1 00:00:11,065 --> 00:00:15,305 Speaker 1: You know, even among non-believers, there's a recognition that something 2 00:00:15,575 --> 00:00:18,954 Speaker 1: is going on in our world, and that something is 3 00:00:19,015 --> 00:00:22,035 Speaker 1: not good. And my question is, could this be what 4 00:00:22,075 --> 00:00:33,065 Speaker 1: the Bible says is the end of days? Question. Are 5 00:00:33,105 --> 00:00:35,485 Speaker 1: you a doom scroller? You know what I mean? It's 6 00:00:35,545 --> 00:00:38,125 Speaker 1: late at night, you're lying in bed, and you've got 7 00:00:38,144 --> 00:00:41,534 Speaker 1: your phone out, and you're going from one bad headline 8 00:00:41,865 --> 00:00:44,655 Speaker 1: to another. And I've got to tell you, if you're 9 00:00:44,695 --> 00:00:48,315 Speaker 1: reading news headlines, it's going to bring you down. A 10 00:00:48,375 --> 00:00:53,015 Speaker 1: recent poll found that 38% of adults report worse sleep 11 00:00:53,415 --> 00:00:57,235 Speaker 1: tied to doom scrolling before bed, and that leads to 12 00:00:57,315 --> 00:01:00,755 Speaker 1: anxiety and depression. I remember I talked to one lady, 13 00:01:00,795 --> 00:01:03,875 Speaker 1: and she told, watching what's happening in the world and 14 00:01:03,895 --> 00:01:07,055 Speaker 1: the news right now keeps her up at night. You know, 15 00:01:07,155 --> 00:01:11,655 Speaker 1: even among nonbelievers, there's a recognition that something is going 16 00:01:12,015 --> 00:01:15,235 Speaker 1: on in our world, and that something is not good. 17 00:01:15,255 --> 00:01:18,315 Speaker 1: And my question is, could this be what the Bible 18 00:01:18,405 --> 00:01:22,485 Speaker 1: says is the end of days or the last days? 19 00:01:23,084 --> 00:01:26,345 Speaker 1: A UC Irvine study published this year revealed that up 20 00:01:26,405 --> 00:01:31,304 Speaker 1: to 40% of Americans actually believe we're living in the 21 00:01:31,365 --> 00:01:33,775 Speaker 1: end times. Now, this is not a poll taken among 22 00:01:34,115 --> 00:01:37,654 Speaker 1: people in church or people who profess to be Christians. 23 00:01:37,955 --> 00:01:40,935 Speaker 1: These are just regular folks out there who are reading 24 00:01:40,995 --> 00:01:43,975 Speaker 1: the same news headlines that you're reading, and they're wondering, 25 00:01:44,575 --> 00:01:47,495 Speaker 1: are we in the last days? One expert said we 26 00:01:47,535 --> 00:01:51,895 Speaker 1: live in a culture that is awash in apocalyptic imagery. 27 00:01:52,255 --> 00:01:55,695 Speaker 1: In fact, the very word apocalypse has now become a 28 00:01:55,775 --> 00:02:00,195 Speaker 1: mainstream word, a secular word, not merely a religious word. 29 00:02:00,515 --> 00:02:03,255 Speaker 1: There's actually a whole kind of programming out there that 30 00:02:03,295 --> 00:02:08,705 Speaker 1: they call apocalyptic fiction or doomer fiction. Shows like The 31 00:02:08,765 --> 00:02:12,085 Speaker 1: Last of Us, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, the 32 00:02:12,125 --> 00:02:15,425 Speaker 1: list goes on. A whole genre has now been built 33 00:02:15,565 --> 00:02:19,225 Speaker 1: around the times in which we're living. So we wonder, 34 00:02:19,965 --> 00:02:23,505 Speaker 1: are we living in the last days? Of course, you 35 00:02:23,525 --> 00:02:26,745 Speaker 1: probably know what I personally think about that. I believe 36 00:02:27,065 --> 00:02:30,905 Speaker 1: we are in the last days. I believe Jesus could 37 00:02:30,985 --> 00:02:34,555 Speaker 1: come back at any moment. Jesus himself said, when these 38 00:02:34,615 --> 00:02:38,895 Speaker 1: things begin to happen, look up. for your redemption is 39 00:02:38,935 --> 00:02:42,975 Speaker 1: drawing near. Notice that he doesn't say when these things 40 00:02:43,015 --> 00:02:47,605 Speaker 1: begin to happen, freak out or panic. He says, look up. 41 00:02:47,705 --> 00:02:51,085 Speaker 1: Maybe the problem is we spend too much time looking 42 00:02:51,245 --> 00:02:54,305 Speaker 1: down at our phones and we don't spend enough time 43 00:02:54,665 --> 00:02:57,695 Speaker 1: looking up. Heard the story of a salesman that was 44 00:02:57,765 --> 00:03:00,015 Speaker 1: out on the road After a long day at work, 45 00:03:00,045 --> 00:03:02,435 Speaker 1: he went back to his hotel room and he's getting 46 00:03:02,475 --> 00:03:05,115 Speaker 1: ready for bed. So he's sitting on the edge of 47 00:03:05,155 --> 00:03:08,455 Speaker 1: his bed, taking his shoes off. As his first shoe 48 00:03:08,555 --> 00:03:10,765 Speaker 1: dropped to the floor with the big thud, he thought, 49 00:03:10,865 --> 00:03:13,385 Speaker 1: oh man, what if someone's in the room below me? 50 00:03:13,425 --> 00:03:15,605 Speaker 1: I don't want to wake them up. So he took 51 00:03:15,675 --> 00:03:19,195 Speaker 1: the other shoe off. very gently and set it down 52 00:03:19,255 --> 00:03:22,315 Speaker 1: on the carpet. And he goes to bed. 30 minutes pass. 53 00:03:22,575 --> 00:03:25,275 Speaker 1: There's a knock on the door. He opens it. Here's 54 00:03:25,355 --> 00:03:28,155 Speaker 1: a guy with dark circles under his eyes. And the 55 00:03:28,195 --> 00:03:30,975 Speaker 1: man says, I'm in the room below you and I'm 56 00:03:31,015 --> 00:03:34,195 Speaker 1: waiting for the other shoe to drop so I can 57 00:03:34,235 --> 00:03:37,935 Speaker 1: get some sleep. I feel like our whole culture is 58 00:03:38,015 --> 00:03:41,295 Speaker 1: waiting for the other shoe to drop right now. So 59 00:03:41,355 --> 00:03:43,695 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you about what Jesus said 60 00:03:44,075 --> 00:03:48,905 Speaker 1: about the end times in Luke chapter 21. It's actually 61 00:03:48,945 --> 00:03:52,305 Speaker 1: an answer to a question from his disciples. And by 62 00:03:52,345 --> 00:03:55,325 Speaker 1: the way, it's the longest answer he gave to any 63 00:03:55,445 --> 00:03:59,185 Speaker 1: question that was ever asked of him. And the question was, 64 00:03:59,605 --> 00:04:02,405 Speaker 1: what will be the sign of your coming and of 65 00:04:02,445 --> 00:04:06,095 Speaker 1: the end of the world? People are asking this very 66 00:04:06,235 --> 00:04:09,875 Speaker 1: question today. What are the signs of Christ's coming? Is 67 00:04:09,955 --> 00:04:13,225 Speaker 1: the end of the world near? A lot of people 68 00:04:13,265 --> 00:04:15,785 Speaker 1: want to know more about the Antichrist. I'll get to 69 00:04:15,825 --> 00:04:18,545 Speaker 1: him in a few moments, but in our time together, 70 00:04:18,565 --> 00:04:22,025 Speaker 1: I want to focus on why we should even talk 71 00:04:22,085 --> 00:04:27,335 Speaker 1: about this. So why should we talk about the end times? Answer. 72 00:04:27,655 --> 00:04:32,285 Speaker 1: because 25% of the Bible is prophetic. So it's not 73 00:04:32,405 --> 00:04:37,105 Speaker 1: some obscure side note. The Bible literally oozes with the 74 00:04:37,145 --> 00:04:41,375 Speaker 1: return of Jesus Christ. In fact, the New Testament contains 75 00:04:41,455 --> 00:04:46,595 Speaker 1: over 300 references to the return of Jesus Christ to 76 00:04:46,635 --> 00:04:50,145 Speaker 1: the earth. So if the Lord talks about this a lot, 77 00:04:50,185 --> 00:04:53,135 Speaker 1: shouldn't we be talking about it as well? Shouldn't we 78 00:04:53,195 --> 00:04:56,295 Speaker 1: be paying attention to it? Some people say, well, it's 79 00:04:56,355 --> 00:04:59,835 Speaker 1: so hard to figure it all out. It's hard to understand. 80 00:04:59,855 --> 00:05:04,545 Speaker 1: I understand that. But listen, it's not God's desire to conceal, 81 00:05:04,945 --> 00:05:08,585 Speaker 1: but to reveal. In fact, the last book of the Bible, 82 00:05:08,725 --> 00:05:12,615 Speaker 1: the book of Revelation says, the word actually means the unveiling. 