It won't be long. 57:30 I invite you to bow your heads and close your eyes. 57:33 Listen to the chorus of this song. 57:36 Then we'll close in prayer this evening. 57:40 I want to see Jesus, don't you? 57:49 He's my dear precious Savior so true. |
Revised 2016-04-21