#1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ - Pr. Opanda Wamalika | Prophecy

I would like to greet you all in Jesus' name. Good afternoon. I'm excited to be here and I hope that my present uh through my presentations and generally my ministry you will be a blessing to me and vice versa. So, Malika. Do not confuse me with Caesar or Malika. I receive many of his letters and he receives many of my letters. Um, Opanda. Can you all say Opanda? Yes. Malika is the same. We are very related. One is an uncle, another one is the nephew. He also taught me in high school and in the university. We come from the same village, same church. So I'm happy to be here. The theme is obey and live. And uh [clears throat] I do not consider myself as a person who's too young. I've been around for some time and therefore through my experience and my ministry in particular I've discovered that uh apart from people who have deliberately [clears throat] decided to have a hard heart of unbelief. If many people disobey because they have not been taught how to obey God. Many people would like to obey but they just can't have the power to enable them obey. I've been a teacher most of my time more than I'm a pastor. And I know that uh by the time I retire probably I'll be a pastor longer than I've been a teacher. But by now I've been a teacher longer than I've been a pastor. And so my presentation should be pedagogical. That's teaching more than preaching. Students have always come to me telling me that they are not able to obey. They try, but they just find that as much as they do, they just fail. And so, they may not be the only ones. I'm going to focus on a theme in prophecy that should help us get power to obey. I was told to make presentations on the on prophecy and uh my theme will only be one judgment. We have a lot of confusion on judgment and I thought that I should be able to put certain things straight. But uh by way of introduction, today's presentation will be entitled the revelation of Jesus Christ. Can you all say the revelation of Jesus Christ? In the book of Revelation chapter 1 verse one, it begins by saying the revelation of Jesus Christ. That's Revelation 1 verse one. This is the simplest definition of prophecy. Prophecy is not about beasts that are threatening. They have 10 heads uh seven heads and 10 horns and they look very ferocious and terrifying and especially if prophetic presentations are done at night. Some of the people who listen to you will not sleep. They may probably come forward to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior the next day because those beasts appeared in their dreams and they thought that if they don't accept Jesus the beast will devour them. Prophecy the definition of prophecy is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Mark that point. Jesus is revealed through creation. So the revelation of Jesus Christ as creator, Jesus is revealed through history. Historically Jesus is revealed as redeemer and also Jesus is revealed through prophecy. And in prophecy, you will be surprised as we shall be continuing with these presentations up to the end of the week. Jesus is revealed as judge. I have deliberately decided to split history away from prophecy and prophecy away from history. But they are the same only that they are two sides of the same coin. Today I'm making introduction. Therefore I don't want to feel under stress. Neither do I want to impose unnecessary stress on you. When you look at the revelation of Jesus Christ through creation, through the concept of time, the Sabbath, the forbidden tree, and marriage. You notice that those things were found on creation week. They are found on creation week. Echoes of the fall, redemption and judgment are sent. I would like to inform you that uh though we have very many Christian denominations but they have got very many things in common. The pillars of the Christian church are for whether you are a Catholic or a member of the African Holy Spirit church or a Lutheran or friends Quaker or Salvation Army. If you are a Christian, your faith has four fundamental pillars. creation, the fall, redemption and judgment. And so when we are making any presentation in the word of God, those four act as what we teachers call rubric, limitations and limitation. Anything that does injury on these four doctrine must for that reason be wrong. So you can see through time when you study carefully the concept of time the Bible particularly as presented in Genesis and you continue you'll discover that God created time to measure the duration he will take to deal with the sin problem. Eternity is defined as absence of time. So you see by creating this world and establishing time God was dealing with the sin problem before he created whatever that is reported that he created on this earth there was eternity and after dealing with the sin problem there will be eternity. Both eternities are absent of time and the Sabbath. You see that the Sabbath features prominently in the great controversy. So even though those things were there at creation and sin had not entered the world but they were echoes of the fall, redemption and judgment. You can see the forbidden tree. Why did God place the forbidden tree in a sinless world? It is an echo of the fall. Do you know that when God was creating the forbidden tree and was even giving Adam and Eve the law that they should not eat, he knew that they will eat and he knew that they will fall. That's why the Bible says the lambs lain before the foundation of the world. God created the world, this earth as reported in Genesis chapter one after sin had come into the the universe. And so by creating whatever he created on this earth behind his mind, he intended to use this world to deal with the sin problem. That's why Jesus is presented as the lamb's lane before the foundation of the world. In redemption, if you study redemption, you will notice that there is creation and there's judgment. For example, 2 Corinthians 5:17, anyone who is saved is a new creature. Salvation is recreation. It's a new creature. It's a new creation. Chapter 5:14 that is uh first 2 Corinthian 5:14 let me read that it says for we for the love of Christ compels us because we thus judge that if one died for all then all died that's redemption Romans 5:18 says says um therefore through one man's offense judgment came to all men underlined judgment resulting in condemnation even so the through one man's righteous act the free gift came to all men resulting in justification of lie so we are saying if you read the verse 10 version it will give you a bigger picture but by way of introduction I want you to know that in redemption you cannot exhaust, you cannot do justice to that doctrine without dealing with creation and without of course dealing with judgment. I'll go in reasonable detail hopefully when I'll be dealing with these things in the course of the week. And did you know that in judgment there is creation and there is redemption? For example, Revelation 21:1, I saw new heavens and a new earth. Remember, chapter 21 is a continuation of chapter 20 which deals with judgment. Chapter 20 deals with judgment. Jesus will sit on the throne and the redeemed of God. Then they will judge and the dead will be judged on the basis of the things which have been written in the books. So as we continue with chapter 21, we are talking about creation. I want to read Romans 8 21. It says from verse 21 to 23, not only that, oh 21, because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with births together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves grown within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. I'm putting together in judgment there's creation, there's redemption. You cannot deal with any of those doctrines independent of the other. We see Jesus as redeemer because he created humanity. I love Colossians 1 verse 15 to 17. It presents Jesus as the one who created everything and in him all things consist. Colossians 1 15-17. Listen, he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him, for by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him. That's important. For whom did Christ create all these things? For himself. No wonder when sin came into the world, it is him who went to redeem them because he was redeeming that which was his. Verse 17. And is before all things, and in him all things consist. What that means is that uh remove Jesus from this question and all things that exist cease to exist. Jesus is so powerful. I like using this illustration when I'm talking to students. I pastor Jesus is the one who called all things into existence from nothing. We use the word ex nicilo. Before Jesus created whatever he created there was nothing. He called them into existence from nothing. And Jesus is able to use a simplistic illustration to roll and crash all things in his hand back to their original state of non-existence. He's the reason why things exist. remove Jesus and nothing exists. And he's judge because he's a king and because he redeemed the people. I will visit these verses but let me read again chapter 5 26- 27 of John. John chapter 5 verse 26- 27 look it says Jesus is speaking for as the father has life in himself so he has granted the son to have life in himself and has given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the son of man that's 27 and compare it with John chapter 10:1 17-18. John chapter 10:1 17-18. Therefore, my father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from my father. Jesus is redeemer and therefore he's qualified to be judge. So I said the whole of this week I'll just pick on one small theme judgment and try to expound on it. And the key verse is Revelation 14:7. Of course, it's always good for you to read it from verse 6 because verse 7 is a continuation of a sentence. Then I saw another angel lying in the midst of heaven with an everlasting gospel to preach to every creature on earth. And he cried with a loud voice. I love the King James version. When you cry, even with a small voice, people take it seriously. What if you cry with a loud voice? The the Greek that has been used, those who translate struggle to look for appropriate English words which will convey the meaning. Remember in translation we translate the meaning not the word. Don't go for word for word translation. You will miss the meaning. This is something that is supposed to be taken seriously. So in verse 87 is now telling us fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment has come and worship him who made heaven and earth the sea and the springs of water. I just want to pick a few verses which I'll be rotating around and over dealing with judgment. We see this Revelation 14:7, Revelation 17:1 is also talking about judgment. Though those beasts are very threatening, but uh I may not present them in a manner that will threaten you. I would like you to enjoy your sleep. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven BS came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I'll show you the judgment of the great hallot who sits on many waters." Another scripture that is dealing with judgment. Revelation 20:4, we shall do justice to it. And I saw thrones and they sat on them. And what was committed to them? judgment. Underline the word them. Now, if you have not been paying attention now, can you pay attention the biblical view of judgment particularly in the New Testament? Of course, particularly does not mean uh fully in the New Testament, but also in the Old Testament. But the biblical view of judgment has two meanings. The first one is which process? A judicial process which very many people talk about. We have songs. judgment has set. And the song can make you feel, you know, when when we're talking about judgment, judgment is a very awesome thing. When you pass near the courts of law, you must walk circumspectly. Judgment is going on. Judgment has two meanings. a judicial process or I normally hear when I watch judgment proceedings whether I'm in court to visit to help to stand with a judge member who has been taken there even church members are taken to court so we pastors have to go there just to show him that even though I am not supporting the mistake you did but I'm standing with you so that you may you may you may be redeemed in one way. So you go there. I hear them talking about a trial. It's a trial. It's a judicial process. Okay. The Bible use a judgment to refer to a judicial process. And number two, which very many people and I guess many of them are here and seeing me over there do not know that the Bible when it says judgment, it may also mean a crisis, a catastrophe or a punishment. You you saw that. Let me chapter 17, Revelation. Come, I want to show you the judgment of that harot. And if you read the whole of chapter 17, which continues up to chapter 18, you will see that the hallot is being crushed, destroyed. So when the Bible talks about judgment, it refers to more than a judicial judicial process. So as a judicial process, I'm just speaking on scriptures which refer to judgment as a judicial process. For example, Daniel 5 27-28 uh Belshazza you know many teel and person the story of Belshazza teel you have been weighed in the balances. Remember the two balances, the two scales serve as a symbol of judgment, right? Yes. That is looking at judgment as a judicial process. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. And also in Revelation 20:12, and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. Yeah. In judgment, books are normally opened. And another book was opened which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works by the things which were written in the books. Judgment as a judicial process. Daniel 7:28. But the court shall be seated and they shall take away his dominion to consume and destroy it forever. The court shall be seated. That is a judicial process. Let us also look at judgment as a catastrophe. I mentioned that and I mention again. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven balls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I'll show you the judgment of the great hallot who sits on many waters, that harot, and the 10 horns which you saw on the beast. This will hate the harot, make her dissolate and naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." That's her judgment is taking place. And verse 18, and the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth. When you go to chapter 18, you'll see that great city, that woman, and also called Babylon being tormented. Look at verse 10, chapter 18, Revelation. standing at a distance for fear of her torment saying alas alas that great city Babylon. Remember the woman you have seen is the great city. So it has already mentioned that when they are referring to great city Babylon that woman that mighty city for in one hour your judgment has come. This is a favorite text in the Adventist church. When I was a young man, we could not present prophecy without citing 1 Peter 4:17. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? For a very long time, we have presented that within the context of judgment as a judicial process. But I'll be telling you beginning from today and I'll demonstrate as we continue that actually that verse is not talking about judgment as a judicial process. So very important. If you have those notes, we have many university students here. My [clears throat] students in most They are very very very serious with jud with with with prophecies particularly dealing with judgment. I know my students of Moose cannot miss here. No students are here if not Kibbi Alupe and uh and Kaimosi they love talking about these things but they unfortunately present 1 Peter 4:17 within the context of judgment as a judicial process that is wrong that verse must be viewed as a punishment, as a crisis, as a catastrophe. And therefore, it simply means that God's people must be punished first. Must go through a crisis first. So Peter is saying if God's people will go through a crisis, yet they are God's people. They are righteous. What do you think will happen to the wicked? So now this is very important. [clears throat] Why should God judge the world? Number one, it validates or justifies the freedom of choice. That's free will which God has granted the rational beings. God has given you freedom to choose how you'd like your life to be like. If God has to be reasonable, he must allow you to meet the consequences for your choice. So judgment means evaluating whether you have met the consequences for your choice or not. Somebody once said consequences oh choices have what? Number two because of the seriousness of the crisis of the end. Yeah, I'll be reading again those scriptures. When you look at the scriptures dealing with the crisis of the end, you will not want to be around when the world comes to the very end. It will be terrible. Ellen White says that when she was shown those visions of what will happen to the end, her pen would drop because of that. God has to give an explanation, has to justify And number three, because of the seriousness of the death of Jesus Christ, I'll read somewhere chapter 5 verse 7, Hebrews. Hebrews Paul, we always believe that Paul is the one who wrote Hebrews makes an addition to what the gospel writers missed. So if you read chapter 5:7, you'll notice that none of the gospel writers captured that Jesus cried petitioning God that he may be saved from that death. We shall look at that. And because of the terror of hell, Matthew 13:50 says, "And cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and nashing of teeth. And lastly, Simon Peter, building on what he has understood by hell, presents a terrible picture of a state of eternal banishment from the presence of God. He calls it eternal extinction. Our time is gone because of the wonders of the glories of heaven. We shall read again Revelation 21 of some 3 minutes verse 10 and 11. and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the lamp. I'm sure you don't want to miss those glorious things. Um, this is wonderful. I love telling students that one of the things that can be very very frustrating is for you to see your housemate in Kenya and generally in Africa and in many places we don't value housemates to be like uh to be like in status as housemates if you are here sorry but I know one day you'll also have a housemmaid and you will be tempted to treat her the way you are being treated now If the housemate you are not treating well enters heaven and you who was her boss goes to hell. Don't you see? You will want an explanation why how come she's there and she was useless. Um I was very important. Uh the glories of heaven we have to explain. So simply put what's judgment? is an opportunity for cosmic beings to interrogate the works of God which Satan had put to question. That statement, the works of God is very serious. Satan put to question all the works of God. And so judgment provides an opportunity for all of us to examine the works of God. And that's why brothers and sisters, I'll be dealing with judgment. I invite you, it is going to be very interesting and I can assure you that there are some things which you may not have had the opportunity to listen to and you listen to them today. My intention is to deal with the question obey and live. Let us pray. Father in heaven, thank you for giving us the opportunity to look at the matter of judgment. Judgment is a terrifying thing which we wish to avoid but because it is found in scripture we have to know it. Today's introduction has given a highlight. If somebody has learned something, may it go a long way in rooting that person on the truth as it is in Jesus so that he may believe in you as Lord and Savior. So that he may believe in you as Lord and Savior. We thank you for giving us this opportunity in Jesus name. Amen.