Index Sermons 2021

 

 Index:

  (2) Hallowed be Thy name
Januar 09, 2021

 

 

Back to main German Index   

 

Link to Stephen Bohr homepage: Secrets Unsealed

 

 

 

 

Index

 

Stephen Bohr original English Sermons

 Index:

 

Revelation's seven seals

 

 

 

 

Worship service 2021
 

 

 

 

more to follow ... 

Back to main German Index   

 

Link to Stephen Bohr homepage: Secrets Unsealed

 

(2) Hallowed be Thy name

January 09, 2021

 

Shall we pray? Father in heaven we come before your throne with humility with the spirit of the learner. we ask that as we talk about your holy and awesome name, that you will lead us to respect your name which is an indication of your character. So be with us open our understanding that we might understand and empower us to proclaim your name boldly before all creatures. thank you Lord for hearing our prayer we ask it in Jesus name. Amen.

I'd like to begin our study by reading the third commandment of God's holy law. it's found in Exodus chapter 20 and verse 7. It's a short commandment but it's one that we don't focus on a lot. It reads like this:

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold Him guiltless that taketh His name in vain."

So it reads in the King James version. So very clearly God tells us not to take His name in vain because the Bible tells us that His name is awesome, His name is great and reverent, in other words worthy to be revered. Let's notice a couple of verses that speak about the awesome nature of God's name. Psalm 99 and verses 2 and 3 Psalm 99 2 and 3:

"The Lord is great in Zion and He is high above all the peoples let them praise your great and awesome name. He is holy."

So the word "awesome" means "worthy of awe", in other words we are awed by God's great name. Psalm 111 verse 9. is very similar and it reads like this:

"He has sent redemption to His people, He has commanded His covenant for ever. Holy and awesome is His name."

That word "awesome" which I'm reading from the New King James version, says in the King James "awesome" or "reverend" is His name. The word "reverent" means "worthy to be reverenced, feared or awed". In fact that word that is translated in the New King James version "awesome" usually in most cases is translated "fear" in the Old Testament. So God's name is to be feared, not in the sense of being afraid, but in the sense of being deeply respected. So you'll notice first of all that God's name is awesome and therefore because God's name is awesome ,it is to be revered, it is to be feared and respected. It is a name that we must not use lightly.

Now what does it mean to "take the name of the Lord"? Well that word "take" in the Old Testament is most frequently translated "bear". In other words a good translation would be: "Thou shalt not bear the name of the Lord thy God in vain." In other words, don't call yourself by the name in a vain way, don't bear the name in a vain sense. And the reason why, we're going to notice, is because the name is an indication of the character of the person and when we abuse God's name we are actually smearing His character. So notice the commandment says:

"Thou shalt not take or bear or use the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

What does it mean to speak of the name of God? Well, God's name is related to His character. In fact His name or His names because there are many, are related to His character. In other words the name is an indication of the character of the person. God has many names in the Bible. He's called "Yahweh Jireh". He's called "Elyon", " Yahweh Elyon". He's called "El Shaddai", "Yahweh Sabaoth" and sometimes He's simply called "Yahweh".

Now, why does God have so many names in scripture? It's because each name is an indication of the aspect of His character. So His name contains His character, in other words. The name is simply not a way of distinguishing one person from another, the name is an indication of the character of the bearer of the name. So when we smear the name, we are smearing the character of the person.

I want to read a statement that we find in the "Interpreter's Bible dictionary", volume 3 page 501,on the biblical significance of a name. It reads like this:

"In biblical thought a name is not a mere label of identification. It is an expression of the essential nature of its bearer, a man's name reveals his character. Adam was able to give names to the beasts and birds because as Milton says, he understood their nature."

So the name is an indication of the character and when I identify with the name and I don't have the character that is taking God's name in vain. Let me give you some Bible verses that clearly indicate that God's name is an indication of His character. Let's go to Exodus chapter 33 and verse 19. Exodus 33 verse 19. Here Moses is at the top of mount Sinai and he's going to make a special request of God. This is how Exodus 33 verse 18 actually and 19 reads:

"And he said: Please show me your glory then He said..."

This is God answering.

"... I will make all My goodness pass before you and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you."

