Participants:
Series Code: HCAU
Program Code: HCAU190001A
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00:01 Music...
00:03 Jesus says, "I AM the Light of the world. 00:07 He who follows me, shall not walk in darkness 00:12 but have the light of life. " 00:16 Music... 00:19 Welcome to 3ABN Australia Homecoming. 00:23 Music... 00:30 Hello, and welcome to 3ABN Australia Homecoming 2019 00:35 at Wahroonga Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:38 Sydney, Australia. 00:40 We are so glad that you could join us wherever you are, 00:43 if you're watching on television around the world, 00:45 we want to invite you. 00:46 If you're listening to radio somewhere in the world, 00:49 we are happy to have you listening to us. 00:52 With me up the front is Pastor Danny Milenkov. 00:55 Danny, tell me, are you looking forward to these programs? 00:59 Absolutely, it's going to be wonderful 01:02 and I know God's going to bless. 01:04 I think He... I know He will 01:05 because we are speaking on subjects 01:08 that are very important for this time 01:10 in this world's history. 01:11 You teach a lot about the conditions of the world 01:15 that we are living in at the moment, 01:17 Danny, what would you say to us about it? 01:18 How close we are... do you think to Jesus' coming? 01:21 I think we are in the very toe nails of the image of Daniel 2, 01:24 I think we're really close. 01:26 We're very close 01:27 and so, we need to be excited as Seventh-day Adventists 01:30 we are looking forward to the advent of Jesus Christ 01:34 and we want you to be ready, amen. 01:36 Audience: Amen. 01:37 You know, this evening we have a special item 01:40 from Sandra Entermann. 01:42 She's been on 3ABN as long as I've known about 3ABN Danny, 01:46 and she sings wonderfully. 01:48 Her title is: One and the Same 01:50 and accompanying her is Sanya Katepski. 01:53 Thank you for what you do for the cause of God, Sanya. 01:56 She's done a lot for 3ABN. 01:58 Straight after her, the next voice you will hear 02:01 is Pastor Geoff Youlden. 02:04 Geoff Youlden has been one of these men that spoke on 3ABN 02:09 the very first time we did our first program 02:13 in Western Australia 02:14 and do you know what? People still want to hear him 02:17 so you're going to have a special treat 02:19 because he's talking on: Let's Investigate the Judgment. 02:23 Amen... yes, I've got a soft spot for Pastor Geoff, 02:27 he... he was very instrumental in getting me up and going 02:31 in public evangelism back in 2006 02:34 so I really appreciate his ministry. 02:36 You've got a text for us, Danny? 02:38 Yes, I do... 02:40 Pastor Geoff has this as his theme text 02:45 for his subject this evening 02:46 and it's found in Daniel chapter 8 verses 13 and 14. 02:50 "Then I heard one saint speaking, 02:53 and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, 02:57 How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, 03:01 and the transgression of desolation, 03:04 to give both the sanctuary and the host 03:06 to be trodden under foot? 03:07 And he said unto me, 03:09 'Unto two thousand and three hundred days; 03:12 then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. '" 03:15 Powerful passage... 03:18 and Pastor Geoff will unpack that for us. 03:21 Can you pray for these two people please? 03:23 Absolutely, "Father in heaven, before we open up Your Word, 03:28 before we hear precious music 03:31 that will draw our hearts heavenward, 03:34 we pray that You will bless 03:36 those that will minister at this time 03:38 through song... through music... 03:41 and through Your Word. 03:42 Father, be upon your servants, bless them... bless us... 03:46 may Your Holy Spirit be here in a very mighty and powerful way 03:50 and we pray all this in the precious name of Jesus, amen. " 03:54 Amen. 04:01 Pause. 04:08 Piano. 04:24 How shall I begin 04:28 to speak about a God that I will never comprehend? 04:38 So high and mighty and yet 04:42 closer than a friend 04:46 The beginning and the end 04:55 The mystery of His holiness 05:01 The wonder of His humanness are one 05:07 One and the same 05:11 I can't do Him justice 05:15 with any one name 05:21 The holy God of Heaven 05:24 the humble man who bore my shame 05:32 Are one, one and the same 05:41 Piano. 05:48 I scarcely understand 05:51 how a simple servant can be 05:56 called the "great I am" 06:00 How the Son of God 06:03 is still the Son of Man 06:09 Both the Shepherd and the Lamb 06:16 Piano. 06:19 The healer and the wounded One 06:22 The Father and the only Son 06:26 are one 06:29 One and the same 06:32 I can't do Him justice 06:36 with any one name. 06:41 The Holy God in Heaven 06:45 the humble man who bore 06:48 my shame 06:52 are one, one and the same 07:00 The way that we can come to know 07:04 The truth that sets us free, 07:08 The life that died and rose again 07:12 Love revealed to me that you are one... 07:19 One and the same 07:22 I can't do You justice 07:26 with any one name 07:31 Ohh, the Holy God of Heaven 07:35 the humble man who bore my shame 07:43 are one, one and the same... 07:53 one... 07:56 one and the 08:00 same... 08:04 same. 08:14 Piano. 08:23 Audience: Amen. 08:28 Pause. 08:30 Well, thank you very much Sandra, 08:33 we're always blessed when Sandra sings. 