Participants: John Lomacang, John Stanton
Series Code: HCL
Program Code: HCL100009
|
00:01 Hello friends, grab your Bible and a friend
00:03 and sit back as we explore God's word together 00:05 on this edition of House calls. 00:22 Welcome to another House Calls Program, 00:24 and I'm glad that you're in your house 00:26 for this House call, because you'd miss it. 00:28 So sit back and hit the record button and get 00:30 your pen and paper and don't forget 00:32 the most important book, your Bible. 00:34 This is gonna be an exciting program. 00:36 My name is John Lomacang and I've good friend, 00:38 John Stanton. Good to have you here, John. 00:40 It's good to be here, John. 00:41 You know, it's always good when we're sitting 00:43 in the same saddle because we kind came from the same 00:45 cloth even though I'm from New York 00:49 where I called people. 00:50 I went to California, now I call them. 00:52 And we met in California together and it's been 00:55 great working with you. And we kind of think alike. 00:59 Even, you know, some people think we even look alike. 01:01 Yeah, it's actually been 13 years that we met. 01:04 Wow. That's right. It's amazing. 01:07 Each of us has little bit more grey-- That's right. 01:09 You know, I kind of fight it every now and then. 01:11 That's right. Little more wisdom. 01:12 Little more wisdom, but what we need more than 01:15 just grey and wisdom, we need prayer. Amen. 01:19 And I'm gonna let you do that. Let's do that. 01:20 Dear Father in heaven, we depend upon your wisdom 01:23 and today we just pray that you'd descend upon us 01:28 by the power of your Holy Spirit. 01:30 That you would strengthen us and equip us and give us 01:33 insight into your word as we read it. 01:36 Because it cannot jump off the page unless you bring it 01:39 to our minds and our hearts. 01:41 And we just pray that those that are joining us here 01:43 today also will be blessed by this program and that 01:46 it will bring you glory in everything 01:48 that we talk about. In Jesus name, Amen. 01:51 Amen. Thank you. 01:52 And, friends, you know very well that 01:54 your questions, here they are, they make 01:56 a big difference in this program, 01:58 and you've been faithful in sending them and-- 02:01 but you may have some questions that you can 02:03 think of today or maybe 02:05 this is your first time tuning in. 02:06 If you have a question, you can send those questions to 02:08 housecalls@3abn.org" that's housecalls@3abn.org 02:13 We'll download them, print them out, 02:16 and bring them before the world stage unless 02:18 you say to us in your email to answer that privately. 02:22 But thank you so much for your participation. 02:24 What do we have today, John? 02:26 We've got a question-- it's not so much a question, 02:28 it's a request that we just talked briefly on. 02:31 The subject of the Holy Land that's how it is commonly 02:37 referred to today. Okay. 02:38 It says explain the land given to God's people 02:40 in the Old Testament and the conflict 02:42 going on today because of that land. 02:45 As you know, there's a great conflict going on today 02:48 in and around the Middle East 02:51 in the region of the Holy Land 02:52 and there are several groups that have been vying 02:56 for that piece of property for many, many years today-- 03:00 That's right. Or many, many years now. 03:03 It goes back obviously to initially the-- 03:08 those who occupied that land were Arabic of descent 03:13 and of course they-- usually they refer 03:15 to the Old Testament where it talks of the "ites" 03:19 and all the "ites" that "Hittites" and the Amorites 03:21 and the Jebusites and all those that 03:23 inhabited the Land of Canaan. 03:24 And we then read that God gave that land then 03:28 to the Israelites to setup for their--the place that 03:32 they would dwell and inhabit as a kingdom. 03:35 And so you go down through time and you find out 03:37 that there've been battles that have been going on 03:39 for a long time over that land. 03:42 Because I believe God gave that land to his people, 03:46 the devil has tried to retake that land again. 03:49 So there's truly--there has been truly a historic battle 03:53 over the holy land that continues to this day. 03:57 Now Daniel talks about this in Daniel Chapter 10 and 11. 04:02 And if you get down toward the end of chapter 11, 04:04 you'd see where the King of the North 04:06 and the King of the South are battling over 04:08 the glorious land as it is referred to there. 04:12 That's the same land that we referred 04:14 to as the Holy Land. We read today as well and hear news. 04:18 It seems like constantly about the battle of the 04:21 Middle East and Israel as a nation 04:23 and other nations that are looking to 04:26 eradicate Israel from existing in that region. 04:30 So yes, there's clearly has been battles that have 04:34 been going on for years, but here's what I think 04:37 the most important thing for us to understand 04:38 this in these days, although those battles have been 04:42 carrying on for many, many centuries, 04:45 today, it is being used the battles, they're being 04:48 used as more of a smoke screen, 04:50 I believe, by the enemy himself. 04:52 That's to say that as they're battles that 04:56 continue on in that area, the real battle that God 05:00 wants us to be concerned with is the battle between 05:03 good and evil, between Christ and Satan, 05:06 truth and error. 05:08 That is the real battle that the Book of Revelation talks 05:11 about that we find in the end that Daniel even 05:14 refers to where the Satan is casting truth 05:18 to the ground but God is lifting up 05:20 that truth again. that's right. 05:21 And so that is the true battle and so when we get 05:25 caught up as the world is being caught up with the 05:28 battle in the Middle East over this piece of land. 05:32 I think that Satan is using that as a smoke screen 05:34 to get us to focus more on the physical battle. 05:37 People commonly refer to as the battle of Armageddon 05:41 where as the--that battle itself is really referring 05:44 more to the battle between Christ and Satan, 05:46 between good and evil, between truth and error 05:50 and that is the battle that we should be focusing on. 05:52 So that's really all I can say about it. 05:54 That's my reading of the scriptures and really 05:58 what is--what we're coming down to in these days. 06:01 There's lots of other doctrines that are kind 06:03 of folded into that why people are still focused 06:06 so much on that prophetically. 06:08 But what we really find is that prophecy is being 06:11 unfolded worldwide before our eyes. 06:14 And while people focus on the Middle East, 06:15 I think that, really the emphasis 06:18 can be even more adequately placed 06:19 on the US apostate Christianity. 06:25 Other things that are really unfolding before 06:27 the eyes of many who don't even see it. 06:30 Lot of people argue and fuss 06:32 and fight over the Middle East. 06:34 I'll be very honest with you. 06:35 I don't think Middle East is what I want to fight over. 06:37 I want to be in the New Jerusalem. 06:39 Not that Jerusalem right over there right now. 06:41 Not the old one. 06:43 Jesus went to prepare a place for us 06:45 not in the Middle East. That's right. 06:46 And Jesus is now coming back to walk the earth with us. 06:50 There's so much misunderstanding, John, 06:51 and I'm glad you brought this topic up. 06:53 There's so much misunderstanding about 06:55 what's happening and the focal point 06:58 where the Lord is aiming us. 06:59 He's not aiming us to the Middle East. 07:02 He said in John 14:1-3, I go to prepare a place 07:06 for you and if I go, I will come again 07:07 to receive you onto myself. 