So notice it speaks about God's goodness and that is what is meant by proclaiming the name of the Lord before Moses and then it continues saying, God is speaking:

"I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

So notice that proclaiming the name of the Lord has to do with the Lord's goodness, the fact that He's gracious and the fact that He is a compassionate God. Notice also the text that we find in Exodus chapter 34 and verses 5 through 7 Exodus 34 verses 5 through 7. Once again the same idea that the name is an indication of the character. It says there:

"Now, the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with Him there..."

This is with Moses.

"...and proclaimed the name of the Lord."

So notice God is going to proclaim to Moses the name of the Lord. What does that mean? Verse 6

"And the Lord passed before Him and proclaimed the Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abounding in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sin by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and fourth generation."

So notice to proclaim the name of the Lord is to reveal the fact that He's merciful, gracious long-suffering, abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy, forgiving iniquity but at the same time being just, not clearing the guilty. All of these are indications of God's character. You know sometimes we talk about a child who misbehaves and we say, "This child disgraced the family name!" Also when somebody speaks badly about us and ruins our reputation, we have a tendency to say, "That person ruined my good name!" So the name is interchangeable with the character of the person who possesses the name. Our concept of God will determine how we use His name. If I consider God "my good old buddy", or I consider Him to be "the man upstairs" that will be reflected in the way that I use His name. On the other hand if I believe that God is the awesome God, He's the God to be revered, He's the God to be respected or feared, I will treat the name of God with a deep and solemn respect.

Now, a person that has an individual's name also possesses that person's authority. Let's notice several interesting verses. We find in Acts 19:1-6, that there was a group of vagabond Jews that were casting out demons in the name of Jesus, and the Bible tells us that they were misusing the name of Jesus, and of course the demons said, "We know Jesus but we don't know you guys!" And so they rose against them and tore them apart basically, tore their clothing and they went away hurt. In 1 Samuel 17:45 we have a very interesting verse. It tells us that when David came against Goliath. Let's notice 1 Samuel 17:45

"David says, »You come to me with the sword with the spear and with the javelin but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of I whom you have defied.« "

So notice that David comes against Goliath in the name of the Lord by the authority of the Lord and defeated Goliath. We all know the story of Elisha. Evidently Elisha was balding and so you have these children coming after Elisha and saying,"Go up thou bald head, go up thou bald head!" The Bible says that he turned around and he actually cursed them in the name of the Lord and the Bible says that two she-bears came out and they hurt those children who were mocking the prophet of God. So in other words the name of God has great power, it has great power for good or not for good depending on whether we have the character of the name that we claim to bear. The apostles had great authority in casting out demons they cast out demons in the name of the Lord.

Now, we go back to the commandment. The commandment says,

"Thou shalt not take or bear or use the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

Now, what does it mean when the Bible says "in vain"? Well we can notice a couple of verses that use this word "vain" in Psalm 60 and verse 11 it says,

"Vain is the help of man."

In other words, the help of man is useless, worthless, In Isaiah chapter 1 and verse 13, Israel was offering vain sacrifices, in other words sacrifices devoid of meaning, worthless sacrifices, sacrifices that had absolutely no meaning whatsoever. I like the way the "NIV" translates the word "vain" in the third commandment it translates "misuse"

"Thou shalt not misuse the name of the Lord thy God."

The "New Century Version" says,

"Don't use the name thoughtlessly."

So basically the word "vain" means "to employ the name without meaning", in an empty fashion. It means to use the name thoughtlessly, carelessly without thinking ,in a superficial way. It means to employ the name uselessly.

Now, let's talk about the breadth of the third commandment. You know we're dealing now with the individual application of the commandment, Later on we're going to look at a prophetic dimension of this commandment this third commandment. How broad is the third commandment? Well, let me just give you a list.

• First of all using God's name in profanity is a violation of the third commandment.

• Using God's name in trivial and common conversation is abusing His name.

• Uttering God's name when we sing hymns and we're not even thinking about what we're singing and we're using God's name, that means to take God's name in vain.

• Praying prayers without even thinking about what we're saying just saying prayers by rote and using God's name is taking God's name in vain.

• Claiming the name of Jesus and yet behaving like the devil is taking the name of the Lord God in vain.

• Swearing in God's name like we do in court to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth and then lying is to take the name of the Lord God in vain.

