The Abomination of Desolation - Thoughts on Matthew 24, | Stephen Bohr - Part 3

Summary

In part three of his series on Matthew 24, Stephen Bohr explores the parallels between the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of the end times. Bohr emphasizes the recurring fulfillment of biblical prophecies and highlights how historical events serve as a smaller scale illustration of what is to come globally. He discusses themes of deception, persecution, and the endurance required of believers, while also reflecting on modern occurrences of false prophets and global crises as echoes of ancient times. Bohr underscores the importance of spiritual preparedness and fidelity to Christian teachings.

Highlights

• Stephen Bohr cycles five miles every morning in diverse weather, embodying the endurance he speaks of in his sermon. 🚴‍♂️
• Wild turkeys in Fresno remain unfazed by Bohr's presence during his morning exercises - a reflection on nature's indifference to human concerns. 🦃
• The discourse pivots to the discussion of Matthew 24, highlighting its dual application for Jerusalem's fall and end-time prophecies. 📖
• Bohr intertwines historical context with current events to show the timelessness of biblical messages. ⏳
• His use of Ellen White's writings supplements biblical text, providing an Adventist perspective on prophecy. 🌟

Key Takeaways

• Prophecies often have dual applications: once historically and again in modern times. 📜
• Observing current events through biblical prophecy can offer insight into future occurrences. 🔍
• Spiritual preparedness and understanding biblical doctrine are crucial in turbulent times. 🛡️
• False prophets and misleading doctrines continue to challenge believers, just as in ancient times. 🤔
• Global events such as wars, disasters, and plagues echo biblical predictions, prompting reflection on faith. 🌍

Overview

Stephen Bohr, in this engaging discourse, connects the historical events leading up to the fall of Jerusalem with potential end-time scenarios, drawing from Matthew 24. His teachings urge believers to recognize the cyclical nature of prophecy, encouraging awareness and preparedness for what's foretold. Bohr paints a vivid picture of past fulfillments mirroring future events, making it a compelling narrative of faith in action.

Throughout the sermon, Bohr uses examples from both history and present day to illustrate his points. He shares anecdotes from his daily life for relatability, including biking and his encounters with nature, subtly emphasizing the idea of journey and perseverance. By intertwining these personal reflections with scriptural insights, Bohr effectively conveys the urgency and relevance of staying spiritually aligned.

Bohr’s exploration isn’t just about pointing out the past; it's a call to action for today’s believers. Highlighting themes of false prophets, tribulations, and the essence of enduring faith, his sermon is both a warning and an encouragement. The emphasis on studying scripture, paired with his references to Ellen White, offers a unique Adventist viewpoint, urging the audience to hold steadfast to their beliefs amid challenges.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:30: Introduction and Morning Routine The chapter titled 'Introduction and Morning Routine' describes the narrator's daily exercise routine in Fresno, which includes a five-mile bike ride in the morning and a three-mile walk in the evening. Despite the temperature variations from 34° to 90°, the narrator is committed to maintaining this routine as a part of their daily life.
• 01:30 - 03:00: Wildlife Encounter during Walk During a walk, the narrator encountered hundreds of wild turkeys crossing the road. The turkeys seemed unfazed by the presence of people, likely accustomed to human activity nearby. The narrator remained vigilant for the presence of cougars or bears, though they noted that bears are probably hibernating during this time. The walk was a thrilling two-mile experience, providing an opportunity to enjoy some fresh air.
• 03:00 - 04:30: Ministry and Fellowship Acknowledgment The chapter begins with the narrator expressing enjoyment about a recent experience, highlighting the beauty of the sunrise. The narrative then shifts to a warm greeting amongst friends, specifically acknowledging the presence of Steve Walberg, who is introduced as an old and valued friend. The narrator praises Steve's proximity to the local community, noting he lives only half an hour away and commends his highly regarded ministry activities.
• 04:30 - 06:00: Study Notes and Weekend Plan The chapter titled 'Study Notes and Weekend Plan' includes a section of the transcript where an individual expresses support for a ministry. They encourage everyone to support the ministry, emphasizing that there is enough support to go around for good causes. The person appreciates Steve for traveling to be with them that evening, hinting at a gathering or meeting that has included prayer.
• 06:00 - 10:30: Discussion on Matthew 24 The chapter titled 'Discussion on Matthew 24' involves a study session. Participants are encouraged to share study notes, specifically starting on page 55. The session's aim is to cover the study of the next three chapters, which are chapters 5, 6, and 7. This study is planned for the evening session, as well as during the Sabbath School and worship service the following day.
• 10:30 - 13:00: Historical Context and Future Application The chapter titled 'Historical Context and Future Application' delves into the topic of the personation of the second coming of Christ by Satan. Within the Adventist Church, there are two prevailing views on the timing of this event. One perspective holds that the personation occurs before the close of probation, while another suggests it happens afterward. The author personally supports the latter view and provides multiple reasons for this belief.
• 13:00 - 17:00: Warnings of False Prophets and Tribulations The chapter titled 'Warnings of False Prophets and Tribulations' discusses the notion that Satan will impersonate Christ after the close of probation, misleading people into believing that Christ has returned for the second time. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding this deception and encourages attendees to stay for four sessions the following day, with a particular interest in the fourth session to cover extensive material from study notes.
• 17:00 - 25:30: Comparison with Ellen White's Writings The chapter titled 'Comparison with Ellen White's Writings' begins by referencing a session from the previous night where events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem were discussed. This discussion was based on Matthew 24, starting from verse one and ending at verse fourteen. The chapter also touches upon the topic of the abomination of desolation and highlights that those who fled the city were Sabbath Keepers.