07:09 He's not coming back to walk the earth. Right. 07:11 Just recently, I told someone to go to 07:16 National Geographics on the website 07:19 and put in the word rapture not true 07:23 and people have gone there and have seen 07:25 that truly this dispensationalism. 07:28 Its funny how the word 07:29 sensationalism ended isn't it? 07:31 But this dispensational view of what's gonna happen 07:34 on the earth during the 1,000 years 07:36 is people are focusing so much on the Middle East. 07:39 I even think that one of the reasons why in 07:40 America we have such a foreign policy 07:43 including Israel is because of the religious view 07:46 that many have held here of this farfetched idea 07:50 that we have to one day inhabit Jerusalem. 07:54 And they have to restore this-- 07:55 the temple services and restore 07:57 the sacrificial system. 07:59 But that's not what the Bible tells us. 08:01 You know, Revelation 20, John says, 08:04 I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, 08:07 descending from God out of heaven. 08:10 And he says, prepared as a bride 08:11 adorned for her husband. 08:13 And you go the Middle East, and there's no beautiful 08:16 New Jerusalem there, but when the millennium is down, 08:21 when the 1,000 years are over, 08:23 then the New Jerusalem is coming down. 08:25 So when I'm fighting for the Middle East 08:27 over the Temple Mount and the restoration 08:29 of the sacrificial system, that's all because that view 08:33 exists because Jesus was not accepted as the Messiah. 08:36 Right, and the view is still that God somehow 08:38 even though they reject Christ, the Messiah, 08:41 that God somehow calls them his people. 08:45 And really he chose that nation to do a work, 08:48 a specific work of taking the Gospel 08:50 to the entire world, which they chose not to do 08:53 and as a result of that, as Paul declares that 08:57 he then takes his gospel to the church through the 09:00 through the Gentiles proclamation of the good news. 09:04 And so that is really where the gospel 09:07 is being preached today. It's from the church. 09:09 And the Jews as a nation are not 09:12 the people of God as far as 09:15 the Bible is concerned, the New Testament. 09:18 God's people are by faith those who believe 09:21 in Jesus Christ and have been--have become 09:26 his people to finish the work 09:28 of declaring the good news. That's right. 09:29 Jesus made it clear to the Jews 09:31 of his day and to the Jewish leaders. 09:33 Let me just pause a moment because lot of times we use 09:36 the word Jew and people may interpret 09:40 that we have something against Jews. 09:42 No, not anymore than we do against Italians, 09:45 or Germans, or Chinese. It's not a nationality issue. 09:50 So when we use the phrase, Jews, we particularly mean 09:56 because of the place that you're born, it does not 10:00 predesignate you as having more rights to salvation 10:03 than others do. That's what we're trying to say. 10:06 Because of the place of your birth or because 10:09 of your lineage, salvation is not by the lineage 10:12 of your father, and his father, and his father, 10:13 and so on and so forth going 10:15 all the way back, but it's by Jesus. 10:17 And let me read that text from Romans 9:6. 10:20 It is not that the word of God has taken no effect. 10:23 For they are not all Israel, 10:24 who are of Israel. That's right. 10:27 Nor are they all children because they're the seed 10:29 of Abraham, but in Isaac, your seed shall be called. 10:32 That is those who're the children of the flesh, 10:35 these are not the children of God. 10:37 That's right. So race isn't the issue. 10:38 Race is not the issue. 10:39 But the children of the promise 10:41 are accounted as the seeds. 10:42 So really and he goes on to talk about how by faith, 10:46 we are children of Abraham. That's right. 10:48 So Paul who was a Jew did not have anything 10:51 against his own countrymen. No, not all. 10:54 He prayed for them and he goes on to talk 10:56 about how they who, although they were set aside 10:58 for finishing the work of sharing the gospel, 11:01 how they can be grafted right back in and become 11:03 part of the children of Israel again. That's right. 11:06 But it is by faith and that is what is clear 11:08 in the scriptures and so when we talk about 11:11 all the things going on in a battle 11:12 for the Holy Land, it really is a smoke screen 11:18 for what the devil is now doing elsewhere. 11:21 Yeah, and this battle is often referred 11:23 to as the battle of Armageddon. 11:24 What's amazing to me about that is whenever 11:25 this major battle in the Middle East starts, 11:27 whenever there's a war that happens in the Middle East, 11:30 prophets tend to come out of the woodwork 11:33 and say this is the battle of Armageddon, 11:35 but the battle of Armageddon is not a physical battle 11:38 between two armies in the sense 11:40 that here are my missiles and my weapons. 11:43 That's why there's this concern about Korea. 11:45 We are not saying that wars can't happen, 11:48 but every battle that comes that includes any region 11:51 of the Middle East, people often tend to think, 11:53 okay, that's the battle of Armageddon 11:55 beginning to form. 11:56 The battle of Armageddon is a battle between 11:58 two powers and if you look at Armageddon 12:01 in the Old Testament, the Book of Ezekiel 12:03 they are talking about two opposing powers, 12:05 not two opposing nations. 12:07 So it's really a battle between the people of God, 12:10 which hold the truth and those who are not 12:12 the people of God, which are representations 12:14 or representatives of darkness. Truth and error. 12:17 I have to say one other thing too. 12:18 We are so used to seeing the battle of Armageddon 12:21 that is not in the Bible. Exactly. 12:24 In fact, I would say that the battle of Armageddon 12:26 really doesn't exist. 12:29 And if you read this carefully verse-- 12:31 Revelation 16:14, it says, the spirits of demons 12:34 are gathering them to the battle of that 12:38 great day of God Almighty. Right. 12:40 And they gathered them together to a place 12:43 in Hebrew called Armageddon. Right. 12:45 So only the forces of darkness are gathered 12:48 into a place called Armageddon. 12:52 The battle isn't-- Armageddon does not 12:54 include good. Right. 12:56 It is just were the evil comes from. 12:58 So when you say the battle of Armageddon, 13:00 there is no real battle of Armageddon in the Bible. 13:03 It just talks about that's the place where the forces 13:05 of darkness gathered for the last great battle 13:08 against God's people. Right. 13:11 So let's clear that up for a minute. 13:12 Because so many just-- battle of Armageddon-- 13:15 battle of Armageddon, where? 13:17 Well, may I ask this battle of Armageddon 13:20 is not to decide to-- I hope we win. Right. 13:24 Because Jesus has already won. 13:26 It's the place of the valley where it talks about 13:30 the blood shall be above the horse's bridle. 13:33 This is a place where the wicked are gathered 13:35 for destruction. And this is not a physical place. Right. 13:39 But this is a spiritual terminology simply talking 13:41 about the outcome of the age long battle 13:44 between truth and error. 13:46 Joel, chapter 3, it's the valley of decision. Exactly. 13:49 In fact he refers to it as gathering them together 13:52 in the valley of Jehoshaphat. 13:55 Not of Armageddon. All right. 13:57 So the forces of darkness are coming from Armageddon 14:00 to a valley called the valley of Jehoshaphat 14:02 where it's a valley of decision to make 14:04 your choice between your stand between 14:06 good and evil. Okay. 14:08 So, you know, just you got to 14:09 read these things carefully. 