• To use slang words that include the name of God is an abuse of His name or taking His name in vain.

And please forgive me for giving you some examples that people use constantly I do this reverently I'm only going to repeat the way people use the name many times but we should never say these things like saying the word:

• "Je" that's short for Jesus or

• "Gosh", it's a slang for God.

• Or people constantly say "my God"

without reflecting or thinking that's taking or using or bearing God's name in vain. It also means not living up to our vows, if we make a vow or a promise and we say I do it in my good name and then we don't fulfill it that is a violation of using the name of Christ for a vow. It also means claiming the name of God while worshiping other gods, and it means also blaspheming the name of God according to Leviticus 24 and verse 16. And by the way Psalm 111 verse 9 in the King James version says that God's name is reverent. That's the reason why in the Seventh-Adventist church we do not call our ministers Reverends, because the word "reverend" means somebody worthy to be revered, someone worthy to be reverenced and ministers are not to be revered, they're not to be reverenced, only God is to be revered or reverenced.

In "Early writings", page 70, Ellen White wrote:

"I saw then what faint views some have of the holiness of God, and how much they take His holy and reverend name in vain, without realizing that it is God, the great and terrible God, of whom they are speaking. While praying, many use careless and irreverent expressions, which grieve the tender Spirit of the Lord and cause their petitions to be shut out of heaven."

"Patriarchs and Prophets" page 306, Ellen White mentions the the breadth of the third commandment in the following words:

"This commandment not only prohibits false oaths and common swearing, but it forbids us to use the name of God in a light or careless manner, without regard to its awful significance. By the thoughtless mention of God in common conversation, by appeals to Him in trivial matters, and by the frequent and thoughtless repetition of His name, we dishonor Him. “Holy and reverend is His name.” Psalm 111:9. All should meditate upon His majesty, His purity and holiness, that the heart may be impressed with a sense of His exalted character; and His holy name should be uttered with reverence and solemnity."

Very broad in its reach this commandment. We should pronounce the name of God with the utmost respect and if we claim or bear the name we must reflect the character that is indicated by the name.

Now, we want to talk a little bit about the end time. The Bible tells us that the end time controversy is going to be over the first table of the law primarily, the first four commandments.

• First commandment says: "Have no other gods before me."

• The second commandment forbids making idols and bowing before images.

• The third commandment forbids us to take God's name in vain.

• And the fourth commandment calls us to respect the creator by keeping His holy Sabbath.

Now, do you know that the book of Revelation tells us that in the end time controversy, all of these commandments will be trampled upon? You say, "Well, how is that?" Well, the Bible tells us in Revelation 13 and verse 4 that practically the entire world is going to worship the beast. That is a violation of the first commandment,

"Thou shalt have no other God before me."

What about image worship? Revelation chapter 13 verse 15 says, that practically the whole world is going to worship the "image of the beast". Once again that's the second commandment:

"Do not bow before images."

What about the third commandment, taking God's name in vain? Revelation chapter 13 verse 6 says, that the beast in the end time is going to blaspheme God's name. What about the commandment that says, that we're supposed to keep the Sabbath? Well, Daniel chapter 7 says that the little horn, symbol of the papacy, would think that it could change God's holy rest day from Sabbath to Sunday. So the final controversy has to do with the first four commandments of God's law primarily, We want to take a few moments now to focus on the meaning of blaspheming God's name as we find in Revelation chapter 13 and verse 6. Let's begin by studying the role of prophets in the Old and New Testament. You're saying. "Well, what do prophets have to do with the commandment that says, don't take the name of the Lord God in vain?"

Well, we're going to see that prophets claimed to speak in the name of the Lord, they claim to be spokespersons for the Lord. Now, let's notice prophets in the Old Testament. The true prophet in scripture is God's mouthpiece. A true prophet speaks for God he delivers a message in God's name. The Hebrew word "nabi" or "prophet" means an "authorized spokesperson". Most scholars take this to mean "one who speaks in God's name". In the Old Testament it's very common to find formulas such as the following:

"The word of the Lord came to the prophet Jeremiah." Or whoever. Or: "Thus saith the Lord."

The prophet is speaking, but the prophet is speaking in the name of and by the authority of the Lord. Now, if the prophet is speaking falsely and claiming to speak in the name of the Lord, that is blaspheming the name of the Lord it is dishonoring and trampling upon the name of the Lord. The Greek word in the New Testament "prophetess" means: "one who speaks for another." The same idea as the word "prophet" in the Old Testament. Now, let's read some texts that refer to prophets in the Old Testament. Let's deal with one that speaks about false prophets. Deuteronomy 18 verse 20.

"But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name..."

Here God is speaking.

"... a prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name which I have not commanded Him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die."

Notice Jeremiah chapter 14 and verse 14, it says: 999

"Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."

Notice once again that false prophets claimed to speak in the name of the Lord which was a bad reflection on God's name. In other words God's reputation was at stake. Notice Ezekiel chapter 13 and we'll read verse 3 and then we'll read verses 6 and 7.

"Thus says the Lord God: »Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!« … They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, »Thus says the Lord!« But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope … "

Now, notice this:

"... they hope that the word may be confirmed. Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, »The Lord says,« but I have not spoken."

So how can you distinguish between a true prophet who bears the name of the Lord and speaks in the name of the Lord and a false prophet who bears the name of the Lord but does not really speak in the name of the Lord? Deuteronomy 13 verses 1 through 5 has the litmus test that distinguishes true prophets from false prophets. Deuteronomy chapter 13 verse 1 reads like this:

"If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder..."

Notice these false prophets perform signs and wonders. So it says:

"... and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, »Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ "

In other words, if he does signs and wonders, but he's telling people to worship other gods, verse 3 says:

"you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

And now comes the litmus test:

"...You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. "

Notice all the synonymous terms that are used here:

• You shall love the Lord your God,

• walk after the Lord

• keep His commandments

• obey His voice

• fear Him

• serve Him

• hold fast to Him.

What happens when a prophet doesn't tell people to do that? Verse 5

"...But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst."

So the litmus test is very simple. A false prophet turns people away from the Lord from keeping His commandments and obeying His voice the true prophet keeps God's people keeping God's commandments and obeying His voice. Now, let's notice what the new Testament has to say. Matthew chapter 7 and verse 15 here Jesus is speaking

"...Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

This makes us think of Revelation 13 verse 11 where a beast is spoken of that has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. We'll come back to that a little bit later. So false prophets, they come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew chapter 7 and verse 21 tells us that not everybody who uses the name of Jesus is on the side of Jesus. It says in there in Matthew chapter 7 verse 21:

"...Not everyone who says to Me, »Lord, Lord,« shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."

So notice there's one group that says, »Lord, Lord,« and they do don't do God's will. There are other individuals who say »Lord, Lord,« and they do God's will. Notice chapter 7 and verse 22

"...Many will say to Me in that day, ..."

This is speaking about the final judgment.

"...Many will say to Me in that day, »Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?«..."

Let me ask you, are these individuals who claim to be Christians? Absolutely, because they're prophesying in Christ's name, they're casting out demons in Christ's name, and they're performing many wonders in Christ's name. So how do you know that they were not true prophets, that they were not true to the name that they claim to bear? Matthew 7 verse 23 has the answer.

"...And then I will declare to them, »I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!«"

Now that's the New King James Version. I prefer the King James Version because, I believe that it's more faithful to the original word. You see, the expression "lawlessness", "practice lawlessness" in Matthew 7:23 is the same identical word that is translated "transgression of the law" in 1 John 3:4. Let's read that verse in the King James:

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

So you have this group of people they're prophesying in Christ's name, they're casting out demons in Christ's name, they're performing many signs and wonders and miracles in Christ's name Jesus says. "I never knew you because you are transgressors of the law!"

Notice Matthew chapter 24 and verses 11 and 12 once again it speaks about false prophets and how they teach God's people to transgress God's law. It says in Matthew 24 verses 11 and 12

"...Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness ..."

Once again because of transgression of the law.

"... will abound, the love of many will grow cold."

A little bit later on in Matthew chapter 24 verses 23 to 25 we find once again the same phenomenon. The phenomenon that false prophets teach people to go astray from God, from obeying God from keeping His commandments, even though they might appear to be genuine because they perform signs and wonders. Notice Matthew 24 verse 23:

"...“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders..."