83 00:05:13,115 --> 00:05:17,095 Speaker 1: When Jesus talked about the abomination of desolation, he added 84 00:05:17,135 --> 00:05:21,905 Speaker 1: this word of commentary, let the reader understand. In other words, 85 00:05:21,935 --> 00:05:24,545 Speaker 1: he's saying, as I'm talking about these end times events, 86 00:05:25,005 --> 00:05:29,485 Speaker 1: I want you to understand these things. When the apostle 87 00:05:29,545 --> 00:05:32,785 Speaker 1: Paul was addressing the topic of end times events, in 88 00:05:32,785 --> 00:05:37,245 Speaker 1: 1 Thessalonians, he said, I would not have you ignorant 89 00:05:37,535 --> 00:05:43,245 Speaker 1: brothers and sisters. So, hey, We can, we must know 90 00:05:43,425 --> 00:05:46,165 Speaker 1: about this, and we can understand it. I heard a 91 00:05:46,185 --> 00:05:49,125 Speaker 1: story about a guy who just loved studying the book 92 00:05:49,145 --> 00:05:52,344 Speaker 1: of Revelation, and some academics came up to him and 93 00:05:52,725 --> 00:05:56,565 Speaker 1: They considered themselves far more intelligent than he was. They 94 00:05:56,605 --> 00:05:59,895 Speaker 1: were great theologians. And they said to this guy, why 95 00:05:59,915 --> 00:06:01,975 Speaker 1: do you read the book of Revelation all the time? 96 00:06:02,315 --> 00:06:05,775 Speaker 1: No one can understand that book. It's an enigma. The 97 00:06:05,815 --> 00:06:08,235 Speaker 1: guy says, well, I love to read it, and I 98 00:06:08,295 --> 00:06:11,275 Speaker 1: do understand it. They said, oh, do you? Okay, well, 99 00:06:11,295 --> 00:06:14,165 Speaker 1: then explain the book of Revelation to us. And the 100 00:06:14,225 --> 00:06:17,964 Speaker 1: guy said in response, it means we win in the end. 101 00:06:18,885 --> 00:06:22,065 Speaker 1: He got it right. We are going to win in 102 00:06:22,125 --> 00:06:26,665 Speaker 1: the end. The Bible promises this. So why should we 103 00:06:26,745 --> 00:06:30,515 Speaker 1: study Bible prophecy? Why should we know more about end 104 00:06:30,595 --> 00:06:36,645 Speaker 1: times events? Answer. Understanding Bible prophecy brings hope in a 105 00:06:36,705 --> 00:06:42,055 Speaker 1: hopeless world. Let me say that again. Understanding Bible prophecy 106 00:06:42,395 --> 00:06:46,275 Speaker 1: brings hope in a hopeless world. And that is why 107 00:06:46,335 --> 00:06:50,455 Speaker 1: the Bible calls it the blessed hope. In Titus 2.13, 108 00:06:50,455 --> 00:06:55,435 Speaker 1: Paul writes, looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing 109 00:06:55,555 --> 00:06:58,735 Speaker 1: of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. And by 110 00:06:58,785 --> 00:07:02,635 Speaker 1: the way, that word blessed can be translated happy. So 111 00:07:02,675 --> 00:07:06,295 Speaker 1: we could say it's a happy hope. It's a happy 112 00:07:06,395 --> 00:07:10,365 Speaker 1: thing to realize that Jesus could come back at any moment. 113 00:07:10,875 --> 00:07:14,105 Speaker 1: Martin Luther said, and I quote, there are two days 114 00:07:14,185 --> 00:07:18,205 Speaker 1: on my calendar, this day and that day. In other words, 115 00:07:18,245 --> 00:07:20,965 Speaker 1: he's saying there's a damn living in right now, and 116 00:07:20,985 --> 00:07:25,345 Speaker 1: there's that day, the day of the Lord's return. Another 117 00:07:25,425 --> 00:07:28,765 Speaker 1: reason it's a good thing to study Bible prophecy is 118 00:07:28,845 --> 00:07:33,195 Speaker 1: it unravels the mystery of history. You know, we ask 119 00:07:33,235 --> 00:07:35,915 Speaker 1: the question, why is there so much evil in the world? 120 00:07:36,435 --> 00:07:40,805 Speaker 1: When will right prevail over wrong? When will Satan finally 121 00:07:40,865 --> 00:07:46,045 Speaker 1: be judged? Answer, when Christ comes back and establishes his kingdom. 122 00:07:46,525 --> 00:07:48,305 Speaker 1: Isn't that what he taught us to pray and what 123 00:07:48,345 --> 00:07:52,165 Speaker 1: we call the Lord's Prayer? He says, after this manna, 124 00:07:52,205 --> 00:07:54,955 Speaker 1: therefore you should pray, our Father who art in heaven, 125 00:07:54,975 --> 00:07:59,095 Speaker 1: hallowed be your name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be 126 00:07:59,155 --> 00:08:03,235 Speaker 1: done on earth as it is in heaven. Another reason 127 00:08:03,275 --> 00:08:07,345 Speaker 1: we should study Bible prophecy is it brings sense to 128 00:08:07,425 --> 00:08:10,925 Speaker 1: our suffering. Because we ask questions like, what do you 129 00:08:10,965 --> 00:08:13,915 Speaker 1: say to someone who has suffered a great tragedy? What 130 00:08:13,935 --> 00:08:16,315 Speaker 1: do you say to someone who has suffered been going 131 00:08:16,355 --> 00:08:19,535 Speaker 1: through life with a severe disability? What do you say 132 00:08:19,575 --> 00:08:22,275 Speaker 1: to someone who has lost a loved one? What do 133 00:08:22,295 --> 00:08:25,615 Speaker 1: you say to someone who is weeping with grief? You say, 134 00:08:25,675 --> 00:08:29,255 Speaker 1: this is not God's final plan. You say, there's coming 135 00:08:29,335 --> 00:08:33,295 Speaker 1: a day, according to Revelation 21, for when God will 136 00:08:33,415 --> 00:08:36,355 Speaker 1: wipe every tear from our eyes, and there'll be no 137 00:08:36,395 --> 00:08:40,475 Speaker 1: more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, for those things are 138 00:08:40,535 --> 00:08:43,555 Speaker 1: gone forever. What do you say to someone who has 139 00:08:43,615 --> 00:08:45,835 Speaker 1: lost a loved one? Well, if that loved one has 140 00:08:45,915 --> 00:08:48,314 Speaker 1: died in faith, you come back to the words of 141 00:08:48,355 --> 00:08:51,415 Speaker 1: the Apostle Paul when he was writing to the believers 142 00:08:51,715 --> 00:08:54,995 Speaker 1: in 1 Thessalonians 4, who had lost loved ones. And 143 00:08:55,015 --> 00:08:57,345 Speaker 1: he said, the Lord himself is going to descend from 144 00:08:57,395 --> 00:08:59,995 Speaker 1: heaven with a shout and with the voice of the 145 00:09:00,065 --> 00:09:02,805 Speaker 1: archangel and the trump of God, and the dead in 146 00:09:02,885 --> 00:09:05,725 Speaker 1: Christ shall rise first, and we which are alive and 147 00:09:05,765 --> 00:09:09,545 Speaker 1: remaining shall be caught up together with them in the clouds. 148 00:09:10,005 --> 00:09:13,065 Speaker 1: And so shall we ever be with the Lord. That's 149 00:09:13,085 --> 00:09:16,165 Speaker 1: what you say. You see, you tell them, if your 150 00:09:16,225 --> 00:09:19,405 Speaker 1: loved one died in faith, you're going to see them again. 151 00:09:19,925 --> 00:09:23,575 Speaker 1: You're going to be reunited with them again. They're not 152 00:09:23,635 --> 00:09:26,635 Speaker 1: just a part of your past. They're also a part 153 00:09:26,775 --> 00:09:29,355 Speaker 1: of your future. And that is why Paul adds this 154 00:09:29,395 --> 00:09:33,095 Speaker 1: statement after he talks about the Lord's return. And that 155 00:09:33,155 --> 00:09:38,915 Speaker 1: statement is, therefore, comfort one another with these words. Whenever 156 00:09:38,955 --> 00:09:41,335 Speaker 1: you see the word therefore in the Bible, find out 157 00:09:41,475 --> 00:09:44,595 Speaker 1: what it's there for. Paul's drawing upon what is said. 158 00:09:44,915 --> 00:09:48,915 Speaker 1: He's saying, in effect, Christ is coming. You'll be reunited 159 00:09:48,995 --> 00:09:53,735 Speaker 1: again with your loved ones. So comfort one another with 160 00:09:53,775 --> 00:09:57,435 Speaker 1: these words. Another reason we should study Bible prophecy is 161 00:09:57,515 --> 00:10:01,115 Speaker 1: it causes us to live a godly life. The more 162 00:10:01,175 --> 00:10:04,455 Speaker 1: we think about the future, the more we'll be motivated 163 00:10:04,535 --> 00:10:07,575 Speaker 1: to live right in the present. Whenever you read what 164 00:10:07,615 --> 00:10:10,415 Speaker 1: the Bible says about the future, there is usually an 165 00:10:10,655 --> 00:10:14,535 Speaker 1: exhortation to live a godly life attached to it. As 166 00:10:14,575 --> 00:10:18,635 Speaker 1: an example, 2 Peter 3.11 says, Since everything around us 167 00:10:18,755 --> 00:10:22,045 Speaker 1: is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and 168 00:10:22,145 --> 00:10:26,885 Speaker 1: godly lives you should live. And then in 1 John 169 00:10:26,945 --> 00:10:29,765 Speaker 1: it says, He that has this hope and is the 170 00:10:29,825 --> 00:10:34,695 Speaker 1: hope of the Lord's return purifies himself even as he 171 00:10:35,095 --> 00:10:39,865 Speaker 1: is pure. So coming back to Luke chapter 21, this 172 00:10:40,005 --> 00:10:44,505 Speaker 1: is really Luke's version of what we call the Olivet Discourse, 173 00:10:45,265 --> 00:10:49,715 Speaker 1: which is also found in Matthew 24. Again, the question 174 00:10:49,755 --> 00:10:53,595 Speaker 1: that the disciples of Jesus ask him on that day is, 175 00:10:54,215 --> 00:10:57,115 Speaker 1: what will be the sign of your coming? Here's what 176 00:10:57,195 --> 00:11:00,085 Speaker 1: Jesus said in a response to that. Luke 21, verse 177 00:11:00,085 --> 00:11:05,785 Speaker 1: 8 and 9. Watch out that you're not deceived, for 178 00:11:05,825 --> 00:11:08,575 Speaker 1: many will come in my name claiming, I am he, 179 00:11:08,595 --> 00:11:11,915 Speaker 1: and the time is near. Don't follow them. When you 180 00:11:11,955 --> 00:11:15,415 Speaker 1: hear of wars and rumors of wars, don't be frightened. 181 00:11:15,775 --> 00:11:18,815 Speaker 1: These things must happen first, but the end will not 182 00:11:18,955 --> 00:11:21,885 Speaker 1: come right away. So, Let's pull the camera back. Let 183 00:11:21,935 --> 00:11:26,055 Speaker 1: me give you the big picture of the end times events. Now, 184 00:11:26,095 --> 00:11:29,755 Speaker 1: I know there's differing opinions on the order of these events, 185 00:11:30,035 --> 00:11:32,095 Speaker 1: and I'm going to give you my perspective, which, by 186 00:11:32,135 --> 00:11:34,934 Speaker 1: the way, is the right one. Well, actually, I do 187 00:11:34,995 --> 00:11:37,194 Speaker 1: believe that, don't I? I mean, after all, if I 188 00:11:37,235 --> 00:11:39,255 Speaker 1: didn't believe that, why would I hold it? But I 189 00:11:39,315 --> 00:11:42,675 Speaker 1: believe this is the right perspective on the event. So 190 00:11:43,075 --> 00:11:46,395 Speaker 1: here's the timeline as I see it, according to Scripture. 191 00:11:47,775 --> 00:11:51,025 Speaker 1: I'm not an expert on Bible prophecy. I am a 192 00:11:51,085 --> 00:11:55,745 Speaker 1: student of Bible prophecy. I've been studying it for over 193 00:11:55,745 --> 00:11:59,605 Speaker 1: 50 years and teaching it for the same amount of time. 194 00:11:59,725 --> 00:12:03,565 Speaker 1: I have actually not changed my opinion on any of 195 00:12:03,625 --> 00:12:07,895 Speaker 1: these topics, though I have developed a deeper understanding of 196 00:12:07,995 --> 00:12:11,395 Speaker 1: them as a result of studying the Bible. So here's 197 00:12:11,435 --> 00:12:14,645 Speaker 1: how I see it. The next event on the prophetic 198 00:12:14,685 --> 00:12:18,085 Speaker 1: calendar is what we call the rapture of the church. 199 00:12:18,105 --> 00:12:22,444 Speaker 1: I already mentioned it earlier. They're in 1 Thessalonians 4. 200 00:12:22,445 --> 00:12:24,715 Speaker 1: The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with 201 00:12:24,735 --> 00:12:27,835 Speaker 1: the voice of the archangel. The dead in Christ shall 202 00:12:28,015 --> 00:12:31,375 Speaker 1: rise first. That means we're caught up to meet the Lord. 203 00:12:31,995 --> 00:12:34,615 Speaker 1: Commenting on it in the book of Corinthians, Paul says 204 00:12:34,735 --> 00:12:38,195 Speaker 1: it happens in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. 205 00:12:38,255 --> 00:12:41,495 Speaker 1: That can happen at any time on the heels of 206 00:12:41,555 --> 00:12:46,175 Speaker 1: the rapture. We have the emergence of a mysterious figure, 207 00:12:47,255 --> 00:12:51,085 Speaker 1: spoken of in the Bible, called the Beast and the Antichrist. 208 00:12:51,525 --> 00:12:57,064 Speaker 1: He inaugurates a seven-year tribulation period. Then we have the 209 00:12:57,125 --> 00:13:01,165 Speaker 1: culmination of the tribulation period with the Battle of Armageddon 210 00:13:01,245 --> 00:13:04,964 Speaker 1: fought in the Valley of Megiddo. So to summarize, it 211 00:13:05,045 --> 00:13:08,855 Speaker 1: starts with the emergence of Antichrist, and it ends with 212 00:13:08,895 --> 00:13:13,334 Speaker 1: the second coming of Jesus Christ. So in the rapture, 213 00:13:13,355 --> 00:13:15,455 Speaker 1: we're caught up to meet the Lord in the air. 214 00:13:15,535 --> 00:13:19,335 Speaker 1: In the second coming, we return with Christ to the earth. 215 00:13:19,705 --> 00:13:22,765 Speaker 1: In the rapture, he comes for his church. In the 216 00:13:22,825 --> 00:13:26,985 Speaker 1: second coming, he returns with his church. In the rapture, 217 00:13:27,265 --> 00:13:30,745 Speaker 1: he comes to catch up believers into heaven before the 218 00:13:30,815 --> 00:13:34,195 Speaker 1: time of judgment coming upon the world. And in the 219 00:13:34,235 --> 00:13:39,115 Speaker 1: second coming, he returns with judgment. So after the battle 220 00:13:39,135 --> 00:13:42,135 Speaker 1: of Armageddon, we have what is called the millennium, which 221 00:13:42,255 --> 00:13:45,605 Speaker 1: is a 1,000-year reign of Christ. And finally, we have 222 00:13:45,965 --> 00:13:48,944 Speaker 1: the new Jerusalem as a bride adorned for her husband 223 00:13:49,325 --> 00:13:53,165 Speaker 1: coming down to our planet. So heaven and earth effectively 224 00:13:53,225 --> 00:13:56,405 Speaker 1: become one. Again, coming back to that statement, of Christ 225 00:13:56,465 --> 00:14:00,265 Speaker 1: and the Lord's prayer, thy kingdom come, thy will be 226 00:14:00,305 --> 00:14:03,095 Speaker 1: done on earth as it is in heaven. So that's 227 00:14:03,145 --> 00:14:06,475 Speaker 1: a big picture. So Jesus begins his talk about end 228 00:14:06,495 --> 00:14:11,655 Speaker 1: times events by talking about the emergence of Antichrist. He says, 229 00:14:12,115 --> 00:14:15,415 Speaker 1: many will come in my name saying, I am Christ. 230 00:14:15,455 --> 00:14:19,855 Speaker 1: Now understand this, the prefix anti does not just mean against, 231 00:14:19,955 --> 00:14:23,175 Speaker 1: though it does mean that, it also means instead of. 232 00:14:23,905 --> 00:14:26,745 Speaker 1: So Jesus says, in the last days, you're going to 233 00:14:26,785 --> 00:14:29,535 Speaker 1: have a man who will emerge on the scene that 234 00:14:29,555 --> 00:14:33,695 Speaker 1: will present himself as the Messiah. And some people will 235 00:14:33,795 --> 00:14:38,215 Speaker 1: even believe he is the Messiah for this reason. The Antichrist, 236 00:14:38,335 --> 00:14:41,575 Speaker 1: the beast, this coming world figure, is going to be 237 00:14:41,615 --> 00:14:45,885 Speaker 1: a peacemaker. He's literally going to establish a peace treaty 238 00:14:46,305 --> 00:14:48,825 Speaker 1: that will get the other nations of the world to 239 00:14:49,025 --> 00:14:52,925 Speaker 1: cease from war. Now, imagine that in our world right now. 240 00:14:53,325 --> 00:14:56,975 Speaker 1: The war in Ukraine, the continuing conflict over in the 241 00:14:57,015 --> 00:15:00,415 Speaker 1: Middle East, specifically with with Iran, all of the tensions 242 00:15:00,675 --> 00:15:04,215 Speaker 1: the nations over there have with each other. Imagine a 243 00:15:04,335 --> 00:15:09,615 Speaker 1: global peace brought about by one man. Hey, this Antichrist 244 00:15:09,655 --> 00:15:15,495 Speaker 1: figure is going to be brilliant. He's going to be charismatic, magnetic, intelligent, 245 00:15:15,855 --> 00:15:18,565 Speaker 1: probably be a good-looking dude as well. He'll probably be 246 00:15:18,605 --> 00:15:22,725 Speaker 1: on the cover of GQ even. Think the devil wears Prada. 247 00:15:23,285 --> 00:15:26,905 Speaker 1: But as it turns out, the Antichrist is is going 248 00:15:26,925 --> 00:15:29,205 Speaker 1: to be revealed to be the most evil man who 249 00:15:29,245 --> 00:15:33,075 Speaker 1: has ever lived. And the Bible tells us Satan actually 250 00:15:33,595 --> 00:15:39,255 Speaker 1: gives him his power. He is literally energized by the devil. 251 00:15:39,775 --> 00:15:43,155 Speaker 1: So instead of being the greatest peacemaker that ever lived, 252 00:15:43,735 --> 00:15:46,575 Speaker 1: he's going to be the greatest troublemaker. In fact, the 253 00:15:46,595 --> 00:15:51,575 Speaker 1: Bible says, through peace, he will deceive many. Now, some 254 00:15:51,595 --> 00:15:54,795 Speaker 1: people ask the question, is Antichrist alive today? I don't 255 00:15:54,965 --> 00:15:58,455 Speaker 1: know the answer to that. He could be. Clearly, things 256 00:15:58,515 --> 00:16:01,625 Speaker 1: are ripe for this dark night to rise to power, 257 00:16:01,705 --> 00:16:06,735 Speaker 1: but the Antichrist cannot be revealed until the church is raptured. 258 00:16:06,735 --> 00:16:10,775 Speaker 1: 2 Thessalonians 2, 7 and 8 says, For the mystery 259 00:16:10,815 --> 00:16:13,935 Speaker 1: of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now 260 00:16:13,975 --> 00:16:16,854 Speaker 1: restrains will do so until he is taken out of 261 00:16:16,895 --> 00:16:20,405 Speaker 1: the way. And then that lawless one will be revealed, 262 00:16:20,705 --> 00:16:24,945 Speaker 1: whom the Lord will consume with the brightness of his coming. 