14:10 We talked the last time about hermeneutics. Right. 14:13 Pulling scriptures together. 14:14 It's very important to do in these cases. 14:16 And that's why Jesus had to lead us up 14:18 that day that rejected him. 14:20 It says, behold your house-- your house is left 14:22 to you desolate. Right. He no longer identified. 14:25 Earlier before that point he says, "My house shall 14:28 be called a house of prayer for all people." Right. 14:31 Not just a particular nation. Thank you very much. 14:33 And we did cover that in quite a bit of detail. 14:36 Here's another question. A God is a forgiving God. 14:41 He promises to forgive our sins if we ask. 14:44 What happens when we know what we want is wrong, 14:48 but are relying on God's forgiveness once we have got 14:51 what we want? Please help me understand. 14:55 Let's go to the Book of Romans. 14:57 I want you to go there with me. 14:58 Romans chapter 7. Okay? And Romans chapter 7. 15:05 We're gonna look at that very picture of getting 15:11 what you want and by the way, I call that--that's a 15:16 good definition for what a youth is. 15:19 A person who gets what he wants only to find out 15:21 that he didn't want it anymore, you know. 15:24 We make ways for decisions and choices that are 15:28 out of harmony with God's will. 15:29 But then when we finally get what we've been pursuing, 15:32 we realize that's not what we really needed 15:33 and the Lord knew all along we didn't need that. 15:36 But what happens if we make a decision, 15:38 what happens when we make a decision that doesn't 15:40 please the Lord and we finally get there. 15:42 Let's see if that's possible. 15:44 Go to Romans chapter 7 and okay. 15:53 What I like you to do John is start with verse 14. 15:57 Well, start with verse 13 and read down 16:00 to verse...20. Yeah. 16:07 We will stop along that way. 16:09 We're talking about this very thing of having 16:11 what you have, but realizing that's not what you need. 16:15 We'll start there and then we'll look 16:16 at Lord's response to that. 16:19 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! 16:23 But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing 16:27 death in me through what is good, 16:29 so that sin through the commandment 16:31 might become exceedingly sinful. 16:33 For we know that the law is spiritual, 16:36 but I am carnal, sold under sin. 16:38 For what I am doing, I do not understand. 16:41 For what I will to do, that I do not practice; 16:45 but what I hate, that I do. 16:47 If, then, I do what I will not to do, 16:50 I agree with the law that it is good. 16:54 But now, it is no longer I who do it, 16:56 but the sin that dwells in me. 16:58 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) 17:00 nothing good dwells; for to will is present within 17:04 me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 17:08 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; 17:11 but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 17:15 Now if I do what I will not to do, 17:18 it is no longer I who do it,0 17:20 but the sin that dwells in me. 17:22 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, 17:25 the one who wills to do good. 17:27 Mm. I'm gonna type this word in here real quickly. 17:31 I'm looking for, uh, there it is beautiful. 17:35 What Paul was talking about there and this is a scenario 17:38 that really shows us what the Christian goes 17:41 through when he or she comes to the realization of what 17:45 God requiresas compared to what they want to do. 17:49 There's a daily battle everyone would go through. 17:52 The daily battle is not the battle of-- 17:54 against the enemy. 17:55 The battle is the battle against self. Why self? 17:59 Lot of times we go to churches where they say, 18:00 you know, let's kick the devil out. 18:02 Let's stamp on his head. 18:03 You know, that's so ridiculous 18:04 because first of all, we're told in the Word 18:07 you cannot-- we cannot wrestle against-- 18:10 we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, 18:14 but against principalities, against powers, against the 18:17 rulers of the darkness of this world, 18:19 against spiritual wickedness in high places. 18:21 We cannot wrestle against something 18:23 we can't physically see. 18:25 So when we go to churches where they're gonna kick 18:28 the devil out, and evict him, 18:29 and stamp on his head, and throw him out, 18:31 and all that. That's hype. 18:34 I mean, it just kind of sickens me when I hear that. 18:36 The real battle we face is the battle against self. 18:39 That's the place that we have to focus everyday. 18:42 Because when we wake up in the morning, 18:43 what we want to do as compared 18:45 to what the Lord wants us to do 18:46 is something completely different. 18:49 I think you're saying this in a way that is, 18:51 let me recap, because I want to make sure 18:53 I understand you correctly, somebody else does too. 18:55 So you are saying if we lose the battle with self, 18:57 we become under the--we come under the power of sin 19:01 and then we're just a tool of the enemy. 19:03 I mean, that he has his way. 19:05 So the battle is with self first. 19:08 And if we find that we're living under our flesh 19:10 or into the power of our flesh, we can't win. 19:13 And if we decide then, and we overcome self 19:16 and we are then filled by the power of the Holy Spirit 19:20 to walk in Him, then everything we do 19:23 is righteous then, because it is Christ living in us. 19:25 So really the battle does start with self. 19:28 Who are you going to put yourself-- 19:30 submit yourself under? 19:32 Okay. Long will power or God's. 19:34 And the reason I had you read Romans chapter 7 19:36 is because it talks to those who know God. 19:38 Romans 7 is not written to those who didn't know Jesus. 19:41 Romans 7 is written to those who know and acknowledge 19:43 the Lord and know God and He says 19:45 I speak to those who know the law. 19:47 So these are those who understood 19:48 God's requirements, but they wouldn't in their own 19:51 strength be able to accomplish it, 19:53 they couldn't do it. 19:54 And then Paul ended that chapter by saying, 19:55 O wretched man that I am Who will deliver 19:58 me from the body of this death? 20:00 He got what he went after only now to realize 20:02 that he didn't really want it. 20:04 And so the beauty of this and I want to share 20:07 a few things because the person is saying please 20:09 help me understand would God still forgive? 20:12 Well, you know what, forgiveness is extended 20:14 to all of those who realize they need to be forgiven. 20:18 Forgiveness is not available to those who don't realize 20:21 they-- let me rephrase that. 20:23 When you refuse God's forgiveness, 20:25 then you cut off the only arm that could save you. 20:28 But if you're asking this question, 20:30 I want to encourage you by just answering bluntly 20:33 the Lord can forgive you when you know 20:36 that you need forgiveness. 20:37 He says if you confess your sins, First John 1:9, 20:41 he is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins 20:44 and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. 20:47 So he's already there. 20:48 Just ask for that forgiveness and you'll 20:50 receive that. But now-- 20:52 Well, part of repentance though maybe giving up 20:55 what you just got. So-- Okay. 20:58 You can presume and just go get what you want 21:00 and then say, Lord forgive me 21:02 and He may say absolutely and I'm asking you now 21:05 to give that up again. 21:06 See so does pursuing it, does getting something 21:08 that is out of God's will really end up 21:11 being something that you can hold on to? 21:13 You know repentance is part of turning away from 21:16 the things that you have that are not God's will. 21:19 So it doesn't do you any good to get 21:21 this in the first place is what I'm saying. 21:22 That's right. 21:23 Because part of repentance is to give it up. 21:26 That's it. Very good point again. 21:29 When we're told in the Book of Acts 3:19 21:31 repent and be converted. Okay. 21:35 Repenting is one thing, but this conversion, 21:37 there needs to be a turn in our direction. Right. 21:41 And that's what is often not the case people get 21:43 what they-- I like that point. 21:46 And I like the way you put this together. 21:47 Once we have got what we want, that's the way. 21:52 Would God forgive us? 21:53 Yes, but He will also require of you 21:55 if what you got is not what He wants 21:59 you to have and, you know, 22:00 that it's not in harmony with the God's will, 22:01 then you need to restore it 22:04 or let it go or give him or her back. You see. 22:08 'Cause some people use this in the sense of well, 22:12 you know, let me use this 22:14 in a context of a marriage counselor. 22:16 Some people use it in the sense 22:17 that they don't-- they're not happy 22:19 in their relationship anymore. 22:20 And they don't have any grounds for divorce 22:23 and they get rid of their spouse anyway 22:24 and they feel, oh, God's gonna forgive you anyhow. 22:27 You know, they presume on the grace of God 22:28 and they go down the rule that God doesn't want 22:31 him to go down and they go after somebody 22:34 that's not even their's and so what do you do 22:38 when you get to that place where you've got 22:41 what you've got and you don't want it any longer. 22:43 You realize that the Lord doesn't just want 22:45 you to repent but He wants you to be converted. Right. 22:48 And sometimes that may, may letting go 22:52 with what you have. Or in case of divorce. Right. 22:55 It could be that if you've gotten your divorce, 22:58 which God did not initially design, you know, 23:00 because there are certain-- there are requirements for 23:07 I wouldn't say just a successful marriage, 23:09 but for those who are divorced and it was 23:12 got to be some things in that marriage 23:13 that are irreconcilable and God allows for divorce. 23:16 So if you go ahead and get your divorce, 23:19 and then say, Lord, I'm sorry later on, 23:21 but at least I got my divorce. 23:23 He may say now reconcile with that person. 23:27 And you know-- It's like don't think that 23:30 because we got it now we can just kind of get out of it 23:33 even though we're asking for repentance. 23:35 Part of our forgiveness that we receive involves a 23:39 reconciliation with those around us we've hurt. 23:42 Right. That's true. 23:43 We don't just have the-in that sense just right to tell 23:47 oh, well, I guess, Que Sera Sera whatever will be, will be. 23:51 I'm divorced, can't do anything about it 23:52 now. See yeah. 23:54 And what always gets me John and I've seen this happen 23:56 in a number of cases, people get divorced 23:58 and all of a sudden they become best friends. 23:59 And I'm thinking, whatever you did 24:02 to become best friends, why couldn't you do 24:04 that when you were married? Right. 24:05 You know. They could have. 24:06 You know, we're really good friends now. 24:08 We go out to dinner together. 24:09 My new wife and my old wife, 24:12 they're really good friends and I'm thinking 24:13 there's something missing there. You know. 24:17 Couldn't you do that before you got divorced 24:20 and, you know, what it is? 24:21 The Lord didn't build divorce into--how we got 24:24 to divorce from this point, please. Yeah. 24:26 You get the point. 24:28 The point is there's no sin that God 24:29 cannot forgive, but He will require. 24:31 In many cases, in many instances 24:35 if it can't be done in reconciliation, he may 24:37 require of you to abandon that very thing you've got. 24:41 So that you could live your life 24:42 in harmony with His will. Thank you for that question. 24:45 Long question, but requiring a very thorough answer. 24:49 What do you have for us, John? 24:51 This can be a transition of sorts back into our topic. 24:54 Okay. But, but it's on topic. 24:57 But let's see what happens here. 24:58 It's a question from Elizabeth. 25:00 Thank you, Elizabeth, for sending this in. 25:03 Thank you so much for your dedication and willingness 25:06 to put in your time, knowledge, 25:07 and resource to help us all. 25:08 I don't no how we survived spiritually 25:10 before House calls, we know, because--I don't no-- 25:13 The Lord. It's the Lord work. It's not our work. 25:16 Question I have is about Joel Chapter 2:2. Oh, wow. 25:21 And then on. It talks about a special mighty people. 25:24 Who are they? 25:26 And this is a question that we've received before 25:30 and have--I don't think I've answered 25:31 this one specifically, although I think it may have 25:33 come up and, you know, a while ago in certain 25:36 teachings or presentations that we've done. 25:40 Let's turn to Joel Chapter 2 25:42 and see what Joel 2:2 is talking about. 25:50 A day of darkness, this is talking about 25:52 the blowing the trumpet in Zion. 25:53 We mentioned this last-- in the last program 25:56 about how the trumpet blows, and it sounds an alarm, 25:59 and the day of the Lord is coming. 26:01 It's at hand, the day of darkness and gloominess. 26:04 And all the things that happen there 26:05 and all of a sudden then verse 2 introduces that 26:07 people come great and strong, the like of whom 26:12 has never been; nor will there ever be any such after 26:19 them, even for many successive generations. 26:23 And it describes them. 26:24 A fire devours before them; behind them a flame burns. 26:27 The land is like the garden of Eden 26:29 before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness. 26:32 Their approach is like the appearance of horses. 26:35 I'm just gonna pull a few things out here. 26:38 With the noise of chariots over mountain tops, 26:40 they leap, before them, the people writhe in pain. 26:44 All faces are drained of color. 26:46 They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like 26:49 men of war; every one marches in formation. 26:51 They do not break ranks. 26:56 The earth quakes before them. 26:57 Verse 10, the heavens tremble. 26:58 Sun and moon grow dark, 27:00 the stars diminish their brightness. 27:02 And then, it says, in verse 11, 27:03 the Lord gives voice before his army, 27:08 for his camp is very great, 27:10 for strong is the one who executes his word, 27:13 for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; 27:16 who can stand or who can endure it? All right. 27:19 So we try to touch on a little bit about 27:21 this great army of people and here're some words 27:26 that jump out to me, John, in this passage 27:29 and these words parallel Revelation chapter 9. Okay. 27:36 So here are the words that we find in both. 27:41 And if--and in one case, I don't see if this-- 27:44 if it's specifically mentioned like locusts. 27:47 But when you talk about the fire devours 27:48 before them; behind them the flame burns, 27:51 garden of Eden before them, before them-- 27:53 or behind them as a desolate wilderness. 27:54 That talks about what did locusts do. Right. 27:56 That's a reference to Locus here. 27:58 So that's one word that is not found here 28:01 specifically but we find there in Revelation 9. 28:08 Of course I did not read all of it. 28:10 Maybe it is there but-- all right. 28:12 So Revelation 9 and Joel 2. Hear these words, trumpet. 28:18 Battle, man. This army being like man or men. 28:23 Okay. A man. 28:25 Horses, both places. 