Do you remember Deuteronomy 13, false prophets perform signs and wonders and they're actually fulfilled, but they teach God's people to break God's law and not obey God? Verse 24:

"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ..."

And then Jesus warns us:

"...See, I have told you beforehand."

You know that great anti-Christ passage that we find in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 7 through 12 also underlines the fact that the final anti-Christ is going to be a lawless one. Once again the word that is used "transgress of the law". He'll teach people to transgress God's law. You say, "Well, no Christian minister today is teaching people to transgress God's law." Now, wait a minute, most of the Christian ministry in the world are teaching their church members that Sunday is the day we're supposed to keep because it honors Christ's resurrection. Is that not teaching people to transgress God's law? James tells us that he who transgresses one commandment is guilty of transgressing them all.

Let's read 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 7 through 12.

"For the mystery of lawlessness ..."

That's the same word of transgression of the law.

"...only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way...."

This is representing the civil power has to be taken away before the final anti-Christ can rise to power. Verse 8:

"...And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one ..."

Notice the number of times that it speaks about the lawless one.

"... is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,..."

So notice this is a a power that claims to be a follower of Christ but is performing power signs and lying wonders and people are buying into it. This anti-Christ is doing it in the name of Christ. Notice once again verse nine:

"... The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved...."

Notice that they're performing power, signs and lying wonders but they don't love the truth. Verse 11:

"... And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ..."

Incidentally those three words "power, signs and lying wonders" there in verse 9 are identical to the words that describe the miracles and the signs that Jesus performed That means that the anti-Christ is going to counterfeit what Jesus did. You say, "Where do we find that?" Acts 2 verse 22 uses the same three identical words although they're not translated in the same way to describe the signs that Jesus performed. So the anti-Christ is going to perform signs similar to the ones that Jesus performed. How will we know the false from the true? Very simple the anti-Christ will teach people to transgress God's law whereas true prophets will teach people to be obedient to God's law, to every one of the commandments. Acts 2 verse 22 says:

"... Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs ..."

Same three words about the false things that the anti-Christ does.

"...which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know..."

Dieselben drei Worte über die falschen Dinge, die der Anti-Christ tut.

Ellen White wrote some meaningful words that I want to read. It's a long statement but it's powerful. "Early Writings", 227 and 228.

"I saw a very large company professing the name of Christ, but God did not recognize them as His. He had no pleasure in them. Satan seemed to assume a religious character and was very willing that the people should think they were Christians. He was even anxious that they should believe in Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. ..."

What? Satan was anxious that people should believe in Jesus His crucifixion and His resurrection? That's what she says. She continues:

"...Satan and his angels fully believe all this themselves, and tremble. But if this faith does not provoke to good works, and lead those who profess it to imitate the self-denying life of Christ, Satan is not disturbed; for they merely assume the Christian name, while their hearts are still carnal, and he can use them in his service even better than if they made no profession. Hiding their deformity under the name of Christian, they pass along with their unsanctified natures, and their evil passions unsubdued. This gives occasion for the unbeliever to reproach Christ with their imperfections, and causes those who do possess pure and undefiled religion to be brought into disrepute. ..."

So in other words they disgrace the name Christian and all of the world and say, "Ah that's the way all Christians are." Ellen White continues:

"...The ministers preach smooth things to suit carnal professors. They dare not preach Jesus and the cutting truths of the Bible; for if they should, these carnal professors would not remain in the church. But as many of them are wealthy, they must be retained, although they are no more fit to be there than Satan and his angels. This is just as Satan would have it. The religion of Jesus is made to appear popular and honorable in the eyes of the world. The people are told that those who profess religion will be more honored by the world. Such teachings differ very widely from the teachings of Christ. His doctrine and the world could not be at peace. Those who followed Him had to renounce the world. These smooth things originated with Satan and his angels. They formed the plan, and nominal professors carried it out. Pleasing fables were taught and readily received, and hypocrites and open sinners united with the church. If the truth had been preached in its purity, it would soon have shut out this class. But there was no difference between the professed followers of Christ and the world. I saw that if the false covering had been torn off from the members of the churches, there would have been revealed such iniquity, vileness, and corruption that the most diffident child of God would have had no hesitancy in calling these professed Christians by their right name, children of their father, the devil; for his works they did."

Strong words but in this world today very, very true. Now, let's talk about the very end time scenario. You remember now, we've talked about false prophets and the false prophets perform signs and wonders to give people the impression that they are the real deal. However Jesus said that they cover themselves with sheep's clothing but inside their ravenous wolves. Now, Let's go to the book of Revelation and find a description of the final end time false prophet which by the way is not an individual, it is a an entire system of religion that has false messengers or false prophets in its midst. Revelation 13:11

"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon."

Wow, this is really interesting so you have a beast that has two horns like a lamb but this beast speaks like a dragon. Now, what is the name of this beast? Revelation 13:11 simply says that it comes up from the earth but this beast is given a name. In Revelation 16 and verse 13 we find the name of this power it says there in Revelation 16:13

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, ..."

Who was mentioned in Revelation 12

"... out of the mouth of the beast, ..."

That's Revelation 13:1-10

"... and out of the mouth of the false prophet."

Which is the beast that rises from the earth. So the beast that rises from the earth is called "the false prophet". Now, this false prophet performs signs and wonders, in the name of Jesus. Notice Revelation 13:13-14. It says there speaking about this beast.

" He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives [a]those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived."

So notice this false prophet who has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon performs great signs and wonders to deceive people in the world, to deceive primarily Christians. Now, what's interesting is, that the true prophet is a spokesman for God. The false prophet claims to speak for God but the false prophet is really speaking for the first beast, that represents the roman catholic papacy. In fact this beast that rises from the earth has only one purpose in rising and that is to render honor and glory and homage to the first beast, to restore power to the first beast, the power that the first beast lost. You say, "How do we know this?" Well, if you read Revelation 13:11-18. I'll give you the characteristics now.

• It tells us that this false prophet exercises all of the authority of the first beast.

• It tells us that this false prophet makes an image or replica of the first beast.

• It tells us that the false prophets makes an image in honor of the first beast.

• It tells us that it commands everyone to worship the first beast.

• It tells us that the false prophet imposes the mark of the first beast and

• it tells us that the false prophet does everything in the presence of the first beast

• or as the NIV says "at the commissioning of the first beast"

• and Revelation 19:20 tells us that the false prophet performed signs in the presence of the first beast.

In other words this second beast of Revelation 13 the beast from the earth is the false prophet who claims to be a prophet of God but actually is a false prophet a spokesman for the first beast which represents the papacy. Now, let's pursue this a little bit. This beast has two horns like a lamb. What do those two horns represent? Well, we have to go back to Daniel 8:20 to discover what it represents. Daniel 8:20 says the following:

"The ram which you saw, ..."

It's only one beast a ram.

"The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia. "

So notice you have one beast a ram and the beast has two horns and the two horns represent the fact that this one nation is composed of two kingdoms. Now, it's interesting that Medo-Persia was known for its religious tolerance among ancient nations. Cyrus, Darius the Persian and Artaxerxes all gave decrees that favored God's people and yet the Bible tells us that in the days of Esther this nation became oppressive and almost committed genocide against the Jewish nation.

Interestingly enough the word "lamb" appears 29 times in the book of Revelation. In 28 of those times it always refers to Jesus Christ. This reference to "two horns as a lamb" seems to be the exception, but the question is, is it really an exception? The answer to that question is: No. The two horns represent the two kingdoms that Jesus recognized, Two kingdoms in one nation. So the question is, what are the two kingdoms? Jesus identified them Matthew 22:21. Jesus said:

"And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”"

So those are the two kingdoms. Caesar would represent the civil power and God would represent the church or the religious power. In other words Jesus is saying that the civil power and the religious power are two kingdoms within one nation at that time it was the Roman empire and that they were to be separate. That's why Jesus said to Pilate in John18:36 in famous words

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. ..."

So Jesus recognized two kingdoms, His and the kingdom of the world. Jesus continued:

"If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Now, what nation could be represented by this false prophet who's going to perform signs and wonders and who speaks for the first beast? What nation could be represented? Well, we have to look for a power that rises after 1798, for the simple reason, that the first beast of Revelation chapter 13 ruled for 1260 years, from 538 to 1798 and that's the papacy. This power rises right after the first beast receives its deadly wound. So we have to look for a nation that rises around the year 1798.

