Sermon
Earth Center of the Universe: A Perfect Creation
Publisher transcript
Transcript
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Welcome to the Preaching the Cross Radio Podcast, featuring the radio ministry of Pastor James W.
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Knox of the Bible Baptist Church of Delaney, Florida.
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Our prayer is that these half-hour Bible study programs will bring the lost to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and enable the saved to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Savior.
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Now here's your host, Pastor James W.
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Knox.
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And thank you so much for introducing us so nicely, so politely.
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Thanks to each and every one of you for tuning in today to the Preaching of the Cross Radio Broadcast.
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I'm Brother James.
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I greet you as always in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
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You know there's coming a day when at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that he is Lord, the glory of God the Father.
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Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by Him.
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There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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I hope your faith and your trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ, for he alone can save you from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and then someday, praise be to his name, from the presence of sin, all that taken care of in the cross at Calvary, if you'll just repent of your sin, humble yourself, and receive it.
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We started last time on the program a series of messages.
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We don't know how long it'll take us.
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We hope and pray that it's not uh dull and tedious to you, though of necessity it's a rather weighty uh type of a study for what you're accustomed to if you're a regular listener to this program.
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We're talking about the earth as the center of God's universe.
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And we talked on the program last time about the fact that the earth is the only planet in the universe that is habitable, that is capable of sustaining uh life as we know it.
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We just mentioned ever so briefly the creation of the earth, and we're going to dwell on that uh on the program today.
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Uh later in our study, we'll talk about catastrophe versus uniformity, the earth's first catastrophe, and what brought it about, then the reconstruction of the earth, Satan's uh bid to regain the earth, the degeneration of mankind, the great flood in Noah's Day, the abiding curse, then the glory age of the earth and its eventual uh function as the capital of God's universe.
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So we have a lot to talk about, and we hope that you'll stay with us from day to day and enjoy these uh studies with us.
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Now, Genesis 1 1, this is where we left off in the beginning.
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God created the heaven and the earth.
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There's no argument in the Bible for the existence of God.
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There's no argument in the Bible for the fact that God created the heavens and the earth.
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It is stated as fact.
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You take it or leave it.
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Uh your eternal destiny depends upon your attitude toward that simple truth.
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Hebrews 11 3, through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so the things which are seen are were not made of things which do appear.
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Not only did God create the earth, but his original creation was a perfect one.
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Why should not a perfect God create a perfect earth?
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If God existed from all eternity, he must be perfect in himself, and if perfect he could not create anything imperfect.
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In fact, we are told that God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
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There is not a suggestion in all the Bible that anything that came from the hands of God was imperfect.
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Instead we find the words good and very good used again and again to denote the perfection of God's work.
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The evolutionist contends that God may have created a nebulous body, but that he permitted the so called laws of evolution to shape it into suns and systems.
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There are many superficial scientists today, scientists falsely so called, we might add, who, captivated by the seeming scholarship of evolution, are endeavoring to convince themselves, as well as everybody else, that the earth as we know it has been evolved from a nebulae.
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It's astonishing that intelligent men should hold to evolution as an infallible doctrine and yet admit that it has never been proved, never can be, never will be.
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Their idea of a chance creation brings to mind a common sense reply of a plain businessman.
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This was quoted by Elian T.
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Jones in his book Is There a God, and he says It takes a girl in our factory about two days to learn to put the seventeen parts of a meat chopper together.
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It may be that these millions of worlds, each with its separate orbit, all balanced so wonderfully in space, it may be that they just happened.
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It may be that by a billion years of jumbling together they finally arranged themselves.
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I do not know.
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I'm not a scientist.
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I'm merely a plain manufacturer of cutlery.
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But this one thing I do know, you can take these seventeen parts of a meat chopper around together in a wash tub for the next seventeen billion years, and you'll never make a meat chopper.
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Amen.
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And amen.
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When one considers that the earth has eleven different motions, and around it revolves the moon with sixty motions of its own, and these circulate over their vast orbit about the sun without so much as a variation of a second in a thousand years, he must recognize how impossible it is to conceive that anything so mathematically accurate could have been arranged by mere accident.
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Man is not able to make a clock that keeps perfect time.
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How much less then could blind chance set in operation the forces by means of which men set their time pieces?
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The evolutionist endeavors to prove his case for the development of the Earth and solar system by appealing to the nebular hypothesis.
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This hypothesis, and it was never regarded as anything but just that, a hypothesis, while generally accepted over a period of one hundred years, and uh now uh going into uh closing in on its second century, has never been scientifically satisfactory.
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In recent years it's been abandoned by most astronomers for the plantesimal hypothesis, and now they're working on uh some new theory, and when that one's disproved and uh laughed out of the auditorium, they will come up with a new one, anything but believe the Bible.
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The new theory, the origin of the universe, accounts for the preservation rather than the evolution of solar systems.
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It presupposes existence of heavenly bodies rather than clusters of nebulae, and explains the phenomena in the heavens through the collision or close contact of gigantic suns without explaining where these gigantic suns came from.
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A clearer knowledge of nebulae in recent years has been most destructive to the evolutionary theory.
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In fact, evolution distinctly requires that massive bodies originate from nebula, that is, the higher from the lower, but the very latest scientific testimony again and again indicates that the program of the universe is just the opposite.
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This was first noticed as far back as eighteen ninety two in the study of Nova or Nova Ariga, A U R I G A.
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After it flashed out in the northern sky, it remained visible to the naked eye for two and a half months and then rapidly declined in brightness.
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As the star faded from view, it appeared to be surrounded by a nebula.
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These new stars, which flash out in the heavens and then gradually fade away, are so distant that this spectacular illumination can be explained only by the collision or close approach of two remote suns, but the important fact of their study has revealed that a nebula invariably follows the appearance of the star and never precedes it.
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This conclusion was confirmed by the study of Nova or Nova Perseus, nineteen oh one, Nova Lacerta, nineteen eleven, Nona Nova Canus Minoris, nineteen eighteen, Nova Sygenus, nineteen twenty, and on and on and on the list could go right up into our present day.
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In every instance, the inevitable nebula was visible.
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This has led the distinguished English astronomer, Professor Eddington, to remark, quote, We must regard with respect the view that nebula are the last and not the first stage of evolution.
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The fact that with our instruments we have seen galactic stars turning into nebulae ought to outweigh any amount of speculation about the nebula turning into stars.
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End of quote.
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But notice he's still clinging to his evolutionary faith and belief.
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That's just what it is.
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It's a religious faith and belief.
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While this is being uh considered, we ought to also talk about uh Nova Pictoris, which showed up in the uh nineteen twenties, which was evolving backward, developing contrary to the program of the evolutionists, and caused them to throw out a great number of scientific textbooks of that day.
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Of course, evolutionists were very much ex exorcised over the behavior of these nova.
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They are naturally reluctant to surrender their theories to the facts in the case, but without a single observation of nebula evolving into stars, and with repeated instances of stars diffusing into nebula, undisputed facts, it has become more and more difficult for the evolutionists to maintain their position.
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Not only do the Nova contradict the theories of evolutionists, but more recent study of the galactic nebula has led astronomers to conclude that they have no light or heat of their own, and hence could not represent early stages of the evolution of a star.
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This was proved conclusively by Profess Professor Hubble, who uh wrote of these things in the astrophysical journal during his lifetime.
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Dr.
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Norris Russell of the Princeton Observatory was acknowledged as a leading authority in star studies in his time, and he said, quote, I see no evidence that any of the visible types of nebula represent early stages in the evolution of a star.
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End of quote.
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A person who's not in accord with the doctrine of evolution may be unpopular these days, and he is.
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But it must be admitted that as far as the latest evidence from astronomy is concerned, nothing has ever come forth to support an evolutionary idea, and nothing ever will.
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God created the heavens and the earth.
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The invisible things of him are clearly understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power in Godhead and the heavens.
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Far from declaring the glory of a big bang nebula, gas cloud, dust, bomb, bang, blast theory, the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
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Now, for what purpose did God create his perfect earth?
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Scripture's not silent on this question either, and a little study of God's Word will explain the original purpose of this perfect creation.
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What honor that in this vast universe or universe of universes there should be found intelligent beings of such significance as to be called sons of God.
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But this is the term we find in several places in the Old Testament.
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Invariably, it refers to angels who were sinless at the time of their creation.
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Now, what do we know about the angels?
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Scripture teaches they were the highest order of creation, among the highest order.
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They were invisible, immortal, marvelously intelligent, immaculately pure, exceedingly beautiful, and remarkably powerful.
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These eternal creatures were brought into existence before the earth.
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In the thirty-eighth chapter of Job, we are given a glimpse of their glory.
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God is reviewing for Job's benefit an account of the construction of the earth, his masterpiece of creation.
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And the most significant fact in this connection is the express statement that when the majestic work was finished, the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God, S-O-N-S, sons of God, shouted for joy.
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And this is not a poetic figure of vain imagination.
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You know that scientists have discovered that light is vocal.
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Truth in that expression.
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Psalm 658, thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
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The rapid vibration of ether waves, which constitutes light, causes a singing sound.
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Now, I'll grant you our ears are not sensitive enough to hear the music, but the most advanced scientific instruments have been able to pick up these vibrating ether waves, which are actually singing.
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And I might add, singing the praises of God.
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Do you think these sublime sons of God shouted over a chaotic mass, as our evolutionists would have us think, originally constituted the earth?
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No, it was a beautiful world that called forth this oratorio of the sons of God.
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There was a special reason why these sovereign creatures should be interested in this new creation called Earth.
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It was to be the sphere of their dominion, as well as the scene of their disaster.
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Among the sublime sons that sang the creator's praise that prehistoric day was Lucifer, the brightest and best of God's angelic host, called Lucifer the Son of the Morning.
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And what is even more significant, three times he is actually acknowledged by our Lord as the Prince of this world.
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Paul called him the God of this world.
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John said the whole world lieth in wickedness.
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Thus there is no question about Satan's prehistoric and present relationship to this earth.
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Ezekiel tells a little more about that golden period of the world before it met with its first disaster.
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In the twenty eighth chapter we read, Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God.
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Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth, and I have set thee so.
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Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God, thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
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Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee.
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While these words are spoken to the King of Tyre, they were intended without doubt for Satan, who dominated the King of Tyre.
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Like many other passages passages in the Bible, this one has a double application.
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The king of Tyre, he had never been in Eden, nor in any other man since Adam was expelled.
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Satan was not only in Eden, but was there as the anointed cherub, one in authority, and that by divine appointment God said, I have set thee so a beautiful world had been created for the anointed cherub.
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The original garden of Eden was rich in minerals rather than in fruit.
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We read nothing here of trees pleasant to the sight and good for food, but the prominent feature is the covering, which doctor Pember suggests as the pavilion or palace of Satan.
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This is described as being constructed of gold and of very precious stones.
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There's no reason for us to imagine that this glorious habitation, which had been prepared for the angels, was anything like the earth as we know it.
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Angels are not subject to the limitations of human life, and they may well be constituted, as the passage suggests, so they could walk up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
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We have no reason to question that creatures so immaculately pure might dwell with God in his light with all its intensity and power.
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The testimony to a preadamic race is cooperated in the instructions of God to Adam, be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth.
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Genesis 128, the authorized King James Bible perverted in all the new translations to obscure this truth.
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These are the identical words that were spoken to Noah after the flood in Genesis chapter 9 and verse 1.
Genesis 9 chapter mention
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And if Noah's posterity was to replace the anti-deluvian race, the race of men that dwelt on earth prior to the flood, then Adam's posterity was also to replace a prehistoric race.
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The teaching is plain that God created Satan, the fairest and wisest of all his creatures, made him the prince of the world, the power of the air, and placed him in an Eden or a garden of delight, which was far superior to the Eden of Genesis, since its first ruler was perfect in all his ways when he entered it.
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How he lost this princely place and the priceless possessions that went with him and then regained them.
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The Bible speaks about in great clarity.
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And we'll talk about it later in our study, but we need to sidetrack, if it is a sidetrack, and talk about this matter of catastrophe ver versus uniformity.
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Those are big words.
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Catastrophes are simply divine interventions in the career of the earth.
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They are further evidence that it is the theater or center place of the universe.
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Catastrophes are not popular in these days when evolution is so extensively taught in school and seminary.
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In fact, the doctrine of evolution cannot be maintained if we account for the present by a catastrophe in the past.
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If there is sufficient evidence to prove the catastrophe of the flood, then evolution can no longer insist that the epitaphs of the world's greatest graveyard can be interrupted by uniformity in succession of ages.
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Since the earliest days the world has explained its geological phenomena by catastrophes, and it remains for a modern generation to reject the biblical teaching for the evolutionary theory of uniformity.
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For more than half a century, and now well, primarily for more than half a century in our seminaries, uh more than a hundred years in our secular schools, the evolutionary theory in some way, shape, or form has been regarded as the only adequate explanation of the origin of plants and animals as well as man himself.
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This theory now prevails in our educational institutions and creationism is illegal.
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You can't even teach it.
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It's in direct contradiction to all the evidence for catastrophes.
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Instead of accepting the longtime belief that cataclysms have determined the early history of the earth, the idea of a gradual development among animals and plants prevails.
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It is generally conceded that an orderly succession of animal and vegetable life that has inhabited the world one after another during millions of years must be regarded as the only indispensable argument in favor of evolution.
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According to William North Rice, the theory of progressive evolution of forms of animal and vegetable life is absolutely dependent upon a succession of fossils in the geological stratum.
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In other words, the situation today is just what Peter predicted in his prophetic picture of the last days, when he said in 2 Peter chapter 3, verses 3 through 6, There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming?