• 25:30 - 31:00: Impact of Satan and Blame on God’s People The chapter begins with a discussion on the end time fulfillment of Matthew 24, with a focus on reviewing prior studied events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. The review aims to provide specific insights from Matthew chapter 24, starting from verse 20.
• 31:00 - 33:00: Natural Disasters and Climate Change This chapter appears to discuss the words of Jesus concerning deception and the claiming of divine identity by false prophets, as part of a broader conversation about natural disasters and climate change. It connects historical fulfillments from past events, such as the destruction of Jerusalem, with future implications, possibly relating it to modern-day challenges such as wars and international conflicts. The narrative hints at a cyclical pattern of prophecy fulfillment, emphasizing vigilance against deception while discussing the impact of such occurrences on the world.
• 33:00 - 39:00: Family Betrayal and Faith Endurance The chapter discusses various catastrophic events such as pestilences, famine, earthquakes, and tumults that occurred leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. The chapter analyzes how these events were part of a larger plan by Satan to blame these calamities on God's people, ultimately aiming to create division and betrayal within families and test their faithfulness.
• 39:00 - 45:30: The Role of the Holy Spirit The chapter discusses the topic of tribulation faced by God's people, highlighting that tribulation is a significant concept in their experiences. It distinguishes between general tribulation and the Great Tribulation. The narrative recalls historical events, such as the destruction of Jerusalem, where God's people had to endure hardship, notably fleeing the city without being able to take any belongings with them.
• 45:30 - 51:30: False Prophets and Iniquity The chapter titled 'False Prophets and Iniquity' discusses the symbolic representation of the tribulation period as a 'little time of trouble' at the end of time. It examines how persecution and tribulation lead many to falter and fail in their faith journey, indicating a period of great challenges and the resultant scattering or scandal among believers.
• 51:30 - 67:00: The Global Preaching of the Gospel The chapter discusses the concept of 'shaking' during the tribulation, where the main opponents of God's faithful followers are often family members and friends who turn against them.
• 67:00 - 73:00: Closing Remarks and Song The chapter discusses the role of witnesses such as Paul, who testified their faith before high-ranking officials like kings, presidents, and magistrates. It highlights the assistance provided by the Holy Spirit in granting wisdom to these witnesses during their testimonies. Furthermore, the chapter touches on historical events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem, noting the presence of false prophets during that period.

The Abomination of Desolation - Thoughts on Matthew 24, | Stephen Bohr - Part 3 Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 well every day in Fresno I ride my bike five miles in the morning not a stationary bike but outside and I walk in the evening 3 miles so I didn't want to totally get out of the routine so I went for a walk this morning at 90° uh in Fresno the coldest that I've ridden this year is 34° but it was beautiful out there uh I
• 00:30 - 01:00 saw hundreds of turkeys wild turkeys crossing the road in front of me uh they weren't they weren't phased by my present at all you know I think they're probably used to having people around um I'm always looking right and left to see if I see a cougar or a bear although the Bears are probably hibernating but uh it was very exhilarating couple of miles and uh got some fresh air in my
• 01:00 - 01:30 lungs I had a great time beautiful the sun was just coming up fantastic well it's good to see you all it's good to see my friend uh Steve Walberg here um Steve uh is a friend from way back I won't tell you how far back and you're very fortunate to have him nearby right around the corner half an hour from here um he has a very good Ministry fantastic ftic
• 01:30 - 02:00 Ministry and I would encourage everyone to support his ministry I know you do you're right around the corner um at secret Sun Seal we encourage uh people to uh support all good Ministries there's plenty of support to go around and uh so it's nice to have you here Steve thanks for coming all the way down uh to be here this evening well we've had our prayer
• 02:00 - 02:30 for those of you who have the study notes share them with the person next to you if you can we are going to begin on page 55 of the study notes and uh what we're going to do uh tonight tomorrow for Sabbath school tomorrow for the worship service uh is that we are going to study the next three chapters chapter 5 6 and 7
• 02:30 - 03:00 and then in the afternoon we're going to deal with when and why does Satan personate the second coming of Christ you know there's two two views in the Adventist Church one is that uh the personation takes place before the close of probation others believe that it takes place after the close of probation I personally believe it's after and I'm going to share multiple reasons
• 03:00 - 03:30 what I believe to be overwhelming evidence that it's after the close of probation uh that Satan will uh personate Christ and give people the impression that Christ has come for the second time so I hope that you make plans to stay tomorrow we have four sessions tomorrow um I actually personally requested number four because there were only going to be three because I want to cover as much material in the study notes that we can
• 03:30 - 04:00 uh so let's go to page 55 for those of you who were here last night do you remember that we studied uh the events that took place leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem Matthew 24 beginning with verse one and ending uh at verse uh 14 and we dealt a little bit with the abomination of desolation as well and uh the fact that those who fled the city were Sabbath Keepers so actually to
• 04:00 - 04:30 verse 20 now this evening we are going to begin talking about the end time fulfillment of Matthew 24 and uh what I want to do is review first of all what we studied uh last night we went through several events that led up to the destruction of Jerusalem and I'm going to review those uh specific points uh in Matthew chapter 24 in verse
• 04:30 - 05:00 4 Jesus says and um take heed that no one deceives you for many will come in my name saying I am Christ and will deceive many was that fulfilled leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem yes but it is going to be fulfilled again then Jesus spoke of Wars rumors of wars Nation against
• 05:00 - 05:30 Kingdom against Kingdom pestilences famine earthquakes and tumults or riots that all of those took place leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem according to what we studied last night now what was Satan's plan in causing all of these things ultimately to blame God's people and that's what we found in verse nine the stealth plan was to blame God's
• 05:30 - 06:00 people and because they blame God's people you have tribulation remember we talked about tribulation the word is unqualified It's Not Great Tribulation it's tribulation did God's people go through tribulation leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem yeah we read that uh they had to flee the city and they couldn't take anything with them
• 06:00 - 06:30 so that was the tribulation which uh we're going to see is a symbolic of the little time of trouble at the end of time and then we notice that as a result of the flight as a result of persecution and tribulation many fail by the wayside they were scandal they said oh
• 06:30 - 07:00 no I'm not going to be I'm not going to be fleeing so in other words this is what what we might call the shaking when the tribulation came and then we notice that the enemies of God's people were primarily whom family members and friends turned on those who were faithful we also noticed that uh God's faithful followers
• 07:00 - 07:30 witnessed and Paul is an example before Kings presidents and magistrates to give witness for their faith then we notice also that the Holy Spirit gave wisdom to those who were witnessing before the Kings and the presidents and the magistrates we also notice that leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem there were false prophets
• 07:30 - 08:00 that prophesied peace peace everything is going to be well then we also notice that because of the transgression of the law the love of many grew cold and then we also notice that there were there was a need for endurance for patience he who endures till the end will be saved and then we spoke about um The Gospel going to the whole
• 08:00 - 08:30 world the world of that time and that's verse 14 then we talked about the abomination of desolation and we notice that the abomination of desolation divided the inhabitants of Jerusalem in two groups those that stayed were destroyed those who left were saved so in other words the abomination of desolation separated so speak the
• 08:30 - 09:00 righteous from the unrighteous and we notice that the abomination of desolation was the Roman Legions that surrounded the city nailed their standards in the ground the standards had an eagle a Sunburst surrounding it the eagle facing right arrows in its Talons and when the faithful inside the city saw that
• 09:00 - 09:30 sign the ab the Abomination that was going to lead to Desolation by the way the Roman armies were worshiping their standards practicing false worship to the Sun God Mithra those inside that saw the sign they fled and they left everything behind they fled to desolate places and then the last point that we covered is that
• 09:30 - 10:00 those who fled the city were Sabbath Keepers does it help to read that verse in context in the midst of the flight and the tribulation leaving everything behind those who went through this tribulation were Sabbath Keepers pray that your flight not be in Winter or on the Sabbath
• 10:00 - 10:30 so that's what we studied last night but we need to understand that everything that we studied last night has a dual application in other words it is fulfilled twice the first time is the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem the second time is the events leading up to the Desolation or destruction of the world
• 10:30 - 11:00 you remember how Matthew 24 begins two questions when will these things be and what will be the sign of the end of the world two questions that the disciples asked Jesus and Jesus when he answered he answered he combined the both events in other words that destruction of Jerusalem was a shadow or a type of what will happen at the end of time
• 11:00 - 11:30 globally I want to read this statement from thoughts from the Mount of blessing page 120 and 121 where Ellen White gives us the principle she's amplifying uh the two question thing that I've mentioned this is what she wrote the ruin of Jerusalem was a symbol of the final ruin that shall overwhelm the world see the two points there the destruction of
• 11:30 - 12:00 Jerusalem ruin of Jerusalem was a symbol of the final ruin that shall overwhelm overwhelm the world the prophecies that received a partial fulfillment what did Matthew 24 receive a partial fulfillment in the overthrow of Jerusalem have a more direct
• 12:00 - 12:30 application to the last days pretty clear isn't it the statement continues we are now standing on the threshold of great and solemn events a crisis is before us such as the world has never witnessed so so it's very important for us to study what led up to the destruction of Jerusalem because that gives us a shadow it gives us a symbol a
• 12:30 - 13:00 small scale illustration of the sequence event of events that are going to lead to the ruin of the world you other there the first 20 verses and by the way tomorrow we're going to study about the Great Tribulation see it's qualified now see the first word time tribulation there's going to be martyrs because they'll kill some of you it says there
• 13:00 - 13:30 but then there's going to be a Great Tribulation which is the Tribulation the time of Jacob's trouble after the close of probation are you with me now the amazing thing is I don't know if any of you have a copy of the book last day events which is a compilation of quotations from the writings of Ellen White and what is remarkable
• 13:30 - 14:00 is that the order of those chapters there it's a compilation they've taken from the writings of elen white in many different places the order of events in the book Last Day Events is the identical order of the events in Matthew 24 everything in its order that is in Matthew 24 is found in the same order in the book Last Day
• 14:00 - 14:30 Events that's remarkable because really it shows that Ellen White is not adding to the Bible Ellen White is simply following the sequence that we find in the Bible and she's expanding what is already contained in scripture Ellen White does not add to scripture she expans scripture if we look hard enough we'll find what she says in the Bible
• 14:30 - 15:00 so I'm thankful that God has given us an expansion helps us understand better helps us get a clearer picture of exactly what is going to happen now let me ask you in verse four it speaks about false christs are there individuals today who claim to be Christ I'll mention three I went to the internet today and I found a whole bunch of them they're not all Christians some are in
• 15:00 - 15:30 India some over in South America but I'll mention three Jim Jones David Kesh Jose Luis Deus Miranda that's the way you pronounced it in Spanish it's a Puerto Rican who had his headquarters in Miami on his Pulpit was SSS which is 666 because the stigma is the six the
• 15:30 - 16:00 stigma doesn't exist in the Greek alphabet anymore it's it's ancient but the stigma is the number six because in Greek letters are equivalent to numbers so on his Pulpit he had 666 and he encouraged his followers to put a tattoo on their foreheads with the number 666 and I found multiple individuals in the
• 16:00 - 16:30 world today that are claiming to be Christ which by the way means the anointed one so that has been fulfilled and is being fulfilled now let's talk about I'm going to use Ellen White a lot tonight because last night we dealt with scripture the sequence in scripture now we're going to take a look at how Ellen White follows the same sequence that we find in scripture let's ask the question
• 16:30 - 17:00 what about wars pestilences earthquakes famine and tumults well I want to read you a statement here from early writings page 33 I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath God has children in other churches who don't don't see see the Sabbath they don't know about it and
• 17:00 - 17:30 therefore they don't keep it but they serve God according to the knowledge that they have see god holds us accountable not for the light that we have but for the use we make of the light that we have and God will not hold accountable someone that never had the opportunity of knowing that the Sabbath is the day of rest but once a person knows then they're accountable for for obeying What God
• 17:30 - 18:00 Says so she says I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath they have not rejected the light upon it and at the commencement of the time of trouble so notice she mentions the time of trouble at the commencement of the time of trouble we were filled with the Holy Ghost by the way this is this time of trouble is the little time of trouble not the big time of trouble it's the
• 18:00 - 18:30 unqualified word tribulation so it says we were filled with the Holy Ghost by the way that's the latter Reign the final message that God gives to the World As We went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully that's the loud cry so they receive the Holy Ghost that's the letter rain to proclaim the loud cry which is the Sabbath message that calls
• 18:30 - 19:00 God's faithful people to come out of the churches that are Babylon she continues this enraged the churches and nominal Adventists Adventist in name only as they could not refute the Sabbath Truth at this time God's chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth and they came out came out of
• 19:00 - 19:30 where of Babylon came out and she continues saying came out and endured the persecution with us see this is the Tribulation that is mentioned in verse 9 and then notice what she says I saw sword famine pestilence is that Matthew
• 19:30 - 20:00 24 mhm and great confusion in the land tumults the wicked thought that we had brought the judgments upon them oh so so now uh there's going to be a turning against God's people and they rose up and took counil to rid us the Earth of us thinking that
• 20:00 - 20:30 then the evil would be stayed so who is blamed for what is happening what for the sword famine pestilence and the confusion God's people are blamed now somebody wrote to Ellen White about this statement where she says at the commencement of the time of trouble we were filled with the Holy Ghost and we went out to proclaim the Sabbath
• 20:30 - 21:00 and they said Ellen what you wrote that when the when when the time of Trouble Comes probation has closed and therefore what good will it do with the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the Sabbath and invite people to come out so Ellen White had to write back to this person to explain what she referred to when she spoke about the time of trouble this is not the Great Tribulation of verse
• 21:00 - 21:30 21 this is the Tribulation of verse 9 where some of God's people will perish why will they perish because people are going to blame them are you catching the picture now notice what she wrote this is early writings Pages 85 and 86 the commencement of that time of trouble here mentioned does not refer to the time when the Flags shall be be begin to be poured
• 21:30 - 22:00 out that's after probation's Clos but to a short period just before they are poured out while Christ is in the sanctuary so is Jesus still interceding in this time of trouble yes at that time while the work of Salvation is closing trouble will be coming on the earth and the Nations will be angry yet held in check so as not to prevent the
• 22:00 - 22:30 work of the third Angel at that time you notice at that time the latter rain or refreshing from the presence of the Lord will come to give power to the loud Cry of the third Angel and prepare the Saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out are you catching the picture now she's talking about the future but
• 22:30 - 23:00 this happened once in the past let me ask you were many of the Christians uh martyred between the time that Christ came to this earth and the time when Jerusalem was destroyed beginning with stepen many others died they were blamed for example for the uh for the burning of Rome Nero said it's those Christians many of them were imprisoned and they were
• 23:00 - 23:30 killed now let me read you some statements about the reason why God's people will be persecuted at the end of time we just noticed that Ellen White describes uh in this statement sword famine pestilence and great confusion in the land now I'm going to read a couple of statements that are very interesting this is Last Day Events page 24 in the last scenes of this Earth's
• 23:30 - 24:00 history war will rage there will be pestilence plague and famine does that sound like Matthew 24 the Waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries it's kind of like the tsunami in Japan and life will be destroyed by fire and
• 24:00 - 24:30 flood what happened in North Carolina recently flood what's happening in Los Angeles Fire but she mentions the same signs that we find in Matthew 24 now who's causing all of these things this turmoil in society these pestilences and famine and earthquake and disasters who's causing
• 24:30 - 25:00 them Satan is causing them but who is Satan going to blame you're going to blame God and his people now Ellen White amplifies the disasters that are going to come upon the Earth it's not only earthquakes and famines and uh tumult in society she adds natural disasters to the list which are taking place these days great controversy
• 25:00 - 25:30 589 it is Satan's object to incite the Nations to war against one another for he can thus divert their M the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God while appearing to the children of men as a great physici who can heal all their maladies he will bring disease that would be pestilence wouldn't it he
• 25:30 - 26:00 will bring disease and disaster until populous cities what is a populous city not Spokane Chicago Los Angeles New York that one too so while appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies he will bring disease
• 26:00 - 26:30 and disaster until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation we have haven't reached that point quite yet even now he is at work in accidents and calamities by sea and by land in great conflagrations a conflagration is a fire that no one can put out in Fierce tornadoes in terrific hail stor storms in tempests floods Cyclones tidal waves
• 26:30 - 27:00 and earthquakes in every place and in a thousand forms Satan is exercising his power he sweeps away the ripening Harvest and famine and distress follow he imparts to the air a deadly taint and thousands perish by the pestilence are you seeing the same words in Matthew
• 27:00 - 27:30 24 and then she C she predicts this we haven't seen anything yet these visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous so we haven't seen anything compared to what's coming you know we can talk about the pestilence that came with covid-19 you know I believe that the reason reason why Satan caused covid-19 when I say so
• 27:30 - 28:00 Satan Satan uses individuals Satan Works through people I'm not saying that he did it directly but he works through instruments he works through the little horn he works through the Beast that has horns like a lamb and but it's the devil who's doing it he's using human instruments I believe that the reason why Satan caused covid-19 was an experiment to see how much people
• 28:00 - 28:30 will allow themselves to be controlled because they're afraid it was his experiment and the experiment worked out pretty well so we have the blame game now I want you to notice how Ellen White ends this statement she says they're going to be more frequent and disastrous and then we find this and
• 28:30 - 29:00 then the Great Deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils is that similar to Matthew 24 Wars rumors of wars Nation against Nation Kingdom against Kingdom earthquakes pestilences and famines social unrest and then it says and then they're going to persecute you for my name sake and some of you they will
• 29:00 - 29:30 kill by the way will there be martyrs during the little time of trouble there will be martyrs during the little time of trouble she continues the class that has provoked the displeasure of heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God's Commandments is a Perpetual Repro to transgressors we're following the same order as Matthew 24 aren't we
• 29:30 - 30:00 in the book Last Day Events page 129 El white wrote Satan puts his interpretation upon events and they think as he would have them that the calamities which fill the land are the result of Sunday breaking thinking to appease the wrath of God these influential men make laws enforcing Sunday observance you think that that has anything to do
• 30:00 - 30:30 with the abomination of desolation H by the way the story of Elijah is going to be repeated on a global scale do you know that Jesus that that that Malachi prophesied that before Jesus came he would send Elijah it's not Elijah in person it is a movement that is going to
• 30:30 - 31:00 proclaim the same message that Elijah proclaimed who was blamed in the Days of Elijah for the calamities do you think there was famine in the Days of Elijah hunger it didn't rain for three and a half years folks do you think that people stole whatever they could from someone else in terms of food
• 31:00 - 31:30 absolutely think there was violence yes and who did Israel blame God's Own people blame the prophet they said if we can find him and get rid of him things will calm down does that sound familiar same thing's going to happen according to Matthew
• 31:30 - 32:00 24 there's a lot of discussion these days about climate change the causes of climate change scientists share their theories about the causes of the global disasters however the reasons that they give are misguided the two greatest climate changes in the history of the world were number one the flood in Noah's day
• 32:00 - 32:30 and it's because everyone was using too many air conditioners because they were getting too much oil out of the ground because they were using gas stoves no the Bible says that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and every intent of the heart of man was only evil continually that's why the flood
• 32:30 - 33:00 came but they blame Noah the second greatest climate change was the Days of Elijah didn't rain for three and a half years who' they blame Elijah you want to know whether you're on the right side at the end of time if you're persecuted you're on the right side if you're persecuted you're on the wrong side it's that simple
• 33:00 - 33:30 let me read you a statement from Ellen White she understood that science was going to try to explain scientifically all these disasters but she gives a real reason this is in testimonies for the church volume 6 page 408 the restraining spirit of God is even now being withdrawn from the world what's happening God is with withdrawing his Spirit from the
• 33:30 - 34:00 world and notice what the result is hurricanes storms tempests fire and flood disasters by sea and land follow each other in quick succession now listen carefully science seeks to explain all these what does science try to explain hurricanes storms Tempest fire and flood
• 34:00 - 34:30 and disasters everything everything is blamed on climate change these days but now notice what she writes these signs thickening around us telling of the near approach of the Son of God are attributed to any other than the true cause what does science do it attributed all these it attributes all these things things to what is not the real
• 34:30 - 35:00 cause what is the real cause the Lord is withdrawing a spirit from the world because the world doesn't want it she continues men cannot discern The Sentinel Angels restraining the Four Winds that they shall not blow until the Servants of God are sealed and now comes a chilling part of the statement she says but when God shall bid his angels loose the winds by the winds by the way the word wins means chaos everything falling
• 35:00 - 35:30 apart but when God shall bid his angels loose the winds there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture you think things are bad today You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet Ellen White states that when God withdraws his Spirit from the earth when he loses the winds Satan will have full
• 35:30 - 36:00 control over the finally impenitent can you imagine living in a world where Satan is in full control of the wicked we can't even imagine it now who's going to be accusing God's people especially what did we find in in scripture remember let's go to Mark chapter 13 The Parallel
• 36:00 - 36:30 passage to Matthew 24 Mark 13 and let's read verse 12 Mark 13:12 you can read the previous verses they're following the sequence it says in verse 12 now brother will betray brother to death and a father has child and children will rise up against
• 36:30 - 37:00 parents and cause them to be put to death you say I can't believe that Ellen White states that the heart of man can be very cruel when it is devoid of the spirit of God so who are going to be the accusers of God's people with all those worldly people those Wicked people no many family members and friends will turn on God's people
• 37:00 - 37:30 they'll apostatize Ellen White wrote In the book last day of events page 150 and 151 friends will prove treacherous and will betray us relatives deceived by the enemy will think they do God's service in opposing us and putting forth the utmost efforts to bring bring us into hard places hoping that we will
• 37:30 - 38:00 deny our faith this reminds me of John chapter 16 Jesus predicted this in John 16 vers 1 and two let's go there for a moment John 16 veres 1 and two you're saying pastor Bo this is depressing yeah but the good news is how the story ends he who
• 38:00 - 38:30 endures Until the End will be saved that's a good news God's people finally will be delivered those who are attached to Christ those who have a strong relationship with Christ notice John 16 verse1 Jesus said to his disciples these things I have spoken to you that you should not be made to stumble so that you don't lose your faith abandon the
• 38:30 - 39:00 faith they will put you out of the synagogues today we call them churches yes the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God's service they'll say God is angry because Sunday isn't kept he wants everybody to go to church on Sunday we're going to talk about that more tomorrow but you see the problem problem is the Bible says it's Sabbath the reason why things are going
• 39:00 - 39:30 downhill at the end of time is because individuals are trampling upon the law of God the fourth Commandment is remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy it's not the first day of the week the seventh a you say who cares God is particular you know the final test is going to be the same as the first test in the Garden of Eden the only difference is that in the Garden of Eden God used a
• 39:30 - 40:00 tree to test whether they would be obedient at the end of time he will use a day to test people to see if they're obedient but behind the tree and the day is whose authority will you obey behind the issue of the day is whose authority are you going to follow you know if Adam and Eve wanted
• 40:00 - 40:30 to respect the authority of God they would not they would abstain from the tree at the End of Time the same is true whoever wants to respect the authority and obey God is going to keep the day that God established somebody once came to me he says so you Adventist you believe that God is going to God is going to test the whole world by a day I said what's the problem he tested Adam and Eve with a tree God gives all kinds of tests in scripture to see if his people
• 40:30 - 41:00 will obey him so notice we already read Mark chapter 13 now for those of you who have study notes we're on page 60 at the top of the page those who are true to God will be menaced denounced prescribed they will be betrayed both by parents and Brethren and kins folk and
• 41:00 - 41:30 friends even to death She's quoting Luke 21:16 which is a parallel chapter to Matthew 24 and Mark 13 and then she speaks about the faithfulness of those who are betrayed in great Cy 612 she wrote family Connections Church relations are powerless to stay them now truth is more precious than all besides not withstanding the agencies combined
• 41:30 - 42:00 against the truth a large number take their stand upon the Lord's Side that's going to happen at the end of time just like it happened leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem do you remember that um the faithful had to stand before rulers and magistrates is that going to happen again let me read you a few statements here testimonies to ministers volume 6 page
• 42:00 - 42:30 128 and 129 we shall have to stand before magistrates to answer for our allegiance to the law of God to make known the reasons of our faith and the youth should understand these things see the youth they have young minds they have clear crisp clear Minds us older folks you know we don't have as Clarity of thought as they do Satan especially wants the
• 42:30 - 43:00 youth because he knows that they have the energy and they have they have the mental capacity to really grasp these things very simply here's another one fundamentals of Christian education page 2117 many will have to stand in the legislative courts some will have to stand before Kings and before for the Learned of the earth to answer for their faith those
• 43:00 - 43:30 who have only a superficial understanding of truth will not be able clearly to expound the scriptures and give definite reasons for their faith we have to study folks we have to know what we believe and we have to know how to defend what we believe because someday we're going to have to give a reason for our faith you're not going to be able to say but just a second and I'll go get a DVD from Pastor B's
• 43:30 - 44:00 Ministry you know I remember that Steve wallberg has a book on the Sabbath I'll go get the book no we have to be able to defend the faith ourselves but for that we have to what we have to study the last statement I want to read on this particular point is Last Day Events page 209 it does not seem possible to us now that any should have to stand
• 44:00 - 44:30 alone but if God has ever spoken by me the time will come when we shall be brought before councils and before thousands for his name's sake and each one will have to give the reason of his faith then will come the severest criticism upon every position that has been taken for the truth we need then to
• 44:30 - 45:00 study the word of God that we may know why we believe the doctrines we Advocate remember that those who had to witness were empowered by the Holy Spirit are God's people during the little time of trouble going to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the Sabbath more fully absolutely notice this statement manuscript releases volume 8 page
• 45:00 - 45:30 187 those who receive Christ as a personal savior will stand the test of trial in these last days the Lord Jesus now Ellen White is going to actually refer to the Gospel of Luke the Lord Jesus will give the disciples a tongue and wisdom that their adversaries can neither gain say nor resist do you know where she gets that from from a parallel passage to Matthew
• 45:30 - 46:00 24 in Luke 21:15 let's read it Luke 21 and verse 15 see she's following the same order of Matthew 24 in her writings she's not adding to the Bible she's expanding upon the sequence she's speaking about the final fulfillment of Matthew chapter 24 Luke chap 21 and verse
• 46:00 - 46:30 15 says for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist that's what we just read in her statement she continues those who could not by reasoning overcome satanic delusions will bear an affirmative testimony that will baffle supposedly learned men words will come from the lips of the
• 46:30 - 47:00 unlearned with such con convincing power and wisdom that conversions will be made to the truth thousands will be converted under their testimony is the door probation still open when this holy spirit is poured out what is it called in the Bible the latter Reign what empowered the disciples to preach the gospel to the whole world leading up to the destruction of
• 47:00 - 47:30 Jerusalem the holy spirit that was poured out on the day of Pentecost so there's going to be another Pentecost Ellen White says that the last Pentecost will be similar to the first are some going to forsake the faith when this trial comes sadly yes many are going to be offended many are going to stumble we read it in
• 47:30 - 48:00 Matthew chapter 24 it's also found in Luke 7: 23 we read John 16: 1 and 2 Ellen White wrote In the book great controversy page 608 this is really a sad statement she's speaking about Adventists forsaking the faith as the storm approaches a large
• 48:00 - 48:30 class how many a large class who have professed faith in the third Angel's message must they be Adventist is there any any uh anyone in the world who uh preaches a third Angel's message other than the Adventist no as the storm approaches a large class who a profess fa professed faith in the third Angel's message but have not been
• 48:30 - 49:00 Sanctified through obedience to the truth abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition sad men of talent and pleasing address who once rejoiced in the truth employ their powers to deceive and mislead Souls they become the bitterest enemies of their former
• 49:00 - 49:30 Brethren when Sabbath keepers are brought before courts we just noticed that to answer for their faith these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them h review and Herald December 20
• 49:30 - 50:00 1898 whenever persecution takes place The Spectators make decisions either for or against Christ because of persecution many will be offended the principles of the truth cut directly across their practice and they will stumble and fall apostatizing from the faith they once advocated many who have professed to love the