263 00:16:25,545 --> 00:16:29,495 Speaker 1: So right now, the restraining force in the world today 264 00:16:30,015 --> 00:16:33,795 Speaker 1: is the Holy Spirit working through the church. That's you. 265 00:16:33,915 --> 00:16:38,655 Speaker 1: That's me. That's us. as believers, speaking up for our faith, 266 00:16:39,125 --> 00:16:43,505 Speaker 1: speaking out against what is evil, restraining the bad things, 267 00:16:43,965 --> 00:16:48,545 Speaker 1: promoting the good things. But once we're removed, literally, all 268 00:16:48,585 --> 00:16:51,595 Speaker 1: hell is going to break loose. Once the church has 269 00:16:51,635 --> 00:16:53,575 Speaker 1: caught up to meet the Lord in the air, you 270 00:16:53,615 --> 00:16:57,675 Speaker 1: can see how this charismatic world leader could emerge on 271 00:16:57,735 --> 00:17:02,055 Speaker 1: the scene and deceive so many people. Now let me 272 00:17:02,095 --> 00:17:05,074 Speaker 1: talk about this time the Bible refers to as the 273 00:17:05,115 --> 00:17:10,774 Speaker 1: great tribulation period that lasts for seven years. Some would 274 00:17:10,814 --> 00:17:14,234 Speaker 1: suggest that as Christians we're going to go through it. Well, 275 00:17:14,274 --> 00:17:17,805 Speaker 1: let me address that. It is true that Jesus said 276 00:17:17,824 --> 00:17:22,385 Speaker 1: we will have personal tribulation, but there's a big difference 277 00:17:22,484 --> 00:17:28,725 Speaker 1: between personal tribulation, trial or hardship, and the great tribulation. 278 00:17:29,465 --> 00:17:33,365 Speaker 1: Jesus said In this world you will have tribulation, but 279 00:17:33,375 --> 00:17:35,955 Speaker 1: be of good cheer, I've overcome the world. So we 280 00:17:36,024 --> 00:17:39,065 Speaker 1: all go through trials and hardships, but the difference between 281 00:17:39,205 --> 00:17:43,805 Speaker 1: personal trial or tribulation and the great tribulation is that 282 00:17:43,905 --> 00:17:48,225 Speaker 1: latter event happens for a seven-year period of time, and 283 00:17:48,244 --> 00:17:52,225 Speaker 1: the last half of it is God's judgment coming upon 284 00:17:52,244 --> 00:17:56,094 Speaker 1: the earth. In fact, speaking to the Church of Philadelphia, 285 00:17:56,445 --> 00:18:01,034 Speaker 1: mentioned in the book of Revelation, Jesus says in Revelation 3.10, 286 00:18:01,034 --> 00:18:05,294 Speaker 1: because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will 287 00:18:05,415 --> 00:18:09,315 Speaker 1: protect you from that great time of testing that will 288 00:18:09,375 --> 00:18:13,455 Speaker 1: come upon the whole world to test those who belong 289 00:18:13,794 --> 00:18:17,375 Speaker 1: to this world. The Bible says, God has not appointed 290 00:18:17,574 --> 00:18:21,335 Speaker 1: us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through through our 291 00:18:21,365 --> 00:18:25,994 Speaker 1: Lord Jesus Christ. Whenever you see God's judgment coming upon 292 00:18:26,094 --> 00:18:30,954 Speaker 1: people in the Bible, God always removed his people first. 293 00:18:30,994 --> 00:18:33,795 Speaker 1: When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, what happened? He got 294 00:18:33,854 --> 00:18:38,334 Speaker 1: Lot and his family out safely first. Before God judged 295 00:18:38,395 --> 00:18:40,374 Speaker 1: the world in the time of the flood mentioned in 296 00:18:40,395 --> 00:18:43,764 Speaker 1: the book of Genesis, he got Noah and his family 297 00:18:44,185 --> 00:18:47,385 Speaker 1: safely in the ark. We will not go through the 298 00:18:47,425 --> 00:18:52,165 Speaker 1: great tribulation period. Now let's talk about a controversial subject. 299 00:18:52,764 --> 00:18:57,304 Speaker 1: Let's talk about Israel and the Jewish people. So there's 300 00:18:57,344 --> 00:19:01,244 Speaker 1: no question about it. Israel, the Jewish people, and the 301 00:19:01,304 --> 00:19:05,384 Speaker 1: Middle East all play a key role in end times events. 302 00:19:05,665 --> 00:19:08,354 Speaker 1: And that's why all Bible students are watching with rapt 303 00:19:08,395 --> 00:19:11,575 Speaker 1: attention what is going on over there right now with 304 00:19:11,615 --> 00:19:15,314 Speaker 1: this ongoing conflict between and war with Iran, with the 305 00:19:15,405 --> 00:19:20,415 Speaker 1: tension between Iran and Israel, with the alliance of Russia 306 00:19:20,534 --> 00:19:23,915 Speaker 1: and Iran. We're watching a lot of important things happen 307 00:19:24,274 --> 00:19:28,164 Speaker 1: right before our eyes. Going back to Luke chapter 21, 308 00:19:28,165 --> 00:19:32,104 Speaker 1: Jesus says, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you 309 00:19:32,145 --> 00:19:35,284 Speaker 1: know that the time of its destruction has arrived, and 310 00:19:35,304 --> 00:19:38,204 Speaker 1: then those in Judea must flee to the hills, and 311 00:19:38,244 --> 00:19:40,814 Speaker 1: those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in 312 00:19:40,854 --> 00:19:44,494 Speaker 1: the country should not return to the city. Now, what 313 00:19:44,574 --> 00:19:49,254 Speaker 1: Jesus is describing is not happening yet. This is all 314 00:19:49,274 --> 00:19:53,395 Speaker 1: going to happen in the great tribulation period. But here's 315 00:19:53,415 --> 00:19:56,994 Speaker 1: what we're seeing. We're seeing forced shocks of what is 316 00:19:57,034 --> 00:20:00,365 Speaker 1: going to happen, or we're seeing labor pains. In fact, 317 00:20:00,415 --> 00:20:03,524 Speaker 1: Jesus said when a woman is pregnant and she's getting 318 00:20:03,584 --> 00:20:06,545 Speaker 1: ready to give birth, her labor pains get closer together. 319 00:20:07,504 --> 00:20:10,004 Speaker 1: So in the same way, as we get closer to 320 00:20:10,024 --> 00:20:13,584 Speaker 1: the return of Christ, we're going to see these labor pains, 321 00:20:13,665 --> 00:20:18,905 Speaker 1: these four shocks, of bigger things to come. So Jerusalem 322 00:20:19,264 --> 00:20:23,105 Speaker 1: is the most important city in all of the world. Ironically, 323 00:20:23,185 --> 00:20:27,305 Speaker 1: the name Jerusalem means city of peace. Yet more wars 324 00:20:27,344 --> 00:20:30,645 Speaker 1: have been fought at her doorstep than any other city 325 00:20:30,685 --> 00:20:33,665 Speaker 1: on the planet. And you think of Jerusalem, it's more 326 00:20:33,725 --> 00:20:38,795 Speaker 1: significant in end times events in Washington, D.C., or Moscow, 327 00:20:39,715 --> 00:20:43,254 Speaker 1: or Paris, or Berlin, or you can name any city. 328 00:20:43,514 --> 00:20:48,384 Speaker 1: It's Jerusalem. the city of the past, the present, and 329 00:20:48,405 --> 00:20:52,324 Speaker 1: the future. Jerusalem is a city of the past because, well, 330 00:20:52,685 --> 00:20:56,945 Speaker 1: after so many important biblical events took place, David, of course, 331 00:20:57,084 --> 00:21:02,294 Speaker 1: ruled from Jerusalem as the king. Jesus himself went to Jerusalem. 332 00:21:02,574 --> 00:21:06,415 Speaker 1: He preached there. He was crucified outside of the walls 333 00:21:06,494 --> 00:21:10,994 Speaker 1: of this great city. So much important biblical history happened 334 00:21:11,175 --> 00:21:14,715 Speaker 1: in Jerusalem, the city of the past. but it's also 335 00:21:14,734 --> 00:21:20,054 Speaker 1: the city of the present. We gather together a modern-day miracle, 336 00:21:20,494 --> 00:21:26,585 Speaker 1: becoming a nation against all odds on May 14, 1948. Yes, 337 00:21:26,865 --> 00:21:29,784 Speaker 1: they're the city of the present, but they're also the 338 00:21:29,844 --> 00:21:33,644 Speaker 1: city of the future. God has a plan for the 339 00:21:33,725 --> 00:21:38,185 Speaker 1: future of Jerusalem. In fact, when Christ returns to the earth, 340 00:21:38,425 --> 00:21:41,475 Speaker 1: he will set foot on the Mount of Olives right 341 00:21:41,534 --> 00:21:45,005 Speaker 1: outside of the city of of Jerusalem. Let me go 342 00:21:45,044 --> 00:21:48,925 Speaker 1: back to Israel becoming a nation again, because some would 343 00:21:49,294 --> 00:21:52,874 Speaker 1: say that's not a fulfillment of Bible prophecy, but I 344 00:21:52,935 --> 00:21:56,254 Speaker 1: believe it is. When the Jewish people returned to their 345 00:21:56,294 --> 00:21:59,774 Speaker 1: homeland on May 14, 1948, I believe it was a 346 00:21:59,875 --> 00:22:05,135 Speaker 1: modern-day miracle and it set the prophetic clock ticking. Consider this. 347 00:22:05,665 --> 00:22:08,564 Speaker 1: Never has a nation been able to maintain its national 348 00:22:08,665 --> 00:22:12,604 Speaker 1: identity even three to five hundred years after being removed 349 00:22:12,645 --> 00:22:16,425 Speaker 1: from its homeland until Israel. They came back to their 350 00:22:16,445 --> 00:22:19,824 Speaker 1: land again, the land that was given to them. And 351 00:22:19,865 --> 00:22:24,264 Speaker 1: understand this, the key to understanding Bible prophecy is understanding 352 00:22:24,445 --> 00:22:28,465 Speaker 1: Israel and specifically the Jewish people. God made a promise 353 00:22:28,504 --> 00:22:32,294 Speaker 1: to them. In Genesis 12, God said to Abraham and 354 00:22:32,334 --> 00:22:36,094 Speaker 1: his descendants, I'll make you a great nation. I'll bless 355 00:22:36,155 --> 00:22:39,355 Speaker 1: those that bless you and I'll curse those that curse you. 356 00:22:39,834 --> 00:22:43,844 Speaker 1: God loves the Jewish people. And he has a plan 357 00:22:43,885 --> 00:22:47,084 Speaker 1: for them. He has not cast them away. Some would say, 358 00:22:47,205 --> 00:22:50,265 Speaker 1: oh no, God's done with the Jews. And now all 359 00:22:50,304 --> 00:22:54,465 Speaker 1: the promises given originally to Israel applied to Christians. They 360 00:22:54,524 --> 00:22:57,705 Speaker 1: applied to the church. This is sometimes referred to as 361 00:22:58,044 --> 00:23:03,774 Speaker 1: replacement theology, which I totally disagree with. Here's what Romans 362 00:23:03,774 --> 00:23:08,395 Speaker 1: 11.1 says. I ask then, has God rejected and deserted 363 00:23:08,475 --> 00:23:13,254 Speaker 1: his people, the Jews? Oh no, not at all. Some 364 00:23:13,274 --> 00:23:16,074 Speaker 1: would say of Israel today, well, these people that have 365 00:23:16,115 --> 00:23:21,284 Speaker 1: returned to Israel, they're colonizers. No, they're not colonizers. They 366 00:23:21,365 --> 00:23:24,984 Speaker 1: are the indigenous people of the land. They are the 367 00:23:25,084 --> 00:23:29,764 Speaker 1: original inhabitants of the land that God gave to them. 368 00:23:30,504 --> 00:23:33,864 Speaker 1: I've been to Israel many times. I've led many tours there. 369 00:23:34,865 --> 00:23:36,814 Speaker 1: And I have to tell you, these people just want 370 00:23:36,834 --> 00:23:39,415 Speaker 1: to live in peace. They want to raise their families. 371 00:23:40,435 --> 00:23:43,234 Speaker 1: They don't want to be at war with anybody. but 372 00:23:43,254 --> 00:23:47,544 Speaker 1: they're constantly attacked, and they have to defend themselves. Now, 373 00:23:47,705 --> 00:23:52,084 Speaker 1: when we look back on October 7th, when over 1,200 374 00:23:52,084 --> 00:23:58,604 Speaker 1: Jewish people were slaughtered— men, women, children, babies, and many others 375 00:23:58,685 --> 00:24:03,504 Speaker 1: were taken as hostages— and it was so barbaric what took 376 00:24:03,584 --> 00:24:07,205 Speaker 1: place there. And then Israel responds. People say, well, that's 377 00:24:07,385 --> 00:24:13,394 Speaker 1: a genocide. A genocide is a systematic elimination of a people. 378 00:24:13,655 --> 00:24:16,674 Speaker 1: What Adolf Hitler was doing in World War II is 379 00:24:16,715 --> 00:24:21,494 Speaker 1: he was attempting to do a complete genocide of the Jews. Now, 380 00:24:21,734 --> 00:24:25,475 Speaker 1: Israel is responding to the attacks that have come to her. 381 00:24:25,794 --> 00:24:28,784 Speaker 1: If they wanted to commit a genocide against the people 382 00:24:29,104 --> 00:24:31,524 Speaker 1: living in Gaza, they could do that in short order. 383 00:24:31,885 --> 00:24:35,425 Speaker 1: But the fact is, they will often drop leaflets, flyers 384 00:24:35,584 --> 00:24:38,204 Speaker 1: on areas that they're going to strike where there are 385 00:24:38,264 --> 00:24:42,425 Speaker 1: Hamas terrorists based, etc. So that's a last thing that 386 00:24:42,484 --> 00:24:47,994 Speaker 1: these people would survive a genocide against them. They would 387 00:24:48,034 --> 00:24:52,095 Speaker 1: never want to bring a genocide on someone else. So 388 00:24:52,135 --> 00:24:54,254 Speaker 1: we need to keep praying for the tension in the 389 00:24:54,294 --> 00:24:58,405 Speaker 1: Middle East and praying for our Jewish friends. And remember 390 00:24:58,445 --> 00:25:02,524 Speaker 1: that the Bible says, pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 391 00:25:03,094 --> 00:25:06,215 Speaker 1: But here's the thing. The primary events of the last 392 00:25:06,234 --> 00:25:09,814 Speaker 1: days have not yet begun. But once that first event 393 00:25:09,854 --> 00:25:12,374 Speaker 1: takes place, the rapture of the church, all of the 394 00:25:12,455 --> 00:25:15,514 Speaker 1: others will follow in short order. You could compare it 395 00:25:15,574 --> 00:25:19,034 Speaker 1: to a bunch of dominoes closely stacked together. You've seen 396 00:25:19,094 --> 00:25:22,214 Speaker 1: it before, the First domino falls, and then all the 397 00:25:22,354 --> 00:25:25,814 Speaker 1: others fall right after that. And this is how the 398 00:25:25,935 --> 00:25:29,514 Speaker 1: end times events are. So the first domino, again, to 399 00:25:29,574 --> 00:25:33,554 Speaker 1: fall is the rapture. That hasn't happened yet. Once that falls, 400 00:25:33,955 --> 00:25:39,144 Speaker 1: the others will follow in rapid succession. So let me 401 00:25:39,185 --> 00:25:41,584 Speaker 1: loop back to something I said earlier, that statement of 402 00:25:41,665 --> 00:25:44,804 Speaker 1: Christ in Luke 21, 28. When you see these things 403 00:25:44,865 --> 00:25:48,764 Speaker 1: beginning to happen, look up because your redemption is drawing near. 404 00:25:49,264 --> 00:25:54,695 Speaker 1: Know this. governments change, wars erupt, threats increase, people panic. 405 00:25:55,314 --> 00:25:59,975 Speaker 1: But again, Jesus says, look up, not freak out. I 406 00:26:00,014 --> 00:26:02,195 Speaker 1: know it can be scary at times, but why should 407 00:26:02,264 --> 00:26:05,685 Speaker 1: I not freak out? Why should I not panic? Simple answer. 408 00:26:06,294 --> 00:26:10,734 Speaker 1: God is sovereign, and God is in control. Listen, nothing 409 00:26:10,955 --> 00:26:14,385 Speaker 1: is catching God by surprise right now. History is not 410 00:26:14,484 --> 00:26:18,484 Speaker 1: spinning out of control. History is moving exactly as God 411 00:26:18,604 --> 00:26:23,655 Speaker 1: said it would, because history is His story. The great 412 00:26:23,715 --> 00:26:26,644 Speaker 1: preacher C.H. Spurgeon put it this way, and I quote, 413 00:26:27,064 --> 00:26:30,225 Speaker 1: The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which a 414 00:26:30,314 --> 00:26:34,715 Speaker 1: child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace. 415 00:26:34,955 --> 00:26:37,725 Speaker 1: End quote. I love that statement. So you might be 416 00:26:37,804 --> 00:26:40,184 Speaker 1: facing something right now that makes no sense to you 417 00:26:40,225 --> 00:26:43,825 Speaker 1: at all. And you're asking the question, why is this happening? 418 00:26:43,945 --> 00:26:46,205 Speaker 1: Of course, I can't give you the answer to that. 419 00:26:46,244 --> 00:26:49,195 Speaker 1: But I can tell you this. God is sovereign. God 420 00:26:49,254 --> 00:26:53,075 Speaker 1: is in control. Now, look, sovereign means he knows what's coming. 421 00:26:53,135 --> 00:26:57,835 Speaker 1: He's ultimately in control of all circumstances that surround your life. 422 00:26:57,875 --> 00:27:00,975 Speaker 1: But add this other layer to that. God loves you. 423 00:27:01,395 --> 00:27:03,655 Speaker 1: I mean, we can say God's in control, but God's 424 00:27:03,784 --> 00:27:07,004 Speaker 1: angry in me. No, no, no. God loves you. Jeremiah 29, 11, 425 00:27:06,984 --> 00:27:08,364 Speaker 1: the Lord says, So he's in control, but he loves 426 00:27:08,385 --> 00:27:10,764 Speaker 1: you and has a good plan for your life. Check 427 00:27:10,824 --> 00:27:13,825 Speaker 1: this out. God's plan for you is better than your 428 00:27:13,844 --> 00:27:28,774 Speaker 1: plan for yourself. So listen. You can lay your head 429 00:27:28,834 --> 00:27:31,764 Speaker 1: on the pillow at night knowing that the Lord has 430 00:27:31,965 --> 00:27:34,864 Speaker 1: all things in control. I remember a while ago, I 431 00:27:34,885 --> 00:27:37,504 Speaker 1: was watching a Super Bowl, and it was getting toward 432 00:27:37,544 --> 00:27:39,124 Speaker 1: the end, and I had to put it on pause 433 00:27:39,165 --> 00:27:42,024 Speaker 1: for a moment. I got into a conversation with someone, 434 00:27:42,044 --> 00:27:45,465 Speaker 1: and then I just checked my phone really quickly on 435 00:27:45,725 --> 00:27:49,484 Speaker 1: X and realized who won the game. So when I 436 00:27:49,625 --> 00:27:52,274 Speaker 1: took it off pause, I knew who was going to 437 00:27:52,354 --> 00:27:55,135 Speaker 1: win the game. I watch it differently, but I have 438 00:27:55,155 --> 00:27:58,154 Speaker 1: to say it wasn't as exciting because I knew what 439 00:27:58,215 --> 00:28:00,655 Speaker 1: was going to take place. This is how God looks 440 00:28:00,715 --> 00:28:03,784 Speaker 1: at things. He knows what's going to happen. He's called 441 00:28:03,824 --> 00:28:07,504 Speaker 1: it out for us. on many occasions, in great detail, 442 00:28:07,604 --> 00:28:10,764 Speaker 1: telling us what will unfold in the end time. So, 443 00:28:10,804 --> 00:28:13,575 Speaker 1: this is how we should look at the world. Know 444 00:28:13,615 --> 00:28:17,934 Speaker 1: that our God, who loves us, is sovereign, He's in control, 445 00:28:18,254 --> 00:28:22,614 Speaker 1: and everything is going according to His plan. In the end, 446 00:28:22,655 --> 00:28:25,065 Speaker 1: like the guy said, who loved to study the book 447 00:28:25,104 --> 00:28:28,925 Speaker 1: of Revelation, we win. That's true. We win in the end. So, 448 00:28:29,955 --> 00:28:33,854 Speaker 1: In closing, why should we study Bible prophecy? Well, Bible 449 00:28:33,895 --> 00:28:38,455 Speaker 1: prophecy is not given to scare us, but to prepare us. 450 00:28:38,825 --> 00:28:42,505 Speaker 1: It's not given to make us argumentative. It's given to 451 00:28:42,545 --> 00:28:46,505 Speaker 1: make us evangelistic. We should not be focused on who 452 00:28:46,525 --> 00:28:50,905 Speaker 1: the Antichrist is. We should be focusing on who Jesus 453 00:28:50,965 --> 00:28:53,505 Speaker 1: Christ is. The Bible does not tell us to look 454 00:28:53,545 --> 00:28:57,795 Speaker 1: for Antichrist. It tells us to be looking for Jesus Christ. 455 00:28:58,575 --> 00:29:00,874 Speaker 1: Let's think for a few moments about what the Bible 456 00:29:00,935 --> 00:29:05,134 Speaker 1: says specifically about how we are to be living as 457 00:29:05,255 --> 00:29:10,915 Speaker 1: Christians in the end times. So coming back to Luke 21, 458 00:29:10,915 --> 00:29:14,745 Speaker 1: which is his Olivet Discourse, his talk about what's happening 459 00:29:14,785 --> 00:29:17,645 Speaker 1: in the last days, now he effectively says, okay, so 460 00:29:17,745 --> 00:29:20,124 Speaker 1: this is what you ought to be doing in light 461 00:29:20,425 --> 00:29:25,134 Speaker 1: of these events— Luke 21, 34, he says, watch out. 462 00:29:25,745 --> 00:29:29,025 Speaker 1: Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness 463 00:29:29,405 --> 00:29:31,845 Speaker 1: and the worries of this life. Don't let that day 464 00:29:31,885 --> 00:29:35,205 Speaker 1: get you unaware like a trap, for that day will 465 00:29:35,245 --> 00:29:39,575 Speaker 1: come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at 466 00:29:39,615 --> 00:29:42,474 Speaker 1: all times, Jesus says, and pray that you might be 467 00:29:42,555 --> 00:29:46,485 Speaker 1: strong enough to escape these coming horrors immediately. stand before 468 00:29:46,545 --> 00:29:50,145 Speaker 1: the Son of Man. So Jesus is saying, hey, be careful. 469 00:29:50,505 --> 00:29:55,795 Speaker 1: Here's the danger of spiritually dull hearts. Christ identifies three 470 00:29:55,895 --> 00:29:59,655 Speaker 1: things that can dull our hearts and our spiritual alertness. 471 00:30:00,094 --> 00:30:04,864 Speaker 1: One of them is carousing. Another is drunkenness And the 472 00:30:04,905 --> 00:30:07,865 Speaker 1: third one would be worry. Two of them are about 473 00:30:08,065 --> 00:30:12,325 Speaker 1: numbing out, and one is about worrying too much. Notice 474 00:30:12,365 --> 00:30:16,605 Speaker 1: that Jesus puts partying and panic in the same sentence. 475 00:30:16,905 --> 00:30:20,285 Speaker 1: I know they sound like opposites, but actually they're very similar. 476 00:30:20,604 --> 00:30:24,075 Speaker 1: In fact, they both distract us. So what does the 477 00:30:24,104 --> 00:30:27,674 Speaker 1: word carousing mean? It's a word that can be translated 478 00:30:27,875 --> 00:30:34,464 Speaker 1: excessive partying, indulgence, and pleasure-seeking. It's the idea of eating 479 00:30:34,525 --> 00:30:38,805 Speaker 1: and feasting and drinking and then having the hangover that follows. 480 00:30:39,425 --> 00:30:41,565 Speaker 1: I remember that feeling well when I used to go 481 00:30:41,584 --> 00:30:44,385 Speaker 1: out and party as a young man and I'd get 482 00:30:44,465 --> 00:30:47,085 Speaker 1: drunk and I'd wake up the next morning with that 483 00:30:47,645 --> 00:30:51,334 Speaker 1: numbing hangover feeling. So glad that's not a part of 484 00:30:51,395 --> 00:30:54,435 Speaker 1: my life anymore. I don't get hangovers anymore because I 485 00:30:54,475 --> 00:30:57,854 Speaker 1: don't drink anymore. The only thing similar to that feeling 486 00:30:57,935 --> 00:31:00,805 Speaker 1: is drinking. When you eat bad food, I went to 487 00:31:00,844 --> 00:31:03,765 Speaker 1: the Orange County Fair not too long ago. And as 488 00:31:03,805 --> 00:31:06,845 Speaker 1: you know, everything at the fair is gigantic. You don't 489 00:31:06,885 --> 00:31:11,305 Speaker 1: just get a chicken drumstick. You get a turkey drumstick. 490 00:31:11,365 --> 00:31:16,205 Speaker 1: It's a massive thing. Or you get all these deep-fried things. 491 00:31:16,245 --> 00:31:20,485 Speaker 1: They deep-fry everything at the fair. They deep-fry Twinkies. They 492 00:31:20,505 --> 00:31:26,445 Speaker 1: deep-fry Snickers. They deep-fry Ozempic. Everything is deep-fried. You find it, 493 00:31:26,525 --> 00:31:29,125 Speaker 1: they'll deep-fry it. And so I went out and got 494 00:31:29,465 --> 00:31:33,545 Speaker 1: a cinnamon pretzel, which was gigantic. And I thought, what 495 00:31:33,604 --> 00:31:36,795 Speaker 1: better way to top this off than with a corndog? Now, 496 00:31:36,834 --> 00:31:39,735 Speaker 1: I was doing a personal experiment because I happen to 497 00:31:39,775 --> 00:31:42,775 Speaker 1: like the corndogs at Disneyland. And I wondered, is this 498 00:31:42,895 --> 00:31:47,765 Speaker 1: as good as the Disneyland corndog? Answer, no. Disneyland corndog 499 00:31:47,925 --> 00:31:51,665 Speaker 1: rules in this case. But so I eat this cinnamon pretzel, 500 00:31:51,975 --> 00:31:54,815 Speaker 1: then I eat this corn dog, and afterwards I have 501 00:31:54,854 --> 00:31:59,455 Speaker 1: that dull, awful feeling from too much sugar and too 502 00:31:59,495 --> 00:32:02,095 Speaker 1: much grease and other things. But we can have that 503 00:32:02,155 --> 00:32:07,094 Speaker 1: happen to us spiritually, and we become dull to spiritual things, 504 00:32:07,834 --> 00:32:11,875 Speaker 1: dull to the Word of God, dull to the leading 505 00:32:12,115 --> 00:32:16,175 Speaker 1: of the Holy Spirit. Then there's worry. Oh, man, we 506 00:32:16,215 --> 00:32:18,915 Speaker 1: worry about so many things. I heard about a guy— 507 00:32:19,525 --> 00:32:22,745 Speaker 1: That was a real worry wart. And he was always 508 00:32:23,405 --> 00:32:26,185 Speaker 1: worried about something. And one day he just stopped worrying. 509 00:32:26,705 --> 00:32:28,395 Speaker 1: And a friend came up to him and said, hey, man, 510 00:32:28,435 --> 00:32:31,875 Speaker 1: you seem really like really at peace right now. You're 511 00:32:31,975 --> 00:32:34,174 Speaker 1: chill all the time. What happened? He says, I don't 512 00:32:34,195 --> 00:32:37,005 Speaker 1: worry anymore. His friend said, wow. How did you pull 513 00:32:37,045 --> 00:32:40,285 Speaker 1: that off? He said, I hired someone to worry for me. Really? 514 00:32:40,705 --> 00:32:42,664 Speaker 1: How did you do that? I took an ad out 515 00:32:42,685 --> 00:32:44,605 Speaker 1: and just said, I want someone to worry for me, 516 00:32:44,885 --> 00:32:48,495 Speaker 1: and I'll pay you $ 50, 000 a month. The guy said, 517 00:32:48,535 --> 00:32:50,235 Speaker 1: you don't make that kind of money. How are you 518 00:32:50,255 --> 00:32:52,915 Speaker 1: going to pay that guy? He responded by saying, that's 519 00:32:52,955 --> 00:32:56,415 Speaker 1: for him to worry about. So apart from hiring someone 520 00:32:56,455 --> 00:32:58,815 Speaker 1: to worry for you, maybe we can try to get 521 00:32:58,875 --> 00:33:03,755 Speaker 1: a biblical perspective. The Bible says, don't worry about anything personal. 522 00:33:04,245 --> 00:33:07,445 Speaker 1: Pray about everything and the peace of God that passes 523 00:33:07,565 --> 00:33:12,265 Speaker 1: all human understanding or guard your heart and mind in 524 00:33:12,385 --> 00:33:15,255 Speaker 1: Christ Jesus. So we don't want to be panicking. We 525 00:33:15,295 --> 00:33:18,115 Speaker 1: don't want to be partying. So what should we do 526 00:33:18,495 --> 00:33:23,235 Speaker 1: as we await the Lord's return? Jesus says, watch and pray. 527 00:33:23,255 --> 00:33:26,615 Speaker 1: I love that. Watch and pray. You know, a lot 528 00:33:26,655 --> 00:33:30,555 Speaker 1: of people spend a fortune on prepping for a physical apocalypse. 529 00:33:30,895 --> 00:33:34,915 Speaker 1: They have bunkers and generators and freeze-dried food, but Jesus 530 00:33:34,955 --> 00:33:38,384 Speaker 1: did not say, hunker down. He said, watch and pray. 531 00:33:39,205 --> 00:33:44,185 Speaker 1: It's not a survivalist mentality. It's an evangelistic mentality. Like, 532 00:33:44,665 --> 00:33:47,644 Speaker 1: how can I reach more people with the gospel as 533 00:33:47,725 --> 00:33:50,614 Speaker 1: I wait for the Lord to come back again? But 534 00:33:50,655 --> 00:33:53,355 Speaker 1: you could be watching without praying, and then it's just 535 00:33:53,375 --> 00:33:55,855 Speaker 1: going to turn into anxiety. Oh man, look at what's 536 00:33:55,875 --> 00:33:57,995 Speaker 1: going on in the world. What am I going to do? 537 00:33:58,415 --> 00:34:02,375 Speaker 1: Watch and pray. But you could be praying but not 538 00:34:02,515 --> 00:34:07,565 Speaker 1: doing anything about it. Jesus links the two together. Watch 539 00:34:07,965 --> 00:34:11,475 Speaker 1: and pray. Don't let that day catch you by surprise. 540 00:34:11,755 --> 00:34:16,695 Speaker 1: That means live in a state of constant expectancy. In 541 00:34:16,755 --> 00:34:22,425 Speaker 1: Revelation 22, 20, Jesus says, Surely I come quickly. And 542 00:34:22,465 --> 00:34:26,205 Speaker 1: the Apostle John, overwhelmed with this, says in response, Amen. 543 00:34:26,725 --> 00:34:32,185 Speaker 1: Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen. So we say, Amen, Lord, come. 544 00:34:32,625 --> 00:34:35,505 Speaker 1: So be it or let it be. As the Apostle 545 00:34:35,565 --> 00:34:39,715 Speaker 1: Paul says, let it be. That's Paul McCartney, not the 546 00:34:39,775 --> 00:34:42,995 Speaker 1: Apostle Paul, actually. But hey, you've got to be alert, too. 547 00:34:43,115 --> 00:34:45,435 Speaker 1: You've got to be aware. Sort of like when I 548 00:34:45,495 --> 00:34:49,295 Speaker 1: ride my motorcycle, you've got to be switched on. You know, 549 00:34:49,315 --> 00:34:52,154 Speaker 1: when you're cruising down the road in your motorcycle, you 550 00:34:52,175 --> 00:34:56,844 Speaker 1: have to anticipate every crazy thing potentially happening. The guy 551 00:34:56,865 --> 00:34:59,404 Speaker 1: in front of you may throw his brakes on. That 552 00:34:59,465 --> 00:35:01,825 Speaker 1: person may pull into your lane because they don't know 553 00:35:01,865 --> 00:35:04,815 Speaker 1: you're there because they're looking at their cell phone. Something 554 00:35:04,875 --> 00:35:09,154 Speaker 1: else might happen. So you're in a constant state of readiness. 555 00:35:09,995 --> 00:35:12,695 Speaker 1: In contrast, when I drive my car, it's almost the 556 00:35:12,735 --> 00:35:16,985 Speaker 1: very opposite. I'm listening to a podcast or I'm listening 557 00:35:17,025 --> 00:35:19,825 Speaker 1: to some music or doing something else. I'm looking around. 558 00:35:20,165 --> 00:35:22,565 Speaker 1: So we need to be switched on like when we 559 00:35:22,645 --> 00:35:26,645 Speaker 1: ride a motorcycle. We need to be ready because Jesus 560 00:35:26,805 --> 00:35:30,915 Speaker 1: is coming. He said, watch and pray. So we need 561 00:35:30,935 --> 00:35:33,935 Speaker 1: to watch and pray, but pray about what? What should 562 00:35:33,995 --> 00:35:38,035 Speaker 1: I specifically be praying for as I await the return 563 00:35:38,075 --> 00:35:41,615 Speaker 1: of Jesus Christ? Here's one thing you can pray. Lord, 564 00:35:42,365 --> 00:35:47,265 Speaker 1: Keep me spiritually alert and awake. Romans 13 says, knowing 565 00:35:47,325 --> 00:35:50,605 Speaker 1: the critical strategic period of time, it's time for you 566 00:35:50,625 --> 00:35:53,565 Speaker 1: to wake up out of your sleep and cast off 567 00:35:53,645 --> 00:35:57,415 Speaker 1: the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 568 00:35:58,075 --> 00:36:00,895 Speaker 1: In other words, Paul is saying, wake up, be alert. 569 00:36:01,475 --> 00:36:04,015 Speaker 1: Another thing you could pray is, Lord, help me to 570 00:36:04,075 --> 00:36:07,255 Speaker 1: live a godly life. Again, coming back to something I 571 00:36:07,315 --> 00:36:10,855 Speaker 1: said earlier, that's how Bible prophecy should affect us. It 572 00:36:10,875 --> 00:36:15,575 Speaker 1: should motivate us toward godliness. As John says, he that 573 00:36:15,635 --> 00:36:20,875 Speaker 1: has his hope purifies himself. So if I understand these 574 00:36:20,975 --> 00:36:23,715 Speaker 1: truths of the imminent return of Christ as I should, 575 00:36:24,295 --> 00:36:26,795 Speaker 1: it should impact me in the way that I live. 576 00:36:26,995 --> 00:36:29,995 Speaker 1: And if it isn't impacting me in the way that 577 00:36:30,095 --> 00:36:34,245 Speaker 1: I should live, how well do I understand them? It 578 00:36:34,265 --> 00:36:36,705 Speaker 1: could be I'm missing the point. So I heard a 579 00:36:36,705 --> 00:36:39,485 Speaker 1: story about two old farmers, and one of them had 580 00:36:39,505 --> 00:36:42,765 Speaker 1: the most amazing dog ever. This dog of his walked 581 00:36:42,845 --> 00:36:45,844 Speaker 1: on water. So he said to his buddy Clem, who 582 00:36:45,865 --> 00:36:49,365 Speaker 1: you could not impress, hey Clem, I have this amazing 583 00:36:49,405 --> 00:36:51,765 Speaker 1: dog that walks on water. I'll prove it to you. 584 00:36:51,825 --> 00:36:54,125 Speaker 1: So they went out duck hunting and a flock of 585 00:36:54,185 --> 00:36:56,855 Speaker 1: ducks flew by and the farmer fired off a shot 586 00:36:57,315 --> 00:36:59,335 Speaker 1: and the duck fell into the middle of the lake. 587 00:36:59,375 --> 00:37:01,995 Speaker 1: And sure enough, his dog ran across the top of 588 00:37:02,035 --> 00:37:05,335 Speaker 1: the water, got the duck, brought it back again. And 589 00:37:05,375 --> 00:37:08,215 Speaker 1: then the farmer didn't think Clem really was paying attention, 590 00:37:08,275 --> 00:37:12,355 Speaker 1: so another flock flew by. He fired off another shot. Again, 591 00:37:12,415 --> 00:37:15,405 Speaker 1: the dog retrieves the duck from the water, brings it, 592 00:37:15,495 --> 00:37:18,025 Speaker 1: and drops it at his feet. The farmer said, what 593 00:37:18,045 --> 00:37:20,765 Speaker 1: do you think about that, Clem? Clem kind of kicked 594 00:37:20,785 --> 00:37:22,844 Speaker 1: the ground a little bit and said, I don't think 595 00:37:22,905 --> 00:37:26,485 Speaker 1: your dog knows how to swim. Well, talk about missing 596 00:37:26,545 --> 00:37:29,195 Speaker 1: the point. And there are people today that can hear 597 00:37:29,235 --> 00:37:32,115 Speaker 1: all these things about the return of Jesus and that 598 00:37:32,155 --> 00:37:35,675 Speaker 1: we're living in the last days and miss the point completely. 599 00:37:36,175 --> 00:37:38,535 Speaker 1: So we want to let this affect us and the 600 00:37:38,615 --> 00:37:42,375 Speaker 1: way that we live. So yes, we should pray that 601 00:37:42,415 --> 00:37:45,435 Speaker 1: it would cause us to live godly lives, but we 602 00:37:45,475 --> 00:37:50,765 Speaker 1: should also say, Lord, give me opportunities to share the gospel. 603 00:37:51,285 --> 00:37:55,745 Speaker 1: Jesus said, the fields are white to harvest. pray that 604 00:37:55,785 --> 00:37:59,925 Speaker 1: the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers into 605 00:37:59,965 --> 00:38:03,325 Speaker 1: the harvest. But before you pray, Lord, send laborers into 606 00:38:03,345 --> 00:38:06,855 Speaker 1: the harvest, if you're a Christian, say, Lord, send me 607 00:38:07,235 --> 00:38:09,615 Speaker 1: into the harvest. You know, some people will say, I 608 00:38:09,655 --> 00:38:12,155 Speaker 1: want to be a missionary. I want to cross the 609 00:38:12,215 --> 00:38:15,075 Speaker 1: sea for Christ. Hey, why don't you start by crossing 610 00:38:15,175 --> 00:38:17,935 Speaker 1: the street for Christ? Have you talked to your neighbor 611 00:38:18,315 --> 00:38:23,545 Speaker 1: about Jesus? Everywhere you go, the fields are white to harvest. 612 00:38:24,105 --> 00:38:27,025 Speaker 1: Everywhere you go, there are people that are waiting for 613 00:38:27,105 --> 00:38:31,185 Speaker 1: someone like you to talk to them about Jesus. Listen 614 00:38:31,225 --> 00:38:34,165 Speaker 1: to this. There are some things you can only do 615 00:38:34,225 --> 00:38:36,864 Speaker 1: in heaven, and there are some things you can only 616 00:38:36,945 --> 00:38:40,365 Speaker 1: do on earth. For example, only in heaven can I 617 00:38:40,585 --> 00:38:44,805 Speaker 1: worship without sin. Only in heaven will I be reunited 618 00:38:44,875 --> 00:38:47,875 Speaker 1: with loved ones who have preceded me. Only in heaven 619 00:38:47,975 --> 00:38:51,435 Speaker 1: will I see Jesus face to face. But then, There 620 00:38:51,475 --> 00:38:54,455 Speaker 1: are certain things I can only do on earth. Only 621 00:38:54,535 --> 00:38:57,285 Speaker 1: on earth can I share the gospel with someone. There's 622 00:38:57,345 --> 00:39:01,105 Speaker 1: no evangelism in heaven. So you need to share your 623 00:39:01,145 --> 00:39:04,825 Speaker 1: faith on earth so we see more people in heaven 624 00:39:05,325 --> 00:39:08,585 Speaker 1: as a result. Only on earth can I store up 625 00:39:08,705 --> 00:39:12,364 Speaker 1: treasures in heaven. You see, when I support the work 626 00:39:12,405 --> 00:39:14,905 Speaker 1: of the kingdom of God, When I give a gift 627 00:39:14,985 --> 00:39:17,795 Speaker 1: at my church during the time of offering, or I 628 00:39:17,855 --> 00:39:20,755 Speaker 1: send a gift to a ministry like ours who is 629 00:39:20,835 --> 00:39:25,355 Speaker 1: preaching the gospel, I'm laying up for yourself treasure in heaven. 630 00:39:25,415 --> 00:39:27,895 Speaker 1: You see, there's no apple pie in heaven. There's no 631 00:39:28,075 --> 00:39:32,035 Speaker 1: Venmo in the afterlife. So do your giving while you're living, 632 00:39:32,565 --> 00:39:37,455 Speaker 1: then you're knowing where it's going. Okay, let's conclude. One day, 633 00:39:37,475 --> 00:39:40,865 Speaker 1: that other shoe is going to drop. The only question 634 00:39:40,885 --> 00:39:44,565 Speaker 1: that will matter is, will you be ready when it happens? Listen, 635 00:39:45,085 --> 00:39:47,825 Speaker 1: Jesus could come back at any moment. He could come 636 00:39:47,865 --> 00:39:51,545 Speaker 1: back today. He could come back tonight. He could come 637 00:39:51,585 --> 00:39:56,015 Speaker 1: back tomorrow. But then again, death could come knocking. We 638 00:39:56,055 --> 00:39:58,335 Speaker 1: don't know when that's going to happen. That's why we 639 00:39:58,395 --> 00:40:02,195 Speaker 1: need to always be ready. So live every day as 640 00:40:02,235 --> 00:40:05,255 Speaker 1: though it were your last day, because someday it will be. 641 00:40:05,495 --> 00:40:08,735 Speaker 1: Be ready. Be ready for the Lord's return and be 642 00:40:08,855 --> 00:40:12,655 Speaker 1: ready to meet Jesus Christ. So I ask you this 643 00:40:12,715 --> 00:40:16,355 Speaker 1: in closing. If this were your last day, if this 644 00:40:16,415 --> 00:40:19,035 Speaker 1: were the last time you heard the gospel, would you 645 00:40:19,075 --> 00:40:21,255 Speaker 1: be ready to meet the Lord? You say, well, what 646 00:40:21,275 --> 00:40:23,935 Speaker 1: do you mean the gospel? The gospel means good news. 647 00:40:24,445 --> 00:40:27,935 Speaker 1: Here's the gospel in a nutshell. God loves you. God 648 00:40:27,955 --> 00:40:31,114 Speaker 1: has a plan for your life. But you're separated from 649 00:40:31,175 --> 00:40:34,395 Speaker 1: God by your sin. And there's no way you can 650 00:40:34,415 --> 00:40:36,535 Speaker 1: get rid of that sin. All of the good living 651 00:40:36,595 --> 00:40:39,415 Speaker 1: in the world will not remove that sin. This is 652 00:40:39,475 --> 00:40:43,005 Speaker 1: why Jesus came, to die on the cross for our sin. 653 00:40:43,545 --> 00:40:45,825 Speaker 1: Jesus said, For God so loved the world, He gave 654 00:40:45,865 --> 00:40:49,565 Speaker 1: His only begotten Son, and whosoever believes in Him should 655 00:40:49,605 --> 00:40:53,755 Speaker 1: not perish, but have everlasting life. Christ died for you 656 00:40:53,895 --> 00:40:56,935 Speaker 1: and rose again from the dead. And now he stands 657 00:40:57,125 --> 00:40:59,904 Speaker 1: at the door of your life and he knocks and says, 658 00:40:59,985 --> 00:41:02,245 Speaker 1: if you'll hear his voice and open the door. So 659 00:41:02,265 --> 00:41:05,085 Speaker 1: my question is, if you were to die right now, 660 00:41:05,225 --> 00:41:07,825 Speaker 1: would you go to heaven? I know I will go 661 00:41:07,865 --> 00:41:10,675 Speaker 1: to heaven when I die. It's not based on what 662 00:41:10,775 --> 00:41:14,855 Speaker 1: I did. It's based on what Christ did. It's based 663 00:41:14,935 --> 00:41:18,335 Speaker 1: on the fact that Christ purchased my ticket, if you will, 664 00:41:18,355 --> 00:41:22,455 Speaker 1: to heaven today. by dying on that cross in my place. 665 00:41:23,035 --> 00:41:25,015 Speaker 1: So if I will ask him to come into my 666 00:41:25,055 --> 00:41:27,795 Speaker 1: life and forgive me of my sin, I can know 667 00:41:27,815 --> 00:41:31,375 Speaker 1: that I know I'm going to heaven. And I can 668 00:41:31,455 --> 00:41:34,575 Speaker 1: know with certainty I'll be ready for the Lord's return. 669 00:41:35,075 --> 00:41:37,815 Speaker 1: If you're not sure if you're ready to meet the Lord, 670 00:41:38,155 --> 00:41:41,315 Speaker 1: if you're not certain that you're ready for the return 671 00:41:41,395 --> 00:41:44,135 Speaker 1: of Jesus Christ, you can pray a little prayer with 672 00:41:44,175 --> 00:41:46,415 Speaker 1: me right now if you'd like, and we can get 673 00:41:46,455 --> 00:41:49,545 Speaker 1: this settled. Would you like to do that? If so, 674 00:41:49,985 --> 00:41:52,285 Speaker 1: if you want Jesus to come into your life, if 675 00:41:52,325 --> 00:41:55,045 Speaker 1: you want him to forgive you of your sin, if 676 00:41:55,065 --> 00:41:56,565 Speaker 1: you want to know that when you die, you will 677 00:41:56,605 --> 00:41:58,905 Speaker 1: go to heaven, if you want to be ready for 678 00:41:58,945 --> 00:42:01,825 Speaker 1: the Lord's return, just pray this prayer. You could pray 679 00:42:01,845 --> 00:42:03,864 Speaker 1: it out loud after me right now, if you like. 680 00:42:04,325 --> 00:42:08,025 Speaker 1: Just pray these words. Lord Jesus, I know that I 681 00:42:08,085 --> 00:42:11,065 Speaker 1: am a sinner, but I know that you're the Savior 682 00:42:11,965 --> 00:42:15,485 Speaker 1: who was born in that manger in Bethlehem. You died 683 00:42:15,565 --> 00:42:18,895 Speaker 1: on the cross at Calvary. and He rose again from 684 00:42:18,955 --> 00:42:22,515 Speaker 1: the dead. Now come into my life and forgive me 685 00:42:22,655 --> 00:42:26,275 Speaker 1: of my sin. I turn from that sin, and I 686 00:42:26,315 --> 00:42:30,575 Speaker 1: choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you 687 00:42:30,595 --> 00:42:34,655 Speaker 1: for hearing this prayer and answering this prayer. In Jesus' 688 00:42:34,695 --> 00:42:38,565 Speaker 1: name I pray. Amen. Hey, if you prayed that prayer 689 00:42:38,585 --> 00:42:41,085 Speaker 1: a minute, I want you to know in the authority 690 00:42:41,125 --> 00:42:44,425 Speaker 1: of God's Word, Christ has come to take residence in 691 00:42:44,485 --> 00:42:47,425 Speaker 1: your heart. Let me help you get started on the 692 00:42:47,485 --> 00:42:50,305 Speaker 1: right foot and following Jesus. I want to send you 693 00:42:50,365 --> 00:42:54,105 Speaker 1: a free gift. It's called the New Believers Bible. It's 694 00:42:54,125 --> 00:42:57,105 Speaker 1: a special edition of the New Testament in the very 695 00:42:57,225 --> 00:43:01,065 Speaker 1: friendly New Living Translation, along with hundreds of notes that 696 00:43:01,125 --> 00:43:04,495 Speaker 1: I wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you've 697 00:43:04,575 --> 00:43:07,375 Speaker 1: just made to follow Christ. I'll send it to you 698 00:43:07,795 --> 00:43:11,215 Speaker 1: at no charge. Hey, until next time, God bless you.