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July 5, 2003
Let’s go ahead—The Events After Pentecost #2, or retitled, What Are We Going To Do on The Sea of Glass? Very intriguing question isn’t it? Now let’s ask a couple of questions to go into this. Does God plan things? Yes, He does, and He says that He has made known to us the mystery of His plan. Does He prepare for things? Yes, He does. Did He not prepare Abraham? Yes, He did. Did He not prepare Moses in the wilderness before leading the children of Israel out? Yes, He did. Did He not prepare the way for the coming of Christ with John the Baptist? Yes, He did. Did He not send Jeremiah—let’s back up a little bit—was not Jeremiah prepared and sent to the people of Judah to warn them before the captivity took place? Yes, He did. Let’s go ahead—The Events After Pentecost #2, or retitled, What Are We Going To Do on The Sea of Glass? Very intriguing question isn’t it? Now let’s ask a couple of questions to go into this. Does God plan things? Yes, He does, and He says that He has made known to us the mystery of His plan. Does He prepare for things? Yes, He does. Did He not prepare Abraham? Yes, He did. Did He not prepare Moses in the wilderness before leading the children of Israel out? Yes, He did. Did He not prepare the way for the coming of Christ with John the Baptist? Yes, He did. Did He not send Jeremiah—let’s back up a little bit—was not Jeremiah prepared and sent to the people of Judah to warn them before the captivity took place? Yes, He did.
Now the greatest event that’s going to take place since the creation of the world is going to occur at the first resurrection! Now don’t you think that it is rather, silly, dumb and ignorant if the resurrection took place on Trumpets—we all meet Christ in the air and hurry up and come back down to the earth. Or must there be some kind of preparation before we come back to the earth? But of course there has to be—there is preparation right now isn’t there? We are preparing right now for the first resurrection, are we not? Yes, indeed. Now with all that preparation do you think it is going to be a hurryscurry thing and that God is going to say … “Let’s go! Get on your horse.” I never rode one of these in my life! Are you not going to have to understand how this new body works? This is going to be the greatest invasion in the history of the world! So, therefore, we’ve got to be prepared and ready. We have to have instructions and understanding.
So, let’s see what’s going to take place on the Sea of Glass. Let’s come to 1 John 3. So let’s back up here just a little bit. The first thing that’s going to happen when we are resurrected and see the angels and they take us up to meet Christ on the Sea of Glass, 1 John 3:1: “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not…” and they don’t know us. Like I told one man, the man that I bought the 1550 Stephens Text from—he is a dyed-in-the-wool Protestant, and I let him know that we keep the Sabbath and holy days and I said, “Look you need to understand this.” I said, “Every Sabbath there are millions of Christians who believe in Jesus Christ, who keep the Commandments of God, who keep the Sabbath, and a good number of them the holy days, and they are not looking for salvation by works.” I said, “You need to understand that. But you never hear about us do you? You don’t even know that we exist, do you?” And he was dumbfounded. No, the world doesn’t know us. How many people out there driving by, drive by and say, “Well, yes, we know there are Christians, true Christians that have the Spirit of God, meeting in that building.” Of course not. We walk down the street, we go in the supermarket, we don’t carry a placard, you know, “I’m a true Christian, and all the rest of you are damned.” (Laughter) Try that in San Francisco today. Now we should be called the sons or the children of God—the world doesn’t know us, “…because it knew Him not.” See God knows what He is doing in selecting those that He is preparing for the first resurrection. “Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear…” we already covered that how He is going to come back to the earth and where the Sea of Glass will be and so forth. “…We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-2). That’s one of the first things that are going to take place. We are going to see Christ!
Now let’s go to Revelation 15. Let’s look at the Sea of Glass here just a little bit, where it talks about the Sea of Glass, and we’ll read through some Scriptures, and then we’ll go back and analyze them; then we’ll ask some questions, and we’ll see if we can fill in the blanks. Revelation 15:1: “And I saw another sign… great and awesome:…” Okay now he sees the seven angels, but he also sees the Sea of Glass too. So this is an awesome thing. “…Seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is filled up. And I saw a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”
Now what’s one of the very first things that is going to happen—let’s read all the way through here down to verse 5 and then we’ll go back and see what’s going to happen here. Verse 3: “And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb…” we’ll cover that in a little bit, both of them. “…Saying, Great and awesome are Your works, Lord God Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints. Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You only are holy; and all the nations shall come and worship before You; for Your judgments have been revealed. And after these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” Now that’s got to be right close to where—that’s got to be right close to the Sea of Glass, does it not? And who is in the tabernacle but God the Father and His throne, right? Yes, indeed (Revelation 15:1-5).
