2024 July 7th, Sunday Morning Service

I was stalking you for a minute.

So as we move further into chapter 11 of the Book of Revelation, we are still in another interlude. There are several of them in this book. We find ourselves in this interlude before the final Fury in a series of judgments. It will take place in the future time of tribulation to come on the whole world that I'm called the day of the Lord as we have gone through the Book of Revelation. We know we are in this seven-year period called the time of tribulation a future time just prior to the return of Christ to establish his Earthly Kingdom this time began to unfold as Seven Seals were broken. It's sealed a scroll as each seal was broken another phase of judgment occurs, which is part of the plan to take back the earth and the universe from Satan and give it to the rightful Heir namely Jesus Christ. As each of those sealed folded we made it to seal number six, but before number 7, there's an interlude a pause before the final and most severe judgment the Judgment of the seventh seal the seventh seal judgments stretch across seven years, the seven Bowl judgments happened rapid-fire right at the very end of the time. We will study six of them and then we will see another interlude. There will be an interlude just before the 7th Bowl as there was before the seventh seal between the seals and the Bulls is a series of judgments that don't take as long as the seals and aren't as brief as the Bulls call the seventh trumpet judgments. We've gone through 6 of them and now we're in the in the interlude before the 7th. So in each case, there is a pause and interlude before the fight. Title and 7th judgement, the purpose of the interlude is the same in all three cases. It's the comfort and encourage the Saints live at that time because they will be engulfed in The Sixth Seal the six trumpets and the six bowl judgments to some degree and perhaps as the increasing Fury. They're going to be wondering just exactly what's going on in the Lord is still in control and so in each case before the final and worst judgment the Lord's stops long enough remind them of comforting truth about his care of his own summing-up then to this point and chapter 11. The Seven Seals have been opened. The universe is being judged those open seals have brought Divine wrath in the form of false. Peace Wars famines earthquakes pestilence and death. They have included Vengeance and the collapse of the universe the seventh seal then released the seven trumpets which included the destruction of a third of the plants all of the grass a third of the Seas a third of the creatures in them a third of the ships and a third of the freshwater one third of the Sun in the moon the release of demons Bound for Millennia in the pit to torment men and then two hundred million more hellish fiends kill a third of all of mankind with fire Brimstone and smoke all of that. It's already gone by in this brief seven-year period of time before the seventh trumpet blows and releases the seven bowls. However, which will be at by all means be the worst judgment comes the brief respite for the Lord to show his people that he is still caring for them still affecting his purpose. This pause is a long one takes up chapter 10 and chapter 11 Down 2 verse 14. It focuses on the fact that God will have his testimony during that future time. It focuses on the fact that John is to look at that time understand it see its sweetness because righteousness will rain and Judge baseball come to see its bitterness because the ungodly will be destroyed and as he views that according to verse 11, he must write down everything the record must be kept so that in that day they can be read by Saints who are wondering what is going on. If you are one living during that time if you were to experience that as many will you would be searching the scripture for some explanation and you would find the interlude sections of Revelation very comforting because of the What's the Vol the Judgment they would tell you that God is still in control. Now in chapter 11 is looks at the two witnesses, very interesting creatures who will appear in that day to Proclaim salvation to call men to repentance as well as to warn about judgement. And that is the main theme of chapter 11 verses 3 through 13. So right up until the end of judgement. God will have his witness. He will have his written witness in the Book of Revelation which will be revealing everything that is going on and they will be able to look and see the things that are unfolding around them and understand as well that God is still gracious merciful still working his plan right to the end. The word of God will be in their hands. God will sit have his preachers not only the 144,000 who concealed from any harm to preach the gospel not only and innumerable number of Gentiles who have been redeemed and the whole nation of Israel, which will eventually will return in Repentance looking upon their Messiah and believing and as well a flying angel going through Heaven preaching the Everlasting gospel from up above which will be amazing thing to see and experience. But he will have these two amazing preachers on the earth. They will be there to warn about the judgment and call men to repentance when they are done the seventh trumpet will blow and the Seven Bowl judgments will come rapid-fire in the Lord will return in flaming judgment to destroy centers and demons and establish his kingdom on Earth. So sweet, 2 chapter 11, we are near the end of the seven-year tribulation and we're going to meet the two preachers. I suppose you could look at it like this whatever juice have not been converted at the preaching of the 144,000 or the Everlasting angel or the testimony of the other converted Jews were converted Gentiles. Whatever Jews have not been killed and destroyed whatever Jews still remain in their hearts are open will come to Faith in their Messiah through the preaching of these. Witnesses and I believe that you see that in verse 13 when it says and at that time there was a great earthquake and a tenth of the city fell 7,000 people were killed in the earthquake and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the god of