08:35 Let's suppose that we're in heaven 08:40 and you're walking down the golden streets 08:43 just admiring everything that's just wonderful in heaven 08:48 and suddenly, alongside you comes up your guardian angel 08:53 and the guardian angel 08:56 says to you, 08:58 "I would like to take you 09:01 to the home that God has prepared for you... " 09:04 and you are just beside yourself 09:07 and seeing homes that you have never ever imagined before 09:11 and then they stop just outside 09:14 your home 09:17 and the angel says, "This is your home... " 09:19 and you go in 09:20 and you've been there for an hour or two, 09:23 and you decide, 09:25 "Well, I would like to meet my next-door neighbor. " 09:28 Who was my next-door neighbor? 09:30 So, you walk outside your front door 09:34 and knock on the next-door neighbor's home 09:38 and then the door opens 09:40 and then you get the shock of your life. 09:42 It is Adolf Hitler. 09:46 Audience: Laughter. 09:49 Well, you don't want to sound too surprised in front of him 09:53 but after you've had a little pleasant conversation, 09:56 then you race out into the golden streets again 10:00 and you see the first angel and you say, 10:02 "Please, I've got a question 10:06 can I ask a question, please?" 10:09 And the angel says, "What is your question?" 10:12 And so, you go into the matter 10:15 of Adolf Hitler being your neighbor 10:17 and the angel says, "Now, listen, 10:20 there's one thing you need to understand 10:22 and that is, you don't ask questions like that up here, 10:27 God knows who he is. " 10:30 Well, you walk back into your house 10:35 and you are not particularly happy with that answer 10:40 but, still plenty of hours in the day 10:43 and you decide, "I better find out 10:46 who my next-door neighbor is on the other side. " 10:51 You knock on the door... this time you get a shock 10:54 because it is the boy who got your daughter 10:58 into the family way... 10:59 she didn't make it but he did. 11:02 Pause... 11:05 So, you race out into the golden street again 11:09 and you see an angel, "Please... " 11:13 and the angel says, "Can I help you?" 11:16 And you say to him, "I have a question... " 11:19 and the angel says, "Now, what is your question?" 11:23 And so, you explain about the boy, 11:26 and your daughter not being there. 11:28 "Now listen... " the angel says, 11:31 "Up here, you do not ask questions like that. " 11:35 I would suggest if that really happened, 11:38 you would wonder whether you wanted to spend eternity 11:43 in a place like that. 11:45 I'm going to suggest that when we get to heaven, 11:49 if you have any questions at all, 11:52 God will be very happy to answer those questions 11:57 and whatever issue troubles you or you have an inquiry about, 12:03 God will answer. 12:07 There are three major reasons for the pre-Advent judgment 12:11 or sometimes it's referred to as the Investigative Judgment. 12:16 The first reason is, that it's going to give us answers 12:21 as to why some of our loved ones didn't make it to heaven 12:25 and some people that we had certainty in our minds 12:29 that would be going to heaven are not there 12:32 and some that we thought may never get there... are there 12:36 and so one of the first reasons for the pre-Advent judgment 12:41 is that any questions that you have 12:43 will be answered. 12:45 The second issue is 12:47 that it's going to silence the accusations of the devil 12:51 because the devil... as we know from Zechariah, 12:55 is known as the accuser of the brethren 12:58 and before God and the angels, he is accusing you 13:02 and he's accusing me because he says, 13:04 "What right have you got to take them to heaven? 13:07 They've sinned like I did. " 13:09 And God is going to be able to demonstrate 13:13 as a result of the judgment and the books 13:17 as to why He's acted as He has acted 13:21 and the third reason is, that God is going to be seen 13:26 and vindicated by His actions because they are all public 13:31 before the universe. 13:33 They are the three major reasons 13:35 that God has a pre-Advent judgment. 13:38 I'd like you to open your Bibles if you wouldn't mind 13:41 to Revelation chapter 14... 13:42 Revelation chapter 14 and verse 6 and 7, 13:46 sometimes this is referred to as the three angels' messages, 13:50 Revelation chapter 14 and verse 6 13:54 which says this, "And I saw another angel 13:58 flying in the midst of heaven, 14:00 having the everlasting gospel 14:03 to preach unto them that dwell on the earth... 14:06 to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. 14:08 saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, 14:13 for the hour of His judgment has come; 14:16 and worship Him who made heaven and earth, 14:18 the sea and the springs of waters. '" 14:21 According to the Bible, 14:23 the judgment is part of the everlasting gospel. 14:27 Now, there are many Christians I meet 14:31 that do not think that the judgment is part of the gospel 14:34 but the Bible says... it is. 14:36 Pause... 14:39 Let me illustrate... 14:40 if we went to court 14:42 and the judge whom we all have confidence in... 14:45 he's a very, very good, compassionate judge, 14:49 and he's got a reputation everywhere he goes 14:52 as being kind and compassionate and reasonable 14:55 but this particular day, 14:58 there are about 20 people that are standing before the bar, 15:02 and the judge gets up and he says, 15:05 "Guilty... guilty... not guilty... 15:07 not guilty... guilty... not guilty... 