Now then, the first thing that is going to happen is that Christ is going to receive us. Now let’s go back to Psalm 24 and let’s see how Jesus was received when He ascended to heaven to be received of God the Father after He was resurrected. Psalm 24—and do you not think that there is going to be a reception for us? Yes, indeed, and Christ is going to do the welcoming, and we will see what He will do. Psalm 24, and let’s pick it up here in verse 7. Now I want you to picture this: Just as Christ is coming to the Sea of Glass, as we covered last time (Revelation 4 and 5) to be received of the Father, and remember when we saw that Sea of Glass there were no saints there, just the Father, and Christ, and the angels. But picture this: Christ coming to walk down whatever aisle between the angels to be received of God the Father and here is what they sing. Verse 7: “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” Because yes, He is going to come back in battle isn’t He? And we are going to be with Him. Remember what He said, “If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.” And if you have been waiting for a good fight, you are going to get it. And you’ll have the tools and power to carry it out. Verse 9: “Lift up you heads, O you gates; even lift them up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.” So when He was received, that’s what the angels sang.
Now Christ is going to receive us isn’t He? Now what is He going to do? Let’s go back to Hebrews 2; let’s see what He is going to do. See there has to be a reason for the sea of glass, because there are a lot to things that have to take place, and a lot of things have to occur for us, and these things are in the Word of God which shows that they must take place. Now let’s pick it up here beginning in verse 5, Hebrews 2: “For it is not to the angels that He has placed in subjection the world to come, of which we are speaking.” No He has put it in subjection under us. “But in a certain place one fully testified, saying, ‘What is man, that You are mindful of him, or the son of man, that You visit him? You did crown him with glory and honor, and You did set him over the works of Your hands;’ ” That’s our ultimate destiny. Verse 8: “You did put all things in subjection under his feet. For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that was not subjected to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.” But the day is coming when it will be. “But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor on account of suffering the death, in order that by the grace of God He Himself might taste death for everyone;” So Christ has a tremendous stake in this doesn’t He? All those who are resurrected are those who have had the character of God, Christ in them developed. Correct? Yes, indeed. Verse 10: “Because it was fitting for Him, for Whom all things were created, and by Whom all things exist, in bringing many sons unto glory…” And that takes place at the resurrection. “…To make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He Who is sanctifying and those who are sanctified are all of one;” and the only time that is going to be with everyone, everywhere from the beginning of creation to the return of Christ [is] when they are all resurrected and meet Christ in the air on the Sea of Glass—all of one. See at this present time, we’re a few here and few there, there are some in this country, there are some in that country. When are they going to be all one? Now notice what happens when they are all one. “…For which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying…” Now here is what Christ is going to do when we’re resurrected and we’re on the Sea of Glass. What is the first thing that He is going to do? Christ is going to declare us to the Father, and say, “Behold, the work of your hands.” Continuing in verse 12: “…‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the church I will sing praise to You.’ And again, ‘I will be trusting in Him.’ And again, ‘Behold I and the children whom God has given Me.’ ” And I believe that’s the first thing that Christ is going to say—all resurrected spirit beings (Hebrews 2:5-13).
Now let’s come to Psalm 22 and let’s see a prophecy of this. I mean, brethren, we’re talking about the greatest thing since the creation of the world is going to happen. And we, you know—let’s get out of our minds a crippled concept of salvation because we have so been tainted by Protestantism and Catholicism and the insipidness of this stupid world, that we haven’t yet gotten in our minds that we are called to the greatest, greatest thing that has been! God is just not going to save you so you can be saved. Salvation is not escaping everburning hell! Salvation is being called to serve God through all eternity at the first level under Jesus Christ! And the church of the firstborn will be at that level for all eternity! I don’t know if there is any way we can shake up some these sleeping Laodiceans and Sardisites that are almost dead, you know—I don’t know. You see, the reason people give up on things so easily is because they were never convinced in the first place, and they were never taught in the second place, and they never studied their Bibles to really know, in the third place! So I don’t know what can be done to wake up these people—especially those that have forsaken the Sabbath and the holy days and have gone back into the vomit and swill of the order of the Roman Catholic Church to keep Sunday! Who they [the Roman Catholic Church] arrogantly say that those Protestants and those other people who keep Sunday, “You are just following us. You are hypocrites. We determined Sunday, not the Scriptures. You are following us, not God. You don’t believe your Bible, you believe us!” All you have to do is just read Rome’s Challenge to the Protestants—there it is. That is a profound piece of work, and when your enemy is so confident that he will come out and deride you like that, and then people give up on God.
Now let me tell you one very profound, important lesson: Because of a man who is supposed to be a servant of God, [but who] turns out to be evil and corrupt because he was gotten to by Satan the Devil; do not ever give up on God. I don’t care who you are, where you are, where you have been, what you experienced, salvation will overcome every bit of whatever you may have gone through. You need to understand that.
Psalm 22:22. Here is what Christ is going to do—we come up on the Sea of Glass, the angels bring us up there, and we get our sea legs as it were, and stand on the Sea of Glass, “I will declare your name unto my brethren:” He is going to say, “My brethren whom God has given me—Here is the Father!” Now we’ll be able to see the Father, won’t we, as spirit beings if we see Christ as He is? Will we not see God the Father as He is? Yes, indeed. “…In the midst of the congregation…” as we saw back there in Hebrews 2, the grea congregation, and the great congregation is all the resurrected saints, you see. “…In the midst of the congregation I will praise you. You that fear the LORD, praise him;” Now I just imagine after Jesus says, “Behold the children you have given me” and the children behold the Father—I imagine the angels ten thousands times ten thousands are going sing praises to God the Father. I mean this is going to be absolutely the most electrifying and penetrating event that we will ever experience, and then we’ll praise God. Verse 23: “You that fear the LORD, praise him; all you seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all you the seed of Israel.” And who is the true seed of Israel? The Church [is]. That is going to be a magnificent thing to take place (Psalm 22:22-23)!