• 50:00 - 50:30 truth will then show that they have no vital connection with the True Vine they will be cut away as branches that bear no fruit and will be bound up with unbelievers scoffers and mockers that's in Matthew 24 then many will be offended and then verse 11 Matthew 24:1 speaks about false prophets do you know what the characteristic the
• 50:30 - 51:00 main characteristic of the false prophets that led up to the destruction of Jerusalem they preached peace peace everything's okay you know the temple is going to stand we are God's people God is going to protect us they preach peace PE peace when there was no peace is there going that going to
• 51:00 - 51:30 happen at the End of Time absolutely desire age of 631 false prophets did rise speaking about Jerusalem deceiving the people and leading great numbers into the desert magicians and Sorcerers claiming miraculous power drew the people after them into the mountain solitudes but this prophecy was spoken also for the last days not only back
• 51:30 - 52:00 then manuscript 11 1906 these false prophets will have to be met they will make an effort to deceive many by Leading them to accept false theories many scriptures will be misapplied in such a way that deceptive theories will apparently be based upon the words that God has spoken they're going to misuse scripture precious truths will be appropriate created to substantiate and establish
• 52:00 - 52:30 error the false prophets who claim to be taught of God will take beautiful scriptures that have been given to Adorn the truth and will use them as a robe of righteousness to cover false and dangerous theories and even some of those who in times past the Lord has honored will depart so far from the truth as to Advocate misleading theories regarding many phases of Truth including the sanctuary
• 52:30 - 53:00 question is the love of many going to wax cold you know the the King James say wax cold but really the word wax means to grow Matthew 24 says that because of iniquity the love of many will grow cold let me ask you something can something grow cold that wasn't hot before
• 53:00 - 53:30 no of course not so in other words some people whose Faith was hot their faith is going to go what cold now it's interesting that it says in verse 12 because of iniquity the love of many will grow cold that word iniquity is very interesting in Greek it's the Greek word anas it's the identical word that is translated in 1 John
• 53:30 - 54:00 3:4 transgression of the law so it's very proper to translate and because of the transgression of the law the love of many will grow cold and of course if friends and relatives are going to turn against God's people their Love is Growing cold because they've stumbled because they have abandoned the faith Last Day Events page 173 see and white is following the
• 54:00 - 54:30 same sequence and because this prophecy has a twofold fulfillment to the end it's perfectly prop proper for her to do it she states there will be a shaking of the seeve the chaff Must In Time be separated from the wheat and then she quotes this verse because iniquity abounds the love of many waxes cold it is the very time when the
• 54:30 - 55:00 genuine will be the strongest in Last Day Events page 27 she wrote I was shown that the spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn from the earth God will soon refuse his keeping power to all who continue to disregard his Commandments by the way let me stop there for a moment we are not saved because we keep the
• 55:00 - 55:30 Commandments that's legalism the idea that oh if you keep the Commandments then God is going to save you no because then salvation would be you you would be earning salvation Salvation is by grace through faith but the fruit is obedience what do kids do when they love their parents what is the evidence that they love their parents they obey
• 55:30 - 56:00 them right Jesus said if you love me you will keep my Commandments the Apostle Paul said love is the fulfilling of the law to put a con conflict between law and Grace is misguided because when you understand Grace what Jesus came he lived a perfect
• 56:00 - 56:30 life he suffered he died so he could save you from your sins it will be a delight to serve such a savior right because you love him you don't earn his love by obedience but because you love him you obey let me ask you when you when when you put your car and drive let's say it's a back wheeel drive here you need a a front-wheel
• 56:30 - 57:00 drive but let's suppose that it's a back wheeel drive when when the weather is good and the road is clear which Wheels move first the back wheels or the front wheels most people say well if it's a re drive it's a back wheels no they don't the instant that the back wheels move the front Wheels follow the back wheels are Faith and the
• 57:00 - 57:30 front wheels are Works Faith Works Hebrews 11 is the faith chapter of the Bible and have you ever notice that everyone who has mentioned in Hebrews 11 is doing something they're not Faith isn't simply something that happens in your brain it's something that translate from your brain to action able offered Noah
• 57:30 - 58:00 built Abraham took his son to sacrifice him Moses left they're all doing something because faith is an action word let me ask you what's more important when you have a when you have a rowboat the right ore or the left or if you have only the right ore you're going to make circles to the left if you
• 58:00 - 58:30 have the left or you're going to make circles to the right you need both a faith that works and then your life your spiritual life progresses let me ask you something little experiment I'm just digressing right now because I don't want you to give the impression that because God's people are going to be obeying the Lord even to the point of being willing
• 58:30 - 59:00 to be persecuted and to die like the three young men in the valley of dura oh you know that we're that we're some kind of Martyrs that uh that are legalists no no no no everything has to do with love for the Lord I want somebody to come and take one side off of this sheet of paper take off just one side anybody any body courageous to do it you can't take off one side see faith
• 59:00 - 59:30 and works and that's why James said the Apostle Paul says we're not saved by fa by works but then James who is also in the Bible says uh faith without works is dead so it's not either or it's both together out of love for the Lord how did you get how did I get off on that tangent okay the statement Last Day Events page
• 59:30 - 60:00 27 I was shown that the spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn from the earth God will soon refuse his keeping power to all who continue to disregard his Commandments obviously because they don't love him because their love has grown cold the reports of fraudulent transactions murders and crimes of every kind are coming to us daily iniquity is Bec becoming such so common a thing that it is no it no longer shocks the senses
• 60:00 - 60:30 as it once did the devotional book lift him up page 310 the Lord Jesus on the Mount of Ali plainly stated that and now she's going to quote that verse that because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold he speaks of a class who have fallen from a high state of spiritual ity see because the previous verses have said that their love grows cold they
• 60:30 - 61:00 became offended and now she says they've fallen from a high state of spirituality let such utterances as these come home with solemn searching power to our hearts where is the fervor the Devotion to God that corresponds to the greatness of the truth that we believe we claim to believe the love of the
• 61:00 - 61:30 world the love of some darling sin has weaned the heart from the love of prayer and of meditation or sacred things a formal round of religious Services is kept up but where is the love of Jesus spirituality is dying but the good news is that God is going
• 61:30 - 62:00 to have a people that are not going their faith is their love is not going to grow cold they're not going to stumble they are going to endure until the end that's the next verse are you seeing the sequence what once happened leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in Israel is going to happen globally at the end of time he who endures till the end will be
• 62:00 - 62:30 saved I like the way the NIV translates that verse he who remains faithful till the end will be saved it's the word hoop meno and then this is the last point that we're going to deal with tonight tomorrow we're going to begin with verse 14 see we're only doing to verse 14 the end time of application of verse 14 what about the preaching of the
• 62:30 - 63:00 Gospel did the preaching of the Gospel go to the whole world leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem we studied that last night right all of the known world at that time heard the Gospel According to the Apostle Paul now there's a similarity between Matthew 24:14 if you go with me there Matthew CH
• 63:00 - 63:30 24:14 and Revelation chapter 14: 6 so let's read Matthew chter 24 and verse 12 where it says and this Gospel of the Kingdom so first of all you have the gospel will be what preached that's the second point
• 63:30 - 64:00 where in all the world as a witness to All Nations and then the end will come now there's a similar Connection in Revelation 14 verse 6 that's this is the end time application Revelation chter 14 verse 6 same elements preaching the go goel and the end coming to Every
• 64:00 - 64:30 Nation it says this the last message to the world then I saw another Angel flying in the midst of Heaven having what also you have the gospel aspect heav the Everlasting gospel to what oh that's also Matthew 24 to preach to whom where to those who dwell in the the Earth to Every Nation tribe tongue and people did Jesus say that the disciples were going to preach to
• 64:30 - 65:00 all go ye teach All Nations yes but at the end time the message is global worldwide now you say now wait a minute so you're saying that that prophecy is going to be fulfilled again the preaching of the Gospel that reach the whole world at that time is going to reach really the whole world at the End of Time the answer is yes let me just read you and by the way
• 65:00 - 65:30 the end will come immediately after the Three Angels message you have Jesus sitting on the cloud and he's coming to the Earth the end comes now let me read two statements in closing the great controversy 356 the message of Salvation has been preached in all ages but this message Revelation 14:6 is a part of the Gospel which could not which could be proclaimed only in
• 65:30 - 66:00 the last days for only then would it be true that the hour of judgment had come you see the disciples could not preach the hour of his judgment has come because that began in 1844 so Revelation 14:6 goes beyond is broader than what Matthew 24:14 has to say and let me just read this last statement about the preaching of the
• 66:00 - 66:30 Gospel in the past repeating in the future in the prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction Christ said because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold however he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved and this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then shall the End come she is quoting Matthew 24 correct now notice
• 66:30 - 67:00 this this prophecy will again be fulfilled the abounding iniquity of that day Finds Its counterpart in this generation so with the prediction in regard to the preaching of the Gospel before the fall of Jerusalem Paul writing by the Holy Spirit declared that the gospel was preached and now he quotes to every creature which is under
• 67:00 - 67:30 Heaven Colossians 2 ver 20 uh 1 verse 23 and then she says so now as back then so now before the coming of the son of man the Everlasting gospel is to be preached to Every Nation Kindred and tongue and people Revelation 14:6 so what do you think is Matthew 24 relevant for today or is
• 67:30 - 68:00 it only relevant for the people who lived leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem it is very relevant for today because what happened locally back then will take place globally and is taking place globally at the end of time now tomorrow Lord willing we are going to look at the abomination of desolation we're going to study verse
• 68:00 - 68:30 14 and then the second time we're going to talk about the Great Tribulation um what is the abomination of desolation at the end of time it must be something that people can see it must have something to do with worship correct cor and maybe it has something to do with a
• 68:30 - 69:00 son so don't miss the next exciting episode tomorrow what time tomorrow at 9:30 we'll study lesson six page 67 and then in the second study we will do the following chapter did you understand what what we study tonight is it is is it important it's crucially important at
• 69:00 - 69:30 this time in human history how about we sing a song you want to sing you've been sitting for a long time so let's have the song Here Come forward and uh because I don't want to leave because if I lead everybody's going to leave which one a second second coming here
• 69:30 - 70:00 okay let's see here why don't we just you lift up the trumpet let's see what page that is pardon me 213 okay and we've been sitting a long time so I want We Stand that'll help you get fired
• 70:00 - 70:30 [Music] up lift up the trumpet and Loud let it ring Jesus is coming again cheer up you GRS we joyful and sing Jesus is coming
• 70:30 - 71:00 again comeing again come in again Jesus is coming again Ando Hill time Ro clim M Plains Jesus is G coming again coming in glory the lamb that was
• 71:00 - 71:30 sling Jesus is coming again coming again coming again Jesus is coming [Music] again he means her tell the last Wonder drunk Jesus is coming
• 71:30 - 72:00 [Music] again Tempest and whirl winds the anong Jesus is coming again coming again comeing again Jesus is coming again nations are angry by this we do
• 72:00 - 72:30 know Jesus is coming again knowledge increases men run to and from Jesus is coming again coming again coming
• 72:30 - 73:00 again Jesus is com [Music] again and now father as we end this service we want to thank you for giving us a picture of what is happening what will soon happen so we can live in peace and not worry because that we know that you will walk with us through the shadow of the valley of death amen we ask that
• 73:00 - 73:30 you will bless us and keep us as we return to our homes thank you for the privilege of living in such a beautiful place we ask that you will give us a good night's rest and give us a day tomorrow that is filled with your blessings we pray this in the precious and holy name of Jesus amen amen amen