1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: Let us pray, for He shall give his angels charge 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: over THEE to keep THEE in all thy ways, Psalm 3 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:12,719 Speaker 1: ninety one eleven. Lord, thank you for your angels that 4 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,639 Speaker 1: ministered to the saints. You commanded them to protect me, 5 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:21,959 Speaker 1: and they remove the obstacles blocking your purpose for my life. 6 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: When I pray, your angels attend to your word to 7 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: make sure it gets answered. When I enter into spiritual warfare, 8 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: your mighty angels fight on my behalf. Your angels care 9 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: for those who believe in you. Your Holy Spirit lives 10 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:43,160 Speaker 1: inside me and reveals Jesus. Your angels keep me from 11 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 1: stumbling and protect me from harm along the way. Thank 12 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 1: you for the wonder of all the spiritual resources provided 13 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: to help me gain victory in this life. Amen, Thank 14 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: you are listening to today's daily prayer for more inspiration 15 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: and an incredible message from our feature pastor, stay tuned 16 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: to pray dot COM's Sunday service. 17 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 2: Hi. I'm Chris Mitchell, the Middle East Bureau chief for 18 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 2: CBN News, and I've been reporting from here in Jerusalem 19 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 2: for nearly a quarter of a century. Recently, I've joined 20 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 2: pray dot Com and publish a weekly podcast, and I 21 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:36,119 Speaker 2: hope you have an opportunity to listen to it. Every 22 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:40,400 Speaker 2: week on Saturday mornings at nine thirty am. We plan 23 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 2: to post more content, interviews and videos from here in 24 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:48,559 Speaker 2: Israel about the land of the Bible, and reports about 25 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 2: what's going on here in the Middle East during this 26 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 2: historic and prophetic season. I moved here with my wife 27 00:01:56,560 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: and three children in August of two thousand, called the 28 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 2: Second Intifada began five weeks later. That was a three 29 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 2: to four year period of suicide bombings, terror attacks, and shootings, 30 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 2: and I remember telling my son, we're not in Kansas anymore. 31 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 2: That's a line from the movie The Wizard of Oz. 32 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 2: And despite the dangers, it was really like living out 33 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 2: Psalm ninety one, where it says he that dwells in 34 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 2: the shelter of the Most High shall abide under the 35 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 2: shadow of the Almighty. He protected us and from my 36 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:36,080 Speaker 2: wife and I. Even more importantly, he protected our three children. 37 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,920 Speaker 2: And since two thousand, we've had the privilege of reporting 38 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 2: on the front lines of Israel's history and watching prophecies 39 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 2: unfolding here in the Middle East, like the return of 40 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 2: the Jewish people were told by the Hebrew prophets that 41 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 2: they would come back from the ends of the earth 42 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 2: for today's Sunday service. We're here in the Mount of Olives, 43 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 2: overload making the Kidron Valley, the Garden of Yosemite, and 44 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 2: the Temple Mount. Two thousand years ago, the second Jewish 45 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 2: Temple stood right across the valley from where we are. 46 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 2: We're at the site of the church called Dominus Flabbt. 47 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 2: It's Latin for the Lord wept and commemorates the time 48 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 2: Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and lamented it 49 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 2: did not know its hour of visitation. The Temple Mount 50 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 2: is also where Jesus taught the people, confronted the scribes 51 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 2: and pharisees, and spoke about the coming Kingdom of God. Well, 52 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 2: I'm here on the Mount of Olives because sharing a 53 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 2: message called chaos, comfort and courage in the last days. 54 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 2: Two thousand years ago, somewhere near here on the Mount 55 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 2: of Olives, the disciples of Jesus came to him and 56 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 2: asked this question, what will be the sign of your 57 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 2: coming and of the end of the age. They were curious, 58 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 2: and two thousand years later, millions of believers in Jesus 59 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 2: around the world also want to know about the end times, 60 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: and many believe we are in the days Jesus described 61 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 2: two thousand years ago. These are challenging days, many times 62 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 2: confusing days, and as we navigate through these difficult times, 63 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: it's essential to understand what does the Bible say about 64 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 2: the end times and how we can find comfort and 65 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 2: also summon courage in the midst of today's chaotic days. 66 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 2: Matthew in his Gospel tells us how Jesus answered that 67 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 2: question of his disciples, and here's what he wrote in 68 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 2: chapter twenty four. Now, as he sat on the mount 69 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 2: of Olos, the disciples came to him privately, saying, tell 70 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 2: us when these things will be, and what will be 71 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 2: the sign of your coming and of the end of 72 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 2: the age. And Jesus answered and said to them, take 73 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 2: heed that no one deceives you. From many will come 74 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 2: in my name, saying I am the Christ, and will 75 00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:07,280 Speaker 2: deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors 76 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:10,920 Speaker 2: of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all 77 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 2: these things must come to pass. But the end is 78 00:05:14,839 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 2: not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom 79 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 2: against kingdom, and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes 80 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 2: in various places, and all these are the beginnings of sorrows. 81 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 2: And he went on, Then they will deliver you up 82 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 2: to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated 83 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 2: by all nations for my namesake. And then many will 84 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 2: be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 85 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 2: Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many, 86 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will 87 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 2: grow cold. But he who endoors to the end shall 88 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 2: be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be 89 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 2: preached in all the world as a witness to all 90 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:10,719 Speaker 2: the nations. And then the end will come. Well, today 91 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 2: we see these signs. We see wars and rumors of wars. 92 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 2: Here in Israel, the Jewish state has been at war 93 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 2: since last October seventh, twenty twenty three, with Hamas and 94 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 2: the Gaza Strip, and now is facing a very real 95 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 2: possibility of a much larger war on its northern border 96 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:33,480 Speaker 2: with Hesbealah. Both of these Islamist groups are committed to 97 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 2: the destruction of the Jewish state. Further north, Ukraine and 98 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:39,840 Speaker 2: Russia have been at war for more than two years, 99 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:44,240 Speaker 2: and to the east in Asia, there's fears China will 100 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 2: attack the island nation of Taiwan. We see earthquakes in 101 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 2: various places. Last year we covered one of the most 102 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 2: destructive earthquakes in history that took place in Turkey. Thousands 103 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 2: of people died and the physical distas instruction that we 104 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 2: witness there I can only describe as apocalyptic. Paul the 105 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 2: Apostle also described what the end times would look like. 106 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,559 Speaker 2: He said this to Timothy, whom he called a true 107 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 2: son in the faith. He said this in tewod Timothy, 108 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 2: but know this that in the last days, perilous times 109 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 2: will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers 110 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 2: of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, 111 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 2: unforgiving slanderers without self control, brutal despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, 112 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 2: lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God, having a 113 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 2: form of Godliness but denying its power, and from such 114 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 2: people turn away. Paul saw what the end days would 115 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 2: look like. Jesus also described it life in the days 116 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: of Noah again in Matthew chapter twenty four. But as 117 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 2: the days of Noah, so also will the coming of 118 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 2: the Son of Man be for as in the days 119 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 2: before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and 120 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 2: giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the 121 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 2: Ark and did not know until the flood came and 122 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 2: took them all away, so also will be the coming 123 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 2: of the Son of Man. We also live in an 124 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 2: age of sexual perversion and confusion, when some people can't 125 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:37,079 Speaker 2: or won't distinguish between who is a man and who 126 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 2: is a woman. Some describe it just like the Book 127 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 2: of Judges thousands of years ago, when it said everyone 128 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,959 Speaker 2: did what was right in his own eyes. We also 129 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 2: live in a time of unprecedented Christian persecution. In the 130 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 2: past few years, we've covered how ISS and other Islamist 131 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 2: groups here in the Middle Ace killed, tortured, and imprisoned 132 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 2: believers in Jesus for their faith. Many Christians in Iran, Africa, 133 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 2: and in Asia face tremendous persecution, and this year the 134 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 2: Ministry Opened Doors reported nearly four hundred million Christians around 135 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 2: the world experience high levels of persecution, and of those, 136 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 2: more than three hundred million faced very high or extreme 137 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 2: levels of persecution. Nearly five thousand Christians were killed for 138 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:31,720 Speaker 2: their faith. Nearly fifteen thousand churches and Christian properties were attacked, 139 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 2: and more than four thousand Christians were detained because of 140 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:41,560 Speaker 2: their faith. Countries like North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, and 141 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 2: Yemen are among the most dangerous for Christians. In Asia, 142 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 2: two in five Christians face persecution, while in Africa one 143 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 2: in five are affected. And then worldwide, when you look 144 00:09:55,679 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 2: at the world today, you find political instability, disasters, economic uncertainty, 145 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:08,559 Speaker 2: social unrest, and technology that can spread misinformation and disinformation 146 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:14,040 Speaker 2: instantaneously on a massive scale. The rise of artificial intelligence, 147 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 2: to some, raises the prospect of a brave new world 148 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 2: and raises the question of who's actually in charge behind 149 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 2: the scenes. Then, is the ability now to track and 150 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 2: trace all of our economic transactions? And many wonder when 151 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:32,440 Speaker 2: the day will come when it says in the Book 152 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 2: of Revelation, chapter thirteen that no one may buy or 153 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:39,360 Speaker 2: sell except one who has the mark or the name 154 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 2: of the beasts and the number of his name. We 155 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 2: also see the prophecies of the prophet Zechariah coming to pass. 156 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:50,439 Speaker 2: He wrote in chapter twelve, the burden of the word 157 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:54,199 Speaker 2: of the Lord for Israel, says the Lord which stretches 158 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:57,839 Speaker 2: forth the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, 159 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 2: and forms the spirit of man, and within him. I 160 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 2: will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the 161 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:10,079 Speaker 2: people around about when they shall be in the siege, 162 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 2: both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day 163 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 2: will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the people, 164 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 2: All that burden themselves with it shall be cut to pieces, 165 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:26,559 Speaker 2: though all the people of the earth be gathered together 166 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 2: against it. In our world today, we see global institutions 167 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 2: like the UN, the International Court of Justice, and the 168 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 2: International Criminal Court coming against Jerusalem, as well as nations 169 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 2: like Iran calling for the end of Israel. And this 170 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:48,079 Speaker 2: call for the end of the Jewish state is echoed 171 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:53,200 Speaker 2: by protesters around the world. Jerusalem and the Temple mount 172 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 2: behind me are ground zero for their ambitions. Years ago, 173 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:02,199 Speaker 2: I wrote a book called Line Jerusalem. One of the 174 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 2: themes of the book is that two thousand years ago 175 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 2: all roads led to Rome, and now two thousand years later, 176 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:14,160 Speaker 2: all roads are leading to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is at the 177 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:19,560 Speaker 2: crossroads of history and prophecy, and history's final chapter will 178 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 2: be written here. So the times here in Jerusalem and 179 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:26,959 Speaker 2: around the world in the days to come will likely 180 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 2: be more chaotic, more challenging, and can even be overwhelming. 181 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 2: Yet we have His word that can steer us through 182 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 2: these turbulent, physical, emotional, and spiritual waters. They promise both 183 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:45,280 Speaker 2: comfort and His abiding presence. For example, Psalm forty six 184 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 2: says God is our refuge and strength of very present 185 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:53,760 Speaker 2: help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though 186 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 2: the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried 187 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:59,680 Speaker 2: into the midst of the sea, though its water is roar, 188 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:02,840 Speaker 2: and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. 189 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 2: And later on Psalm forty six goes, be still and 190 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:11,560 Speaker 2: know that I am God. I will be exalted among 191 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 2: the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The 192 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 2: Lord of Host is with us. The God of Jacob 193 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 2: is our refuge. And in Luke chapter twenty one, Jesus 194 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 2: said this, when these things begin to come to pass, 195 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:32,679 Speaker 2: then look up and lift your heads, for your redemption 196 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:38,439 Speaker 2: draws nigh. These words encourage us to trust his steadfast 197 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 2: presence and strength even when everything around us is falling apart. 198 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 2: It's an anchor of hope in these perilous days. Jesus 199 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:52,720 Speaker 2: also gave us words of profound comfort. In John chapter fourteen, 200 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 2: he said, do not let your hearts be troubled. You 201 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 2: believe in God. Believe also in my Father's house has 202 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,960 Speaker 2: many rooms. If that were not so, would I have 203 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:09,720 Speaker 2: told you that I'm going there to prepare a place 204 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 2: for you. And if I go and prepare a place 205 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 2: for you, I will come back and take you to 206 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 2: be with me, that you also may be where I am. 207 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 2: In this same chapter, he also promised the Holy Spirit 208 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 2: these things I have spoken to you while being present 209 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 2: with you. But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the 210 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 2: Father will send in my name, he will teach you 211 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 2: all things and bring to your remembrance all things that 212 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:46,240 Speaker 2: I said to you. Peace I leave with you My peace. 213 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 2: I leave to you. Not as the world gives you, 214 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 2: do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, 215 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 2: and neither let it be afraid. And here's what Paul 216 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 2: wrote in First Thessalonians chapter four. But I do not 217 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:06,200 Speaker 2: want you to be ignorant, brethren concerning those who have 218 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 2: fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 219 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 2: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again. 220 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 2: Even so God will bring with him those who sleep 221 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 2: in Jesus. For this we say to you by the 222 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 2: word of the Lord, that we who are alive and 223 00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 2: remain until the coming of the Lord, will by no 224 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 2: means proceed those who are asleep, For the Lord himself 225 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 2: will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice 226 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 2: of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, and 227 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 2: the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who 228 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 2: are alive and remain shall be caught up together with 229 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 2: them in the clouds to meet the Lord and the Heir. 230 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 2: And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, 231 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 2: comfort one another with these words. It's the promise of 232 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 2: his return, the promise of Holy Spirit with us, and 233 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 2: the promise that He's preparing a place for us. These 234 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:15,160 Speaker 2: all give us great comfort. It's also a reminder that 235 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 2: our ultimate destiny is not in the chaos of this world, 236 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:23,560 Speaker 2: but in His presence forever. Amidst the chaos of this 237 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 2: current age, we're not left without guidance or hope, even 238 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 2: on a daily basis. Lamentations three says, through the Lord's mercies, 239 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 2: we are not consumed because his compassions. They fail not 240 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 2: they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. The 241 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 2: Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore I hope 242 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 2: in him. The Lord is good to those who wait 243 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 2: for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is 244 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 2: good that one should hope and wait quietly for the 245 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 2: salvation of the Lord. We just came down from Dominus Flabbet, 246 00:17:22,880 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 2: down here to the bottom of the amount of olives, 247 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 2: here to the garden of Yosemite. This is where Jesus 248 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:32,800 Speaker 2: agonized the night before he was crucified, and he told 249 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:36,199 Speaker 2: the Father, not my will be done, but yours be 250 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 2: done before the crucible of the cross. So as we 251 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 2: talked about finding comfort in God's promises, we're also called 252 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 2: to exhibit courage. And let me add that, when I 253 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 2: think of the end times and the rise of the Antichrist, 254 00:17:50,359 --> 00:17:53,480 Speaker 2: I ask myself, will I walk worthy of my calling? 255 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 2: Will I be strong and courageous in the face of persecution? 256 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 2: Maybe you've asked yourself those questions too. Yet it's something 257 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:05,399 Speaker 2: God told Joshua years ago, and he's telling us in 258 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 2: Joshua Chapter one, verse nine. God commands, Have I not 259 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 2: commanded you be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid, 260 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:17,400 Speaker 2: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will 261 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 2: be with you wherever you go. This exhortation to Joshua 262 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 2: speaks to us today throughout the millennia. Despite the chaos 263 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:31,920 Speaker 2: of the end times, we're exhorted to be strong and courageous, 264 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 2: knowing that He is always with us. And let's remember 265 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 2: the words of Psalm twenty seven, verse one. The Lord 266 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:42,879 Speaker 2: is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? 267 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,640 Speaker 2: The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom 268 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 2: shall I be afraid. At the end of the Book 269 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:54,080 Speaker 2: of Matthew, Jesus promised us I am with you always, 270 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:57,680 Speaker 2: even to the end of the age. So the courage 271 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:00,719 Speaker 2: we need isn't a denial of fear, but it's a 272 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 2: firm resolve to trust in God, since he promised he 273 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 2: will never leave us or forsake us. And that's what 274 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 2: it says in Hebrews chapter thirteen. Keep your lives free 275 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:13,479 Speaker 2: from the love of money and be content with what 276 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:17,520 Speaker 2: you have, because God has said, never will I leave you, 277 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:21,760 Speaker 2: Never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, 278 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:24,880 Speaker 2: the Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. 279 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 2: What can mere mortals do to me? These scriptures reassure 280 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 2: us during these perilous times. Because of his presence, we 281 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 2: can face the present and the future with confidence and courage. 282 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 2: In the midst of these days, we need to keep 283 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:47,160 Speaker 2: our eyes fixed on Jesus. The Book of Hebrews says, 284 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 2: therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great 285 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:56,400 Speaker 2: a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight 286 00:19:57,040 --> 00:20:00,959 Speaker 2: and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let 287 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 2: us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 288 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:09,720 Speaker 2: looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, 289 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 2: who for the joy that was set before him, endured 290 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 2: the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at 291 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 2: the right hand of the throne of God. We can 292 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 2: keep our eyes on Jesus by keeping our eyes on 293 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 2: God's word, since Jesus is the Word of God. And 294 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,680 Speaker 2: in the Book of Daniel in chapter eleven, contains a 295 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 2: wonderful and exciting promise. It says, but the people who 296 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 2: know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits. 297 00:20:42,840 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 2: The Bible contains passages that many believe point to a 298 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:51,119 Speaker 2: great revival, a spiritual awakening and an outpouring of the 299 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:55,879 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit during the end times. And these are promises 300 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 2: that at the end of the age, God will do 301 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:03,239 Speaker 2: great things. In Joel too, it says, and afterwards, I 302 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 2: will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons 303 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:11,200 Speaker 2: and daughters will prophesy. Your old man will dream dreams, 304 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:15,720 Speaker 2: your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, 305 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 2: both men and women. I will pour out my spirit. 306 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,480 Speaker 2: In those days. I will show wonders in the heavens 307 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:26,399 Speaker 2: and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 308 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:30,160 Speaker 2: The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon 309 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 2: to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful 310 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 2: day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the 311 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:41,160 Speaker 2: name of the Lord will be saved. For on Mount 312 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:45,480 Speaker 2: Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the 313 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:49,679 Speaker 2: Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls. 314 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:53,280 Speaker 2: And in the Book of Habachik it says this in 315 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,919 Speaker 2: chapter one. And I love this verse. Look among the 316 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:01,640 Speaker 2: nations and watch be utterly astounded, for I will work 317 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:04,040 Speaker 2: a work in your days which you would not believe, 318 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:08,119 Speaker 2: even though it was told you. So. There will be 319 00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:12,320 Speaker 2: a day when Azette also says in Habachk, the earth 320 00:22:12,359 --> 00:22:15,600 Speaker 2: will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of 321 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 2: the Lord as the waters cover the sea. One thing 322 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 2: he's doing in the world right now is leading millions 323 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:26,640 Speaker 2: of Muslims to faith through supernatural dreams and visions. It's 324 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,560 Speaker 2: happening throughout the Muslim world and especially in Iran, and 325 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:33,959 Speaker 2: in fact, many say, even despite this tyranny in Iran, 326 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:38,000 Speaker 2: it's the fastest growing church in the world. And we've 327 00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:40,919 Speaker 2: had the privilege of meeting some of these former Muslims 328 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:44,800 Speaker 2: during a visit to Erbil, that's in Iraq. They came 329 00:22:44,840 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 2: to a three day Bible study and four the five 330 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:50,879 Speaker 2: we met came to faith through a dream or vision 331 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 2: of Jesus. And as it says in Matthew, the completion 332 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 2: of the Great Commission will take place at the end 333 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 2: of the age. This scripture and this Gospel of the 334 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:06,160 Speaker 2: Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a 335 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 2: testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. CBN, 336 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:13,880 Speaker 2: the Ministry of CBN, has that scripture above its front 337 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:17,399 Speaker 2: door of the headquarters, and CBN and other ministries have 338 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:21,919 Speaker 2: helped lead millions to faith in Jesus Christ around the world. 339 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 2: A global evangelistic effort is taking place right now with 340 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 2: groups like Empowered twenty one. They have the following goal 341 00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:34,680 Speaker 2: that every person on earth would have an authentic encounter 342 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 2: with Jesus Christ through the power and the presence of 343 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:44,199 Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit by Pentecost twenty thirty three. And in 344 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 2: light of these momentous days we're living in, The Bible 345 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:52,879 Speaker 2: provides key principles and clear instructions on how believers like 346 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:55,119 Speaker 2: you and me can live in and prepare for the 347 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,239 Speaker 2: last days and the coming of the Lord. Here are 348 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:04,119 Speaker 2: some of them. Stay alone, be watchful. Jesus emphasides vigilance 349 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 2: and readiness. In Matthew twenty four. He says, therefore, keep 350 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:13,320 Speaker 2: watch because you do not know on what day the 351 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:17,159 Speaker 2: Lord will come. But understand this, If the owner of 352 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:20,639 Speaker 2: the house had known at what time of night the 353 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:24,440 Speaker 2: thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would 354 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 2: have not let his house be broken into. So you 355 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:31,720 Speaker 2: also must be ready, because the Son of Man will 356 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:34,640 Speaker 2: come at an hour when you do not expect him. 357 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:39,360 Speaker 2: Here's another point. Lead Holy lives in tewod Peter chapter three, 358 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:43,080 Speaker 2: Peter writes, since everything will be destroyed in this way, 359 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:46,640 Speaker 2: what kind of people ought you to be. You ought 360 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 2: to live holy in godly lives as you look forward 361 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:54,119 Speaker 2: to the day of God and speed it's coming. Here's another, 362 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 2: be steadfast. Paul encourages believers to remain firm in their faith, 363 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:01,960 Speaker 2: especially as the day of the Lord approach us. In 364 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:06,920 Speaker 2: First Thessalonians, chapter five, he says, but you, brothers and sisters, 365 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:10,879 Speaker 2: are not in darkness, so that this day should surprise 366 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 2: you like a thief. You are all children of the 367 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 2: light and children of the day. We do not belong 368 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 2: to the night or to the darkness. So then let 369 00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 2: us not be like others who are asleep. But let 370 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 2: us be awake and sober. For those who sleep sleep 371 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 2: at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 372 00:25:32,760 --> 00:25:36,360 Speaker 2: But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, 373 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:40,479 Speaker 2: putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the 374 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 2: hope of salvation as a helmet. Here's another. Encourage and 375 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:49,359 Speaker 2: build up one another. Believers are called to support and 376 00:25:49,560 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 2: encourage each other as they prepare for the end times. 377 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 2: This is what Hebrews ten says. And let us consider 378 00:25:57,600 --> 00:26:01,640 Speaker 2: how we may spur one another on towards love and 379 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 2: good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are 380 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:09,399 Speaker 2: in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and 381 00:26:09,720 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 2: all the more as you see the day approaching. Here's 382 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:18,040 Speaker 2: another exhortation from the Word spread the Gospel. The Great 383 00:26:18,040 --> 00:26:22,360 Speaker 2: commission remains central to the mission of the church. Jesus 384 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 2: instruct his followers in Matthew twenty eight, near the end 385 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:30,600 Speaker 2: of his ministry, Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, 386 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:34,159 Speaker 2: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of 387 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:37,680 Speaker 2: the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them 388 00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:41,679 Speaker 2: to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I 389 00:26:41,720 --> 00:26:45,000 Speaker 2: am with you always to the very end of the age. 390 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:49,680 Speaker 2: With comforting words. Another thing to remember, watch and pray. 391 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:53,000 Speaker 2: In Luke chapter twenty one, Jesus says, be always on 392 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,600 Speaker 2: the watch and pray that you may be able to 393 00:26:55,760 --> 00:26:58,919 Speaker 2: escape all that is about to happen, and that you 394 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:01,639 Speaker 2: may be able to stand before the Son of Man. 395 00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:05,640 Speaker 2: In one Peter chapter four, Peter says, but the end 396 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 2: of all things is at hand. Therefore be serious and 397 00:27:09,119 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 2: watchful in your prayers. And Peter said that two thousand 398 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:18,240 Speaker 2: years ago. Here's another exhortation. Avoid deception. Believers are cautioned 399 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 2: to be discerning and not to be led astray by 400 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:25,119 Speaker 2: false teachings or prophets. As it says in Matthew chapter 401 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:29,320 Speaker 2: twenty four, Jesus warned, for false messires and false prophets 402 00:27:29,640 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 2: will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, 403 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:38,159 Speaker 2: if possible, even the elect see I have told you 404 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:42,040 Speaker 2: ahead of time. Instead, we can strive to be like 405 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:45,600 Speaker 2: the sons of Isakar, who the Bible says were men 406 00:27:45,640 --> 00:27:50,119 Speaker 2: who understood the times. And we need to be faithful 407 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:53,680 Speaker 2: and be wise stewards. In Matthew chapter twenty four, again 408 00:27:53,720 --> 00:27:57,399 Speaker 2: it says Jesus said, who then is the faithful and 409 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:00,919 Speaker 2: wise servant whom the Master has put in charge of 410 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:04,399 Speaker 2: the servants in his household to give them their food 411 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 2: at the proper time. It will be good for that 412 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:12,919 Speaker 2: servant whose Master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly, 413 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:15,520 Speaker 2: I tell you, he will put him in charge of 414 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 2: all of his possessions. And we're encouraged to live with 415 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:23,480 Speaker 2: hope and expectation. Believers are called to live with the 416 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 2: hope of Jesus return and the expectation of eternal life. 417 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,679 Speaker 2: This is what it says in Titus chapter two and 418 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:33,959 Speaker 2: encourages us. It says, for the grace of God has 419 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:38,360 Speaker 2: appeared that offers salvation to all people. And it teaches 420 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:42,640 Speaker 2: us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and 421 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 2: to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this 422 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 2: present age while we wait for the blessed hope. What's 423 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:53,080 Speaker 2: that hope? The appearing of the glory of our great 424 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:57,160 Speaker 2: God and Savior, Jesus Christ. I also wanted to read 425 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 2: from a book that I wrote, mentioned it before called 426 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:03,800 Speaker 2: Dateline Jerusalem, an eyewitness account of prophecies unfolding in the 427 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:07,320 Speaker 2: Middle East. And this is the last three pages and 428 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 2: it really relates to what we've been talking about this time. 429 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 2: And it talks about a love story, and it says 430 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 2: this everybody loves a love story. It's the grand theme 431 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:19,800 Speaker 2: of the ages, and it will be one of the 432 00:29:19,840 --> 00:29:24,920 Speaker 2: main melodies during Earth's end time symphony. From the beginning 433 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 2: of Genesis to the end of Revelation. The Bible bursts 434 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 2: with God's great love for his people and the world. 435 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 2: It's God's love letter of his often unrequited love. It's 436 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,959 Speaker 2: first a love story of his passion for his chosen people, 437 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:45,640 Speaker 2: in Deuteronomy chapter fourteen. He said, the Lord your God 438 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:49,160 Speaker 2: has chosen you to be a people for himself, a 439 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 2: special treasure above all the peoples who are on the 440 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:56,480 Speaker 2: face of the earth. Eventually he used them to bring 441 00:29:56,560 --> 00:30:00,160 Speaker 2: salvation to the world from one of their own. On 442 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:03,440 Speaker 2: three point sixteen says, for God so loved the world 443 00:30:03,520 --> 00:30:06,880 Speaker 2: that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes 444 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:11,080 Speaker 2: in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For 445 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 2: the Christian, the climax of the Age ends with a 446 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:19,560 Speaker 2: love story. Many Christians come to Jerusalem to deepen their love. 447 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:22,720 Speaker 2: We followed one Christian group from New Life Church in 448 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:26,920 Speaker 2: Virginia Beach during their visit. For most Christians, it's a 449 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:31,840 Speaker 2: powerful and sometimes life changing experience. One pilgrim told us, 450 00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 2: when you read the scriptures, you're kind of looking at 451 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:37,760 Speaker 2: it in black and white, but when you come here 452 00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:41,560 Speaker 2: to Israel, it really jumps off the page. It makes 453 00:30:41,560 --> 00:30:43,840 Speaker 2: the Bible jump off the page and you're able to 454 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:47,200 Speaker 2: really see in color. You're like, Wow, this is real. 455 00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:51,760 Speaker 2: This is really what our faith is built upon. And 456 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,600 Speaker 2: they walk in the same place as Jesus walked, like 457 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:57,160 Speaker 2: the Garden of Gsemite in fact, this is the same 458 00:30:57,200 --> 00:31:00,800 Speaker 2: place where we talk to those people, and one said 459 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:03,640 Speaker 2: through tears, I don't ever have to be in the 460 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:08,360 Speaker 2: garden of Gysemine pleading before the Father, because Jesus did 461 00:31:08,360 --> 00:31:12,800 Speaker 2: it already. The other highlight for many is another garden, 462 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:16,320 Speaker 2: the Garden Tomb. Richard Murrn, who is the director at 463 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:19,440 Speaker 2: the time, told us what we do have here in 464 00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:23,920 Speaker 2: the garden is a perfect representation of the biblical accounts 465 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:27,320 Speaker 2: at the end of the Four Gospels. One of their 466 00:31:27,400 --> 00:31:30,600 Speaker 2: tour guides says, as you go through the whole story 467 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 2: of what jesus life meant, what his death and resurrection meant, 468 00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:37,960 Speaker 2: it's like you see the lights go on in people's eyes. 469 00:31:38,520 --> 00:31:41,640 Speaker 2: They suddenly get it. And I've had Christians tell me 470 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:44,600 Speaker 2: I've been a Christian my whole life, thirty or forty years, 471 00:31:45,080 --> 00:31:47,560 Speaker 2: but it's only now for the first time, I really 472 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,480 Speaker 2: get it. I really get it was a real man 473 00:31:51,240 --> 00:31:55,640 Speaker 2: God in my place. It was salvation paid in incredible costs, 474 00:31:56,080 --> 00:32:02,560 Speaker 2: but absolutely permanently established. The relationship between Jesus and his 475 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:05,680 Speaker 2: church is another sign post along the way to the 476 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 2: end times. It's a growing romance between a bride and 477 00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:14,080 Speaker 2: her bridegroom. The Song of Solomon describes this intimate relationship. 478 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:18,080 Speaker 2: I thought of that again on the haus promenade during 479 00:32:18,120 --> 00:32:20,959 Speaker 2: a wedding ceremony. I look to the mount of Olives 480 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:24,240 Speaker 2: and realize that's where Jesus will come for his bride. 481 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:27,080 Speaker 2: He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his 482 00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:31,000 Speaker 2: banner over me is love, the voice of my beloved. 483 00:32:31,560 --> 00:32:35,800 Speaker 2: Behold he comes, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 484 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:39,320 Speaker 2: My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. 485 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:43,480 Speaker 2: Behold he stands behind the wall. He is looking through 486 00:32:43,480 --> 00:32:48,160 Speaker 2: the windows, gazing through the lattice. My beloved is white 487 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:52,000 Speaker 2: and ruddy, chief among ten thousand. I am my beloved, 488 00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:55,760 Speaker 2: and my beloved is mind, and it says, make haste, 489 00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:59,480 Speaker 2: my beloved. In Eastern tradition, the bridegroom would leave his 490 00:32:59,560 --> 00:33:02,200 Speaker 2: betrowth and go to prepare a place for her in 491 00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:05,920 Speaker 2: his father's house. He left, but he promised to return, 492 00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:09,360 Speaker 2: and this return is stirring the hearts of believers in 493 00:33:09,440 --> 00:33:13,800 Speaker 2: Jesus around the world. It's a love sick bride pining 494 00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:17,760 Speaker 2: for the bridegroom, and a divine romance played against the 495 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:22,520 Speaker 2: backdrop of a world in chaos. It's an intimacy described 496 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:26,320 Speaker 2: by Isaiah where he says, you shall no longer be 497 00:33:26,440 --> 00:33:30,840 Speaker 2: termed forsaken, nor shall your land anymore be termed desolate, 498 00:33:31,440 --> 00:33:36,080 Speaker 2: But you shall be called hep Zibab. My delight is 499 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:40,080 Speaker 2: in her, and your land beulah, or married. For the 500 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:43,520 Speaker 2: Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. 501 00:33:43,920 --> 00:33:46,840 Speaker 2: For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall 502 00:33:46,960 --> 00:33:50,720 Speaker 2: your sons marry you. And as the bridegroom rejoices over 503 00:33:50,760 --> 00:33:55,440 Speaker 2: the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. I 504 00:33:55,480 --> 00:33:58,920 Speaker 2: have set watchmen on you. Also, Jerusalem, they shall never 505 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:02,160 Speaker 2: hold their peace day night. You who make mention of 506 00:34:02,200 --> 00:34:04,880 Speaker 2: the Lord, do not keep silent and give him no 507 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:09,800 Speaker 2: rest till he establishes, until he makes Jerusalem a praise 508 00:34:09,880 --> 00:34:13,719 Speaker 2: in all the earth. So the Christian knows it's not 509 00:34:13,920 --> 00:34:17,359 Speaker 2: really the end but a beginning, And it's not the 510 00:34:17,440 --> 00:34:19,759 Speaker 2: end of the world. It's just the end of the 511 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:22,839 Speaker 2: age and the start of a new age with the 512 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:26,840 Speaker 2: one we've been waiting for. And that's why our cry 513 00:34:27,080 --> 00:34:33,080 Speaker 2: is even so, come Lord Jesus well to sum up. 514 00:34:33,120 --> 00:34:36,680 Speaker 2: The Bible instructs us to prepare for the coming of 515 00:34:36,680 --> 00:34:40,960 Speaker 2: the Lord by living holy in godly lives, staying alert, 516 00:34:41,440 --> 00:34:47,120 Speaker 2: being watchful and ready, remaining faithful and wise stewards, praying 517 00:34:47,239 --> 00:34:52,799 Speaker 2: continually and then encouraging and building up one another, and 518 00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:58,640 Speaker 2: staying faithful amid trials, avoiding deception, and proclaiming the Gospel, 519 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:04,560 Speaker 2: and living with and expectation. Following these biblical principles, we 520 00:35:04,600 --> 00:35:07,880 Speaker 2: can be ready for the return of Jesus and fulfill 521 00:35:07,920 --> 00:35:11,799 Speaker 2: our calling in these last days. And so as we 522 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:16,520 Speaker 2: navigate these uncertain times, may we hold fast to the 523 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:20,960 Speaker 2: comfort and the courage that come from the Lord who 524 00:35:21,000 --> 00:35:25,000 Speaker 2: never changes. And may we be beacons of hope and 525 00:35:25,080 --> 00:35:28,400 Speaker 2: strength and shining His light in a world that so 526 00:35:28,680 --> 00:35:32,640 Speaker 2: desperately needs it. And we all have the privilege to 527 00:35:32,680 --> 00:35:35,680 Speaker 2: live in these days. And He has called each one 528 00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:38,560 Speaker 2: of us to the Kingdom for such a time as this, 529 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:41,600 Speaker 2: the end times described in the Bible, or a time 530 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:45,000 Speaker 2: of great chaos. However, in the midst of this chaos, 531 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:49,239 Speaker 2: we can find comfort in God's promises and the assurance 532 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:53,760 Speaker 2: of His presence. As we anchor our hope in Him, 533 00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:58,359 Speaker 2: we can exhibit courage, trusting that He will never leave 534 00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:03,160 Speaker 2: us nor or say us Please join me in prayer Father, 535 00:36:03,280 --> 00:36:06,120 Speaker 2: we just thank you that you really have called each 536 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:08,880 Speaker 2: one of us that are watching and listening right now 537 00:36:09,160 --> 00:36:11,560 Speaker 2: to the Kingdom for such a time as this. We 538 00:36:11,560 --> 00:36:15,239 Speaker 2: were born to be alive in these days, and yet 539 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:20,080 Speaker 2: there are days filled with chaos, uncertainty. We don't know 540 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:22,360 Speaker 2: what's going to happen, and we don't know how, and 541 00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:25,560 Speaker 2: sometimes we question whether or not we're able to stand 542 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:29,279 Speaker 2: in these days. But your word assures us that we 543 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:33,759 Speaker 2: can have comfort, we can have courage in the midst 544 00:36:33,840 --> 00:36:36,520 Speaker 2: of all this, and especially here in the garden of Casemite, 545 00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:39,840 Speaker 2: you showed us an example that even when the cross 546 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:43,120 Speaker 2: was facing you, you look to the Father and you 547 00:36:43,239 --> 00:36:46,759 Speaker 2: trust it in him, and you put your hope in him. 548 00:36:46,880 --> 00:36:48,920 Speaker 2: And Lord, we see what happened in your life. And 549 00:36:48,960 --> 00:36:52,040 Speaker 2: now you're seating at the right hand of the father 550 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:56,880 Speaker 2: ever lived, to make intercession for us. So we pray, Father, 551 00:36:56,960 --> 00:36:59,279 Speaker 2: as you Jesus, as you pray for us, give us 552 00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:02,839 Speaker 2: the strength and hope insurance in these last days. And Lord, 553 00:37:02,880 --> 00:37:05,400 Speaker 2: I want to pray for each and everyone listening and watching, 554 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:10,319 Speaker 2: give them your hope, your comfort, your courage for these 555 00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:13,040 Speaker 2: days that we're living in. And we ask us all 556 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:18,200 Speaker 2: in Jesus' name. Amen. So thanks for joining us for 557 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:21,200 Speaker 2: this Sunday service on the model of Olers here in 558 00:37:21,239 --> 00:37:24,600 Speaker 2: the garden of Ysemine. It's been a privilege to be 559 00:37:24,680 --> 00:37:29,000 Speaker 2: with you as we all navigate these uncertain and turbulent waters, 560 00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:32,400 Speaker 2: but with the Word of God and the help of 561 00:37:32,480 --> 00:37:34,680 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit. God bless. 562 00:37:41,719 --> 00:37:44,600 Speaker 3: The podcast The Bible in a Year with Jack Graham 563 00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:48,120 Speaker 3: is a moving and inspiring Biblical audio experience that will 564 00:37:48,160 --> 00:37:51,239 Speaker 3: help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In 565 00:37:51,280 --> 00:37:55,360 Speaker 3: each episode, you'll learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. 566 00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:58,959 Speaker 3: Each cinematic episode is a journey through the Bible's most 567 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:02,439 Speaker 3: profound story that will strengthen your appreciation of the Word 568 00:38:02,719 --> 00:38:06,920 Speaker 3: and inspire you to keep learning. Listen to The Bible 569 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:09,600 Speaker 3: in a Year with Jack Graham on the iHeartRadio app 570 00:38:09,680 --> 00:38:11,759 Speaker 3: or wherever you get your podcasts.