Let’s come to Isaiah 8:16. We are going to read of the work of the apostles. He says here, verse 16: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait upon the LORD, that does hide his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children the LORD has given me…” again that refers to Hebrews the second chapter doesn’t it? “…Are for signs and for wonders…” and we will be to the world, won’t we? Yes, we will be. “… From the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.” Now what are we coming to? Mount Sion in heaven above, correct? Yes. Okay, put it all together (Isaiah 8:16-18).
The next thing we are going to do, Number Two—Okay Number One, you can put down there: Christ proclaims us to the Father. Number Two: We sing the victory song. Now we’re going to do a lot of singing. Remember it says there we have harps, right? Now, I have never played a harp. So whatever it is that God does when we are resurrected, to give us the ability to do so, He will. So all the harps have to be passed out don’t they? Now in this remember, the angels are going to be busy assisting in all of this. Okay, since we’re here in Isaiah, let’s come to Isaiah 40. No, let’s go to Psalm 35. Beg your pardon, instead of Isaiah let’s go to Psalms, and that’s not the airlines. Psalm 35:18. Now this also has to do with Christ. “I will give you thanks in the great congregation…” now the great congregation then is the resurrected saints. “…I will praise you among much people.”
Now since we are right here just go across the page to Psalm 33. Let’s begin in verse 1. We are going to sing some songs. We are going to sing more than just the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. We’ll get to that in just a bit. Verse 1: “Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with the harp:” That’s what we’re going to do. We have the harps of God don’t we? Yes. “…Sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song;” it’s going to be one we have never sung. “…And play skillfully with a loud noise. For the word of the LORD is right; and all of his works are done in truth.” Is that part of the song we are going to sing? What is the greatest work of His hands—those who have been resurrected. Yes, indeed (Psalm 33:1-4).
Now let’s come to Psalm 149:9—No, Psalm 144:9, I’m getting you all messed up here today, aren’t I? Psalm 144:9: “I will sing a new song unto you O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings I will sing praises unto you. It is he that gives salvation unto kings:” Are we going to be kings and priests? Have we not received salvation? Yes, indeed. He “…delivers David his servant from the hurtful sword.” Then it blends on back to a contemporary time (Psalm 144:9-10).
Now let’s go to Isaiah 40:8. Okay, now that you’re there, we will save this until we come to the rewards because this is talking about the rewards.
Now, song of victory—let’s see the song of Moses because it says we are going to sing the song of Moses the servant of God. So let’s go back to Exodus 15 and we will pick up part of it here, but remember now, we will expand this beyond just destroying the Egyptians at the Red sea. Verse 1: “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” And we are going to see a little later that Jesus returns to the earth and He makes war in righteousness doesn’t He? He is a man of war. And it talks about Pharaoh being cast down, and this is all likened then unto the judgment that will come against Babylon. And then we also have over here, verse 20: “And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, ‘Sing unto the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;...’ ” Now think what is going to be the triumph with all the resurrection of the saints. “…The horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea. So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness…” and so forth, the rest of the story goes back from there (Exodus 15:1-3, 20-22).
Now let’s come to Revelation the fifth chapter and see some of the songs we are going to sing. This is part of the song of the Lamb. You know we have often wondered—what was the song of the Lamb? Well, I think we can answer it here. And this is when the Lamb came, verse 8: “…When he took the book, the four living creatures and the twentyfour elders fell down before the Lamb, each having harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,...” and this is the song that we are going to sing. “…Worthy are You to take the book, and to open its seals because You were slain, and did redeem us to God by Your own blood, out of every tribe and language and people and nation, And did make us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.” That is part of the song of the Lamb, I believe. And I believe another part of the song of the Lamb is that we will sing unto Him because He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. So all of that will be part of the song of the Lamb. (Revelation 5:8-10).
Now let’s look in the Book of Psalms and see if we can see some other things which may be connected with the song of the Lamb. You know, you’ve heard it said that the saints are going to shout for joy. Well, we are! I mean this is going to be a tremendous thing, brethren. Let’s come to Psalm 18:46. This is extolling God as a fighter, as a warrior, and is Christ going to be fighting and warring this time when He comes back to the earth? Without a doubt. Psalm 18:46. Could this also be part of the song of the Lamb? “The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avenges me, and subdues the people under me.” And isn’t that what’s going to happen when we come back to the earth? Isn’t the earth going to be subdued under all the saints? Yes, indeed. “He delivered me from my enemies: yea, he has lifted me up above those that rise up against me: and he has delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto you, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto your name. For Great deliverance gives he to his king;” liken that unto the resurrection, that’s the greatest deliverance of all isn’t it—being delivered from death. “…And showed mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed forevermore.” We are going to be doing a lot of singing, I believe. So that will be good (Psalm 18:46-50).
