LIGHTS OUT FOR
THE KINGDOM OF
DARKNESS
MF
Blume
November 8. 1998 pm
Acts 2:14-21
But
Peter, standing
up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of
Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you,
and
hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing
it
is [but] the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken
by
the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith
God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters
shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will
pour
out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will
shew
wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and
fire,
and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the
moon
into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it
shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
This was spoken on the day of
Pentecost.
-
Peter gave these great words.
-
The first Holy Ghost sermon given by someone other than Jesus Christ.
-
Nobody else had the Holy Ghost baptism in this manner until this day of
Pentecost.
-
John Baptist had the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb, but He was not
born again by the Holy Ghost infilling like they were on the day of
pentecost.
In the explanation to the people
concerning what happened that day in
Jerusalem,
Peter mentioned some strange things.
-
Many people feel these things refer to the end of the world.
-
"Wonders in the heavens, and signs in the earth"
-
And then he lists these things: blood, fire, vapour of smoke, the sun
turned
to darkness and the moon into blood.
-
Notice how Peter lists these things.
-
Notice what Peter said before and after these things.
Peter said that what occurred that
day with people speaking in tongues
was what Joel prophesied about.
-
God would pour out His Spirit and sons and daughters would prophesy and
old men dream dreams and young men would see visions.
-
Servants and handmaids would receive the Spirit.
-
That occurred that day.
-
And then we read that signs in heavens and earth would occur.
-
And we read of the sun turning black and the moon to blood.
-
Then we read that at that time, whosoever would call on the name of the
Lord would be saved.
- It appears that the
time when the sun would turn to darkness and the moon into blood would
be the time when all who call on the name of the Lord would come to
pass.
- But that is not the actual
case.
-
The verses before verses 19 and 20 (vv. 17-18) are easily recognized as
having occurred that day.
-
And the verses after vv. 19-20 are also easily recognized as having
started
that day. (Whoever calls in the name of the Lord can be
saved.).
-
We read that when these things occur in verse 19-20 that it shall come
to pass that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- The sun turning to darkness
and the moon to blood are figurative terms used to describe the
destruction of a kingdom.
- This actually did occur 40
years later when Jerusalem was destroyed in AD70.
- Peter had addressed this
same people that day and told them to save themselves from that
untoward generation.
- A generation is a 40 year
period in the Bible.
- From Pentecost to AD70 was
about 40 years.
- So Peter understood the
words of Joel spoke of Pentecost to Holocaust, AD70.
- But we can see a spiritual
application to us as well who experience the Pentecostal
experience of Acts 2:4, and that is our subject in this message
Notice the examples for this
picture in the Old Testament..
EGYPT
Ezek 32:2-3 Son of man, take up
a lamentation for
Pharaoh king of Egypt,
and say unto him,
Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou [art] as a whale in
the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the
waters
with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I
will
therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people;
and
they shall bring thee up in my net.
This is about EGYPT.
-
How many know that Egypt is no longer ruling the world?
-
One day it did.
Ezek 32:7-9
And when I shall put thee
out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will
cover
the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light. All the
bright
lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy
land, saith the Lord GOD. I will also vex the hearts of many people,
when
I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries
which
thou hast not known.
God described the fall of Egypt as
the sun being darkened and the
moon's
light turned off, as it were.
-
The stars of heaven were shut off.
-
Now these things did not actually occur, but the Bible tells us that
the
stars, sun and moon are like signs in the heavens.
-
And notice the terms used in describing them in Genesis 1.
Gen. 1:14-18 And
God said, Let there be lights
in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and
let
them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let
them
be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the
earth:
and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule
the day, and the lesser light to rule
the night: [he made]
the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give
light upon the earth, And to rule
over
the day and over the
night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it
was] good.
The greater light RULED the
day.
-
The lesser light RULED the night.
-
Sun and moon.
-
They were said to RULE.
-
So when Egypt lost its power and no longer ruled, we read that God
poetically
said it was the darkening of the sun and the moon and the stars, for
Egypt.
-
LIGHTS OUT FOR EGYPT.
We read that Babylon conquered Egypt.
Ezek
32:11-12 For
thus saith the
Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee. By the
swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible
of
the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and
all
the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.
BABYLON
Isa. 13:1 The burden of Babylon,
which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
Now, Babylon, who took over Egypt, was doomed to fall.
Isa. 13:6-11
Howl
ye; for the day
of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the
Almighty.
Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
And
they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they
shall
be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at
another;
their faces [shall be as] flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh,
cruel
both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he
shall
destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the
constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be
darkened
in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
And
I will punish the world for [their] evil, and the wicked for their
iniquity;
and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low
the haughtiness of the terrible.
LIGHTS OUT FOR Babylon!
-
they, too lost their dominion.
-
Who conquered them?
Isa. 13:17 Behold,
I will stir up the
Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and [as for] gold,
they
shall not delight in it.
Medo-Persia conquered Babylon.