15:09 guilty... guilty... not guilty, 15:10 not guilty... guilty, court dismissed. " 15:14 How would you feel about that? 15:17 Would you feel relaxed 15:19 even though the judge is compassionate 15:21 and he's been always honorable in the past, 15:24 he's always judged fairly... 15:26 would you be happy with that type of reaction? 15:29 I don't think anybody would be 15:33 and neither is God going to allow 15:37 a judgment to take place whereby a statement is made 15:43 without an investigation 15:45 as to explain to the inhabitants of the universe, 15:49 and to the angels and to human beings 15:52 why God has acted as He's acted 15:55 in fact, in verse seven it says, 15:58 "For the hour of God's judgment has come. " 16:01 Now, very often we see the judgment as being... 16:04 God checking up on us. 16:06 I would like to suggest to you today 16:09 that that's not the full meaning of the judgment at all. 16:12 In fact, that's a very insignificant part 16:14 of the judgment. 16:16 The major part of judgment 16:17 is the fact that God's judgment has come. 16:20 In other words, the purpose of the person who's on trial 16:25 is God Himself 16:26 because it's the hour of God's judgment... has come. 16:32 Pause... 16:35 Unfortunately, many of us have grown up with the idea 16:39 that the judgment is God checking up on us 16:42 and if He finds just one unconfessed sin, 16:45 we go down the wrong way. 16:48 That is a very unfortunate and a very unbiblical stand 16:52 for the judgment, 16:53 in fact, let me read you Romans chapter 3 and verse 4, 16:57 because the idea of God's being judged 17:00 is perhaps new to some 17:02 but the Bible is very clear on it. 17:05 Romans chapter 3 and verse 4 where it says, 17:09 "Certainly not! 17:10 Indeed, let every... 17:14 Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. 17:21 As it is written: 17:22 'That You may be justified in Your words, 17:26 and may overcome when You are judged. '" 17:29 And if you will look in the Bible clearly and simply, 17:35 you'll find that the "You" is in capitals 17:38 because the translators of the Bible 17:41 understood very clearly what is very patently obvious 17:44 that the person... 17:46 the subject here being judged is God Himself 17:49 and it really gives us a very, very clear understanding 17:56 of the fact that God has allowed Himself 18:00 to be scrutinized. 18:03 His actions are open before the whole universe. 18:07 That helps us to understand the love of God 18:10 and for a Court to be successful, 18:13 the whole Court must be convinced 18:15 by the evidence that is presented. 18:18 God wants to handle the great controversy so transparently 18:24 so that, in the eons of eternity, 18:27 every person will be satisfied in their minds 18:31 that the way God has acted... 18:33 He's acted in fairness and in righteousness. 18:36 That's why the Bible says, "Every knee will bow... 18:42 every tongue will confess 18:46 that God has been just and fair in His ways. 18:52 Audience: Amen. 18:54 And even if some of our loved ones are missing, 18:57 we will still recognize that God has acted fairly 19:01 and justly in what He has done. 19:03 Revelation chapter 15 says that very clearly. 19:06 Let me read it to you, Revelation chapter 15 19:10 and after talking about the song of Moses, 19:14 it says in verse 3 chapter 15, 19:17 "They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, 19:21 and the song of the Lamb, saying: 19:24 'Great and marvelous are Your works, 19:26 Lord God Almighty! 19:29 Just and true are Your ways, O king of the saints! 19:32 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? 19:36 For You alone are holy. 19:38 For all nations shall come and worship before You, 19:41 for Your judgments have been manifested. '" 19:46 What does the word "manifested" mean? 19:48 Revealed... 19:49 and God is being praised on the Sea of Glass 19:54 because His actions have been fair. 19:58 He has acted in righteousness 20:01 and even the devil himself is going to admit 20:05 that God has been fair. 20:07 Now, people say to me, "Why are there books? 20:10 God doesn't need books. " 20:11 Is that true? Does God need books? 20:14 Does He got a filing memory? 20:16 No, not at all. 20:18 God could judge in a millisecond. 20:21 That's not the purpose for the books. 20:23 If you lived on a world where there was no sin 20:29 and sorrow and death and heartache and jealousy, 20:32 and you heard about these people down there 20:36 on a planet called earth, 20:37 who had all of those types of things and they died, 20:42 and then you heard that they wanted to come up to live 20:47 among you... among the unfallen worlds... 20:52 what is the question that you would want to have 20:55 answered in your mind, do you think? 20:57 What would be the thing that would be uppermost in your mind 21:01 as to these people who had died 21:04 and had all these terrible things going on in their lives 21:07 were going to come up and contaminate your environment, 21:11 what do you think that you'd be concerned about? 21:13 Pause... 21:15 You would want to know that they were fit for 21:19 a perfect environment, wouldn't you? 21:22 And that's the purpose for the judgment, 21:24 God is going to show 21:26 that even though you and I have been sinners, 21:30 but by God's grace our lives have been changed 21:33 and we have experienced the new birth 21:36 and you can imagine that if a person wasn't born again, 21:39 the first thing they would want to do 21:41 is get a pick when they saw the... 21:43 the golden streets, isn't that right? 