Let’s come to Psalm 47. Maybe this is going to be one of the songs that we’ll sing. Maybe this is part of the song to the Lamb. Verse 1, Psalm 47: “…Clap you hands, all you people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” It’s going to be something isn’t it! Yes, we have been overcomers. Yes, we triumph over death through Jesus Christ. Yes, we’re going to triumph over all the forces of evil in this world. “…The LORD most high is awesome,” that’s what terrible means. Psalm 47, verse 2: “…he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.” That’s why we come back to the earth to fight. I don’t know about you, but this makes a lot of sense to me and you know, I have never put it together this way before, but when asked the question: what’s going to happen on the Sea of Glass—I guess one thing leads to another. Verse 4: “He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.” Of course that will occur on the Feast of Trumpets, right? “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing you praises with understanding. God reigns over the heathen: God sits upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham:” and that’s us, “…for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.” All of this is going to help prepare us for the coming battle. So that is the victory song (Psalm 47:1-9).
Now let’s come to the third thing that is going to take place on the Sea of Glass. Number Three: We are going to receive a new name. Now each one is going to receive a new name. Now how many people are there that are going to be resurrected? Well, millions and millions—don’t you think it is going to take some time for us to receive our new names? Okay, let’s see that. Let’s come to—first of all let’s see that Jesus is going to have a new name. Let’s come to Ephesians 1. And He is going to have the greatest of the new names, but you see just like God has done before the resurrection, He names things for what they will be. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham because he was going to be a father of many nations—and is he going to be surprised at the resurrection (Laughter). Ephesians 1, verse 20 talking about the greatness of God’s power, verse 20: “Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,” verse 21: “Far above every principality and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named—not only in this age, but also in the age to come; For He has subordinated all things under His feet, and has given Him to be head over all things to the church, Which is His body—the fullness of Him Who fills all things in all.” We’ll accomplish the will of God (Ephesians 1:20-23).
Now we see that name back here in Revelation 19. We see two things about the name of Christ. Let’s begin here in verse 11: “And I saw heaven open; and behold, a white horse; and He Who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He does judge and make war.” Now we are getting into the events coming to the Feast of Trumpets now here. “And His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no one knows except Him.” So He is going to have one name that is above all names, but also we are going to see He has other names. Let’s come over here to verse 16: “And His garment and on His thigh He has a name written: King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-12, 16).
Now we have to have a new name. Let’s come over here to Revelation 2. Let’s see where that promise is given, and we won’t know what it is until we are given it. So I imagine that Christ is already working on the names—He and God the Father are putting together the names that He has for us—getting all prepared. You see God is getting prepared. Jesus Christ is getting prepared, and all the preparation it is going to take for the first resurrection. Revelation 2:17: “The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the hidden manna;…” So we are going to eat when we are spirit beings. Now what is the hidden manna? I can’t tell you, it’s hidden, but we’ll know at that time. “…And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written,...” And I wonder if this stone is going to be something that we will hold in our hands, you know a symbol of authority. “…And in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except the one who receives it.” So, no one will know it until you receive it, then you will know it (Revelation 2:17).
Now let’s come to Chapter 3 and let’s see that there is also another name. Not all are going to receive the same name. Each one is going to be different. And, after all, each one of us at the resurrection is going to be a special creation of God the Father and Jesus Christ. We are going to have a new body, have a new mind, we’re going to have a new name. We’re going to have a new job, we’re going to eat new food, and we’re going to do new things. Now verse 12, Revelation 3: “The one who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,...” Now that doesn’t mean, you know, that you’re going to be made into a pillar; because the temple of God is going to consist of the people of God—because ultimately, as we will see for the Last Great Day, in New Jerusalem there is no temple. All temple builders will be unemployed (Laughter). “…And he shall not out any more; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of my God,…” Now this is in addition to your individual name. So these are names then, which distinguish work and authority—it would have to be. “…The New Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him My new name.” Now exactly how all that is going to work, I can tell you exactly how you’re going to find out—you make it to the resurrection, and when you see it done, you’ll understand it, and until then, I’ll ring my bell (the cowbell sounds). We don’t know, except that it says it (Revelation 3:12). The question was asked: Could not these names also signify titles? Very well—could very well be. We’ll find out.
Okay now let’s come to Isaiah—I mean this new name is going to be something. Let’s come to Isaiah 56. I imagine God the Father and Jesus Christ are having a great time selecting the names. Isaiah 56 and let’s see the promise given here. Verse 1: “Thus says the LORD, Keep you judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that does this…” Now the Protestants think you are cursed. “…And the son of man that lays hold on it: that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that has joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD has utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold I am a dry tree. For thus says the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths…” plural, holy days, “…and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a place and a name…” Now this is talking about at the time of the resurrection. “…Better than of sons and of daughters: and I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.” So it’s going to go for all eternity. Tremendous promise isn’t it (Isaiah 56:1-5)?