-
So we see the loss of Babylons rulership was like the sun going black
and
the moon dark and the stars turned off.
-
The rulers of the skies were used to represent the rulers of the earth.
ISRAEL
Amos 5:1-2 Hear ye this word which
I take up against you, [even] a lamentation, O house of Israel. The
virgin
of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her
land;
[there is] none to raise her up.
Now, Israel is mentioned.
-
Israel sinned and forsook God.
-
So God said she would fall.
-
He rebuked them for the following:
Amos 5:10-11
They hate him that rebuketh
in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. Forasmuch
therefore
as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of
wheat:
ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye
have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
And verse 18 tells us:
Amos 5:18-20
Woe
unto you that
desire the day of the LORD! to what end [is] it for you? the day of the
LORD [is] darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion,
and
a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the
wall,
and a serpent bit him. [Shall] not the day of the LORD [be] darkness,
and
not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
He used once again the pictures of
the sun darkened and the moon
darkened
to represent their kingdom being overthrown.
Same thing noted in:
Amos 8:9 And it shall come to pass
in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down
at
noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
The rulers of the night and day,
moon, and sun, are turned off from
shining
to represent the change of dominions.
-
Another kingdom conquered this kingdom.
-
Rulers changed.
-
Old kings no longer ruled.
-
New Kings arose over the land.
Thank God that when Jesus died, and
the Kingdom of Hell that held man
for
so long, went under!
-
Satan has no victory, the Lord our God has set us free.
Matt 27:35 And they
crucified
him, and parted his garments,
casting lots: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them,
and
upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Matt 27:45 Now from the sixth hour
there
was darkness over all the land
unto the ninth hour.
Kingdoms were changing.
-
The prince of this world was being deposed by the Prince of Peace.
-
The sun literally darkened that day.
-
It
was lights out for Hell.
Something similar occurred at Jesus
birth.
Matt 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there
came
wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born
King
of the Jews? for we
have seen his star in
the east, and are
come to worship him.
A star was seen when Jesus was
born.
We read that Jesus resurrected and
was raised in power over all the
enemy.
Eph. 1:20-23
Which
he wrought in
Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own
right
hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all principality, and power,
and
might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this
world,
but also in that which is to come: And hath put all [things] under his
feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,
Which
is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
But it said before this:
Eph. 1:17-20
That
the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of
wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your
understanding
being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and
what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what
[is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according
to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he
raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the
heavenly
[places],
That is why we read:
Eph. 2:1 And you [hath he quickened],
who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph. 2:4-6 But God, who is rich
in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were
dead
in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are
saved;)
And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in
heavenly
[places] in Christ Jesus:
Praise God!
-
Jesus rose from the grave and rose up above all enemies and sits far
above
everything in the universe.
-
Far above every kingdom and power.
-
We read of the terms used to describe kingdoms when we read that he is
above principalities and powers.
-
And we read that we are up there with Him!
He already resurrected two thousand
years ago.
-
Since then, there is no kingdom that is not under His.
-
He is already King.
-
And he was king and all the people of the world were buried with Him
and
risen with Him 2,000 years ago.
-
But they did not see this right away!
-
Jesus resurrected and began preaching something after He was already
King.
Acts 1:1-3 The
former treatise have
I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Until
the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost
had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom
also
he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs,
being
seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the
kingdom
of God:
He had to explain what was true and
real since His resurrection.
-
He was then King of Kings.
-
And note what He said after He taught all about this.
It made them think about POWER and
KINGDOMS
-
He was asked about when the kingdom would be restored.
-
To which he replied:...
Acts 1:7-8
And he said unto them, It
is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath
put in his own power. But ye
shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth.
Now that I am King, you will receive POWER.
-
The work was all done the day He resurrected.
-
And He was going to anoint some kings and priests now.
Rev. 1:6 And
hath made us kings and
priests unto God and his Father;
to him [be] glory and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen.
When did He make us kings and
priests?
-
In the Old Testament days, Kings and Priests were ANOINTED with oil.
-
It is said that when David was anointed with oil, the Spirit of God
came
upon him.
-
Jesus made us kings and priests with the day of Pentecost.
-
The sun had already darkened for the devil's kingdom.
-
But on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said Joel's prophecy was
fulfilled,
it was lights out for the devil all over again, because on that day 120
people were ANOINTED with the Holy Ghost Baptism as KINGS AND PRIESTS,
and a change of kingdoms occurred for the people!
When Jesus was raised, I was
raised.
-
I need to see that.
-
Paul said we have eyes of understanding.
-
We need to see.
-
We need to understand.
-
Then Paul talked about how God raised up Jesus Christ to sit above all
principalities and powers.
-
And he said
Eph. 1:19 And what [is] the exceeding
greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working
of his mighty power,
The power for us is the identical
power that was worked in Christ when
God raised Him from the dead.
-
The power for us is according to the power that raised Him up.
-
Therefore, we are raised up together with Christ.
-
The same power that raised Him up is ours.
