His Perfect Love

Guest (Male): The authority and popularity of the Antichrist, next on His Perfect Life. Hey, welcome again to His Perfect Love and our continuing study of Revelation. We'll join Pastor Matt Vandervinn in chapter 13 in just a minute. Today, we'll hear more about the coming Antichrist that will blaspheme God and wage war against God's people. He'll have great authority on this earth, and the unsaved will not only flock to him, but worship him too. We learned last time part of the reason for that is they'll be amazed by the power of this man who is able to do what no other human has done before.

Here's Pastor Matt.

Matt VanderVen: I love how God works, you know. He's literally writing something about what will be, and he gives them an actual historical vent right before their our very eyes. That's going to go Oh, by the way, it kind of looks like this. It's just going to be on steroids. Can you imagine the people like they didn't have any problems going like we do today? Oh, this can't, you know, or even unbelievers today. Oh no, pastor, this can't. I mean, come on, we're we're we're evolved. We are evolved. We have humanism. We don't need a god. We have so We're so much smarter than they were 2,000 years ago.

Our technology, our our, you know, our sociology, our laws, our policy, clearly we're not going to fall for the same thing over and over again. That's exactly what Satan wants you to think. But God gave them an actual historical account right before their AI's that when this book was read for the first time, there's not a single person when they got to chapter 13 and they saw how they're going to worship the Antichrist, there wasn't a Christian or a person that was even hearing this that went, that's not possible. Everyone went, that's very probable, even the unbelievers.

Even the pagans would have known because they would have said, yeah, that's what's happening in Rome right now. That's not like far-fetched. I think sometimes 2,000 years removed, we come at it and we're like, oh, can it really be like this? It was. Just not during the Great Tribulation, but these things historically happened. So, not only did you one, you did this pinch of incense, it was also recorded that they would give you a what? Now, we are We talked about it last week. We moved to a digital society, a digital and next week I have a lot of data.

I can't wait to share with you. I pulled up a website from the UN from just New York's meeting in September of 2024, and you look at some of the things that are specifically called out that came out of that direct meeting technologically around the world of what the plan is put in place for as we talk about a digital society, AI is in there. How AI needs to be governed and who are the people that are on this council that are going to determine that? So, we understand it's going to be used for control.

So, this is in our lifetime. Like this is You know, this is our lifetime. We're going to see this. It's going to happen. I I believe these things are going to happen before we're raptured out, but we will all see this in our lifetime. I I really believe that. If I'm wrong, God forgive me, but but the the reason I say is because if I go back in history, before this the even further the persecution came, when this emperor worship began, the Christians were still there. Most of them hadn't been completely murdered. It started and they thought it was a political move and then they once once they realized it was really no, it was more religious than what they were trying to do.

It just spun as a political move. What started kind of teeing them off on this was they started getting certificates. Rome started issuing a certificate that said you went and gave your annual allegiance, and without the certificate, you had a hard time conducting business because Rome said, you don't have the proper authority or certificate. You haven't gone and sworn your allegiance politically to Rome. And when they didn't do this And oh, by the way, this certificate had to be renewed annually. It was on paper. Now, 2,000 years later, we're moving to a digital model where he's showing us like this is what it looked like 2,000 years ago.

It more than likely it's going to be similar to this. We know that because as we continue reading, we know they're not going to be able to buy, sell, and trade because the mark of the beast. We know those that are living are going to need to obviously have some type of renewal on that I just explained to you. Even I have to go in as a dual citizen and go into my the the consulate and renew certain information and update that and do all that and that's all digital now. I mean, it's dunk. I don't have to go down to Philly like I used to, only when I want to pick up my passport, but that's it.

I mean, it it's amazing. We're living in a time where some of the things that are the precursors to what this is going to be like are already here. We already have a time where we can we can use tariffs, we can use things to turn on and off global initiatives. We have a World Bank and we have the centralization of the World Banks in a committee, right, in another part of the country uh not our country, but another you know part of Europe that already control and influence so much of the global markets. There is no such thing is I mean, so much of the balance sheet.

I was listening to a lady that uh was interesting. She was talking a little bit about balance sheets and she says, you know, investing is interesting because there's certain government agencies that aren't required because of their spending and what they're doing. They're not required to keep that on the balance sheet. Well, if I can't look at a balance sheet and know exactly where the injections and leakages are, how can I make an informed decision? I really don't know what you're doing as a business. And if you get you've been given some type of protection against that, in other words, you're you're you can't be prosecuted by that.

I mean, did did Were we alive during the time of COVID, most of us here? Yeah. And did we not see uh the government turn around and bail out so many uh banks and all of these things that happened and yet nobody was uh you know um arrested. Nobody for for different What about the mortgage scandal and how mortgages were being given out and just people and it was literally leading to a high bankruptcy rate and all these things? Like we're seeing it and all these things needs be because the more you can do those kind of things that show the what's what I like to call chaos theory, the more you can show those kind of things, the more people will beg you for it.

They will beg you for the technology that 's going to need to be put in place so you could establish proper policy. Instead of you forcing it down people's throats, they're going to come to you and ask you for it because we have a worldwide problem. We have an insecurity of food, clothing, all these things around the world. So, we clearly need something where we have to have renewable resources or energy efficiency. So, we need to go through and we need to govern or put governors on resource utilities like uh electricity and everything else. And there are people that are already begging for that.

The only problem is we don't have a grid that can support it. Right? Let's turn off all the fossil fuels, let's do all that. The problem is even with solar, your backbone infrastructure grid if you if anybody here is electrical or electrical scientist, electrical engineer, I know we have one right in the back over there in our sound booth, his electrical engineer, he understands what I'm saying. We don't have a grid that can support that because you have to have a backbone unless everybody has a uh you know a stack of batteries in their in their house or garage.

Guess what? All the solar is doing is what? Back feeding to the grid. You're using it, but it doesn't increase the the the size of the pipe if I can say it though. I'm dumb I'm simplifying it. Excuse me. It doesn't increase the size of the pipe. You you still can't pull if everybody starts utilizing more of one kind of utility, resource, electricity. That's why you have more brownouts. That's why you have more of these issues. That 's why we have more insecurity within our electrical systems. That's why it's more on the attack spectrum from foreign invaders.

But if you get to the point where it gets so bad and people like, but we need our air conditioning cuz I can't sleep at night without air conditioning. I grew up without air conditioning. Anybody else remember that? Yeah, most of us in this room. If you're over like 50, you grew up without air conditioning, right? Or at least stayed in a place without air I know we all got used to it. But would you not if you if you knew that you could turn around and say, no, we need to stop these things that happen.

Please make these changes so we can be comfortable. You'll even vote for it. And next thing what you did you just vote for a governor to be put in place. And that 's exactly what we're getting here. This adherence, it's political. We'll get a certificate, you know. Um Now, if you didn't complete this, you know what they said to you? You're in violation of treason. They called it treason. You're a terrorist to the state. Have we ever heard that kind of language that Christians can be enemies of the state? Because we have a Bible that clearly doesn't align with a lot of state agendas and policies all around the world.

You see, I think it's becoming clear here. The burning of incense was certainly more than an act of political loyalty and religious observation. It It was a way to control. It was a way to bring about worldwide cuz Rome wanted to be the worldwide government, worldwide control. Nevertheless, no believer loyal to Christ would ever do this. You want to see that read even time of Jesus, Luke chapter 14 verse 26. And there are men that we read about and women as I mentioned perpetua, but you have Polycarp perished at the stake torn apart by beasts in an arena because they refused to test of allegiance to Caesar.

And so just a quick review of history and we're going to take to our time of communion in the 20th century alone. The great and terrible totalitarianism that we have seen historically, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, just to name a few. It's not hard to imagine a dominating world leader demanding such a declaration of allegiance that would be tantamount to worship. The Book of Life contains all the name of God's redeemed. Just look at Revelation here with me, please, chapter 20. Look at verse 15, chapter 20 verse 15. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

So, clearly all the names of God's redeemed are written in this book. Chapter 3 verse 5 tells us that those who are not overcomers, specifically speaking of the church, he wrote it of Christians, would have their names blotted out. That's led some to worry and be concerned about losing salvation. That's not what he was saying. First of all, the implication is your name has to be in there for it to be blotted out. So, anybody who thought that God wanted to send some people to hell and some people to heaven, I just broke your equation.

That can't be because there's only one way to have your name in a book and it's got to be in the book. And if Revelation chapter 3 says, hey, you don't do these things because you're not a true believer, I'm going to blot your name out, what does that mean? Your name had to be in there to get it blotted out. So, he gives a warning to the church. You can look back in Revelation chapter 3 about their names being blotted out. So, that means everybody's names written in the book to begin with. And then those who don't make a profession for Christ or reject Jesus Christ, ultimately, of course, will have their name blotted out, but that's not God's doing.

That's man's doing or humans doing, right? By choosing to reject Jesus Christ. So, the idea that worshiping a beast and having your name in the book of life, it's very clear here God is telling us these say these things are mutually exclusive. The Lamb slain before the foundation of world, this is deeply meaningful. I was talking to a sister just a few weeks back and she says songs and different things about this. And certainly it can be a title for for Jesus and it reminds us that God's plan of redemption was set in place even before heaven uh the earth was created uh and those who would be redeemed.

I I don't discount all of that. But I also believe that before man was even created as it says, certainly Jesus and the ability in his salvation plan was already in place. But I also believe that book was written and every name of every human being that would ever have been created on this earth from the beginning of time to the very last person that happens right before this lake of fire, it was before the foundations of the world because if not, then what happens is you have a book that purposely now keeps adding names.

And if your name wasn't already in the book, how can your name be written out of the book? You guys tracking with me on that? So, just utilizing that understanding, I know that even the book is before the foundations of the world, which is why I truly believe that every single every one of you has had your name in that book. Every single human born has had their name in that book. You know why that also makes sense to us? Because we've heard of young people children dying, unfortunately. And we always teach in scripture every pastor worth his salt, I know who teaches the word of God when dealing with a parent or a loved one when their child dies, they say, well, how do we know?

As a matter of fact, it led to something called the martyr's cult if you go back in early church history. And I know this is a sensitive subject. I want to be very delicate in how I handle this, but I want you to understand historically what was done. There was a lot of infancy uh death in the first century. And certainly that was because of disease, different things, but that was also, as I already mentioned, because of oppression and affliction on the Christians. So, a lot of a lot of young babies were dying. Some of you know what Roman Catholicism is and uh you know I'm I I grew up Catholic, yeah?

And I remember uh talking with my priest on learning and they actually know this history as well. It's it's it's really good. They're able to tell you that a lot of this came from the emperor's cult and the idea behind it was is that they knew these children were dying and there's nothing they could do to stop it either through, like I said, Rome and their mechanism or disease. And so to comfort the families, many at that time would would more or less baptize the child or pray over the child and hopes that child would then immediately be taken to be with Jesus upon their death.

The thing that my Bible tells me in my understanding of the scriptures, there's such a thing called an age of accountability. And God put that in there and I believe it speaks very clearly to our all our our theological understanding that God's desire is to save and that all those names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. That means anybody who's ever had a miscarriage, first of all, my heart breaks for you. I love you. I 'm so sorry that happened, but I know you'll see your baby with Jesus. I know that. Okay? You need to know that.

That's what the Bible teaches. Your Bible teaches every life God creates life. There is no such thing as losing. God doesn't lose anything. We may on this side of uh heaven, but God doesn't lose a single soul. That child's with Jesus. And when you see and you go to heaven if you're a born-again believer, you'll see that child again. I have no doubt about that. Well, also infant death and other things like that, not only a child being um born still or different things, I believe every child that was aborted will be seen in heaven.

I believe because of the age of accountability, that child never had an opportunity to make a decision for themselves. So, how could God judge a child that never had the opportunity? He would not be a righteous judge. It fails the biblical righteous standard test. It fails the biblical righteous standard test because then God isn't a holy righteous judge if he's cooked the books by determining some are just going to die and go to hell and some are going to die and go to heaven, then he then that by definition is no longer righteous, right living, right accurate, justified.

It breaks the equation. And everything And it contradicts other scriptures too, which is he cannot lie, he cannot perform evil. To me, that's an evil act. Killing a baby, that's an evil act. If abortion You know And again, this is not to berate anybody who's had an abortion. Again, if you you're forgiven, if you've confessed that to you're forgiven. You're sitting whole here this morning. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. You will see that baby again. You will see the child that maybe a miscarriage. You will see those children again. Those that have died due to disease, cancers, and things like that that are under the age of accountability.

Why? Because it all goes back to that understanding of the foundations of the world that the Lamb's Book and the names being in it, all of them from the beginning of time to the end of time, it makes sense because when he says that before the foundations of the world, it makes tons of sense because that also ties in very easily with the age of accountability. Cuz if you're not old enough, how could you have done something to profess Christ, especially if you're a baby, how would your name be in there unless he had already put all the names in there?

And it's only through a wicked heart or free will that you come back and say, you know, Jesus, no, thank you. That's the only time. And And really I again, isn't that wonderful that Jesus Christ loves us that much, loves his creation that much even before we're children, even when we're at enmity with him uh before we were born-again believers? You see, God wasn't surprised by the fall of Adam or any other evidence of fallen nature of man. We just need to understand that God is not surprised when we sin. Right? God is not surprised when we sin.

Otherwise, Jesus Christ wouldn't need to go to Calvary. He wasn't caught off guard by the human mind, the capacity of carnality. Um And God certainly isn't making this up as he goes along. Everybody with me on that as well. He's sovereign. This is all according to the plan. The work of Jesus was ordained before the foundation of the world. You want to see that? Look at 1 Peter chapter 1:20 it tells us that. And God shows his redeem before the foundation of the world. We know that from Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4 as well. And names are written in the the in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world.

I can also look back to Revelation chapter 17. I can look at verse 8 there too. The beast that you saw was and not is will ascend out of the bottomless thing going to perdition and those who dwell on the earth will marvel whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. It even takes Jesus Christ out of it there. Whereas the other one where remember it says, and Jesus Christ and it gives him his title, which is a title, obviously before the foundations of the world. You You're tracking with me?

Please look in your Bible. Revelation chapter 17:8. Look what's different about the way he God wrote it this way. The beast that you saw was and is not and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition and those who dwell on the earth will marvel whose names are not written in the book of life. He calls it out singularly, nothing else. When what? From the foundation of the the world. He says from the foundation of the world, that book is there. Okay? It's very clear. So, even if you're struggling in in chapter 13 where we are here this morning and you're saying, but wait a minute, verse 8 says, all who dwell on the earth worship whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.

And you're going, wait a minute, is it the Lamb that he's talking about slain from the foundation of the world or is it the Book of Life? I argue, guess what? It's both. It's both a name and character Jesus Christ and the plan and the redemption plan of God, but that book is there and if that book is there, your name is written in it. And every prodigal you have, the desire is God's name is written in it until the very last breath they take when they If they still reject God, then the name is removed because they didn't overcome.

What's that mean? That you and I all have hope for the prodigals. We have hope for those people we know in our family, our friends, our loved ones that don't know Jesus Christ. Could God intends them to be in relationship with him forever and ever and ever. Isn't that wonderful? This is what we get when we actually study the word of God. It brings hope, it brings encouragement, it settles us in our faith, and this is what it did to the first century Christians that walk with Jesus. That's why they were willing to say, you know what?

Unto death. The world behind me, the cross before me, no looking back. You can't say that unless you understand this. They knew their Bible even And no, it hadn't been written before them yet because they were the living epistle that were known by men and women. They were the word of God, what Jesus had done in their hearts. They were the living epistle. And you now, you're ambassadors of Christ, you're living epistles. I'm not saying yours is equal to the Lord of God. God lifts the word of He lifts his word higher than his name, it says in the scriptures.

Guest (Male): Pastor Matt Vandervinn on His Perfect Love. We'll be right back, so don't go away. We're going through Revelation at the present time and I'll remind you that you can hear the program again when you visit hisperfectlove.org. That's hisperfectlove.org. We're also at oneplace.com and look for us wherever you get your podcasts. We also offer a mobile app. This is a great way to take Pastor Matt's teachings with you on the go. You can learn more about the mobile app and start your download when you visit our website hisperfectlove.org. We can't thank you enough for your prayers for this ministry.

Please pray that as God's word goes forth, that lives will be greatly impacted for the glory of God and people would grow by his grace and love or even enter into a relationship with him. And if you have a prayer request, please send that our way. You can email that to us through our website at hisperfectlove.org. Now, to finish up our Bible study, once again, here is Pastor Matt.

Matt VanderVen: And I'm going to close with this as we make our way to communion. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for the redeemed before the foundation of the world. How do I know that? Because if you have a plan before the foundation of the world where all those names are written in it, which means you believe they're going to come to salvation, you got to have a place to put all those people, right? If you have a family graduation or a gathering or maybe just a party where you have people over, dance, whatever you guys do, uh you got to have a place to put them in the house, don't you?

Or a room or outdoors in the backyard, right? You got to have a place. Hold your finger here, turn with me to Matthew chapter 25 verse 34. And I'm just going to show you with your own eyes here this morning. That way you say it's not that crazy pastor up there. Got all these ideas. He's crazy. I'm a Jesus freak. And I don't apologize for it. I don't apologize for it. Matthew chapter 25 verse 34. Then the king will say to those on his right hand, come, you blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared from you from what?

The foundation of the settled. Settled. Amen.

Guest (Male): We'll cover more ground here in Revelation chapter 13 tomorrow on His Perfect Love with Pastor Matt and we'll be introduced to another beast that will come onto the scene in the tribulation.

Matt VanderVen: His Perfect Love is brought to you by Calvary Chapel Harrisburg Westshore.