21:45 Audience: Laughter. 21:46 Because that's what we would do down on this earth. 21:48 Pause... 21:50 Because a person needs to be... God needs to demonstrate 21:55 that those whom He is saving 21:58 are ready for heaven's environment 22:01 because when Jesus died on the cross, 22:03 He purchased forgiveness for everybody. 22:06 Audience: Amen. 22:08 Now, not everybody has accepted that forgiveness, 22:11 but He purchased it for everybody, isn't that right? 22:14 And during the pre-Advent judgment, 22:17 God's actions are forgiving those who are forgiven 22:22 are going to be vindicated 22:24 and during the 1,000 years 22:27 God is going to be vindicated 22:30 for not forgiving those who were not forgiven. 22:32 Pause. 22:35 You know, some people teach 22:37 that Christians never come into judgment 22:41 and they quote a verse that I want to read to you 22:44 in John the 5th chapter and verse 24 22:47 because if you talk to some of your Christian friends 22:50 and they know a little bit about the Bible, 22:53 this is the verse that they will quote 22:55 against the idea of believing in a judgment 22:59 in which Christians are involved. 23:01 John 5 verse 24, Jesus speaking, 23:05 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My Word 23:10 and believes in Him Who sent Me 23:12 has everlasting life 23:14 and shall not come into judgment, 23:17 but has passed from death into life. " 23:22 Can you see why they quote that verse? 23:23 It says there... the Christian will not come into judgment 23:26 and you are teaching 23:28 that Christians do come into judgment. 23:30 You're against the Bible... 23:32 can you see their argument? 23:33 Well, if you look at that verse very closely, 23:39 you'll notice that the tense of the verb is present tense. 23:43 In other words, Jesus is saying, 23:46 "When we accept Jesus, as our Savior, 23:49 we are no longer under the judgment of sin 23:53 or as the old version says, if you've got the old version, 23:57 it says, "Condemnation" 23:59 because it's the same word 24:00 and it agrees with Romans chapter 8 and verse 1 24:03 which says, "There is, therefore, now no condemnation 24:06 to them which are in Christ Jesus 24:08 who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. " 24:11 Pause... 24:14 Now, I'm going to ask a question 24:17 and I'm going to ask you to put your hand up 24:21 and those who are watching, can make a decision 24:24 as to the question. 24:26 The question is on the screen, 24:27 now, we're going to ask this question. 24:30 Will the sins of the Righteous 24:35 be evident or revealed in the Judgment? 24:42 Now, those who think they will be, put your hand up. 24:47 Audience: Few raising their hands. 24:49 All right, there are a few... 24:50 those who think they won't... put your hand up. 24:53 Audience: A few put their hand up. 24:55 I want to talk to all of those who just put their hand up. 24:57 Audience: Laughter. 25:00 Because I want to ask you a question, 25:03 because the Bible says 25:04 that every work will come into judgment 25:08 whether it is good or bad, is that right? 25:12 Yes, that's the first thing I want you to think about. 25:15 Secondly, can you have a fair trial 25:20 if only some of the evidence is presented 25:22 and some evidence is kept back? 25:25 Is that a fair trial? 25:27 Audience: No. 25:28 No, absolutely not 25:30 and we often hear of situations like that in our Courts. 25:33 Thirdly, King David... 25:38 was he forgiven by God 25:41 for the things that he did that were wrong? 25:43 Audience: Yes. 25:45 Was he forgiven? Audience: Yes. 25:46 Yeah, we're all agreed on that 25:47 because the Bible says he was forgiven. 25:50 Has the record of David's sin been wiped out? 25:55 Audience: No... no... 25:57 Has it? 25:59 Wait a moment... 26:01 let's answer this question, 26:03 "Has the record of David's sin been wiped out?" 26:08 No, it's in the Bible... 26:11 let alone about in heaven isn't that right? 26:14 It's still here... 26:16 that's how you know about it and that's how I know about it. 26:19 but, let me ask another question, 26:23 "Was David absolutely forgiven?" 26:26 Audience: Yes. 26:27 Yes, a 100% forgiven... 26:29 pause... 26:31 but to have a fair trial... 26:33 all the evidence must be available 26:38 when David's name comes into judgment 26:42 because the Bible says, "Every work... good or bad... 26:46 every person must come into judgment... 26:49 whether we're Christian or whether we're not. " 26:52 Pause... 26:55 So, those who voted and said, "No... " 26:59 I want you to re-think 27:00 because we cannot have a fair trial without the evidence. 27:05 "What about 1st John 1:9?" you say. 27:08 And you know that verse, 1st John... 27:10 "If we confess our sins, 27:12 He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 27:16 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. " 27:19 When does that take place? 27:21 When we confess our sins... is that right? 27:25 They're blotted out... 27:27 we will never have to face them again 27:30 but as far as the universe is concerned, 27:34 they are not blotted out from the records 27:37 until the end of the judgment 27:39 because God is going to demonstrate 27:44 and the devil is going to come along and say, 27:46 "You can't take him... you can't take her into heaven, 27:49 they are sinners. " 27:50 And God is going to say, "Yes, you're right, Devil, 27:52 they are sinners, 27:54 but look on the other side, what does it say there? 