1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:02,203 --> 00:00:05,953 (uplifting orchestral music) 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 4 00:00:17,533 --> 00:00:21,301 - [Michael] God gives us a new identity as his children. 5 00:00:21,343 --> 00:00:24,256 We belong with him as he intended. 6 00:00:29,533 --> 00:00:32,611 The Bible says we will one day replace 7 00:00:32,653 --> 00:00:35,476 the rebellious sons of God in his Divine Council. 8 00:00:38,983 --> 00:00:41,641 He also gives us a mission. 9 00:00:41,683 --> 00:00:44,716 We're here to grow God's family. 10 00:00:49,033 --> 00:00:51,421 - We're gonna go on a fascinating journey. 11 00:00:51,463 --> 00:00:53,851 We'll explore some strange passages. 12 00:00:53,893 --> 00:00:56,131 We'll reexamine some familiar ones 13 00:00:56,173 --> 00:00:58,216 with meanings hidden in plain sight. 14 00:00:59,293 --> 00:01:01,501 We'll look at the Bible through the supernatural 15 00:01:01,543 --> 00:01:03,631 worldview of its writers. 16 00:01:03,673 --> 00:01:04,936 By the time we're done, 17 00:01:05,773 --> 00:01:07,741 you'll never be able to look at your Bible 18 00:01:07,783 --> 00:01:09,481 the same way again. 19 00:01:09,523 --> 00:01:13,576 There's a lot to be seen when it comes to the unseen realm. 20 00:01:13,618 --> 00:01:16,285 (etheric music) 21 00:01:27,613 --> 00:01:30,661 - The Bible asks us to believe a lot of strange things 22 00:01:30,703 --> 00:01:32,701 about the spiritual world. 23 00:01:32,743 --> 00:01:34,651 At first, we might be tempted to ignore them, 24 00:01:34,693 --> 00:01:36,451 but if we say we believe the Bible, 25 00:01:36,493 --> 00:01:39,451 we can't avoid these concepts. 26 00:01:39,493 --> 00:01:40,651 Much of what we think we know 27 00:01:40,693 --> 00:01:43,171 about the spirit world isn't true. 28 00:01:43,213 --> 00:01:44,971 It's been filtered down through centuries 29 00:01:45,013 --> 00:01:46,561 of church tradition. 30 00:01:46,603 --> 00:01:50,821 Angels do not have wings. Demons don't have horns or tails. 31 00:01:50,863 --> 00:01:53,287 And for the biblical writers, 32 00:01:53,329 --> 00:01:56,911 the unseen realm was home to more than angels and demons. 33 00:01:56,953 --> 00:01:59,491 There were other bigger players. 34 00:01:59,533 --> 00:02:01,629 So do you believe what's in your Bible? 35 00:02:01,671 --> 00:02:04,588 (mysterious music) 36 00:02:06,283 --> 00:02:08,611 - The rock at Caesarea Philippi 37 00:02:08,653 --> 00:02:12,001 might be the most imposing rock face in Israel. 38 00:02:12,043 --> 00:02:15,301 Imagine standing in front of the 500-foot wide face 39 00:02:15,343 --> 00:02:17,978 and hearing Jesus' words, 40 00:02:18,020 --> 00:02:21,901 "Upon this rock, I will build my church." 41 00:02:21,943 --> 00:02:25,411 This is the place where Jesus and his disciple stood, 42 00:02:25,453 --> 00:02:27,841 the scene of Peter's confession. 43 00:02:27,883 --> 00:02:30,631 And when Jesus added, "And the gates of hell 44 00:02:30,673 --> 00:02:32,890 will not be able to withstand the church," 45 00:02:33,763 --> 00:02:35,463 he knew what he was talking about. 46 00:02:36,403 --> 00:02:39,241 - Gates to hell, really? 47 00:02:39,283 --> 00:02:41,911 The authors of scripture believe the gods 48 00:02:41,953 --> 00:02:44,371 of the nations were real. 49 00:02:44,413 --> 00:02:46,396 Look at Psalm 82 carefully. 50 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,461 - [Announcer] "God stands in the divine assembly. 51 00:02:50,503 --> 00:02:54,451 He administers judgment in the midst of the gods." 52 00:02:54,493 --> 00:02:58,711 - When you really look at Psalm 82:1, it's kind of shocking, 53 00:02:58,753 --> 00:03:00,961 but there it is plain as day. 54 00:03:01,003 --> 00:03:05,731 God presides over an assembly of gods 55 00:03:05,773 --> 00:03:07,861 that he calls his sons. 56 00:03:07,903 --> 00:03:10,141 We're just not used to thinking of the heavenly host 57 00:03:10,183 --> 00:03:13,711 in those terms, but that's what the Hebrew text says. 58 00:03:13,753 --> 00:03:15,721 Psalm 89 says the same thing 59 00:03:15,763 --> 00:03:17,513 about God's council in the heavens. 60 00:03:18,470 --> 00:03:20,041 - [Announcer] "A God feared greatly 61 00:03:20,083 --> 00:03:21,970 in the council of the holy ones." 62 00:03:22,873 --> 00:03:27,781 - The Hebrew word translated Gods in Psalm 82 is Elohim. 63 00:03:27,823 --> 00:03:30,061 Now, most of the time it should be translated 64 00:03:30,103 --> 00:03:34,531 as capital G God, but sometimes it's plural, 65 00:03:34,573 --> 00:03:37,231 and Psalm 82:1 has both. 66 00:03:37,273 --> 00:03:39,931 The problem for us is that we think this is a problem 67 00:03:39,973 --> 00:03:42,241 for monotheism, but it's not. 68 00:03:42,283 --> 00:03:46,051 We're taught to associate the letters G, O and D 69 00:03:46,093 --> 00:03:48,871 with a specific set of unique attributes. 70 00:03:48,913 --> 00:03:52,021 That's why putting an S on the end makes us queasy. 71 00:03:52,063 --> 00:03:56,851 But the word Elohim is not about a set of unique attributes. 72 00:03:56,893 --> 00:03:58,784 The Bible itself tells us that. 73 00:03:58,826 --> 00:04:02,493 (heavenly orchestral music) 74 00:04:08,293 --> 00:04:11,041 - Elohim is simply a word used 75 00:04:11,083 --> 00:04:13,591 to describe a supernatural being. 76 00:04:13,633 --> 00:04:16,771 It says nothing, nothing about attributes. 77 00:04:16,813 --> 00:04:20,401 That's why the biblical writers used Elohim 78 00:04:20,443 --> 00:04:23,071 for other spirit beings besides God. 79 00:04:23,113 --> 00:04:25,921 It's used for the gods of the nations. 80 00:04:25,963 --> 00:04:29,401 It's used for demons, it's used for angels, 81 00:04:29,443 --> 00:04:32,341 even the disembodied human dead. 82 00:04:32,383 --> 00:04:35,821 However, Yahweh is one of those Elohim, 83 00:04:35,863 --> 00:04:39,421 and no other Elohim is like him. 84 00:04:39,463 --> 00:04:43,561 I repeat, no other Elohim is like him. 85 00:04:43,603 --> 00:04:46,021 The Bible describes him in unique ways. 86 00:04:46,063 --> 00:04:47,941 There is only one of him, 87 00:04:47,983 --> 00:04:50,671 one of him existing as three persons: 88 00:04:50,713 --> 00:04:54,451 Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 89 00:04:54,493 --> 00:04:57,209 and he is the creator of all other Elohim. 90 00:04:57,251 --> 00:05:00,001 (soothing music) 91 00:05:05,993 --> 00:05:09,751 - Psalm 82 places the heavenly host in a council. 92 00:05:09,793 --> 00:05:13,921 That term is appropriate because these beings participate 93 00:05:13,963 --> 00:05:15,991 in God's rule of the world. 94 00:05:16,033 --> 00:05:18,331 Now, certainly God doesn't need their help, 95 00:05:18,373 --> 00:05:20,611 but he lets them participate. 96 00:05:20,653 --> 00:05:23,431 Consider the strange story that the prophet Micaiah 97 00:05:23,473 --> 00:05:26,626 gave to the wicked Israel like king, Ahab. 98 00:05:27,470 --> 00:05:31,501 - [Announcer] "Therefore hear the word of Yahweh." 99 00:05:31,543 --> 00:05:34,441 I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne 100 00:05:34,483 --> 00:05:37,681 with all the hosts of heaven standing beside him 101 00:05:37,723 --> 00:05:40,771 from his right hand and from his left hand. 102 00:05:40,813 --> 00:05:44,161 And Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab 103 00:05:44,203 --> 00:05:47,611 so that he will go up and fall at Ramoth-Gilead?' 104 00:05:47,653 --> 00:05:49,711 Then this one was saying one thing, 105 00:05:49,753 --> 00:05:51,691 and the other one was saying another. 106 00:05:51,733 --> 00:05:54,781 Then a spirit came out and stood before Yahweh and said, 107 00:05:54,823 --> 00:05:58,381 'I will entice him, ' and Yahweh said to him, 'How?' 108 00:05:58,423 --> 00:06:02,101 He said, 'I will go out and I will be a false spirit 109 00:06:02,143 --> 00:06:04,591 in the mouth of all his prophets.' 110 00:06:04,633 --> 00:06:07,501 And he said, 'You shall entice and succeed. 111 00:06:07,543 --> 00:06:09,181 Go out and do so. 112 00:06:09,223 --> 00:06:12,451 So then see that Yahweh has placed a false spirit 113 00:06:12,493 --> 00:06:14,731 in the mouth of all these, your prophets, 114 00:06:14,773 --> 00:06:18,331 "and Yahweh has spoken disaster concerning you.'" 115 00:06:18,373 --> 00:06:20,731 - Did you catch where the Bible asked you to believe? 116 00:06:20,773 --> 00:06:23,161 God meets with his heavenly host to decide 117 00:06:23,203 --> 00:06:24,586 what happens on Earth? 118 00:06:25,483 --> 00:06:29,851 These beings, the gods of the council are spirits, 119 00:06:29,893 --> 00:06:32,130 not people or idols. 120 00:06:32,172 --> 00:06:34,839 (pensive music) 121 00:06:36,373 --> 00:06:40,651 - Remember, Yahweh, the God of Israel is an Elohim, 122 00:06:40,693 --> 00:06:44,281 a spirit being, but no other Elohim is him. 123 00:06:44,323 --> 00:06:48,661 He is one of a kind. He is the true God with a capital G. 124 00:06:48,703 --> 00:06:52,201 He alone is the perfect sovereign creator. 125 00:06:52,243 --> 00:06:55,111 He is the most high God. 126 00:06:55,153 --> 00:06:58,118 Now, Psalm 82:6 says God has sons. 127 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,208 "Sons of the Most High," is the phrase. 128 00:07:01,250 --> 00:07:03,751 - [Announcer] "I have said, you are gods 129 00:07:03,793 --> 00:07:06,340 and sons of the Most High, all of you." 130 00:07:07,333 --> 00:07:09,901 - Who are these sons of God? It sounds odd. 131 00:07:09,943 --> 00:07:11,521 What about Jesus? 132 00:07:11,563 --> 00:07:14,581 How can there be all these other sons of God? 133 00:07:14,623 --> 00:07:18,541 The answer is found in verses like John 3:16, 134 00:07:18,583 --> 00:07:22,921 where Jesus is described as the unique son of God. 135 00:07:22,963 --> 00:07:26,281 Now, some translations say only begotten, 136 00:07:26,323 --> 00:07:30,781 but the word actually means unique, one of a kind. 137 00:07:30,823 --> 00:07:32,641 How is Jesus unique? 138 00:07:32,683 --> 00:07:35,251 The New Testament says he is God, 139 00:07:35,293 --> 00:07:38,731 the one uncreated God in the flesh. 140 00:07:38,773 --> 00:07:41,536 None of the other sons of God fit that description. 141 00:07:45,823 --> 00:07:49,441 - The sons of God language made sense to ancient people. 142 00:07:49,483 --> 00:07:53,341 God was king, and kings assigned their sons 143 00:07:53,383 --> 00:07:56,491 high-ranking jobs in their government. 144 00:07:56,533 --> 00:07:58,711 So it is in the unseen realm. 145 00:07:58,753 --> 00:08:01,291 It's important because the sonship language 146 00:08:01,333 --> 00:08:04,771 reminds us that God wants a family. 147 00:08:04,813 --> 00:08:09,271 His family extends to both the unseen world and to Earth, 148 00:08:09,313 --> 00:08:11,873 and those two families come together in Eden. 149 00:08:11,915 --> 00:08:15,582 (dramatic orchestral music) 150 00:08:22,843 --> 00:08:24,931 - God addressed His council when He created 151 00:08:24,973 --> 00:08:28,426 the first man and woman, the council was already there. 152 00:08:30,020 --> 00:08:32,911 - [Announcer] "So God created humankind in his image, 153 00:08:32,953 --> 00:08:35,731 in the likeness of God, He created him. 154 00:08:35,773 --> 00:08:38,230 Male and female, He created them." 155 00:08:39,133 --> 00:08:42,638 - God told his heavenly family he wanted to create humanity. 156 00:08:42,680 --> 00:08:45,211 Now, people often think God addressed 157 00:08:45,253 --> 00:08:49,261 the other members of the Trinity, but that is not the case. 158 00:08:49,303 --> 00:08:50,671 The other members of the Trinity 159 00:08:50,713 --> 00:08:53,431 are co-equal and co-omniscient. 160 00:08:53,473 --> 00:08:55,741 God wouldn't need to tell them anything. 161 00:08:55,783 --> 00:08:58,231 God speaks to his heavenly host here. 162 00:08:58,273 --> 00:09:01,561 Job 38 tells us the sons of God were present 163 00:09:01,603 --> 00:09:04,328 at the creation. (pensive music) 164 00:09:04,370 --> 00:09:06,241 - [Announcer] "Where were you at my laying" 165 00:09:06,283 --> 00:09:09,631 the foundation of the earth, when the morning stars 166 00:09:09,673 --> 00:09:12,301 were singing together and all of the sons of God 167 00:09:12,343 --> 00:09:13,736 shouted for joy? 168 00:09:13,778 --> 00:09:17,528 (etheric vocalization music) 169 00:09:24,883 --> 00:09:27,631 - The image of God concept helps us to understand 170 00:09:27,673 --> 00:09:32,671 how humans and the heavenly host are both like God. 171 00:09:32,713 --> 00:09:35,581 Both of God's families represent him. 172 00:09:35,623 --> 00:09:38,041 The supernatural sons of God represent Him 173 00:09:38,083 --> 00:09:42,676 in the unseen realm and we represent God on Earth. 174 00:09:46,038 --> 00:09:48,241 - But how do we represent God? 175 00:09:48,283 --> 00:09:52,621 We saw how divine beings participate in God's rule. 176 00:09:52,663 --> 00:09:55,981 God created humans to participate in his plan 177 00:09:56,023 --> 00:09:59,041 to make the earth all He envisioned 178 00:09:59,083 --> 00:10:00,976 and to enjoy it with Him. 179 00:10:04,813 --> 00:10:07,981 - Imaging God is a status we have on Earth, 180 00:10:08,023 --> 00:10:10,111 not a specific ability. 181 00:10:10,153 --> 00:10:13,351 We bear that status from the moment of conception 182 00:10:13,393 --> 00:10:14,941 until death. 183 00:10:14,983 --> 00:10:17,731 To be human is to image God, 184 00:10:17,773 --> 00:10:20,641 but God also shares His attributes with us. 185 00:10:20,683 --> 00:10:21,871 Beginning with Adam and Eve, 186 00:10:21,913 --> 00:10:25,981 we were supposed to take care of Creation and develop it. 187 00:10:26,023 --> 00:10:28,816 God wanted the whole earth to be like Eden. 188 00:10:35,353 --> 00:10:38,371 - The knowledge that all humans are representatives of God 189 00:10:38,413 --> 00:10:41,866 prompts us to see all human life as sacred. 190 00:10:43,393 --> 00:10:46,261 It leaves no room for racism. 191 00:10:46,303 --> 00:10:51,303 Injustice has no place, and the abuse of power at home, 192 00:10:51,493 --> 00:10:55,638 at work or in government cannot be justified. 193 00:10:55,680 --> 00:10:58,291 (ominous music) 194 00:10:58,333 --> 00:11:00,811 - Obviously, the world isn't like Eden. 195 00:11:00,853 --> 00:11:04,381 People don't treat each other as equal imagers of God, 196 00:11:04,423 --> 00:11:05,566 not even close. 197 00:11:06,523 --> 00:11:07,891 What happened? 198 00:11:07,933 --> 00:11:11,071 The answer lies in God's decision to share His attributes 199 00:11:11,113 --> 00:11:15,061 with both His supernatural and human children. 200 00:11:15,103 --> 00:11:19,021 And one of those attributes is freedom or free will. 201 00:11:19,063 --> 00:11:21,271 It is freedom, not mere intelligence, 202 00:11:21,313 --> 00:11:23,701 that allows for meaningful choices. 203 00:11:23,743 --> 00:11:26,221 God didn't program his children like robots. 204 00:11:26,263 --> 00:11:29,146 If He did, we wouldn't truly be like Him. 205 00:11:30,043 --> 00:11:34,186 Having freedom meant God's children might choose to rebel. 206 00:11:35,503 --> 00:11:37,013 That's what happened. 207 00:11:37,055 --> 00:11:40,441 (ominous music) 208 00:11:40,483 --> 00:11:43,801 - Remember, we don't have God's perfect nature, 209 00:11:43,843 --> 00:11:47,131 even though both humans and the heavenly sons of God 210 00:11:47,173 --> 00:11:49,546 represent Him in their respective realm. 211 00:11:52,093 --> 00:11:57,093 God tells us in Job 15 that He doesn't trust His holy ones. 212 00:11:57,283 --> 00:11:58,516 He knows they can fail. 213 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,368 - [Announcer] "Look, He does not trust His holy ones, 214 00:12:02,410 --> 00:12:05,161 and the heavens are not clean in His eyes." 215 00:12:05,203 --> 00:12:07,651 - Eden was the home and headquarters of God. 216 00:12:07,693 --> 00:12:10,921 His supernatural and earthly families resided there. 217 00:12:10,963 --> 00:12:14,521 God wanted them to image him in their own ways, 218 00:12:14,563 --> 00:12:18,451 heaven and earth blended together into one family. 219 00:12:18,493 --> 00:12:23,185 But, one family member didn't like that idea. 220 00:12:23,227 --> 00:12:25,351 (instrument hissing) 221 00:12:25,393 --> 00:12:28,261 - We've all heard about the serpent in Eden, 222 00:12:28,303 --> 00:12:31,771 but why a serpent, what's that supposed to tell us? 223 00:12:31,813 --> 00:12:35,041 Ancient people knew how to take this scene, but we don't. 224 00:12:35,083 --> 00:12:37,831 We assume the serpent is merely an animal. 225 00:12:37,873 --> 00:12:42,748 His form is important, but the story is not about zoology. 226 00:12:42,790 --> 00:12:46,231 The story is about a supernatural rebellion. 227 00:12:46,273 --> 00:12:48,466 Isaiah alludes to that rebellion. 228 00:12:49,850 --> 00:12:52,141 - [Announcer] "I will raise up my throne above the stars 229 00:12:52,183 --> 00:12:55,801 of God, and I will sit on the mountain of assembly. 230 00:12:55,843 --> 00:12:58,690 I will make myself like the Most High." 231 00:12:59,923 --> 00:13:04,021 - Isaiah is talking about the sons of God in the assembly. 232 00:13:04,063 --> 00:13:07,711 Just like Job, he refers to them as stars. 233 00:13:07,753 --> 00:13:09,991 They were present before Eden. 234 00:13:10,033 --> 00:13:14,011 Ezekiel 28 mentions the rebellion in Eden as well. 235 00:13:14,053 --> 00:13:16,741 In Ezekiel's case, a guardian cherub 236 00:13:16,783 --> 00:13:19,006 gets kicked out of Eden. 237 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,711 - [Announcer] "You were an anointed guardian cherub, 238 00:13:22,753 --> 00:13:25,381 and I placed you on God's holy mountain. 239 00:13:25,423 --> 00:13:28,480 You walked in the midst of stones of fire." 240 00:13:29,443 --> 00:13:31,861 - Ancient Mesopotamian tablets talk about 241 00:13:31,903 --> 00:13:34,861 cherub throne guardians and describe them 242 00:13:34,903 --> 00:13:37,531 as snakes and dragons. 243 00:13:37,573 --> 00:13:40,501 The serpent of Eden was actually a supernatural being 244 00:13:40,543 --> 00:13:43,921 whose job was to guard God's throne. 245 00:13:43,963 --> 00:13:46,291 An ancient person would've known the scene 246 00:13:46,333 --> 00:13:49,156 was about a rebel in the Divine Council. 247 00:13:51,343 --> 00:13:55,651 - Like the supernatural rebel, Adam and Eve rebel too. 248 00:13:55,693 --> 00:13:59,701 Eden was lost, the rebel security guard was cast down. 249 00:13:59,743 --> 00:14:04,411 He brought death to earth, and now everyone would die. 250 00:14:04,453 --> 00:14:07,231 He became Lord of the dead. 251 00:14:07,273 --> 00:14:11,661 Since everyone would die, humanity would be his. 252 00:14:11,703 --> 00:14:15,391 (orchestral music rises) 253 00:14:15,433 --> 00:14:18,241 Now most people know the basics of that story. 254 00:14:18,283 --> 00:14:21,736 Christians believe it's why the world is the way it is, 255 00:14:22,729 --> 00:14:25,141 but that's actually incomplete. 256 00:14:25,183 --> 00:14:29,161 What happened in Eden was just the first of three reasons 257 00:14:29,203 --> 00:14:32,311 why there's so much evil and death in the world. 258 00:14:32,353 --> 00:14:35,182 There were actually two more supernatural rebellions. 259 00:14:35,224 --> 00:14:37,891 (ominous music) 260 00:14:49,123 --> 00:14:53,491 - Genesis 6 describes the second supernatural rebellion. 261 00:14:53,533 --> 00:14:57,541 Some of the sons of God, members of the heavenly council, 262 00:14:57,583 --> 00:15:01,277 transgressed the boundary between heaven and earth. 263 00:15:01,319 --> 00:15:04,569 (mystical flute music) 264 00:15:07,070 --> 00:15:09,631 - [Announcer] "The sons of God saw the daughters" 265 00:15:09,673 --> 00:15:13,081 of humankind, that they were beautiful. 266 00:15:13,123 --> 00:15:16,291 The Nephilim were upon the earth in those days 267 00:15:16,333 --> 00:15:19,591 and also afterward when the sons of God 268 00:15:19,633 --> 00:15:21,901 went into the daughters of humankind 269 00:15:21,943 --> 00:15:24,241 "and they bore children to them." 270 00:15:24,283 --> 00:15:28,366 - Both Peter and Jude references story in the New Testament. 271 00:15:30,230 --> 00:15:33,361 - [Announcer] "God did not spare the angels who sinned, 272 00:15:33,403 --> 00:15:36,841 but held them captive in Tartarus with chains of darkness, 273 00:15:36,883 --> 00:15:39,631 and handed them over to be kept for judgment 274 00:15:39,673 --> 00:15:43,570 and did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah." 275 00:15:44,743 --> 00:15:48,256 - Jude also tells us about the judgment of these angels. 276 00:15:49,700 --> 00:15:51,121 - [Announcer] "The angels who did not keep 277 00:15:51,163 --> 00:15:53,221 to their own domain but deserted 278 00:15:53,263 --> 00:15:56,911 their proper dwelling place, he has kept in eternal bonds 279 00:15:56,953 --> 00:15:59,770 under deep gloom for the judgment of the great day." 280 00:16:00,763 --> 00:16:04,201 - Both of these writers understood that Genesis 6 281 00:16:04,243 --> 00:16:07,861 recorded the second supernatural rebellion. 282 00:16:07,903 --> 00:16:11,461 The fallen sons of God were sent to Tartarus 283 00:16:11,503 --> 00:16:13,404 for their transgression. 284 00:16:13,446 --> 00:16:16,291 Tartarus is a Greek word for the realm of the dead, 285 00:16:16,333 --> 00:16:18,661 what we think of as hell. 286 00:16:18,703 --> 00:16:21,871 They'd stay there until the Day of the Lord 287 00:16:21,913 --> 00:16:23,701 at the end of days. 288 00:16:23,743 --> 00:16:26,731 A term like fallen angels makes us think of demons, 289 00:16:26,773 --> 00:16:29,131 like the ones Jesus cast out, 290 00:16:29,173 --> 00:16:32,281 but the rebels of Genesis 6 are imprisoned, 291 00:16:32,323 --> 00:16:35,491 so they can't be the demons Jesus encountered. 292 00:16:35,533 --> 00:16:37,036 So where did they come from? 293 00:16:38,593 --> 00:16:41,011 The answer lies in the offspring produced 294 00:16:41,053 --> 00:16:44,041 by the forbidden union between the sons of God 295 00:16:44,083 --> 00:16:46,561 and the women in Genesis 6. 296 00:16:46,603 --> 00:16:49,381 Those offspring were known as the Nephilim. 297 00:16:49,423 --> 00:16:50,911 They were giants. 298 00:16:50,953 --> 00:16:53,461 Their descendants became the giant clans 299 00:16:53,503 --> 00:16:55,606 Moses and Joshua battled. 300 00:16:57,110 --> 00:16:58,531 - [Announcer] "The Nephilim were upon the earth 301 00:16:58,573 --> 00:17:01,210 in those days and also afterward." 302 00:17:02,053 --> 00:17:04,441 - In the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy, 303 00:17:04,483 --> 00:17:08,401 we learned about the giants Moses and Joshua ran into. 304 00:17:08,443 --> 00:17:10,591 They not only descended from the Nephilim, 305 00:17:10,633 --> 00:17:13,861 but they are called by other names like Anakim 306 00:17:13,903 --> 00:17:15,781 and the Rephaim. 307 00:17:15,823 --> 00:17:18,151 That last name stands out. 308 00:17:18,193 --> 00:17:21,481 Several Bible passages described the dead spirits 309 00:17:21,523 --> 00:17:23,971 of the Rephaim in the realm of the dead, 310 00:17:24,013 --> 00:17:25,988 again, what we would think of as hell. 311 00:17:26,030 --> 00:17:28,621 (ominous music) 312 00:17:28,663 --> 00:17:32,131 - Extra-biblical Jewish writers believe the demons, 313 00:17:32,173 --> 00:17:34,711 like those described in the gospels, 314 00:17:34,753 --> 00:17:37,531 were disembodied spirits of the giants. 315 00:17:37,573 --> 00:17:40,921 They base this on the Bible's mention of dead Rephaim 316 00:17:40,963 --> 00:17:42,121 in the underworld. 317 00:17:42,163 --> 00:17:45,691 Jewish books like 1 Enoch and the Book of the Giants 318 00:17:45,733 --> 00:17:49,525 from the Dead Sea Scrolls make that point explicitly. 319 00:17:49,567 --> 00:17:53,234 (dramatic orchestral music) 320 00:18:22,453 --> 00:18:25,291 - If demons come from dead giants, 321 00:18:25,333 --> 00:18:27,661 what happened to the giants? 322 00:18:27,703 --> 00:18:28,494 Believe it or not, 323 00:18:28,536 --> 00:18:31,912 the answer comes from a very familiar story. 324 00:18:31,954 --> 00:18:35,431 (ominous, bassy music) 325 00:18:35,473 --> 00:18:38,551 God told Joshua to destroy entire populations 326 00:18:38,593 --> 00:18:40,381 in the land of Gannon, 327 00:18:40,423 --> 00:18:43,381 but if you read the conquest account closely, 328 00:18:43,423 --> 00:18:46,291 you'll also see places where God told Joshua 329 00:18:46,333 --> 00:18:49,021 only drive them out, not kill them. 330 00:18:49,063 --> 00:18:51,181 Now this seems inconsistent. 331 00:18:51,223 --> 00:18:54,661 However, when you understand the supernatural rationale 332 00:18:54,703 --> 00:18:59,703 for what God wanted Joshua to do, things become more clear. 333 00:18:59,833 --> 00:19:02,851 - It's fascinating to discover that the conquest 334 00:19:02,893 --> 00:19:05,761 actually began with the giants. 335 00:19:05,803 --> 00:19:09,661 Moses initially sent 12 spies into the land. 336 00:19:09,703 --> 00:19:12,601 They reported about the places they had visited 337 00:19:12,643 --> 00:19:15,508 and where they saw the giant Anakim. 338 00:19:15,550 --> 00:19:18,601 10 of the 12 spies convinced the rest of the people 339 00:19:18,643 --> 00:19:21,481 they could not win against the Anakim. 340 00:19:21,523 --> 00:19:24,781 God judged Israel with 40 years of wandering. 341 00:19:24,823 --> 00:19:27,481 Notice that the giants were a focal point 342 00:19:27,523 --> 00:19:30,811 from the very beginning of the conquest effort. 343 00:19:30,853 --> 00:19:32,251 - At the end of the 40 years, 344 00:19:32,293 --> 00:19:36,241 God took Israel up through the east side of the Jordan. 345 00:19:36,283 --> 00:19:39,871 He told them not to bother the people of Moab and Ammon, 346 00:19:39,913 --> 00:19:42,391 since the giant clans in those lands 347 00:19:42,433 --> 00:19:45,481 had already been removed by the people of Esau, 348 00:19:45,523 --> 00:19:47,428 relatives of the Israelites. 349 00:19:47,470 --> 00:19:50,137 (etheric music) 350 00:19:51,283 --> 00:19:55,591 God sent Moses and Joshua to Bashan, the realm of Og, 351 00:19:55,633 --> 00:19:57,751 king of the Amorites. 352 00:19:57,793 --> 00:20:01,711 Og was a giant the last of the Rephaim. 353 00:20:01,753 --> 00:20:04,246 The prophet Amos described them. 354 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,221 - [Announcer] "I destroyed the Amorite before them 355 00:20:08,263 --> 00:20:12,751 who was as tall as cedars and was as strong as the oaks." 356 00:20:12,793 --> 00:20:15,961 - The point is that once all the giants from the other side 357 00:20:16,003 --> 00:20:17,551 of the Jordan were removed, 358 00:20:17,593 --> 00:20:20,401 Joshua could take the people into Canaan. 359 00:20:20,443 --> 00:20:24,151 Joshua took the Israelites into the land. 360 00:20:24,193 --> 00:20:26,011 It's important to notice that the places 361 00:20:26,053 --> 00:20:28,861 that were designated for total destruction 362 00:20:28,903 --> 00:20:31,846 correspond to the places where the giants were seen. 363 00:20:32,713 --> 00:20:34,024 The giant descendants of the Nephilim 364 00:20:34,066 --> 00:20:37,291 were the real targets of the killing. 365 00:20:37,333 --> 00:20:40,441 Many people died because the Anakim lived among them, 366 00:20:40,483 --> 00:20:43,691 but the descendants of the Nephilim were the lethal threat. 367 00:20:43,733 --> 00:20:46,111 (uplifting drumming music) 368 00:20:46,153 --> 00:20:48,061 - The Nephilim and their descendants 369 00:20:48,103 --> 00:20:51,511 were from the divine rebellion of Genesis 6. 370 00:20:51,553 --> 00:20:54,151 They had been raised up by supernatural rebels 371 00:20:54,193 --> 00:20:57,211 to oppose God and destroy his people. 372 00:20:57,253 --> 00:20:59,971 Now in this light, the conquest, 373 00:21:00,013 --> 00:21:03,421 the spiritual warfare laid out on earth, 374 00:21:03,463 --> 00:21:08,463 either God's people Israel would survive or be annihilated. 375 00:21:09,073 --> 00:21:12,181 The story is cast as an epic battle of good and evil, 376 00:21:12,223 --> 00:21:15,601 in both the spiritual and earthly sense. 377 00:21:15,643 --> 00:21:18,241 Joshua could drive out people, 378 00:21:18,283 --> 00:21:22,361 but the descendants of the Nephilim had to be eliminated. 379 00:21:22,403 --> 00:21:25,320 (triumphant music) 380 00:21:28,603 --> 00:21:31,861 This is why when Joshua defined victory in the conquest, 381 00:21:31,903 --> 00:21:35,041 he said there are no more Anakim in the land. 382 00:21:35,083 --> 00:21:38,671 The only ones left went to the Philistine cities. 383 00:21:38,713 --> 00:21:40,796 One of those cities was Gath, 384 00:21:40,838 --> 00:21:43,621 the home of Goliath and his brothers. 385 00:21:43,663 --> 00:21:47,431 And eventually David would complete the task of eliminating 386 00:21:47,473 --> 00:21:50,086 the descendants of the Nephilim. 387 00:21:50,983 --> 00:21:53,521 - The conquest is ultimately about God 388 00:21:53,563 --> 00:21:56,851 protecting his own children against a cosmically 389 00:21:56,893 --> 00:22:00,721 empowered threat bent on stopping Yahweh 390 00:22:00,763 --> 00:22:02,911 from reestablishing Eden. 391 00:22:02,953 --> 00:22:06,001 - God's original program was for Adam and Eve 392 00:22:06,043 --> 00:22:09,061 to spread Eden throughout the Earth. 393 00:22:09,103 --> 00:22:11,761 All people were to be God's people. 394 00:22:11,803 --> 00:22:14,641 The whole earth was to be God's domain, 395 00:22:14,683 --> 00:22:17,401 but that gets ruined and destroyed, 396 00:22:17,443 --> 00:22:20,821 but God never gives up on his original plan, 397 00:22:20,863 --> 00:22:24,271 God called a people to himself, the nation of Israel. 398 00:22:24,313 --> 00:22:28,531 Yahweh wanted a land to restart a new Eden, 399 00:22:28,573 --> 00:22:32,221 and the Anakim, descendants of rival gods, 400 00:22:32,263 --> 00:22:35,148 would stop at nothing to prevent that. 401 00:22:35,190 --> 00:22:37,857 (ominous music) 402 00:22:38,713 --> 00:22:41,581 - The first two spiritual rebellions produced Satan, 403 00:22:41,623 --> 00:22:44,131 the giants, and the demons who came from them. 404 00:22:44,173 --> 00:22:48,871 But there was one more ancient rebellion looming ahead. 405 00:22:48,913 --> 00:22:52,201 This one would produce another set of bad guys 406 00:22:52,243 --> 00:22:55,171 and change the entire landscape of God's relationship 407 00:22:55,213 --> 00:22:59,131 with humanity, but ultimately they would become 408 00:22:59,173 --> 00:23:01,507 the catalyst of God's redemption plan. 409 00:23:01,549 --> 00:23:04,868 (uplifting music) 410 00:23:04,910 --> 00:23:07,921 - [Announcer] "Come, let us build ourselves a city" 411 00:23:07,963 --> 00:23:11,041 and a tower whose top reaches to the heavens. 412 00:23:11,083 --> 00:23:15,301 And Yahweh said, 'Come, let us go down 413 00:23:15,343 --> 00:23:17,551 and confuse their language there so that they 414 00:23:17,593 --> 00:23:20,101 will not understand each other's language.' 415 00:23:20,143 --> 00:23:24,107 "Therefore its name was called Babel." 416 00:23:24,149 --> 00:23:27,181 - Now this is a really familiar story. 417 00:23:27,223 --> 00:23:31,003 Less familiar is how the story is told in Deuteronomy. 418 00:23:31,045 --> 00:23:33,158 (pensive digitized music) 419 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,701 - [Announcer] "When the most high a portion the nations" 420 00:23:35,743 --> 00:23:38,881 at his dividing up the sons of humankind, 421 00:23:38,923 --> 00:23:41,101 he fixed the boundaries of the peoples 422 00:23:41,143 --> 00:23:43,483 according to the number of the sons of God, 423 00:23:43,525 --> 00:23:46,291 for Yahweh's portion was his people, 424 00:23:46,333 --> 00:23:49,111 "Jacob, the share of his inheritance." 425 00:23:49,153 --> 00:23:51,991 - When was humanity divided into nations? 426 00:23:52,033 --> 00:23:53,791 That was at Babel. 427 00:23:53,833 --> 00:23:55,501 Got a lot of the nations to the members 428 00:23:55,543 --> 00:23:57,391 of his Divine Council. 429 00:23:57,433 --> 00:24:00,241 The Bible says this is why the ancient nations 430 00:24:00,283 --> 00:24:02,281 worshiped other gods. 431 00:24:02,323 --> 00:24:05,521 God decided to let the members of his Divine Council 432 00:24:05,563 --> 00:24:08,401 govern the other nations in response 433 00:24:08,443 --> 00:24:10,951 to humanity's rebellion at Babel. 434 00:24:10,993 --> 00:24:15,931 - But the gods of the nations failed to rule justly. 435 00:24:15,973 --> 00:24:19,096 God chastises them in Psalm 82. 436 00:24:20,570 --> 00:24:23,731 - [Announcer] "God stands in the divine assembly. 437 00:24:23,773 --> 00:24:26,821 He administers judgment in the midst of the gods. 438 00:24:26,863 --> 00:24:29,221 'How long will you judge unjustly 439 00:24:29,263 --> 00:24:31,263 and show favoritism to the wicked?'" 440 00:24:32,113 --> 00:24:34,996 - Then God pronounces a judgment on them. 441 00:24:36,410 --> 00:24:39,541 - [Announcer] "I have said you are gods and sons 442 00:24:39,583 --> 00:24:42,001 of the Most High, all of you. 443 00:24:42,043 --> 00:24:44,761 However, you will die like men 444 00:24:44,803 --> 00:24:47,170 and you will fall like one of the princes." 445 00:24:48,193 --> 00:24:51,781 - The gods will be judged, punished and will die. 446 00:24:51,823 --> 00:24:53,881 It's startling to read these things. 447 00:24:53,923 --> 00:24:57,571 God is so angry with his corrupt heavenly sons 448 00:24:57,613 --> 00:24:59,521 that he condemns them. 449 00:24:59,563 --> 00:25:02,521 Some passages in the prophets place the fulfillment 450 00:25:02,563 --> 00:25:06,286 of this punishment in the end times at the Day of the Lord. 451 00:25:07,550 --> 00:25:09,961 - [Announcer] "For the anger of Yahweh is against all" 452 00:25:10,003 --> 00:25:14,581 the nations, and his wrath is against all their host. 453 00:25:14,623 --> 00:25:16,516 All the host of heaven shall rot, 454 00:25:17,413 --> 00:25:19,606 all their host shall wither. 455 00:25:21,073 --> 00:25:25,403 On that day, Yahweh will punish the host of heaven in heaven 456 00:25:26,489 --> 00:25:29,881 "and the kings of the earth on the earth." 457 00:25:29,923 --> 00:25:32,431 - This situation is at the heart of what scholars 458 00:25:32,473 --> 00:25:35,041 call cosmic geography. 459 00:25:35,083 --> 00:25:37,411 It's the idea that the nations around Israel 460 00:25:37,453 --> 00:25:40,771 were under the dominion of other hostile gods. 461 00:25:40,813 --> 00:25:44,071 Those nations and their gods surrounded 462 00:25:44,113 --> 00:25:48,629 the holy ground of Israel, Yahweh's portion of the earth. 463 00:25:48,671 --> 00:25:52,171 (pensive digitized music) 464 00:25:53,083 --> 00:25:55,981 The Book of Daniel picks up on that idea. 465 00:25:56,023 --> 00:25:58,261 It discloses that supernatural beings 466 00:25:58,303 --> 00:26:00,631 govern individual nations. 467 00:26:00,673 --> 00:26:04,021 In other words, evil intelligences influence 468 00:26:04,063 --> 00:26:07,216 the geopolitics of those nations. 469 00:26:08,360 --> 00:26:10,531 - [Announcer] "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia 470 00:26:10,573 --> 00:26:13,381 stood before me for 21 days. 471 00:26:13,423 --> 00:26:16,891 And look, Michael, one of the chief princes, 472 00:26:16,933 --> 00:26:18,250 came to assist me." 473 00:26:19,213 --> 00:26:22,261 - Each of these nations has a supernatural prince, 474 00:26:22,303 --> 00:26:24,376 a term that means ruler. 475 00:26:25,580 --> 00:26:26,971 - [Announcer] "Now I return to fight against" 476 00:26:27,013 --> 00:26:28,651 the prince of Persia. 477 00:26:28,693 --> 00:26:31,711 And look, the prince of Javan will come, 478 00:26:31,753 --> 00:26:33,601 and there is not one who contends with me 479 00:26:33,643 --> 00:26:37,921 "against these beings, except Michael, your prince." 480 00:26:37,963 --> 00:26:40,651 - Michael is the guardian of Israel. 481 00:26:40,693 --> 00:26:43,021 The big picture reveals that there is an unseen 482 00:26:43,063 --> 00:26:46,756 spiritual conflict behind the empires of the Earth. 483 00:26:49,776 --> 00:26:53,491 - 2 Kings 5 illustrates the idea of holy ground well. 484 00:26:53,533 --> 00:26:56,881 In that story, Naaman, a military commander from Syria, 485 00:26:56,923 --> 00:27:00,601 visits Israel in search of the prophet Elisha. 486 00:27:00,643 --> 00:27:05,101 To a surprise and joy, Elisha heals him of leprosy. 487 00:27:05,143 --> 00:27:07,501 But afterward, he makes a really 488 00:27:07,543 --> 00:27:09,556 interesting request of Elisha. 489 00:27:11,450 --> 00:27:15,721 - "Then Naaman said, 'If not, then please let a load of soil 490 00:27:15,763 --> 00:27:18,391 on a pair of mules be given to your servants, 491 00:27:18,433 --> 00:27:21,361 for your servants will never again bring a burnt offering 492 00:27:21,403 --> 00:27:25,891 and sacrifice to other gods, but only to Yahweh.'" 493 00:27:25,933 --> 00:27:29,101 - Naaman asked Elisha for dirt from Israel. 494 00:27:29,143 --> 00:27:32,941 Why? Because now he worshiped Yahweh. 495 00:27:32,983 --> 00:27:35,172 He wanted holy ground to worship on. 496 00:27:35,214 --> 00:27:38,797 (pensive orchestral music) 497 00:27:45,253 --> 00:27:49,501 Cosmic geography is something we see a lot of in the Bible. 498 00:27:49,543 --> 00:27:53,401 It's about holy ground, a place for Yahweh to dwell 499 00:27:53,443 --> 00:27:55,696 with his people, just like Eden. 500 00:27:57,283 --> 00:28:01,486 Do we realize how dramatic the judgment at Babel really was? 501 00:28:02,323 --> 00:28:06,751 When it was over, God had no relationship with humanity, 502 00:28:06,793 --> 00:28:09,481 but God still wanted a family, 503 00:28:09,523 --> 00:28:12,106 and he already had a plan to fix that problem. 504 00:28:13,423 --> 00:28:17,176 He'd begin with one man named Abraham. 505 00:28:19,363 --> 00:28:21,661 - The Bible recounts many stories 506 00:28:21,703 --> 00:28:23,851 of God speaking from heaven, 507 00:28:23,893 --> 00:28:26,101 but God did something more dramatic 508 00:28:26,143 --> 00:28:27,991 when it came to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 509 00:28:28,033 --> 00:28:30,451 He appeared as a man. 510 00:28:30,493 --> 00:28:35,493 Both Genesis and Acts will tell us God came to Abraham 511 00:28:35,653 --> 00:28:36,841 in a vision. 512 00:28:36,883 --> 00:28:39,451 Visions are things you see. 513 00:28:39,493 --> 00:28:44,371 The Old Testament often describes God in visible terms: 514 00:28:44,413 --> 00:28:48,271 standing, sitting, walking. 515 00:28:48,313 --> 00:28:51,166 Invisible voices don't stand, sit and walk, do they? 516 00:28:52,243 --> 00:28:55,861 God appears as a man in the Old Testament, 517 00:28:55,903 --> 00:29:00,181 most often as the angel of the Lord. 518 00:29:00,223 --> 00:29:02,281 Jacob first encountered Yahweh at Bethel, 519 00:29:02,323 --> 00:29:05,551 a man who was more than what he appeared to be 520 00:29:05,593 --> 00:29:06,901 wrestled him there. 521 00:29:06,943 --> 00:29:10,081 That man was described by the prophet Hosea 522 00:29:10,123 --> 00:29:12,901 as an angel and an Elohim. 523 00:29:12,943 --> 00:29:15,338 That's why the angel of the Lord could say, 524 00:29:15,380 --> 00:29:18,601 "I am the God of Bethel." 525 00:29:18,643 --> 00:29:23,071 That's amazing. An angel refers to himself as God. 526 00:29:23,113 --> 00:29:26,101 But even more startling is the quote in Genesis 48 527 00:29:26,143 --> 00:29:30,706 where Jacob blesses Joseph's children before he dies. 528 00:29:32,510 --> 00:29:34,351 - [Announcer] "The God before whom my fathers", 529 00:29:34,393 --> 00:29:36,421 Abraham and Isaac, walked, 530 00:29:36,463 --> 00:29:40,291 the God who shepherded me all my life onto this day, 531 00:29:40,333 --> 00:29:42,706 the angel who redeemed me from all evil, 532 00:29:43,603 --> 00:29:45,811 "may he bless the boys." 533 00:29:45,853 --> 00:29:47,978 - Jacob's prayer has three lines. 534 00:29:48,020 --> 00:29:50,911 "May the God before who my father's walked, 535 00:29:50,953 --> 00:29:53,521 may the God who shepherded me," 536 00:29:53,563 --> 00:29:56,101 and in the third line where we expect him 537 00:29:56,143 --> 00:29:59,888 to mention God again, he swaps in. 538 00:29:59,930 --> 00:30:04,381 "May the angel who redeemed me from harm." 539 00:30:04,423 --> 00:30:08,431 And then he asks, "May he bless the boys." 540 00:30:08,473 --> 00:30:13,473 Not may they bless the boys, but may he bless the boys. 541 00:30:13,843 --> 00:30:16,231 That's what the Hebrew text says. 542 00:30:16,273 --> 00:30:20,011 Jacob identified the angel with God. 543 00:30:20,053 --> 00:30:22,471 Genesis intentionally draws a parallel 544 00:30:22,513 --> 00:30:26,911 between the identity of the angel of the Lord and Yahweh, 545 00:30:26,953 --> 00:30:28,531 but it goes even deeper. 546 00:30:28,573 --> 00:30:32,011 Two other concepts are associated with the angel. 547 00:30:32,053 --> 00:30:35,236 They're the word and the name. 548 00:30:36,890 --> 00:30:39,991 - [Announcer] "Look, I'm about to send an angel before you" 549 00:30:40,033 --> 00:30:42,451 to guard you on the way to bring you to the place 550 00:30:42,493 --> 00:30:43,921 that I have prepared. 551 00:30:43,963 --> 00:30:47,011 Do not rebel against him because he will not forgive 552 00:30:47,053 --> 00:30:50,881 "your transgression, for my name is in him." 553 00:30:50,923 --> 00:30:54,211 - When God tells Moses His name is in the angel, 554 00:30:54,253 --> 00:30:58,531 He's telling Moses that He is in the angel. 555 00:30:58,573 --> 00:31:01,831 The angel here possesses the power to forgive sin, 556 00:31:01,873 --> 00:31:04,111 something only God can do. 557 00:31:04,153 --> 00:31:07,621 When Yahweh says He put his name in the angel, 558 00:31:07,663 --> 00:31:10,891 He's referring to His own presence. 559 00:31:10,933 --> 00:31:13,831 It sounds odd, but sometimes the name 560 00:31:13,873 --> 00:31:16,828 is actually described as a person. 561 00:31:16,870 --> 00:31:18,008 (uplifting music) 562 00:31:18,050 --> 00:31:21,661 - [Announcer] "Look, the name of Yahweh comes from afar, 563 00:31:21,703 --> 00:31:24,860 burning with his anger and heaviness of cloud." 564 00:31:24,902 --> 00:31:29,041 - The Bible does that because the name can be a person. 565 00:31:29,083 --> 00:31:32,041 Even today, observant Jews who don't want to pronounce. 566 00:31:32,083 --> 00:31:37,083 God's name will refer to God himself as Hashem. 567 00:31:37,333 --> 00:31:40,531 That's Hebrew for the name. 568 00:31:40,573 --> 00:31:42,451 This reminds us of the burning bush 569 00:31:42,493 --> 00:31:44,821 where God reveals His name. 570 00:31:44,863 --> 00:31:49,863 Exodus 3 says both God and the angel were in that bush. 571 00:31:50,717 --> 00:31:52,178 (uplifting music) 572 00:31:52,220 --> 00:31:55,441 - [Announcer] "And Moses came to the mountain", 573 00:31:55,483 --> 00:31:59,341 and the angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire 574 00:31:59,383 --> 00:32:00,766 from the midst of a bush. 575 00:32:01,783 --> 00:32:05,431 And Yahweh saw that he turned aside to see, 576 00:32:05,473 --> 00:32:08,491 "and God called to him from the midst of the bush." 577 00:32:08,533 --> 00:32:12,301 - Yahweh reveals His name to Moses at the burning bush. 578 00:32:12,343 --> 00:32:14,446 Jesus revealed it as well. 579 00:32:15,470 --> 00:32:17,800 - [Announcer] "I have revealed your name." 580 00:32:18,883 --> 00:32:20,851 - Of course, the Jews already knew God's name. 581 00:32:20,893 --> 00:32:22,501 It was in their Bible. 582 00:32:22,543 --> 00:32:26,911 Jesus was saying He had manifested God to them. 583 00:32:26,953 --> 00:32:31,741 If they had seen Him, they had seen God. 584 00:32:31,783 --> 00:32:34,921 God's appearance as a man in the Old Testament 585 00:32:34,963 --> 00:32:39,963 prepared people to receive God as man in Jesus. 586 00:32:44,563 --> 00:32:46,411 - On their way to the promised land, 587 00:32:46,453 --> 00:32:50,851 God gave Israel the law, but obedience to the law 588 00:32:50,893 --> 00:32:54,031 wasn't how Israelites obtained salvation. 589 00:32:54,073 --> 00:32:57,571 It was how they showed loyalty to Yahweh. 590 00:32:57,613 --> 00:33:00,601 It would help them to live in harmony with God 591 00:33:00,643 --> 00:33:01,981 and each other. 592 00:33:02,023 --> 00:33:06,181 Salvation in the Bible is the same in either testament. 593 00:33:06,223 --> 00:33:10,471 Israelites had to believe God was the God of all Gods. 594 00:33:10,513 --> 00:33:12,511 He made them to be with Him as His family 595 00:33:12,553 --> 00:33:14,401 because He loved them. 596 00:33:14,443 --> 00:33:18,286 They needed to refuse to worship any other God. 597 00:33:19,273 --> 00:33:22,141 - Salvation today and in the New Testament 598 00:33:22,183 --> 00:33:24,406 makes the same demand in a different way. 599 00:33:25,363 --> 00:33:27,841 We must believe that the God of all Gods 600 00:33:27,883 --> 00:33:31,261 came to earth as a man in Jesus Christ. 601 00:33:31,303 --> 00:33:35,401 We must believe that He loved us enough to die on the cross 602 00:33:35,443 --> 00:33:38,206 so that we could be in God's family forever. 603 00:33:39,073 --> 00:33:43,456 And we must put our faith in Christ alone and no other God. 604 00:33:44,991 --> 00:33:47,911 (pensive music) 605 00:33:47,953 --> 00:33:50,731 - The law taught people how to approach God. 606 00:33:50,773 --> 00:33:55,111 God is holy and the space He occupies is sacred. 607 00:33:55,153 --> 00:33:58,411 Sacred space is physical space, 608 00:33:58,453 --> 00:34:02,356 set apart and dedicated to the use and service of God. 609 00:34:06,313 --> 00:34:09,961 - [Announcer] The Mosaic Law comprises 613 laws. 610 00:34:10,003 --> 00:34:13,171 Many of them sound quite strange. 611 00:34:13,213 --> 00:34:15,151 You couldn't eat shellfish 612 00:34:15,193 --> 00:34:18,061 or combine different kinds of material and clothing. 613 00:34:18,103 --> 00:34:20,671 There was an entire litany of clean 614 00:34:20,713 --> 00:34:23,611 and unclean animals and behaviors. 615 00:34:23,653 --> 00:34:26,359 - These laws were about ritual purity. 616 00:34:26,401 --> 00:34:30,601 They taught people the space occupied by God's presence 617 00:34:30,643 --> 00:34:33,586 was different than their living space. 618 00:34:34,543 --> 00:34:38,401 - [Announcer] Cosmic geography encompasses sacred space. 619 00:34:38,443 --> 00:34:42,871 The most holy part of the land was where God's presence was. 620 00:34:42,913 --> 00:34:45,811 Certain laws alerted an Israelite to the idea 621 00:34:45,853 --> 00:34:48,961 that Yahweh's living space was special. 622 00:34:49,003 --> 00:34:51,691 Sacrifices reminded the Israelites of this 623 00:34:51,733 --> 00:34:54,661 and also purified sacred space and objects 624 00:34:54,703 --> 00:34:56,956 so God's people could worship Him. 625 00:34:58,153 --> 00:35:01,201 - Sacred space encompasses more than the purification 626 00:35:01,243 --> 00:35:03,001 of physical things. 627 00:35:03,043 --> 00:35:07,321 It distinguishes between the holy and the normal. 628 00:35:07,363 --> 00:35:09,871 It even marked the unholy territory 629 00:35:09,913 --> 00:35:14,046 outside of Yahweh's land. (ominous music) 630 00:35:20,383 --> 00:35:21,511 - In Israel's world, 631 00:35:21,553 --> 00:35:24,661 sacred space reminded Israelites of Eden. 632 00:35:24,703 --> 00:35:27,211 It was the place where God lived 633 00:35:27,253 --> 00:35:29,411 and where he desired humans to live. 634 00:35:29,453 --> 00:35:31,831 (pensive windpipe music) 635 00:35:31,873 --> 00:35:35,221 The design of the golden lampstand and the holy place 636 00:35:35,263 --> 00:35:38,941 of the tabernacle was a reminder of the Tree of Life, 637 00:35:38,983 --> 00:35:42,271 God's throne room, the holy of holies, 638 00:35:42,313 --> 00:35:45,406 where the Ark of the Covenant was marked off by a veil. 639 00:35:46,513 --> 00:35:49,591 The Ark's lid functioned as a throne for God. 640 00:35:49,633 --> 00:35:53,071 This echoes God's presence in Eden. 641 00:35:53,113 --> 00:35:55,801 - Over the Ark, sat two cherubim, 642 00:35:55,843 --> 00:35:59,281 just as cherubim guarded the entrance to Eden. 643 00:35:59,323 --> 00:36:04,081 Lush decorations of vegetation, flowers, palm trees, 644 00:36:04,123 --> 00:36:07,861 lions and pomegranates filled the tabernacle. 645 00:36:07,903 --> 00:36:11,971 They reminded the Israelites of God's first abode on Earth, 646 00:36:12,013 --> 00:36:15,366 the Garden of Eden. (etheric music) 647 00:36:17,263 --> 00:36:19,411 - You might wonder how cosmic geography 648 00:36:19,453 --> 00:36:22,621 worked before Israel got into the land. 649 00:36:22,663 --> 00:36:25,531 The Israelite camp was holy ground. 650 00:36:25,573 --> 00:36:27,751 Outside the camp was the domain 651 00:36:27,793 --> 00:36:30,349 of the lesser gods from Babel. 652 00:36:30,391 --> 00:36:33,641 (slow, dramatic music) 653 00:36:42,913 --> 00:36:45,211 - Think about it, while Israel was traveling 654 00:36:45,253 --> 00:36:46,621 to the promised land, 655 00:36:46,663 --> 00:36:50,371 they were not yet in Yahweh's portion of the Earth. 656 00:36:50,413 --> 00:36:53,131 Laws about sacred space taught Israelites 657 00:36:53,173 --> 00:36:57,421 that Yahweh's people were sacred, their home was sacred 658 00:36:57,463 --> 00:37:00,496 and that other nations were estranged from God. 659 00:37:06,913 --> 00:37:08,851 - If the Israelite camp in the wilderness 660 00:37:08,893 --> 00:37:13,893 was considered holy, outside the camp was unholy ground. 661 00:37:15,043 --> 00:37:18,646 The annual Day of Atonement ceremony illustrated this point. 662 00:37:25,273 --> 00:37:27,571 - Two goats were involved in the ceremony. 663 00:37:27,613 --> 00:37:31,081 One goat was sacrificed but one was not. 664 00:37:31,123 --> 00:37:33,631 The one sacrificed was for the Lord. 665 00:37:33,673 --> 00:37:36,436 The one left alive was for Azazel. 666 00:37:38,300 --> 00:37:41,986 - [Announcer] "Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats", 667 00:37:42,913 --> 00:37:46,951 one lot for Yahweh and one for Azazel, 668 00:37:46,993 --> 00:37:49,141 but he must present alive before Yahweh 669 00:37:49,183 --> 00:37:51,991 the goat on which the lot for Azazel fell 670 00:37:52,033 --> 00:37:54,301 to make atonement for himself, 671 00:37:54,343 --> 00:37:57,250 "to send it away into the desert to Azazel." 672 00:38:03,463 --> 00:38:05,521 - The crucifixion of Jesus paralleled 673 00:38:05,563 --> 00:38:07,861 the Day of Atonement ceremony. 674 00:38:07,903 --> 00:38:10,501 His cross was placed outside the city, 675 00:38:10,543 --> 00:38:14,116 away from the temple area which was holy ground. 676 00:38:17,863 --> 00:38:22,583 Jesus bore the sins of the world outside holy ground. 677 00:38:22,625 --> 00:38:25,875 (dramatic music rises) 678 00:38:49,483 --> 00:38:50,911 - Why didn't the powers of darkness 679 00:38:50,953 --> 00:38:53,821 understand what would happen at the cross? 680 00:38:53,863 --> 00:38:56,821 Well, Paul gives us some insight into the way. 681 00:38:56,863 --> 00:39:00,376 God shrouded his plan for redemption in mystery. 682 00:39:01,580 --> 00:39:03,841 - [Announcer] "We speak the hidden wisdom of God" 683 00:39:03,883 --> 00:39:07,231 in a mystery which God predestined 684 00:39:07,273 --> 00:39:09,571 before the ages for our glory, 685 00:39:09,613 --> 00:39:11,776 which none of the rulers of this age knew, 686 00:39:12,763 --> 00:39:14,551 for if they had known it, 687 00:39:14,593 --> 00:39:18,391 "they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 688 00:39:18,433 --> 00:39:20,671 - Do you realize what Paul is saying here? 689 00:39:20,713 --> 00:39:23,551 If the forces of spiritual darkness had understood 690 00:39:23,593 --> 00:39:27,376 Jesus was coming to give his life as a sacrifice for sin, 691 00:39:28,393 --> 00:39:30,181 they never would've had him killed. 692 00:39:30,223 --> 00:39:34,021 - Even the disciples didn't understand why Jesus had come. 693 00:39:34,063 --> 00:39:36,691 Consider how they responded to Jesus when he told them 694 00:39:36,733 --> 00:39:38,851 he was going to Jerusalem to die. 695 00:39:38,893 --> 00:39:42,286 They were shocked. Peter even rebuked Jesus. 696 00:39:43,310 --> 00:39:44,971 - [Announcer] "And Peter took him aside" 697 00:39:45,013 --> 00:39:48,781 and began to rebuke him saying, 'God forbid, Lord, 698 00:39:48,823 --> 00:39:51,271 this will never happen to you.' 699 00:39:51,313 --> 00:39:54,237 But he turned around and said to Peter, 700 00:39:54,279 --> 00:39:56,581 "'Get behind me, Satan.'" 701 00:39:56,623 --> 00:39:58,471 - Jesus would have none of it. 702 00:39:58,513 --> 00:40:01,981 Jesus was on a divine secret mission. 703 00:40:02,023 --> 00:40:04,201 - The Old Testament leaves clues scattered 704 00:40:04,243 --> 00:40:07,981 throughout dozens of places about God's plan, 705 00:40:08,023 --> 00:40:10,921 but it doesn't spell it all out in one place. 706 00:40:10,963 --> 00:40:14,356 God didn't want the powers of darkness to know the plan. 707 00:40:15,373 --> 00:40:18,421 The intelligent, supernatural, evil beings knew 708 00:40:18,463 --> 00:40:21,481 that the prophesied son of David had arrived. 709 00:40:21,523 --> 00:40:23,476 Matthew records an encounter. 710 00:40:24,740 --> 00:40:27,271 - [Announcer] "Two demon-possessed men coming from among" 711 00:40:27,313 --> 00:40:29,101 the tombs met him. 712 00:40:29,143 --> 00:40:32,281 They cried out saying, 'What do you have to do with us, 713 00:40:32,323 --> 00:40:33,901 son of God? 714 00:40:33,943 --> 00:40:37,531 "Have you come here to torment us before the time?'" 715 00:40:37,573 --> 00:40:41,191 - They recognize Jesus, but their words never indicate 716 00:40:41,233 --> 00:40:44,480 that they understood what Jesus was up to. 717 00:40:44,522 --> 00:40:47,521 (heavenly vocalizing music) 718 00:40:47,563 --> 00:40:51,121 The forces of darkness were duped into conspiring 719 00:40:51,163 --> 00:40:52,981 to kill Jesus. 720 00:40:53,023 --> 00:40:55,816 It was a divinely-designed misdirection. 721 00:40:57,373 --> 00:41:00,451 - Intelligent evil, Satan, demons, 722 00:41:00,493 --> 00:41:04,201 the lesser gods do not know everything. 723 00:41:04,243 --> 00:41:08,776 Only God is all knowing, and He is on our side. 724 00:41:10,393 --> 00:41:12,391 - Why did Jesus have to die? 725 00:41:12,433 --> 00:41:14,656 Why would God plan such a thing? 726 00:41:15,553 --> 00:41:19,171 So that His children would have eternal life. 727 00:41:19,213 --> 00:41:22,081 That's what Eden was supposed to be. 728 00:41:22,123 --> 00:41:24,571 The first supernatural rebellion in Eden 729 00:41:24,613 --> 00:41:27,196 brought death into God's world. 730 00:41:28,153 --> 00:41:31,321 Everyone was destined to end up in the realm of the dead 731 00:41:31,363 --> 00:41:33,961 where the serpent was cast down. 732 00:41:34,003 --> 00:41:37,861 - Death had to be overcome. That means resurrection. 733 00:41:37,903 --> 00:41:41,071 But you can't have a resurrection without a death. 734 00:41:41,113 --> 00:41:43,201 - Now, Jesus knew what had to be done. 735 00:41:43,243 --> 00:41:45,001 He volunteered for that role. 736 00:41:45,043 --> 00:41:50,043 He would die in our place, rise again and overcome death. 737 00:41:52,423 --> 00:41:54,760 God wants us to believe in His plan. 738 00:41:54,802 --> 00:41:59,161 He never gave up on including humans in His family. 739 00:41:59,203 --> 00:42:01,531 That's why Jesus came. 740 00:42:01,573 --> 00:42:03,766 There was no plan B. 741 00:42:05,150 --> 00:42:07,171 - [Announcer] "But as many as received him, 742 00:42:07,213 --> 00:42:11,251 to those who believe in his name, he gave to them authority 743 00:42:11,293 --> 00:42:13,418 to become children of God." 744 00:42:13,460 --> 00:42:16,127 (pensive music) 745 00:42:19,685 --> 00:42:23,041 - It's easy to get the impression that Jesus's ministry 746 00:42:23,083 --> 00:42:25,831 leading up to the cross was somewhat random, 747 00:42:25,873 --> 00:42:29,491 but there's an important subtext to what Jesus was doing. 748 00:42:29,533 --> 00:42:32,701 He was outwitting the evil one. 749 00:42:32,743 --> 00:42:35,888 Jesus drew the battle lines when he declared. 750 00:42:35,930 --> 00:42:38,611 - [Announcer] "Now is the judgment of this world. 751 00:42:38,653 --> 00:42:41,401 Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out. 752 00:42:41,443 --> 00:42:44,371 And I, when I'm lifted up from the earth, 753 00:42:44,413 --> 00:42:47,281 will draw all people to myself." 754 00:42:47,323 --> 00:42:50,731 - Satan is the ruler of this world. 755 00:42:50,773 --> 00:42:52,771 He's also very clever. 756 00:42:52,813 --> 00:42:55,261 Satan knew that Jesus wanted as many people 757 00:42:55,303 --> 00:42:59,131 as possible to be part of God's family and kingdom, 758 00:42:59,173 --> 00:43:03,211 so he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. 759 00:43:03,253 --> 00:43:05,116 There was just one catch. 760 00:43:06,470 --> 00:43:08,731 - [Announcer] "The devil took him to a very high mountain 761 00:43:08,773 --> 00:43:12,271 and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their glory. 762 00:43:12,313 --> 00:43:16,291 And he said to him, 'I will give to you all these things 763 00:43:16,333 --> 00:43:20,041 if you will fall down and worship me.'" 764 00:43:20,083 --> 00:43:23,851 - There's no clearer example of cosmic conflict. 765 00:43:23,893 --> 00:43:27,211 Satan's offer to Jesus was real. 766 00:43:27,253 --> 00:43:30,421 The thought of Jesus, Yahweh in the flesh, 767 00:43:30,463 --> 00:43:35,401 prostrate, worshiping at his feet is his dream. 768 00:43:35,443 --> 00:43:38,461 He's the ultimate megalomaniac. 769 00:43:38,503 --> 00:43:41,401 Jesus told Satan to get lost. 770 00:43:41,443 --> 00:43:43,621 He knew something Satan didn't, 771 00:43:43,663 --> 00:43:46,981 that he was going to die and then rise again to liberate 772 00:43:47,023 --> 00:43:50,041 anyone who believes in Him from death. 773 00:43:50,083 --> 00:43:52,591 God and His son already had a plan 774 00:43:52,633 --> 00:43:55,021 to bring people into God's family, 775 00:43:55,063 --> 00:43:58,621 one that didn't involve worshiping Satan. 776 00:43:58,663 --> 00:44:01,591 - When Jesus had His confrontation with Satan, 777 00:44:01,633 --> 00:44:03,663 He didn't reveal God's plan. 778 00:44:03,705 --> 00:44:07,531 That plan was to reclaim the nations of the world 779 00:44:07,573 --> 00:44:09,616 allotted to lesser gods at Babel. 780 00:44:10,543 --> 00:44:12,601 Jesus didn't even tell His disciples 781 00:44:12,643 --> 00:44:15,331 until a very specific incident. 782 00:44:15,373 --> 00:44:17,566 You remember that huge rock we saw earlier? 783 00:44:18,643 --> 00:44:21,435 It's time to talk about what happened there. 784 00:44:21,477 --> 00:44:23,461 (heavenly vocalizing music) 785 00:44:23,503 --> 00:44:25,411 - Jesus brought us disciples to a place 786 00:44:25,453 --> 00:44:26,791 called Caesarea Philippi, 787 00:44:26,833 --> 00:44:29,761 named after Caesar and Herod Philip. 788 00:44:29,803 --> 00:44:31,441 That was the Roman name. 789 00:44:31,483 --> 00:44:35,971 It's in an area known in the Old Testament as Bashan. 790 00:44:36,013 --> 00:44:39,151 Canaanites believe Bashan contained gateways 791 00:44:39,193 --> 00:44:41,851 to the underworld, the gates of hell. 792 00:44:41,893 --> 00:44:43,681 But in New Testament times, 793 00:44:43,723 --> 00:44:46,441 it had been the city of Pan, Panias, 794 00:44:46,483 --> 00:44:48,601 one of the Decapolis cities. 795 00:44:48,643 --> 00:44:51,811 And Pan's Cave was also known as a gateway 796 00:44:51,853 --> 00:44:56,131 to the underworld, but why did Jesus bring them there? 797 00:44:56,173 --> 00:44:59,821 Because the implicit message when Peter confessed Jesus 798 00:44:59,863 --> 00:45:03,391 to be the Messiah, the son of God was, 799 00:45:03,433 --> 00:45:07,351 Jesus is the real Messiah, the son of God, 800 00:45:07,393 --> 00:45:10,051 and these statues and that emperor 801 00:45:10,093 --> 00:45:12,886 are so not the sons of God. 802 00:45:13,758 --> 00:45:16,201 - Caesarea Philippi was also located 803 00:45:16,243 --> 00:45:18,631 at the base of Mount Hermon. 804 00:45:18,673 --> 00:45:21,391 In some of the Dead Sea Scrolls from Jesus' day, 805 00:45:21,433 --> 00:45:25,441 Mount Hermon was the place where the fallen sons of God 806 00:45:25,483 --> 00:45:28,061 descended to earth before the flood. 807 00:45:28,103 --> 00:45:31,561 Bashan and Hermon were ground zero 808 00:45:31,603 --> 00:45:34,501 for the cosmic evil powers. 809 00:45:34,543 --> 00:45:38,041 Jesus was standing at Satan's front door 810 00:45:38,083 --> 00:45:40,231 when he announced the gates of hell 811 00:45:40,273 --> 00:45:42,781 would not withstand the church. 812 00:45:42,823 --> 00:45:45,248 - In this place, Jesus asked Peter, 813 00:45:45,290 --> 00:45:47,581 "Who do you say I am?" 814 00:45:47,623 --> 00:45:49,238 And Peter answered. 815 00:45:49,280 --> 00:45:50,941 - [Announcer] "You're the Christ, 816 00:45:50,983 --> 00:45:53,491 the Son of the living God." 817 00:45:53,533 --> 00:45:56,116 - Jesus commended Peter and declared. 818 00:45:56,990 --> 00:46:00,571 - [Announcer] "I also say to you that you are, Peter, 819 00:46:00,613 --> 00:46:03,208 and on this rock I will build my church, 820 00:46:03,250 --> 00:46:06,961 and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." 821 00:46:07,003 --> 00:46:09,331 - The identification of this rock 822 00:46:09,373 --> 00:46:12,631 has been debated for a very long time. 823 00:46:12,673 --> 00:46:15,301 The area's geography is the key 824 00:46:15,343 --> 00:46:18,931 to understanding this passage. (ominous music) 825 00:46:18,973 --> 00:46:22,651 - Eventually this place became known as Pan's Grotto. 826 00:46:22,693 --> 00:46:26,371 The god Pan was represented with horns, a goat's beard, 827 00:46:26,413 --> 00:46:30,871 a crooked nose, pointed ears, a tail and goats feet. 828 00:46:30,913 --> 00:46:33,421 That's why the early church described the devil 829 00:46:33,463 --> 00:46:35,311 in those ways. 830 00:46:35,353 --> 00:46:39,661 In a few days, Jesus would take three disciples with him 831 00:46:39,703 --> 00:46:44,461 up into Mount Hermon and put the entire spiritual world 832 00:46:44,503 --> 00:46:47,746 on notice with the Transfiguration. 833 00:46:49,460 --> 00:46:52,411 - [Announcer] "Jesus took along Peter and James and John", 834 00:46:52,453 --> 00:46:55,921 and led them to a high mountain by themselves alone, 835 00:46:55,963 --> 00:46:57,991 and he was transfigured before them. 836 00:46:58,033 --> 00:47:01,258 And a cloud came overshadowing them, 837 00:47:01,300 --> 00:47:03,841 and a voice came from the cloud. 838 00:47:03,883 --> 00:47:07,773 "'This is my beloved son. Listen to him.'" 839 00:47:08,623 --> 00:47:11,851 - Right after Jesus did these things at the gates of hell 840 00:47:11,893 --> 00:47:15,991 in Mount Hermon, He began to teach His disciples 841 00:47:16,033 --> 00:47:19,621 that he needed to go to Jerusalem to die. 842 00:47:19,663 --> 00:47:22,711 The thought panicked them. They didn't understand. 843 00:47:22,753 --> 00:47:26,560 But Jesus knew it was time to fulfill God's plan. 844 00:47:26,602 --> 00:47:29,852 (slow, heavenly music) 845 00:47:47,113 --> 00:47:49,351 - A week later, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem 846 00:47:49,393 --> 00:47:51,121 for his triumphal entry. 847 00:47:51,163 --> 00:47:54,331 Jesus's provocations of the supernatural powers 848 00:47:54,373 --> 00:47:56,671 led to the devil striking back. 849 00:47:56,713 --> 00:47:59,311 Satan entered Judas whose betrayal in the garden 850 00:47:59,353 --> 00:48:01,141 led to Jesus' trial. 851 00:48:01,183 --> 00:48:04,231 He stood accused before the high priest, Caiaphas, 852 00:48:04,273 --> 00:48:06,826 who demanded that he defend himself. 853 00:48:07,880 --> 00:48:09,866 - [Announcer] "The high priest said to him, 854 00:48:09,908 --> 00:48:12,931 'I put you under oath by the living God, 855 00:48:12,973 --> 00:48:16,743 that you tell us if you are the Christ, the son of God.'" 856 00:48:31,843 --> 00:48:36,391 - Jesus' answer sounds evasive to us, even cryptic. 857 00:48:36,433 --> 00:48:37,276 He replied. 858 00:48:38,510 --> 00:48:42,181 - [Announcer] "You have said it, but I tell you from now on, 859 00:48:42,223 --> 00:48:45,751 you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand 860 00:48:45,793 --> 00:48:49,441 of the power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 861 00:48:49,483 --> 00:48:51,271 - Caiaphas burst into a rage. 862 00:48:51,313 --> 00:48:54,671 He tore his robe saying, "He has blasphemed." 863 00:48:54,713 --> 00:48:58,111 But why did Caiaphas think the reply was blasphemy? 864 00:48:58,153 --> 00:49:01,231 Jesus had quoted an Old Testament passage 865 00:49:01,273 --> 00:49:02,986 that Caiaphas knew very well. 866 00:49:04,460 --> 00:49:06,721 - [Announcer] "Ancient of Days sat", 867 00:49:06,763 --> 00:49:09,301 his clothing was like a white snow 868 00:49:09,343 --> 00:49:12,211 and the hair of his head was like pure wool. 869 00:49:12,253 --> 00:49:14,701 And look, with the clouds of heaven, 870 00:49:14,743 --> 00:49:16,606 one like a son of man was coming, 871 00:49:17,683 --> 00:49:19,951 and he came to the Ancient of Days 872 00:49:19,993 --> 00:49:22,081 and was presented before him, 873 00:49:22,123 --> 00:49:26,710 "and to him was given dominion and glory and kingship." 874 00:49:30,883 --> 00:49:34,651 - Why was it so shocking to hear Jesus claim 875 00:49:34,693 --> 00:49:37,696 that He was the one coming on the clouds? 876 00:49:38,533 --> 00:49:41,281 Because everywhere else in the Old Testament, 877 00:49:41,323 --> 00:49:46,141 that expression was used only of God himself. 878 00:49:46,183 --> 00:49:51,181 For instance in Psalm 104, Yahweh, the God of Israel, 879 00:49:51,223 --> 00:49:54,140 makes the clouds his chariot. 880 00:49:54,182 --> 00:49:57,682 (pensive music continues) 881 00:50:07,393 --> 00:50:09,991 But Daniel 7 is an exception. 882 00:50:10,033 --> 00:50:12,151 God was already in the scene. 883 00:50:12,193 --> 00:50:15,271 He's the Ancient of Days seated on His throne. 884 00:50:15,313 --> 00:50:18,091 That means the one coming on the clouds 885 00:50:18,133 --> 00:50:19,996 was a different person. 886 00:50:23,473 --> 00:50:27,136 The scene has God in human form twice. 887 00:50:28,003 --> 00:50:30,691 He is the seated Ancient of Days, 888 00:50:30,733 --> 00:50:32,821 and you would also expect God to be the one 889 00:50:32,863 --> 00:50:36,616 coming on the clouds because that is a title for Him. 890 00:50:37,513 --> 00:50:40,891 Because of this scene, ancient Jewish theology 891 00:50:40,933 --> 00:50:45,691 had a doctrine called the Two Powers in Heaven. 892 00:50:45,733 --> 00:50:50,491 They actually identified two Yahweh figures in this scene. 893 00:50:50,533 --> 00:50:52,741 Jesus claimed to be one of them, 894 00:50:52,783 --> 00:50:55,546 the son of man riding on the clouds. 895 00:51:02,983 --> 00:51:05,131 - Jesus claimed to be God was enough for the priest 896 00:51:05,173 --> 00:51:08,341 to declare that He should die, and die He did. 897 00:51:08,383 --> 00:51:10,261 Psalm 22 gives us a glimpse 898 00:51:10,303 --> 00:51:12,766 of the suffering Messiah on the cross. 899 00:51:14,120 --> 00:51:16,681 - [Announcer] "All who see me mock me." 900 00:51:16,723 --> 00:51:18,511 They open wide their lips, 901 00:51:18,553 --> 00:51:22,141 they shake the head saying, 'He trusts Yahweh, 902 00:51:22,183 --> 00:51:24,121 let him rescue him.' 903 00:51:24,163 --> 00:51:26,611 Many bulls have encircled me. 904 00:51:26,653 --> 00:51:29,086 Mighty bulls of Bashan have surrounded me. 905 00:51:30,373 --> 00:51:32,251 They opened their mouth against me, 906 00:51:32,293 --> 00:51:35,431 like a lion tearing and roaring. 907 00:51:35,473 --> 00:51:37,501 I am poured out like water, 908 00:51:37,543 --> 00:51:40,711 and all my bones are out of joint. 909 00:51:40,753 --> 00:51:43,471 My heart is like wax. 910 00:51:43,513 --> 00:51:45,279 "It is melted within me." 911 00:51:45,321 --> 00:51:48,738 (eerie vocalizing music) 912 00:51:49,903 --> 00:51:51,721 - The creepy part is the description 913 00:51:51,763 --> 00:51:53,686 of the mighty bulls of Bashan. 914 00:51:54,553 --> 00:51:57,811 Remember that Bashan was known as ground zero 915 00:51:57,853 --> 00:52:01,381 to demonic gods and the realm of the dead. 916 00:52:01,423 --> 00:52:05,071 The area was a leading center for the worship of Baal, 917 00:52:05,113 --> 00:52:08,281 symbolized by bulls and cows. 918 00:52:08,323 --> 00:52:11,221 Mighty bulls of bichon refers to demons 919 00:52:11,263 --> 00:52:13,831 and the powers of darkness. 920 00:52:13,873 --> 00:52:15,961 - C.S. Lewis captured the force of the psalm 921 00:52:16,003 --> 00:52:18,211 in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." 922 00:52:18,253 --> 00:52:21,091 No one can forget when Aslan surrenders his life 923 00:52:21,133 --> 00:52:22,801 to the hordes of the White Witch 924 00:52:22,843 --> 00:52:25,051 and dies on the stone table. 925 00:52:25,093 --> 00:52:27,841 But just as Aslan outsmarted the White Witch, 926 00:52:27,883 --> 00:52:31,591 so too Jesus turned this apparent defeat 927 00:52:31,633 --> 00:52:34,621 into the greatest triumph of all time. 928 00:52:34,663 --> 00:52:37,261 - Jesus triumphed over death. 929 00:52:37,303 --> 00:52:40,051 He was granted authority over all things. 930 00:52:40,093 --> 00:52:43,561 Satan has no claim over God's people. 931 00:52:43,603 --> 00:52:46,485 Jesus conquered death through his resurrection. 932 00:52:46,527 --> 00:52:49,444 (triumphant music) 933 00:53:01,273 --> 00:53:04,591 (slow, pensive music) 934 00:53:04,633 --> 00:53:05,428 - In the Book of Acts, 935 00:53:05,470 --> 00:53:07,981 the Holy Spirit explodes under the scene 936 00:53:08,023 --> 00:53:10,291 with his arrival at Pentecost. 937 00:53:10,333 --> 00:53:12,841 It's a familiar story to Christians. 938 00:53:12,883 --> 00:53:15,581 There's more there than you first realize. 939 00:53:15,623 --> 00:53:17,588 (uplifting orchestral music) 940 00:53:17,630 --> 00:53:21,031 - [Announcer] "Suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind" 941 00:53:21,073 --> 00:53:23,671 came from heaven and filled the whole house 942 00:53:23,713 --> 00:53:26,401 where they were sitting, and divided tongues 943 00:53:26,443 --> 00:53:30,211 like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 944 00:53:30,253 --> 00:53:32,611 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 945 00:53:32,653 --> 00:53:35,341 "and began to speak in other languages." 946 00:53:35,383 --> 00:53:38,221 - The Old Testament associates the rival of God 947 00:53:38,263 --> 00:53:40,951 with fire in a violent wind. 948 00:53:40,993 --> 00:53:43,276 Ezekiel 1 is a good example. 949 00:53:44,480 --> 00:53:46,051 - [Announcer] "The heavens were opened, 950 00:53:46,093 --> 00:53:48,091 and I saw visions of God. 951 00:53:48,133 --> 00:53:50,191 A storm wind was coming from the north, 952 00:53:50,233 --> 00:53:54,511 a great cloud, and fire flashing back and forth." 953 00:53:54,553 --> 00:53:57,661 - The spirit of God enabled the Jewish followers of Jesus 954 00:53:57,703 --> 00:54:00,931 to speak in the languages of the surrounding nations 955 00:54:00,973 --> 00:54:03,506 enslaved by enemy gods. 956 00:54:03,548 --> 00:54:07,131 (etheric vocalizing music) 957 00:54:08,353 --> 00:54:11,821 - God was reversing the judgment at Babel. 958 00:54:11,863 --> 00:54:15,331 Part of that judgment had been the confusion of languages 959 00:54:15,373 --> 00:54:17,791 to divide nations. 960 00:54:17,833 --> 00:54:22,291 The Spirit was supernaturally overcoming that obstacle, 961 00:54:22,333 --> 00:54:24,271 but there's more going on. 962 00:54:24,313 --> 00:54:28,411 Pentecost was a slap in the face to the gods of the nations. 963 00:54:28,453 --> 00:54:31,621 Their authority had been nullified. 964 00:54:31,663 --> 00:54:34,801 God was going to take the nations back. 965 00:54:34,843 --> 00:54:37,681 God gave the risen Jesus all the authority 966 00:54:37,723 --> 00:54:40,441 he had once given to them. 967 00:54:40,483 --> 00:54:45,098 This is why the Great Commission begins the way it does. 968 00:54:45,140 --> 00:54:48,061 - [Announcer] "All authority in heaven and on earth 969 00:54:48,103 --> 00:54:49,921 has been given to me. 970 00:54:49,963 --> 00:54:54,121 Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations." 971 00:54:54,163 --> 00:54:57,931 - The nation's listed in Acts 2 cover all of the geography 972 00:54:57,973 --> 00:55:02,251 associated with the disinherited nations from Babel. 973 00:55:02,293 --> 00:55:03,961 Pentecost sent the message that God 974 00:55:04,003 --> 00:55:06,001 was reclaiming those nations. 975 00:55:06,043 --> 00:55:09,990 They could once again be included in His family. 976 00:55:10,032 --> 00:55:13,282 (ominous, bassy music) 977 00:55:16,093 --> 00:55:17,731 - The Apostle Paul often talked 978 00:55:17,773 --> 00:55:21,091 about the evil entities whose domains he violated 979 00:55:21,133 --> 00:55:23,071 in the wake of Pentecost. 980 00:55:23,113 --> 00:55:26,266 He understood the Old Testament's cosmic geography. 981 00:55:27,853 --> 00:55:30,901 - Paul lists rulers and principalities, 982 00:55:30,943 --> 00:55:35,761 authorities, powers, dominions, lords and thrones. 983 00:55:35,803 --> 00:55:40,171 All of these terms indicate geographical rulership. 984 00:55:40,213 --> 00:55:43,861 They reflect how the Old Testament depicts the relationship 985 00:55:43,903 --> 00:55:46,831 of the unseen and the seen worlds. 986 00:55:46,873 --> 00:55:50,071 Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. 987 00:55:50,113 --> 00:55:53,731 He knew that he was up against the old gods of the nations 988 00:55:53,773 --> 00:55:55,171 allotted to people, 989 00:55:55,213 --> 00:55:59,401 excluded from God's family back at Babel. 990 00:55:59,443 --> 00:56:01,111 - Paul says something in the book of Romans 991 00:56:01,153 --> 00:56:03,811 that helps us see that what happened at Babel 992 00:56:03,853 --> 00:56:06,878 influenced the way he thought about his mission. 993 00:56:06,920 --> 00:56:10,291 - [Announcer] "Therefore, after I have accomplished this 994 00:56:10,333 --> 00:56:12,871 and sealed this fruit for delivery to them, 995 00:56:12,913 --> 00:56:15,730 I will depart by way of you for Spain." 996 00:56:16,603 --> 00:56:19,081 - Why did Paul care about getting to Spain? 997 00:56:19,123 --> 00:56:21,841 On the one hand, some think it's the only 998 00:56:21,883 --> 00:56:25,021 disinherited nation not mentioned in the Book of Acts, 999 00:56:25,063 --> 00:56:27,151 the land of Tarshish. 1000 00:56:27,193 --> 00:56:29,311 Clement, the early church father from the end 1001 00:56:29,353 --> 00:56:33,031 of the 1st century AD says that Paul went to the limits 1002 00:56:33,073 --> 00:56:36,781 of the West in order to reach the full scope of Gentiles 1003 00:56:36,823 --> 00:56:38,056 in the Roman empire. 1004 00:56:38,930 --> 00:56:40,411 - [Announcer] "Having taught righteousness 1005 00:56:40,453 --> 00:56:42,991 to the whole world and having come to the limits 1006 00:56:43,033 --> 00:56:44,581 of the West." 1007 00:56:44,623 --> 00:56:47,611 - In other words, Jonah went to Tarshish 1008 00:56:47,653 --> 00:56:51,391 to get away from proclaiming to Gentiles in Nineveh. 1009 00:56:51,433 --> 00:56:54,811 Paul went to Spain to reach the Gentiles 1010 00:56:54,853 --> 00:56:58,296 at the end of the earth called the Roman Empire. 1011 00:56:58,338 --> 00:57:01,201 (slow, pensive music) 1012 00:57:01,243 --> 00:57:04,411 - God knew that the Great Commission was bigger 1013 00:57:04,453 --> 00:57:06,751 than just Paul could imagine. 1014 00:57:06,793 --> 00:57:09,121 It falls to us to bring the gospel 1015 00:57:09,163 --> 00:57:11,371 to the uttermost parts of the Earth. 1016 00:57:11,413 --> 00:57:14,611 - Paul had a supernatural view of his own life. 1017 00:57:14,653 --> 00:57:17,071 He viewed himself as set apart 1018 00:57:17,113 --> 00:57:20,131 as an instrument for God's use. 1019 00:57:20,173 --> 00:57:24,121 We have the same task of invading the demonic strongholds 1020 00:57:24,163 --> 00:57:28,648 of this world with the message of the love of Jesus Christ. 1021 00:57:28,690 --> 00:57:30,991 (pensive music) 1022 00:57:31,033 --> 00:57:34,471 - Remember our discussion of holy and unholy ground. 1023 00:57:34,513 --> 00:57:37,501 You might wonder where God's presence is today. 1024 00:57:37,543 --> 00:57:41,431 And sure, the Bible teaches us God is everywhere, 1025 00:57:41,473 --> 00:57:44,446 but it actually marks His presence more specifically. 1026 00:57:49,243 --> 00:57:52,231 - Paul writes that God is specifically present 1027 00:57:52,273 --> 00:57:53,986 within each believer. 1028 00:57:55,178 --> 00:57:59,330 In other words, every believer is sacred space. 1029 00:57:59,372 --> 00:58:03,039 (heavenly vocalizing music) 1030 00:58:05,323 --> 00:58:08,101 - God was present in the temple today. 1031 00:58:08,143 --> 00:58:12,091 The same is true wherever believers gather as a group. 1032 00:58:12,133 --> 00:58:14,101 The Bible says the people of God 1033 00:58:14,143 --> 00:58:17,056 are collectively God's temple. 1034 00:58:21,200 --> 00:58:24,031 - [Announcer] "You are fellow citizens of the saints" 1035 00:58:24,073 --> 00:58:26,551 and members of the household of God, 1036 00:58:26,593 --> 00:58:30,031 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. 1037 00:58:30,073 --> 00:58:32,401 You also are built up together 1038 00:58:32,443 --> 00:58:35,701 "into a dwelling place of God in the spirit." 1039 00:58:35,743 --> 00:58:38,911 - Together, we are God's temple, 1040 00:58:38,953 --> 00:58:42,481 the special place where God's spirit resides. 1041 00:58:42,523 --> 00:58:46,561 Wherever believers gather, the spiritual ground we occupy 1042 00:58:46,603 --> 00:58:49,846 is sanctified amid the powers of darkness. 1043 00:58:51,583 --> 00:58:52,951 - Believe it or not, 1044 00:58:52,993 --> 00:58:57,631 baptism is a declaration of spiritual warfare. 1045 00:58:57,673 --> 00:59:01,441 Peter explains that idea in a perplexing passage. 1046 00:59:01,483 --> 00:59:04,231 It's odd to us, but people in Peter's day 1047 00:59:04,273 --> 00:59:06,586 would've known just what to do with it. 1048 00:59:08,030 --> 00:59:10,981 - [Announcer] "For Christ also suffered once for sins", 1049 00:59:11,023 --> 00:59:13,201 being put to death in the flesh, 1050 00:59:13,243 --> 00:59:16,561 but made alive in the spirit in which also 1051 00:59:16,603 --> 00:59:19,171 he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison 1052 00:59:19,213 --> 00:59:21,301 were formerly disobedient. 1053 00:59:21,343 --> 00:59:24,496 When the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, 1054 00:59:25,483 --> 00:59:29,911 corresponding to this baptism now saves you, 1055 00:59:29,953 --> 00:59:32,371 an appeal to God for a good conscience 1056 00:59:32,413 --> 00:59:34,711 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1057 00:59:34,753 --> 00:59:37,021 who was at the right hand of God, 1058 00:59:37,063 --> 00:59:39,661 with angels and authorities and powers 1059 00:59:39,703 --> 00:59:41,470 "having been subjected to him." 1060 00:59:42,553 --> 00:59:45,781 - At first glance, Noah, a good conscience. 1061 00:59:45,823 --> 00:59:49,411 Spirits in prison, baptism, angels, authorities, 1062 00:59:49,453 --> 00:59:53,311 and powers seem to have little to do with each other, 1063 00:59:53,353 --> 00:59:55,441 and baptism can't save us. 1064 00:59:55,483 --> 00:59:57,886 Believing in Jesus saves us. 1065 00:59:59,053 --> 01:00:03,061 What's going on here? (pensive music) 1066 01:00:03,103 --> 01:00:05,521 - To understand what Peter wants to say here, 1067 01:00:05,563 --> 01:00:09,061 we have to understand that, like Paul used Adam 1068 01:00:09,103 --> 01:00:12,691 as an analogy for Jesus in some of his teaching, 1069 01:00:12,733 --> 01:00:14,686 Peter uses Enoch. 1070 01:00:15,710 --> 01:00:18,151 - [Announcer] "And Enoch walked with God, 1071 01:00:18,193 --> 01:00:20,890 and he was no more, for God took him." 1072 01:00:21,763 --> 01:00:24,091 - We don't learn much about Enoch in the Old Testament, 1073 01:00:24,133 --> 01:00:25,861 just three verses. 1074 01:00:25,903 --> 01:00:29,461 He walked with God after living 365 years, 1075 01:00:29,503 --> 01:00:31,351 and God took him to heaven. 1076 01:00:31,393 --> 01:00:33,541 That makes it hard to see much of an analogy, 1077 01:00:33,583 --> 01:00:35,791 but we have to remember that New Testament writers 1078 01:00:35,833 --> 01:00:38,491 read other books besides the Old Testament, 1079 01:00:38,533 --> 01:00:41,176 and one of those books is called 1 Enoch. 1080 01:00:43,753 --> 01:00:46,651 1 Enoch isn't inspired, but biblical writers 1081 01:00:46,693 --> 01:00:48,271 quote from some uninspired books 1082 01:00:48,313 --> 01:00:50,551 they knew their readers were familiar with. 1083 01:00:50,593 --> 01:00:53,311 Those familiar books helped them make their points. 1084 01:00:53,353 --> 01:00:55,936 That's what Peter is doing in 1 Peter 3. 1085 01:00:58,393 --> 01:01:01,921 - The book of 1 Enoch says the fallen sons of God 1086 01:01:01,963 --> 01:01:05,161 were imprisoned after they rebelled. 1087 01:01:05,203 --> 01:01:07,516 Peter's Second Epistle mentions those rebels 1088 01:01:07,558 --> 01:01:10,726 being held in chains of gloomy darkness. 1089 01:01:11,563 --> 01:01:14,971 In 1 Enoch, the fallen sons of God asked Enoch 1090 01:01:15,013 --> 01:01:17,641 to see if God would forgive them. 1091 01:01:17,683 --> 01:01:19,891 Since Enoch had God's favor, 1092 01:01:19,933 --> 01:01:22,051 they thought it was worth a try. 1093 01:01:22,093 --> 01:01:25,651 In 1 Enoch, God rejects the plea of the fallen angels 1094 01:01:25,693 --> 01:01:28,321 after Enoch reports to him. 1095 01:01:28,363 --> 01:01:30,571 He sends Enoch down into the abyss. 1096 01:01:30,613 --> 01:01:34,636 He descends to the spirits in prison to announce their doom. 1097 01:01:35,473 --> 01:01:37,681 That's the point of analogy for Peter. 1098 01:01:37,723 --> 01:01:40,741 Just as Enoch descended to the fallen spirits, 1099 01:01:40,783 --> 01:01:43,591 so Jesus descended into the same realm 1100 01:01:43,633 --> 01:01:46,231 to proclaim something to them. 1101 01:01:46,273 --> 01:01:47,446 What did he proclaim? 1102 01:01:48,493 --> 01:01:51,001 They thought that since Jesus was in the realm of the dead, 1103 01:01:51,043 --> 01:01:52,531 they had won. 1104 01:01:52,573 --> 01:01:55,021 Jesus told them they were wrong, 1105 01:01:55,063 --> 01:01:58,231 and he rose on the third day to prove it. 1106 01:01:58,273 --> 01:02:00,811 They were still doomed. 1107 01:02:00,853 --> 01:02:03,001 - But how does this connect to baptism 1108 01:02:03,043 --> 01:02:04,621 and a good conscience? 1109 01:02:04,663 --> 01:02:08,911 - An appeal to God for a good conscience in 1 Peter 3 1110 01:02:08,953 --> 01:02:12,031 means a sincere pledge. 1111 01:02:12,073 --> 01:02:15,601 In essence, baptism was a loyalty oath 1112 01:02:15,643 --> 01:02:19,411 and repeated the message Enoch and then Jesus 1113 01:02:19,453 --> 01:02:22,951 gave to the demonic powers and anyone present 1114 01:02:22,993 --> 01:02:27,628 of just whose side of the spiritual war you were on. 1115 01:02:27,670 --> 01:02:32,670 (water whooshes dramatically) (triumphant, heavenly music) 1116 01:02:37,123 --> 01:02:41,221 - That's why baptism is an instrument of spiritual warfare. 1117 01:02:41,263 --> 01:02:43,321 Whether we realize it or not, 1118 01:02:43,363 --> 01:02:46,816 we're being watched by both sides of this supernatural war. 1119 01:02:47,945 --> 01:02:51,362 (etheric, pensive music) 1120 01:02:54,650 --> 01:02:57,331 - [Announcer] "That through these you may become sharers 1121 01:02:57,373 --> 01:03:00,331 of the divine nature after escaping from the corruption 1122 01:03:00,373 --> 01:03:02,071 that is in the world." 1123 01:03:02,113 --> 01:03:04,141 - Being partakers of the divine nature 1124 01:03:04,183 --> 01:03:06,781 means we will be like God. 1125 01:03:06,823 --> 01:03:11,011 We will have a body like Jesus did after the resurrection. 1126 01:03:11,053 --> 01:03:13,081 We will have eternal life, 1127 01:03:13,123 --> 01:03:16,321 and with the loyal members of the heavenly host, 1128 01:03:16,363 --> 01:03:20,461 we will be in God's family and worship Him forever. 1129 01:03:20,503 --> 01:03:23,161 God will succeed in uniting His divine 1130 01:03:23,203 --> 01:03:25,621 and human family for eternity. 1131 01:03:25,663 --> 01:03:28,471 But the most amazing part of being in God's family 1132 01:03:28,513 --> 01:03:33,513 is how Jesus, the unique son of God, sees us. 1133 01:03:33,613 --> 01:03:37,231 When Jesus became a man, He was made, for a short time 1134 01:03:37,273 --> 01:03:39,961 a little lower than the angels. 1135 01:03:40,003 --> 01:03:42,436 Listen to the writer to the Hebrews. 1136 01:03:43,700 --> 01:03:46,231 - [Announcer] "But now we do not yet see all things" 1137 01:03:46,273 --> 01:03:49,921 subjected to him, but we see Jesus, 1138 01:03:49,963 --> 01:03:52,501 for a short time made lower than the angels, 1139 01:03:52,543 --> 01:03:55,651 so that apart from God he might taste death 1140 01:03:55,693 --> 01:03:57,871 "on behalf of everyone." 1141 01:03:57,913 --> 01:04:00,901 - Because God became man in Jesus, 1142 01:04:00,943 --> 01:04:04,351 his mortal followers will become like Him 1143 01:04:04,393 --> 01:04:07,141 and members of God's family. 1144 01:04:07,183 --> 01:04:11,626 We are Jesus' siblings and the fruit of His ministry. 1145 01:04:12,860 --> 01:04:14,911 - [Announcer] "He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 1146 01:04:14,953 --> 01:04:18,991 saying, 'I will proclaim your name to my brothers. 1147 01:04:19,033 --> 01:04:23,251 In the midst of the assembly, I will sing in praise of you.' 1148 01:04:23,293 --> 01:04:28,083 And again, 'Behold, I am the children God has given me.'" 1149 01:04:29,143 --> 01:04:31,741 - It's stunning that Jesus is not ashamed 1150 01:04:31,783 --> 01:04:34,801 to call mere mortals his brothers and sisters. 1151 01:04:34,843 --> 01:04:38,641 In fact, in the presence of the Divine Council, 1152 01:04:38,683 --> 01:04:42,886 he revels in introducing God to us and us to God. 1153 01:04:43,813 --> 01:04:46,021 - [Michael] Consider the reason that Paul gives 1154 01:04:46,063 --> 01:04:48,038 for our glorification. 1155 01:04:48,080 --> 01:04:50,521 - [Announcer] "Because those whom he foreknew, 1156 01:04:50,563 --> 01:04:55,051 he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son 1157 01:04:55,093 --> 01:04:58,510 so that he should be the first born among many brothers." 1158 01:04:59,533 --> 01:05:01,981 - The exultation of Jesus is the reason 1159 01:05:02,023 --> 01:05:03,811 for our glorification. 1160 01:05:03,853 --> 01:05:06,871 He is the firstborn or the head, 1161 01:05:06,913 --> 01:05:10,711 the one who receives the inheritance among many brothers. 1162 01:05:10,753 --> 01:05:14,438 John puts this even more succinctly. 1163 01:05:14,480 --> 01:05:17,251 - [Announcer] "We will be like him." 1164 01:05:17,293 --> 01:05:20,581 - That's our future, but what about now? 1165 01:05:20,623 --> 01:05:23,221 Sometimes when we hear that we'll be like Jesus, 1166 01:05:23,263 --> 01:05:27,181 we process it only in terms of being less bad, 1167 01:05:27,223 --> 01:05:30,361 but our eternal destiny doesn't hinge on merit. 1168 01:05:30,403 --> 01:05:34,861 That turns grace into duty. That's just bad theology. 1169 01:05:34,903 --> 01:05:38,701 The Bible teaches salvation is not of works but of grace. 1170 01:05:38,743 --> 01:05:43,111 God loves us and wants to give us everlasting life, 1171 01:05:43,153 --> 01:05:45,166 if we will only believe in it. 1172 01:05:46,063 --> 01:05:49,771 - Until that day, God wants us to tell the epic story 1173 01:05:49,813 --> 01:05:53,041 of His war against supernatural rebellion 1174 01:05:53,083 --> 01:05:56,581 to help Him release those still held captive 1175 01:05:56,623 --> 01:05:58,788 by unseen powers of darkness. 1176 01:05:58,830 --> 01:06:02,580 (uplifting orchestral music) 1177 01:06:14,405 --> 01:06:16,891 - Well, it's pretty obvious we're not living in Eden today. 1178 01:06:16,933 --> 01:06:18,961 The world is full of darkness, 1179 01:06:19,003 --> 01:06:22,591 but supernatural evil has no claim on us. 1180 01:06:22,633 --> 01:06:25,621 Jesus is ruling at the right hand of God. 1181 01:06:25,663 --> 01:06:30,091 We are sacred space, since God's spirit dwells in us, 1182 01:06:30,133 --> 01:06:34,471 but we await the Lord's return to transform the Earth. 1183 01:06:34,513 --> 01:06:36,458 As theologians like to say, 1184 01:06:36,500 --> 01:06:40,000 "The kingdom is here already, but not yet." 1185 01:06:46,423 --> 01:06:50,011 - The already-but-not-yet paradox 1186 01:06:50,053 --> 01:06:52,651 is an important biblical idea. 1187 01:06:52,693 --> 01:06:54,481 On the already side of things, 1188 01:06:54,523 --> 01:06:58,321 God gives us a new identity as His children. 1189 01:06:58,363 --> 01:07:01,831 We belong with Him as He intended. 1190 01:07:01,873 --> 01:07:04,531 He also gives us a mission. 1191 01:07:04,573 --> 01:07:07,666 We're here to grow God's family. 1192 01:07:13,243 --> 01:07:17,671 The not yet part of our mission is what we often miss. 1193 01:07:17,713 --> 01:07:20,821 The Bible says we will one day replace 1194 01:07:20,863 --> 01:07:24,541 the rebellious sons of God in His Divine Council. 1195 01:07:24,583 --> 01:07:27,008 Consider what Paul says. 1196 01:07:27,050 --> 01:07:29,971 - [Announcer] "Do you not know that we will judge angels?" 1197 01:07:30,013 --> 01:07:32,881 - The book of Revelation promises believers 1198 01:07:32,923 --> 01:07:36,976 a future where we will rule with Christ over the nations. 1199 01:07:38,180 --> 01:07:41,071 - [Announcer] "Hold fast to what you have until I come. 1200 01:07:41,113 --> 01:07:43,681 And the one who conquers and who keeps my works 1201 01:07:43,723 --> 01:07:47,701 until the end, I will give him authority over the nations, 1202 01:07:47,743 --> 01:07:50,159 and I will give him the morning star." 1203 01:07:50,201 --> 01:07:51,661 - Think about it. 1204 01:07:51,703 --> 01:07:55,441 Believers will be granted authority over the nations. 1205 01:07:55,483 --> 01:07:59,671 Who rules the nations now? The fallen sons of God. 1206 01:07:59,713 --> 01:08:03,151 We're going to replace them and rule with our father 1207 01:08:03,193 --> 01:08:04,066 in a new world. 1208 01:08:06,163 --> 01:08:09,781 But what do we make of the gift of the morning star? 1209 01:08:09,823 --> 01:08:12,631 In the ancient, world stars were associated 1210 01:08:12,673 --> 01:08:14,431 with divine beings. 1211 01:08:14,473 --> 01:08:18,376 The morning star is symbolic of the reign of the Messiah. 1212 01:08:19,213 --> 01:08:22,231 - Jesus is the morning star. 1213 01:08:22,273 --> 01:08:25,006 That's a title for the ruling Messiah. 1214 01:08:26,113 --> 01:08:29,821 - [Announcer] I, Jesus, am the root and the descendant 1215 01:08:29,863 --> 01:08:32,710 "of David, the bright morning star." 1216 01:08:34,363 --> 01:08:38,251 - Incredibly, we share the morning star. 1217 01:08:38,293 --> 01:08:41,281 We share the Messiah's rule in the New Earth. 1218 01:08:41,323 --> 01:08:43,591 Elsewhere in the book of Revelation, 1219 01:08:43,633 --> 01:08:47,866 Jesus shares His throne with us. 1220 01:08:49,280 --> 01:08:52,831 - [Announcer] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." 1221 01:08:52,873 --> 01:08:55,471 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, 1222 01:08:55,513 --> 01:08:58,891 indeed, I will come into him and dine with him 1223 01:08:58,933 --> 01:08:59,896 and he with me. 1224 01:09:00,943 --> 01:09:03,721 The one who conquers, I will grant to him 1225 01:09:03,763 --> 01:09:06,061 to sit down with me on my throne, 1226 01:09:06,103 --> 01:09:09,661 as I also have conquered and I've sat down with my father 1227 01:09:09,703 --> 01:09:13,230 "on his throne." (triumphant music) 1228 01:09:14,953 --> 01:09:18,151 - God and man will be reunited in fellowship. 1229 01:09:18,193 --> 01:09:20,791 The dominion of the world will return 1230 01:09:20,833 --> 01:09:22,156 to its proper sovereign. 1231 01:09:23,833 --> 01:09:25,726 Heaven will return to Earth. 1232 01:09:26,593 --> 01:09:29,056 Eden will be restored. 1233 01:09:30,433 --> 01:09:32,851 God created us to be in His family 1234 01:09:32,893 --> 01:09:36,451 and to enjoy His world with Him. 1235 01:09:36,493 --> 01:09:41,101 Despite all the darkness in the world, we still can. 1236 01:09:41,143 --> 01:09:45,387 We need only to turn to Him and believe His plan. 1237 01:09:45,429 --> 01:09:49,262 (triumphant orchestral music) 1238 01:09:58,060 --> 01:10:01,727 (heavenly vocalizing music)