1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,320 Speaker 1: And I will give peace in the land, and ye 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,799 Speaker 1: I will rid evil beasts out of the land. Neither 4 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: shall the sword go through your land. Leviticus twenty six six. 5 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: Dear Father, at times I find myself getting pointed in 6 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: different directions that distract me from you. I feel limited 7 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:28,640 Speaker 1: from growing in my faith and happiness. Hold my hand 8 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:31,320 Speaker 1: and pull me closer to you when others try to 9 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: pull me away. Remind me to be faithful and the 10 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: great gifts that you have prepared for me to discover. Father, 11 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:42,480 Speaker 1: Allow me to stay focused than to look to you 12 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 1: when everything else tries to grab my attention. Amen, thank 13 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:52,279 Speaker 1: you for listening to to day's daily prayer for more 14 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: inspiration and an incredible message from our feature pastor stay 15 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: tuned to Pray dot Cobb's Sunday service. 16 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:11,559 Speaker 2: It is amazing to me to see exactly what God 17 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 2: tells us to be looking for to be happening when 18 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:20,959 Speaker 2: we approached the last days. What we should be expecting 19 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 2: is this instability, and more and more we're seeing instability 20 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 2: throughout the world, and that instability is going to be 21 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: a problem that is going to have at first a 22 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 2: very ungodly solution. Now, if you were to ask what 23 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 2: is the least likely place in the Bible for the 24 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:54,600 Speaker 2: church to study, you know what the answer would be. Prophecy. 25 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 2: We need to know prophecy. For example, in the Book 26 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 2: of Revelation, in chapter nineteen, it says that the testimony 27 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 2: of the Messiah, that is the character of Christ, is 28 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 2: the spirit of prophecy, meaning this, the more you know prophecy, 29 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 2: the more that you'll understand who Messiah is and why 30 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 2: he has done the things that he has done, and 31 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 2: why he will do the things that the Word of 32 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:32,680 Speaker 2: God demands that he must do. So we need to 33 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 2: have a prophetic perspective. And when we look at a 34 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 2: key prophecy, and I'm going to begin by going to 35 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:48,679 Speaker 2: Daniel chapter eight, because there are some beasts, and prophetically 36 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 2: a beast is an empire, and there's going to be 37 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 2: an empire that rises up, and we're told who that 38 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 2: empire is. In that eighth chapter of Daniel. It says 39 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 2: that it's paras Umi die. And that is the Hebrew 40 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 2: way of saying Persia and the Meads. And we're talking 41 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 2: about Iran, and Iran is more and more in the 42 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 2: news and Iran is indeed a catalyst for worldwide instability. 43 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 2: Now you live here in Evansville, Indiana, and you may 44 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 2: not know, you may not hear what's going on in 45 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 2: the Middle East. And I say that because it's not 46 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 2: frequently reported in America or Europe, but Israel almost every 47 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 2: week attacks Iran in Syria. Iran for the last four 48 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 2: five six years are trying to move more and more 49 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 2: military assets into Syria for what they want to do, 50 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 2: and that is to destroy that nation. And what we 51 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:16,039 Speaker 2: see in the Book of Daniels this that this Iranian coalition, 52 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 2: and there's going to be other nations joining with Iran. 53 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:23,840 Speaker 2: We see that in the news. We see that they're 54 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 2: making a coalition with Turkey. There was great conflict between 55 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 2: Saudi Arabia and Iran that is being settled. And what 56 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:39,839 Speaker 2: we can expect is Iran to grow and to become 57 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 2: more of a nuisance throughout the world. And when you 58 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 2: read Daniel chapter eight, what we can expect is this 59 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:52,000 Speaker 2: that because of this rising up of that beast called 60 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:58,720 Speaker 2: the ram that the world is going to grow hopeless. 61 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 2: The world is going to have discouragement and as things 62 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: get very difficult, they're not going to see. That is 63 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:12,679 Speaker 2: the world will not see a way to overcome that beast, 64 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 2: that evil empire. And then the scripture says, suddenly, without 65 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: any type of expectation, there's going to be another beast, 66 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 2: that is, another empire that is going to rise up, 67 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 2: but this time not out of the East, but out 68 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 2: of the west. It's going to be European. And if 69 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 2: you read carefully in Daniel chapter eighth, that empire that's 70 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:48,719 Speaker 2: called the goat is the Antichrist empire. And I think 71 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 2: it's so interesting that when we read in the gospels, 72 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 2: for example, in Matthew's Gospel, Messiah is going to separate 73 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 2: the sheep from the ghats. And we can expect that 74 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 2: there will be great conflict, not outside the church, but 75 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 2: within the church, because the Bible tells us that there 76 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 2: is an apostasy coming. What is apostasy? It's moving away 77 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 2: from the truth. And let me ask you a question. 78 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 2: Don't you see that happening today within the church, that 79 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:32,919 Speaker 2: there is much confusion What twenty years ago would never 80 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 2: have been acceptable, would have in a consensus be seen 81 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 2: as sin, abomination, unacceptable. So much of the church is 82 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:51,559 Speaker 2: embracing and the challenge that I have for you. As 83 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 2: we watch Israel, see many people believe that it's going 84 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 2: to be Israel that will go through this time of tribulation. 85 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 2: That's true, Israel will. But before that happens, and we're 86 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 2: going to look at a text in a moment, because 87 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 2: your pastor talked about that fig tree. Well, we are 88 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 2: commanded and he's speaking to disciples to watch the fig tree. 89 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:28,360 Speaker 2: And when we see that fig tree growing, blossoming, then 90 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 2: we know that things are about to happen. And Israel today, 91 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 2: don't believe what you read on the newspapers or see 92 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 2: in the Internet that enters Israel's in a state of imploding. 93 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 2: Nothing could be further from the truth. Things are good 94 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 2: in Israel. And you also read that there's much excitement 95 00:07:55,000 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 2: about the Third Temple, the red Heifer, all lies. We 96 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 2: live in Israel. There's no talk among the Jewish religious 97 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 2: community about this. Why what is the position of Judaism 98 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 2: that we wait for Elijah and until Elijah, and it's 99 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 2: based upon the book of Malachi. Until Elijah returns, nothing 100 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:33,560 Speaker 2: is done in regard to the next temple. The priests 101 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 2: are not being prepared, as some say, it's all untrue. 102 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 2: But what is happening. Well, we're going to study God's word. 103 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: If you have your Bibles, I would invite you to 104 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:55,480 Speaker 2: look at Luke's Gospel, your pastor quoted Matthew and chapter 105 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 2: twenty four. But we're going to see in a parallel 106 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 2: passage what Yashua taught. That is what Jesus said in 107 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 2: regard to Israel, and what the church should be expecting, 108 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 2: what we should be prepared for. So look with me 109 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 2: to Luke's Gospel and chapter twenty one. Now, these, according 110 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:25,840 Speaker 2: to Matthew twenty four are some of the things that 111 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 2: are called the beginning of the trials, and these are 112 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 2: birth pains. And birth pains happen for a reason. Something 113 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 2: is going to change. There's going to be something that's 114 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 2: brought into this world that's new. And therefore Messiah uses 115 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 2: this term. Look, if you would to look twenty one 116 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: and verse ten, then he said to them, Jesus is speaking, 117 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 2: and he says nation will rise against nation. But if 118 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 2: you look carefully at that word for nation, it's literally 119 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 2: where we get the word ethnic from. What messiahs saying 120 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 2: is that there's going to be ethnic conflict throughout the world. 121 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 2: So one ethnic group is going to rise up against another. 122 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:31,599 Speaker 2: That's happening. We have an extension of our work in Ethiopia, 123 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:38,680 Speaker 2: and Ethiopia is a nation that's in conflict and many 124 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 2: are being put to death for one main reason. They 125 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 2: belong to a certain tribe, a certain ethnic group. And 126 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 2: this type of conflict is going to broaden throughout many 127 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 2: different places in the world. You may not know it, 128 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:01,480 Speaker 2: but recently we were in Kosovo and we see that 129 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 2: there's much ethnic conflict between those in Kosovo and those 130 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 2: in Serbia. We know what's going on in the Ukraine 131 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 2: and with Russia, and things are not going to get better. 132 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:20,880 Speaker 2: Don't believe that the Church is not going to be 133 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 2: successful in bringing order into this world and bringing about 134 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 2: the conversion of the world. We will not see that. 135 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 2: The prophets don't speak to that. It may be popular, 136 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 2: but it is not biblical. So look carefully at this verse. 137 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:44,680 Speaker 2: Nation will rise against nation. And now we're dealing with 138 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:50,680 Speaker 2: in this next part, country's word says, and kingdoms upon kingdoms, 139 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 2: and then there's going to be great earthquakes in various places, 140 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 2: and also there will be famines and pestilence, and that 141 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:06,959 Speaker 2: word pestilence in the original language is in the plural. 142 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:14,120 Speaker 2: There's going to be great diseases that's going to manifest themselves. Now, 143 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 2: think about this ethnic conflict, wars going on, earthquakes, famines, diseases, 144 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 2: all of that is going to bring this world into chaos. 145 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 2: And why is it happening? Well, God says these things 146 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 2: must be but and hear that the end is not yet. 147 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,080 Speaker 2: And when Massies speaks about the end, the end that 148 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 2: he's speaking about is the end of the church age. 149 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,719 Speaker 2: Now as I look out at you to see me, 150 00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:00,719 Speaker 2: if you were to ask me what is the primary 151 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 2: message for the church at this time, this is how 152 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 2: I would answer, Pick up your cross and follow him. 153 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 2: In other words, be ready to suffer. The cross is 154 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 2: an emblem of persecution and death, and there's going to 155 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 2: be a time of intense persecution of one for their faith. 156 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 2: And by the way, it's already began, and it's going 157 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 2: to get worse. Notice what the scripture says here, look 158 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:47,520 Speaker 2: now to verse twelve. But before all of these things. 159 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 2: Now in this case, he's not talking about timing. He's 160 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 2: talking about before in the sense of in more importance 161 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 2: then all these things is what he's going to speak about. Now, 162 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 2: this is important to God, and therefore we should pay 163 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:15,319 Speaker 2: the utmost attention. He says, before all of these things, 164 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 2: they will cast their hands upon you, and they will persecute, 165 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 2: and they will deliver you over. For synagogues. Now we 166 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 2: have to understand how that would then understood. Back then, 167 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 2: a synagogue is a Greek word. It is a place 168 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:43,360 Speaker 2: of administration. You hear synagogue and you think of it 169 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 2: as a Jewish religious place of worship. Now, in the 170 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 2: time of Messiah, these places, these synagogues, were used for that, 171 00:14:56,160 --> 00:15:03,080 Speaker 2: but not as a primary purpose. These were community centers. 172 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 2: These were places where government administered. And therefore, when he's 173 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 2: staying here, is not they're going to take you to 174 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:18,480 Speaker 2: synagogues as we think of it, but community centers, places 175 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 2: of governmental administration. And they're also going to put us 176 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:29,600 Speaker 2: into prisons. But notice what it says, and they will 177 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 2: bring you before kings and rulers. Why will notice who 178 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 2: he's speaking to. This is going to happen, he says, 179 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 2: on account of my name. Those who are being persecuted, 180 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 2: those who are being delivered over. This is happening to 181 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 2: them because that they have a connection with the name 182 00:15:55,640 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 2: of Messiah. And understand in the Bible that this word 183 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 2: name is synonymous with character. It's people who are demonstrating 184 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 2: the character of Christ in their life. And by the way, 185 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 2: that's what we're called to do. And I believe this 186 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 2: separation between the sheep and the goats are going to 187 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 2: be based upon who are willing to stand up and 188 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 2: manifest the presence of You're sure, the presence of Jesus 189 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 2: Christ in their life. There are places in this world 190 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 2: today if you do so, you will be arrested, You 191 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 2: will be persecuted. This morning I was speaking at another church, 192 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 2: and before the service, I was sitting in the pastor's office, 193 00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:55,480 Speaker 2: and he showed a picture of a woman holding up 194 00:16:55,560 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 2: a Bible. But that Bible that you had was handwritten. 195 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 2: And this woman, who is a believer, she has been beaten, 196 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:14,400 Speaker 2: she has been in prison, and her father has been 197 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:19,720 Speaker 2: beaten with rebarb where most of the bones in his 198 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 2: body have been broken. He cannot move, he is bedridden, 199 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:32,920 Speaker 2: all because of that name that they hold. Dear. Now, 200 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:37,560 Speaker 2: you may think that happens in other places, but I 201 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 2: hope you see something. Are you seeing change happening in 202 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:47,919 Speaker 2: this country? And it's not changed that is good and 203 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 2: is going to get worse, and it's going to become 204 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 2: more hostile for those who demonstrate the character of our 205 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 2: Lord AND's and some and there are false believers, those 206 00:18:06,359 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 2: who Messiah will say on that day, depart from me, 207 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 2: for I never knew you. These who are waged down 208 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:20,919 Speaker 2: with the cares of this world. Those who will say, well, 209 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,119 Speaker 2: I accepted him because I thought he would help me 210 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 2: in this area. I thought that he would solve these problems. 211 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 2: But if believing in him is going to cause me problems, 212 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 2: that's not what I signed up for. There's going to 213 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:43,719 Speaker 2: be that separation. And I believe that separation has already began. 214 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 2: Look at verse thirteen. These things being persecuted, being delivered over, 215 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 2: these things being hated. These things have a purpose. What 216 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 2: does he say verse thirteen, And this will bring and 217 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:10,159 Speaker 2: this word means an opportunity. It will give you the 218 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 2: opportunity to testify, to bear witness. See what's happening is 219 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 2: this in this world things are becoming dark, so your 220 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:27,680 Speaker 2: light will shine brighter, so that you can be singled 221 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:34,440 Speaker 2: out as a true follower, one who obeys and leaves 222 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 2: the consequences to God the Father. That's what we're called 223 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:42,760 Speaker 2: to be and the world is changing so that we 224 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 2: can document our faith. That's what we're called to do, 225 00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 2: and the world is going to provide that opportunity for us. 226 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 2: He says, this will be as an opportunity for you 227 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:06,440 Speaker 2: for a witness verse fourteen. I like this verse your 228 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 2: call to give witness. You're going to be arrested, You're 229 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 2: going to be placed into prison. And what does he 230 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:23,439 Speaker 2: say verse fourteen. Therefore set your hearts, not to prepare 231 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 2: your defense. In other words, don't give any thought on 232 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 2: what you're going to say. Trussed him. Believe what he 233 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:42,479 Speaker 2: says he's going to do, because he says, for I 234 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 2: will give you a mouth and understanding. And when God 235 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 2: gives you the words, when he provides that perspective, his perspective, 236 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 2: that gives you his understanding. What does he say? He 237 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:06,960 Speaker 2: says here that no one is going to be able 238 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 2: to speak against you, and no one is going to 239 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 2: be able to stand in opposition of those who are 240 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:24,399 Speaker 2: against you. Verse sixteen. He says, but you will be 241 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 2: delivered over And this is where it gets really difficult. 242 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 2: See making him your savior. We all want a savior, 243 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 2: we all want that helper. But is he truly your lord. 244 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 2: And in the scripture people are going to be challenged. 245 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 2: Does he come first? What is he saying here? And 246 00:21:56,440 --> 00:22:03,640 Speaker 2: you will be delivered over by pirits and siblings and 247 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 2: relatives and friends, and some from you they will put 248 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:18,880 Speaker 2: to death. Now realize, whenever we talk about the last days, 249 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 2: we have to make a distinction between the wrath of 250 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 2: God and Satanic persecution. Satanic persecution, his plans, his activity 251 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:40,800 Speaker 2: goes all the way back to the garden, and it 252 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 2: will not stop until the Kingdom of God that knew 253 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:54,439 Speaker 2: Jerusalem is established, when Satan will be no more in 254 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 2: this world. He will be in that lake that burns 255 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:05,399 Speaker 2: forever with fire and brimstone. Yes, during the Millennial Kingdom 256 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:09,520 Speaker 2: he will be bound, but he will be released for 257 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:16,080 Speaker 2: a short time. We need to understand that Satanic persecution 258 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:21,080 Speaker 2: is in this world, but if you are a believer, 259 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 2: you will never ever ever experience the wrath of God. 260 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:32,920 Speaker 2: These things. God is not the source of this tribulation, 261 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:38,760 Speaker 2: this persecution, those who are being put to death. God 262 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 2: is not the author of this. He's allowing it for 263 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 2: a purpose, he says, And some of you will be 264 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:53,640 Speaker 2: put to death. And then he says, look, at verse seventeen. 265 00:23:55,720 --> 00:23:59,560 Speaker 2: And you will be hated by what does your Bible 266 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:07,080 Speaker 2: say all all those who belong to this world? Now, 267 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:10,440 Speaker 2: if you read the Book of Revelation, I would encourage 268 00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 2: you to do so. You are going to find in 269 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 2: the Book of Revelation there's two groups of people, those 270 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:25,040 Speaker 2: who dwell upon the earth and those who dwell in heaven. 271 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 2: Now understand something. It has nothing to do with where 272 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:38,280 Speaker 2: they are physically located. It has to do with their citizenship. 273 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:42,400 Speaker 2: Do they belong to this world or do they belong 274 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:49,240 Speaker 2: to the Kingdom of God? And those who belong to 275 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:53,160 Speaker 2: the Kingdom, those who have entered into that new covenant 276 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:58,719 Speaker 2: by faith through the blood of Messiah, those will be 277 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 2: hated by all those who belong to this world. And 278 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 2: I don't know about you, but I see not an 279 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:17,119 Speaker 2: indifference to our faith by governments throughout the world. But 280 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:24,159 Speaker 2: I'm seeing a greater hostility towards those who have a 281 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 2: kingdom hope, those who have a kingdom citizenship, And things 282 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 2: are going to get worse, he says here, and you 283 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:42,880 Speaker 2: will be hated by all, why on account of my name. 284 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 2: But there's a message of hope, and a hair from 285 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 2: your hair head will not be destroyed. And look at 286 00:25:56,840 --> 00:26:06,520 Speaker 2: verse nineteen, interesting scripture. He says, and in your perseverance, 287 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 2: now understand something. You are a new creation in Messiah. 288 00:26:15,359 --> 00:26:19,520 Speaker 2: You have been born again, you have been regenerated. You 289 00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:25,160 Speaker 2: are not what you were. And when we look at 290 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:32,440 Speaker 2: Messiah's message to those seven churches in Revelations chapter two 291 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:39,080 Speaker 2: and three, he says something to each of them. He says, 292 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:44,439 Speaker 2: he who has a spiritual ear to hear what the 293 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 2: spirit says, and that is a message of overcoming in 294 00:26:52,880 --> 00:27:01,840 Speaker 2: the true faith through the Spirit of Messiah will endure. 295 00:27:03,680 --> 00:27:09,560 Speaker 2: If you trust him, you rely upon him, you will overcome. 296 00:27:09,640 --> 00:27:13,280 Speaker 2: That's what the Church is called to do. Even in 297 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 2: being put to death. See, death is not a problem 298 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:25,159 Speaker 2: for us because the foundation of our faith is resurrection. 299 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:29,880 Speaker 2: And when you study in the Bible and you come 300 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 2: across resurrection, something that speaks to it. Almost without exception, 301 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:41,719 Speaker 2: resurrection is spoken about in a kingdom context. When the 302 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:47,200 Speaker 2: Bible speaks of resurrection, it points to the Kingdom of God. 303 00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:51,720 Speaker 2: So it doesn't matter if they put me to death, 304 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 2: because my hope is not in this body. My hope 305 00:27:57,880 --> 00:28:02,480 Speaker 2: is not in this world. Our hope is in the 306 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:08,560 Speaker 2: establishment of the kingdom of God, and what he's saying here, 307 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 2: if you look carefully at verse nineteen, it's kind of 308 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:20,520 Speaker 2: similar to Matthew twenty four and verse thirteen. There it 309 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:30,240 Speaker 2: says he who perseveres will be saved. Now, so many 310 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:37,119 Speaker 2: people wrongly understand what that verse is saying. It does 311 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:44,960 Speaker 2: not mean that through my perseverance I earn salvation. You know, 312 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 2: that word salvation is used in a wide variety of 313 00:28:51,120 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 2: ways in the scripture. It can be used for financial 314 00:28:55,800 --> 00:29:01,600 Speaker 2: will be. It can be used for physical of a 315 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 2: physical disease. It can be used for spiritual healing, being 316 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:13,600 Speaker 2: set free from demonic possession. It can also be used 317 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:18,880 Speaker 2: for the forgiveness of sins and that kingdom hope. But 318 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:26,800 Speaker 2: that word in its simplest meaning, salvation is related to victory. 319 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:33,160 Speaker 2: When he says he who perseveres to the end will 320 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:38,720 Speaker 2: be saved, it's a statement of encouragement. It's telling the 321 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:45,920 Speaker 2: reader continue on, don't give up, be encouraged because in 322 00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:53,080 Speaker 2: the end, victory is coming. We can be assured. God 323 00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:59,000 Speaker 2: cannot lie. There is victory at the end. What end, 324 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 2: the end of the church age, when there's going to 325 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 2: be a wonderful transformation and we can see that as 326 00:30:09,560 --> 00:30:14,480 Speaker 2: a type of resurrection. You know where the resurrection is 327 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:21,360 Speaker 2: emphasized by Paul in One Corinthians chapter fifteen, where he says, 328 00:30:21,760 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 2: if Christ be not risen from the dead, then our 329 00:30:25,880 --> 00:30:31,959 Speaker 2: faith is in vain. The resurrection is foundational. And in 330 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:37,400 Speaker 2: that same fifteenth chapter of One Corinthians, towards end he 331 00:30:37,520 --> 00:30:44,320 Speaker 2: speaks about a mystery. What mystery the rapture? Why is 332 00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:50,120 Speaker 2: it called a mystery because it was not something that 333 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:55,600 Speaker 2: we see clearly spoken of or promised in the Old Testament. 334 00:30:56,440 --> 00:31:02,760 Speaker 2: It's something that's unique for those New Covenant believers. It's 335 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 2: not part of the law. It is part of that 336 00:31:07,680 --> 00:31:13,960 Speaker 2: New Covenant that was ratified, sealed, put into power by 337 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:20,160 Speaker 2: the blood of Messiah. Look again, in verse nineteen in 338 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:28,240 Speaker 2: your endurance, in your perseverance, what will happen? Says you 339 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:35,000 Speaker 2: will purchase your souls. What does that mean? Well, that 340 00:31:35,240 --> 00:31:41,080 Speaker 2: same word is use to speak about the authority of God, 341 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:48,160 Speaker 2: that he is the crator over all things, that he 342 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:53,120 Speaker 2: is Lord overall. And what the scripture's simply saying is this, 343 00:31:54,680 --> 00:32:01,120 Speaker 2: as you endure, as you persevere, there is going to 344 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:06,120 Speaker 2: be spiritual change that happens to you. You are going 345 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:10,360 Speaker 2: to grow, and you are going to be able to 346 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:17,640 Speaker 2: have authority over your life. And that authority that you 347 00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:23,440 Speaker 2: will have will be in agreement with the anointing of 348 00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit. It means that you are going to 349 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:34,240 Speaker 2: finally be overcomers, whereby you submit to perfectly the will 350 00:32:34,280 --> 00:32:38,760 Speaker 2: of God. That's why it's so important that we endure. 351 00:32:40,280 --> 00:32:45,640 Speaker 2: And then he says, look at verse twenty. But whenever 352 00:32:46,040 --> 00:32:54,200 Speaker 2: you shall see Jerusalem being surrounded by encampments, it's a 353 00:32:54,240 --> 00:33:00,280 Speaker 2: word for soldiers, but a camp of soldiers. Now, this 354 00:33:00,360 --> 00:33:05,800 Speaker 2: is not speaking about what happened nearly two thousand years 355 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:10,000 Speaker 2: ago in seventy AD with the destruction of the First Temple. 356 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:15,120 Speaker 2: This is talking about what's going to happen in the future. 357 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:20,720 Speaker 2: What we read about in Revelation chapter eleven, where it 358 00:33:20,800 --> 00:33:23,880 Speaker 2: talks about the Holy City is going to be trampled 359 00:33:24,240 --> 00:33:30,760 Speaker 2: upon by the nations. So he says, here, when you 360 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:40,720 Speaker 2: see Jerusalem being surrounded by encampments of soldiers, then you 361 00:33:40,840 --> 00:33:47,040 Speaker 2: shall know that her desolation, that is a word that 362 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:56,760 Speaker 2: speaks about destruction is near. Jerusalem will be attacked, but 363 00:33:56,840 --> 00:34:02,160 Speaker 2: there will be a remnant. Descripture says that's not cast 364 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:07,720 Speaker 2: out or cut off from the city. Difficult times are 365 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:15,000 Speaker 2: coming for Israel and Jerusalem, and you know why to 366 00:34:15,120 --> 00:34:21,960 Speaker 2: teach the people there that they need a savior that 367 00:34:22,200 --> 00:34:26,480 Speaker 2: left to themselves, that the enemy and who's that enemy 368 00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:33,360 Speaker 2: will read the prophecy of Zachariah all the nations of 369 00:34:33,440 --> 00:34:41,239 Speaker 2: the world. Pastor Prince asked, what about America in the 370 00:34:41,320 --> 00:34:47,840 Speaker 2: last days? Now? I was born here. I love this country, 371 00:34:47,880 --> 00:34:51,800 Speaker 2: but it's not the same country that I was born into. 372 00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:59,200 Speaker 2: It is vastly different. And America is going to make 373 00:34:59,320 --> 00:35:04,440 Speaker 2: a tragedy decision to join with all the nations in 374 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:07,760 Speaker 2: the world. And you know who's going to be the leader? 375 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:16,239 Speaker 2: Eaedom Have you ever read the Book of Obadiah? Just 376 00:35:16,440 --> 00:35:22,360 Speaker 2: one chapter, just twenty one verses, But I would encourage 377 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:28,080 Speaker 2: you to read that because it speaks about a final battle, 378 00:35:29,160 --> 00:35:35,520 Speaker 2: a battle between the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. There's 379 00:35:35,560 --> 00:35:41,320 Speaker 2: such confusion in the church today. So many people teach 380 00:35:42,520 --> 00:35:47,000 Speaker 2: that Esau was a kind of innocent victim to his 381 00:35:47,160 --> 00:35:53,319 Speaker 2: brother Jacob. That's not what the New Testament says. Read 382 00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:57,880 Speaker 2: some time the Book of Hebrews. In chapter twelve, where 383 00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:06,680 Speaker 2: God says pretty good source. God says that Esaul is 384 00:36:06,719 --> 00:36:16,399 Speaker 2: a perverse and immoral man. Where God tells and Paul 385 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:22,880 Speaker 2: writes it down Esaul I have hated. Now, don't believe 386 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:26,200 Speaker 2: what some say that this sovereign God in God is sovereign, 387 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:33,480 Speaker 2: but that God just simply chooses to hate Esaul and 388 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:38,680 Speaker 2: to love Jacob. That's not what the Bible says. Read 389 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:45,280 Speaker 2: sometime Malachi chapter one. There you have the explanation why 390 00:36:45,360 --> 00:36:50,600 Speaker 2: he hates Esaul. Because Esau was building that which God 391 00:36:51,480 --> 00:36:55,839 Speaker 2: was not delighted in, and God destroyed it. And what 392 00:36:55,880 --> 00:37:00,560 Speaker 2: did Esaul say, God, you can destroy, but I will 393 00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:07,160 Speaker 2: build it back up. Esau has that spirit of defiance. 394 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:13,719 Speaker 2: He does not want the things of God. So there's 395 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:18,680 Speaker 2: going to be a final war. It's what we began 396 00:37:18,800 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 2: to speak of in Dangel chapter eight. And the nation 397 00:37:23,320 --> 00:37:26,480 Speaker 2: who's going to be leading it so says the prophecy 398 00:37:26,520 --> 00:37:34,920 Speaker 2: of Obadiah is Eaedom eat them, in my opinion is 399 00:37:34,960 --> 00:37:41,040 Speaker 2: the modern day Palestidians. There's many biblical reasons to see 400 00:37:41,080 --> 00:37:46,080 Speaker 2: a correlation between them, and the Scripture tells us in 401 00:37:46,200 --> 00:37:50,399 Speaker 2: Obadiah that all the nations of the world Zachariah says 402 00:37:50,440 --> 00:37:55,759 Speaker 2: it as well, are going to join with Eaedom in 403 00:37:55,840 --> 00:38:00,480 Speaker 2: order to go up to Jerusalem for battle. But we 404 00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:05,800 Speaker 2: know what's going to happen. Messiah will return his second coming, 405 00:38:06,680 --> 00:38:11,000 Speaker 2: and he is going to give victory to a remnant 406 00:38:11,480 --> 00:38:17,920 Speaker 2: of Israel. Drop down if you would to verse twenty eight. Israel, 407 00:38:18,040 --> 00:38:23,080 Speaker 2: we've seen it. Jerusalem is surrounded by encampments of soldiers, 408 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:27,400 Speaker 2: and America will be there as well. But what should 409 00:38:27,480 --> 00:38:32,799 Speaker 2: we the believers think? Look at verse twenty eight. But 410 00:38:32,960 --> 00:38:39,000 Speaker 2: when these things begin to be, Now hear that carefully, 411 00:38:40,040 --> 00:38:46,600 Speaker 2: When these things begin to be, what are we called 412 00:38:46,640 --> 00:38:54,520 Speaker 2: to do? It's a commandment? He says, look upward and 413 00:38:54,800 --> 00:39:02,520 Speaker 2: lift up your head. Now that expression to lift up 414 00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:05,960 Speaker 2: your head. Do you understand that there's a psalm that 415 00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:09,279 Speaker 2: says God is the lifter of the head. What does 416 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:16,520 Speaker 2: he mean by that? Well, lifting the head shows recognition. 417 00:39:18,440 --> 00:39:23,280 Speaker 2: God is going to recognize his people. When these things 418 00:39:23,280 --> 00:39:27,319 Speaker 2: that we have spoken of tonight begin to happen, you 419 00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:33,840 Speaker 2: should have an expectation. And that expectation is God is 420 00:39:33,920 --> 00:39:37,600 Speaker 2: going to recognize you. And how is he going to 421 00:39:37,680 --> 00:39:45,400 Speaker 2: do that? He says, look upwards and raise your heads 422 00:39:46,320 --> 00:39:52,799 Speaker 2: because your redemption draws near. You understand what he means 423 00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:57,960 Speaker 2: by that? You see in Hebrew. I understand this is Greek, 424 00:39:59,200 --> 00:40:04,360 Speaker 2: but in Hebrew we have two different words for redemption. 425 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:11,680 Speaker 2: One involves a payment for redemption. That's why Messiah came 426 00:40:11,719 --> 00:40:14,160 Speaker 2: the first time to make that payment, which he made 427 00:40:14,640 --> 00:40:18,480 Speaker 2: on Passover. That's the day he was crucified, not by chance, 428 00:40:19,800 --> 00:40:23,879 Speaker 2: but by the providence of God. In the same way 429 00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:29,200 Speaker 2: that that passover blood brought the people out of bondage, 430 00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:33,840 Speaker 2: the blood of the Lamb of God, Messiah crucified on Passover, 431 00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:37,319 Speaker 2: brings us out of this world and will bring us 432 00:40:37,360 --> 00:40:42,520 Speaker 2: into the Kingdom of God. So there's that word for redemption, 433 00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:48,080 Speaker 2: that's a payment, but there's also a second word that 434 00:40:48,239 --> 00:40:52,319 Speaker 2: speaks about the outcome. You can dig under this way. 435 00:40:52,680 --> 00:40:57,880 Speaker 2: Ever bought a house, there is that down payment that 436 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:02,359 Speaker 2: you get into it. But that second word has to 437 00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:08,200 Speaker 2: do with what you receive all the house, it's now yours. 438 00:41:09,400 --> 00:41:13,080 Speaker 2: It's the outcome. And this is what it's talking about here. 439 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:20,080 Speaker 2: When these things begin to happen, Be encouraged, Look up, 440 00:41:22,880 --> 00:41:27,480 Speaker 2: be encouraged. God is getting ready to recognize who is 441 00:41:27,640 --> 00:41:32,040 Speaker 2: his redeemed people, and we're going to receive the benefits 442 00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:38,520 Speaker 2: of being in that new covenant relationship. Verse twenty nine, 443 00:41:38,880 --> 00:41:42,919 Speaker 2: and he said, a parable to them. Now you all 444 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:49,760 Speaker 2: know that the New Testament, the Gospels are full of parables. 445 00:41:50,239 --> 00:41:54,400 Speaker 2: I said, this morning we studied a different parable, and 446 00:41:54,440 --> 00:41:58,720 Speaker 2: I shared with them that the Hebrew word for parable, michelle, 447 00:42:00,200 --> 00:42:04,480 Speaker 2: is the same word where we get the Hebrew word 448 00:42:04,600 --> 00:42:09,960 Speaker 2: for government. Why because the message of every parable that 449 00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:14,800 Speaker 2: Messiah taught, that message should govern your life, that message 450 00:42:14,800 --> 00:42:20,280 Speaker 2: should rule your life. And in regard to that, he says, 451 00:42:20,440 --> 00:42:25,680 Speaker 2: look at verse twenty nine, and he said a parable 452 00:42:25,920 --> 00:42:32,960 Speaker 2: to them. He says, when you see the fig tree, now, 453 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:39,799 Speaker 2: the expectation is be watching the fig tree. No confusion. 454 00:42:40,680 --> 00:42:48,040 Speaker 2: Read Joseiah chapter nine, verse ten. The fig tree is Israel. 455 00:42:48,239 --> 00:42:52,640 Speaker 2: If you are obedient to the instructions of Messiah, you 456 00:42:52,719 --> 00:42:57,040 Speaker 2: are going to be watching Israel, and you will have 457 00:42:57,200 --> 00:43:04,800 Speaker 2: an expectation. It's not by accident that there is today 458 00:43:04,800 --> 00:43:11,880 Speaker 2: in our lifetime the nation of Israel, he says. And 459 00:43:11,920 --> 00:43:17,280 Speaker 2: when you are looking at the fig tree and all 460 00:43:17,440 --> 00:43:20,960 Speaker 2: other trees, now, why would you say that other trees 461 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:26,640 Speaker 2: other nations. When you look at Israel compared to other nations, 462 00:43:27,160 --> 00:43:34,600 Speaker 2: there is something different, very different. Look at other nations. 463 00:43:35,760 --> 00:43:41,880 Speaker 2: Israel so small, so small, But yet the number of 464 00:43:42,120 --> 00:43:49,560 Speaker 2: Nobel Prize winners compared to other countries, other peoples. The 465 00:43:49,560 --> 00:43:55,759 Speaker 2: more you study Israel, see Israel's a wonderful place. Visit it, 466 00:43:55,880 --> 00:44:01,560 Speaker 2: you'll see that. But we have a problem them. Our 467 00:44:01,600 --> 00:44:06,680 Speaker 2: neighbors don't like us, and our neighbors are sworn to 468 00:44:07,239 --> 00:44:12,160 Speaker 2: our defeat. That's nothing new. But there's still today what 469 00:44:13,400 --> 00:44:17,840 Speaker 2: a nation of Israel and there's going to be. It 470 00:44:17,960 --> 00:44:23,960 Speaker 2: shows God's providence, God's faithfulness. So he says, watch the 471 00:44:24,080 --> 00:44:30,959 Speaker 2: fig tree and all other trees, and he says, when 472 00:44:31,120 --> 00:44:34,160 Speaker 2: it puts forth already, that is when it begins to 473 00:44:34,400 --> 00:44:42,160 Speaker 2: blossom already. He says, watch for yourselves and know that 474 00:44:42,280 --> 00:44:48,880 Speaker 2: the summer is near. Now there's a play on word 475 00:44:49,440 --> 00:44:56,440 Speaker 2: in Hebrew, because this word for summer is very similar 476 00:44:56,480 --> 00:45:02,200 Speaker 2: to the word end. It's spelled the same. There is 477 00:45:02,320 --> 00:45:05,680 Speaker 2: just that one letter that's a vow that changes it. 478 00:45:07,080 --> 00:45:11,960 Speaker 2: And he's what he's saying is when Israel begins to blossom, 479 00:45:12,760 --> 00:45:17,640 Speaker 2: when it shows its distinctiveness, that you can see God's 480 00:45:17,719 --> 00:45:24,480 Speaker 2: hand upon that country, small country. But do you know 481 00:45:24,600 --> 00:45:29,000 Speaker 2: that of all the nations of the world, big nations 482 00:45:29,120 --> 00:45:36,839 Speaker 2: like China, Russia, America, look at all these countries in 483 00:45:36,880 --> 00:45:43,560 Speaker 2: Europe and Asia, and Israel is the number fourth country 484 00:45:44,280 --> 00:45:53,040 Speaker 2: for worldwide investment. So small it to show us God 485 00:45:53,320 --> 00:45:59,320 Speaker 2: makes a difference. God can do the impossible. So he says, 486 00:46:01,080 --> 00:46:05,399 Speaker 2: when you see the fig tree beginning to blossom, you 487 00:46:05,400 --> 00:46:12,640 Speaker 2: yourselves look and you know that the summer is near. 488 00:46:14,360 --> 00:46:21,239 Speaker 2: Now it's talking about a change. There is a harvest time. Thus, also, 489 00:46:21,840 --> 00:46:28,480 Speaker 2: whenever you see these things, you know that the Kingdom 490 00:46:28,600 --> 00:46:35,400 Speaker 2: of God is near. Truly, I say to you that 491 00:46:35,680 --> 00:46:39,880 Speaker 2: this generation now, when we see the things that we've 492 00:46:39,920 --> 00:46:46,399 Speaker 2: spoken of tonight, these wars must be much worse than 493 00:46:46,400 --> 00:46:55,120 Speaker 2: it is today. Famines, earthquakes, diseases, when we see great 494 00:46:55,440 --> 00:47:01,319 Speaker 2: persecution of believers because of the name of Jesus. When 495 00:47:01,360 --> 00:47:07,160 Speaker 2: you see these things beginning, know something that the Kingdom 496 00:47:07,200 --> 00:47:13,719 Speaker 2: of God is drawing near. I hope that each of 497 00:47:13,800 --> 00:47:18,000 Speaker 2: us can see that we're living in a unique time. 498 00:47:19,320 --> 00:47:24,919 Speaker 2: Things are not always as they were. Those ones who 499 00:47:24,920 --> 00:47:30,400 Speaker 2: were scoffing and wool scoff and say everything's the same 500 00:47:30,800 --> 00:47:38,840 Speaker 2: throughout all generation. No. See, I'll close with this, there 501 00:47:39,000 --> 00:47:43,480 Speaker 2: is an enemy that is going to rise up, and 502 00:47:43,560 --> 00:47:48,719 Speaker 2: I'm speaking about the Antichrist. And if you listen to 503 00:47:48,760 --> 00:47:54,919 Speaker 2: what Peter said, what Paul says and what you show 504 00:47:55,000 --> 00:48:01,440 Speaker 2: us said, his father is the father of lies, and 505 00:48:01,480 --> 00:48:09,120 Speaker 2: the Antichrist spirit is one of deceit. And when I 506 00:48:09,320 --> 00:48:12,880 Speaker 2: look at this world today, I see a world that 507 00:48:13,000 --> 00:48:18,600 Speaker 2: is confused. I see a world that's being deceived, one 508 00:48:18,600 --> 00:48:24,239 Speaker 2: that cannot define what Genesis one teaches that in the 509 00:48:24,239 --> 00:48:31,040 Speaker 2: beginning God created man, both male and female. See, this 510 00:48:31,120 --> 00:48:34,520 Speaker 2: is all about one thing. I hope you see the 511 00:48:34,640 --> 00:48:44,320 Speaker 2: spiritual component, because God creates male or female. And what's 512 00:48:44,360 --> 00:48:51,640 Speaker 2: happening today is this. It's simply blatant rebelliousness. Will choose 513 00:48:51,840 --> 00:48:57,440 Speaker 2: what we are, not's. God will define ourselves, not God. 514 00:48:59,400 --> 00:49:04,719 Speaker 2: It's all making man to be the God. That's the 515 00:49:04,760 --> 00:49:09,839 Speaker 2: Antichrist spirit. And don't you see that it's rising up. 516 00:49:10,840 --> 00:49:16,320 Speaker 2: Don't you see that spirit of change happening all throughout 517 00:49:16,360 --> 00:49:25,959 Speaker 2: the world. Don't be discouraged. Understand these things must be. 518 00:49:27,120 --> 00:49:32,239 Speaker 2: The end is not now, but it is coming. And 519 00:49:32,280 --> 00:49:36,759 Speaker 2: if you are in that new covenant relationship, if you 520 00:49:36,880 --> 00:49:40,799 Speaker 2: have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ, 521 00:49:41,760 --> 00:49:48,320 Speaker 2: then you have a wonderful end. You have a blessed 522 00:49:48,440 --> 00:49:54,560 Speaker 2: hope that will not disappoint you. Have an eternal future 523 00:49:56,000 --> 00:50:00,280 Speaker 2: whereby you are going to be made to be like Messiah, 524 00:50:01,400 --> 00:50:04,239 Speaker 2: that you are going to be conformed to his image. 525 00:50:04,880 --> 00:50:11,200 Speaker 2: You will manifest his character when you receive that new body. 526 00:50:12,120 --> 00:50:18,600 Speaker 2: See when these things begin, God's Word commands us, don't 527 00:50:18,920 --> 00:50:29,160 Speaker 2: be discouraged. Lift up your head, look up, because your redemption, 528 00:50:30,160 --> 00:50:35,839 Speaker 2: that victory, that final outcome of your faith is near. 529 00:50:37,360 --> 00:50:44,080 Speaker 2: These difficult times, they announced to us good news. God 530 00:50:44,160 --> 00:50:48,080 Speaker 2: is going to fulfill his covenantal obligations. He is going 531 00:50:48,160 --> 00:50:52,759 Speaker 2: to establish his kingdom. And for me, as I look 532 00:50:52,800 --> 00:50:57,480 Speaker 2: at the Word of God, I am more and more 533 00:50:57,560 --> 00:51:02,520 Speaker 2: convinced when I see the darkness that is coming that 534 00:51:02,600 --> 00:51:07,160 Speaker 2: we serve a holy God. We serve a righteous God. 535 00:51:08,080 --> 00:51:13,080 Speaker 2: We serve a God that keeps covenant. If you're not 536 00:51:13,200 --> 00:51:17,960 Speaker 2: in that new covenant relationship, don't leave this place tonight 537 00:51:19,600 --> 00:51:24,759 Speaker 2: without entering into that covenant. It's so simple. All you 538 00:51:24,880 --> 00:51:28,800 Speaker 2: have to do is to say, yes, I'm a sinner. 539 00:51:28,840 --> 00:51:34,080 Speaker 2: What does that mean? Yes, I have violated God's word 540 00:51:34,760 --> 00:51:39,200 Speaker 2: and left to myself. I am without hope, but I 541 00:51:39,320 --> 00:51:42,319 Speaker 2: believe in the hope that the Word of God promises. 542 00:51:43,080 --> 00:51:46,920 Speaker 2: I believe that Messiah went to that cross, he died 543 00:51:47,000 --> 00:51:50,440 Speaker 2: upon that cross. He shed his blood as the full 544 00:51:50,560 --> 00:51:55,200 Speaker 2: payment for all of my sin. That through the work 545 00:51:55,360 --> 00:52:02,480 Speaker 2: of Messiah, all my sins, all my iniquities, all my 546 00:52:02,600 --> 00:52:09,359 Speaker 2: transgressions are forgiven and not just forgiven. Jeremiah in that 547 00:52:09,520 --> 00:52:13,319 Speaker 2: passage about the New Covenant says, and God promises not 548 00:52:13,400 --> 00:52:17,959 Speaker 2: just that he'll forgive, but he says, and I will 549 00:52:18,000 --> 00:52:24,560 Speaker 2: remember their sins no more. You can have that absolute 550 00:52:24,960 --> 00:52:29,680 Speaker 2: assurance by believing he died, but not just died, Paul says, 551 00:52:29,760 --> 00:52:34,960 Speaker 2: but also that God raised him from the dead, believing 552 00:52:35,040 --> 00:52:38,880 Speaker 2: in the resurrection of Messiah, because you're going to share 553 00:52:40,160 --> 00:52:46,279 Speaker 2: in that same experience, except that good news. It's free. 554 00:52:46,520 --> 00:52:50,960 Speaker 2: And when you do. Your name is written in a book, 555 00:52:51,880 --> 00:52:56,399 Speaker 2: that Lamb's book of life. You want to be in 556 00:52:57,520 --> 00:53:01,680 Speaker 2: that book. By the God, we thank you that you 557 00:53:01,719 --> 00:53:07,600 Speaker 2: are a gracious God, that your word is true, and 558 00:53:07,640 --> 00:53:12,000 Speaker 2: that through your word and faith in your only begotten son, 559 00:53:12,239 --> 00:53:17,719 Speaker 2: you're sure that we can have a hope that will 560 00:53:17,760 --> 00:53:24,520 Speaker 2: not disappoint, a hope that will cause us to inherit 561 00:53:25,560 --> 00:53:31,560 Speaker 2: your eternal promises and your eternal blessings. Father God, we 562 00:53:31,680 --> 00:53:36,080 Speaker 2: give you thanks, We praise your holy name. We lift 563 00:53:36,160 --> 00:53:39,520 Speaker 2: up the name. You show that name above all names, 564 00:53:40,080 --> 00:53:44,640 Speaker 2: thanking him for what he has done and what he's 565 00:53:44,719 --> 00:53:49,040 Speaker 2: going to do when the heavens open up and he 566 00:53:49,160 --> 00:53:53,879 Speaker 2: gathers up the church and he provides for us the 567 00:53:53,920 --> 00:53:58,640 Speaker 2: outcome of his redemption. Lord God, we look forward to 568 00:53:58,680 --> 00:54:04,919 Speaker 2: that day. Until that happens. May we walk faithfully, May 569 00:54:04,960 --> 00:54:10,839 Speaker 2: we walk humbly. May we walk bearing witness to his name. 570 00:54:11,680 --> 00:54:16,520 Speaker 2: For this is our prayer in Jesus Name. Amen,