Elijah told Elisha that if he saw
Elijah ascend, then Elisha would have
a double portion of his power.
-
Elishah saw Elijah ascend.
-
How do we see Jesus' ascent so that we can have double power?
-
We see with the eyes of our understanding.
-
We understand.
-
God gives us a revelation.
-
We need a revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Then they received the Holy Ghost
in the upper room.
-
Jesus already was ascended, but He had to teach about the Kingdom
because
their minds could not know everything He did for them.
That is like us.
-
If you believe in Jesus, then you died with Him and were buried with
Him
and resurrected with Him. You even were raised with Him.
-
But you need to be shown all of that.
-
If you can SEE all of that, then you will have power.
-
Actually, you potentially have that power now, but just do not know it
for you have not seen it yet.
-
So when we read that we must SEE Jesus, we are reading that we must
understand
that HE IS above all powers and we are THERE WITH HIM.
After He taught them, they were
filled with the Holy Ghost.
They became KINGS.
We need to see a revelation of
Jesus.
-
If you see Him above all powers, and UNDERSTAND what that means, you
can
put the devil's lights out!
Rom. 16:19-20 For your obedience is
come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet
I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning
evil.
And the God of peace shall
bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.
SHORTLY?
-
SOON?
-
As soon as you get a revelation you will see Satan under your feet!
-
Jesus bruised him under his feet already, 2,000 years ago on the cross.
- And the saints would see
satan bruisd under their feet when the devil's tool Jerusalem was
destroyed in AD70, which was soon in that day, but there is a spiritual
thought to be gained here as well.
- We are raised up with Jesus
above all powers.
-
So why "soon?"
-
As soon as we get a revelation of where we already are!
Rom. 6:9 Knowing
that Christ being raised
from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion
over him.
Kingdoms changed when Jesus rose
again.
-
Death has no dominion over Jesus.
-
Dominion means government.
-
But when YOU see that YOU were crucified WITH HIM, then you KNOW that
death
has no dominion over you either!
-
You may believe death has no dominion over Jesus because you see Jesus
ascended.
-
But you actually do not see HIm ascended.
-
If you did, you would see THAT YOU ARE THERE WITH HIM.
-
He raised you up to sit together with Him.
-
And when you really see Jesus ascended, then you bruise Satan under
your
feet!
Rev. 3:20-21 Behold,
I stand at the
door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will
come
in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that
overcometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and
am set down with my Father in his throne.
When you sup at this table of bread
of life with Jesus, like we are
doing
tonight (getting into the word, the bread of life), and you get this
bread,
this flesh of Jesus, inside you, you will understand!
-
You will get a revelation.
-
You will enjoy the next verse, and sit together with Him in His throne
as He is set down in His Father's throne.
-
You are already there, according to Ephesians.
-
But until you see that, you do not enjoy that.
And right after we read about
sitting with jesus in His throne, we
read:
Rev. 4:1-2 After this I looked,
and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I
heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come
up
hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And
immediately
I was in the spirit: and,
behold, a throne
was set in heaven,
and [one] sat on the throne.
John sees a throne.
-
He was fixing to see a revelation of Jesus Christ, for that is
precisely
what Rev. 1:1 said the book is about.
-
He saw God on the throne.
-
And then we read in chapter 5, He saw a lamb appear and go to the
throne.
-
And then he heard a bunch of elders and beasts (representing the
church)
cry out..
Rev. 5:9-10 And
they sung a new song,
saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals
thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of
every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And
hast made us unto
our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
They saw that they were now made KINGS AND PRIESTS when they saw
that the LAMB was resurrected.
-
Can you see Him resurrected?
-
They were made kings and priests and THEY SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.
-
LIGHTS OUT FOR THE DEVIL!
-
(in FACT YOU READ THAT IN REVELATION 6:12-13).
AND YOU READ OF A SEAL PUT ON THE
144,000 in Rev 7.
-
We know what the seal is!
Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted],
after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit
of promise,
Jesus has risen from the dead.
-
He is the STAR, the NEW RULER.
-
King of KINGS.
2Pet 1:19 We
have also a more sure word
of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light
that
shineth in a dark place, until
the day dawn, and the day star arise
in your hearts:
Take heed to this WORD we preach.
-
Heed it until the light shines in your heart.
-
Heed it until you get a revelation.
-
Heed it until the day star, Jesus, rises and resurrects IN YOUR HEART,
and you truly know He resurrected, and its lights out for the kingdom
of
darkness!!!!
The day of Pentecost was lights out
for the devil!
-
Peter saw then what many people still do not see.
-
He spoke not of the actual sun being darkened and the moon turned to
blood.
-
He spoke of KINGDOMS CHANGING.
-
LIGHTS OUT FOR THE DEVIL.
The sun darkened when Jesus died.
-
But until you see WHY HE DIED...
-
Until you UNDERSTAND you died with Him...
-
Then you will not see that you are with Him and above all powers.
-
And if you are above all principalities and powers, then for you it is
LIGHTS OUT FOR THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS!