1 00:00:32,179 --> 00:00:34,579 It's good to have brother Davison back with us tonight and 2 00:00:34,979 --> 00:00:37,539 looking forward to what the Lord's laid on his heart. 3 00:00:37,939 --> 00:00:39,619 I think somewhere in Ezekiel. 4 00:00:39,699 --> 00:00:40,899 I'm looking forward to it. 5 00:00:43,779 --> 00:00:44,499 Okay. 6 00:00:46,579 --> 00:00:47,539 Thank you, Pastor. 7 00:00:48,659 --> 00:00:49,619 Appreciate that. 8 00:00:49,779 --> 00:00:51,019 Thank you for that song. 9 00:00:51,019 --> 00:00:57,889 I can remember when Fill My Cup, Lord was a new song, and we 10 00:00:57,889 --> 00:01:04,129 started out in ministry in 1967, 58 years ago, working on a 11 00:01:04,129 --> 00:01:06,649 church staff for the first seven years of our ministry. 12 00:01:06,649 --> 00:01:10,889 And my wife and I got in the choir, and that was a new song that 13 00:01:10,889 --> 00:01:12,889 came out that our song leader introduced to us. 14 00:01:12,889 --> 00:01:17,649 So that must have been a new song about 66, the year we got married. 15 00:01:18,209 --> 00:01:20,369 1965, somewhere right in there. 16 00:01:21,009 --> 00:01:24,089 And I am all for keeping those songs alive. 17 00:01:24,089 --> 00:01:24,929 That's good stuff. 18 00:01:25,089 --> 00:01:25,729 Good stuff. 19 00:01:25,729 --> 00:01:27,169 And thank you for that very much. 20 00:01:28,109 --> 00:01:31,709 And I thought, what kind of nerve it takes to go a cappella. 21 00:01:32,829 --> 00:01:37,389 And I just keep remembering, oh, boy, I don't know. 22 00:01:37,389 --> 00:01:38,269 I couldn't do that. 23 00:01:39,309 --> 00:01:42,389 And I remember our blind piano player that said when he heard me 24 00:01:42,389 --> 00:01:44,589 sing, he wished he was deaf as well as blind. 25 00:01:45,549 --> 00:01:47,309 So I try not to do that. 26 00:01:47,389 --> 00:01:50,189 Every once in a while, I break loose and sing while I'm preaching. 27 00:01:50,829 --> 00:01:54,349 And I remember, first or second time I remember doing that, 28 00:01:54,349 --> 00:01:57,529 I looked at my wife was in the service, and she's going. 29 00:01:59,209 --> 00:02:03,209 So I sang two verses just to show her who's in charge here. 30 00:02:03,449 --> 00:02:07,609 No, not so, okay, how many read Ezekiel 14. 31 00:02:09,049 --> 00:02:11,049 Okay, good, good. 32 00:02:11,929 --> 00:02:17,289 All right, so tomorrow, for tomorrow night, read chapter 18. 33 00:02:17,529 --> 00:02:21,209 Now we're gonna do chapter 15, but I'm saving it for Wednesday night 34 00:02:21,769 --> 00:02:25,089 and reasons I might or might not explain on Wednesday night, if 35 00:02:25,089 --> 00:02:26,569 I can remember to explain it. 36 00:02:27,409 --> 00:02:30,489 But we're going to go to chapter 18 tomorrow night in Ezekiel, 37 00:02:30,489 --> 00:02:35,329 and then we'll be back in Chapter 15 on Wednesday night. 38 00:02:35,649 --> 00:02:39,929 All right, so you have your Bible open to ezekiel and chapter 39 00:02:39,929 --> 00:02:40,209 14. 40 00:02:40,289 --> 00:02:42,689 How about we stand together for the reading of the word? 41 00:02:44,689 --> 00:02:45,889 Ezekiel 14. 42 00:02:51,649 --> 00:02:58,129 So verse one, it says, then came certain of the elders of Israel 43 00:02:58,369 --> 00:03:02,449 unto me, unto Ezekiel, and sat before me. 44 00:03:03,249 --> 00:03:08,049 Question, would you think that if they came before Ezekiel, the 45 00:03:08,049 --> 00:03:12,689 priest and prophet, would you think if they came before him, they 46 00:03:12,689 --> 00:03:16,609 expected or desired to hear from him? 47 00:03:17,729 --> 00:03:18,369 You'd think. 48 00:03:19,569 --> 00:03:20,289 You'd think. 49 00:03:21,179 --> 00:03:22,219 That's the way it appears. 50 00:03:23,819 --> 00:03:30,979 And if Ezekiel had been a 21st century preacher and been very interested 51 00:03:30,979 --> 00:03:34,979 in accommodating his audience, they probably would have been glad 52 00:03:34,979 --> 00:03:39,379 to hear from him, but they didn't want to hear what he had to 53 00:03:39,379 --> 00:03:39,659 say. 54 00:03:40,379 --> 00:03:42,099 So I don't have time to preach that right now. 55 00:03:42,099 --> 00:03:42,939 Let's Keep it going. 56 00:03:43,579 --> 00:03:47,579 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat 57 00:03:47,579 --> 00:03:51,669 before me, and the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, son of 58 00:03:51,669 --> 00:03:57,029 man, these men have set up their idols in their heart. 59 00:03:57,029 --> 00:03:58,989 Doesn't matter what they look like right now. 60 00:03:58,989 --> 00:04:02,829 God says, I know it's in their heart, and they haven't turned from 61 00:04:02,829 --> 00:04:03,909 their idolatry. 62 00:04:04,069 --> 00:04:08,469 It's set in their heart and put the stumbling block of their 63 00:04:08,469 --> 00:04:10,229 iniquity before their face. 64 00:04:11,429 --> 00:04:14,149 Should I be inquired of? 65 00:04:15,029 --> 00:04:17,749 Should I be inquired of at all by them? 66 00:04:19,759 --> 00:04:21,839 And then he says, therefore speak unto them. 67 00:04:22,479 --> 00:04:28,239 And he has Ezekiel speak to them about their spiritual condition 68 00:04:28,879 --> 00:04:32,399 and about God's attitude towards where they are. 69 00:04:32,959 --> 00:04:34,639 That's down through verse 11. 70 00:04:35,119 --> 00:04:36,159 Look at verse 12. 71 00:04:37,199 --> 00:04:42,479 The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, son of man, 72 00:04:43,689 --> 00:04:50,409 when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then 73 00:04:50,409 --> 00:04:55,369 will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff 74 00:04:55,529 --> 00:05:01,929 of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut 75 00:05:01,929 --> 00:05:04,329 off man and beast from it. 76 00:05:05,769 --> 00:05:13,019 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they 77 00:05:13,019 --> 00:05:17,699 should not deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, 78 00:05:18,259 --> 00:05:19,459 saith the Lord God. 79 00:05:20,339 --> 00:05:25,258 If I cause noisome beasts, that would be those beasts that would 80 00:05:25,258 --> 00:05:28,939 be feared, that would be harmful to man, the lion family and 81 00:05:28,939 --> 00:05:29,219 all. 82 00:05:30,179 --> 00:05:34,939 If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil 83 00:05:34,939 --> 00:05:39,039 it, so that it be desolate that no man pass through because 84 00:05:39,039 --> 00:05:44,879 of the beasts, though these three men were in it, as I live, 85 00:05:44,879 --> 00:05:49,639 saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters. 86 00:05:50,679 --> 00:05:52,279 They only shall deliver. 87 00:05:53,959 --> 00:05:57,799 They only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. 88 00:05:58,679 --> 00:06:06,239 Or if I bring a sword upon the land, and say, sword, go through 89 00:06:06,239 --> 00:06:10,719 the land, so that I cut off man and beast from it, though these 90 00:06:10,799 --> 00:06:15,759 three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall 91 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,519 deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be 92 00:06:19,519 --> 00:06:20,719 delivered themselves. 93 00:06:22,159 --> 00:06:29,599 Or if I send a pestilence into the land and pour out my fury upon 94 00:06:30,239 --> 00:06:37,679 it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast, though Noah, Daniel, 95 00:06:38,079 --> 00:06:45,119 and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver 96 00:06:45,119 --> 00:06:50,799 neither son nor daughter, they shall but deliver their own souls 97 00:06:51,119 --> 00:06:52,479 by their righteousness. 98 00:06:53,359 --> 00:06:59,289 For thus saith the Lord God, how much more when I send my four 99 00:06:59,689 --> 00:07:05,369 sword judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword and the famine, 100 00:07:06,089 --> 00:07:13,569 and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man 101 00:07:13,569 --> 00:07:22,519 and beast, severe judgment from God, yet behold, therein shall 102 00:07:22,519 --> 00:07:27,199 be left a remnant that shall be brought forth both sons and daughters, 103 00:07:27,679 --> 00:07:31,559 behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their 104 00:07:31,559 --> 00:07:35,319 way and their doings, and ye shall be comforted concerning the 105 00:07:35,319 --> 00:07:38,759 evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and concerning all that 106 00:07:38,759 --> 00:07:39,919 I have brought upon it. 107 00:07:40,479 --> 00:07:42,159 And they shall comfort you. 108 00:07:42,159 --> 00:07:46,929 This remnant will, when ye see their ways and their doings and. 109 00:07:47,159 --> 00:07:53,719 And ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I 110 00:07:53,719 --> 00:07:57,319 have done in it, saith the Lord God. 111 00:07:59,479 --> 00:08:05,359 Father, just the reading of the passage makes me want to come 112 00:08:05,359 --> 00:08:11,239 before you again and ask you, Lord, that you would help me to communicate 113 00:08:11,239 --> 00:08:13,879 the message of this portion of Scripture. 114 00:08:15,289 --> 00:08:20,089 And it could be that some that have not considered this of late 115 00:08:20,089 --> 00:08:25,129 or read it this week, or have made themselves familiar with the 116 00:08:25,129 --> 00:08:29,329 passage might say, what are we supposed to learn from this? 117 00:08:29,329 --> 00:08:34,529 It's a strange sounding chapter, as are many of the chapters 118 00:08:34,529 --> 00:08:35,929 of the book of Ezekiel. 119 00:08:36,889 --> 00:08:40,809 So Lord, we know that it is here for a reason, and there is that 120 00:08:40,969 --> 00:08:46,549 from which we are to benefit and learn and be helped, and that 121 00:08:46,549 --> 00:08:51,229 which should cause us to examine ourselves and to consider 122 00:08:51,709 --> 00:08:52,669 our own ways. 123 00:08:53,469 --> 00:08:56,149 And so, Lord, I pray that you'd help me tonight to be able 124 00:08:56,149 --> 00:08:59,908 to communicate the message in a way that would be meaningful and 125 00:08:59,908 --> 00:09:00,389 helpful. 126 00:09:00,389 --> 00:09:04,989 And of course, we know that when we have done our very best, 127 00:09:05,789 --> 00:09:09,549 that without the unction and the work of the Holy Spirit, it will 128 00:09:09,549 --> 00:09:10,349 come to naught. 129 00:09:11,339 --> 00:09:15,339 So I pray for the work and the help of the Holy Ghost, and that 130 00:09:15,339 --> 00:09:18,379 you would make this a meaningful and profitable time. 131 00:09:18,379 --> 00:09:21,579 In your word, in Jesus name I pray. 132 00:09:22,379 --> 00:09:22,939 Amen. 133 00:09:23,019 --> 00:09:23,499 Thank you. 134 00:09:23,499 --> 00:09:24,139 God bless you. 135 00:09:24,139 --> 00:09:24,779 May be seated. 136 00:09:32,939 --> 00:09:36,299 Let's consider Job for just a second. 137 00:09:37,739 --> 00:09:40,939 The story pretty familiar to most, if not everyone. 138 00:09:42,779 --> 00:09:49,099 And we know that Satan was allowed to attack Job and that in 139 00:09:49,099 --> 00:09:59,379 that process, Job lost his children, he lost his servants, his 140 00:09:59,379 --> 00:10:11,479 workers, possessions, his health, he lost friends, and he lost 141 00:10:11,639 --> 00:10:12,439 influence. 142 00:10:14,119 --> 00:10:19,959 Job was a man highly esteemed in his time by everyone that would 143 00:10:20,199 --> 00:10:23,559 have been in his circle of culture. 144 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:30,369 Job was held in high esteem and through the attack of Satan, 145 00:10:31,169 --> 00:10:32,369 he lost it all. 146 00:10:34,529 --> 00:10:35,889 So why did Satan do that? 147 00:10:37,489 --> 00:10:39,009 Why did Satan do that? 148 00:10:39,729 --> 00:10:45,009 Well, the reason Satan did that is because he is the destroyer. 149 00:10:45,889 --> 00:10:46,929 That's what he does. 150 00:10:48,049 --> 00:10:51,569 And he destroys for the sake of destroying. 151 00:10:52,529 --> 00:10:58,279 With no greater purpose in mind than destruction and carnage 152 00:10:59,319 --> 00:11:02,439 and pain and misery and death. 153 00:11:02,759 --> 00:11:04,359 That's the nature of Satan. 154 00:11:05,239 --> 00:11:09,799 That's why he does it for the sake of destroying. 155 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:13,079 Now consider the Flood. 156 00:11:13,239 --> 00:11:18,599 Since Noah is in our account as well, consider the flood. 157 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:25,219 If you read just brief comments made by Matthew and by Luke, 158 00:11:25,939 --> 00:11:30,339 you would see that they commented that the Flood came. 159 00:11:30,339 --> 00:11:34,899 And by the flood, God destroyed them all. 160 00:11:36,259 --> 00:11:41,339 And of course we know, except for the family of Noah that was safe 161 00:11:41,339 --> 00:11:44,259 in the ark, but God destroyed them all. 162 00:11:45,859 --> 00:11:47,299 Now why did God do that? 163 00:11:48,979 --> 00:11:54,929 Why would God destroy by flood? 164 00:11:56,049 --> 00:11:59,809 Not only apparently destroying the flood with the upheaval and all 165 00:12:00,129 --> 00:12:05,329 the planet with the upheaval in all but destroy the lives? 166 00:12:05,649 --> 00:12:07,008 Why would God do that? 167 00:12:08,769 --> 00:12:14,689 Well, we have to understand that when God so judges, it is according 168 00:12:15,009 --> 00:12:18,379 to his own righteous judgment. 169 00:12:18,699 --> 00:12:23,659 In other words, God does not destroy just for the sake of destroying. 170 00:12:24,379 --> 00:12:31,659 If God destroys, then God destroys because of his righteous 171 00:12:32,539 --> 00:12:33,259 judgments. 172 00:12:34,779 --> 00:12:36,139 Let's remember one thing. 173 00:12:36,219 --> 00:12:38,139 He can only do what is righteous. 174 00:12:39,179 --> 00:12:42,379 He has no ability to do unrighteousness. 175 00:12:43,369 --> 00:12:48,329 God would never destroy just for the sake of destruction, but 176 00:12:48,329 --> 00:12:54,969 to fulfill his righteous purpose for the purpose of bringing 177 00:12:54,969 --> 00:13:00,649 about righteousness, the purpose of purging, cleansing, correction. 178 00:13:02,089 --> 00:13:06,849 You'll see also that he makes his judgments of the past known for 179 00:13:06,849 --> 00:13:11,019 future generations to be mindful that he is a God of wrath 180 00:13:11,339 --> 00:13:12,699 and a God of indignation. 181 00:13:12,699 --> 00:13:17,259 Another subject totally ignored by the vast majority of 21st 182 00:13:17,259 --> 00:13:21,979 century preaching, but still in the word of God, that God does 183 00:13:21,979 --> 00:13:25,099 this for righteous purposes and righteous means. 184 00:13:25,179 --> 00:13:30,059 Now, the reason I bring that up and bring it out is because this 185 00:13:30,059 --> 00:13:34,779 is one of the points of the passage, because you read with me, 186 00:13:35,249 --> 00:13:40,889 where God mentioned the four approaches of exercising judgment 187 00:13:40,889 --> 00:13:43,809 and wrath upon his nation, upon his people. 188 00:13:43,809 --> 00:13:45,809 We're gonna talk about them a little bit more later. 189 00:13:46,049 --> 00:13:49,249 And God brings to light that he is going to do that. 190 00:13:49,489 --> 00:13:54,129 And in the minds of the people that he is exercising judgment upon, 191 00:13:54,289 --> 00:13:55,969 he has no reason to do that. 192 00:13:57,089 --> 00:14:01,089 And what God is doing through the prophet Ezekiel is showing them 193 00:14:01,999 --> 00:14:06,479 that these are righteous judgments and that he is not just 194 00:14:06,479 --> 00:14:08,959 judging for the purpose of judging. 195 00:14:09,359 --> 00:14:14,279 And while they are in denial largely and see no reason for God 196 00:14:14,279 --> 00:14:17,718 to be dealing with them in the ways that he said that he would deal 197 00:14:17,718 --> 00:14:21,159 with them and that he did deal with them, they see no reason for 198 00:14:21,159 --> 00:14:21,439 it. 199 00:14:21,439 --> 00:14:27,599 God's going to vindicate his own righteousness in these judgments. 200 00:14:27,599 --> 00:14:29,039 Does that make sense to everybody? 201 00:14:29,609 --> 00:14:30,089 Alright. 202 00:14:30,169 --> 00:14:35,369 And that's basically what is taking place in this chapter. 203 00:14:36,249 --> 00:14:43,689 Now, I want to remind you of the dire spiritual condition of the 204 00:14:43,689 --> 00:14:44,809 nation of Judah. 205 00:14:45,208 --> 00:14:48,169 Now, the reason I say the nation of Judah, all that is left 206 00:14:48,169 --> 00:14:50,649 of Israel is the southern kingdom. 207 00:14:50,649 --> 00:14:55,649 The northern kingdom was wiped out a number of years before by the 208 00:14:55,649 --> 00:14:56,409 Assyrians. 209 00:14:56,889 --> 00:15:02,729 And so the northern kingdom hasn't existed for a century or thereabouts. 210 00:15:02,969 --> 00:15:07,929 And now you have the southern kingdom that is still in existence, 211 00:15:07,929 --> 00:15:11,489 but unfortunately the southern kingdom followed the same path that 212 00:15:11,489 --> 00:15:13,369 brought destruction to the northern kingdom. 213 00:15:13,529 --> 00:15:16,169 And now God is executing judgment upon them. 214 00:15:16,649 --> 00:15:23,309 And their spiritual life is absolutely miserable and their living 215 00:15:23,309 --> 00:15:24,629 conditions are miserable. 216 00:15:25,109 --> 00:15:29,589 Because, you see, by the time we are in our account, Babylon under 217 00:15:29,589 --> 00:15:34,269 Nebuchadnezzar has already made an invasion upon, I think invasion 218 00:15:34,269 --> 00:15:38,189 might be the right word, but made an invasion upon Jerusalem and 219 00:15:38,189 --> 00:15:39,349 upon Judah. 220 00:15:40,149 --> 00:15:44,589 And so what they have done is they've taken some of the royal families, 221 00:15:44,589 --> 00:15:49,509 some of the key and skilled people of the land, and they've carried 222 00:15:49,509 --> 00:15:50,709 them off to Babylon. 223 00:15:51,029 --> 00:15:54,069 And then there's another element of people that I mentioned 224 00:15:54,069 --> 00:15:58,429 to you last night that has taken off that are not being prepared 225 00:15:58,429 --> 00:16:02,909 for leadership in Babylon, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego 226 00:16:02,909 --> 00:16:07,069 and Daniel were being prepared, but these people were carried 227 00:16:07,069 --> 00:16:15,189 away as captives in an undesirable place at the river Chebar 228 00:16:15,459 --> 00:16:16,499 called Telabib. 229 00:16:16,579 --> 00:16:17,579 That's the name of the town. 230 00:16:17,579 --> 00:16:21,259 That's the only reason it's known, is for the fact that God's 231 00:16:21,259 --> 00:16:23,859 people were carried there in their captivity. 232 00:16:24,419 --> 00:16:29,899 And so when you think of the river Chebar and you think of the 233 00:16:29,899 --> 00:16:35,139 town Talab, I think about my wife and I have covered the country, 234 00:16:35,299 --> 00:16:38,819 driving all over the place, besides flying, and I much prefer 235 00:16:38,819 --> 00:16:39,219 driving. 236 00:16:39,219 --> 00:16:42,509 And I think back in the eastern part of the country, some 237 00:16:42,509 --> 00:16:46,069 of the beautiful rivers that are there, and I could name a few, 238 00:16:46,069 --> 00:16:48,629 but I won't, because you're aware of them. 239 00:16:49,029 --> 00:16:52,349 And I think if you think about the river Chebar, don't think about 240 00:16:52,349 --> 00:16:55,029 one of those beautiful rivers in the eastern part of the country, 241 00:16:55,669 --> 00:16:59,509 think more like the Red river when it's low. 242 00:17:00,389 --> 00:17:01,469 Not impressive. 243 00:17:01,469 --> 00:17:04,869 I get sick and tired of those Easterners coming over here and making 244 00:17:04,869 --> 00:17:10,029 fun of our rivers, because oftentimes you see a lot more sand 245 00:17:10,029 --> 00:17:10,869 than you do water. 246 00:17:11,759 --> 00:17:14,199 And that's the case sometimes in the Red river even. 247 00:17:14,199 --> 00:17:17,839 And so if you're going to think about what it was like there, 248 00:17:17,919 --> 00:17:21,239 well, think about one of those rivers that didn't really look like 249 00:17:21,239 --> 00:17:21,679 a river. 250 00:17:21,839 --> 00:17:24,959 This one would have been like a spur off of the Euphrates. 251 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:29,119 And from what we understand from the historians and geographers 252 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,879 and those that study such things, that it would have been an 253 00:17:32,879 --> 00:17:38,149 ugly place, it would have been a desolate place where there wouldn't 254 00:17:38,149 --> 00:17:41,109 have been a lot like greenery growing and such as that. 255 00:17:41,509 --> 00:17:44,909 And the water would have been the muddy water, the red water, the 256 00:17:44,909 --> 00:17:48,349 dirty water of the desert and everything that surround it there. 257 00:17:48,349 --> 00:17:49,509 And that's where they were. 258 00:17:49,749 --> 00:17:53,908 And when I think about the People there, I often think it comes 259 00:17:53,908 --> 00:17:57,269 to my mind, and maybe yours, too, about some of the scenes I've 260 00:17:57,269 --> 00:18:02,629 seen in the news when nations have conflict, have conflict and 261 00:18:02,629 --> 00:18:03,369 war in. 262 00:18:03,999 --> 00:18:09,159 In Africa or in some of the Mideastern places, and many of the 263 00:18:09,159 --> 00:18:15,119 citizens run as refugees from that land to another land, and they 264 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:19,598 live in squalor, and they live in some ugly and desolate places, 265 00:18:19,598 --> 00:18:21,039 and their life is miserable. 266 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,039 Well, that's what this would have been like. 267 00:18:23,199 --> 00:18:24,719 There was nothing desirable. 268 00:18:25,279 --> 00:18:29,319 Nobody said, well, okay, well, you got carried away, but at least 269 00:18:29,319 --> 00:18:30,919 you got to go to the river Chebar. 270 00:18:30,919 --> 00:18:32,639 No, that's exactly where you didn't want to go. 271 00:18:33,289 --> 00:18:34,489 At least you got a town nearby. 272 00:18:34,489 --> 00:18:35,449 You got Talab. 273 00:18:35,689 --> 00:18:37,689 That's a town you didn't want to be anywhere near. 274 00:18:37,769 --> 00:18:39,449 See, and that was their condition. 275 00:18:40,009 --> 00:18:42,649 Those were the conditions in which they lived. 276 00:18:43,049 --> 00:18:50,569 Now, there those people were in this misery, hearing and thinking 277 00:18:50,969 --> 00:18:54,649 that we're not going to be here long because they have prophets 278 00:18:54,649 --> 00:18:55,889 that are preaching to them. 279 00:18:55,889 --> 00:18:58,569 If you study the Book of Ezekiel, you'll see they had prophets 280 00:18:58,569 --> 00:19:01,289 preaching to them that say, this captivity is not for long. 281 00:19:01,289 --> 00:19:02,609 You'll be back there before long. 282 00:19:02,609 --> 00:19:04,089 This is just a temporary thing. 283 00:19:04,629 --> 00:19:07,909 And so they were thinking, we're not here for long. 284 00:19:08,069 --> 00:19:10,349 We're just here for a temporary thing. 285 00:19:10,349 --> 00:19:13,389 And our prophets are telling us to, hold your chin up. 286 00:19:13,389 --> 00:19:15,149 You're gonna be back home before long. 287 00:19:15,149 --> 00:19:16,949 Things are looking good back home. 288 00:19:17,589 --> 00:19:22,189 Well, back in Jerusalem, things are not looking good in spite 289 00:19:22,189 --> 00:19:23,349 of what they are hearing. 290 00:19:23,749 --> 00:19:27,989 And back in Jerusalem, they are under besiegement. 291 00:19:29,349 --> 00:19:30,469 They are under. 292 00:19:31,189 --> 00:19:33,429 The city is besieged by the Babylonians. 293 00:19:33,509 --> 00:19:36,989 Not nobody can come out except by the permission of the Babylonians. 294 00:19:36,989 --> 00:19:39,709 Nobody can go in except by the permission of the Babylonians. 295 00:19:39,709 --> 00:19:41,109 They've got it besieged. 296 00:19:42,629 --> 00:19:45,829 And so that means the food supplies are cut off, necessities 297 00:19:45,829 --> 00:19:49,789 are cut off, and life is deteriorating but fast in the city 298 00:19:49,789 --> 00:19:50,789 of Jerusalem. 299 00:19:51,589 --> 00:19:55,989 But in the city of Jerusalem, you gotta understand also that they 300 00:19:55,989 --> 00:19:59,749 are hearing from false prophets who are saying they've heard 301 00:19:59,749 --> 00:20:01,909 from God, and God hadn't said anything. 302 00:20:02,589 --> 00:20:05,669 I encourage you to read the big picture of Ezekiel because it 303 00:20:05,669 --> 00:20:08,789 becomes very explicit and very clear that there are preachers that 304 00:20:08,789 --> 00:20:11,869 are saying, thus saith the Lord, when the Lord hasn't said anything 305 00:20:11,949 --> 00:20:15,189 like they're saying, and they're making it up and claiming 306 00:20:15,189 --> 00:20:16,829 to be speaking for the Lord. 307 00:20:17,309 --> 00:20:22,069 And so if you want to see what it was like there, let me just have 308 00:20:22,069 --> 00:20:24,829 you do a little exercise with me and we'll back up and look at 309 00:20:24,829 --> 00:20:25,549 some verses. 310 00:20:25,549 --> 00:20:27,469 Go back to Chapter nine and verse nine. 311 00:20:27,709 --> 00:20:30,289 I'm not going to read long, just want you to kind of check on 312 00:20:30,289 --> 00:20:30,449 this. 313 00:20:30,449 --> 00:20:34,969 And I can kind of get the idea of the attitude and the mentality 314 00:20:35,209 --> 00:20:35,929 of the people. 315 00:20:36,969 --> 00:20:39,609 Okay, so look in chapter nine and verse nine. 316 00:20:40,089 --> 00:20:43,289 Then said he unto me, the iniquity of the house of Israel and 317 00:20:43,289 --> 00:20:48,169 Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood and the 318 00:20:48,169 --> 00:20:50,249 city full of perverseness. 319 00:20:50,409 --> 00:20:54,929 For they say the Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord 320 00:20:54,929 --> 00:20:55,689 seeth not. 321 00:20:56,389 --> 00:21:00,709 Now let me enlarge upon that in just a second here. 322 00:21:00,949 --> 00:21:05,189 What they are basically saying is the Lord has failed us. 323 00:21:06,949 --> 00:21:09,669 They're not just saying, we're under the judgment of God, we better 324 00:21:09,669 --> 00:21:10,549 do something about it. 325 00:21:10,549 --> 00:21:12,549 No, that's not their attitude at all. 326 00:21:12,949 --> 00:21:16,869 Their attitude is the Lord has failed us, the Lord has forsaken 327 00:21:16,869 --> 00:21:19,309 the earth, and the Lord seeth us. 328 00:21:19,309 --> 00:21:19,589 Not. 329 00:21:20,229 --> 00:21:24,329 So really like the Israelites often did, according to their history 330 00:21:24,329 --> 00:21:27,569 back in the wilderness, do you know who they blamed a lot of their 331 00:21:27,569 --> 00:21:28,369 problems on? 332 00:21:28,849 --> 00:21:31,489 God and Moses and they. 333 00:21:31,489 --> 00:21:34,369 The things they murmured about for 40 years there. 334 00:21:34,689 --> 00:21:35,809 You know who they blame? 335 00:21:36,049 --> 00:21:37,249 God and Moses. 336 00:21:37,569 --> 00:21:39,288 And they haven't gotten over that attitude. 337 00:21:39,288 --> 00:21:40,449 They're still doing that. 338 00:21:40,529 --> 00:21:41,809 Let me show you another verse. 339 00:21:41,889 --> 00:21:44,729 Chapter 12 and verse number 22. 340 00:21:44,729 --> 00:21:45,889 Turn there right quick. 341 00:21:46,049 --> 00:21:47,729 Chapter 12 and verse 22. 342 00:21:48,699 --> 00:21:49,099 Is that. 343 00:21:51,099 --> 00:21:52,099 Okay, hold on, just. 344 00:21:52,099 --> 00:21:52,939 Yeah, chapter 12. 345 00:21:52,939 --> 00:21:54,459 Look in verse number 22. 346 00:21:54,779 --> 00:21:58,819 Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land 347 00:21:58,819 --> 00:21:59,459 of Israel? 348 00:21:59,459 --> 00:22:04,299 So he's talking about to Ezekiel, about what is being said 349 00:22:04,699 --> 00:22:08,379 and accepted by people that are back in Jerusalem. 350 00:22:08,539 --> 00:22:12,339 Look in verse 22, what is that proverb that you have in the land 351 00:22:12,339 --> 00:22:12,939 of Israel? 352 00:22:12,939 --> 00:22:15,399 Saying the days are prolonged and. 353 00:22:15,549 --> 00:22:17,469 And every vision faileth. 354 00:22:18,829 --> 00:22:19,949 Can I have your attention? 355 00:22:21,229 --> 00:22:27,949 Ezekiel, Jeremiah, back at Jerusalem, Ezekiel in the captivity, 356 00:22:28,589 --> 00:22:34,829 Zephaniah, back in the land, are prophesying of the coming of 357 00:22:34,829 --> 00:22:37,789 Babylon to utterly destroy the city. 358 00:22:38,429 --> 00:22:43,549 And what they are saying is those days are prolonged and every 359 00:22:43,549 --> 00:22:46,869 vision that those preachers are preaching is fail. 360 00:22:47,909 --> 00:22:51,229 So they didn't believe that Ezekiel was speaking under the authority 361 00:22:51,229 --> 00:22:54,549 of God, nor Zephaniah, nor Jeremiah. 362 00:22:54,949 --> 00:22:55,349 See? 363 00:22:55,749 --> 00:22:58,869 And so they're just pretending as though it's not there. 364 00:22:58,869 --> 00:23:03,469 Look down in verse 27, Son of man, Behold, they of the house of 365 00:23:03,469 --> 00:23:09,349 Israel say the vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and 366 00:23:09,349 --> 00:23:11,589 he prophesieth of times that are. 367 00:23:12,989 --> 00:23:13,469 Come on. 368 00:23:13,469 --> 00:23:16,789 If anything is going to happen, like these preachers that 369 00:23:16,789 --> 00:23:20,469 I just mentioned to you are saying, it's not anytime soon. 370 00:23:20,469 --> 00:23:21,549 This isn't going to happen. 371 00:23:21,789 --> 00:23:23,789 It is something that is afar off. 372 00:23:24,109 --> 00:23:25,309 Are you listening to this? 373 00:23:25,629 --> 00:23:28,309 God is talking to them about the judgment that is coming upon 374 00:23:28,309 --> 00:23:28,589 them. 375 00:23:28,829 --> 00:23:30,829 In fact, the judgment is already in process. 376 00:23:31,069 --> 00:23:32,829 And they are in total denial. 377 00:23:33,069 --> 00:23:36,989 Like Egypt is going to deliver them from the Babylonian attack. 378 00:23:37,959 --> 00:23:42,159 Like somehow, someway, they're going to escape all of this and they're 379 00:23:42,159 --> 00:23:45,319 not going to have the misery that these preachers are saying they're 380 00:23:45,319 --> 00:23:45,879 going to have. 381 00:23:45,959 --> 00:23:47,759 They're in total denial about it. 382 00:23:47,759 --> 00:23:50,199 Ah, well, if it happens, it's a long ways off. 383 00:23:50,279 --> 00:23:52,039 It won't be in your lifetime. 384 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:55,399 I can hear them saying to their kids, it'll be after hours. 385 00:23:55,719 --> 00:23:57,279 This a long ways off. 386 00:23:57,279 --> 00:23:58,679 No, we're Israel. 387 00:23:59,159 --> 00:24:00,759 This isn't going to happen to us. 388 00:24:00,999 --> 00:24:02,039 That's what they're saying. 389 00:24:02,039 --> 00:24:04,829 Look in chapter 13 and verse 10, real fast. 390 00:24:04,989 --> 00:24:06,349 Chapter 13, verse 10. 391 00:24:07,069 --> 00:24:08,349 Because even. 392 00:24:08,349 --> 00:24:13,389 Because they false teachers have seduced my people, saying, peace. 393 00:24:14,829 --> 00:24:16,269 And there was no peace. 394 00:24:16,989 --> 00:24:21,389 And one built upon a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered 395 00:24:21,389 --> 00:24:21,949 mortar. 396 00:24:22,669 --> 00:24:26,349 So preachers, their own preachers, not Ezekiel, huh? 397 00:24:26,349 --> 00:24:30,979 Jeremiah or Zephaniah, not them, but their own preachers that 398 00:24:30,979 --> 00:24:33,019 they listened to were saying, ah, it's not. 399 00:24:33,179 --> 00:24:33,859 It happens. 400 00:24:33,859 --> 00:24:34,899 It's a long ways off. 401 00:24:34,899 --> 00:24:37,259 And they bought into that and they said, peace. 402 00:24:37,499 --> 00:24:40,299 But God's word is saying there is no peace. 403 00:24:40,699 --> 00:24:43,259 See, they were buying into a lie. 404 00:24:43,819 --> 00:24:44,619 One more verse. 405 00:24:44,619 --> 00:24:46,219 Look in chapter 14. 406 00:24:46,539 --> 00:24:48,219 And verse number 13 again. 407 00:24:48,779 --> 00:24:52,259 Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing 408 00:24:52,259 --> 00:24:55,379 grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and 409 00:24:55,379 --> 00:25:00,959 will break off the staff and bread thereof, and will cut off man 410 00:25:00,959 --> 00:25:02,079 and beast from it. 411 00:25:02,239 --> 00:25:05,279 So God is saying, here is what your prophets are saying. 412 00:25:05,359 --> 00:25:08,079 And Ezekiel is saying, this is what God is saying. 413 00:25:08,319 --> 00:25:13,078 And in fact, this is what God said and had for Ezekiel to say to 414 00:25:13,078 --> 00:25:16,159 them that this judgment is certainly. 415 00:25:16,159 --> 00:25:16,879 I said 13. 416 00:25:16,879 --> 00:25:17,799 Look in verse three. 417 00:25:17,799 --> 00:25:19,199 That's what I meant to have you read. 418 00:25:19,359 --> 00:25:20,319 Look in verse three. 419 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:22,079 Son of man. 420 00:25:22,079 --> 00:25:24,999 These men have set up their idols in their heart and. 421 00:25:25,149 --> 00:25:28,349 And put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. 422 00:25:28,589 --> 00:25:30,829 Should I be inquired at all of them? 423 00:25:30,989 --> 00:25:31,709 These men. 424 00:25:31,709 --> 00:25:33,629 Excuse me, look at me a second. 425 00:25:33,789 --> 00:25:35,389 They came before Ezekiel. 426 00:25:36,269 --> 00:25:37,349 We all agreed. 427 00:25:37,349 --> 00:25:40,589 I think it's hard to tell if you're in agreement or not. 428 00:25:40,589 --> 00:25:44,829 But anyway, we all agreed, I think that if they came before Ezekiel, 429 00:25:45,549 --> 00:25:47,469 they would expect a man to say something. 430 00:25:48,189 --> 00:25:50,989 They would expect him to give them a word from the Lord. 431 00:25:50,989 --> 00:25:52,509 Why else would they come to him? 432 00:25:54,389 --> 00:25:58,429 And so God said to Ezekiel, they're coming like they want to 433 00:25:58,429 --> 00:26:00,229 hear from you, but they don't. 434 00:26:01,509 --> 00:26:03,829 And here, listen to what he says. 435 00:26:04,069 --> 00:26:06,069 I can see their heart, Ezekiel. 436 00:26:06,229 --> 00:26:09,309 They may come and say, here we are, man of God, speak to us. 437 00:26:09,309 --> 00:26:12,309 And God says, no, don't believe it. 438 00:26:12,549 --> 00:26:13,909 They don't want to hear from me. 439 00:26:14,149 --> 00:26:15,589 I can see in their heart. 440 00:26:15,589 --> 00:26:18,149 And the idolatry is still in their heart. 441 00:26:19,449 --> 00:26:24,729 That abomination, that practice of bowing before idols and 442 00:26:24,729 --> 00:26:27,129 chasing after the gods of the heathen. 443 00:26:27,529 --> 00:26:31,449 They may be sitting before one of the great preachers of all time, 444 00:26:31,529 --> 00:26:35,129 but their heart is far from God. 445 00:26:35,689 --> 00:26:39,449 And they're still devoted in their heart to those idols that are 446 00:26:39,449 --> 00:26:41,209 such an abomination to God. 447 00:26:41,689 --> 00:26:43,209 That's what's taking place there. 448 00:26:44,089 --> 00:26:47,049 This is exactly what Ezekiel is facing. 449 00:26:47,559 --> 00:26:50,839 And what is happening in that land. 450 00:26:52,519 --> 00:26:56,359 Now, what are we supposed to learn from this passage? 451 00:26:56,839 --> 00:27:00,599 Well, I think it's like this. 452 00:27:01,879 --> 00:27:05,879 That God makes his judgment. 453 00:27:06,439 --> 00:27:12,839 Okay, let me repeat that God makes his severe judgment very vivid, 454 00:27:13,929 --> 00:27:22,409 vividly clear to them, lets them know that it is coming. 455 00:27:23,129 --> 00:27:25,369 And they've gone too far. 456 00:27:26,969 --> 00:27:28,089 They will not come back. 457 00:27:29,449 --> 00:27:33,649 Now, I haven't read all the verses or anything, but they still 458 00:27:33,649 --> 00:27:37,129 had occasion to repent and refused. 459 00:27:38,089 --> 00:27:40,209 And God knew them and where their heart was. 460 00:27:40,209 --> 00:27:44,349 And their heart was where, in idolatry, in those idols. 461 00:27:44,349 --> 00:27:45,429 It says so right there. 462 00:27:46,229 --> 00:27:49,109 And so God very vividly says, watch this now. 463 00:27:49,189 --> 00:27:50,389 You've gone too far. 464 00:27:51,589 --> 00:27:55,109 You've gone so far that I am going to send. 465 00:27:55,109 --> 00:27:56,389 I'm not going to read it all again. 466 00:27:56,789 --> 00:27:59,029 I am going to send this famine. 467 00:28:01,029 --> 00:28:06,709 You've gone so far that the beasts will come and devour you. 468 00:28:06,709 --> 00:28:08,819 Your children will not be safe. 469 00:28:09,699 --> 00:28:12,819 Safe from the beast that God is stirring up. 470 00:28:12,819 --> 00:28:13,179 Come on. 471 00:28:13,179 --> 00:28:17,219 He's the Creator and he's the God of all, and he stirs them up 472 00:28:17,619 --> 00:28:20,099 to be adversarial to the people of the land. 473 00:28:20,819 --> 00:28:24,259 And they're going to devour, and they're going to instill fear 474 00:28:24,259 --> 00:28:25,059 within the people. 475 00:28:26,659 --> 00:28:31,619 This is what's coming because of their phoniness, because of them 476 00:28:31,619 --> 00:28:32,859 coming before Ezekiel. 477 00:28:32,859 --> 00:28:36,419 And God being so gracious as to have spoken to them generation 478 00:28:36,419 --> 00:28:39,529 after generation, and continues to speak to them by the 479 00:28:39,529 --> 00:28:43,969 likes of Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel and Zephaniah. 480 00:28:45,089 --> 00:28:47,889 And God is saying to them right now at this time, no, that 481 00:28:47,889 --> 00:28:48,849 famine is coming. 482 00:28:48,849 --> 00:28:50,689 And I'll tell you what is coming. 483 00:28:50,769 --> 00:28:52,529 The beasts that are going to devour. 484 00:28:52,609 --> 00:28:55,729 And the sword, war is going to come. 485 00:28:56,209 --> 00:28:58,369 Blood is going to be shed. 486 00:28:58,849 --> 00:29:00,369 People are going to die. 487 00:29:00,849 --> 00:29:02,129 That's what he's saying to them. 488 00:29:06,619 --> 00:29:09,019 I just don't like that judgment stuff. 489 00:29:09,339 --> 00:29:11,739 God just seems so vindictive. 490 00:29:12,299 --> 00:29:16,059 God is merciful to tell them what's coming and still give them 491 00:29:16,059 --> 00:29:17,019 space to repent. 492 00:29:17,819 --> 00:29:22,859 When God sends these sounds of his coming judgment with such clarity, 493 00:29:23,099 --> 00:29:25,979 and it sounds like it's trying to instill fear. 494 00:29:25,979 --> 00:29:30,429 Well, it's meant to do that, but that's the goodness of God to 495 00:29:30,429 --> 00:29:31,989 warn us of what's coming. 496 00:29:32,549 --> 00:29:34,309 That's what he was doing with these people. 497 00:29:34,469 --> 00:29:37,709 He said, the beasts are going to come, the famine is going to come, 498 00:29:37,709 --> 00:29:39,669 and the sword is going to come. 499 00:29:39,829 --> 00:29:42,709 Well, Egypt's going to come up and save us. 500 00:29:42,709 --> 00:29:45,109 No, Egypt is not going to come up and save them. 501 00:29:45,109 --> 00:29:47,829 And Egypt was not powerful enough to save them. 502 00:29:47,989 --> 00:29:52,949 And no God had equipped Nebuchadnezzar to exercise this judgment. 503 00:29:53,029 --> 00:29:57,709 And Egypt helping them, or all the nations of the world going to 504 00:29:57,709 --> 00:30:01,789 help them as long as God is executing the judgment, See? 505 00:30:02,029 --> 00:30:06,509 And so he said, the sword is going to be applied, blood is going 506 00:30:06,509 --> 00:30:08,349 to be shed, people are going to die. 507 00:30:08,349 --> 00:30:09,469 Which indeed they did. 508 00:30:10,349 --> 00:30:12,909 And then God said, pestilence is going to come. 509 00:30:13,709 --> 00:30:20,069 Pestilence, disease, infectious disease in animals, which 510 00:30:20,069 --> 00:30:21,629 was their way of living. 511 00:30:22,919 --> 00:30:25,639 And in people, pestilence will come. 512 00:30:26,279 --> 00:30:28,919 People will die because of it. 513 00:30:31,559 --> 00:30:32,119 Hmm. 514 00:30:33,719 --> 00:30:34,999 Egypt deliver you. 515 00:30:35,239 --> 00:30:36,039 Mm mm. 516 00:30:36,999 --> 00:30:39,399 In fact, you're so far gone. 517 00:30:40,599 --> 00:30:48,359 God says, if Noah came here, Noah, how did he get in the picture? 518 00:30:48,609 --> 00:30:49,729 God brought him in the picture. 519 00:30:50,769 --> 00:30:52,369 Now, Noah wasn't an Israelite. 520 00:30:52,369 --> 00:30:55,009 This is before the covenant, before they were a race of people. 521 00:30:55,729 --> 00:30:59,889 But Noah was manifestly recognized as a man of faith. 522 00:30:59,889 --> 00:31:04,489 Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and the human race was 523 00:31:04,489 --> 00:31:07,929 saved because God gave grace to Noah and the ark was built. 524 00:31:07,929 --> 00:31:12,849 And then from Noah and his family, then the earth began to repopulate, 525 00:31:13,809 --> 00:31:14,209 right? 526 00:31:14,529 --> 00:31:17,169 But he said, Noah, did Noah have faith? 527 00:31:17,649 --> 00:31:21,609 Well, he was 120 years in the building of the ark, and he was a 528 00:31:21,609 --> 00:31:22,929 preacher as well. 529 00:31:23,249 --> 00:31:27,409 And so he prophesied and pre spoke forth the word of God for 120 530 00:31:27,409 --> 00:31:29,169 years in the preparation of the ark. 531 00:31:29,249 --> 00:31:33,729 I would say that Noah was a man of faith and he obeyed God in 532 00:31:33,729 --> 00:31:34,289 that ark. 533 00:31:34,289 --> 00:31:35,329 What an amazing account. 534 00:31:35,329 --> 00:31:36,089 Amazing story. 535 00:31:36,089 --> 00:31:39,689 I never get tired of reading the book of Genesis and reading that 536 00:31:39,689 --> 00:31:39,969 account. 537 00:31:40,049 --> 00:31:41,329 I never get tired of it. 538 00:31:41,689 --> 00:31:45,289 And so God is saying to them, ezekiel, do you know how far gone 539 00:31:45,289 --> 00:31:45,769 they are? 540 00:31:46,089 --> 00:31:48,729 And he is saying, for the benefit of the people, for Ezekiel 541 00:31:48,729 --> 00:31:53,929 to tell them, you are so far gone that if Noah came back and was 542 00:31:53,929 --> 00:31:59,369 a part of society and interceded on your behalf, Noah couldn't 543 00:31:59,369 --> 00:32:04,009 deliver you, you're that far gone. 544 00:32:06,979 --> 00:32:07,939 That's how bad it was. 545 00:32:11,459 --> 00:32:12,819 And neither could Daniel. 546 00:32:14,179 --> 00:32:17,139 Must have been some that say, well, no, that was so far back. 547 00:32:17,139 --> 00:32:19,219 Okay, well, they knew about Daniel. 548 00:32:20,019 --> 00:32:22,419 Daniel was a man that was a contemporary. 549 00:32:23,779 --> 00:32:27,859 In fact, he was their prophet in Babylon. 550 00:32:29,059 --> 00:32:32,779 So here's Daniel, a man that had great favor with God. 551 00:32:32,779 --> 00:32:33,179 Come on. 552 00:32:33,179 --> 00:32:36,579 The angel even appeared and spoke to him and said that you found 553 00:32:37,309 --> 00:32:38,989 exceptional favor with God. 554 00:32:40,749 --> 00:32:46,749 But if Daniel right now interceded on your behalf, it wouldn't 555 00:32:46,749 --> 00:32:47,949 be enough to deliver you. 556 00:32:48,749 --> 00:32:51,469 As a matter of fact, Daniel did intercede. 557 00:32:52,029 --> 00:32:54,589 You might want to read sometime Daniel, chapter nine. 558 00:32:54,669 --> 00:32:58,589 It is an incredible chapter where Daniel comes before God and 559 00:32:58,589 --> 00:33:01,309 confesses the sins of his nation. 560 00:33:01,789 --> 00:33:06,189 And he prays like other patriots did. 561 00:33:06,349 --> 00:33:10,399 That when he prayed about the sins of the nation, he identified 562 00:33:10,399 --> 00:33:12,639 as though he was as guilty as they were. 563 00:33:13,119 --> 00:33:16,359 Well, he had not committed those sins himself, but he was a 564 00:33:16,359 --> 00:33:17,039 part of a nation. 565 00:33:17,919 --> 00:33:20,879 I mean, he was a part of that nation and a part of that race that 566 00:33:20,879 --> 00:33:22,599 was going to come under the judgment of God. 567 00:33:22,599 --> 00:33:25,839 And if you read Daniel in chapter nine, you can see how he 568 00:33:26,319 --> 00:33:30,599 interceded for them, made intercession for them, and he sought 569 00:33:30,599 --> 00:33:33,359 the forgiveness of God upon the land. 570 00:33:34,139 --> 00:33:35,979 And do you know how God answered him? 571 00:33:36,539 --> 00:33:39,419 If you'll read chapter nine, you'll see it yourself. 572 00:33:40,299 --> 00:33:42,939 No, Daniel, they will not be spared. 573 00:33:43,499 --> 00:33:48,939 70 weeks are determined upon my people and upon this nation. 574 00:33:49,259 --> 00:33:52,699 And so what he is saying to Daniel is, I hear your intercession. 575 00:33:52,779 --> 00:33:57,859 That intercession was good for Daniel, but it did not spare or save 576 00:33:57,859 --> 00:33:58,299 the nation. 577 00:33:59,589 --> 00:34:00,189 Now, come on. 578 00:34:00,189 --> 00:34:01,869 Is Daniel one of your heroes? 579 00:34:01,869 --> 00:34:03,109 He certainly is mine. 580 00:34:03,589 --> 00:34:05,669 One of my heroes in the Bible, for sure. 581 00:34:05,989 --> 00:34:10,549 And God said, you, condition is so bad that if Noah came back, 582 00:34:10,869 --> 00:34:13,749 he could not intercede on your behalf. 583 00:34:13,909 --> 00:34:17,589 In fact, your condition is so bad, you are so far gone. 584 00:34:17,669 --> 00:34:22,429 You have crossed the line to the point that even Daniel, your 585 00:34:22,429 --> 00:34:25,269 prophet, you're favored of the Lord. 586 00:34:25,349 --> 00:34:25,909 Prophet. 587 00:34:27,099 --> 00:34:29,819 His prayer won't save you. 588 00:34:33,259 --> 00:34:36,059 No, nor would Job. 589 00:34:37,899 --> 00:34:42,299 Job, Job's friend said he's wicked. 590 00:34:42,779 --> 00:34:43,579 He's sinned. 591 00:34:43,579 --> 00:34:46,459 Why don't you just go ahead and own up that you're suffering 592 00:34:46,459 --> 00:34:49,419 all this misery because of your wickedness and your sin. 593 00:34:49,499 --> 00:34:52,389 And all of his friends, quote, unquote. 594 00:34:52,549 --> 00:34:54,949 Friends said that he was a wicked man. 595 00:34:55,669 --> 00:34:59,429 He's trying to ignore his sin and cover up his sin. 596 00:34:59,429 --> 00:35:01,589 That's what his friends said about him. 597 00:35:02,149 --> 00:35:07,789 But God said that Job was perfect before the Lord and a righteous 598 00:35:07,789 --> 00:35:09,989 man and a just man. 599 00:35:10,309 --> 00:35:12,309 I believe I'll go with what the Lord said, don't you? 600 00:35:12,309 --> 00:35:14,069 Especially after reading that a few times. 601 00:35:14,149 --> 00:35:16,309 It looks like they didn't know what they were talking about. 602 00:35:16,789 --> 00:35:18,949 And God had great favor upon Job. 603 00:35:19,449 --> 00:35:22,009 And they knew that because, I mean, God delivered Job. 604 00:35:22,329 --> 00:35:23,849 Boy, did God deliver Job. 605 00:35:24,009 --> 00:35:28,009 He wound up with twice as many everything as he had before, which 606 00:35:28,009 --> 00:35:32,329 was one way of measuring, just one way of measuring the blessings 607 00:35:32,329 --> 00:35:33,529 and the favor of God. 608 00:35:34,489 --> 00:35:37,089 And so he gave him more children, he gave him more possessions, 609 00:35:37,089 --> 00:35:39,369 he gave him more livestock, he gave him more everything. 610 00:35:39,529 --> 00:35:45,049 And Job raised back to the esteem that people had of him before. 611 00:35:46,639 --> 00:35:49,599 And he prayed for his friends, and God set them in their place. 612 00:35:49,839 --> 00:35:54,959 But do you know, if Job showed up on the scene, you're so far gone, 613 00:35:56,399 --> 00:35:57,839 it would not save you. 614 00:35:59,679 --> 00:36:00,479 It would not. 615 00:36:03,039 --> 00:36:04,239 You've crossed the line. 616 00:36:06,079 --> 00:36:07,279 I don't like to hear that. 617 00:36:07,279 --> 00:36:09,279 Because the mercy of God endures forever. 618 00:36:09,279 --> 00:36:10,879 The mercy of God endures forever. 619 00:36:13,139 --> 00:36:14,659 They crossed the line. 620 00:36:15,539 --> 00:36:17,299 God knew their heart. 621 00:36:18,019 --> 00:36:19,459 It wasn't toward him. 622 00:36:19,699 --> 00:36:21,219 It was toward themselves. 623 00:36:21,859 --> 00:36:23,619 That which was appealing to them. 624 00:36:23,779 --> 00:36:27,779 The idolatry, the things of this life, the things of this world, 625 00:36:28,179 --> 00:36:32,179 all the filthy lifestyle that went with the idolatrous practice 626 00:36:32,179 --> 00:36:32,739 they had. 627 00:36:32,979 --> 00:36:34,579 That's where their heart was. 628 00:36:35,139 --> 00:36:38,179 And God said, you've crossed the line. 629 00:36:41,779 --> 00:36:44,659 Reading that, thinking about that. 630 00:36:45,139 --> 00:36:49,619 Does anybody besides me think about the United States of America? 631 00:36:51,779 --> 00:36:55,819 I really think if we're gonna talk about Israel and then talk about 632 00:36:55,819 --> 00:36:59,139 the United States, we've got to be very, very careful, because 633 00:36:59,379 --> 00:37:00,579 we're not the same. 634 00:37:01,059 --> 00:37:02,299 Well, this is a blessed nation. 635 00:37:02,299 --> 00:37:03,659 This is a blessed nation indeed. 636 00:37:03,659 --> 00:37:06,739 But we're not a covenant race of people like Israel was. 637 00:37:07,819 --> 00:37:10,979 He did not make the promises to the United States of America that 638 00:37:10,979 --> 00:37:12,939 he made to his people, Israel. 639 00:37:14,379 --> 00:37:20,299 However, I will say this, that not only did God say he would deal 640 00:37:20,299 --> 00:37:23,178 this way with the nation of Israel, I want you to follow this. 641 00:37:23,178 --> 00:37:23,819 Just a second. 642 00:37:23,979 --> 00:37:27,659 That not only did he say he would visit this way with the nation 643 00:37:27,659 --> 00:37:31,499 of Israel, ladies and gentlemen, but you gotta remember 644 00:37:31,499 --> 00:37:37,909 that God has done this in the past, before there was an Israel, 645 00:37:38,389 --> 00:37:44,429 and he's done it since with nations that were not his covenant 646 00:37:44,429 --> 00:37:44,709 people. 647 00:37:45,829 --> 00:37:47,509 I remind you of the days of the flood. 648 00:37:49,189 --> 00:37:51,789 Had the culture, the population of the world had. 649 00:37:51,789 --> 00:37:56,909 They crossed the line till God brought judgment and said, that's 650 00:37:56,909 --> 00:37:57,189 enough. 651 00:37:58,469 --> 00:37:59,469 Well, certainly it happened. 652 00:37:59,469 --> 00:38:00,549 That's how the flood came. 653 00:38:02,319 --> 00:38:03,999 And that wasn't with the covenant people. 654 00:38:07,039 --> 00:38:08,399 That was before Israel. 655 00:38:08,399 --> 00:38:10,159 Abraham was unheard of. 656 00:38:13,359 --> 00:38:17,359 And I might remind you about Egypt. 657 00:38:18,559 --> 00:38:21,679 God showed Egypt that he's God. 658 00:38:21,759 --> 00:38:22,639 Did he or not? 659 00:38:23,519 --> 00:38:24,799 Absolutely he did. 660 00:38:25,759 --> 00:38:32,579 And they had 1, 2, 10 occasions of God manifesting his 661 00:38:32,579 --> 00:38:37,579 power, his authority, his judgment, his righteousness. 662 00:38:37,979 --> 00:38:41,499 They had 10 occasions to watch all of that and hardened. 663 00:38:41,499 --> 00:38:43,659 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened. 664 00:38:43,659 --> 00:38:47,219 And the people of Egypt and God dealt with them in that kind 665 00:38:47,219 --> 00:38:47,979 of judgment. 666 00:38:49,339 --> 00:38:54,019 At the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his army totally destroyed the Red 667 00:38:54,019 --> 00:38:54,459 Sea. 668 00:38:56,459 --> 00:38:57,779 That wasn't a covenant people. 669 00:38:57,779 --> 00:39:01,089 And yet God said, you've gone too far, it's enough. 670 00:39:02,449 --> 00:39:03,729 He dealt with Assyria. 671 00:39:03,729 --> 00:39:06,009 Come on, just read through the prophets and you'll see. 672 00:39:06,009 --> 00:39:11,969 He dealt with Gentile nations in judgment and wrath because they 673 00:39:11,969 --> 00:39:14,049 thumbed their nose at him as though he was not God. 674 00:39:14,609 --> 00:39:17,929 And they despised his people and wanted to destroy them from off 675 00:39:17,929 --> 00:39:18,769 the face of the earth. 676 00:39:18,769 --> 00:39:21,329 So he dealt with the Assyrians, with Syria. 677 00:39:21,409 --> 00:39:24,129 He dealt with Edom, Moab, Philistia. 678 00:39:24,369 --> 00:39:28,379 He dealt with the Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome. 679 00:39:29,419 --> 00:39:31,259 God dealt with all of those nations. 680 00:39:32,059 --> 00:39:35,659 I think we could look in, quote, modern times, unquote, and 681 00:39:35,659 --> 00:39:38,859 see that France isn't what it used to be in the world. 682 00:39:39,339 --> 00:39:41,499 Germany isn't what it used to be in the world. 683 00:39:42,299 --> 00:39:44,699 England isn't what it used to be in the world. 684 00:39:46,939 --> 00:39:49,979 And Israel sort of had this attitude, you can read it in the 685 00:39:49,979 --> 00:39:50,699 book of Romans. 686 00:39:50,859 --> 00:39:59,439 Israel sort of had this attitude that we are Israel, we are 687 00:39:59,519 --> 00:40:03,279 this man, we are special, we are Israel. 688 00:40:05,679 --> 00:40:07,119 And I'm just about up to here. 689 00:40:07,119 --> 00:40:11,039 Like many others, no doubt of hearing, this is the United States 690 00:40:11,039 --> 00:40:15,119 of America with arrogance and pride. 691 00:40:15,119 --> 00:40:16,159 Now hold on just a second. 692 00:40:16,159 --> 00:40:17,679 I love the red, white and blue. 693 00:40:17,679 --> 00:40:19,039 I love our military. 694 00:40:19,199 --> 00:40:22,429 Hey, I'm a patriotic individual. 695 00:40:22,509 --> 00:40:26,469 But I'm just going to tell you, God doesn't like pride anywhere 696 00:40:26,469 --> 00:40:30,909 he sees it or anywhere he hears it and anywhere he finds it. 697 00:40:30,989 --> 00:40:35,389 And just like Israel thought, no, this could not happen to us because 698 00:40:35,469 --> 00:40:37,469 we are who we are. 699 00:40:37,709 --> 00:40:40,549 And there are many people in the United States of America in a 700 00:40:40,549 --> 00:40:44,429 state of lethargy, spiritual lethargy and indifference and on 701 00:40:44,429 --> 00:40:45,469 and on and on. 702 00:40:45,549 --> 00:40:48,729 Because we live in the United States, in America, America. 703 00:40:48,889 --> 00:40:51,369 And we're the greatest nation in the world. 704 00:40:51,369 --> 00:40:53,369 We're the greatest economy in the world. 705 00:40:53,369 --> 00:40:56,009 30 some million trillion dollars in debt. 706 00:40:56,009 --> 00:40:57,929 We're the greatest economy in the world. 707 00:40:58,009 --> 00:40:59,729 We're the greatest nation in the world. 708 00:40:59,729 --> 00:41:02,089 We this and we this and we that. 709 00:41:02,249 --> 00:41:11,369 And I just wonder if anybody's read Romans 1 lately and the debauchery 710 00:41:12,809 --> 00:41:15,539 and the filth and the wickedness. 711 00:41:18,019 --> 00:41:21,139 We can look at the pagan nations that God has dealt with and 712 00:41:21,139 --> 00:41:23,339 see why God dealt with them in judgment. 713 00:41:23,339 --> 00:41:27,099 I mean, we can go all the way back to Egypt and Assyria and on 714 00:41:27,099 --> 00:41:27,859 and on and on. 715 00:41:28,179 --> 00:41:30,779 And God dealt with them according to how they dealt with 716 00:41:30,779 --> 00:41:31,219 his people. 717 00:41:32,739 --> 00:41:35,499 And I'm just telling you right now, there's a strong element in 718 00:41:35,499 --> 00:41:38,459 our culture, in our society that cares nothing about being the 719 00:41:38,459 --> 00:41:39,299 Friends of Israel. 720 00:41:40,509 --> 00:41:43,909 We better pray for our leaders that they have the good sense. 721 00:41:43,909 --> 00:41:47,949 Because God has never retracted when he said, I will bless 722 00:41:47,949 --> 00:41:51,709 them that bless thee and I will curse them that curse thee. 723 00:41:51,709 --> 00:41:54,509 That has never been taken back by God. 724 00:41:55,949 --> 00:41:57,229 That's still the way it is. 725 00:42:02,669 --> 00:42:07,279 I would say stick my neck out and say we may be more accountable 726 00:42:07,279 --> 00:42:08,079 than anybody. 727 00:42:10,079 --> 00:42:12,959 Because I get a little leery when people say we're a Christian 728 00:42:12,959 --> 00:42:13,279 nation. 729 00:42:13,279 --> 00:42:16,559 I don't know that we've ever been what could really be called 730 00:42:16,639 --> 00:42:17,999 a Christian nation. 731 00:42:20,159 --> 00:42:29,279 Although so much of our history shows that this country was 732 00:42:29,279 --> 00:42:33,089 brought into existence under the leadership of men, that in fact, 733 00:42:33,169 --> 00:42:34,129 we're Christians. 734 00:42:36,049 --> 00:42:37,009 We're Christians. 735 00:42:38,529 --> 00:42:42,129 The instruments that give us the freedom that we have are full 736 00:42:42,209 --> 00:42:48,449 of references to our God given rights. 737 00:42:51,009 --> 00:42:52,129 It's full of them. 738 00:42:53,649 --> 00:42:58,929 The earliest institutions in this country, back in the early 1600s 739 00:42:59,619 --> 00:43:04,579 or middle 1600s, Harvard came into existence in 1700. 740 00:43:04,739 --> 00:43:08,099 Yale came into existence sometime after that. 741 00:43:08,099 --> 00:43:09,859 Princeton came into existence. 742 00:43:10,179 --> 00:43:13,539 I guarantee you can Google some of that and you won't even find 743 00:43:13,699 --> 00:43:15,299 why they came into existence. 744 00:43:16,099 --> 00:43:21,699 To train men to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ on this continent 745 00:43:22,259 --> 00:43:22,979 and the world. 746 00:43:23,539 --> 00:43:24,259 That's why. 747 00:43:25,149 --> 00:43:26,509 That's why Harvard existed. 748 00:43:26,509 --> 00:43:35,149 A hotbed of liberalism, a hotbed of Marxism, a heartbed of 749 00:43:35,229 --> 00:43:38,669 communist thought and Marxist communist thought. 750 00:43:38,989 --> 00:43:43,909 These institutions were originally established for the purpose 751 00:43:43,909 --> 00:43:47,309 of training men to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ. 752 00:43:50,839 --> 00:43:52,279 And our history's full of it. 753 00:43:52,919 --> 00:43:53,999 Our history's full of it. 754 00:43:53,999 --> 00:43:58,599 The history of the Supreme Court is full of documentation of 755 00:44:00,119 --> 00:44:05,159 the word of God and the laws of God and the existence of God the 756 00:44:05,159 --> 00:44:05,879 Creator. 757 00:44:07,399 --> 00:44:13,879 Yeah, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, I think 758 00:44:13,879 --> 00:44:18,389 all of what, just a little bitty handful where openly professing 759 00:44:18,389 --> 00:44:20,509 Christians saved people. 760 00:44:21,629 --> 00:44:26,669 The monuments in Washington D.C. keep telling the story for those 761 00:44:26,669 --> 00:44:27,109 that visit. 762 00:44:28,149 --> 00:44:30,509 Doesn't matter what the history revisionists say. 763 00:44:30,509 --> 00:44:34,189 Just go to Washington D.C. and if all you do is go read the monuments, 764 00:44:34,269 --> 00:44:38,749 you'll think, whoa, this is strong, this is good. 765 00:44:39,469 --> 00:44:41,709 Shows our heritage, our history. 766 00:44:43,879 --> 00:44:46,599 Countless public speeches and on and on. 767 00:44:49,319 --> 00:44:54,559 So I get asked once in a while, Brother Sam, do you think 768 00:44:54,559 --> 00:44:54,999 there's. 769 00:44:54,999 --> 00:44:57,719 Do you think it's possible to have revival in America? 770 00:44:58,038 --> 00:45:02,199 Well, what kind of person would say, no, no, I don't think 771 00:45:02,199 --> 00:45:02,519 so. 772 00:45:03,719 --> 00:45:09,169 But do I see concern to think that it's possible we've gone too 773 00:45:09,169 --> 00:45:09,489 far. 774 00:45:14,609 --> 00:45:16,129 There might be evidence to that. 775 00:45:17,969 --> 00:45:21,249 And besides that, what is called Christianity today. 776 00:45:22,289 --> 00:45:26,929 I said, what is called and accepted as normal Christianity today 777 00:45:27,089 --> 00:45:30,809 in the United States of America, if it is Christianity at 778 00:45:30,809 --> 00:45:36,699 all, it is so anemic, it is so accommodating to a wicked culture. 779 00:45:37,099 --> 00:45:42,139 It is so willing to adapt to whichever way the cultural winds 780 00:45:42,139 --> 00:45:42,859 are blowing. 781 00:45:43,099 --> 00:45:46,939 And if we're gonna have a crowd, and if we're gonna build our 782 00:45:46,939 --> 00:45:50,339 churches and if we're gonna have people, then we've got to go 783 00:45:50,339 --> 00:45:53,259 with the directions and they follow the winds that are blowing. 784 00:45:53,979 --> 00:45:57,779 So if you went to the majority of so called churches today in the 785 00:45:57,779 --> 00:46:00,559 United States of America and, and you stood outside and listened 786 00:46:00,559 --> 00:46:03,639 to the music, you wouldn't know if you were at an entertainment 787 00:46:03,639 --> 00:46:07,959 center or if you were at a place of holy worship before God. 788 00:46:09,479 --> 00:46:10,039 Yeah. 789 00:46:12,279 --> 00:46:12,759 Sad. 790 00:46:14,839 --> 00:46:15,719 It's sad. 791 00:46:15,719 --> 00:46:18,199 Boy, this is gloomy stuff, Brother Sam. 792 00:46:18,839 --> 00:46:21,319 Yeah, well, it's something we can't ignore. 793 00:46:22,439 --> 00:46:24,119 I said, it's something we can't ignore. 794 00:46:25,359 --> 00:46:27,399 If there's somebody in this room tonight and you say, ah, this 795 00:46:27,399 --> 00:46:29,399 kind of stuff, I don't really care to hear this. 796 00:46:29,399 --> 00:46:30,319 You're part of the problem. 797 00:46:30,319 --> 00:46:32,999 You'd be one of those people that Ezekiel's talking about right 798 00:46:32,999 --> 00:46:33,279 here. 799 00:46:35,679 --> 00:46:39,039 Cause the fire is not there, the passion is not there. 800 00:46:39,599 --> 00:46:42,039 The zeal for God is not there. 801 00:46:42,039 --> 00:46:44,359 I'm just saying, if you're there, I'm not accusing anybody. 802 00:46:44,359 --> 00:46:47,199 I'm just saying, you know where you are in your spiritual walk, 803 00:46:47,279 --> 00:46:48,439 your spiritual journey. 804 00:46:48,439 --> 00:46:51,399 And if you're here out of duty or you're here because you think, 805 00:46:51,399 --> 00:46:52,729 well, that's what I should do. 806 00:46:52,809 --> 00:46:54,889 And you're not here because of a heart for God. 807 00:46:55,129 --> 00:46:57,409 God knows if you have a heart for him or if he doesn't. 808 00:46:57,409 --> 00:46:58,409 Come on, look at this. 809 00:46:58,489 --> 00:46:59,889 His people stood before him. 810 00:46:59,889 --> 00:47:03,009 And God said, ezekiel, I can see them standing before you, like 811 00:47:03,009 --> 00:47:04,169 they want to hear from you. 812 00:47:04,249 --> 00:47:06,849 But no matter how they may look to you, son, they don't want 813 00:47:06,849 --> 00:47:07,609 to hear from you. 814 00:47:09,689 --> 00:47:12,969 And told Ezekiel, here's what you have to tell them. 815 00:47:12,969 --> 00:47:16,569 And he had nothing nice to tell them because they didn't position 816 00:47:16,569 --> 00:47:20,299 themselves in a spiritual way to receive faith, favor and blessings 817 00:47:20,299 --> 00:47:24,059 from God and favor from God, they didn't put themselves in that 818 00:47:24,059 --> 00:47:24,379 position. 819 00:47:24,539 --> 00:47:26,539 They didn't humble themselves before God. 820 00:47:26,539 --> 00:47:28,379 They still had in their hearts. 821 00:47:28,459 --> 00:47:33,379 This is all about us doing what we want to do, living how we 822 00:47:33,379 --> 00:47:33,979 want to live. 823 00:47:37,499 --> 00:47:38,059 Yep. 824 00:47:42,539 --> 00:47:43,659 I'm not discouraged. 825 00:47:45,189 --> 00:47:47,669 Well, good, because you've discouraged me. 826 00:47:47,909 --> 00:47:50,789 Well, let the word of God encourage you. 827 00:47:51,589 --> 00:47:54,869 Look down at the end of chapter 14, verse 22. 828 00:47:56,709 --> 00:48:04,709 Yet behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought 829 00:48:04,709 --> 00:48:11,069 forth both sons and daughters, not just a few old people hanging 830 00:48:11,069 --> 00:48:13,869 on sons and daughters. 831 00:48:14,749 --> 00:48:18,189 Behold, they shall come forth unto you, and you shall see their 832 00:48:18,189 --> 00:48:19,189 way and their doings. 833 00:48:19,189 --> 00:48:23,429 And ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought 834 00:48:23,429 --> 00:48:24,509 upon Jerusalem. 835 00:48:24,589 --> 00:48:28,829 In the midst of it all, you're going to get comfort from God and 836 00:48:28,909 --> 00:48:31,429 comfort from those that God is going to use. 837 00:48:31,429 --> 00:48:32,669 That's what he is saying to them. 838 00:48:32,909 --> 00:48:36,509 And they shall verse 23, comfort you when you see their ways 839 00:48:36,509 --> 00:48:37,269 and their doings. 840 00:48:37,269 --> 00:48:41,449 And ye shall know that I have not done without, because all that 841 00:48:41,449 --> 00:48:43,889 I have done in it, saith the Lord God. 842 00:48:44,369 --> 00:48:46,129 Listen, you know what a remnant is? 843 00:48:46,929 --> 00:48:49,649 A remnant doesn't represent a majority. 844 00:48:50,369 --> 00:48:52,769 A remnant represents a portion. 845 00:48:53,569 --> 00:48:57,969 And it doesn't necessarily specify what size the portion is 846 00:48:57,969 --> 00:49:02,689 in relation to the whole, but it means a part of something bigger. 847 00:49:03,169 --> 00:49:05,609 And he said, there's going to be a remnant. 848 00:49:05,609 --> 00:49:07,089 And I'll tell you what heartens me. 849 00:49:08,959 --> 00:49:11,119 See our country on a spiritual slide. 850 00:49:11,599 --> 00:49:15,799 While we may see our churches that are trying to accommodate the 851 00:49:15,799 --> 00:49:20,759 culture rather than confront the sin in the sinner and the sin 852 00:49:20,759 --> 00:49:24,479 in the culture rather than that they are willing to accommodate 853 00:49:24,479 --> 00:49:28,359 and compromise the word of God and say things that God said that 854 00:49:28,359 --> 00:49:29,119 he never said. 855 00:49:29,839 --> 00:49:33,399 And speak peace to people when there is no reason to speak peace 856 00:49:33,399 --> 00:49:37,859 to people heart are contradicting or contrary to God. 857 00:49:38,979 --> 00:49:43,099 Even though that is taking place, I am still confident that 858 00:49:43,099 --> 00:49:46,979 there is a remnant that's not following the herd. 859 00:49:47,939 --> 00:49:52,179 There is a remnant that says, no, I can't go that way. 860 00:49:53,139 --> 00:49:57,059 No, I can't put up with that kind of lifestyle. 861 00:49:57,299 --> 00:50:00,129 No, I can't put up with that cultural shift. 862 00:50:01,799 --> 00:50:06,839 No, I can't put up with that which is not worship being called 863 00:50:06,999 --> 00:50:09,719 worship before the righteous and holy God. 864 00:50:09,879 --> 00:50:12,279 God said, I'm going to have a remnant. 865 00:50:12,359 --> 00:50:15,559 And I believe that's not only in relation to Israel. 866 00:50:15,719 --> 00:50:19,399 I do believe that we can carry this all the way to the last days 867 00:50:19,479 --> 00:50:25,959 and just say, why don't you determine, sir, this home is not 868 00:50:25,959 --> 00:50:28,119 going to be like the typical American home. 869 00:50:29,169 --> 00:50:33,009 This marriage is not going to be like a TV marriage. 870 00:50:33,809 --> 00:50:38,649 Our children are given to us for the glory of God, not so that 871 00:50:38,649 --> 00:50:40,209 they might fit in the culture. 872 00:50:40,209 --> 00:50:42,529 And nobody makes fun of them ever. 873 00:50:43,089 --> 00:50:48,289 Why don't somebody stand up and say, I'm going to be a part of 874 00:50:48,289 --> 00:50:48,929 the remnant? 875 00:50:53,409 --> 00:50:55,809 I like to see every time I've Come to this church. 876 00:50:56,339 --> 00:50:57,859 Seen the young people sitting over here. 877 00:50:59,779 --> 00:51:01,699 Some of them weren't born the first time I came. 878 00:51:01,699 --> 00:51:03,219 We talked about that yesterday. 879 00:51:04,099 --> 00:51:05,779 And here they are, teenagers. 880 00:51:08,099 --> 00:51:12,979 I hear somebody say, wouldn't you hate to try to raise teenagers 881 00:51:13,059 --> 00:51:14,739 in this day and time? 882 00:51:15,139 --> 00:51:19,019 Well, I've kind of checked back that since the fall there's 883 00:51:19,019 --> 00:51:24,109 probably been no favorable time raise godly children in this 884 00:51:24,109 --> 00:51:24,509 world. 885 00:51:26,989 --> 00:51:30,269 So let's not treat it like it's something that is impossible, 886 00:51:31,309 --> 00:51:31,949 shall we? 887 00:51:33,229 --> 00:51:35,629 And let's not pat all the kids on the head. 888 00:51:35,629 --> 00:51:38,069 I know you don't send them to a youth camp that pats them on the 889 00:51:38,069 --> 00:51:42,029 head and says, well, it's okay whatever you do, God loves you and 890 00:51:42,109 --> 00:51:44,029 you're good, you're good, you're good. 891 00:51:44,029 --> 00:51:48,799 No, no, it's right to confront and say, why don't you be a man of 892 00:51:48,799 --> 00:51:49,559 God in your school? 893 00:51:51,399 --> 00:51:52,719 Because I'm not a man yet. 894 00:51:52,719 --> 00:51:53,879 Well, you're a young man. 895 00:51:54,679 --> 00:51:56,199 Why don't you be a lady of God? 896 00:51:56,199 --> 00:51:57,239 You're a young lady. 897 00:51:58,039 --> 00:51:59,559 Yeah, but everybody else is. 898 00:51:59,799 --> 00:52:01,639 How about you don't follow everybody else? 899 00:52:03,478 --> 00:52:05,079 And besides, that's not even true. 900 00:52:05,079 --> 00:52:05,959 Not everybody. 901 00:52:06,519 --> 00:52:07,319 Well, everybody. 902 00:52:07,559 --> 00:52:08,839 No, not everybody is. 903 00:52:09,319 --> 00:52:12,119 There are some people that are bound determined to do right by God 904 00:52:12,119 --> 00:52:13,799 no matter what anybody else does. 905 00:52:14,409 --> 00:52:18,889 Even if somebody mocks them or laughs at them or calls them weird 906 00:52:20,249 --> 00:52:22,769 or strange or. 907 00:52:22,769 --> 00:52:24,249 Let's see, what's another word? 908 00:52:25,289 --> 00:52:26,089 Peculiar. 909 00:52:29,689 --> 00:52:32,089 See, you Bible readers, you know where that's going, don't you? 910 00:52:32,969 --> 00:52:36,809 Well, he saved us to make unto himself a peculiar people. 911 00:52:37,129 --> 00:52:38,729 Zealous of good works. 912 00:52:39,699 --> 00:52:40,339 Sure he did. 913 00:52:40,899 --> 00:52:44,339 How about you don't be a part of the following the herd. 914 00:52:45,059 --> 00:52:47,139 Why would you wear something like that? 915 00:52:49,699 --> 00:52:51,779 Haven't you looked on TikTok lately? 916 00:52:51,859 --> 00:52:52,659 On what? 917 00:52:57,139 --> 00:52:57,699 My watch. 918 00:52:57,699 --> 00:52:58,979 Don't even make any noise. 919 00:53:01,619 --> 00:53:03,779 Yeah, but are you on Facebook? 920 00:53:04,819 --> 00:53:07,059 I've never thought anybody wanted to look at my face. 921 00:53:08,439 --> 00:53:10,079 No, come on, I'm just being silly. 922 00:53:10,079 --> 00:53:17,319 But this weird culture is going to determine how you live. 923 00:53:20,279 --> 00:53:23,159 This botched up society is going to. 924 00:53:23,398 --> 00:53:25,399 You want a marriage that looks like that? 925 00:53:28,199 --> 00:53:29,239 TV marriage. 926 00:53:29,959 --> 00:53:33,799 Mom comes out of the house, she gets in the car, husband is following 927 00:53:33,799 --> 00:53:34,759 along behind. 928 00:53:35,079 --> 00:53:36,359 And here come the children. 929 00:53:36,439 --> 00:53:39,429 And mom gets in the car, she makes sure everybody's there and 930 00:53:39,429 --> 00:53:40,029 everybody's here. 931 00:53:40,029 --> 00:53:42,829 She gets behind the wheel and the husband sits over there. 932 00:53:44,029 --> 00:53:44,829 Something like that. 933 00:53:44,909 --> 00:53:46,909 And all the children, she smiles at them. 934 00:53:46,909 --> 00:53:51,549 She smiles at her husband and he smiles back at her like, hi honey. 935 00:53:51,549 --> 00:53:54,029 And she drives and leads the family. 936 00:53:54,268 --> 00:53:58,349 They get out of the car and he follows her around like this. 937 00:53:58,589 --> 00:54:00,829 Oh, dear Lord, have mercy. 938 00:54:03,229 --> 00:54:04,909 Men, please stand up. 939 00:54:04,909 --> 00:54:05,629 Be men. 940 00:54:07,139 --> 00:54:09,619 Does your wife drive when you're going across the country? 941 00:54:09,939 --> 00:54:12,499 Uh, I drive. 942 00:54:15,459 --> 00:54:17,699 Maybe she should at sometimes, but I drive. 943 00:54:20,179 --> 00:54:20,739 Yeah. 944 00:54:21,139 --> 00:54:21,939 Oh, yeah. 945 00:54:22,499 --> 00:54:23,139 Come on. 946 00:54:24,659 --> 00:54:26,019 There's gonna be a remnant. 947 00:54:26,899 --> 00:54:29,619 And it's not just about our behavior, about all this weirdness 948 00:54:29,619 --> 00:54:30,419 that's going on. 949 00:54:30,579 --> 00:54:33,379 It's about a conviction that we are the people of God. 950 00:54:33,539 --> 00:54:35,969 And the word of God gives us clear direction. 951 00:54:35,969 --> 00:54:40,489 What God expects of our life and his Word will be a light unto 952 00:54:40,569 --> 00:54:43,529 our path and a guide for our feet. 953 00:54:43,689 --> 00:54:45,809 I mean, we can follow the word of God. 954 00:54:45,809 --> 00:54:49,289 And God says, I'm going to have a remnant. 955 00:54:49,849 --> 00:54:53,569 And I guess what I'm asking this congregation tonight is, are 956 00:54:53,569 --> 00:54:55,609 you going to be a part of the herd out there? 957 00:54:57,609 --> 00:54:59,209 Well, I'm a member of this church. 958 00:54:59,369 --> 00:55:02,649 I'm talking about how you live day by day by day by day by day. 959 00:55:03,609 --> 00:55:05,209 You going to be a part of the herd out there? 960 00:55:05,529 --> 00:55:09,689 Or are you going to be part of that remnant that says it doesn't 961 00:55:09,689 --> 00:55:11,929 matter what the false teachers are saying. 962 00:55:12,169 --> 00:55:15,609 It doesn't matter what popular Christianity is saying. 963 00:55:15,849 --> 00:55:17,609 Pop Christianity. 964 00:55:18,329 --> 00:55:19,369 Think about that. 965 00:55:19,849 --> 00:55:22,649 It doesn't matter what pop Christianity is saying. 966 00:55:22,729 --> 00:55:24,449 I know what the word of God says. 967 00:55:24,449 --> 00:55:29,099 And this book by the Holy Spirit of God's gonna govern my life. 968 00:55:30,139 --> 00:55:33,339 Be a part of the remnant. 969 00:55:33,819 --> 00:55:37,339 Your nation desperately needs you. 970 00:55:38,379 --> 00:55:39,899 Thank you, Lord, for your word.