HopeLives365

Guest (Male): This is Hope Lives 365 with Pastor Mark Finley. Today's message: Will you pass God's judgment? Part two. Enjoy and remember you can always catch up with past messages and stay up to date with Hope Lives 365 and Pastor Mark by going to hopelives365.com. And now, Pastor Mark Finley.

Mark Finley: When Jesus spoke about the judgment in his day in Matthew 12:36 and 37, he says, "Every idle word that men speak, they will give account in the day of judgment." It was future. Throughout the Gospels, the judgment is always something future. But when you come to Revelation, it predicts that just before the coming of Jesus, the clock will strike the hour and there will be an end-time judgment. We will in fact study in our next presentation as well the timing—when did that judgment begin? What is the significance to you and me that we're living in this judgment hour?

Now, the Bible says in Matthew chapter 16:27, "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, then he will reward each according to his works." Again, Revelation 22:11 and 12, Matthew 16:27, when Christ comes, he comes to give out the rewards. So there must be a judgment previous to his coming, before the whole universe, so they can see God's wisdom, his love, his justice, so they can see those men and women that have responded to that love, whose faith has led them through the power of the Holy Spirit to live in harmony with his will.

They will receive that reward of righteousness, that reward of eternal salvation when he comes. Again, Revelation 22:12. Again, throughout the Bible, "Behold, I am coming quickly." I believe his coming is soon, that the signs of the times indicate that he is coming rapidly, soon, quickly. "My reward is with me to give everyone according to his work." So again, the judgment takes place before his coming. Could we be living in the judgment hour now? Is time running out?

We're going to study the exact time period of when that judgment began. We're going to sense from the scripture in the prophecies of Daniel exactly the time the clock struck the hour. Revelation's prophecies, my friends, are being fulfilled. We are living in critical times of earth history. The sands in the hourglass of time are running out. This is a time to open our hearts. This is a time to make a full, complete, absolute commitment to Jesus Christ. If the hour of God's judgment is come, when did this judgment begin? We're going to study that, and this is why it's so critically important not to miss one of these presentations. Invite your friends to watch these DVDs. Invite your friends to watch these telecasts, because we're going to be identifying exactly when that judgment hour began.

The books of Daniel and Revelation are companion books. The book of Revelation is explained in the book of Daniel, and the book of Daniel is explained in Revelation. Both of them are prophetic books of prophetic visions. The book of Daniel provides a foundation for the book of Revelation. One can never fully understand Revelation and the message of the three angels unless you first understand the book of Daniel. So let's go back and study this judgment scene from Revelation 14:7 in the book of Daniel itself.

There is a magnificent scene in heaven in the book of Daniel. Now, in Daniel chapter seven, you have the rise and fall and the destiny of the nations. There in chapter seven, nations rise and fall. These nations want to usurp the very kingdom of God. Babylon rises and falls. Daniel says, "I watched as these nations were rising and falling." You have Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome. You have the breakup of the Roman Empire, all these nations. And Daniel says, "I looked beyond the rise and fall of these nations. I looked beyond the conflict of nations on earth. I watched," Daniel 7:9 and 10, "till thrones were put in place."

The thrones are movable thrones, the thrones put in place. The Ancient of Days—who is that, the Ancient of Days? God the Father, right? He was seated. His garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire. A fiery stream issued before him. A thousand thousands ministered to him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated; the books were opened. Do you get the sense of this? Here is an intergalactic meeting. Here is a universal meeting of thousand times ten thousand; every heavenly being is there. Cherubim and seraphim are there; angelic beings are there. We have the whole host of heaven crowding in, in the courtroom of God.

The destinies of the human race are to be settled. But even beyond that, God's name is to be cleared. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ demonstrated his love, and the name of God was vindicated before the universe. But the question is: is God fair in dealing with every human being? Has God truly given everybody the opportunity to be saved? In the final judgment before the universe, it will be revealed the justice of God. I want you to catch the majesty of this moment. I want you to catch the solemnity of this moment, the significance of this moment. Let your mind dwell on it. Thousand times thousands of beings gathered around the throne of God.

