¤[Theme music]¤
00:00:10.01\00:00:17.08
>>John Bradshaw: This is It
Is Written. I'm John Bradshaw.
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Thanks for joining me.
00:00:23.42\00:00:25.15
The Atacama Desert in Chile
is the driest place on Earth.
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It's where the largest
copper and gold mines in
00:00:30.69\00:00:33.06
South America are located.
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And from the Atacama
Desert comes a story of tragedy,
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a story of uncertainty,
yet a story of courage,
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hope and, ultimately,
a story of salvation.
00:00:42.24\00:00:46.07
[Heavy machinery sounds]
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It happened on a Thursday.
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It was August the fifth, 2010.
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Five hours after
starting their workday,
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the land became a tomb for 33
men when a collapse in the mine
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buried them 700
meters, 2300 feet below ground.
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Imagine two Empire State
Buildings stacked on top of each
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other; that's how
far down they were.
00:01:17.21\00:01:20.01
They were trapped in
temperatures of up to 95 degrees
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Fahrenheit - 35 Celsius, and
they were trapped for 69 days.
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The San José mine is
located in the city of Copiapo
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in northern Chile.
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It was there that 33
men and their fellow workers
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risked their lives daily
to support their families,
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mining copper and
gold from the ground.
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The events that unfolded
there in the Atacama Desert
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were watched by more than a
billion people around the world.
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It was one of
the greatest rescues
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in the history of humanity.
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¤[Music]¤
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That fateful day at the San José
mine everything seemed normal,
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just like any other day.
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But in a matter of moments,
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life took an unexpected
turn for those 33 miners
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and their families.
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Now, can you imagine being
trapped underground in a damp,
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dark place with no way out?
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[Hopeless theme]
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After the mine
collapsed, the men were totally
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disconnected from
the outside world.
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They were unable to ask for help
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or to tell rescue
groups that they were alive.
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No matter how much they
shouted, nobody could hear them.
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No matter how much
they tried to escape,
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there was no way out.
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Now, initially, dust kept
them from breathing normally,
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even blinded some
of them for some time,
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some hours.
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Some miners were injured.
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And in addition to the
physical exhaustion was fear,
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the frustration and the
uncertainty that quickly began
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to invade their minds:
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Will they come to rescue us?
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Will they think
that we are alive?
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Will they forget us?
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Now maybe you've
thought about it;
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maybe you've not.
00:03:05.81\00:03:06.72
But you and I,
like those 33 men,
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are trapped, with no way out.
00:03:09.75\00:03:12.75
Yes, it's true human
beings can travel to the moon.
00:03:12.79\00:03:16.09
We've sent the Space
Shuttle up and brought it back.
00:03:16.12\00:03:19.09
The International Space
Station circles the globe.
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Soon maybe we'll be able
to travel to other planets.
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But for now, the
earth is our only home.
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And you and I know only too well
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that everything is
not going well here.
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Just turn on the
TV, flick on the radio,
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go online, and you'll
be faced with bad news
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that can change your life.
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Today we're no longer surprised
to hear about terrorist attacks,
00:03:41.48\00:03:44.72
the emergence of
some strange disease,
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or another
random act of violence.
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We hear of wars,
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pestilences and
famines in all kinds of places.
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Maybe you or a loved one
is experiencing hardships
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of this kind, or a related kind.
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The truth is, we are all trapped
under a mountain of pain,
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or illness, or
hunger, or violence,
00:04:07.81\00:04:11.55
from which we
just cannot escape.
00:04:11.58\00:04:14.08
And even if we install
alarm systems to protect us from
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theft, even though we try
to take care of our health,
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when we try to live quietly,
not bother anybody else,
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at some point, in some way,
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we'll be the victim of evil.
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At some point you and I
will also ask ourselves:
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Will someone come to my rescue?
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Will there be a
solution to my problem?
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Is there anything we can trust?
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You know, even though
we're stuck in a place
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with no way out,
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God has
prepared a refuge for us.
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¤[Bird chirping
and bell chimes]¤
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It's a safe place where you and
I can learn to shield ourselves
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from the plans of the evil one.
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And it's there that we can
wait and prepare while we look
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forward to the supreme
rescue of Jesus Christ.
00:04:58.46\00:05:04.23
In the initial hours in
which the miners were trapped
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underground, they
looked for ways out.
00:05:06.50\00:05:09.17
Now, to begin with,
00:05:09.20\00:05:10.61
they tried to escape
through ventilation shafts,
00:05:10.64\00:05:13.58
but they soon
discovered, to their dismay,
00:05:13.61\00:05:17.25
that the
ladders required by law,
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that should have been there
to facilitate such an escape,
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were missing.
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Any other
attempts were dangerous
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because they could
cause another collapse,
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and with another collapse,
there would surely be death.
00:05:31.26\00:05:34.96
There was no other option
but to wait in the shelter,
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a shelter that had previously
been built underground and
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that was specially designed with
this type of situation in mind.
00:05:42.87\00:05:46.74
There, at least, they
found a safe place to stay,
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there they had some food
to keep them for a few days.
00:05:49.71\00:05:54.45
From that refuge, finally,
the miners came to a conclusion:
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By their own physical strength
they could not get out of there;
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rescue would have
to come from above.
00:06:06.03\00:06:10.53
I'll be back with
more from this story
00:06:10.57\00:06:12.13
and from the
Bible in just a moment.
00:06:12.17\00:06:15.10
¤[Music]¤
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>>John: The greatest
event in all of history.
00:06:23.68\00:06:26.11
The Second
Coming of Jesus Christ.
00:06:26.15\00:06:28.32
What does the Bible
say that will be like?
00:06:28.35\00:06:31.49
Find out by
getting today's free offer,
00:06:31.52\00:06:33.56
“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:06:33.59\00:06:35.12
To get today's free offer,
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call us, 800-253-3000,
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that's 800-253-3000.
00:06:38.89\00:06:41.56
Or visit us
online at iiwoffer.com,
00:06:41.60\00:06:45.73
iiwoffer.com.
00:06:45.77\00:06:47.97
Be sure you get
today's free offer,
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“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:06:50.74\00:06:53.48
¤[Music]¤
00:06:53.71\00:06:56.08
>>Announcer: Planning
for your financial future
00:06:56.11\00:06:57.68
is a vital aspect of
Christian stewardship.
00:06:57.71\00:07:01.58
For this reason,
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It Is Written is pleased
to offer free planned giving
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and estate services.
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For information on
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please call 800-992-2219.
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Call today, or
visit our website,
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hislegacy.com.
00:07:16.56\00:07:18.73
Call 800-992-2219.
00:07:18.77\00:07:23.51
>>Girl: My mom woke up at
11:45, and she smelled smoke.
00:07:24.37\00:07:28.88
>>Man: About maybe
1:30 in the morning,
00:07:28.91\00:07:31.48
the, uh, my wife
got a phone call,
00:07:31.51\00:07:34.82
and I could hear the voice
on the other end of the line,
00:07:34.85\00:07:38.39
and she was basically screaming,
00:07:38.42\00:07:41.16
“There's a fire.
00:07:41.19\00:07:42.12
It's massive.
00:07:42.16\00:07:42.72
It's headed your way.
00:07:42.76\00:07:44.23
You need to get
out and get out now.”
00:07:44.26\00:07:46.09
>>Woman: After I hear fire,
00:07:46.13\00:07:47.56
I hear in the background,
00:07:47.60\00:07:49.43
the fire is two to four
blocks away from your house.
00:07:49.46\00:07:51.50
And I panicked.
00:07:51.53\00:07:52.73
We started praying.
00:07:52.77\00:07:53.94
Our prayers didn't last long.
00:07:53.97\00:07:55.47
They were desperate,
they were, they were rushed.
00:07:55.50\00:08:00.11
There was a need; it was urgent;
00:08:00.14\00:08:01.78
it was very, very urgent.
00:08:01.81\00:08:02.98
I said, please save my children.
00:08:03.01\00:08:05.91
¤[Sentimental music]¤
00:08:05.95\00:08:09.28
>>John: Where was God
when the fires burned?
00:08:09.32\00:08:10.65
Where was God
as people suffered?
00:08:10.69\00:08:12.55
Where was God
while people were dying?
00:08:12.59\00:08:15.36
Where was God in the
midst of the devastation?
00:08:15.39\00:08:17.49
¤[Music and fire crackling]¤
00:08:17.53\00:08:23.73
>>John: Thanks for joining
me today on It Is Written.
00:08:24.43\00:08:26.74
Back in 2010, 33 miners in Chile
00:08:26.77\00:08:31.87
were trapped deep
beneath the surface of the earth
00:08:31.91\00:08:35.48
after a collapse in the
mine in which they were working.
00:08:35.51\00:08:38.78
They were safe; they had food;
00:08:38.81\00:08:42.68
you know, things weren't
so rosy inside that shelter.
00:08:42.72\00:08:46.22
It became more obvious
with the passing hours.
00:08:46.25\00:08:49.09
It was extremely hot.
00:08:49.12\00:08:52.23
The food they had available
00:08:52.26\00:08:53.33
would only last
them for three days.
00:08:53.36\00:08:57.17
They couldn't
agree on everything.
00:08:57.20\00:08:59.67
And the wait caused desperation.
00:08:59.70\00:09:02.87
Have you ever had an
experience like that?
00:09:02.90\00:09:05.64
That waiting, that anxiety.
00:09:05.67\00:09:09.18
You might have.
00:09:09.21\00:09:10.41
You might even have experienced
something like that in church.
00:09:10.45\00:09:15.78
Sometimes the church,
00:09:15.82\00:09:17.02
where the name of
the Lord is praised,
00:09:17.05\00:09:19.19
doesn't feel like the
best place in the world.
00:09:19.22\00:09:21.82
Sometimes it can be suffocating.
00:09:21.86\00:09:25.06
Maybe somebody in that church
hasn't treated you kindly.
00:09:25.09\00:09:27.30
You haven't been able to
resolve your differences.
00:09:27.36\00:09:30.13
Well, maybe this spiritual food
doesn't satisfy your tastes.
00:09:30.17\00:09:34.70
Maybe you think it
just isn't necessary
00:09:34.74\00:09:37.51
to continue attending church.
00:09:37.54\00:09:39.44
But friend, stop.
00:09:39.47\00:09:41.64
I want to tell you something.
00:09:41.68\00:09:43.14
Unless the problem in
your congregation is of a moral
00:09:43.18\00:09:46.35
or scriptural nature
that just cannot be resolved,
00:09:46.38\00:09:49.55
don't leave.
00:09:49.58\00:09:51.09
If it's a
really serious problem,
00:09:51.12\00:09:53.19
don't leave the
church altogether.
00:09:53.22\00:09:54.96
Maybe you can find
another congregation to worship.
00:09:54.99\00:09:57.99
The truth is
that in these moments,
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this moment in earth's history,
00:09:59.73\00:10:01.56
the church is the
safest place that we can be.
00:10:01.60\00:10:05.63
Here's what the
Bible says in Hebrews,
00:10:05.67\00:10:07.24
chapter 10 and verse 25:
00:10:07.27\00:10:09.74
“Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together,
00:10:09.77\00:10:13.14
as is the manner of some,
00:10:13.17\00:10:16.54
but exhorting one another,
00:10:16.58\00:10:18.21
and so much the more as
you see the Day approaching.”
00:10:18.25\00:10:24.39
No, the church isn't perfect.
00:10:24.42\00:10:27.02
Maybe you've seen or experienced
some unpleasant situations
00:10:27.06\00:10:30.23
in the church,
sometimes hurtful situations.
00:10:30.26\00:10:33.86
But the truth is, your rescue
and my rescue comes from above.
00:10:33.90\00:10:39.20
The church is not Paradise.
00:10:39.23\00:10:41.17
We were never
promised that it would be.
00:10:41.20\00:10:42.90
[Bells ringing]
00:10:42.94\00:10:44.24
But the church is
designed to be a haven,
00:10:44.27\00:10:46.64
a safe place,
00:10:46.68\00:10:48.54
as we get ready for
the return of Jesus Christ.
00:10:48.58\00:10:51.45
¤[Music]¤
00:10:51.48\00:10:59.02
Now, that wait was
incredibly stressful
00:10:59.05\00:11:01.62
for the families of the
miners trapped underground.
00:11:01.66\00:11:04.59
Upon hearing the disastrous news
that their loved ones were stuck
00:11:04.63\00:11:08.30
and couldn't soon be liberated,
00:11:08.33\00:11:11.27
they hurried desperately
to ask authorities for help.
00:11:11.30\00:11:14.54
They wanted to know if
their loved ones were alive
00:11:14.57\00:11:16.94
and what the rescue
plan was going to be.
00:11:16.97\00:11:18.94
Imagine the despair!
00:11:18.97\00:11:21.44
Adding to their
despair was the fact
00:11:21.48\00:11:23.31
that statistics
were not on their side.
00:11:23.35\00:11:25.58
It was said that
there was only a 2% chance
00:11:25.61\00:11:29.35
that the 33 men
could still be alive.
00:11:29.38\00:11:32.42
That same night
the rescue began.
00:11:32.45\00:11:34.92
Rescue workers tried
to find passages by which
00:11:34.96\00:11:37.66
they could enter the mine,
00:11:37.69\00:11:38.83
but all of the routes that
they thought they could use
00:11:38.86\00:11:40.86
were either blocked or
they threatened to collapse.
00:11:40.90\00:11:44.00
Two days later there was
another collapse in the mine.
00:11:44.03\00:11:47.70
Rescuers knew then that it would
be impossible for a human team
00:11:47.74\00:11:51.64
to safely reach the miners.
00:11:51.67\00:11:54.21
What do they do?
00:11:54.24\00:11:55.64
They began to drill
down to try to reach the men.
00:11:55.68\00:11:59.68
Ten different drilling
probes were used in an attempt
00:11:59.71\00:12:03.39
to establish contact
with those isolated miners.
00:12:03.42\00:12:06.69
And finally, it
was August the 22nd,
00:12:06.72\00:12:09.86
three weeks after the disaster,
a probe that was later named
00:12:09.89\00:12:13.86
"la Milagrosa"
(the miraculous one),
00:12:13.90\00:12:16.83
managed to find
the emergency shelter.
00:12:16.87\00:12:20.57
Underground, the miners
were listening to the drilling
00:12:20.60\00:12:23.24
with great expectation and hope.
00:12:23.27\00:12:26.14
They'd already
prepared a message
00:12:26.17\00:12:27.54
that they wanted to
share with their families.
00:12:27.58\00:12:29.64
A note they attached to
the tip of the drill said,
00:12:29.68\00:12:33.98
"We are fine in
the shelter, the 33."
00:12:34.02\00:12:38.52
The first sign of life
00:12:38.55\00:12:41.22
filled the hearts of
their loved ones with joy,
00:12:41.26\00:12:43.69
and amazed millions of
people around the world
00:12:43.73\00:12:47.03
who were following the news
of the trapped Chilean miners.
00:12:47.03\00:12:51.20
It was through a small
hole drilled hundreds of meters
00:12:51.23\00:12:53.87
into the earth,well,
maybe I should say a small hole,
00:12:53.90\00:12:58.07
that the miners
could finally communicate
00:12:58.11\00:12:59.67
with their rescue team
00:12:59.71\00:13:00.81
and receive the supplies
that would keep them alive
00:13:00.84\00:13:03.71
as they waited to get out
of their underground prison.
00:13:03.75\00:13:06.41
Through that hole
they received water,
00:13:06.45\00:13:08.38
food, clothing, medicine,
encouragement, and hope.
00:13:08.42\00:13:14.12
They also received
cameras to record messages,
00:13:14.16\00:13:18.29
so the people
up there could know
00:13:18.33\00:13:19.63
what their living
conditions were like down there.
00:13:19.66\00:13:22.53
Okay, now let's
pause for a moment.
00:13:22.56\00:13:25.13
Do you know that God has
provided you with a means
00:13:25.17\00:13:27.27
of communicating between
your place on earth and Heaven,
00:13:27.30\00:13:31.44
where God is?
00:13:31.47\00:13:32.71
Sure He has, and sure, you know.
00:13:32.74\00:13:34.78
That means of communicating
with God is prayer.
00:13:34.81\00:13:38.48
Matthew 21, verse 22:
00:13:38.51\00:13:40.22
“And whatever
things you ask in prayer,
00:13:40.25\00:13:42.85
believing, you will receive.”
00:13:42.88\00:13:46.09
The Bible also says in
Hebrews 4 and verse 16:
00:13:46.12\00:13:49.42
“Let us therefore come
boldly to the throne of grace,
00:13:49.46\00:13:53.70
that we may obtain
mercy and find grace
00:13:53.73\00:13:57.20
to help in time of need.”
00:13:57.23\00:14:00.84
It's through prayer,
00:14:00.87\00:14:02.14
through that, through
that little gap in time
00:14:02.17\00:14:05.54
that we dedicate
to speaking with God,
00:14:05.57\00:14:08.51
it's through prayer
that God listens to our needs
00:14:08.54\00:14:11.71
and attends to our requests,
00:14:11.75\00:14:13.45
and communicates with us.
00:14:13.48\00:14:14.72
It's through prayer that we
receive the necessary blessings
00:14:14.75\00:14:18.19
that strengthen us
as we wait for rescue
00:14:18.22\00:14:21.76
from this world of darkness.
00:14:21.79\00:14:23.99
Let me encourage you.
00:14:24.03\00:14:25.99
Don't neglect your daily
opportunity to speak to God,
00:14:26.03\00:14:31.13
to listen to God and
receive God's blessing.
00:14:31.17\00:14:34.37
You know what's so interesting?
00:14:34.40\00:14:36.57
When God architected
the plan of salvation,
00:14:36.60\00:14:41.04
He didn't make
things so that you and I
00:14:41.08\00:14:44.48
would have to do
something beyond our capability.
00:14:44.51\00:14:48.25
God never asked us
to do the impossible.
00:14:48.28\00:14:51.29
And here's what I mean by that:
00:14:51.32\00:14:52.92
God said, "if you
want to know Me, read."
00:14:52.95\00:14:55.42
You know, if you can't read,
00:14:55.46\00:14:56.89
you can listen to
somebody else read.
00:14:56.93\00:14:59.06
God said, "if you
want to be close to Me,
00:14:59.09\00:15:01.13
speak with Me in prayer."
00:15:01.16\00:15:03.67
Anybody can do that.
00:15:03.70\00:15:05.37
And even if you
couldn't speak out loud,
00:15:05.40\00:15:08.54
you can think
prayers in your mind.
00:15:08.57\00:15:12.14
It's just that simple.
00:15:12.17\00:15:13.74
The Word of God and prayer,
00:15:13.78\00:15:16.24
and in faith and trust
in a God who is responsible
00:15:16.28\00:15:22.98
for the greatest
rescue mission of all time.
00:15:23.02\00:15:26.39
I'll have more just ahead.
00:15:26.42\00:15:28.26
¤[Music]¤
00:15:28.29\00:15:36.20
>>Announcer: In Matthew
4:4, the Word of God says,
00:15:38.83\00:15:41.34
“It is Written,
00:15:41.37\00:15:42.40
‘Man shall not
live by bread alone,
00:15:42.44\00:15:44.27
but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God.'”