There's only one nation that in its constitution has stated that in this one nation there are two kingdoms. The kingdom of religion and the civil power. Notice the first amendment to the constitution of the United States:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof congress. ..."

Can't make any laws having to do with religion, because congress is the secular power, but then the first amendment also protects civil liberties, because it continues saying:

"...or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

When we are in church we pledge allegiance to Jesus the king of the heavenly kingdom. When we are about our secular business we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. We are pledging allegiance to the other kingdom, of course subservient to our first allegiance which is to God. That is to say, in the United States we are citizens of two kingdoms. The beast from the earth does not have one horn but two separate horns in one beast. In other words one nation two kingdoms. Prophecy tells us that this nation, the United States of America, will be the beast's false prophet. It will claim to speak in the name of Jesus, the lamb. It will even perform signs and wonders in the sight of men however it will speak like a dragon. This must mean that in some way it will lead God's people astray from the law and so to speak, it will be a "wolf in sheep's clothing".

I must underline that the false prophet is not a single individual. It's not a single person it is a corporate entity just like the harlot of Revelation 17 represents a system of apostate religion. Just like the beast of Revelation 13: 1-10 represents the system of the Roman Catholic Papacy. This false prophet is not a single individual prophet. This false prophet represents an entire system of false prophets who teach people to break God's law, particularly the fourth commandment of God's holy law.

Now, what is this idea that this beast will make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men? Well in the Old Testament cultists in the Old Testament sacrificial system the priest sacrificed the animal and then fire fell down from heaven to consume the animal as a sign that God accepted the sacrifice. You know, Jesus died on the cross and 50 days after He resurrected, fire came down from heaven to announce that the sacrifice of Jesus had been accepted by His Father in heaven. And then of course Jesus on the day of Pentecost poured out the Spirit upon the church and the church performed great signs and wonders. How interesting. Is it just possible that at the end of human history the false prophet will make people think that it has God's approval by raining fire down from heaven and performing great signs and wonders, like happened after the day of pentecost? At the same time this power will teach people to violate God's law by trampling on one of the commandments and those who trample on one are guilty of all according to James. This would be the ultimate taking of God's name in vain, claiming to speak in the name of God, but really speaking for the beast, claiming to perform signs and wonders by the power of God, but performing signs and wonders by the power of Satan.

Now, let's conclude by going to Isaiah 4:1. I'm reading from the King James version about what the Christian world will be saying at the end of time it says:

"And in that day seven women..."

Seven means completeness or totality, all

"And in that day seven women …

Women represent churches.

"... shall take hold of one man, ..."

this one man would be Jesus Christ

"...saying, »We will eat our own bread..."

Bread represents the word of God

"... »We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel;..."

In other words, we will have our own righteousness, but they want something that Jesus has. They don't want the bread of Jesus, which represents the word of God, they're not interested in have being covered with the beautiful robe of Christ's justification and sanctification. No. They don't care about that. They say, "We'll be okay with our own righteousness. We'll be okay with our own bread, our own word, but we do want you to give us something." And what is it that they want?

"...Only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach.«."

They want the name without the character and thus the Bible predicts that the Christian world in general at the end of time is going to be an apostasy against God. It will be a system that claims the name of Jesus. It will claim to speak in the name of Jesus, but it will be a persecuting power, something that Jesus never did. This will be the ultimate blasphemy of God's name, taking God's name, claiming to testify in God's name, and yet acting not in harmony with the character of God, but acting in harmony with Satan's character.

Isaiah 4:2-3 tells us that there will be a faithful remnant it says.

"In that day ..."

That is in the day when all of the churches are taking hold of one man Jesus Christ and they're eating their own bread and they're clothed with their own apparel but they're claiming the name of Jesus.

"In that day shall the Branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion ..."

These are remnant words.

"...and he remaineth in Jerusalem..."

Once again a remnant word "remaineth".

"... shall be called holy - even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem,...."

Those who are written in the book of life, in other words.

"When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning."

Notice God is going to consume sin, He is the fire, in other words. The Holy Spirit consumes the sin. This is speaking about when God is going to purge His faithful remnant at the end of time through the power of the Holy Spirit in the day of atonement. The book of Revelation tells us that at the end, God's people will have God's name upon their foreheads, not in their mouths like in the day of Isaiah.