27:57 Forgiven... forgiven... forgiven... forgiven... " 28:00 and the devil will be silenced. 28:03 It's the record that silences the accusations of the Devil. 28:07 Audience: Praise the Lord... amen. 28:09 And we must be very careful 28:13 when we use those beautiful verses 28:16 "as far as the east is from the west... 28:18 like a thick cloud of our sins being blotted out. " 28:22 We must not use those verses against the last-day judgment 28:27 those verses are talking about my accountability... 28:31 my responsibility for a sin when I confess them, 28:34 they're removed as far as the east is from the west 28:37 but the record is not gotten rid of 28:42 until the end of the judgment. 28:45 Audience: Yes... Oh... 28:46 Because it's there to demonstrate to everybody 28:50 that God is "Just" in saving some 28:53 and in allowing others to be lost 28:56 and it's the record that demonstrates that. 28:59 Now, the best and clearest evidence 29:03 of what we might turn the Investigative Judgment 29:06 or the pre-Advent Judgment 29:07 is found with the parable that Jesus told in Matthew chapter 22 29:12 and I'd like you just to have a look at this wonderful, 29:16 wonderful chapter. 29:17 Matthew chapter 22... because it makes it just so simple 29:22 and so clear. 29:23 There are two sections to this parable, 29:25 first section is dealing with the Jews 29:28 and how the gospel came to the Jews and they rejected it 29:33 and killed the prophets 29:34 and then the rest of the parable goes on to talk about 29:37 the gospel going to the Gentiles. 29:39 Let's have a look at it here, 29:40 in Matthew chapter 22 and verse 1, 29:44 "Jesus answered and spoke to them saying... by parables... 29:48 'The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king 29:51 who arranged a marriage for his son, 29:54 and sent out his servants to call those 29:56 who were invited to the wedding; 29:58 and they were not willing to come. 30:00 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 30:03 "Tell those who are invited, 'See, I have prepared my dinner; 30:08 my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, 30:10 and all things are ready. 30:12 Come to the wedding. '" 30:13 But they made light of it and went their ways, 30:16 one to his own farm, another to his business. 30:19 And the rest seized his servants, 30:21 treated them spitefully, and killed them. 30:24 When the king heard about it, he was furious. 30:27 And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, 30:30 and burned up their city. " 30:32 What's Jesus talking about here? 30:34 What's the city that was burned up? 30:36 Audience: Jerusalem. 30:37 Because those servants... 30:38 or the servants that Jesus sent were killed... 30:41 who was it? 30:44 It was the city of Jerusalem 30:46 and it's talking here about the fact 30:48 that God sent His servants and the prophets to the... 30:52 to the Jews and they rejected them 30:54 very largely. 30:56 That's what Jesus is talking about 30:59 in the first part of this parable. 31:01 Then he goes on to say, verse 8, 31:06 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, 31:09 but those who were invited were not worthy. 31:15 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, 31:20 invite to the wedding. 31:22 So those servants went out into the highways 31:25 and gathered together all whom they found, 31:28 both bad and good. 31:30 And the wedding hall was filled with guests. " 31:36 What's this talking about? 31:39 This is the gospel going now to the Gentiles. 31:44 "Go out into the highways and call as many as will come 31:49 both the good and the bad. " 31:50 That gives me encouragement doesn't it? 31:52 Does it give you encouragement? Audience: Yes, amen. 31:55 There are some people who think they're good 31:57 and some people who think they're bad... 31:58 Well, both come to the wedding here. 32:01 That's a great encouragement I think. 32:04 "But when the king came in to see the guests, 32:08 he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 32:12 So he said to him, 32:14 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' 32:17 And he was speechless. 32:20 Then the king said to the servants, 32:23 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, 32:26 and cast him into outer darkness; 32:28 there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. '" 32:32 When does the wedding take place? 32:35 This wedding that everybody is invited to come to? 32:38 What is that wedding about? 32:42 That's when Christ the bridegroom 32:46 marries His bride who is the... 32:49 the church... 32:51 and that takes place according to the Bible... 32:54 at the second coming of Jesus... 32:56 when He comes the second time. 32:59 And, what does all this mean? 33:03 Well, in order to understand this story, 33:05 we must understand the weddings of yesteryear 33:10 because the weddings that were conducted 2,000 years ago 33:15 in Palestine were a little different 33:16 than the weddings that we operate on. 33:18 For example, if you were a king and a rich person, 33:22 when you invite... 