00:15:44.31\00:15:48.41
“Every Word”
00:15:48.44\00:15:49.38
is a one-minute,
Bible-based daily devotional
00:15:49.41\00:15:51.65
presented by
Pastor John Bradshaw,
00:15:51.68\00:15:53.38
and designed especially
for busy people like you.
00:15:53.42\00:15:56.52
Look for Every Word
on selected networks,
00:15:56.55\00:15:59.25
or watch it online
every day on our website,
00:15:59.29\00:16:01.72
itiswritten.com.
00:16:01.76\00:16:04.13
Receive a daily spiritual boost.
00:16:04.16\00:16:06.23
Watch “Every Word.”
00:16:06.26\00:16:07.66
You'll be glad you did.
00:16:07.66\00:16:09.13
Here's a sample.
00:16:09.16\00:16:12.10
¤[Music]¤
00:16:12.63\00:16:17.67
>>John: The Assyrian armies
were poised to destroy Judah.
00:16:17.71\00:16:20.64
There was nothing
King Hezekiah could do.
00:16:20.68\00:16:22.64
He was outnumbered.
00:16:22.68\00:16:24.01
To call God's people vulnerable
00:16:24.05\00:16:25.41
would be to
overstate their strength.
00:16:25.45\00:16:27.22
The king and the
people looked to God for help.
00:16:27.25\00:16:29.05
And what did God do?
00:16:29.08\00:16:30.42
Isaiah 37:36 says,
00:16:30.45\00:16:32.69
“Then the angel of
the Lord went forth,
00:16:32.72\00:16:34.22
and smote in the
camp of the Assyrians
00:16:34.26\00:16:36.42
a hundred and
fourscore and five thousand:
00:16:36.46\00:16:38.69
and when they arose
early in the morning,
00:16:38.73\00:16:40.13
behold, they were
all dead corpses.”
00:16:40.16\00:16:42.70
Things were
hopeless for God's people.
00:16:42.73\00:16:44.50
But they looked
toward God for deliverance,
00:16:44.53\00:16:46.33
and He delivered them without
Judah having to fire a shot.
00:16:46.37\00:16:49.57
And that's what
God can do for you.
00:16:49.60\00:16:51.31
When things seem
hopeless, they are not,
00:16:51.34\00:16:53.17
because God is involved.
00:16:53.21\00:16:54.61
When it seems like
you can't move forward,
00:16:54.64\00:16:56.54
you can, because
God is leading the way.
00:16:56.58\00:16:59.75
There is always hope
when your hope is in God.
00:16:59.78\00:17:04.19
I'm John Bradshaw
for It Is Written.
00:17:04.22\00:17:05.72
Let's live today by every word.
00:17:05.75\00:17:07.46
¤[Music]¤
00:17:07.49\00:17:12.06
>>John: Thanks for
joining me on It Is Written.
00:17:13.06\00:17:15.16
After getting in
contact with their rescuers,
00:17:15.20\00:17:17.53
the miners trapped 2,300 feet
below ground in a mine in Chile
00:17:17.57\00:17:24.31
had to prepare mentally and
physically for their rescue.
00:17:24.34\00:17:28.31
The wait continued
after that initial contact
00:17:28.34\00:17:31.91
for an additional 53 more days.
00:17:31.95\00:17:36.85
One of the doctors who devoted
every effort to keeping them
00:17:36.89\00:17:39.72
healthy in order to rescue
them was Dr. Jean Romagnoli.
00:17:39.75\00:17:43.89
He sent the
miners workout videos;
00:17:43.93\00:17:46.23
he sent them music.
00:17:46.26\00:17:47.40
And through that probe he
sent them other special items.
00:17:47.46\00:17:50.73
He was so
committed to his rescue
00:17:50.77\00:17:52.10
that he wrote on his helmet,
00:17:52.13\00:17:53.84
“No one will be left behind.”
00:17:53.87\00:17:56.81
Besides the Chilean government,
00:17:56.84\00:17:58.14
others who joined
the rescue team included
00:17:58.17\00:18:00.14
workers from NASA and also
a dozen private corporations
00:18:00.18\00:18:04.18
from different
parts of the world,
00:18:04.21\00:18:05.71
all of them working
together for one great rescue.
00:18:05.75\00:18:10.29
What was the end result:
00:18:10.32\00:18:11.62
a capsule called
Phoenix designed to bring
00:18:11.65\00:18:15.49
the miners up from
where they'd been trapped,
00:18:15.52\00:18:18.59
one by one.
00:18:18.63\00:18:21.46
Have you ever
thought about the cost Heaven
00:18:21.50\00:18:23.70
paid for your rescue?
00:18:23.73\00:18:26.20
Jesus, the son of God,
00:18:26.23\00:18:28.40
was encapsulated in human
form to come to this earth
00:18:28.44\00:18:31.21
to give His life for you.