Now since we’re in Isaiah, let’s turn a few pages over to Isaiah 62. You know, and some names really need to be changed—God is going to change them. Isaiah 62 and let’s pick it up here in verse 1: “For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof goes forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burns.” Now that is bringing salvation to the whole world during the Millennium. Verse 2: “And the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory:” And we will be the kings won’t we? Yes. “…And you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” It’s going to come directly from God. Now that’s going to be an exciting thing isn’t it? So you might ask the question: What is in the name of a son or daughter of God? His eternal standing and position. Verse 3: “You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” We’ve got lots of work to do (Isaiah 62:1-3).
Now finally let’s go to Ephesians the third chapter and see that there is going to be the whole Family name. So not only are we going to have a new first name, we’re going to have a new last name. Now let’s pick it up here in verse 11, showing that God has purpose and part of what we are reading is the purpose of God for us, you see. Ephesians 3 and verse 11, God is busy doing and preparing for this, and I am sure the angels as well. Now notice, “According to His eternal purpose, which He has wrought in Christ Jesus our Lord, In Whom we have boldness and direct access with confidence through His very own faith. So then,…” Paul writes, “…I beseech you not to faint at my tribulations for you, which are working for your glory.” Now I can understand why Paul was very positive about the things that he went through. I imagine when he saw the third heavens in vision, that he was given an inkling of some of these things. Verse 14: “For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,...” Now we are going to be the family of God (Ephesians 3:11-15).
Now there was a man who, another Protestant, who when he found out that we believe that God is a Family, said that this is heterodoxy, if not heresy. Well, what does it say? Yes, Hillary reads this: “…In whom the whole village is named.” No, it doesn’t say that—it says family. Who made and created the family? God did. Who said be fruitful and multiple to create a physical family? God did. God is creating His family isn’t He? Yes, indeed, there it is. So we’re going to have a family name as well.
Now let’s come to Number Four: We will receive our reward. Now what is our reward going to be? The New Testament talks quite a bit about rewards. So let’s look at some of these and let’s see them. Now we have some rewards here, we have other rewards in heaven to be brought with us. “His reward is with Him.”
Let’s go to Isaiah. Now we’ll go to Isaiah 40. Now we’ve got it in the right place—sorry about that. He is going to bring it with Him. Isaiah 40:9: “O Zion…” now that’s talking about the Church “…that brings good tidings…” which we will bring to the world, “…get you up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that brings good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:9-11).
Now let’s see some more about rewards. Let’s look at some of the rewards that we are looking forward [to] today. Now, God is the one who knows all things, He is the one who is working up the rewards, He is the one who is preparing them for us, isn’t He? Let’s come to Matthew 5:12. Here is an inkling of the reward. Now it talks here in verse 11: “Blessed are you, when they shall reproach you, and shall persecute you, and shall falsely say every wicked thing against you, for My sake. Rejoice, and be filled with joy, for great is your reward in heaven;...” which He is going to bring with Him. Now what is a great reward? We’re not told, but it says it’s great, and if it’s going to be great—guess what—it is going to be great (Matthew 5:11-12)!
Let’s come over here to Chapter 6. You can look up the different ones, the different rewards, but here Chapter 6 and verse 1. Now you can lose your reward, we’ll see that in a little bit. Matthew 6:1: “Beware that you do not bestow your alms in the sight of men in order to be seen by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father Who is in heaven.” So your reward depends upon your conduct. In other words, don’t do it for glory of men. Whatever you do don’t do to be seen of men. Whatever you do, don’t do it for politics. You know, He talks about those who blow the trumpets when they give their alms—they’ve had their reward, they were seen of men. Likewise, you can go and read the whole chapter there it talks about the reward, but it talks about the treasures that we lay up for heaven, verses 19 and 20.
Now let’s come to 2 John 1 verse 8 and here it says something very unusual. 2 John 1 verse 8: “Watch out for yourselves in order that we may not lose the things we have accomplished, but that we may receive a full reward.” Rather than just partial [reward]—a full reward. Or you might say the fullness of your reward, either one would be okay. That would be all right.
Let’s come to 1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His abundant mercy, has begotten us again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; Unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for us,” Which He is going to bring with Him. He comes with His reward (1 Peter 1:3-4).
Now part of that reward, as we are going to see, is going to be our assignments! We are going to have to receive our assignments as well. So let’s come to Matthew 25, and let’s see what some of those assignments are going to be. Now with these assignments, we’re going to have to know where to go, aren’t we? So that’s going to be all laid out in the plan, isn’t it? Have to be. Here it talks about the reward and the assignment. Let’s pick it up here in verse 14. This is the parable of the talents. The parable of the pounds is Luke 19. You can just put that in your notes, we won’t turn there. Matthew 25:14: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man leaving the country, who called his own servants and delivered to them his property.” Now God has given you the Spiritual goods of His Holy Spirit and His Word is delivered to you. Now it depends on what you do with it. Verse 15: “ Now to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one; he gave to each one according to his own ability, and immediately left the country. Then the one who had received five talents went and traded with them, and made an additional five talents.” See God expects us to take the initiative. The way God does things, He doesn’t do it like in a corporation where someone is there supervising you and looking after every little detail. He says, “Here is the job, here is the goal, here is the mission; go do it.” [One might ask,] “Well, how do I do it Lord?” [And the Lord might answer,] “Well, you study My Word and all this sort of thing, but you do it!” You have to use your initiative. You have to use your choice and so forth.
