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November 9, 2002
Pastor Bob Roberts
| I. Messages Revelation 14:6-12
A. The first angel Revelation 14:6-7 |
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II. The Other Angel Revelation 18:1-4
A. The fall is progressive Revelation 14:8; Revelation 18:1-4
B. The wine (false doctrine)
"The wine of error is made up of false doctrines, such as the natural immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God's holy, sanctified day. These and kindred errors are presented to the world by the various churches..."
C. "Habitation of devils.... cage of every unclean bird..." Revelation 18:2
1. Apparent history of iniquity....
2. In the book "In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I" by David Yallop, the story of the murder of John Paul I (Albino Luciani) is told. He was selected to be the next pope and appeared to be a good man. He began to find out things about the church that were not right.
3. He was particularly unfavorably impressed by Paul Marcinkus of the Vatican Bank. He told his secretary to investigate Marcinkus's deeds. John Paul I was then murdered.
4. Violence, homosexuality - even in the North American Roman church. We are called to say Babylon has fallen.
D. Earth lightened with glory of the other angel. Revelation 18:1
1. "Another mighty angel."
"I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily with a strong voice..... The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message, as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message." EW:577;(COR:57,58)
2. The message of righteousness by faith.
"Man cannot possibly meet the demands of the law of God in human strength alone. His offerings, his works, will all be tainted with sin. A remedy has been provided in the Saviour, who can give to man the virtue of His merit, and make him colaborer in the great work of salvation, and redemption to those who believe in Him, and who follow in His steps." S&H 2/4/90 (COR:116)
3. "By his perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with garments of His righteousness." COL:312; (COR:116).
Isaiah 60:2
Satan Hates The Church Revelation 12:17
A. He opposes entrance into the church
It is his (Satan's) studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from heaven's arrangement as he can; therefore he deceives even the professed people of God and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality; that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united and laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action." Ev:318
Some people are deceived by Satan's efforts, and think they do not have to become part of the church. The church is the body of Christ. It is directed by the head - which is Christ.
B. He incites people to believe the SDA Church is Babylon.
SM II:68 - "Again I say, The Lord hath not spoken by any messenger who calls the church that keeps the commandments of God, Babylon. True, there are tares with the wheat; but Christ said He would send His angels to first gather the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into the garner. I know that the Lord loves His church. It is not to be disorganized or broken up into independent atoms. There is not the least consistency in this; there is not the least evidence that such a thing will be. Those who shall heed this false message and try to leaven others will be deceived and prepared to receive advanced delusions, and they will come to naught."
Today that other angel ( Revelation 18:2) is lighting the earth.
IV. Relation Of Church And Christ
1."Very close and sacred is the relation between Christ and His church, -- He the bridegroom, and the church the bride; He the head, and the church the body. Connection with Christ, then, involves connection with His church." Ev:318.
A. He calls us to witness for Him. Millions of people will be attracted to the church. He calls on us to be His witnesses.
B. The love of Christ constrains us. 2 Corinthians 5:14. Constrains us from looking to the things of this world; constrains us to look and rely on Him.