33:24 and your son or daughter was being married, 33:26 you would send out an invitation 33:29 to everybody that you wanted to come to the wedding 33:32 but as well as the invitation, you also sent out the dress 33:37 that the guests were to wear when they came to the wedding 33:42 you get the idea? 33:44 Now, that would solve one problem I know... 33:47 because I know in a certain house, 33:52 when that house gets an invitation to go to a wedding, 33:56 there is one part of the household who says, 33:59 "What am I going to wear?" 34:01 Audience: Laughter. 34:02 And I'm not going to say which side of the house that is 34:04 because she's here 34:06 and I need to be very careful. 34:08 But that would solve that problem wouldn't it? 34:12 Because you didn't have to worry about that, 34:15 you were given the dress 34:17 and another thing is, 34:18 it didn't matter whether you were rich or poor, 34:21 you're all dressed the same way 34:24 which is a wonderful message of the gospel... 34:28 is teaching us here 34:30 and you can understand what an insult this whole thing would be 34:33 to the king 34:34 that this man has the audacity 34:39 to show up in his old, filthy rags 34:43 and when the King comes in to investigate 34:47 or to overlook the guests before the festivities begin, 34:52 this man with all his filthy garments 34:55 stands out like a sore thumb 34:56 and so, an ancient wedding... there were two things 35:04 the invitation and the robe 35:09 both were supplied as a gift from the king 35:16 or from the rich man. 35:18 Now, this brings us down to verse 12 35:22 when this man with his filthy garments 35:26 showed up at the king's wedding 35:29 and didn't have the garment on and so, notice verse 12, 35:33 "So he said to him, 35:35 'Friend, how did you come in here 35:39 without a wedding garment?'" 35:41 Pause... 35:43 Now, this man is given the opportunity... 35:47 maybe there was a misunderstanding 35:49 but you received the invitation... 35:52 that's why you're here. 35:53 So, this man had received the invitation hadn't he? 35:59 That's why he showed up 36:00 and he now gives the man an opportunity... 36:05 "Why haven't you got the robe on?" 36:09 Maybe Australia Post didn't deliver... 36:12 Audience: Laughter. 36:15 What was the problem? 36:17 And so, he treats this man with dignity 36:21 and gives him opportunity now 36:24 to explain why he hasn't got the robe on 36:27 and the man comes back with what excuse? 36:30 He was speechless 36:34 which means... he had nothing to say 36:36 and it's only then 36:39 according to the Scriptures here, verse 13, 36:42 that the king orders him to be thrown out into outer darkness 36:48 when he didn't have an excuse. 36:51 So, what is Jesus talking about here in this story? 36:58 Every person is invited to come to the wedding. 37:04 That is represented by the invitation 37:09 and even this man who turns up in his own garments 37:14 he received the invitation 37:17 and showed up. 37:19 You see, when Jesus died on the cross, 37:24 He died and provided an opportunity for the invitation 37:30 to go to every single person living on the earth. 37:34 Audience: Amen. 37:36 That invitation was won when He bowed His head there 37:39 on the cross and said, "It is finished... " 37:43 and all we have to do today is to accept the invitation, 37:50 that's all that God asks us to do. 37:52 Accept the invitation. 37:54 Well, what about the robe? 37:57 What does the robe represent? 37:59 Let's go over to Revelation chapter 19, 38:04 it's an interesting verse... 38:05 if you haven't read this for a long time, 38:07 you might get a shock when you read it. 38:10 This is Revelation chapter 19 and verse 7. 38:13 It says, "Let us be glad and rejoice 38:19 and give Him glory, 38:21 for the marriage of the Lamb has come, 38:24 and His wife has made herself ready. " 38:28 All right, that's... we've been talking about that, 38:31 now, verse 8, 38:33 "And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, 38:38 clean and bright, 38:41 for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. " 38:49 Well now, hang on, did I read that correctly? 38:54 Does the Bible say that? 38:56 "For the fine linen is the righteous acts... " 39:01 or actions... "of the saints. " 39:05 Pause... 39:08 That sounds a bit different to sometimes what we hear 39:11 preached and taught... 39:14 pause... 39:16 what are these righteous deeds or actions of the saints? 39:21 Jeremiah chapter 23 verse 6 says, 39:24 "The Lord is our righteousness... " 39:28 so, whenever righteousness is attributed to us, 39:34 it's not our righteousness, 39:36 it is... righteousness is a gift from Christ. 39:40 Pause... 39:42 This story really reminds me of the two-fold aspect 39:47 of the righteousness of Christ 39:50 and sometimes, many of us have failed to understand 39:55 this very important part of righteousness by faith. 40:00 First of all, the righteousness that was provided at the cross 40:05 is providing the invitation. 40:08 Pause... 40:11 The righteousness that Christ has done for us on the cross... 40:18 that is the equivalent of the invitation 40:21 pause... 40:23 but there's a second part of the righteousness of Christ 40:26 and that is, the righteousness of Christ 40:29 that He wants to work in us 40:32 through the actions of the Holy Spirit 40:37 as He works in us to produce victory 40:43 and overcoming and to produce the righteousness 40:49 of the saints. 40:51 That is what the wedding garment represents 40:54 and there are two things that Christ is looking for 41:00 when it comes to the matter of the judgment 41:03 before we are taken in to the wedding festivities. 41:07 One is, that we have received the invitation 41:11 pause... 41:13 and accepted that invitation, 41:15 the second is that we have the robe on 41:21 and the robe represents the righteous acts or actions 41:25 of the saints 41:27 and I like to remind us all that both are of faith... 41:31 both are gifts from God. 41:35 Audience: Amen. 41:37 And the King comes in to examine the guests 41:40 and He saw this man that didn't have the garment on. 41:44 He wanted to be at the wedding... 41:46 that's why he was there 41:48 but he had accepted the invitation 41:51 but didn't want to wear the robe. 41:54 Pause... 41:56 He wanted to go to heaven but he had no desire 41:59 to accept Christ 42:00 and to bring honor and glory to His name. 42:03 Pause... 42:07 You know, in evangelism over the years 42:11 I have noticed that it is relatively easy 42:15 to get folk to accept Christ as their Savior... 42:18 pause... 42:20 that's not too difficult 42:22 but to get those same people to have the righteousness of Christ 42:29 in their life... 42:31 for the Holy Spirit to change their life 42:33 and to lead them to want to do what God wants them to do 42:37 is a different matter entirely 42:39 and this man that Jesus is talking about here 42:44 was... he wanted to go to the wedding all right... 42:47 he accepted the invitation 42:49 but he didn't want to put on the garment... 42:52 he didn't want to allow the Holy Spirit to change his life 42:56 and to make him ready for heaven's environment. 43:00 You know, this text over in Matthew chapter 5 43:04 and verse 16 43:07 where it says here, 43:09 "Let your light so shine before men, 43:14 that they may see your... " what? 43:18 "good works... " 43:19 there it is again... your good works... 43:23 "that they may bring glory to themselves... " 43:29 is that what the text says? 43:31 No... "that they may bring glory and honor to... " whom? 43:36 "To God... " 43:38 and the purpose of our good works... 43:41 the purpose of our health message... 43:43 the purpose of all the doctrines... 43:46 the things that God has given to us 43:49 is to prepare us and make us fit 43:52 for heaven's environment... 43:53 to bring honor and glory to God. 43:56 Audience: Amen. 43:57 You know, the 23rd Psalm... 43:59 you know very well, 44:00 in Psalm 23 verse 3 it says, 44:03 "... He leadeth me beside... the paths of righteousness 44:08 for... " what? 44:09 "for His name's sake. " 44:12 In other words, the purpose of us being involved in good works 44:19 is to bring honor and glory to our heavenly Father. 44:23 Audience: Amen. 44:24 And that's why this matter of obedience is so very important 44:28 and there's something more important 44:31 than getting to heaven. 44:33 I mean, from our perspective, 44:35 we think getting to heaven is the most important thing, 44:37 I want to tell you, 44:38 there's something even more important than that 44:40 and that is to bring honor and glory to our heavenly Father 44:43 and it's a by-product that we get to heaven as well, 44:48 that's a wonderful thing 44:49 and so, when the king comes in to examine the guests, 44:52 he looks for two things. 44:54 He looks for those who have accepted the invitation... 44:59 and secondly, just as important... 45:03 because there's no going into the marriage without both. 45:07 You've got to have the garment on. 45:08 No wedding unless you have both... 45:13 the invitation and the garment... 45:17 pause... 45:20 and Christ, in this story, is investigating 45:25 all that were invited to the wedding 45:28 to see whether they had the garment on. 45:30 That's the issue in the Investigative Judgment. 45:34 Have we got the garment on? 45:36 We've accepted the invitation because we've heard about that 45:41 over and over and over and over again, 45:43 but we don't hear too much about the garment. 45:46 Pause... 45:48 Let me read you another verse 45:50 here in Revelation chapter 3 and verse 5, 45:54 look at this, Revelation chapter 3 and verse 5, 45:59 pause... 46:04 where it says, "He who overcomes... " 46:08 that's an interesting word... 46:11 "he who overcomes... 46:13 shall be clothed in... " what? 46:17 "white raiments, 46:19 and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; 46:22 but I will confess his name before My Father 46:25 and before His angels. " 46:27 So, God wants us not only to respond to the invitation, 46:32 but God wants us to be overcomers. 46:34 Audience: Amen. 46:36 God wants us to have victory in our life. 46:38 That's what the robe is all about. 46:41 That's what it means to put on the robe... the garment... 46:45 pause... 46:48 and so, when it comes to the investigation part 46:52 of the judgment, 46:53 the king comes in to look over the guests 46:57 and what He's looking for... those that have the garment on. 47:02 Pause... 47:04 So, only those who have accepted the invitation 47:06 and have accepted the garment... 47:09 who live a life of victory and overcoming. 47:15 That's as much the gospel as it is 47:20 to accept Jesus as our Savior. 47:22 Audience: Amen. 47:25 Because there are many who want to emphasize 47:27 the fact that Jesus has died for us 47:30 and we can never over-emphasize that 47:32 but I want to tell you, that's only half the gospel. 