So, “In the same way also, the one who had received two talents also gained two others.” He that received the one, we won’t dwell on that one. He went and digged in the earth and hid his Lord’s money. Verse 19: “Now after a long time, the lord of those servants came to take account with them. Then the one who had received five talents came to him and brought an additional five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered five talents to me; see, I have gained five other talents besides them.’ And his lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! Because you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ ” Likewise the one, [with] the two, “…good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:14-21).
Now let’s go to Luke 19. It’s necessary that we go there because this is the other half of the story. What is the reward? Everybody is going to get a reward, and that’s going to take some time isn’t it? It’s going to take some time for everybody to get their rewards, just think how many are going to be resurrected—you know—all at once. See we look around us, and we are few today. Just think what it is going to be like in the resurrection with millions, and millions, and millions and we say, “O God what have you been doing down though the ages?” And He is going to say, “Look—all of this, how is that?” And Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are going to say, “Praise God, look at what He did.” Especially Abraham because all he had was Isaac. And now look at all the physical nations on the earth and look at all now the spiritual nations that God is resurrecting. The first resurrection—that’s going to be awesome.
Okay, let’s pick it up here in verse 15, Luke 19:15: “And it came to pass that when he returned after receiving the kingdom, he directed that those servants to whom he had given the money be called to him, in order that he might know what each one had gained by trading.” See, God doesn’t want you to stay the same. Never be happy and satisfied with what you are today. Thank God that you are able to do what you do, that you can grow and overcome, but there is more that you can do, there is more that you can learn, there is more that you can grow into—you’ve got to apply yourself. It isn’t going to come by osmosis. It is not going to come by a funnel in the top of the head.
Verse 16: “And the one came up, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has gained ten pounds.’ Then he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ ” Now when is he going to know which cities those are? It’s got to be at the resurrection on the Sea of Glass before we come back to the earth—how are you going to know where to go? “Which city, Lord? I’ve never been up here in the atmosphere, and looking down I can’t tell.”
Verse 18: “And the second one came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ Then he also said to this one, ‘And you be over five cities.’ ” And then the one who didn’t do anything with it, you see, the one who didn’t do anything with it was the Sardisite who is dead and who had defiled his garments and didn’t receive the reward because he was lazy. Now if you’re dead, you’ve got to be lazy, right? How much can a corpse do (Laughter)? Not very much, right? Okay, so we receive our rewards.
Number Five: There is going to be a New Covenant. Now as compared to the old covenant, we are in the New Covenant today. But just like the covenant that God made with Abraham, when He expanded the covenant, what did He do, He changed his name from Abram to Abraham, didn’t He. So likewise, when we are spirit beings, I believe there is going to be a New Covenant. Now the covenant first of all has got to start out with the marriage of the Lamb and the bride. Is not the marriage ceremony a covenant? Yes. Are not our new assignments and the new work and our new existence, is that not going to require a New Covenant—a new agreement? But of course (Luke 19:15-20).
Let’s come to Revelation 19. Now you might want to go ahead and expand the thing on rewards and look up in a concordance and add a little more study to it and so forth—and expand on it because it talks about the reward of a prophet, the reward of a righteous man if you give a cup of water to one of the disciples, etc., etc. And some of those rewards, I believe will take place in the second resurrection—not necessarily the first.
Now, Number Five: The New Covenant. Let’s pick it up here in verse 1: “And after these things I heard the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven…” Now that’s not the third heaven. That is on the Sea of Glass, which is in the atmosphere where the clouds are, which is the first heaven. “…A great multitude in heaven, saying,”…. Now we’re getting ready to come back to the earth—this is the finale. “…’Hallelujah! The salvation and the glory and the honor and the power belong to the Lord our God. For true and righteous are His judgements; for He has judged the great whore…’ ” Now we’ll see that a little later. “…‘Who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and He has avenged the blood of His servants at her hand.’ And they said a second time, ‘Hallelujah!’. And her smoke shall ascend upward into the ages of eternity. And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, Who sits on the throne, saying, ‘Amen; Hallelujah!’ ” Now this is the finale before we come back to the earth. So this is really a tremendous send-off isn’t it? And the thing that is going to take place, I believe, the last part of it that will take place will be the marriage of the Lamb. Then we come down to the earth just like it lays out here. Verse 5: “And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, ‘Praise our God, all His servants, and all who fear Him, both small and great.’ ” There we will be on the Sea of Glass, and we’ll praise God. Verse 6: “And I heard a voice like that of a great multitude, and like the sound of many waters, and the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty has reigned’ ” (Revelation 19:1-6).