00:18:31.24\00:18:33.21
The Bible says it this
way in Philippians 2:6-8:
00:18:33.24\00:18:37.48
“Who, being in the form of God,
00:18:37.51\00:18:40.85
did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God,
00:18:40.88\00:18:44.29
but made Himself
of no reputation,
00:18:44.32\00:18:46.96
taking the form
of a bondservant,
00:18:46.99\00:18:49.29
and coming in
the likeness of men.
00:18:49.32\00:18:51.36
And being found in
appearance as a man,
00:18:51.39\00:18:54.10
He humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of death,
00:18:54.13\00:18:58.57
even the death of the cross.”
00:18:58.60\00:19:02.84
In addition to the
sacrifice made by Jesus,
00:19:02.87\00:19:06.14
all of Heaven
participated in the rescue
00:19:06.17\00:19:10.15
of the human family.
00:19:10.18\00:19:11.81
The angels became involved.
00:19:11.85\00:19:13.18
You read that in Luke,
chapter 2, verses 10 through 14.
00:19:13.21\00:19:16.08
Angels work daily on our behalf,
00:19:16.12\00:19:17.92
so that we would
be saved and not lost.
00:19:17.95\00:19:21.79
The Holy Spirit that abides
in us constantly invites us
00:19:21.82\00:19:24.93
to reflection, and
repentance, and consecration.
00:19:24.96\00:19:27.86
You read about that
in John, chapter 16.
00:19:27.93\00:19:29.40
The Spirit of God also
participated in the inspiration
00:19:29.43\00:19:33.07
of the Bible so that
we could have the Bible,
00:19:33.10\00:19:37.24
the Word of God,
00:19:37.27\00:19:38.57
in our midst and in our heart.
00:19:38.61\00:19:42.21
As you see, the whole universe
has joined in this rescue plan.
00:19:42.24\00:19:47.55
But you know, those miners
did have a role in the rescue.
00:19:47.58\00:19:52.05
No, they couldn't do
anything to rescue themselves,
00:19:52.09\00:19:54.76
but they needed to
follow the instructions
00:19:54.79\00:19:57.13
that were sent from above.
00:19:57.16\00:19:58.63
For example, they
had to lose weight
00:19:58.66\00:20:02.70
in order to fit
into the capsule.
00:20:02.73\00:20:04.83
You and I need to do the same.
00:20:04.87\00:20:06.70
No, I don't mean that
we need to go on a diet.
00:20:06.74\00:20:09.47
But there are some things that
we've just got to let go of.
00:20:09.50\00:20:11.67
We need to let go of the
bonds that tie us to this world,
00:20:11.71\00:20:14.58
the things that cause God's Word
00:20:14.61\00:20:16.04
to come second in our
lives rather than first.
00:20:16.08\00:20:18.71
It's important that we give
to God our destructive habits,
00:20:18.75\00:20:21.58
our negative
thoughts, bad thoughts,
00:20:21.62\00:20:24.52
anything that weighs
us down and prevents us
00:20:24.55\00:20:27.09
from having a transparent
relationship with God.
00:20:27.12\00:20:30.89
Because, just as Dr. Jean
Romagnoli and the rescue team
00:20:30.93\00:20:33.66
worked hard to
rescue the miners,
00:20:33.70\00:20:36.50
God has done the same for you.
00:20:36.53\00:20:37.97
Much more so.
00:20:38.00\00:20:39.90
And in His heart He has a
message for you that says,
00:20:39.93\00:20:43.94
“For God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten Son,
00:20:43.97\00:20:50.45
that whoever believes
in Him should not perish
00:20:50.48\00:20:53.15
but have everlasting life.”
00:20:53.18\00:20:57.65
For those men the
big day finally arrived.
00:20:57.69\00:20:59.82
It was October the 12th, 2010.
00:20:59.85\00:21:02.56
At around 11:00 p.m.,
00:21:02.59\00:21:03.49
the miners began
to ascend, one by one.
00:21:03.53\00:21:06.80
The rescue lasted
all through the next day
00:21:06.83\00:21:08.76
and ended at around
10:00 o'clock that night.
00:21:08.80\00:21:12.60
As each miner left the capsule,
00:21:12.63\00:21:14.44
it seemed as though he
was experiencing a new birth.
00:21:14.47\00:21:17.97
Seeing the men emerge from
the depths of the earth was like
00:21:18.01\00:21:21.01
witnessing people
coming back from death to life.
00:21:21.04\00:21:24.65
Now, I'm
excited about this story
00:21:24.68\00:21:25.98
because it has a
really happy ending.
00:21:26.01\00:21:28.58
The miners saw
the sunlight again;
00:21:28.62\00:21:30.99
they embraced their loved ones
00:21:31.02\00:21:32.62
and could continue
their lives with new meaning.
00:21:32.65\00:21:35.39
In San Jose, Chile,
00:21:35.42\00:21:37.89
where the San
José mine operated,
00:21:37.93\00:21:39.46
where Camp Hope was established,
00:21:39.49\00:21:42.43
a cross was
erected as a monument.