47:37 The gospel is more than Jesus dying on the cross. 47:41 Audience: Amen. 47:43 That's the foundation of everything 47:45 but just as important is the garment 47:48 and when it comes to the... the judgment, 47:53 the king comes to look at whether we have accepted 47:57 the invitation as well as the garment 48:00 and people say to me, 48:01 "Well, I'm not doing so well of that one... of overcoming, 48:04 that's where I'm not doing so well. " 48:06 Well, I like to remind them and I like to remind myself 48:10 that the "overcoming" part of the Christian life, 48:15 is God's responsibility not yours and mine. 48:19 Audience: Amen. 48:21 God is the One Who gives us the victory. 48:25 Audience: Amen. 48:26 God is the One Who gives us the robe. 48:28 The robe is not one stitch of human devising 48:34 in the entire robe. 48:35 Audience: Amen. 48:37 It's a gift. 48:38 Audience: Amen. 48:39 And too many have been brought up on the idea 48:42 that... that accepting Jesus... 48:45 that's a gift so I can understand that, 48:47 but then I've got to grit my teeth and work hard 48:49 to become an overcomer 48:52 and to do what God wants me to do. 48:54 That is not what the Bible teaches 48:57 nor is it what the gospel says. 49:01 Overcoming is primarily God's responsibility. 49:05 Now, in the parable, the invitation is free 49:09 pause... 49:12 and I don't think any of us here have any trouble... 49:15 most Christians have no trouble 49:17 accepting the idea that the invitation is free. 49:20 Pause... 49:22 What we haven't understood clearly in our minds many of us 49:27 is the fact that the garment is as free as the invitation. 49:32 Audience: Amen. 49:35 In fact, I heard a preacher from yesteryear, 49:37 pause... 49:41 so it is... 49:43 "The garment is as free as the invitation... " 49:49 the garment is as free as the invitation. 49:52 The garment is as free as the invitation! 49:56 That's the problem with many of us, 50:00 we have never grasped that 50:02 and those who don't see overcoming in victory 50:04 as part of the Christian life, have a misunderstanding 50:08 of the fact that the robe is as free as the gift... 50:11 as the invitation... 50:13 They're both gifts... 50:14 pause... 50:18 and so, the gospel is a two-fold thing. 50:24 The gospel is justification 50:28 and justification is a big word I know 50:31 but it simply means that we are just as if I'd never sinned... 50:35 God accepts us as we are 50:38 but He doesn't want us to stay as we are. 50:41 That's why He gives us the robe 50:44 and the robe represents sanctification 50:46 and the two must be together. 50:49 The gospel is not one or the other... 50:51 the gospel is both together. 50:53 Audience: Amen. 50:55 You know, the old hymn writer, had it correctly, 51:00 you know that hymn, "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 51:05 Let me hide myself in Thee; 51:13 Let the water and the blood, 51:20 From Thy riven side which flowed, 51:26 Be of sin the double cure... " 51:32 now tell me, what is the double cure? 51:35 the "double cure" is, 51:39 "cleanse me from its guilt 51:43 and its power. " 51:47 That's justification 51:49 and sanctification. 51:51 Even the hymn writer understood that. 51:53 Audience: Amen. 51:54 And God wants us to understand that the gospel is two-fold 51:59 and the judgment... 52:03 the purpose of the judgment is to see 52:05 that we've not only accepted the invitation... 52:09 that that we've accepted the robe as well. 52:13 I want to read you one last verse, 52:15 2nd Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 5... 52:19 2nd Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 5, 52:23 and it says this, 52:25 this is a challenging verse, listen, 52:28 chapter 10 and verse 5, 52:31 "... casting down arguments 52:33 and every high thing that exalts itself 52:37 against the knowledge of God, 52:40 bringing... " what does it say? 52:44 "every thought into captivity 52:48 to the obedience of Christ. " 52:51 According to Paul, 52:52 is it possible to live a life of victory and overcoming? 52:55 Audience: Yes. 52:57 Absolutely... 52:58 and anyone who denies that 53:00 is denying simple truth of the gospel. 53:03 Audience: Amen. 53:04 And Paul talked here about every thought... 53:08 not just some thoughts... but every thought. 53:13 Obedience comes by faith alone in Jesus. 53:17 It's not something that we achieve, 53:20 it is something that we receive 53:22 from... from Christ 53:24 and it comes by spending time with God alone 53:29 and as we spend time with God alone, 53:33 He will change us from the inside out. 53:37 Audience: Amen. 53:38 And if God works on the inside of me, 53:40 then it's His responsibility to change me. 53:43 It is my responsibility to spend enough time with Him 53:48 so that He can change me. 53:50 Audience: Amen. 53:51 That's my responsibility... 53:53 that's the fight of fight 53:54 to spend enough time with Him so that He will change me 53:58 from the inside out, 53:59 but God's responsibility is that He will change me 54:02 from the inside out. 54:04 Audience: Amen. 54:05 Let's bow our heads in prayer. 54:07 "Lord, thank you again that you have provided 54:10 not only the invitation but the garment as well. 54:13 Please bless us. 54:15 Help us to accept that wonderful truth today 54:18 and be changed by Your Holy Spirit, 54:20 I pray for Christ's sake, amen. |
Revised 2019-12-12