Now then, here comes the marriage of the Lamb. Verse 7: “Let us be glad and shout with joy, and let us give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready”. Now I believe that God the Father will perform the ceremony, who else? “And it was granted to her that she should be clothed in fine linen, pure and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he said to me, ‘Write, Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ ” So these are the guests. Now we don’t know exactly how all of that is going to work, but we know that it says there are going to be guests at the wedding. So not everyone who is resurrected in the first resurrection will be part of the bride, but there will be guests, and they eat at the marriage supper. So the last thing we’re going to do is have a great big feast! Marriage of the Lamb is going to take place, we’ll have the great feast of the marriage supper of the Lamb, and then get ready for Trumpets—the angels are going to bring all the horses for us (Revelation 19:7-9).
Now let’s look and see if we can get some hints of this covenant here—will be an extension of a covenant already of the new covenant. Let’s come to Hebrews 13:20. Just like the covenant that God made with Abraham in Genesis 17 was an extension of the covenant He made with him in Genesis 15. So likewise, with us, we will be part of the everlasting covenant. Hebrews 13:20: “And may the God of peace, Who raised our Lord Jesus from among the dead—that great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant…” So when we receive our new name, we receive our rewards, we receive our assignments, we will have a New Covenant—part of the everlasting covenant that started out when you were baptized. This will be a new phase of it, an extension of it because we will live forever (Hebrews 13:20).
Let’s come to Psalm 110. Let’s see part of the covenant that God made with Melchizedek—the Lord who was Melchizedek. And being priests and kings under Christ, we then will become part of the Melchizedek priesthood directly. So not only does this apply to Christ, Psalm 110, let’s begin here in verse 1—not only does it apply to Christ, but it will also have to extend to those who are going to be kings and priests under Christ. Wouldn’t you believe that would be so? Have to be. “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” That’s the whole prophecy of what God is doing. Verse 2: “ The LORD shall send the rod of your strength out of Zion: rule in the midst of your enemies. Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth.” Verse 4: “The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Now that is a covenant. So likewise, there is going to be a marriage covenant; there will be the covenant for the new priests and the new kings (Psalm 110:1-4).
Okay, now Number Six. Number Six: will be the pouring out of the seven last plagues. Let’s come back to Revelation 15 and we’ll see that. All of this takes place while we are on the Sea of Glass before we return to the earth, and then we’ll finish here. And then you have to come back for Trumpets so we can continue the story. See because all of the holy days are connected together and have meaning.
Revelation 15 and then on into Revelation 16, the pouring out of the seven last plagues, and let’s pick it up here in verse 5: “And after these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And the seven angels who had the seven last plagues came out of the temple; they were clothed in linen, pure and bright, and girded about the chest with golden breastplates. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden vials, full of the wrath of God, Who lives into the ages of eternity. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no one was able to enter inside the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled” (Revelation 15:5-8).
Now then, God’s vengeance is given. Remember God said to all of us, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” Now God is going to do a unique thing. He is going to show all the saints, all at the same time, the vengeance of God on this whole ungodly world system, and fulfill His promise, that if you wait for the vengeance of God, you will see it.
Revelation 16:1: “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple say to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.’ ” Men are going to learn that they are feeble, indeed, fighting against God. God doesn’t use guns and cannons, and bombs. God uses things that affect the human body in a way to debilitate it. And He uses the same plagues that He used when He destroyed Egypt. And this is to show that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and these weapons—these are the greatest weapons of mass destruction that have ever been.
Now verse 2: “…And the first angel went and poured out his vial onto the earth; and an evil and grievous sore fell upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and upon those who were worshiping his image.” They are probably going to break out with boils and blains and carbuncles, from head to toe. Remember what happened to Job? He was so covered with boils that he just sat there in the dust and took a broken potsherd and just scraped the pusscaps off—those boils that he had, and then threw ashes on it. And he was sitting there and you know the flies just came all around him, that’s why he said, “The worms eat this body.” There were probably some maggots crawling around in some of these sores that he opened up. So just picture the same thing here. That’s why don’t receive the mark of the beast. It may be convenient for a while, but you’re going to pay the penalty, friend.
Verse 3: “And the second angel went and poured out his vial into the sea; and it became blood, like that of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea died.” So when Christ comes to this earth when we come with Him to this earth, the earth is going to be nearly dead, lifeless, plagued, sick, destroyed, dead bodies everywhere. Yeah, there will be some people still alive—how many we don’t know. So you talk about shell shock, you talk about plague shock, yes.
Verse 4: “And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers, and into the fountains of waters; and they became blood. Then I heard the angel of the waters say…” Now there is an angel in charge of the waters of the earth. So he said, “…You are righteous, O Lord, Who are, and Who was, even the Holy One, in that You have executed this judgment. For they have poured out the blood of saints and of prophets…” Now you need to understand the blood of the saints and the prophets is worthy that they receive this. “…And You have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another voice from the altar say, Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.” Now men look at this and say God is evil and mean and nasty and hateful and terrible. Well, what have men done to God? All those who are against God, remember, there is a day called payback time, and here it is.
Verse 8: “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given to it to scorch men with fire.” You think 130 degrees in Iraq is pretty tough? It doesn’t say how hot this is, but it scorches them like with fire. “Then men were scorched with great heat…” now apparently just a big blast for a certain period of time—did they repent? No. How hard is the heart once it is given over to Satan the Devil? Pretty hard isn’t it? “…And they blasphemed the name of God, Who has authority over these plagues, and did not repent to give Him glory.” We’re going to make it to the end. We’re going to fight these invaders from outer space.
Verse 10: “And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain,…” it’s much like the darkness that they had in Egypt. It was so thick they could feel it. Can you imagine having such a darkness that is so totally black and so absolutely oppressive that you can reach out and feel it and there is nothing you can do? “…And they gnawed their tongues because of the pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; yet they did not repent of their works.” Now there is going to be a little respite after that. Now here comes the last desperate hoorah of mankind against God.
Verse 12: “And the sixth angel poured out his vial into the great river Euphrates;…” because after Revelation 9, it began to flow again. “…And its waters were dried up, so that the way of the kings from the rising of the sun might be prepared.” So that the rest of the army of 200 million could come. And they thought, “Oh! This is fantastic! The river is dried up, now we can get to our enemies over there to Jerusalem and we can fight this invasion from outer space! Now is our opportunity. We can still do it in spite of everything that has gone on.”
Verse 13, So they are going to get spiritual communication, “Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet;” Now these are going to convince them that if we all gather together, if we just come together—you talk about Pharaoh being convinced that he could run down into the Red sea which was opened and he could see the dry ground and he looked to his right, and the water was way down at the other end, and he looked to his left and the water was way down at that end. So likewise, they are going to be deceived into thinking, “Boy, if we gather together, we’re going to make it. This is our last chance!”
Verse 14: “For they are spirits of demons working miracles, going forth to the kings of the earth, even of the whole world, to gather them together to the battle of that great day of the Almighty God.” This is going to be an awesome battle—all the armies gathered around. They are going to be able to see the Sea of Glass. They are going to be able to get their armies there and they are going to say, “Okay, let’s all get here—all of our rockets, all of our tanks, all of our bombs, everything we can shoot up there. And we are going to blast this thing out of the air and they’ll come tumbling down, and we’ll kill them all!” Well, the Sea of Glass is going to be perfectly protected. All those missiles and everything are just going to bounce off. They are going to know they are in deep trouble then.
So here is a little warning to all the saints. Verse 15: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is the one who is watching and is keeping his garments, so that he may not walk naked and they may not see his shame.” In other words: Lest you who know the truth, don’t watch and keep your garments clean by loving and obeying God and by repentance through the blood of Christ, you’re going to be ashamed and you’re going to end up the same way. Now verse 16: “…He gathered them together the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
Verse 17: “Then the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, ‘IT IS FINISHED.’ And there were voices and thunders and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” This is the finale. You know, like a great and tremendous symphony that just builds, and builds, and builds, and builds, and builds, and finally it comes to the end. Oh, instead of kettledrums going and trumpets blowing it’s going to be the angels who are shouting and here it’s building right to the end and the seventh angel poured out his vial. It’s going to be something so great, verse 19: “And the great city was divided into three parts; and the cities of the nations fell…” I just imagine every skyscraper that man has ever built is going to come crumbling to the ground. “…And Babylon the Great…” now we’ll talk about the judgment of Babylon leading up to Trumpets here. “…Was remembered before God to give her the cup of the wine of His wrath. And every island disappeared, and no mountains were found; And great hail, each stone the weight of a talent, fell down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for the plague was exceeding great.” Now we’ll see this doesn’t kill all the men. This doesn’t kill all the armies yet. They recover after this—the hail comes down, and what happens after hail is down on the ground for a while? Well, sooner or later, it melts away (Revelation 16:1-21).
Then, now if you want to know the rest of the story, come for Trumpets.
(End of Sermon)
Transcriber: Judith Anderson
Events After Pentecost—Sermon II
July 5, 2003
Scriptural References
- I John 3:1-2
- Revelation 15:1-5
- Psalm 24:7-10
- Hebrews 2:5-13
- Psalm 22:22-23
- Isaiah 8:16-18
- Psalm 35:18
- Psalm 33:1-4
- Psalm 144:9-10
- Isaiah 40
- Exodus 15:1-3, 20-22
- Revelation 5:8-10
- Psalm 18:46-50
- Psalm 47:1-9
- Ephesians 1:20-23
- Revelation 19:11-12, 16
- Revelation 2:17
- Revelation 3:12
- Isaiah 56:1-5
- Isaiah 62:1-3
- Ephesians 3:11-15
- Isaiah 40:9-11
- Matthew 5:11-12
- Matthew 6:1
- II John verse 8
- I Peter 1:3-4
- Matthew 25:14-21
- Luke 19:15-20
- Revelation 19:1-9
- Hebrews 13:20
- Psalm 110:1-4
- Revelation 15:5-8
- Revelation 16:1-21