They are there to see God's name honored and exalted before the entire universe. The destiny of all humanity is decided in heaven's courtroom. But more than that, God is dealing with the great controversy between good and evil in a way so that sin will never rise up a second time. Once we see how bad sin is, how evil sin is, how wicked sin is, and once we see how good God is, we will never want to go back to the cesspool of sin again. Daniel says, Daniel 7:13, "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man." Who's that? Jesus. What does he do? "He comes with the clouds of heaven."

Who does he come to? "He comes to the Father." Father and Son meet together, and there in the courtroom of the universe, in the most holy place, the inner sanctum of the heavenly sanctuary, Jesus presents his blood. He presents his sacrifice before the whole universe and he says, "I am the Savior of mankind, and those that have accepted me, they in me, through me, because of me, they are accepted in the beloved, and they have right to enter into heaven." He came to the Ancient of Days; they brought him near before him. "Then to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages should serve him."

What happens in the judgment? Christ in the judgment—did you catch it? Did you catch it? Don't miss it. "Then to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages should serve him." So in the kingdom of God, in the courtroom of the universe, in the inner sanctum of heaven's sanctuary, Jesus steps forth and he is presented with the kingdom. His sacrifice is enough. His righteousness is enough. His grace is enough. And the whole universe sings to the glory of his name. He is given the kingdom. The judgment shows that Christ is the rightful ruler of the kingdom.

Daniel 7:14: "His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away. His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." Now, the judgment also reveals the saving righteousness of Christ and his triumph over the principalities and powers of hell. The judgment reveals that Christ will be honored, exalted in the universe, and that all the powers of hell will be ultimately destroyed. Revelation chapter four, verse one says, "After these things I looked." Daniel seven shows us the judgment. Revelation 14 shows us it. And also there is this vision in heaven that John has of the judgment. We get some added insights here.

When you study the Bible, you have to compare text with text. You get a little bit here and a little bit there and you put it together. Revelation 4:1: "After these things," John says, "I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven." There is a door open in heaven for you, my friend. Whatever experiences you're having in life, however you feel oppressed, discouraged, disappointed, there is a door open in heaven. And what does God say? "After these things I looked and behold, a door standing open in heaven." God says, "Come look through the open door, you will get new courage, new hope, new inspiration." And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."

Hear the voice from heaven says, "Come up here. Come up here into the throne room of the universe. Come up here into the judgment bar of God." Now, when John looks there through that open door in heaven in Revelation chapter four, what does he see? This is a magnificent scene. Revelation the fourth chapter, and I want you to see it as I read it from scripture. Revelation chapter four: "After these things I looked and a door is open in heaven." Whoever you are tonight, there is a door open in heaven for you. Whatever you're experiencing tonight, there is a door open in heaven for you. God invites you as he invited John, "Come up higher. Take another step by faith. See what Christ is doing in your behalf."

In the light of the judgment hour, see this Jesus who stands for you in the judgment. Gather around the throne room of the universe. Notice what it says. It says, "And he who sat on the throne," verse three, was like there was a sardius stone in appearance. "There was a rainbow around the throne." The rainbow indicates judgment and mercy. God put a rainbow in the sky after the destruction of the world by the flood, indicating the world would never be destroyed by a flood again. Notice, "Around the throne were four and twenty thrones, and on the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white robes; they had crowns of gold upon their heads."

Who are these twenty-four elders that sit on the throne? The Bible says they were redeemed from the earth. In ancient Israel, there were twenty-four courses in the Levitical priesthood. Those priests represented Israel. So the twenty-four elders are those who have been redeemed from the earth, resurrected at the time of Christ's death and resurrection. Remember the Bible says when Christ died, the graves were open. After his resurrection, there were those that came out. Who are these twenty-four elders? They are men just like you, just like me. These are people around the throne of God that God has brought up there to his throne. Why are they there? To represent us before the throne of God.

You know the Bible says, 1 Peter chapter 2:9, that we are a chosen generation, we are a royal priesthood. We, too, are priests and kings of God. And those twenty-four elders that are there represent us at God's throne. And if they are there, if they made it, we can make it too. They stand with Jesus around God's throne. Notice what the Bible also says. It says that these twenty-four elders that represent all the redeemed that one day will rejoice around the throne of God—it says that they come from earth. They face temptation, they face trial, they face difficulty. But they are there. If they made it, we can make it.

Now the Bible also says in Revelation chapter four, verses six and seven, it says that there are four creatures around the throne of God. It is a little strange theme. It says these four creatures are like a lion, like a calf, like a man, like an eagle. What about these four creatures? What do we learn from the history of Israel about them? Israel marched in the wilderness under four banners: a lion, a calf, the face of a man, and a flying eagle. These were the banners that Israel marched under. These banners symbolized God's continual protection, his everlasting guidance, and illustrated the roles that Jesus would play in the deliverance in the bondage of sin.

Now think of it. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the lion. He becomes a sacrifice or a calf, an animal of sacrifice for us. He tabernacles in human flesh as a man, the face of a man. But after his death, he flies again to heaven as a soaring eagle. So what do these represent? Just as these banners represented God's everlasting guidance, and just as they emphasized his protection, so likewise, these four creatures around the throne of God represent the total ministry of Christ for us: the one who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, our king, the divine Christ; the one who became a man to sacrifice his life in our behalf; and the one that was resurrected from the dead.

As we look into the judgment bar of God, there are the elders that are there. They represent all humanity, they represent all the redeemed. There are there the four creatures representing the living Christ, there before the throne of God. Jesus stands for you and me. And we can come from all points of the compass: the north, the south, the east, and the west, whoever we are, every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, to gather at that throne through faith in Christ, knowing that Jesus indeed is our Savior. That's why at the end of Revelation 4:11, it says, "You are worthy, oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power."

This is what the judgment is about. It's about the honor of Christ. It's about the glory of Christ. "You are worthy, oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created." We exist by the will of God. We were brought into existence by God's will. We were created by a loving Christ and redeemed by a loving Christ, and one day, we will be ushered into eternity by that loving Christ. Now in Revelation chapter five, it builds on Revelation four. In Revelation chapter five, John sees the scene. There is a being with a scroll. The scroll is sealed with seven seals.

John asks the question: who can open the scroll? John senses that this is the scroll of judgment. He senses that if nobody can open that scroll, the sins of humanity are there. He watches as Jesus comes forth. First, John is weeping because it appears nobody can open the scroll. But then, Jesus steps forth and Jesus is worthy to open the scroll. The question is asked, Revelation 5:2, "Who is worthy?" The answer, Revelation 5:3: "And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look at it." Nobody in heaven, nobody on earth could open it, except who? Except Jesus.

No angel could ensure your salvation. No cherubim or seraphim could ensure your salvation. No being on earth could ensure your salvation. But there is one who can. In the judgment, Jesus, the living Christ. John says, "I looked," Revelation 5:5 and 6, "I looked and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as it had been slain." There before the judgment bar of God is the picture of a slain lamb, the living Christ who has died for you and for me, having seven horns—horns are a symbol of power—seven eyes are a symbol of wisdom, which are the seven spirits of God sent out to the earth.

But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll." And I looked and behold, a lamb as it had been slain. Here is the incredible good news. Before the judgment bar of God, the authority of all heaven, before all of that authority of heaven, Jesus steps forth. He is given the kingdom. Salvation is given to his people. Why? Because Christ has provided ransom. All have sinned, Romans 3:23, and come short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, as we've read, but the gift of God is eternal life. We need not fear at the judgment.

Some time ago, there was a fascinating story that took place in New York City. There was a judge who was known to be very kind and very compassionate. And as this judge was trying a particular case, a man came in before him. And the man was tried because he was a thief; he was arrested as a thief. He had gone into a bakery and he had stolen eight or ten loaves of bread. And as he was leaving with the bread, the police had apprehended him because the owner of the bakery had pressed the alarm, the police came, and they arrested this man. He was brought to court, and when he was brought before the judge, the judge said to him, "You stole that bread." "I did." "Do you confess to stealing it?" "I do." "Do you deem that you're guilty?" "I do."

And the judge said, "I have a question for you: why did you steal the bread?" The man said this: "I have a wife and I have four children. I tried to get a job, but I have not been able to get a job. I've been out of work for months. My money has run out, my kids were starving. So I therefore went down to find out where I could possibly get them some food. And in a weakened moment, I went into the bakery and stole that bread." The judge looked at him and he said, "You're guilty, and what I'm going to do is charge you a fifty-dollar fine." But he said, "Look, any man in my city that has to steal bread to feed his children," he said, "I am taking off my judge's cloak right now, and I am coming down by your side to pay the fifty dollars in your behalf. And I want to invite you and your wife and your family to my home to eat with me tonight."

Jesus says to you and Jesus says to me, "I'm stepping out of the judgment seat. I'm coming by your side. I'm putting my arm around you. I'm paying the price for you, and I want to invite you home." Jesus wants more than anything else to have you at home with him. And that's what the universe sees. That's what the universe sees in the judgment: this amazing manifestation of the love of God. And that's why the universe sings, "Worthy, worthy is the Lamb." They have seen a manifestation of his love on the cross. They have seen his intent in the judgment to save every human being. They've seen the ways that he has wooed human hearts.

The judgment of God is incredibly good news for the people of God because eventually, it speaks of the end of the reign of sin. It speaks of the deliverance of God's people. Daniel and Revelation describe powers that rise. They describe Babylon that rises, but it does not reign forever; it falls. Medo-Persia rises, but it does not reign forever; it falls. Greece rises, but it does not reign forever; it falls. Rome rises, but it does not reign forever; it falls. The kingdoms of this world rise. There is a power that rises that unites church and state. Rome is divided, and out of Rome, there's this power that rises. In Daniel 7, it is called the little horn with eyes like the eyes of a man.

We're going to study that in this series to understand the whole issues of the Antichrist, the mark of the beast. But here's the point. Political kingdoms rise, a religious-political kingdom rises. But then Daniel's eyes are taken away from earth; they're pointed to heaven. John in Revelation points us to heaven and says beyond what is, there will be the eternal kingdom of God. All the universe one day will worship Christ and live with him forever and ever through the ceaseless ages of eternity. Christ's kingdom will never come to an end. In the judgment, the whole universe will see the glory, the magnificence, the beauty of the plan of salvation.

They will say, "Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb." Daniel 7:22 says the kingdoms of earth reign until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was made in favor of the saints of God. Christ will step forth; judgment is made in favor of the saints of God. One night, Martin Luther was sleeping. And as he was sleeping, he had this terrible dream. He dreamed that the devil came to him, and he dreamed that there was a scroll in the devil's hand and the devil unrolled the scroll. And he saw this hideous evil angel, and he saw a list of all his sins, and it was the judgment and it was before the judgment bar of God. And in Luther's dream, he said, "Those are my sins," and the devil said, "Are they your sins?" "Yes, they are." "Are you guilty of everyone?" "Yes, I am."

"Does the wages of sin death?" "Yes, it is." "Do you deserve to die eternally?" "Yes." And the devil said, "You're condemned." But then, Luther saw the devil's hand on top of that scroll, and he said, "In the name of Christ, move your hand." The devil said, "No." "In the name of Christ, move your hand." The devil moved his hand and it said, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses Martin Luther from all his sins." In the judgment, not good deeds against bad deeds. Our deeds reflect our faith. Our deeds are important because they reflect whether or not we've made a full commitment to Christ. In the judgment, Jesus wants to step forth for you.

In the judgment, Jesus says that he wants to make judgment in favor of the saints. In the judgment, all evil powers will be destroyed. In the judgment, all wicked powers will crumble. In the judgment, Christ will be exalted as Lord of all. Daniel 7:27: "Then the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall obey and serve him." In the judgment, the Father gives to the Son the kingdom, and you and I participate as the royal line in that kingdom. We become princes and princesses and sit on thrones with Christ and worship with him through the ceaseless ages of all eternity. Would it not be foolish to turn your back on that love of Christ, to turn your back on that invitation to be with him in heaven?

Guest (Male): You've been listening to Hope Lives 365 with Pastor Mark Finley. We hope you've enjoyed today's message and remind you that you can find more in our many ministry resources at hopelives365.com. And you can support this ministry by going to hopelives365.com/donate. And now, a final thought from Pastor Mark.

Mark Finley: Jesus will stand for us in that judgment. We with the angels and the redeemed of all ages, Revelation 5:9, they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and open the seals, for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood."