1 00:00:07,910 --> 00:00:11,150 S1: It's great to think about Jesus as a baby, Jesus 2 00:00:11,150 --> 00:00:14,450 S1: in the manger and Jesus on Mary's lap, but we 3 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:18,110 S1: dare not forget that he was also born king. Coming up, 4 00:00:18,110 --> 00:00:21,620 S1: special guest Alistair Begg helps us understand that Christ's first 5 00:00:21,620 --> 00:00:26,000 S1: coming was also about his second coming. He was born King, 6 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,660 S1: but Jesus will soon return as King of Kings. And 7 00:00:29,660 --> 00:00:32,840 S1: with that we say welcome to the land and the book. 8 00:00:32,870 --> 00:00:36,050 S1: Our host is a widely recognized Middle East Authority doctor, 9 00:00:36,050 --> 00:00:39,110 S1: Charlie Dyer, and I'm John Geiger. Boy, Charlie. This week 10 00:00:39,110 --> 00:00:42,620 S1: it feels like somebody is agitating the entire globe like 11 00:00:42,620 --> 00:00:44,120 S1: a salt shaker, don't you think? 12 00:00:44,270 --> 00:00:46,790 S2: Exactly right, John. It's like they have the mixer on 13 00:00:46,790 --> 00:00:50,810 S2: and they have it on. Activate and just turning it around. Well, we're. 14 00:00:50,810 --> 00:00:53,150 S1: Going to swing our focus toward current events after we 15 00:00:53,150 --> 00:00:55,160 S1: think about the fact that as this end of the 16 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:59,000 S1: year approaches, many world events really have left us wondering 17 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,000 S1: what God's plan is for the future, and this is 18 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:05,779 S1: especially true when it comes to Israel, despite its small size. 19 00:01:05,810 --> 00:01:09,020 S1: People around the world are intensely focused on what takes 20 00:01:09,020 --> 00:01:13,160 S1: place there. Our today's headlines somehow connected with prophecies in 21 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:16,550 S1: the Bible. And how should followers of Jesus interpret current 22 00:01:16,550 --> 00:01:19,340 S1: events as we await his second coming? Yeah. 23 00:01:19,340 --> 00:01:22,729 S2: To help answer those and other crucial questions, our friends 24 00:01:22,730 --> 00:01:25,580 S2: at Life and Messiah encourage you to check out their 25 00:01:25,580 --> 00:01:29,900 S2: new book, God, Israel, and Bible Prophecy with Scripture as 26 00:01:29,900 --> 00:01:32,720 S2: its foundation. This book will take you on a journey 27 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,420 S2: into what God has in store for the Jewish people 28 00:01:35,420 --> 00:01:38,869 S2: and the nations. This book is for anyone who wants 29 00:01:38,870 --> 00:01:43,520 S2: to explore where modern day events fit on God's prophetic timeline. 30 00:01:43,550 --> 00:01:46,370 S2: If that's you or someone you know, this could be 31 00:01:46,370 --> 00:01:50,390 S2: a great resource or gift. Visit Life and Messiah. Org 32 00:01:50,390 --> 00:01:52,580 S2: and click on the Moody Radio button to find out 33 00:01:52,580 --> 00:01:56,240 S2: how you can receive your copy of God, Israel and 34 00:01:56,240 --> 00:02:00,170 S2: Bible Prophecy. That's life in Messiah. Org. 35 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:03,200 S1: Well, Charlie, it's almost impossible to wrap your brain around 36 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,020 S1: the fact that in a single week, the 50 year 37 00:02:06,020 --> 00:02:10,160 S1: rule over Syria by the Assad family collapsed. How did 38 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,790 S1: this regime fall so suddenly? And what might happen next 39 00:02:13,790 --> 00:02:14,630 S1: in Syria? 40 00:02:14,660 --> 00:02:17,810 S2: Yeah, the Syrian military was a house of cards. It 41 00:02:17,810 --> 00:02:21,380 S2: was propped up by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. They were 42 00:02:21,380 --> 00:02:24,440 S2: the ones ten years ago who rescued Assad from almost 43 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,530 S2: certain defeat at that time. But this time, none of 44 00:02:27,530 --> 00:02:30,590 S2: them were able to come to Assad's aid. Russia's bogged 45 00:02:30,590 --> 00:02:34,760 S2: down in Ukraine. Hezbollah was decimated by Israel, and Iran's 46 00:02:34,790 --> 00:02:39,500 S2: axis of resistance collapsed, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Rebel 47 00:02:39,500 --> 00:02:43,220 S2: forces took advantage of this to gain territory in northwest Syria, 48 00:02:43,220 --> 00:02:47,210 S2: but the Syrian army just simply disintegrated before them. Other 49 00:02:47,210 --> 00:02:49,910 S2: rebels joined in, and in just a matter of days, 50 00:02:49,910 --> 00:02:54,079 S2: they all reached Damascus. Assad fled to exile in Russia, 51 00:02:54,110 --> 00:02:57,950 S2: leaving the world stunned. Now what happens next, though, I 52 00:02:57,950 --> 00:03:02,030 S2: think is anyone's guess. First, there are multiple rebel groups. 53 00:03:02,030 --> 00:03:05,510 S2: The leader of the main one is Abu Mohammad Al-julani, 54 00:03:05,510 --> 00:03:08,210 S2: or that last name could be Ghailani since he was 55 00:03:08,210 --> 00:03:11,540 S2: from the Golan region. He's the commander of Hayat Tahrir 56 00:03:11,570 --> 00:03:14,660 S2: al-Sham we talked about last week, but that's known by 57 00:03:14,660 --> 00:03:18,739 S2: its initials, HTS. Now, in addition to HTS, though, there's 58 00:03:18,740 --> 00:03:22,910 S2: the Syrian National Army, an umbrella group generally aligned with 59 00:03:22,910 --> 00:03:25,700 S2: and supported by Turkey. It has some connections to the 60 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:29,330 S2: Muslim Brotherhood and shares political and religious goals that are 61 00:03:29,330 --> 00:03:33,770 S2: similar to Hamas. Still another group are the Syrian Democratic Forces, 62 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:38,270 S2: a coalition of primarily Kurdish fighters supported by the United States. 63 00:03:38,270 --> 00:03:42,470 S2: They control northeast Syria. About the only thing these groups 64 00:03:42,470 --> 00:03:47,030 S2: share in common is a hatred for Assad. Iran and Hezbollah. 65 00:03:47,060 --> 00:03:51,020 S2: And then there are significant ethnic minorities like the Kurds, 66 00:03:51,110 --> 00:03:54,320 S2: the Druze, the Alawites, who have a vested interest in 67 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:59,540 S2: the outcome. Now another problem is the religious component. He 68 00:03:59,570 --> 00:04:03,560 S2: was an Islamic military group connected to al Qaeda. Abu 69 00:04:03,590 --> 00:04:06,680 S2: Mohammad Al-julani now claims to be a moderate and is 70 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:10,070 S2: assuring others he is no longer a jihadist. But can 71 00:04:10,070 --> 00:04:12,290 S2: he be trusted? You know, when I heard all this, 72 00:04:12,290 --> 00:04:15,290 S2: I thought of Jeremiah 13, where the prophet asked if 73 00:04:15,290 --> 00:04:18,170 S2: the leopard can change his spots, or if those accustomed 74 00:04:18,170 --> 00:04:21,290 S2: to doing evil can do good. And the answer generally 75 00:04:21,290 --> 00:04:25,940 S2: is no. So can Syria become a vibrant democracy? Or 76 00:04:25,940 --> 00:04:29,960 S2: will the majority democratically vote in an Islamic Sharia state 77 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:34,160 S2: with groups aligned religiously with ISIS, Al Qaeda, and Hamas 78 00:04:34,190 --> 00:04:37,400 S2: vying for control? Well, right now the answer is we 79 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:40,370 S2: just don't know. But we do need to remember that 80 00:04:40,370 --> 00:04:43,490 S2: the Arab Spring, which took place 14 years ago, is 81 00:04:43,490 --> 00:04:46,340 S2: what brought about ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and 82 00:04:46,339 --> 00:04:51,589 S2: Syria just three years later. This situation is incredibly complex 83 00:04:51,589 --> 00:04:54,380 S2: and definitely needs our prayer as we watch to see 84 00:04:54,380 --> 00:04:55,510 S2: what's going to take place. 85 00:04:55,540 --> 00:04:57,880 S1: Charlie from a 30 zero zero zero foot level. Am 86 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:02,020 S1: I accurate here in assessing that Assad's government, essentially he 87 00:05:02,020 --> 00:05:06,430 S1: being Shiite was taken out by a Sunni dominated power. 88 00:05:06,430 --> 00:05:07,270 S1: Is that correct? 89 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:10,210 S2: That's a that's a good explanation of it. And indeed, 90 00:05:10,210 --> 00:05:12,490 S2: he was not even just a Shiite but an Alawite, 91 00:05:12,490 --> 00:05:15,280 S2: which is a subset of the Shiite. So it was 92 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,609 S2: a minority ruling over the majority. And the majority of 93 00:05:18,610 --> 00:05:22,720 S2: Syria is Sunni, which just chafed under his rule. 94 00:05:22,750 --> 00:05:26,020 S1: Well, with just five weeks left until president elect Trump 95 00:05:26,020 --> 00:05:30,100 S1: assumes office and his deadline for Hamas to release the hostages, 96 00:05:30,100 --> 00:05:33,159 S1: what has been happening with all the negotiations we're hearing about, 97 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,250 S1: and what might the U.S. do if Hamas refuses to 98 00:05:36,250 --> 00:05:37,089 S1: release them? 99 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,630 S2: Egypt submitted a proposal to Hamas that offered an extended 100 00:05:40,630 --> 00:05:44,289 S2: 60 day ceasefire, during which the children, elderly women and 101 00:05:44,290 --> 00:05:47,950 S2: badly wounded hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian 102 00:05:47,950 --> 00:05:51,070 S2: security prisoners. Now, the talks have reached the stage where 103 00:05:51,100 --> 00:05:54,970 S2: both sides are discussing the specific timetable and the lists 104 00:05:54,970 --> 00:05:58,870 S2: of those to be released. Now, Israel believes 96 hostages 105 00:05:58,870 --> 00:06:01,779 S2: still remain in Gaza, though at least 34 of them 106 00:06:01,779 --> 00:06:04,750 S2: are confirmed to be dead. So what might the US 107 00:06:04,779 --> 00:06:07,960 S2: do if, in the end, Hamas refuses to move forward 108 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,380 S2: and release the hostages? Well, it's unlikely the US would 109 00:06:11,380 --> 00:06:14,859 S2: directly attack Gaza. However, we might allow Israel to become 110 00:06:14,860 --> 00:06:18,490 S2: more aggressive by supplying additional weapons or by supporting them 111 00:06:18,490 --> 00:06:22,750 S2: in the UN against any repercussions for further attacks. Or 112 00:06:22,750 --> 00:06:24,940 S2: Trump could give a green light for Israel to annex 113 00:06:24,940 --> 00:06:27,490 S2: some or all of the West Bank to officially make 114 00:06:27,490 --> 00:06:29,919 S2: it part of Israel. That's not very likely, but it's 115 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:33,430 S2: certainly a possibility. It's also possible we could allow Israel 116 00:06:33,460 --> 00:06:36,280 S2: to attack Iran, or even join in such an attack 117 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:40,630 S2: ourselves on Iran's nuclear facilities or oil production facilities, or 118 00:06:40,630 --> 00:06:43,600 S2: its military. With the fall of their ally in Syria, 119 00:06:43,630 --> 00:06:47,920 S2: Iran is facing difficult times militarily and economically, and we 120 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,560 S2: could threaten to punish them if they don't pressure Hamas 121 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:53,920 S2: to cooperate. However, it's unclear right now how much influence 122 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,310 S2: they actually have on Hamas. The bottom line is, we 123 00:06:57,310 --> 00:07:00,640 S2: don't know how Hamas is going to respond or how 124 00:07:00,670 --> 00:07:03,850 S2: Trump will react if the hostages aren't released, but we 125 00:07:03,850 --> 00:07:05,710 S2: do know the clock is ticking. 126 00:07:05,770 --> 00:07:08,380 S1: This is the land and the book from Moody Radio. 127 00:07:08,410 --> 00:07:11,740 S1: Our host, Doctor Charlie Dyer. I'm John Gager. You can 128 00:07:11,740 --> 00:07:13,570 S1: tell a lot has been going on in the Middle East. 129 00:07:13,570 --> 00:07:16,390 S1: Lots we need to know about. Well, Charlie, Israel's drawn 130 00:07:16,420 --> 00:07:20,080 S1: out war against Hamas and Hezbollah placed a strain on 131 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:24,400 S1: its armed forces and highlighted the problem with ultra-Orthodox Jews 132 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:28,240 S1: refusing to enlist. What's the reason for their refusal? And 133 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,030 S1: what steps are being taken to resolve all of this? Yeah. 134 00:07:31,060 --> 00:07:33,880 S2: From the founding of the State of Israel, most ultra-Orthodox 135 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:37,360 S2: Jews have refused to serve in Israel Defense Forces. Part 136 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:39,790 S2: of the reason is that they believe they're real service 137 00:07:39,790 --> 00:07:42,040 S2: to the Jewish people is to study and preserve the 138 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,710 S2: Torah and the Talmud. The other part of the reason 139 00:07:44,710 --> 00:07:47,230 S2: is that they believe the secular nature of the IDF 140 00:07:47,230 --> 00:07:51,590 S2: is incompatible with their religious lifestyle. This includes things like, well, 141 00:07:51,620 --> 00:07:57,380 S2: maintaining religious purity, eating strictly kosher food, gender separation accommodations, 142 00:07:57,380 --> 00:08:00,890 S2: and having specific times for study and prayer. The current 143 00:08:00,890 --> 00:08:04,520 S2: arrangement worked for years because the ultra-Orthodox were a relatively 144 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:08,540 S2: small portion of the population, and because Israel's military philosophy 145 00:08:08,540 --> 00:08:11,930 S2: was to have a small army able to fight short wars. 146 00:08:11,930 --> 00:08:15,290 S2: But the current wars lasted over a year, exhausting those 147 00:08:15,290 --> 00:08:17,390 S2: in the army, as well as the reservists who had 148 00:08:17,390 --> 00:08:20,930 S2: been called up multiple times. They need more manpower, and 149 00:08:20,930 --> 00:08:24,170 S2: many Israelis are now demanding that the ultra-Orthodox step up 150 00:08:24,170 --> 00:08:28,610 S2: and do their fair share. But this confrontational approach isn't working. 151 00:08:28,610 --> 00:08:31,850 S2: The religious are serious about remaining faithful to God, and 152 00:08:31,850 --> 00:08:35,030 S2: they're willing to resist for their faith. The current government 153 00:08:35,030 --> 00:08:37,580 S2: is looking for ways to compromise. The former mayor of 154 00:08:37,580 --> 00:08:40,340 S2: Jerusalem said more do need to be conscripted, but that 155 00:08:40,340 --> 00:08:43,490 S2: it needs to be done with the appropriate sensitivity. He 156 00:08:43,490 --> 00:08:47,059 S2: believes steps can be taken to alleviate the fear of secularization, 157 00:08:47,059 --> 00:08:50,230 S2: while providing incentives for those who do agree to serve. 158 00:08:50,470 --> 00:08:53,020 S2: With Hanukkah coming up in two weeks, the IDF has 159 00:08:53,020 --> 00:08:56,470 S2: announced the formation of a new combat brigade named after 160 00:08:56,470 --> 00:09:00,070 S2: the Hasmonean dynasty who led the Maccabean Revolt. This new 161 00:09:00,070 --> 00:09:04,479 S2: brigade would incorporate adherence to strict religious lifestyle. They've also 162 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:07,150 S2: formed the first Air Force ground technical crew of certified 163 00:09:07,179 --> 00:09:12,220 S2: technicians for F-16 fighter jets. The IDF provided adjustments to 164 00:09:12,250 --> 00:09:16,390 S2: allow them to maintain their religious lifestyle, including gender separation, 165 00:09:16,390 --> 00:09:20,380 S2: strictly kosher food, and a synagogue on the base. Now, hopefully, 166 00:09:20,380 --> 00:09:23,740 S2: the two sides can work out more creative compromises that 167 00:09:23,740 --> 00:09:27,070 S2: will enable the ultra-Orthodox to serve their country without having 168 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:28,959 S2: to abandon their religious principles. 169 00:09:28,990 --> 00:09:32,530 S1: Charlie, any early reactions that we're reading about from the 170 00:09:32,530 --> 00:09:36,040 S1: ultra-Orthodox on these these changes that are being made? 171 00:09:36,190 --> 00:09:39,730 S2: There are some positive comments, but they're just a minority 172 00:09:39,730 --> 00:09:42,910 S2: right now. They I think most ultra-Orthodox are still fearful 173 00:09:42,910 --> 00:09:45,760 S2: of where the IDF ultimately wants them to go. 174 00:09:45,790 --> 00:09:49,990 S1: Well, archaeologists now believe the cave at ancient Caesarea Philippi 175 00:09:50,020 --> 00:09:53,290 S1: was transformed from a sacred site to a banquet hall 176 00:09:53,290 --> 00:09:56,020 S1: by King Herod Agrippa the Second. What have they discovered 177 00:09:56,020 --> 00:09:57,580 S1: that led them to this conclusion? 178 00:09:57,610 --> 00:10:00,459 S2: Yeah, they believe this cave was repurposed during the reign 179 00:10:00,490 --> 00:10:03,370 S2: of King Herod Agrippa the Second. That's the one mentioned 180 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:06,340 S2: with Paul in the Book of Acts during the Jewish Revolt. 181 00:10:06,370 --> 00:10:09,160 S2: He fled Jerusalem and sided with the Romans, and part 182 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:11,530 S2: of his kingdom included this area, and they believe he 183 00:10:11,530 --> 00:10:15,640 S2: converted the cave into a nymphaeum triclinium, a venue for 184 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:19,300 S2: Roman style banquets. During the recent excavations, they uncovered a 185 00:10:19,300 --> 00:10:22,960 S2: large aqueduct and water installations in the outer courtyard, with 186 00:10:22,990 --> 00:10:26,830 S2: niches flanking the eastern and western sides. They found similar 187 00:10:26,830 --> 00:10:29,650 S2: examples of this in Italy, and what they believe is 188 00:10:29,650 --> 00:10:31,929 S2: that he did this so that when Titus came up 189 00:10:31,929 --> 00:10:35,740 S2: to Caesarea Philippi, he was hosted there by Agrippa. The 190 00:10:35,740 --> 00:10:38,140 S2: archaeologists hope at some point in the future to recreate 191 00:10:38,140 --> 00:10:41,380 S2: how the site might have looked as a Roman dining area. 192 00:10:41,410 --> 00:10:44,619 S1: Wow, that's an interesting development. Thank you. Charlie, that's a 193 00:10:44,620 --> 00:10:47,380 S1: look at current events coming up on the land and 194 00:10:47,380 --> 00:10:50,980 S1: the book A conversation with Alistair Begg. Let earth receive 195 00:10:50,980 --> 00:11:04,150 S1: her King here on the land and the book. Of. 196 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:11,830 S1: Christmas has a problem. And it might just be us. 197 00:11:11,830 --> 00:11:15,970 S1: That's right. We who love and worship Jesus often overlook 198 00:11:15,970 --> 00:11:18,700 S1: or ignore the fact that the Christmas story is much 199 00:11:18,700 --> 00:11:21,550 S1: bigger than a chapter or two in the Gospels. The 200 00:11:21,550 --> 00:11:24,370 S1: first coming of Christ is the grand story arc of 201 00:11:24,370 --> 00:11:26,830 S1: the entire Old Testament, and of course, the heart of 202 00:11:26,830 --> 00:11:29,950 S1: the Gospels. And all of that points to his second 203 00:11:29,950 --> 00:11:32,920 S1: coming up next, a call for you and me to 204 00:11:32,950 --> 00:11:36,670 S1: let Earth receive her King. Hey, welcome back to the 205 00:11:36,670 --> 00:11:40,030 S1: land and the book. I'm John Gager really pumped about 206 00:11:40,030 --> 00:11:43,270 S1: connecting you with today's special guest, Alistair Begg. But what 207 00:11:43,270 --> 00:11:46,830 S1: about connecting first with our Jewish friends and neighbors. Here's 208 00:11:46,830 --> 00:11:50,280 S1: an idea. Well, there you are. And you have started 209 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:53,370 S1: a friendship with a Jewish friend. And you're wondering what's 210 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:56,850 S1: a first step in reaching out to them with Messiah Jesus? 211 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:59,520 S1: That's a question we'll throw at Eva Rydell. Nick, what 212 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:00,450 S1: do you say? What's a first. 213 00:12:00,450 --> 00:12:02,940 S3: Step? I think the first step is to have a 214 00:12:02,940 --> 00:12:07,830 S3: genuine personal relationship. You know, just to begin communication. And 215 00:12:07,830 --> 00:12:10,199 S3: I think this is true with non-Jewish people as well 216 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:11,850 S3: as Jewish people, that if you want to share the 217 00:12:11,850 --> 00:12:14,370 S3: person that you love the most in the world with 218 00:12:14,370 --> 00:12:16,590 S3: a person that you're just getting to know, it has 219 00:12:16,590 --> 00:12:17,520 S3: to begin with friendship. 220 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,460 S1: I think of former Moody Bible Institute President Michael Easley. 221 00:12:20,460 --> 00:12:22,439 S1: He said, for a friendship to develop, you have to 222 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,770 S1: have two things common interests and time. Yes. 223 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:28,710 S3: Got to spend time together. Exactly. Common interest in the time. 224 00:12:28,710 --> 00:12:30,420 S3: So what you look for are things that you have 225 00:12:30,420 --> 00:12:33,930 S3: in common. And then look for opportunities to spend time together. 226 00:12:33,929 --> 00:12:37,740 S3: And as a result of those two elements, then conversation 227 00:12:37,740 --> 00:12:40,679 S3: will come up. And, you know, prayerfully that conversation can 228 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:42,750 S3: be directed toward the Messiah. 229 00:12:42,780 --> 00:12:44,220 S1: It's interesting what you're saying, because I think a lot 230 00:12:44,250 --> 00:12:46,559 S1: of times we want to jump right to that conversation 231 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:49,500 S1: so quickly, and that might well be ill advised. You're saying. 232 00:12:49,500 --> 00:12:52,740 S3: Right, because if you go right to the conversation before 233 00:12:52,740 --> 00:12:55,980 S3: they're ready to hear, the door closes and it's very 234 00:12:55,980 --> 00:12:58,140 S3: hard to pull that door open once it's shut. 235 00:12:58,170 --> 00:13:00,600 S1: How to take a good first step? That's Eva Riedel, 236 00:13:00,929 --> 00:13:03,480 S1: adjunct faculty member at the Moody Bible Institute here on 237 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:07,860 S1: the land and the book. Pastor Alistair Begg has been 238 00:13:07,860 --> 00:13:13,200 S1: in ministry since 1975. Following graduation from the London School 239 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,860 S1: of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both 240 00:13:16,860 --> 00:13:21,870 S1: Charlotte Chapel and Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983 241 00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:26,189 S1: he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. 242 00:13:26,220 --> 00:13:28,890 S1: Alistair has written a number of books and is heard 243 00:13:28,890 --> 00:13:32,700 S1: daily and weekly on the radio program truth for life. 244 00:13:32,700 --> 00:13:35,190 S1: I hear it Often. He and his wife Susan have 245 00:13:35,190 --> 00:13:38,370 S1: three grown children. Hey, a warm welcome to the land 246 00:13:38,370 --> 00:13:39,030 S1: and the book. 247 00:13:39,030 --> 00:13:42,390 S4: Pastor Alistair John, thank you very much. It's a privilege 248 00:13:42,390 --> 00:13:43,770 S4: to get to talk with you. 249 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:47,309 S1: Well, our conversation today is focused on your new Christmas devotional, 250 00:13:47,309 --> 00:13:50,640 S1: let Earth Receive her. King and I have to confess 251 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:52,290 S1: to you up front. I kind of wanted to sort 252 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:56,760 S1: of merely peruse it quickly, but every page I read 253 00:13:56,760 --> 00:14:00,960 S1: made me want to linger, ponder, read more. So thank 254 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:03,870 S1: you upfront for this very powerful look at the season 255 00:14:03,900 --> 00:14:04,830 S1: of advent. 256 00:14:04,860 --> 00:14:08,670 S4: Well thank you. I actually have done the same thing 257 00:14:08,670 --> 00:14:11,730 S4: and begun to read it through because I if I 258 00:14:11,730 --> 00:14:14,340 S4: ask others to, I would imagine that I should do 259 00:14:14,340 --> 00:14:19,290 S4: the same. And although I don't find it difficult to understand, 260 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:21,600 S4: it causes me to really think things through. 261 00:14:21,630 --> 00:14:25,050 S1: Yeah, well, you divide the book into five sections and 262 00:14:25,050 --> 00:14:26,280 S1: we're going to take a look at each one of 263 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:30,660 S1: them briefly, starting with Christmas in the beginning. That's section one. 264 00:14:30,660 --> 00:14:33,270 S1: You point out that Christmas has its roots in the 265 00:14:33,270 --> 00:14:36,270 S1: Garden of Eden, and you write that in Genesis three, 266 00:14:36,300 --> 00:14:40,229 S1: the evil one was warned even as humanity was cast 267 00:14:40,230 --> 00:14:44,040 S1: out of the garden, that someday a male would undo 268 00:14:44,070 --> 00:14:48,240 S1: his evil schemes and would be born. That there to 269 00:14:48,270 --> 00:14:50,820 S1: me is enough to send chills down our spines. The 270 00:14:50,820 --> 00:14:53,820 S1: advent story right in the Garden of Eden at our 271 00:14:53,820 --> 00:14:57,720 S1: lowest point. Why, though, do so many of us miss this? 272 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:00,720 S4: Well, I think perhaps because of the way that we 273 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:05,010 S4: tend to tackle Christmas. It finally comes around. It bounces 274 00:15:05,010 --> 00:15:09,480 S4: out just after Thanksgiving, and we give very little time 275 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:13,260 S4: to preparation for it, usually, no matter what our advent 276 00:15:13,260 --> 00:15:17,310 S4: perspective might be. And so I think we're caught off 277 00:15:17,310 --> 00:15:20,880 S4: guard by realizing that, as you said, by way of introduction, 278 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:25,770 S4: this actually has a huge arc to it. And when 279 00:15:25,770 --> 00:15:29,100 S4: we read the early chapters of the Bible, we realize 280 00:15:29,100 --> 00:15:33,390 S4: that everything is looking forward to something and to someone. 281 00:15:33,540 --> 00:15:37,140 S1: You've titled the second section of your devotional, Christmas in 282 00:15:37,140 --> 00:15:39,660 S1: the land. What are you referring to in this? 283 00:15:40,020 --> 00:15:43,110 S4: Well, Want us to see that the child is born, 284 00:15:43,140 --> 00:15:46,170 S4: a son is given. The government will be upon his shoulder. 285 00:15:46,170 --> 00:15:50,610 S4: All of the prophecies of the Old Testament are once 286 00:15:50,610 --> 00:15:54,930 S4: again looking forward to. Not an idea, but to a person. 287 00:15:54,930 --> 00:16:02,430 S4: And the story of that period of time is involving Samuel. 288 00:16:02,460 --> 00:16:07,020 S4: It's involving the Chronicles. The great question of Solomon, you know, 289 00:16:07,050 --> 00:16:11,520 S4: will God really dwell on earth with men? And that's 290 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:15,060 S4: what the emphasis is in that little section, that the 291 00:16:15,060 --> 00:16:18,480 S4: tidings of comfort, the tidings of joy are going to 292 00:16:18,510 --> 00:16:23,340 S4: actually take place in the land. So, for example, Micah. 293 00:16:23,340 --> 00:16:26,580 S4: But you, Bethlehem, though you be the least, and so on. 294 00:16:26,580 --> 00:16:28,920 S4: That's the emphasis in that little section. 295 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:30,810 S1: It seems to be the comfort and joy are not 296 00:16:30,810 --> 00:16:34,890 S1: Christmasy things. They're things that we need all year long. 297 00:16:34,890 --> 00:16:37,920 S1: And the fact that they're so closely associated with the 298 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:41,229 S1: birth of Jesus and His birth in us when we 299 00:16:41,230 --> 00:16:44,440 S1: become born again. That's a real word of encouragement that 300 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:48,190 S1: maybe also escapes us at times. We minimize comfort and joy. 301 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:51,970 S4: Yes, I think so, because especially when you think about Christmas, 302 00:16:51,970 --> 00:16:57,550 S4: if we attach too much significance to that actual day, 303 00:16:57,550 --> 00:17:00,040 S4: then and I think we mentioned this towards the end 304 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:02,170 S4: of the book, you know that when Christmas is over 305 00:17:02,170 --> 00:17:07,000 S4: and the decorations are removed, unless we have found true 306 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:11,680 S4: comfort and true joy in the one of whom Christmas speaks, 307 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:14,290 S4: then of course, we've really got nothing left. 308 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:14,950 S5: Yeah. 309 00:17:14,980 --> 00:17:17,830 S1: From Moody Radio. This is the land and the book. 310 00:17:17,830 --> 00:17:20,830 S1: I'm John Gager. Our guest is a voice you almost 311 00:17:20,830 --> 00:17:25,030 S1: certainly recognize. Pastor Alistair Begg heard on truth for life. 312 00:17:25,030 --> 00:17:29,140 S1: Christmas in the Gospels is the focus of segment three. Obviously, 313 00:17:29,170 --> 00:17:32,560 S1: we're familiar with the accounts in Matthew and Luke. Mark 314 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:35,350 S1: and John seem to take a pass, though, on covering 315 00:17:35,350 --> 00:17:38,639 S1: the actual birth narrative. What's your best guess as to 316 00:17:38,670 --> 00:17:39,810 S1: why they do that? 317 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:43,530 S4: Well, I think it's the awareness of what everybody else 318 00:17:43,530 --> 00:17:49,110 S4: is doing that if you think about newspapers covering the 319 00:17:49,109 --> 00:17:53,879 S4: same events and tackling them from different angles, then really 320 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:57,570 S4: that's what we find. You know, Matthew starts with this big, 321 00:17:57,570 --> 00:18:01,979 S4: long list of names with a genealogy which may at 322 00:18:01,980 --> 00:18:05,070 S4: first seem not very good. But then when we think 323 00:18:05,070 --> 00:18:07,380 S4: about it, we're discovering the way in which God has 324 00:18:07,380 --> 00:18:11,760 S4: been unfolding all the way through history. And the emphasis, 325 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:16,710 S4: for example, in Luke is all on that which is supernatural. 326 00:18:16,740 --> 00:18:20,489 S4: And so you have this wonderful balance between this has 327 00:18:20,490 --> 00:18:23,700 S4: come down through a normal lineage, if you like, but 328 00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:28,020 S4: the supernatural dimension of it is made clear. That's why 329 00:18:28,050 --> 00:18:31,440 S4: John begins actually back in eternity, in the beginning was 330 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:33,570 S4: the word, and the word was with God. And if 331 00:18:33,570 --> 00:18:35,609 S4: someone says, well, I wonder how that all works if 332 00:18:35,609 --> 00:18:38,189 S4: they go back to Matthew chapter one, and then they 333 00:18:38,190 --> 00:18:41,700 S4: begin to read the genealogy, they realize the way the 334 00:18:41,700 --> 00:18:44,160 S4: pieces of the jigsaw fit together. Yeah. 335 00:18:44,220 --> 00:18:44,880 S5: Well, as. 336 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,909 S1: Familiar as I think we believe we are with the 337 00:18:47,910 --> 00:18:50,520 S1: birth story in Matthew and Luke, we've read it a 338 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:53,850 S1: hundred times. Is there a detail or two, though, that 339 00:18:53,970 --> 00:18:56,609 S1: sort of surfaced for you in a fresh new way 340 00:18:56,609 --> 00:18:59,970 S1: as you, as you wrote the book, something maybe we've overlooked? 341 00:19:00,270 --> 00:19:02,970 S4: Well, you know, I don't know because I'm so old 342 00:19:02,970 --> 00:19:05,670 S4: now and I've had so many Christmases, I, I wish 343 00:19:05,670 --> 00:19:08,940 S4: there was something that I had discovered that, that nobody 344 00:19:08,940 --> 00:19:12,930 S4: else had had figured out. You know, I've never really, 345 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:17,280 S4: from childhood ever got over the notion of these wise men. 346 00:19:17,550 --> 00:19:20,640 S4: You know, we've sort of created little models of them 347 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:25,139 S4: and so on, but they're enigmatic figures in many ways 348 00:19:25,140 --> 00:19:28,890 S4: and where they actually came from, and all that is 349 00:19:28,890 --> 00:19:33,420 S4: wrapped up in their notion of seeing a star. All 350 00:19:33,450 --> 00:19:36,560 S4: of that stuff is quite fascinating. And then when you 351 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:40,160 S4: realize that in these supernatural, in these, if you like, 352 00:19:40,190 --> 00:19:45,590 S4: almost extraterrestrial dimensions, God is also at work, so that 353 00:19:45,590 --> 00:19:48,169 S4: the same God who has orchestrated the story of the 354 00:19:48,170 --> 00:19:51,949 S4: genealogy is the one who controls the heavens and the earth, 355 00:19:51,950 --> 00:19:54,889 S4: and so that people start from all kinds of places 356 00:19:54,890 --> 00:19:59,359 S4: in discovering who Jesus is, including these wise men who 357 00:19:59,390 --> 00:20:02,630 S4: may well have come from, you know, contemporary China, for 358 00:20:02,630 --> 00:20:03,590 S4: all we know. 359 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:08,240 S1: Pastor Alistair Begg serves at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. 360 00:20:08,270 --> 00:20:10,790 S1: He's written lots of books, is heard daily and weekly 361 00:20:10,820 --> 00:20:13,790 S1: on truth for life. And we're talking today about his 362 00:20:13,790 --> 00:20:17,090 S1: new devotional, Let Earth Receive Her King. If you'd like 363 00:20:17,090 --> 00:20:19,159 S1: to get a copy. You'll find it online at truth 364 00:20:19,190 --> 00:20:25,250 S1: for life.org/store. And the ministry is offering it to you 365 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:28,700 S1: at cost because they believe the message is that significant 366 00:20:28,700 --> 00:20:31,040 S1: and I agree with them. We'll link you to their 367 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:35,810 S1: website when you visit ours. The land and the book. Org. Well, 368 00:20:35,810 --> 00:20:39,020 S1: Christmas in the letters is your focus in section four 369 00:20:39,050 --> 00:20:41,600 S1: of the book. You're referring here to the advent story 370 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:44,570 S1: in the rest of the New Testament. What are some 371 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,550 S1: takeaways for you and me here? 372 00:20:46,700 --> 00:20:50,000 S4: Well, for a while in the UK, when I was 373 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:54,170 S4: a student, I worshipped in an Anglican church and in 374 00:20:54,170 --> 00:20:57,680 S4: the use of the Book of Common Prayer in their 375 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:01,550 S4: section in advent, I was always struck by the fact 376 00:21:01,550 --> 00:21:05,270 S4: that the verse that was always read on Christmas Day 377 00:21:05,270 --> 00:21:08,390 S4: was Titus chapter two, verse 11, for the grace of 378 00:21:08,390 --> 00:21:13,550 S4: God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. And I 379 00:21:13,550 --> 00:21:18,320 S4: think that that awareness of the if you like, when 380 00:21:18,320 --> 00:21:20,959 S4: we read the Bible backwards, if you start back in 381 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:23,540 S4: the letters and you say to yourself, okay, the grace 382 00:21:23,540 --> 00:21:25,699 S4: of God has appeared to all men, how is the 383 00:21:25,700 --> 00:21:28,219 S4: grace of God appeared to all men? Well, then you 384 00:21:28,220 --> 00:21:31,130 S4: go into Philippians and we have this picture of the 385 00:21:31,130 --> 00:21:35,869 S4: incarnate God of God, emptying himself, stepping down into time. 386 00:21:35,869 --> 00:21:38,420 S4: And as you go through all of that, you realize 387 00:21:38,420 --> 00:21:42,200 S4: the vastness of God's purpose, that the reason that he 388 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:45,139 S4: came was in order to set us free from a 389 00:21:45,140 --> 00:21:49,760 S4: captivity that we don't immediately acknowledge in ourselves. And he 390 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:52,669 S4: came to adopt us into his family, which is a 391 00:21:52,670 --> 00:21:56,600 S4: wonderful thought, especially for people who are considering Christmas this year. 392 00:21:56,600 --> 00:21:58,610 S4: And they're aware of the fact that they're alone or 393 00:21:58,609 --> 00:22:00,830 S4: they don't have the family members that they once had, 394 00:22:00,859 --> 00:22:03,919 S4: or perhaps they've never had a sense of family or 395 00:22:03,950 --> 00:22:07,970 S4: of fatherhood. And so the story of Christmas for them, 396 00:22:07,970 --> 00:22:12,080 S4: if it's all like bells and tinkles and joys and presents, 397 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:14,960 S4: may seem a rather empty thing. Yes. But then when 398 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:17,810 S4: they read it here, you know, for example, in Galatians 399 00:22:17,810 --> 00:22:20,930 S4: that he came forth to adopt us into his family. 400 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:22,159 S4: It's a wonderful thought. 401 00:22:22,790 --> 00:22:26,510 S1: Part five directs our focus toward awaiting a new advent. 402 00:22:26,510 --> 00:22:28,670 S1: And some listeners might be saying, what do you mean? 403 00:22:28,670 --> 00:22:29,780 S1: Fill us in here? 404 00:22:30,170 --> 00:22:33,920 S4: Well, the king who came is the king who's coming. 405 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:39,229 S4: So that advent traditionally, if you like, I was going 406 00:22:39,260 --> 00:22:41,510 S4: to say normal churches, but that wouldn't be the right 407 00:22:41,510 --> 00:22:43,850 S4: thing to say. But I think people who have approached 408 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:47,420 S4: advent in light of the totality of Scripture, realize that 409 00:22:47,420 --> 00:22:51,320 S4: it is a celebration which looks backwards to the King 410 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:54,920 S4: who came and which looks forward to the King who 411 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:59,030 S4: will come, and that the impact of the discovery of 412 00:22:59,030 --> 00:23:03,379 S4: the king who came is to then propel us out 413 00:23:03,380 --> 00:23:06,530 S4: into the world, to tell our friends and neighbors that 414 00:23:06,530 --> 00:23:09,350 S4: there is a king who's going to come. And that, 415 00:23:09,350 --> 00:23:12,380 S4: I think, is the great impetus when you get, for example, 416 00:23:12,410 --> 00:23:15,020 S4: to the book of revelation. I think that's why people 417 00:23:15,020 --> 00:23:18,470 S4: love it when they go to the orchestra and they 418 00:23:18,470 --> 00:23:21,230 S4: they stand for the Hallelujah chorus. They may not actually 419 00:23:21,230 --> 00:23:24,800 S4: know what it is they're celebrating, but what they're celebrating 420 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:26,929 S4: is the fact that the king is coming. 421 00:23:27,050 --> 00:23:30,140 S1: Just joining us, we're talking with Pastor Alistair Begg about 422 00:23:30,140 --> 00:23:34,550 S1: his Christmas devotional Let Earth Receive her King. They're offering 423 00:23:34,580 --> 00:23:37,130 S1: to you. They're offering it to you at cost at 424 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,770 S1: their website, which we will link you to when you 425 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:44,180 S1: visit the land and the book. Org. Alistair, you write 426 00:23:44,180 --> 00:23:47,540 S1: my prayer is that these advent devotions will cause you 427 00:23:47,540 --> 00:23:50,600 S1: to wonder at all that God has done, and I 428 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:53,870 S1: think that's absolutely huge. I mean, there isn't a single 429 00:23:53,869 --> 00:23:57,980 S1: syllable in the Christmas story that isn't drenched in wonder. 430 00:23:58,010 --> 00:24:00,860 S1: Yet so often we approach it like an old yellowed newspaper. 431 00:24:00,890 --> 00:24:03,169 S1: What is wrong with our wonder, Alistair? 432 00:24:03,470 --> 00:24:06,530 S4: Well, I think what is wrong is that we start 433 00:24:06,530 --> 00:24:11,420 S4: with ourselves almost inevitably, often in our worship. It's about 434 00:24:11,420 --> 00:24:14,629 S4: who I am, how I'm feeling, and what I'm looking for, 435 00:24:14,660 --> 00:24:18,320 S4: as opposed to beginning with God and His glory. The 436 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:20,900 S4: story of the gospel is not of us seeking God, 437 00:24:20,930 --> 00:24:24,290 S4: but is of God coming to seek us. That the 438 00:24:24,290 --> 00:24:27,740 S4: invisible boundary between ourselves and a holy God can only 439 00:24:27,740 --> 00:24:31,830 S4: be crossed by God himself. And that's the wonder of it. 440 00:24:31,830 --> 00:24:35,100 S4: And I and I think when we, you know, stand 441 00:24:35,100 --> 00:24:39,180 S4: back far enough and think about the big, big picture, 442 00:24:39,180 --> 00:24:42,330 S4: then we realize how wonderful it is that the most 443 00:24:42,330 --> 00:24:45,899 S4: wonderful thing about Christmas Day is that the story of 444 00:24:45,900 --> 00:24:50,670 S4: Christmas Day is true every day. Yes, that Immanuel is Immanuel, 445 00:24:50,670 --> 00:24:53,520 S4: that he is actually the one that we need. And 446 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:57,000 S4: he promises his presence with us. And so, you know, 447 00:24:57,030 --> 00:25:00,480 S4: when Christmas ends and the children go back to school 448 00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:05,070 S4: and everything quotes returns to normal. Normal for the Christian 449 00:25:05,070 --> 00:25:09,210 S4: in light of Christmas, is to enjoy the presence of 450 00:25:09,210 --> 00:25:13,619 S4: the living Lord who came to Bethlehem as a King 451 00:25:13,650 --> 00:25:17,550 S4: whose kingdom is being extended throughout the world all day 452 00:25:17,550 --> 00:25:20,490 S4: and every day as the gospel is proclaimed. And one 453 00:25:20,490 --> 00:25:24,690 S4: day that kingdom will come in triumph. And universally, and 454 00:25:24,690 --> 00:25:27,270 S4: as we keep our eyes on that in the future, 455 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,200 S4: It gives us a perspective in the present. 456 00:25:30,230 --> 00:25:33,560 S1: Wow, that's a great way to land this conversation. We're 457 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:36,740 S1: talking with Alistair Begg, his devotional, Let Earth Receive Her 458 00:25:36,740 --> 00:25:40,070 S1: King available to you at cost when you visit their website, 459 00:25:40,070 --> 00:25:44,149 S1: which will link you to at the Land and the book. Org. 460 00:25:44,180 --> 00:25:48,350 S1: Thank you so much for this conversation. It's been very encouraging. Alistair. 461 00:25:48,380 --> 00:25:49,550 S4: Well, thank you John. 462 00:25:49,550 --> 00:25:52,399 S1: And we look forward to re-engaging with Charlie Dyer on 463 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,730 S1: our next segment here on the land and the book. 464 00:26:06,859 --> 00:26:09,379 S1: Welcome back to the land and the book. I'm John 465 00:26:09,380 --> 00:26:12,439 S1: Gager asking our host, Charlie Dyer, all your Christmas cards 466 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:15,710 S1: mailed out, all your Christmas gifts purchased and wrapped. Charlie. 467 00:26:16,010 --> 00:26:18,170 S2: Uh, as much as I can. Yes. 468 00:26:18,650 --> 00:26:21,110 S1: Now, that's a rather evasive answer. I'll just. I'll just 469 00:26:21,109 --> 00:26:23,570 S1: give you the benefit of the doubt, though, and we'll 470 00:26:23,570 --> 00:26:26,520 S1: just move right along here to another question As the 471 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:28,980 S1: end of the year approaches, many world events have left 472 00:26:28,980 --> 00:26:32,730 S1: us wondering what God's plan is for the future, and 473 00:26:32,730 --> 00:26:35,700 S1: this is especially true when it comes to Israel. Despite 474 00:26:35,700 --> 00:26:39,000 S1: its small size, people around the world are just intensely 475 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:42,630 S1: focused on what takes place. There are today's headlines, though 476 00:26:42,660 --> 00:26:45,810 S1: connected in any way with prophecies in the Bible. Are 477 00:26:45,810 --> 00:26:49,050 S1: we getting that close? How should followers of Jesus interpret 478 00:26:49,050 --> 00:26:51,960 S1: current events as we await his second coming? 479 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:54,780 S2: And to help answer those important questions, our friends at 480 00:26:54,810 --> 00:26:58,770 S2: Life and Messiah encourage you to check out their book, God, Israel, 481 00:26:58,770 --> 00:27:02,340 S2: and Bible Prophecy with Scripture as its foundation. This book 482 00:27:02,340 --> 00:27:04,500 S2: will take you on a journey into what God has 483 00:27:04,500 --> 00:27:07,500 S2: in store for the Jewish people and the nations. The 484 00:27:07,500 --> 00:27:09,990 S2: book is for anyone who wants to explore where modern 485 00:27:09,990 --> 00:27:13,440 S2: day events fit on God's grand timeline. Now, if that's 486 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:15,900 S2: you or someone you know, this would be a great 487 00:27:15,930 --> 00:27:18,540 S2: resource or gift and perhaps a Christmas gift as we 488 00:27:18,540 --> 00:27:21,900 S2: were just talking about. Well, visit Life in Messiah. Org 489 00:27:21,900 --> 00:27:24,510 S2: and click on the Moody Radio button there to find 490 00:27:24,510 --> 00:27:28,100 S2: out how you can receive your copy of God, Israel 491 00:27:28,100 --> 00:27:32,030 S2: and Bible Prophecy. That's life in messiah.org. 492 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:34,820 S1: All right, let's get right into the essence of segment 493 00:27:34,850 --> 00:27:38,540 S1: three questions and answers, starting with this one from Mark, 494 00:27:38,540 --> 00:27:40,909 S1: who says, I understand what it means for God to 495 00:27:40,940 --> 00:27:43,460 S1: bless us, but I am not as clear about what 496 00:27:43,460 --> 00:27:46,280 S1: it means for us to bless God. And he takes 497 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:48,679 S1: us to Psalm 19 that says, I will bless the 498 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:51,409 S1: Lord who gives me counsel. Can you clarify what it 499 00:27:51,410 --> 00:27:53,360 S1: means to bless the Lord? 500 00:27:53,390 --> 00:27:56,990 S2: Well, I'll start with this reality. The Hebrew word for bless, Barak, 501 00:27:56,990 --> 00:28:00,740 S2: comes from the word for knee barak. The initial meaning 502 00:28:00,770 --> 00:28:04,430 S2: of this verb bless is to kneel. When God blesses us. 503 00:28:04,430 --> 00:28:07,369 S2: It's as if we're kneeling before the sovereign who reaches 504 00:28:07,369 --> 00:28:10,130 S2: out to extend his favor to us. But when we 505 00:28:10,130 --> 00:28:13,280 S2: bless God, the images of us kneeling down before him 506 00:28:13,280 --> 00:28:17,359 S2: to offer our recognition and praise and adoration for all 507 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:20,510 S2: God has done. Psalm 103 is what comes to mind 508 00:28:20,510 --> 00:28:23,240 S2: when I think of this. Bless the Lord, O my soul, 509 00:28:23,260 --> 00:28:26,200 S2: and all that is within me. Bless his holy name. 510 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:28,930 S2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all 511 00:28:28,930 --> 00:28:32,109 S2: his benefits. Then, in verses 3 to 5, David lists 512 00:28:32,109 --> 00:28:35,050 S2: five gracious acts God has done for us that should 513 00:28:35,050 --> 00:28:38,380 S2: cause us to offer such praise and adoration. He ends 514 00:28:38,380 --> 00:28:41,440 S2: the psalm by announcing that God has established his throne 515 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:44,709 S2: in the heavens, and his sovereignty rules over all. As 516 00:28:44,710 --> 00:28:47,290 S2: a result, David calls on the angels to bless the 517 00:28:47,290 --> 00:28:49,690 S2: Lord in the sense of offering praise and worship to 518 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:52,420 S2: God for his sovereign rule. And then he calls on 519 00:28:52,420 --> 00:28:55,480 S2: the works of creation itself to bless the Lord. And 520 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:58,180 S2: he finally ends as he began by calling on his 521 00:28:58,180 --> 00:29:01,000 S2: own soul to bless the Lord. Now take all that together. 522 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,000 S2: I think the idea of blessing God is praising, adoring, 523 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:06,850 S2: and worshiping him for who he is and for what 524 00:29:06,850 --> 00:29:09,430 S2: he's done, especially what he's done for us. 525 00:29:09,460 --> 00:29:13,240 S1: Question number two from Jackie. We're studying Ruth and also 526 00:29:13,240 --> 00:29:17,800 S1: reading Deuteronomy 25 as background information. And this all spurred 527 00:29:17,800 --> 00:29:21,280 S1: the following questions. Does anything happen to the brother or 528 00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:25,090 S1: kinsman redeemer who refuses to wed the widow, and if 529 00:29:25,090 --> 00:29:27,580 S1: he does refuse, is the widow, then free to marry 530 00:29:27,580 --> 00:29:28,540 S1: somebody else. 531 00:29:28,570 --> 00:29:32,680 S2: Yeah, if he's the only available kinsman redeemer, the shaming 532 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:36,250 S2: in Deuteronomy 25 evidently would take place. Now, we're not 533 00:29:36,250 --> 00:29:39,220 S2: told what would happen if the man refuses, but another 534 00:29:39,220 --> 00:29:42,790 S2: eligible kinsman redeemer takes his place. I'm assuming he might 535 00:29:42,790 --> 00:29:46,690 S2: be spared the public humiliation of Deuteronomy 25, but everyone 536 00:29:46,690 --> 00:29:48,940 S2: at the time would still know he had refused to 537 00:29:48,970 --> 00:29:52,300 S2: fulfill his obligation. It's interesting that the one who refuses 538 00:29:52,330 --> 00:29:54,520 S2: is given a new name, and the name literally is 539 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:58,060 S2: House of the Removed Sandal. In terms of being free 540 00:29:58,060 --> 00:30:01,479 S2: to marry someone else, Deuteronomy 25 five says the widow 541 00:30:01,510 --> 00:30:05,410 S2: must not marry outside the family. Now that's a direct prohibition, 542 00:30:05,410 --> 00:30:08,560 S2: and it isn't conditioned on whether a potential kinsman redeemer 543 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:11,110 S2: might or might not be there or do something. So 544 00:30:11,110 --> 00:30:14,200 S2: I take it she was expected to remain single unless 545 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:17,440 S2: and until someone in the extended family was able and 546 00:30:17,440 --> 00:30:20,410 S2: willing to fulfill the role. And with large families, I 547 00:30:20,410 --> 00:30:22,900 S2: suspect there would have been a number of potential candidates 548 00:30:22,900 --> 00:30:24,910 S2: as they moved down the line. 549 00:30:24,940 --> 00:30:27,790 S1: Here's an interesting question based in Luke ten. When Jesus 550 00:30:27,790 --> 00:30:30,790 S1: sent out the 72, he instructed, say to them, The 551 00:30:30,790 --> 00:30:33,940 S1: kingdom of God has come near to you. Well, of 552 00:30:33,940 --> 00:30:36,610 S1: course it had. This writer says, Through Jesus, the Son 553 00:30:36,610 --> 00:30:39,340 S1: of God, our Messiah. But wasn't it later that Jesus 554 00:30:39,340 --> 00:30:42,520 S1: revealed himself as the Son of God and Messiah? So 555 00:30:42,520 --> 00:30:45,160 S1: how would they explain that the kingdom of God has 556 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:46,570 S1: come near to you? 557 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:49,719 S2: Well, I see Jesus presenting Himself as Messiah and the 558 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:52,660 S2: Son of God. Actually, prior to Luke ten, his phrase 559 00:30:52,660 --> 00:30:55,120 S2: Son of Man is a messianic phrase that comes from 560 00:30:55,120 --> 00:30:57,820 S2: Daniel chapter seven, where one like a son of man, 561 00:30:57,820 --> 00:31:01,420 S2: comes with the clouds of heaven. Jesus heals the paralytic 562 00:31:01,450 --> 00:31:04,090 S2: to show them. He says in Luke five that the 563 00:31:04,090 --> 00:31:06,730 S2: Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. 564 00:31:06,730 --> 00:31:09,280 S2: In the next chapter, Jesus announced that the Son of 565 00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:12,100 S2: Man is Lord of the Sabbath in chapter six, verse five. 566 00:31:12,130 --> 00:31:14,680 S2: In response to the question from John the Baptist in 567 00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:18,370 S2: Luke seven, Jesus tells John's disciples to report back and 568 00:31:18,370 --> 00:31:20,920 S2: tell John what they had seen and heard from him. 569 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:24,580 S2: And then he quotes Isaiah 35, which describes the miraculous 570 00:31:24,580 --> 00:31:27,310 S2: deeds that will take place when God comes to deliver 571 00:31:27,310 --> 00:31:31,870 S2: his people. Once John's disciples leave, Jesus quotes Malachi three 572 00:31:31,900 --> 00:31:34,780 S2: one and says, it refers to John. Well, that passage 573 00:31:34,780 --> 00:31:37,600 S2: describes the messenger who's going to come to prepare the 574 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:40,000 S2: way for the Messiah. And then suddenly the Lord you 575 00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:42,220 S2: are seeking it says, will come to his temple, the 576 00:31:42,220 --> 00:31:45,940 S2: messenger of the covenant whom you desire will come. Finally, 577 00:31:45,940 --> 00:31:48,400 S2: after sending out the 12, Jesus gathers him and asks 578 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:51,430 S2: them who the crowds were saying he was. He then 579 00:31:51,430 --> 00:31:54,190 S2: asks who they thought he was. Peter responded by saying 580 00:31:54,190 --> 00:31:57,310 S2: Jesus was the Christ that is the Messiah of God. 581 00:31:57,310 --> 00:32:00,280 S2: That's Luke 920. So it seems clear that even though 582 00:32:00,310 --> 00:32:03,400 S2: most of the people might not have understood Jesus through 583 00:32:03,430 --> 00:32:06,460 S2: his words, actions, and miracles was fulfilling what the Old 584 00:32:06,490 --> 00:32:09,940 S2: Testament prophets said would take place in the days of 585 00:32:09,940 --> 00:32:12,370 S2: the Messiah and the arrival of his kingdom. So in 586 00:32:12,370 --> 00:32:14,380 S2: Luke ten nine, then when he tells the 72 to 587 00:32:14,410 --> 00:32:17,050 S2: announce that the kingdom of God is near you, I 588 00:32:17,050 --> 00:32:19,880 S2: believe the expectation is that they should have understood and 589 00:32:19,880 --> 00:32:22,880 S2: responded since he was on his way through these villages 590 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:24,380 S2: heading to Jerusalem. 591 00:32:24,380 --> 00:32:26,570 S1: Thank you for being a part of the land and 592 00:32:26,570 --> 00:32:30,290 S1: the book. Segment three Questions and Answers Mary takes us 593 00:32:30,290 --> 00:32:34,130 S1: to a friend who suffers from muscular dystrophy. Wondering about 594 00:32:34,130 --> 00:32:36,740 S1: what it's like when one goes to be with the Lord. 595 00:32:36,770 --> 00:32:39,979 S1: He asks if it's being born again. And this is 596 00:32:39,980 --> 00:32:42,620 S1: not a reference necessarily to Bible doctrine, rather, the fact 597 00:32:42,620 --> 00:32:45,980 S1: that he knows he won't have his physical earthly body. 598 00:32:46,280 --> 00:32:48,950 S1: Making him wonder what form he will take in heaven. 599 00:32:48,980 --> 00:32:51,590 S2: Yeah, and we don't have the full answer to those questions, 600 00:32:51,590 --> 00:32:53,330 S2: but we do know enough to have a good basic 601 00:32:53,330 --> 00:32:56,180 S2: idea of what it'll be like for believers when we 602 00:32:56,180 --> 00:32:59,719 S2: receive our resurrection bodies. Revelation 20 says, those who are 603 00:32:59,720 --> 00:33:02,090 S2: martyred by being beheaded will come to life and reign 604 00:33:02,090 --> 00:33:05,270 S2: with Christ. For that to happen, their new resurrection bodies 605 00:33:05,270 --> 00:33:07,820 S2: will need to be restored to wholeness. The final two 606 00:33:07,820 --> 00:33:09,950 S2: chapters of revelation also tell us there will be no 607 00:33:09,950 --> 00:33:13,280 S2: more night, no more curse, no tears, no mourning, no crying, 608 00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:17,620 S2: no pain. In first Corinthians 15, Paul describes the resurrection 609 00:33:17,620 --> 00:33:20,440 S2: body this way. He says it'll be with the resurrection body. 610 00:33:20,470 --> 00:33:23,710 S2: The body that is sown is perishable, it's raised imperishable. 611 00:33:23,710 --> 00:33:26,620 S2: It's sown in dishonor. It's raised in glory. It's sown 612 00:33:26,620 --> 00:33:29,890 S2: in weakness. It's raised in power. It's sown a natural body, 613 00:33:29,890 --> 00:33:32,920 S2: it's raised a spiritual body. And then in verse 49 614 00:33:32,920 --> 00:33:35,230 S2: he says, and just as we have borne the likeness 615 00:33:35,230 --> 00:33:37,630 S2: of the earthly man, so we shall bear the likeness 616 00:33:37,630 --> 00:33:40,330 S2: of the man from heaven. And finally, in first John 617 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:43,060 S2: three two, John wrote, dear friends, now we are children 618 00:33:43,090 --> 00:33:45,370 S2: of God. And and what we will be has not 619 00:33:45,400 --> 00:33:47,470 S2: yet been made known. But we know that when he 620 00:33:47,470 --> 00:33:50,260 S2: appears we shall be like him, for we shall see 621 00:33:50,260 --> 00:33:51,940 S2: him as he is. 622 00:33:51,970 --> 00:33:55,210 S1: Sadie has a bunch of questions about Romans 11. Paul 623 00:33:55,210 --> 00:33:58,120 S1: uses the language of beloved for the sake of their fathers. 624 00:33:58,150 --> 00:34:00,430 S1: Does this mean beloved for the sake of the covenants? 625 00:34:00,430 --> 00:34:03,040 S1: And if so, is this some kind of favoritism? And 626 00:34:03,040 --> 00:34:05,530 S1: does God have feelings? Or is this sort of a 627 00:34:05,530 --> 00:34:08,290 S1: poetic way of saying the covenant must be fulfilled in 628 00:34:08,290 --> 00:34:10,840 S1: this way as well, not only to the church, but 629 00:34:10,840 --> 00:34:14,109 S1: also in this other way also? Is Romans written to 630 00:34:14,140 --> 00:34:16,810 S1: a pagan audience? And is this kind of saying don't 631 00:34:16,810 --> 00:34:17,860 S1: be racist? 632 00:34:17,890 --> 00:34:21,279 S2: Well, Romans was actually written to both Jews and Gentiles, 633 00:34:21,280 --> 00:34:22,600 S2: and let me try to answer the rest of the 634 00:34:22,600 --> 00:34:25,780 S2: questions this way. First, when Paul says Israel is beloved 635 00:34:25,780 --> 00:34:28,720 S2: on account of the patriarchs, I believe the next verse 636 00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:32,200 S2: supplies the answer. Israel had a special place before God, 637 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:36,670 S2: because God's gifts to and call of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, 638 00:34:36,670 --> 00:34:39,430 S2: and Jacob. So in that sense, it's not all the 639 00:34:39,430 --> 00:34:42,730 S2: Old Testament covenants, but the Abrahamic covenant that I believe 640 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:46,390 S2: Paul has in view. In Genesis 12, God called Abraham. 641 00:34:46,390 --> 00:34:49,420 S2: And as the covenant develops in future chapters, it includes 642 00:34:49,420 --> 00:34:52,060 S2: the Promised Land, the Promised Seed, and a promise that 643 00:34:52,060 --> 00:34:54,850 S2: the world would be blessed through Abraham and his descendants. 644 00:34:54,880 --> 00:34:58,210 S2: Paul's arguing that there's a future for Israel, because God's 645 00:34:58,210 --> 00:35:02,650 S2: gifts to and call of Israel's patriarchs was irrevocable. Now 646 00:35:02,650 --> 00:35:05,260 S2: for the other part of your question, God does have emotions, 647 00:35:05,260 --> 00:35:07,390 S2: but we need to be careful not to reduce God 648 00:35:07,390 --> 00:35:10,570 S2: merely to a divine parallel to our emotions. We do 649 00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:13,420 S2: know that love is one of God's attributes. In Jeremiah 650 00:35:13,420 --> 00:35:16,360 S2: 31 three, God said to Israel, I've loved you with 651 00:35:16,360 --> 00:35:19,629 S2: an everlasting love. And in the same way John 316 652 00:35:19,630 --> 00:35:21,879 S2: reminds us, God so loved the world, he gave his 653 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:25,120 S2: one and only son as part of his plan for redemption. 654 00:35:25,120 --> 00:35:27,609 S2: So I don't see this as favoritism, since the offer 655 00:35:27,610 --> 00:35:30,700 S2: to Israel was to all, even though only a remnant responded, 656 00:35:30,700 --> 00:35:33,820 S2: and in the same way, Christ's death was sufficient for all, 657 00:35:33,820 --> 00:35:36,430 S2: even though not all choose to accept it. I wouldn't 658 00:35:36,430 --> 00:35:38,950 S2: say Paul's letter to the Romans was written to pagans, 659 00:35:38,950 --> 00:35:41,560 S2: since in one seven he says he's writing to all 660 00:35:41,560 --> 00:35:44,110 S2: in Rome who are loved by God and are called 661 00:35:44,110 --> 00:35:45,070 S2: to be saints. 662 00:35:45,100 --> 00:35:48,640 S1: Got time for just one more regarding King Solomon's rule 663 00:35:48,640 --> 00:35:52,000 S1: over the surrounding nations? What was the justification? Was it 664 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:54,970 S1: basically conquer or be conquered, or was it just an 665 00:35:54,969 --> 00:35:56,560 S1: unjust conquest? 666 00:35:56,590 --> 00:35:58,630 S2: Well, this answer is just a little bit complex, but 667 00:35:58,630 --> 00:36:00,580 S2: some of the nations over which Solomon ruled had been 668 00:36:00,580 --> 00:36:02,830 S2: captured by his father, David, and a number of them 669 00:36:02,860 --> 00:36:05,950 S2: were captured in response to their own actions of the Philistines, 670 00:36:05,950 --> 00:36:09,160 S2: the Arameans, the ammonites, the Edomites, the Moabites. They were 671 00:36:09,160 --> 00:36:12,250 S2: historic enemies of Israel, and they attacked Israel. And we 672 00:36:12,250 --> 00:36:14,070 S2: can read about that in the book of Judges and 673 00:36:14,070 --> 00:36:16,350 S2: in the first part of Samuel? So in that sense, 674 00:36:16,350 --> 00:36:19,739 S2: I don't see Israel's control over them as being unjust. 675 00:36:19,770 --> 00:36:21,720 S2: And when it came to King Solomon, some of his 676 00:36:21,719 --> 00:36:24,960 S2: connections to other nations are based on common interests. For example, 677 00:36:24,960 --> 00:36:27,569 S2: he entered into a joint venture with tyre that involved 678 00:36:27,570 --> 00:36:30,960 S2: using their sailors to man ships. Solomon had built Solomon, 679 00:36:30,960 --> 00:36:34,020 S2: and the Queen of Sheba apparently developed a trade relationship, 680 00:36:34,020 --> 00:36:38,250 S2: and Solomon collected tribute and taxes from surrounding nations, which 681 00:36:38,250 --> 00:36:42,270 S2: also likely received goods or services in return from him. 682 00:36:42,270 --> 00:36:44,759 S1: Whether you've got a question or a comment, we'd love 683 00:36:44,760 --> 00:36:47,490 S1: to hear from you. Email us at. The land and 684 00:36:47,520 --> 00:36:51,390 S1: the book@moody.edu. Let us know how the program is connecting 685 00:36:51,390 --> 00:36:56,819 S1: with you at the land and the book@moody.edu. We're not 686 00:36:56,850 --> 00:36:59,910 S1: done yet. Charlie's devotional is coming up right here on 687 00:36:59,910 --> 00:37:16,140 S1: the land. And the book. Depression. It's a real thing 688 00:37:16,170 --> 00:37:19,049 S1: affecting many, many people. This is the land and the 689 00:37:19,050 --> 00:37:22,770 S1: book I'm John Geiger. Welcome back to segment four, our devotional, 690 00:37:22,770 --> 00:37:25,710 S1: Charlie Depression. Our focus in your devotional coming up. 691 00:37:25,710 --> 00:37:27,390 S2: That's right. And God's solution for. 692 00:37:27,390 --> 00:37:29,460 S1: Depression I love it. We're not going to just stay negative. 693 00:37:29,489 --> 00:37:32,009 S1: We're going to talk about what God says. All right. 694 00:37:32,010 --> 00:37:33,900 S1: Before we get to that, though, let's pause for this 695 00:37:33,900 --> 00:37:37,920 S1: Holy Land experience testimony. I love hearing how God impacts 696 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:39,960 S1: people as they travel to the Holy Land. 697 00:37:43,920 --> 00:37:47,879 S6: Hello! I went to Israel a few years back and 698 00:37:47,910 --> 00:37:51,240 S6: didn't have any expectations, but as we went through the 699 00:37:51,239 --> 00:37:55,469 S6: places that Jesus walked and where he lived and ministered, 700 00:37:55,469 --> 00:37:58,739 S6: we just felt the presence of the Lord so strongly, 701 00:37:58,739 --> 00:38:01,800 S6: and it was a place that we could actually begin 702 00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:04,739 S6: to connect with him in such a personal way, because 703 00:38:04,739 --> 00:38:07,350 S6: we were in the same place that he did these things. 704 00:38:07,350 --> 00:38:10,380 S6: The exciting thing was, um, especially the via de la 705 00:38:10,380 --> 00:38:14,940 S6: Delarosa because it was just so emotion packed and then 706 00:38:14,940 --> 00:38:17,910 S6: going to the Sea of Galilee. And that's where the 707 00:38:17,910 --> 00:38:20,129 S6: Lord just spoke to me and began to reveal himself 708 00:38:20,130 --> 00:38:23,700 S6: to me in such a personal way that he loves me, 709 00:38:23,700 --> 00:38:27,089 S6: and I just could not get enough of him. I 710 00:38:27,120 --> 00:38:30,060 S6: have desired to go back ever since, and I think 711 00:38:30,060 --> 00:38:33,750 S6: it just touched me personally so much. And my walk 712 00:38:33,750 --> 00:38:35,880 S6: with Christ, I did not come back the same and 713 00:38:35,880 --> 00:38:36,900 S6: have not been since. 714 00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:42,570 S1: Second Timothy chapter four is where we're headed for today's devotional. 715 00:38:42,570 --> 00:38:44,640 S1: And with that, Charlie, I'll turn it over to you. 716 00:38:44,670 --> 00:38:47,189 S2: Well, thanks, John. Those of us in the northern hemisphere 717 00:38:47,190 --> 00:38:49,380 S2: are coming up on the shortest day of the year. 718 00:38:49,380 --> 00:38:52,650 S2: In another week, the Earth's pole reaches its maximum tilt 719 00:38:52,650 --> 00:38:55,380 S2: away from the sun. Of course, those in the southern 720 00:38:55,380 --> 00:38:58,650 S2: hemisphere are approaching their longest day of the year. They 721 00:38:58,650 --> 00:39:01,379 S2: bask in the sunshine while we struggle through the long, 722 00:39:01,380 --> 00:39:04,110 S2: dark nights. This is the time of year when many 723 00:39:04,110 --> 00:39:08,580 S2: in the Northern hemisphere struggle with sad seasonal affective disorder, 724 00:39:08,580 --> 00:39:12,450 S2: the shorter days and less daylight triggers a chemical reaction 725 00:39:12,450 --> 00:39:15,720 S2: in the brain that can actually lead to symptoms of depression. 726 00:39:15,750 --> 00:39:19,770 S2: Treating depression has become big business for drug companies. I'm 727 00:39:19,770 --> 00:39:23,220 S2: amazed by the number of commercials on television for various 728 00:39:23,219 --> 00:39:27,840 S2: antidepressant drugs. It's also somewhat disconcerting when those commercials then 729 00:39:27,840 --> 00:39:31,380 S2: list all the possible side effects like decreased alertness, diabetes, 730 00:39:31,380 --> 00:39:34,530 S2: or suicidal feelings. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not 731 00:39:34,530 --> 00:39:38,040 S2: speaking against such drugs or those who take them. For 732 00:39:38,040 --> 00:39:41,730 S2: many taking antidepressants, the drugs have proved to be a 733 00:39:41,730 --> 00:39:44,339 S2: great help to enable a person to feel as if 734 00:39:44,340 --> 00:39:46,560 S2: he or she has returned to the land of the 735 00:39:46,560 --> 00:39:50,460 S2: living emotionally. But imagine what it was like before such 736 00:39:50,460 --> 00:39:54,030 S2: drugs existed. How was someone able to face those anxious, 737 00:39:54,030 --> 00:39:59,310 S2: dark times of life without selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors? For 738 00:39:59,310 --> 00:40:01,859 S2: the answer, I want us to visit someone who faced 739 00:40:01,860 --> 00:40:05,069 S2: just such a time before introducing him. Let me tell 740 00:40:05,070 --> 00:40:09,060 S2: you a little bit about him. He's in prison, Facing execution. 741 00:40:09,090 --> 00:40:13,440 S2: No television, no books, no reading material. Not even a 742 00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:17,009 S2: warm coat to fight back against the growing chill in 743 00:40:17,010 --> 00:40:20,880 S2: his unheated prison cell. As the autumn days grow short 744 00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:24,569 S2: and cold, most of his former friends have deserted him. 745 00:40:24,570 --> 00:40:26,790 S2: At his trial, no one even showed up as a 746 00:40:26,820 --> 00:40:31,140 S2: character witness in his defense. He's alone, facing a bleak, 747 00:40:31,170 --> 00:40:34,770 S2: uncertain future and with nothing to distract him from what 748 00:40:34,770 --> 00:40:38,100 S2: he knows will soon happen once his execution date is 749 00:40:38,100 --> 00:40:42,300 S2: finally set. Sound depressing? Well, the men were visiting with 750 00:40:42,330 --> 00:40:44,910 S2: is the Apostle Paul, and even as he sits in 751 00:40:44,910 --> 00:40:50,040 S2: this dank, dark prison facing death, Paul is anything but depressed. 752 00:40:50,070 --> 00:40:52,860 S2: Let's visit with him to see what he discovered about 753 00:40:52,860 --> 00:40:56,580 S2: God's solution for depression. The first thing we learn about 754 00:40:56,580 --> 00:41:00,000 S2: Paul is that he hasn't retreated into some fantasy world 755 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:03,450 S2: where he spends his time dreaming about a miraculous escape. 756 00:41:03,450 --> 00:41:07,530 S2: He fully understands the reality he's facing. I am already 757 00:41:07,530 --> 00:41:10,650 S2: being poured out like a drink offering and the time 758 00:41:10,650 --> 00:41:14,549 S2: has come for my departure. Paul clearly realizes that his 759 00:41:14,550 --> 00:41:17,580 S2: physical life here on earth is about to end, but 760 00:41:17,580 --> 00:41:20,069 S2: he is able to put his impending death in perspective 761 00:41:20,100 --> 00:41:23,879 S2: by focusing on the reality of life beyond death. I 762 00:41:23,910 --> 00:41:26,700 S2: have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. 763 00:41:26,700 --> 00:41:29,520 S2: I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 764 00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:32,190 S2: for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the 765 00:41:32,190 --> 00:41:35,219 S2: righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and 766 00:41:35,219 --> 00:41:37,799 S2: not only to me, but also to all who have 767 00:41:37,800 --> 00:41:41,580 S2: longed for his appearing. As the old expression goes, some 768 00:41:41,580 --> 00:41:44,550 S2: people are so heavenly minded that there are no earthly good, 769 00:41:44,550 --> 00:41:46,979 S2: but others are so focused on living in the here 770 00:41:46,980 --> 00:41:50,759 S2: and now that they're absolutely unprepared when they suddenly come 771 00:41:50,790 --> 00:41:54,060 S2: face to face with the reality of their impending death. 772 00:41:54,090 --> 00:41:57,870 S2: Paul stayed balanced by keeping his feet firmly planted in 773 00:41:57,870 --> 00:42:00,600 S2: both realities. While he was here on Earth, he kept 774 00:42:00,600 --> 00:42:04,380 S2: moving forward. He tackled life like a honed athlete, fighting 775 00:42:04,380 --> 00:42:07,410 S2: the good fight, Running the race until finally crossing the 776 00:42:07,410 --> 00:42:10,350 S2: finish line. But at the same time, Paul lifted his 777 00:42:10,350 --> 00:42:13,230 S2: gaze to remember that this life isn't all there is 778 00:42:13,230 --> 00:42:16,200 S2: to life. There's a life to come. And that reality 779 00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:19,650 S2: allowed Paul to face the struggles in this life, including 780 00:42:19,650 --> 00:42:22,890 S2: his own impending death. A second way Paul was able 781 00:42:22,890 --> 00:42:26,160 S2: to keep from becoming depressed was to focus on his friends. 782 00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:29,250 S2: He wrote to Timothy saying, do your best to come 783 00:42:29,250 --> 00:42:32,489 S2: to me quickly. After describing those who had deserted him, 784 00:42:32,489 --> 00:42:36,030 S2: Paul quickly adds, Only Luke is with me. But don't 785 00:42:36,030 --> 00:42:39,300 S2: miss the point. Luke was still there and he encourages 786 00:42:39,300 --> 00:42:42,090 S2: Timothy to get Mark and bring him with you, because 787 00:42:42,090 --> 00:42:45,630 S2: he's very helpful to me in my ministry. Paul wants 788 00:42:45,630 --> 00:42:49,080 S2: to be surrounded by his trusted circle of friends, not 789 00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:52,650 S2: simply to offer emotional support, as important as that was, 790 00:42:52,650 --> 00:42:55,830 S2: but also to help advance the ministry. The end of 791 00:42:55,830 --> 00:42:58,410 S2: the race might have been in sight, but Paul was 792 00:42:58,410 --> 00:43:02,250 S2: still moving forward and these friends could help. Paul also 793 00:43:02,250 --> 00:43:05,540 S2: kept from being depressed by addressing both his physical and 794 00:43:05,540 --> 00:43:08,630 S2: spiritual needs. Winter was on the way, and the cold 795 00:43:08,630 --> 00:43:12,200 S2: and damp conditions in the prison could wear on Paul physically. 796 00:43:12,230 --> 00:43:15,950 S2: His solution? In his letter to Timothy, he writes when 797 00:43:15,980 --> 00:43:18,739 S2: you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus 798 00:43:18,739 --> 00:43:22,880 S2: at Troas. That tiny addition to second Timothy four is 799 00:43:22,880 --> 00:43:26,150 S2: a reminder that Paul understood the importance of taking care 800 00:43:26,150 --> 00:43:29,630 S2: of his own physical needs, but his spiritual needs were 801 00:43:29,630 --> 00:43:32,930 S2: just as important. The next request was for Timothy to 802 00:43:32,960 --> 00:43:37,010 S2: bring my scrolls, especially the parchments. We're not told the 803 00:43:37,010 --> 00:43:40,100 S2: specific content of those scrolls and parchments, but it seems 804 00:43:40,100 --> 00:43:43,310 S2: almost certain that they were his collection of God's Word. 805 00:43:43,340 --> 00:43:46,040 S2: The Bible wasn't a single bound book as we know 806 00:43:46,040 --> 00:43:49,220 S2: it today. Individual books or sections of the Bible were 807 00:43:49,219 --> 00:43:53,029 S2: copied by hand on parchment scrolls. Paul wanted to have 808 00:43:53,060 --> 00:43:58,339 S2: God's Word close by to receive the spiritual comfort it offered. Finally, 809 00:43:58,340 --> 00:44:01,009 S2: Paul was able to keep from being depressed by dealing 810 00:44:01,010 --> 00:44:04,760 S2: biblically with the negative stresses and traumas of life. He 811 00:44:04,760 --> 00:44:07,520 S2: recounted that at my first defense, no one came to 812 00:44:07,550 --> 00:44:10,969 S2: my support, but everyone deserted me. But rather than dwelling 813 00:44:10,969 --> 00:44:13,820 S2: on this, Paul chose to forgive. May it not be 814 00:44:13,820 --> 00:44:16,910 S2: held against them, he wrote. There were evil men who 815 00:44:16,910 --> 00:44:21,260 S2: actively sought to harm Paul during his imprisonment and trial. Alexander, 816 00:44:21,290 --> 00:44:24,529 S2: the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. But 817 00:44:24,530 --> 00:44:27,500 S2: rather than allowing bitter or vengeful thoughts to eat away 818 00:44:27,500 --> 00:44:30,770 S2: at him emotionally, Paul turned the entire matter over to 819 00:44:30,800 --> 00:44:33,500 S2: the Lord. The Lord will repay him for what he 820 00:44:33,500 --> 00:44:36,680 S2: has done. But while that sounds good in theory, how 821 00:44:36,680 --> 00:44:39,500 S2: did Paul forgive friends who hurt him or enemies who 822 00:44:39,500 --> 00:44:43,100 S2: actively attacked him? Paul did so by having a clear 823 00:44:43,100 --> 00:44:46,460 S2: understanding of the person and work of Christ. Friends might 824 00:44:46,489 --> 00:44:49,340 S2: have deserted him, but the Lord stood by my side 825 00:44:49,340 --> 00:44:52,610 S2: and gave me strength. Enemies sought to harm him, but 826 00:44:52,610 --> 00:44:55,669 S2: the Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and 827 00:44:55,670 --> 00:44:59,840 S2: will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Paul wasn't alone, 828 00:44:59,840 --> 00:45:03,770 S2: nor was he defenseless. Instead of obsessing on his problems, 829 00:45:03,770 --> 00:45:07,580 S2: he focused with laser like intensity on the person and 830 00:45:07,580 --> 00:45:10,460 S2: power of the god he served. In fact, instead of 831 00:45:10,460 --> 00:45:14,629 S2: becoming depressed, Paul ended with a doxology to him be 832 00:45:14,630 --> 00:45:18,770 S2: glory for ever and ever. Amen. But how are you 833 00:45:18,770 --> 00:45:22,130 S2: doing today? We all face stresses and struggles in life. 834 00:45:22,160 --> 00:45:25,100 S2: You might be struggling with depression or simply with sadness 835 00:45:25,100 --> 00:45:28,730 S2: and heartache. You might be taking antidepressant medication or trying 836 00:45:28,730 --> 00:45:32,480 S2: to cope on your own, but whatever your circumstances, let's 837 00:45:32,480 --> 00:45:35,029 S2: head home from our visit with the Apostle Paul with 838 00:45:35,030 --> 00:45:39,049 S2: another arsenal to help us face life's struggles. Face life 839 00:45:39,050 --> 00:45:42,110 S2: head on, but do so while remembering that this life 840 00:45:42,110 --> 00:45:44,690 S2: isn't all there is to life. Death isn't the end. 841 00:45:44,719 --> 00:45:48,710 S2: It's only a transition from here to eternity. Connect with 842 00:45:48,710 --> 00:45:51,950 S2: your circle of friends to gain their emotional support. And 843 00:45:51,950 --> 00:45:54,560 S2: if you don't have any friends, find a group at 844 00:45:54,560 --> 00:45:57,890 S2: your church where you can fellowship. Eat right. Don't allow 845 00:45:57,890 --> 00:46:01,640 S2: yourself to become run down physically. Spend time reading God's 846 00:46:01,640 --> 00:46:05,420 S2: Word and don't allow thoughts of anger, revenge, or betrayal 847 00:46:05,450 --> 00:46:08,390 S2: to eat away at your soul. Instead, hand the matter 848 00:46:08,420 --> 00:46:11,510 S2: over to God while you forgive those who failed you, 849 00:46:11,510 --> 00:46:15,560 S2: and finally, pull out your Bible and read second Timothy four. 850 00:46:15,590 --> 00:46:19,460 S2: Here are the Apostle Paul's final practical words to you 851 00:46:19,460 --> 00:46:22,550 S2: on how to face whatever life throws your way. 852 00:46:22,760 --> 00:46:25,400 S1: It's such an encouragement. This life isn't all there is 853 00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:28,460 S1: to life. Thank you, Charlie for that devotional. Thanks for 854 00:46:28,460 --> 00:46:30,770 S1: hanging out with us today at The Land and the book. 855 00:46:30,800 --> 00:46:33,200 S1: Hope you enjoyed the program. Love to hear from you. 856 00:46:33,200 --> 00:46:38,690 S1: Our email address is The Land and the book@moody.edu. That's 857 00:46:38,690 --> 00:46:43,610 S1: the land and the book@moody.edu. Want to say thanks to 858 00:46:43,640 --> 00:46:47,210 S1: Charlie Dyer? To Dan Anderson? I'm John Gager, and thank 859 00:46:47,239 --> 00:46:49,819 S1: you to this station for creating space for the land 860 00:46:49,820 --> 00:46:53,270 S1: and the book. A production of Moody Radio, a ministry 861 00:46:53,270 --> 00:46:55,069 S1: of Moody Bible Institute.