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For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
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For this they willingly are ignorant of.
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Now the inspired writer predicted that in the last days scoffers would declare that the old doctrine of a catastrophe was archaic, and instead they would believe that all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
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How marvelously the truth of God's word is borne out in the fulfillment of this prophecy in these very days, and what better evidence could be desired as to the trustworthiness of the Bible.
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On the other hand, the speculative philosophies of the modern prophet have yet to be proven.
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More and more it's becoming evident that the evolutionist has spoken presumptuously, and we need not be afraid of it.
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If Christians are were asked today to name some of the foundation facts upon which their faith in the scripture rests, they would answer fulfilled prophecy, marvelous unity, perennial persecution of its saints and preachers, persistent preservation of the pages of the Word of God right down to this very day, the supernatural power of its presence, as well as the extraordinary circulation of the Bible.
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There would probably be few.
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Who would name science as a cooperative witness to the Bible?
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In fact, some may have become alarmed at the prophets who speak in the name of science and like Uzzah of old have stretched out their hand to keep the ark of God from tottering, but God will take care of his own.
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Bible believers have nothing to fear from the revelations of science.
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All true science, all true knowledge of any branch, will support and prove the Bible.
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It will never undermine it.
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It will never take away and destroy your faith in the Word of God.
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Amen and amen.
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You see, he who wrote the Bible also wrote the book of nature.
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Of necessity the two must harmonize and cooperate each other.
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Indeed, there is no controversy today at all between true science and scripture.
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In reality, the controversy exists between superficial scientists and faulty, faltering students of the Scripture.
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Earnest, unprejudiced minds have not encountered insurmountable difficulties.
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Time has answered and will continue to answer every problem that mankind presents to the Bible believer.
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The revelation of God through his word is direct and far more gracious than his communications through nature.
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Only the unregenerate heart of man can explain why, especially in these days, he prefers to read about God in his works rather than in his word.
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The children of Israel, God's chosen people, were peculiarly blessed in that they were to hear the voice of God from the summit of Mount Sinai.
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They saw his handwriting engraven upon stone.
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But instead of appreciating this personal manifestation of God with one voice, they entreated Moses, they begged Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear, but let not God speak with us lest we die.
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And men have continued in that same vein to this very day.
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They don't want to hear God's word, they want to hear some man's opinion.
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They don't want to hear what God has to say, they want to hear what some scholar has to say.
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They don't want God's truth, they want some scientist's theory.
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The attitude of the Israelites is the attitude of men today, brought face to face with the amazing revelations of modern science, they say, Let the book of nature speak to us and we will hear, but let not the God of creation speak to us lest we die.
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You see, the whole trend of modern effort is to get away from a personal God.
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Men prefer to deal with the creation rather than the creator, the gift rather than the giver, the revelation rather than the revealer.
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In their anxiety to substitute their doctrine of uniformity, they are willingly ignorant of the catastrophes of which uh Scripture teaches.
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Now let me ask you something.
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The Bible says, and I want to read you this from Romans chapter one.
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I realize that for the most part, on these last two programs and the programs that are to follow, the next few, as we talk about this subject, I realize that we are going to be reasoning with you rather than what we normally do, and that's that's preaching to you and teaching to you verse by verse by verse.
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But we're teaching you the Bible, we're teaching you Bible truth, and it's necessary, it's needed in these days.
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Because the Bible says in Romans chapter one, When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
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Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like the corruptible man and the birds and the four footed beasts and the creeping things.
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Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through their through the lust of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves, listen, who changed the truth of God, that's the Bible, into a lie, they said the Bible's not true, and worshiped and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed forever.
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Amen.
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Now I want to ask you something.
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In your day-to-day life, who do you worship?
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Who do you serve?
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Yourself, a creature, or your creator, your family, a creature, or your creator, the one that pays you your salary or your wage, or your creator.
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Some minister, some philosopher, some scientist, some educator, or your creator.
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You see, the thing that brings God's wrath upon mankind is the fact that God is readily available to them, and they just don't want it.
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They want to worship and serve themselves, mankind, humanity, the creation of God, not God the creator.
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I hope that's not your case.
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I hope your faith is full and complete in the God of the Bible.
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I hope that your life is lived to bring honor and glory to your Maker, your Creator.
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Almighty God, He has a name, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Thanks for tuning in today.
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Join us every weekday for another episode of the Preaching of the Cross Radio Podcast.
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For hundreds of hours of in-depth expository Bible teaching, please visit our YouTube channel, James W.
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Knox Sermons, our sermon audio page, Bible Baptist Land, or our website, Bible Baptistland.com.
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Until next time and throughout eternity, may Jesus Christ be praised.