28:28 Locusts, torment, of men being suffering 28:33 and being in torment. Comparisons. Right. 28:35 These are comparisons 28:37 with this passage and Revelation 9. 28:40 Enough comparisons, enough similarities, 28:42 parallels, that we can't deny a connection. 28:45 And here's where hermeneutics comes back 28:47 into play. Right. 28:48 If you're comparing scripture with scripture, 28:50 if you're reading Revelation 9, 28:51 you've got to come to Joel 2. Right. 28:55 And so this army talks about in Revelation 9. 28:59 This army has a leader at its head, 29:03 Abaddon and Apollyon. 29:07 And both references, most common references, 29:11 or most commonly interpreted as being references 29:14 to Satan himself. That's right. 29:16 And the beginning of Revelation 9. 29:18 I'm not there right now and maybe you're turning 29:19 there, John, but the beginning 29:21 of Revelation 9 talks about this angel 29:23 from the bottomless pit that lets--that is led out, 29:26 is given the key and let's himself out 29:28 and then, you know, he leads his army to battle 29:30 against the people of the earth. 29:32 Similar thing that happens here. 29:33 Now what throws people off, John, 29:35 is this reference to the fact that God calls 29:39 it His army. Right. 29:42 People say, okay, well, then there can't be Satan 29:44 because Satan isn't part of God's army anymore. 29:46 But let me read you a quote that I pulled out here. 29:48 This is from, the Paulson collection. 29:52 It's a series of letters and manuscripts 29:54 from Sister White's writings and she says, 29:57 in fact, if you want to know exactly, 29:58 it's 1894 reference page 137, 30:01 God will use his enemies as instruments to punish 30:05 those who've followed their own pernicious ways 30:09 whereby the truth of God has been a-- 30:11 been misrepresented, misjudged, and dishonored. 30:15 So God actually uses his enemies to do 30:19 the work of judging. 30:23 A reference-- clear reference 30:25 we can find of that is Babylon. 30:27 Babylon was not a holy city by any means. That's right. 30:31 But God used that army to bring Israel down. 30:36 Matter of fact, he even referred 30:37 to Babylon as a golden cup in His hand. 30:39 In his hand. Right. Here we go. 30:41 But we know he's a very wicked power. Absolutely. 30:44 So God will-- just because it's His army 30:47 or reference to something He uses 30:49 doesn't mean that it's holy. 30:52 And in this case, I believe, in Joel chapter 2, 30:55 his army is referring to the realm of Satan 30:58 and his angels and what they do is 31:00 they are loose from the Abyss. That's right. 31:03 To do the work that they want to do anyway 31:05 but God will use them to do 31:07 to bring judgment upon the world. 31:09 Matter of fact, let me read the quotation, 31:10 and I appreciate that and I want to say that 31:13 since we're segmenting, since we are segueing 31:16 out of our Bible questions and going into our topic, 31:19 I want to encourage you if you have 31:20 any Bible questions you'd like to send to us, 31:23 you can send those Bible questions to 31:25 housecalls@3abn.org. That's housecalls@3abn.org. 31:30 And I know that this topic we're gonna cover right now 31:31 is going to really stir up a lot of questions because 31:35 we're gonna be touching on something that 31:37 we didn't have an opportunity to finish 31:39 in one of our last broadcasts. 31:41 So if you heard us laying some of the foundation 31:43 in reference-- in response to a question 31:46 that someone had about the trumpets, 31:48 John, and the trumpets are found 31:50 in Revelation chapter 8:1-4. 31:53 What we were beginning to do is lay foundation 31:56 as to what the Bible meant and what the Bible teaches 31:58 about trumpets in general. 32:00 But what I want to talk about here is what you just 32:02 mentioned, truly when God uses the word army 32:05 in the scriptures, it doesn't 32:07 always mean righteous army. 32:11 But it means a power that He wants to use 32:15 to accomplish His purpose. Right. 32:18 And there is a quotation I was looking for 32:20 and I finally found it is in Great Controversy page 614. 32:25 Listen to this, "A single angel destroyed 32:29 all the first-born of the Egyptians 32:31 and filled the land with mourning. 32:34 When David offended against God by numbering the people, 32:37 one angel caused that terrible destruction 32:40 by which his sin was punished." 32:44 This the part that I want to read carefully. 32:47 "The same destructive power exercised by holy angels 32:52 when God commands, will be exercised 32:55 by evil angels when He permits. 32:59 There are forces now ready, and only waiting 33:02 the divine permission, to spread 33:05 desolation everywhere." 33:09 They're waiting for a divine permission 33:12 to spread desolation everywhere. 33:14 And, John, I read earlier-- I read this quotation 33:17 and I'm going to read it again, 33:19 because Ellen White talks about this divine permission 33:23 and this commission that's gonna be given to angels 33:28 to spread desolation everywhere 33:30 and she links it to the seven trumpets. 33:34 That's why this topic has been so widely important 33:36 to me. She links it to the seven trumpets. 33:38 She uses Revelation 6, 7 and 8 together 33:41 to give us a picture of this--these evil angels 33:44 that are waiting for a divine commission 33:47 and here's how she says it in reference 33:49 to the seven trumpets. 33:50 She says, and the reference, by the way, 33:52 is from the Book Maranatha page 284, paragraph 5. 33:55 She says, the seven angels stood before God 34:01 to receive their commission. 34:03 To them, were given seven trumpets. 34:05 The Lord was going forth to punish 34:08 the inhabitants of the earth. 34:10 And just before that, the sentence 34:12 she has is Revelation 6 and 7 are full of meaning, 34:16 terrible are the judgments of God revealed referring 34:19 to the seven angels with seven trumpets. 34:21 Getting ready to go forth, to punish 34:23 the inhabitants of the earth. 34:25 Now the Lord doesn't have to use good angels 34:27 to do that because they're enough evil angels 34:29 whose restraint is removed to be able to allow them 34:33 in a limited manner to accomplish 34:35 their desires. Right. 34:37 But in harmony with God saying 34:38 now go ahead and do it. 34:41 Because what happens is, the restraint that God 34:43 had on them is now removed and I think I used 34:45 a similar expression, like a dog in somebody else's yard. 34:48 A pit pulling somebody else's yard. 34:50 You put up a fence to keep them out of your yard, 34:52 from biting your children. 34:54 What happens one day, if you're by that fence 34:56 and you're attacked by a robber or somebody 34:59 who means you ill, well, you kick the fence down 35:01 for the neighbor's dog, follow me carefully, 35:04 to come into your yard to help you in a situation 35:06 that can claim your life by getting the robber 35:09 or the person attacking you off of your back. 35:12 That was not your wicked dog. 35:14 That was not your vicious animal. 35:16 But by removing the restraint, 35:18 that dog helped you at a moment 35:19 you needed great help. Yeah. 35:21 You know, that was a big story 35:23 there to kind of, put your head around, but if you could 35:25 rewind the tape you'd get exactly what I'm saying. 35:27 Yeah. No, that's very true. 35:28 In fact, as you read Revelation chapter 9, 35:34 obviously we connected that to Joel chapter 2, 35:36 but if you connect that as well in 35:38 some of the wording there, you will find that 35:40 Jesus spoke of a similar event. That's right. 35:44 From Luke chapter 10. 35:46 That's right. Okay. Now-- And starting in verse 17. 35:51 Okay, The specific event you're referring 35:53 to is when Joel talked about this army coming. 35:56 He talked about, but let me read Revelation 9 35:58 once so that when you read this-- 35:59 Yeah, exactly, go ahead and read the 9:1 first. 36:01 Revelation 9:1 connects to this. Right. 36:04 I'm just trying to connect Satan's activity 36:06 with Revelation 9. Okay, here we go. 36:09 And it's this part of it. Okay. 36:11 Then Revelation 9:1, then the fifth angel sounded, 36:15 and I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth, 36:19 to him was given the key to the bottomless pit. Okay. 36:22 Now read Luke 10:17. 36:26 It says, the seventy returned with joy saying, 36:28 "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name." 36:32 And he said to them, I saw Satan fall 36:34 like lightning from heaven. 36:37 Behold I give you the authority to trample 36:40 on serpents and scorpions. Okay. 36:43 And over all the power of the enemy 36:45 and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 36:48 Okay. So notice he's making a connection. 36:50 A connection there clearly with the serpents 36:52 and scorpions as talked about 36:54 in Revelation chapter 9. 36:57 And notice what he said about Satan. 36:58 He saw him like lightning-- Falling like lightning-- 36:59 Falling from where? Falling from heaven. 37:02 And look at Revelation 9:1, I saw a star fallen 37:05 from heaven to the earth. Right. 37:07 Now what is Lucifer's name, 37:10 the morning star. The morning star. Yeah. 37:12 The morning star. 37:15 Jesus is the bright and morning star. Right. 37:18 There're so many comparisons Satan is that morning star, 37:21 that's what Lucifer means, son of the morning. 37:24 And then son of the morning is also the morning star. 37:27 So when you look at the Bible 37:29 and allow the Bible to speak for itself, 37:31 it tells you right away, and by the way 37:33 this is the first place Revelation 9:1 37:36 where the bottomless pit is introduced in Revelation. 37:40 It's the first place. 37:41 And the person, I think you mentioned this, 37:44 but go further with the explanation 37:45 as to who this fifth trumpet is. 37:46 I think you mentioned in Revelation 9:11, 37:49 they had a king over them. Yeah. 37:50 The king over them. I don't have that here. 37:52 I'll open it real quick, but if you look-- 37:55 if you read down little further, 37:57 it talks about the king that is over this army of his, 38:03 being the angel, verse 11, 38:05 the angel of the bottomless pit. 38:06 Now what other angel do you know of? 38:09 That's connected with the bottomless pit. 38:12 I don't know any other ones. 38:13 If you can find another one, please let us know. Right. 38:17 But the angel from the bottomless pit has-- 38:20 is the king over this army whose name in Hebrew 38:23 is Abaddon, or in Greek, 38:24 he is--has the name of Apollyon. 38:26 And he is the angel of destruction 38:27 and the destroying angels. That's right. 38:29 That's were the names we mean. That's what we referred to. 38:33 And so, in short, or in summary, 38:36 the king that is over them in Revelation 9:11 38:39 is the angel of the bottomless pit. 38:42 So as John said again and we reiterate this 38:44 because sometimes like a fast car going by, 38:48 you don't see it's license plate but let's slow it down some. 38:51 The license plate marking is Lucifer, 38:53 the one who fell from heaven, 38:55 who is an angel, who is a king, 38:58 who is a star, and who is the one 39:00 from the bottomless pit 39:02 connecting all the pieces together. 39:03 So who is he and who is he a king over. 39:07 He is angel. That's right. 39:09 He is the one that is commanding his angels. 39:12 He's the one that is over them and by the way 39:14 when you look at Revelation 9 read verse 4. 39:17 Look at the command that's given there. 39:19 Remember, remember now they were waiting a command. 39:22 Right. Okay. Read the command. 39:23 They were commanded not to harm the grass 39:25 of the earth or any green thing, or any tree; 39:27 but only those men who do not have 39:29 the seal of God on their foreheads. 39:31 Okay. Seal of God. Future or past? Future. 39:35 Okay, When you talk about the sealing work, 39:37 the closing work, the sealing, 39:39 the choosing of God's people. 39:41 We know that many people were sealed already 39:43 in death and-- but the sealing work 39:47 is still future. Right. 39:50 So this has to have-- Have a seal of God 39:51 for his people as probation is closing. 39:55 This is the reference to it. 39:57 That's why we wanna go back now to the trumpets 39:59 as we began on a former topic, 40:01 a former show, former program I should say. 40:05 We started defining all of the applications 40:09 of the trumpets as it relates to scripture 40:11 and I think we were getting ready 40:14 to go to the Book of Amos. 40:16 Amos chapter 3 and verse 6. 40:18 Because we're in Joel chapter 2, 40:21 and Joel 2 talked about this as a day of warning, 40:26 a day of judgment coming. 40:28 He talked about where in even the sun will be dark 40:31 and the moon will not give us light, 40:33 the stars will fall. 40:35 He talked about a very great and dreadful day, 40:37 but now go to Amos chapter 3 and verse 6 as we use this 40:41 as a spring board to continue our track 40:44 through the nine applications 40:46 that the Bible gives about the seven trumpets. 40:51 Okay, now Amos 3, do you have it John? 40:55 And Hosea, right, you can go ahead, 40:58 Verse 6. Yes. 41:00 If a trumpet is blown in a city, 41:02 will not the people be afraid? 41:04 If there is calamity in a city, 41:06 will not the Lord have done it? 41:08 Surely, the Lord does not-- does nothing unless 41:12 He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets 41:15 and that is significant there because 41:17 servants and prophets, as we mentioned 41:19 in the last program, are connected 41:22 with the work of the 144,000. That's right. 41:26 Notice what's--notice the connection in verse 6. 41:29 He talks about trumpet and calamity 41:32 in the same verse and then he says who's behind it? 41:38 Will not the Lord have done it? 41:39 That's right. Okay. 41:40 so here the restraint of God is removed 41:42 and the calamity occurs. 41:44 And once again we reiterate, because the calamity occurs, 41:47 it could happen either because God directed it 41:49 or God removed the restraint that prevented it. 41:52 In the same sense, you know, we talk about earthquakes 41:54 where they said earthquakes happen because it builds 41:58 to a certain stress point and then it just gives away. 42:02 And so in the same sense, in the world 42:03 there are stresses being built 42:05 on the political horizon, on the ecological horizon 42:10 but in this sense, in the spiritual horizon, 42:12 the Lord removes the restraint 42:15 and the calamity occurs and the Lord now and Joel 42:18 and also Amos refers to these as coming judgments. 42:21 And the restraint there referred too 42:24 symbolically in Revelation is the four winds. 42:28 Right, exact four winds being released. Right. 42:31 And those winds are held on to 42:33 until the 144,000 are sealed. 42:36 But now let's go to couple other books. 42:38 We're gonna go to the Book of Leviticus, Leviticus. 42:43 Now the other thing, John, I want to point out 42:45 is Revelation is written very much 42:48 in sanctuary language. 42:51 Very much written in the language 42:53 of the sanctuary. Okay. 42:58 Leviticus, what again? 43:01 Leviticus chapter 23. Here we are. 43:05 Okay, Leviticus chapter 23. 43:08 Like you said, in the old Bible, 43:10 and I just opened my old Bible 43:11 and it's like right there. 43:12 I'm cracking the pages literally 43:15 still separating them in this new Bible. 43:17 But I'm enjoying it because when I've done it once 43:20 it'll go ahead and hold on for a long period of time. 43:23 Okay, now Leviticus chapter 23 43:26 outlines the feasts of the Lord. 43:29 These feasts were synonymous to the work that was carried 43:36 on during the time of the ceremonial services. 43:41 But there's a feast here that included trumpets. 43:45 It was called the feast of trumpets very clearly. 43:49 But now the questions that we will be asking 43:51 are when were the trumpets blown 43:54 and preparatory to what? 43:57 Go ahead and read verse 23-27. 44:00 Leviticus verse 23-27. 44:03 Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying speak to the children 44:05 of Israel, saying, in the seventh month, 44:09 on the first day of the month, 44:10 you shall have a Sabbath rest, 44:12 a memorial of blowing of trumpets, 44:14 a holy convocation. Okay. 44:17 You shall do no customary work on it 44:20 and you shall offer an offering 44:21 made by fire to the Lord. 44:23 Okay and verse 26 and 27-- Then verse 26 says 44:26 and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 44:29 also the tenth day of the seventh month. 44:31 So this is how many days later, John? 44:33 Nine days later. 44:35 That the day, it shall be the Day of Atonement. 44:38 It shall be a holy convocation for you; 44:40 you shall afflict your souls, 44:42 and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. 44:45 And you shall do no work on that same day 44:48 for it is the Day of Atonement. 44:49 You shall make atonement for you 44:51 before the Lord your God. 44:53 Okay. Notice what's happening? 44:55 These are connected. These are connected. 44:56 One right after the other one. 44:58 It seems like the trumpets are the prelude 45:01 to the Day of Atonement. 45:02 It's announcing and asking people to come together 45:05 to get ready for the Day of Atonement. 45:07 And the Day of Atonement services, John, we also know 45:09 that it was refer towards the yearly judgment. 45:11 It was the Day of Judgment for the people of Israel. 45:14 They knew that when this time came 45:16 if their sins were forgiven it was the time to now move 45:19 to the feast of tabernacles 45:21 where this great celebration took place. 45:23 But if their sins were not blotted out, Acts 3:19, 45:26 then judgment came to them and their sins remain 45:30 and they were banished from the camp. 45:31 Says that in verse 29. 45:32 It says those who do not afflict their souls, 45:36 another which don't search out their sins 45:37 to be forgiven of all sin, shall be cut off 45:41 from among his people. 45:42 Okay. There you go. So they couldn't celebrate. 45:44 And this feast of tabernacles 45:46 literally took seven days. 45:47 It was a time where they celebrated 45:49 their sins being blotted out. 45:51 And once again Acts 3:19 repent and be converted 45:54 that your sins may be blotted out. 45:56 So their repentance was the searching 45:58 of their souls but the provision 45:59 they had to make was a lamb, a sacrifice, 46:03 the blood shed for the blotting out 46:05 of their sins, not just for the covering up 46:06 or the forgiveness of their sins. 46:08 So here's another reference and which says to us 46:11 when the trumpets blow we know that 46:15 in nine more days, the Day of Atonement services 46:17 are coming and the Day of Atonement services 46:20 is gonna be convened and that's the last 46:22 opportunity for your sins to be blotted out. 46:25 So application connection. When was the trumpet blown? 46:29 On the first day of the seventh month. 46:31 When was the Day of Atonement? 46:33 The tenth day of the seventh month. 46:36 What was the purpose of the trumpets blowing? 46:37 To warn the people they only had 46:39 a certain amount of time left 46:40 before they could have their sins atoned for. 46:44 So I would say again could there be some comparison 46:47 between the blowing of the trumpets 46:49 in this temple services. And by the way, you know this. 46:52 Revelation is very much written in the language 46:55 of the sanctuary showing us 46:57 different aspects of the work of God. 46:59 That's right. Not just historical events. 47:01 Yeah, in fact, the beginning of each 47:03 major seven event called the major sevens. 47:08 Um, they are minor sevens too. 47:09 But any of the major seven events has you 47:11 in a position within the sanctuary 47:14 as it takes you from the gate 47:16 right on through to the most holy. That's right. 47:18 And that's how you see the progression 47:20 of these things and so when we talk about 47:23 the seven trumpets as you read 47:26 the beginning of Revelation chapter 8, 47:29 the language there or the place there 47:31 first of all, is the altar of incense-- 47:33 Which we know is connected with in that context 47:37 connected with Day of Atonement services 47:42 while it's in the holy place it is often spoken 47:45 of as being part of the most holy experience 47:48 or ceremony. That's right. 47:51 So it has moved then from the seals 47:53 which have you out in the holy place 47:56 part as you see the language coming into 47:58 the first department to now the trumpets 48:01 where it's bringing you into the most holy. 48:03 Just an interesting thought there, you know, 48:05 that really jumped out at me when I really 48:08 began to study the sanctuary language of Revelation. 48:10 And the connection is necessary because 48:11 from that altar of incense-- I've to slow down. 48:15 I'm getting into my New York mode. 48:17 From the altar of incense, the prayers of the saints 48:20 rising and the reason why the altar of incense 48:23 is right before the most holy place, 48:25 that sweet-smelling savor is going in to bring 48:27 before he Lord who is this kind of glory 48:30 the prayers of the saints rising. 48:32 At what time in our history will the prayers 48:35 of the saints be rising more 48:37 before God than at any other time? 48:40 When they're afflicting their souls 48:41 and sang a wording of Ezekiel 9, 48:43 sighing and crying for the abominations 48:45 done in the land. That's right. 48:47 Done in the amidst. They are sighing 48:49 and they're crying and they're afflicting their souls. 48:51 They are pleading for forgiveness because 48:54 they know that they are that close 48:56 to the closing out of the atonement work. 48:59 And once again, this shows, this gives application 49:04 and context to another meaning of the trumpets 49:07 in the Bible and by the way you'll notice 49:09 this is as close as we can get to 49:11 a historical event because it's happening once a year. 49:14 But it was not necessarily each trumpet meaning 49:18 a point in history as much it saying 49:21 a preparation for something 49:22 that is coming at this point in history. Right. 49:27 Now let's go to the most amazing one I believe. 49:29 One of the ones that are so indicative 49:35 of what I believe has a great application 49:38 of the seven trumpets. 49:39 And by the way let me paraphrase it by saying this. 49:42 When you talk about the seven plagues 49:44 in Revelation, you immediately remember 49:47 the seven plagues in the Book of Exodus 49:51 when the children of Israel were being 49:52 taken out of Egypt. 49:54 The seven last plagues affected only the Egyptians. 49:57 The first three affected everybody 50:00 but the seven last plagues affected only the Egyptians. 50:03 That was the seven last plagues 50:05 in the Book of Exodus. 50:07 But now we have the seven last plagues 50:09 in the Book of Revelation. 50:10 So whenever you read the plagues in Revelation, 50:13 you instantly go back to the Book of Exodus 50:15 to get context of it. Right. 50:17 And you see that these things could happen. 50:21 In the same way, there's only one other place 50:24 in the entire Bible where seven trumpets 50:28 are talked about and that's in the Book of Joshua, 50:32 the battle of Jericho. Let's go there. 50:36 Joshua chapter 6--I guess you're already there. 50:38 My glasses left and went somewhere. Uh, okay. 50:43 I'll find them before the trumpets blow 50:46 but I know they're here somewhere. 50:47 Anyway Joshua chapter 6. Yes. 50:51 Read that for me since I can't see right now. 50:54 Well, there's the instructions that occur 50:56 through the beginning of chapter 6 in Joshua 51:00 and I'll pick up in verse 12 as they began to go. 51:03 Joshua rose early in the morning, 51:05 and the priest took up the ark of the Lord. 51:08 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' 51:12 horns before the ark of the Lord 51:14 went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: 51:17 and the armed men went before them; 51:21 but the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord 51:23 while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 51:27 Now you know it's something jumped out of me here, John, 51:29 that I had not seen before. 51:31 It is just I should've seen it, 51:33 but the center piece of the trumpets 51:36 here is the Ark of the Covenant. 51:40 The center piece here that the trumpets are blown 51:43 before and the people follow is the Ark of the Covenant. 51:47 That is also a connection 51:49 to the Day of Atonement language, 51:51 the most of holy place language. 51:56 You know what I'm saying. 51:57 This is another thing that jumps out of me here 51:59 and the word just is a blessing. 52:01 But here we have them moving through, 52:03 blowing the trumpets with the ark moving with them. 52:08 And you know, that's what so amazing about this 52:10 whole prophecy is that everything about it 52:12 weeks sanctuary language. 52:15 Yes, the most holy place. 52:16 Most holy, Day of Judgment, final call bringing down 52:21 of the walls and, and I want to connect this here because 52:24 remember, seven angels. Let's get this now. 52:28 When we say, I saw three angels flying 52:33 in the midst of heaven, although it's really 52:35 angels flying or although it's messengers 52:37 proclaiming a message. They are messengers. 52:39 Okay, so now seven angels with seven trumpets 52:43 could these be messengers of God 52:45 proclaiming during this particular time. 52:48 Seven angels, in Revelation, we talk about 52:51 those three angels messages. 52:52 We say, well, those are messengers. 52:54 Well, look in the same sense here. 52:57 Seven priests with seven trumpets. 52:59 These were sent forward to take a message to Jericho 53:02 that you're coming down but how do they do it? 53:04 God's message to Jericho that it's coming down 53:07 in the last days God's message to 53:09 Babylon it's coming down. Exactly. 53:12 And they did it through the priests 53:13 who were the messengers sent to blow these trumpets. 53:16 But let's look at it now Joshua chapter 6 and verse 7. 53:20 This is the most amazing story 53:21 because by the way I say this again. 53:22 This is the only reference in the Bible 53:24 outside of Revelation where you find seven trumpets 53:26 even talked about in the same single story 53:29 and the outcome is phenomenal. 53:31 Look at it says in verse 4 and seven priests shall bear 53:35 seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark 53:39 but the seventh day you shall march around 53:43 the city seven times, and the priests shall 53:47 blow the trumpets. 53:49 It shall come to pass when they make a long blast 53:52 with the rams' horn, and when you hear 53:54 the sound of the trumpet that all the people 53:56 shall shout with a great shout 53:58 then the wall of the city will fall down flat, 54:02 and the people shall go up every man straight 54:05 before him and so you see right away 54:08 the blowing of the trumpet is synonymous 54:10 to the bringing down of the walls. Right. 54:12 But now let's go--we're gonna go to the story here. 54:15 It's a beautiful story. 54:16 I'm gonna try to shorten it some and-- 54:19 We just haven't finished. 54:21 Read verse 20 because this is what happened. 54:23 That was the prescription now here is the event. Okay. 54:27 And it says verse 20 of Joshua chapter 6. 54:30 So the people shouted when the priest, 54:33 when the priests blew the trumpets, 54:36 and it happened when the people heard 54:38 the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted 54:42 with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, 54:46 then the people went up into the city, 54:49 every man straight before him, and they took the city. 54:53 So what happens when the trumpet is blown, 54:56 the walls come down flat. 55:00 And you know, John, this is something else 55:02 and we're just throwing out a few things here that 55:05 we're not putting any definitive picture together. 55:07 We're not saying this is what it means. 55:09 This is what it doesn't mean. 55:10 But we're saying, if you wanna find out 55:12 what the trumpets mean, 55:13 the best place to read about it is in the Bible. 55:16 The best place to get the foundation 55:17 for what Revelation is communicating to us 55:19 is see how the trumpets were used in the Bible 55:23 and this is the only other place outside of 55:25 Revelation chapter 8, 9, and 10, and 11 55:29 where seven trumpets are talked about. 55:31 And in connection with the sanctuary language 55:33 as well which we saw are very important 55:35 because Revelation uses it. 55:37 We see sanctuary emblems here 55:39 and furniture pieces used here. 55:43 It really is painting a clear picture-- 55:45 That's right. 55:46 Of God's judgments and how they're connected to 55:50 the trumpets and I just think one that is undeniable. 55:57 So praise the Lord that His word 55:59 is very, very consistent like that. 56:02 And by the way, you find we talked about Joel and Amos 56:05 but also the Book of Zephaniah. 56:07 We're not gonna go there right now, 56:08 but the Book of Zephaniah chapter 1 verse 14-17 56:10 once again refers to the great day of God, 56:13 the coming of God's judgments and when you put 56:16 this whole all nine of these references together, 56:21 they make a story. Listen to the story. 56:24 Through the blowing of the seven trumpets, 56:25 the preaching of the gospel, the first reference, 56:28 during the great day of the Lord will warn 56:30 the world of the last war between truth and error. 56:33 The wide spread destruction will be assigned 56:35 to the world that the Day of Atonement work is closing. 56:38 The second coming of the Lord is at the door 56:40 and that soon the voice of Jesus will proclaim 56:43 our eternal victory over sin. 56:46 What was the seven trumpets, the Walls of Jericho 56:49 coming down when the priests blew trumpets before 56:52 the Day of Atonement, the final victory over sin, 56:55 the blotting out of sin. It's an amazing story, John. 56:58 Any closing words before we wind it up? 57:00 Well, I like to thank that the people 57:01 shouted with the great shout 57:03 and the Lord is also shouting. 57:06 So they're just following what the Lord's doing. 57:08 The shout of the people victorious over sin 57:11 will be led by the voice of the ark angel, 57:15 the trumpet of God, and then 57:17 the final declaration with our victory 57:20 over sin eternally. Friends, this is an amazing topic. 57:22 We encourage you to go back to Revelation, 57:25 allow the Bible to be the foundation 57:27 upon which you base your trust and your faith 57:29 in Jesus Christ and do that today. God bless you. |
Revised 2014-12-17