Heaven. That's the final culmination the punctuation point at the conclusion of the Salvation of the people of Israel. So these two Messengers are crucial and they play a very important role in the last component of bringing salvation to Israel. Then Messiah can come destroy the ungodly and set up the kingdom promise to Israel and to all who love Christ. Let's meet the two witnesses and verse 3 and I will grant authority to you my two witnesses and they will prophesy for 1260 days clothed in sackcloth. God says I'm going to give you two special Witnesses for 1260 days. That's three and a half years during that final three and a half years while Jerusalem is being trampled by Antichrist and his Gentile force that are massacring all the Jews. They can during that. Of time these two witnesses will have a powerful witness in spite of pagan depression. God will get his message out so that Israel will believe and many others among the Gentile Nations surely will believe the testimony of these two great preachers. I will grant authority to my two witnesses. I will give permission. I will commission my two witnesses that is two witnesses to me to give testimony to me. These aren't books or videos or movies. These are people they aren't weapons or movements. They are people I will grant it. He says God to my two witnesses to is a very important number. This is so powerful. Here's the combination of God's promise to Israel to was the Old Testament number for the confirmation of any testimony any time. There was a testimony it needed to be confirmed by at least two witnesses. So it says a Deuteronomy 716-1915 numbers 35 and 30 even in the New Testament Hebrews 10 28, Matthew 18 16 John 8:17. That's just standard stuff. So here to witness is granted Authority from God the father and they are to give testimony to God testimony to Christ testimony to the gospel and to God's judgment it says and they will prophesy and I want to make sure you understand that the word prophecy doesn't have the primary sense of predicting the future but if standing before someone and preaching it could be trance. They will preach they will stand before the world the world and they will preach and what will they preach judgment? They will interpret what is going on for the three and a half years of their Ministry the Judgment of God the Antichrist all of the things that they've seen in the latter part of the seals in through the trumpet judgments will be going on and these two men will be standing before the world interpreting all of that preaching judgment. No doubt saying what you've seen is the Judgment of God and you haven't seen anything yet read the book of Revelation. If you have any questions, it's there for you read about what is to come in the seventh trumpet and in the seven bowls at the same time, they will be warning about hell to follow about Antichrist the demons running over the Earth wounding and injuring people and even killing them with fire. And brimstone they will be calling men and women to Salvation. They will be presenting the gospel. They will be saying the age of Grace is not over yet. The time of Mercy has not ceased and so these two preachers will do this for three and a half years. Of their preaching and predicting judgments is the same as the period of the trampling of the holy city the reign of antichrist The Hiding of Israel the time of Jacob's trouble. It's the last half the Great Tribulation that describes their Duty. Secondly, let's look at their attitude verse 3 also says they are clothed in sackcloth. Sackcloth is about as primitiva garment as you can imagine. Basically, it's what you bring home potatoes in rough course heavy and it was used in ancient times uniquely by the prophets. And the reason the prophets used. It was whenever they were prophesied judgment. They took a morning posture a sad posture apostrophe humility. It was expressive of sadness of humility of penitence when people wanted to repent they would close themselves in sack cloth and put ashes on their head. That's what the truly repentant you would do. So here are these two prophets and their attitude is humility sorrow and sadness they're not dressed and Festival garments. They're not happy about what is coming judgment damnation It is worn by these two to express the great sorrow and more. You might feel over the wicked wretched world the Judgment of God falling constantly around them in the seal in the trumpet in the bowl judgements their mourning over the desecration of the temple their mourning over the ascendancy of antichrist their mourning over the devastation of Jerusalem. Jacob put on sackcloth when the sun's came and said that their brother Joseph had been slain by wild beasts. When David heard the cruel murder of Abner the Bible says and to mourn over Abner he put on sackcloth. As we come to verse for we come to a third component in understanding these two witnesses and that's their identity immediately. When you read verse three, the first thing you think of is, who are they? Well, the answer comes as much as it comes in verse 4. These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands the stand before the Lord of the earth. It doesn't tell us much. This is very unusual description. And I want to take the time to let it unfold because it has such an important in the whole scheme of God's plan with regard to Israel. The description of these two witnesses as to olive trees into lampstands the stand before the Lord of the earth is right out of the prophecy of Zechariah this refers to the very unique discussion of Zechariah Chapter 3 and 4 to olive trees and 2 lampstands the stand before the Lord is all terminology that is part of the vision of Zechariah. The detail is very important. So let's go back to Zechariah Chapter 3 Zakaria the prophet had some amazing Visions from God they had both near and far for fillman. And that is very common and prophetic literature. There is a near historic fulfillment and a future Messianic fulfillment. That is the prophecies that came by way of vision to Zachariah reveal to him matters related to the rebuilding of the temple in his own time as well as the restoration of the Kingdom. in the end time that was which was revealed to Zechariah Focus two-story Glee on the rebuilding of the temple in his own time. And he was alive between Ezra and Nehemiah when the rebuilding of the temple took place historically but those prophecies not only focused on that time, but they look forward to the full restoration of the Kingdom at the end time the kingdom promised Israel. When the Messiah Would Rain the rebuilding of the temple had been approved and Ezra's time but was not being done. So God used Zakaria to get them moving to encourage two men to leave the building and the restoration those two men were very important men. One was a priest and the other was a ruler their names was Joshua not the Moses Joshua and zaruba Bell Joshua the high priest. Zaruba Bell, the governor is felt Zechariah among other things to motivate Joshua and to motivate zaruba Bell to get on with business of building the Temple. Joshua had a vested interest after all he was the high priest and so did zaruba Bell he was the ruler of the land the Jews of zechariah's time knew they had send and they feared they have no basis for God's favor. They knew God would not tolerate their evil faithless hearts and they were sure God was through with them and they would never see the temple rebuilt and never be restored to the place of blessing. And so God gives a vision to Zachariah to encourage them to show them at the promise of restoration was still in place. 3:1 Zechariah says then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan standing at his right to accuse him. Joshua is high priest is the representative of the nation. The high priest was the representative before God of the whole nation Joshua Dennis the symbol of the nation of Israel. He's standing before the Lord pleading the cause of his people like any good priest and begging God to be gracious and merciful and forgiving and to restore the people and to give them back their city and give them back the temple and give them back their kingdom was Satan's there to the Book of Revelation says that he is the accuser of the Brethren Night and Day Before the Throne of God and here we find him there. He's there accusing Joshua and what is he saying? And I wouldn't listen to Joshua. Look at the kind of man. He is he's done this and he's done that and he's not worthy man. He's an evil man and Satan the standing right there at the right hand of God accusing Joshua, but God doesn't want to hear any of it verse 2 and the Lord said to Satan the Lord rebuke you Satan indeed the Lord who was who's in Jerusalem rebuke? Who is this? Not a log snatched from the fire. Ironic the Fallen Archangel of God himself so vile as to have he'll created for him is standing at the right hand of God accusing Joshua and the people he represents are being so sinful. They are Unworthy of God's favor. Who does he think he is God rebuke Satan for questioning his promise to restore Israel and then God moves to cleanse Joshua verses 3 through 5. That Joshua was closed in filthy garments as was standing before the angel and he responded and said to those who were standing before him saying remove the filthy garments from him again. He said to him see I have taken your guilt away for you. Will Chloe we will clothes you with festive robes. Then I said have them put a clean headband on his head. So they put the clean headband on his head and clothed him with garments while the angel of the Lord was standing by what does that tell us? Joshua was a sinful man. Like all men. There's no hiding his sin and he needs to be cleansed. Here is the Forgiveness here is the cleansing here is the removal of guilt from Joshua and as the representative of his people goddess aine. I'm going to forgive my people this nation If my people will meet my conditions. I will restore them and versus six and seven in the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua saying the Lord of armies says this if you walk in my ways and perform my service, then you will both government house and be in charge of my Courtyards and I will grant you free access among these were standing here. If she'll just obey me and walk in my ways and do my service I will allow you to govern my house and take charge of my courts. I'll restore you as a nation. If you give back your identity and back your kingdom and back your temple. I'll restore you as my priest Nation even is I have restored your own high priest that is all on the basis of God's free Sovereign Love and not for any Merit or work and yet they must be obedient. Such Grace does not excuse Disobedience. It demands it. Then the amazing part verse 8 now. Listen Josh will you high priest you and your friends who are sitting in front of you indeed they are men who are a sign for behold. I'm going to bring in my servant the branch. Who is this the Messiah now, we've jumped from history present and Zacharias time to the very end verse 9 through 10 for behold the stone that I have put before Joshua on one stone are seven eyes behold. I am going to engrave an inscription on it declares the Lord of armies and I will remove the guilt of that land in one day on that day declares the Lord of armies every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his Vine and under his fig tree. That's the promise with the Messiah will come called the branch. That's the promise promise that the Messiah will set up his kingdom. And in that Kingdom God In One Moment In One Day at the coming of Christ will removing the equity and in that day. He will set up his kingdom and everyone will invite his neighbor to sit under his Vine and under his fig tree. What is that Holiness and peace the ultimate final restoration? So what's Zacharias seen then is a fulfillment and a far fulfillment. So all of that is laid out in chapter 3 now Joshua knows that restoration is Promised where there is obedience and he can begin to move the people toward that restoration but there's another key player in chapter 4 the ruler by the name of zaruba Bell. Chapter 4 verses 1 through 3, then the angel who had been speaking with me returned and woke me like a person who was awakened from his sleep and he said to me what do you see and I said I see and behold the lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it and it's seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it. Also to olive trees by it one on the right side of the bowl. And the other on its left side quite the scene. Did you notice there? We went into the lampstand and the olive trees. Justice is sudden Revelation chapter 11. What is he describing? Here is the menorah. That's the Jewish candle. You see with the seven lights on it one in the middle. And then three on each side the bowl that he talks about the lampstand all of gold with his bowl on the top of it. The bowl is an oil vessel and this is almost an automated Menorah because there's a bowl up there that constantly drips oil flowing into lampstands by gravity and then you will notice he says it has seven spouts the bull comes down. It divides into 7 spouts each of those spouts dispersing oil constantly to the seven lamps. Then there are two olive trees and what are they? What kind of oil did they burn in the lamps olive oil? That's why I say you've got a self-contained operation here. The two olive trees are producing the oil that goes into the boy that is disseminated out of the seven Sprouts that goes into the lamps to keep the light burning. Here is an automatic oil supply is that important? You'd better believe it because what it says is that God is going to keep this whole thing moving without any human involvement Verses 4 through 6. Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying what are these my Lord? So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me do you not know what these are and I said no my Lord and he said to me this is the word of the Lord to zaruba Bell saying not by might nor by power, but by my spirit says Lord of armies, I want the rubel to know that without any human power God is going to keep the nation of Israel alive. He's going to keep the lamp lit and he's going to flow from the two olive trees. verses 7 through 10 What are you you great Mountain before zaruba Bell, you will become a plane and he will bring out the top stone with shouts of Grace Grace to it. Also, the word of the Lord came to me saying the hands of zaruba Bell have laid the foundation of this house and his hands will finish it and then you will know that the Lord of armies has sent me to you for who has shown contempt for the day of small things. But these seven will rejoice when they see the Plumb line in the hand of zaruba bell. They are the eyes of the Lord roaming throughout the Earth. What are you saying is there to olive trees and those two olive trees are going to be the Divine instruments by which God keeps is real delighted those two olive trees represent. Joshua absorbable two men whom God would use to restore Israel. Joshua would be the instrument of the spiritual Revival. Zaruba Bell would be the instrument of the rebuilding zaruba Bell with build the temple by God's power and Joshua would bring about the Revival between them priest and King. They brought about the restoration of Israel to God and the restoration of Israel to its definition as a kingdom. Then the final component verses 11 through 14. Then I said to him. What are these two olive trees on the right of the lamp stand on its left and I respond the second time and said to him what are the two Olive branches were which are beside the two golden pipes which empty the gold and oil from themselves. So he answered me saying do you not know what these are and I said no my Lord then he said these are the two anointed ones who are standing by the lord of the whole earth to olive trees that produce oil to branches two pipes to anointed one standing by the Lord to whom the supply of the spirit flows continually to bring Salvation and restoration and who are they? They're Joshua is Aruba Bell. Go back to Revelation when we read the God has two witnesses the end time called to olive trees and 2 lampstands. We know exactly what that means that God is getting ready for the Salvation and the restoration of Israel. God is in the midst of restoration. As he was in the days of Joshua and zaruba Bell only this time the new Temple will be the millennial Temple and the new commitment will be National salvation in the new worship will be centered on the Messiah. It's a magnificent imagery Joshua and zaruba Bell were God's instruments for the ancient restoration of Israel. They were all if trees golden pipes through whom the holy spirit's power was flowing and so will the final two witnesses be olive trees and golden pipes and it won't be by human power that they will be used to bring about the restoration. I believe these two play that primary role in bringing Israel to Salvation. They become the most powerful preachers to bring Redemption to the last part of the remnant. But who are they? Verses 5 and 6 tells us about them and if anyone wants to harm them fireflies out of their mouth and devours their enemies, and so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. These have the power to shut up the sky. So the rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the Earth with every plague is often has a desire. Some people believe that describes Moses and Elijah Elijah during his life brought down fire from heaven the consume the enemies of God. He also shut off rain from heaven and Moses turned water into blood and smoke the people of Egypt with all kinds of plagues. The second reason it might be Moses and Elijah both Moses and Elijah were seen in the Transfiguration. Both Moses and Elijah were used by God to bring Supernatural means of suffering on people for the purpose of stimulating repentance both left this life and unusual ways. Elijah didn't die. He went up to heaven in a chariot of fire Moses body was never found and it was disputed over by Michael God wanted to retain for his own purposes. Why would God want it? Maybe he wanted it so he could use it again some say John the Baptist was a Living spirit of Elijah in other words if you had believed in Christ and he set up his kingdom than John with a fulfilled the prophecy that he lied you was going to come other say could possibly be Enoch and Elijah because neither died so you can be you can't be dogmatic. This is kind of gets exciting, but it'll have to wait till next time.

foot spray

father God we thank you for what you've shown us today. We thank you that there's going to come a time of restoration and salvation. We know that you're a God of your word. We thank you for your grace to the sinful world that right down to the very finish. You're going to have two preachers. The people have to listen to thank you for being a God who keeps his promise and pray these things in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you. You are dismissed.

Part 1 you're dismissed from part.

All right. Well the clothing closet usually doesn't come to the church very much. As part when they're their Ministry of the church and and just kind of do their own thing. The council decided when their budget is below a certain dollar level that will put in $50 a month to make sure they have some money and lately that doesn't happen too often cuz of the blue bags where people donate towards that and the offering at the church. We all know that Pat is trying to wean herself from from running the clothing closet and this and been looking for someone preferably from the church, but someone to take over leadership pandas for a woman that doesn't work outside the home except for Mary Kay. She doesn't she's actually pretty busy. And she's not real wild about about being there, too. Get on the phone and call people or or show up when others don't all the time home. So we've been kind of looking for someone take over one volunteer had came about three months in a row mostly sat on the couch took stuff from the barrel and hung it nice and sweet and she said I'm interested in running the clothing closet and and we had a bit of an interview on a Tuesday and Thursday. We told her we think will try you for six months in leadership and by Sunday afternoon. She sent me it alarming list of things that had to be immediately addressed. And I saw her. In the evening because she seen me we didn't know but she'd been taking pictures and taking notes of the egregious things going on at the clothing closet. You know, that that so much stuff is is going out the door and to the volunteers and and kind of cheating the clothing closet then and the fire danger. Did you know that In The Heat Of Summer like like a day like today if the church burned down all of Dallas all of Monmouth all independence would also burned down. She said many many alarming things and she wanted to be given power that. you need to be a member of the church and a trustee to do these things you want to do and she wrote me that I spent 10 hours writing you this email but I got the evidence you asked for and all this stuff and she was going to get the Employment Division after us too because of the clothing closet people benefiting from from volunteering and

And employing minors in and she did send the fire. Marshal. I asked him when he when he came and inspected about was this because I called local station and said, do you have a handout for preliminary preparation for a fire marshal visit or is this because of this woman complained and he said both And when he was ready to leave he said, you know, I'll send you my list with some things. I want done. That's why we have new latches on the doors and stuff. He said, but my report is going to say the the claims the charges were unsubstantiated. So, thank you Jesus.

In the midst of her very long 10-hour dissertation that she wrote all night. So I got it on the Monday after Sunday few weeks back. She said you know it if you don't tell me I am empowered to do this by tomorrow. Then I resigned come Tuesday. But I talked to our superintendent and he said I feel bad for you Dave. He also said

you very very short and not inflammatory words, you accept her resignation and then hold a council meeting to affirm or reject your receiving that resignation. So that's that's the one issue were voting on today and I had with me Bob bryar wheat the whole print out of of the letters, but I think you get the gist of it and So I did reply to her.

Yeah, and I didn't even mention the Spy yet. But that's alright. She said she hired someone to spy on us on Sunday night to see how much you legally went out the door during CR. But anyway, so I did write her back and said you what we envisioned to organize encourage watch over things and what you have envisioned. The job being doesn't seem to be a good match. I wish you well that you can find a Ministry you'll you'll enjoy in the future, but we've decided to accept your resignation. So now you can ask questions if you want, but but then we're going to vote whether we approve the pastor's action of graciously accept your resignation, or if you want it reconsidered any questions or discussion. Dale

Call Kim.

Having been in the basement.

And there will be serving for reporting. Call William, or they will be restructuring the way the lessons are here or whether the music is has any typos.

This is already hard.

I don't know that.

Usher

Yeah. What are watching?

Cooper City

Thank you. Thank you Dale. Anybody else have a question or comment before we vote?

And we accept the resignation yet. It's been moved and seconded. all in favor all opposed

Yep, we'll write that up and it'll be in the minutes for the next official council meeting. Thank you very much. You did not surprise me.