"This people honors Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me." {Mark 7:6}

No, no! They will have God's name on their forehead, or as the King James says "in" their forehead. What does that mean? It means that they are going to have the mind of Christ. You see, character is developed in the frontal lobe of our brain and so these individuals, they not only have the name on the lips, they not only claim to represent Jesus Christ, and they take His name in vain, because they don't live in harmony with the character of Christ, but they actually have the character of Jesus Christ, governing the entirety of their lives, they will bear the character of God.

However there's another group of individuals who have another name written on their foreheads. The Bible tells us that there will be those who have "the mark of the beast" also on the forehead, as well as in the right hand. You say, "Why do the wicked have the seal in the forehead or on the right hand?" Well, because there's going to be two kinds of people, who claim to follow the Lord, but don't truly follow Him at the end of time. There will be those who are convicted that the "beast", and that the "beasts from the earth" that makes the image, are right. They are totally mentally convicted of it.

There's another group that knows that they're wrong. In other words, they know that God's seal is the Sabbath. They know that they should have the character of God in their life, but if they decide to follow the Lord, they're not going to be able to buy or sell. There will be a death decree pronounced against them and so out of convenience, you see the right hand represents work, the hand represents work, in order to continue working, in order to continue life as usual they receive the mark on the right hand. But God will have a faithful remnant. So the decision is whether we are going to bear the name of Christ in the forehead or whether we will bear the name of anti-Christ on the forehead while claiming to represent the name of Jesus. In Numbers 6:27 we find this beautiful promise:

"So they ..."

That is Aaron and His sons.

"… shall put My name on the children of Israel and I will bless them."

And of course Aaron and His sons were priests in Israel. Their priesthood represented the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

So Jesus is saying in symbol in the Old Testament system: "I will put My name on the children of Israel and I will bless them." All of us are acquainted with the story of the man who built His house upon the rock and the man who built His house upon the sand, the rains came and the wind blew. The Bible tells us that the man that built his house upon the rock, the house remained firm in the midst of the tempest.The Bible tells us that the man that built his house upon the rock, the house remained firm in the midst of the tempest.. But we're also told that there was a man who built His house upon the sand and the floods came and the wind blew and that house that was built upon the sand fell and great was its fall. Let's go in our Bibles for our last text. Matthew chapter 7. Matthew chapter 7 and verses 28 and 29. Matthew 7:28-29.

To "build upon the rock" means to build upon Christ and His word. To "build upon the sand" means to build upon the traditions of men. Notice once again Matthew chapter 7 and Let's read verses 28 and 29. This is right after the parable of the men who built their houses on the rock and on the sand.

"And so it was when Jesus had ended these sayings that the people were astonished at His teaching."

Why were people astonished at the teaching of Jesus? Well, because Jesus taught in harmony with the Word, in contrast to what? Notice verse 29:

After saying that, the people were astonished at His teaching. We are told:

"… for He taught them as one having authority and not..."

As whom?

"… And not as the scribes."

Do you know the world would have seen the greatest revival in its history and the greatest transformation in its history if the religious leaders had accepted Jesus Christ, but the religious leaders turned the populace against Christ, claiming to serve God at the same time, claiming the name of God at the same time. Is it just possible that at the end of time the Christian world will profess the name of Christ, but in persecuting God's faithful people they will actually be taking the name of Jesus in vain because they will not be behaving like Jesus? They will be behaving like Satan. Folks once again, the commandment tells us:

"You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

If we are going to claim to be Christians if we are going to bear the name of Jesus. Let us bear the name in harmony with His character and let's respect His holy name and use it sparsely for His honor and for His glory.

Shall we pray? Father in heaven, truly your name is awesome great and reverent. We thank you Father for giving us the third commandment so that we can understand the importance of respecting your holy name. Father we misuse it quite frequently in our everyday lives. Help us Lord to pronounce your name reverently and help our character to reflect the character that is reflected by your name. Thank you Lord for having taught us today. Help us to take these lessons to heart and we thank you for hearing our prayer, for we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.

Editing - Manuela Sahm - © January 2021

Link to English Video:

2 Worship Service - 01/09/2021 - Pastor Stephen Bohr

 

Back to English Index 

 

Back to main German Index 

 

Link to Stephen Bohr homepage: Secrets Unsealed