00:21:42.46\00:21:46.33
There was no doubt in
the minds of the people
00:21:46.37\00:21:48.24
there that God was present
at every stage of this rescue.
00:21:48.27\00:21:52.67
God already had
a plan for the men.
00:21:52.71\00:21:55.28
He understood they'd go
through a difficult trial,
00:21:55.31\00:21:58.51
but He'd prepared
a shelter for them.
00:21:58.55\00:22:02.02
He also made it possible that
they could receive blessings
00:22:02.05\00:22:04.95
and assistance and
encouragement from above.
00:22:04.99\00:22:08.72
He gave them the physical
strength and peace of mind to
00:22:08.76\00:22:11.09
resist what was a tremendously
difficult experience,
00:22:11.13\00:22:15.90
great temptations.
00:22:15.93\00:22:17.23
And finally, He
gathered a well-prepared
00:22:17.27\00:22:20.50
team for the rescue.
00:22:20.54\00:22:22.70
Friend, the cross that
was raised at Camp Hope
00:22:22.74\00:22:25.61
was also raised on
Mount Calvary to remind us
00:22:25.64\00:22:28.01
that our salvation is near.
00:22:28.04\00:22:30.75
It tells us we are not alone
in our trials and our hardships.
00:22:30.78\00:22:33.95
It tells us God
has a refuge for us,
00:22:33.98\00:22:37.49
a refuge where we wait
for His rescue from above.
00:22:37.52\00:22:43.63
The cross tells us we
can communicate with God
00:22:43.66\00:22:45.73
directly through prayer,
00:22:45.76\00:22:46.90
and as we do, we
receive His blessings.
00:22:46.93\00:22:50.00
The cross tells us
there's a celestial army
00:22:50.03\00:22:53.90
working for our salvation.
00:22:53.94\00:22:56.30
Jesus said this,
John chapter 12, verse 32:
00:22:56.34\00:23:00.71
“And I, if I am
lifted up from the earth,
00:23:00.74\00:23:03.95
will draw all
peoples to Myself.”
00:23:03.98\00:23:08.75
If you've not yet done so,
00:23:08.78\00:23:10.92
come to Jesus right
now and let Him rescue you.
00:23:10.95\00:23:14.22
Do you feel trapped?
00:23:14.26\00:23:17.16
If so, wait on God.
00:23:17.19\00:23:19.23
God is not going to abandon you.
00:23:19.26\00:23:21.73
God is willing to rescue you.
00:23:21.76\00:23:23.90
Listen to this.
00:23:23.93\00:23:25.03
This is Psalm 40,
verses 1 through 3:
00:23:25.07\00:23:30.14
“I waited patiently for the
Lord; and He inclined to me,
00:23:30.17\00:23:35.28
and heard my cry.
00:23:35.31\00:23:36.61
He also brought me up
out of a horrible pit,
00:23:36.64\00:23:41.82
out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
00:23:41.85\00:23:47.62
and established my steps.
00:23:47.66\00:23:49.56
He's put a new song in my mouth-
00:23:49.59\00:23:52.49
Praise to our God;
many will see it and fear,
00:23:52.53\00:23:57.57
and will trust in the Lord.”
00:23:57.60\00:24:01.00
The Bible is clear.
00:24:01.04\00:24:02.77
The Lord is
coming to your rescue.
00:24:02.80\00:24:05.17
If things are difficult,
00:24:05.21\00:24:06.94
remember that
God is not far away.
00:24:06.98\00:24:08.81
God is with you.
00:24:08.84\00:24:11.11
If hope seems lost,
remember God is with you.
00:24:11.15\00:24:16.35
Sometimes you
can't see a way out,
00:24:16.38\00:24:18.89
but there is a way out,
because God is with you always.
00:24:18.92\00:24:25.19
The story had a
wonderful ending.
00:24:25.23\00:24:27.03
But as you and I both
know, not all stories do.
00:24:27.03\00:24:32.30
Not all stories
of accidents in mines
00:24:32.33\00:24:35.00
turn out to be so filled with
happy tears, joyful reunions.
00:24:35.04\00:24:40.98
Sometimes,
tragedies end in tragedy.
00:24:41.01\00:24:45.41
Where's the hope then?
00:24:45.45\00:24:46.51
Hope is still near,
because God is still with you.
00:24:46.55\00:24:51.02
In that great
event we look forward to,
00:24:51.05\00:24:52.45
the return of Jesus,
when Jesus comes back,
00:24:52.49\00:24:55.26
we won't remember the
tragedies of this earth;
00:24:55.29\00:24:57.33
we won't.
00:24:57.36\00:24:58.63
We won't remember the hardships;
we wouldn't even want to.
00:24:58.66\00:25:00.40
We won't call to mind our
trials and our temptations
00:25:00.43\00:25:03.40
and our frequent failings
and our often stumbling.
00:25:03.43\00:25:06.23
We won't.
00:25:06.27\00:25:07.90
God with us then will
cause us to think on new things.
00:25:07.94\00:25:12.64
God will wipe away
all tears from our eyes.
00:25:12.67\00:25:14.88
God is with you now.
00:25:14.91\00:25:17.15
And even if life is
really hard right now,
00:25:17.18\00:25:20.38
God is still with you.
00:25:20.42\00:25:22.28
He'll never leave you,
and He'll never forsake you.
00:25:22.32\00:25:25.69
¤[Music]¤
00:25:25.72\00:25:33.43
>>John: The greatest
event in all of history.
00:25:34.66\00:25:36.97
The Second
Coming of Jesus Christ.
00:25:37.00\00:25:39.17
What does the Bible
say that will be like?
00:25:39.20\00:25:42.27
Find out by
getting today's free offer,
00:25:42.30\00:25:44.34
“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:25:44.37\00:25:45.94
To get today's free offer,
00:25:45.97\00:25:46.94
call us, 800-253-3000,
00:25:46.98\00:25:49.64
that's 800-253-3000.
00:25:49.68\00:25:52.38
Or visit us
online at iiwoffer.com,
00:25:52.41\00:25:56.45
iiwoffer.com.
00:25:56.48\00:25:58.79
Be sure you get
today's free offer,
00:25:58.82\00:26:01.59
“The Second Coming of Jesus.”
00:26:01.62\00:26:04.39
>>John: Thank you for
remembering that It Is Written
00:26:04.49\00:26:06.46
exists because of the kindness
of people just like you.
00:26:06.49\00:26:09.83
To support this international
life-changing ministry,
00:26:09.86\00:26:13.10
please call us
now at 800-253-3000.
00:26:13.13\00:26:17.34
You can send your
tax-deductible gift
00:26:17.37\00:26:18.84
to the address on your screen,
00:26:18.87\00:26:20.31
or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:20.34\00:26:24.18
Thank you for your prayers
and for your financial support.
00:26:24.21\00:26:26.98
Our number
again is 800-253-3000.
00:26:27.02\00:26:31.29
Or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:31.32\00:26:34.49
>>John: Let's pray together now.
00:26:35.16\00:26:36.62
Father in
Heaven, we're encouraged,
00:26:36.66\00:26:39.36
we're encouraged, that
when things seem hopeless,
00:26:39.39\00:26:41.90
we can be hopeful.
00:26:41.93\00:26:43.03
We're encouraged, that
when things seem desperate,
00:26:43.06\00:26:44.97
we can be positive.
00:26:45.00\00:26:46.70
We're encouraged
that when hope seems lost,
00:26:46.74\00:26:50.41
we can know there's a bright
future ahead because of Jesus,
00:26:50.44\00:26:54.14
the Rescuer of all of us,
00:26:54.18\00:26:57.61
the One who rescues us from sin,
00:26:57.65\00:27:00.58
rescues us in the
midst of temptation.
00:27:00.62\00:27:02.18
We thank You
there's a bright day ahead.
00:27:02.22\00:27:04.39
We thank You,
You've not forgotten us.
00:27:04.42\00:27:05.89
And we thank You
that we can wait on You,
00:27:05.92\00:27:08.52
the One who brings us up
out of the pit of despair.
00:27:08.56\00:27:11.36
My friend, if you despair now,
or if you need to be rescued,
00:27:11.39\00:27:17.07
if there's a little desperation
about your situation,
00:27:17.10\00:27:19.13
if sin is overtaking you,
then reach out to God now.
00:27:19.17\00:27:23.61
Call on God now.
00:27:23.64\00:27:24.74
Open your heart to God now,
00:27:24.77\00:27:26.37
and He will take
your heart and make it
00:27:26.41\00:27:29.01
His dwelling place forever.
00:27:29.04\00:27:31.61
Lord, would You do that?
00:27:31.65\00:27:32.61
Would You take the
hearts yielded to You now,
00:27:32.65\00:27:35.95
the lives
surrendered to You now?
00:27:35.98\00:27:38.52
Bless us, please.
00:27:38.55\00:27:39.32
Keep us.
00:27:39.35\00:27:39.99
And we thank You.
00:27:40.02\00:27:41.82
The greatest rescue of
all time is soon to take place
00:27:41.86\00:27:44.36
when Jesus comes to this earth.
00:27:44.39\00:27:47.13
It's in Jesus' name we pray,
00:27:47.13\00:27:49.56
Amen.
00:27:49.60\00:27:51.27
Thank you so much
for joining me today.
00:27:51.30\00:27:52.60
I'm looking forward to
seeing you again next time.
00:27:52.63\00:27:55.27
Until then, remember:
00:27:55.30\00:27:56.94
“It is written:
00:27:56.97\00:27:58.14
‘Man shall not
live by bread alone,
00:27:58.17\00:28:00.78
but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God.'”
00:28:00.81\00:28:05.11
¤[Theme music]¤
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