Music...
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Would you like to
know from your Bible
00:00:02.73\00:00:04.67
how Jesus is going to rescue
us from this decaying planet?
00:00:04.70\00:00:08.14
Are you ready for the
greatest rescue mission
00:00:08.17\00:00:11.24
in all of earth's history?
00:00:11.27\00:00:12.64
Let me tell you a secret...
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the Lord does nothing in secret.
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He is transparent with
all of His plans for you.
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Let's study... my
name is Cami Oetman
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and I'll be
sharing the great news next
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on: Unlocking Bible Prophecies.
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The rise of an
international pandemic...
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polarizing global politics...
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increasingly
destructive natural disasters.
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Bush fires in Australia
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are warning about what may
be to come around the world.
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What does it all mean?
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What does the future hold?
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Music...
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Join International
Speaker, Cami Oetman
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on a journey for answers
in unlocking Bible prophecies.
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In her travels around the world,
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she's come face to face
with real-life struggles
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but in the midst of that,
she's found miracles of hope.
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Join Cami Oetman
00:01:03.36\00:01:05.73
for unlocking Bible prophecies
00:01:05.76\00:01:07.86
as she shares how Bible
prophecy is being fulfilled
00:01:07.90\00:01:10.97
faster than ever before.
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Music...
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Isn't it amazing
that we have been together
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for eight sessions already?
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Also, you can find all
of our archived programs
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at: awr. org/bible
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as well us some
bonus resources there.
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Last night we studied
the truth about death.
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I love how the
Bible is so clear.
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Wasn't it
reassuring and comforting
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when Jesus tells us 50 times
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that death is
simply a momentary sleep
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until he wakes us up
on resurrection morning.
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Did you know that all of heaven
is orchestrating your rescue
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right now?
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That Jesus, the
King of the Universe,
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is preparing and
personalizing your heavenly home
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at this moment.
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We are going to look
at this truth tonight.
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Stay with me
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and you will be thrilled
about God's plan for you.
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Now, come with me to
the continent of Africa
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where I met Assad face to
face in an undisclosed country.
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He is one of our
faithful radio broadcasters
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and his story helps
introduce our topic tonight...
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The Rescue...
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but first, pray
with me, Friends.
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"Dear Heavenly Father,
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Lord, thank You so much
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for bringing us
together again tonight
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to study the most awesome
moment in all of history.
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Lord, we can't
wait for you to return
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and we know it's
soon... we've seen the signs...
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we're hearing the...
the warnings in the Bible
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and everything is taking place
and we want to be ready, Lord,
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and so, we want to know
the truth of Your coming...
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Your second coming...
so that we are prepared.
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Lord, thank You for
this rescue that we all await
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and we just love and adore You,
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in Jesus' precious
powerful name amen. "
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Late one afternoon,
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Assad closed the
door to his office
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at the Adventist
World Radio Station.
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He'll be gone for several days.
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Assad boarded the bus
and nothing seemed unusual.
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It was like any other day...
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only today, he was
traveling farther...
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this time... back
to his home country
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for a short visit.
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Despite religious
persecution in his home country,
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Assad longed for
his people to know Jesus
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and this spurred him on.
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All of a sudden, Assad's
thoughts were interrupted.
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Three masked men stopped the
van and their guns were drawn.
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Assad cringed as
they reached for him
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and to his horror they yelled,
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"This is the man
we are looking for. "
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They told him they knew
of his work with the radio
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and wanted his contacts.
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Unsatisfied with
the answers he gave,
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they threw him into a
large, empty shipping container.
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Shut out from
fresh air and sunshine,
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he sat in darkness.
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His socks, shoes
and jacket were taken
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and Assad suffered
from the extreme conditions.
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As the sun beat down in the day,
00:04:04.97\00:04:07.01
the metal container
intensified the heat
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while at night, a
sharp chill set in.
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Without food or water,
Assad soon fell very sick.
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As he sat in the
dark, isolated container,
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his mind went
back to his childhood.
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Scenes of his
village being raided by night
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flashed before him.
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Those men had worn masks too.
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Somehow he escaped them
and he ran with all his might.
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Alone in the darkness, he
wondered for the first time,
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"What would become of me?"
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Assad's mind
lingers on the memories.
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There was an
orphanage he was taken to
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and the boys that had introduced
him to Adventist World Radio.
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They had huddled
together listening
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knowing that if
caught, punishment would ensue.
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Christianity was
not allowed there.
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But this only made them
long all the more for truth.
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Then, there was the day
when the Orphanage Director
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had called him into her office
00:05:02.26\00:05:04.27
and Assad was old enough now
00:05:04.30\00:05:06.27
that he must
leave the orphanage.
00:05:06.30\00:05:08.70
His heart ached as he
walked away, never to return.
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Again, he wondered,
"What will become of me?"
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Now, he sat alone in a
metal shipping container
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pondering the same question
he had as a lonely child
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and dejected orphan.
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Assad closed his eyes and
thought about his work with AWR.
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Since escaping his home country,
Assad had been producing
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Adventist Radio
Programs in his native tongue
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for his people back home.
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Christianity was forbidden
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but the radio
could carry the message
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that missionaries could not.
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Assad wondered what would
become of his radio program now.
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Who would carry on the
work if he didn't return?
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The days and weeks passed.
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Assad was suddenly
released from the container
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but the inhumane
conditions remained.
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Starved... beaten
and even electrocuted,
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he had endured more
than any human should
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and one day, without
notice, his hands were unbound
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and he was told
he could return home.
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He could hardly believe it.
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He was free and praised the
Lord as he boarded a bus again.
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This time...
headed home to his family
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and his work at
the radio station.
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Despite the harrowing experience
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Assad has been through,
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he trusts the
Lord to keep him safe
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and knows that as long as
God wants him to be producing
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these Programs,
nothing can stop him.
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God is all about
the rescue, Friends.
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Not only does He
have incredible plans
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to rescue us from this planet
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that were set into
motion thousands of years ago,
00:06:41.10\00:06:44.50
but He daily rescues humans
through miraculous moments
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while we walk our individual
paths through this life
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just like Assad's experience.
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Our Lord will deliver us
from the clutches of death.
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God's end-time plan
is revealed in His Word
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and that is what
gives us confidence
00:07:01.58\00:07:03.52
to take the stand
on the Scriptures.
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If it is in the
Bible, I believe it
00:07:05.62\00:07:08.92
and if it
disagrees with the Bible,
00:07:08.96\00:07:10.33
it's not for me.
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Did you know one out of
every 11 New Testament verses
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speak about the return of Jesus?
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This event is mentioned
2500 times in all of Scripture.
00:07:19.60\00:07:25.81
Every prophecy from
Genesis to Revelation
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builds to the
climax of earth's history
00:07:29.04\00:07:31.61
which is the
second coming of Jesus
00:07:31.65\00:07:33.75
which is your personal rescue.
00:07:33.78\00:07:36.32
When you look at
the book of Revelation,
00:07:36.35\00:07:38.69
there is one central
theme and that is: Jesus.
00:07:38.72\00:07:42.72
It is not the dragon...
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it is not the
seven-headed beast...
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no... Revelation 14:14 says,
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"Then I looked, and
behold, a white cloud,
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and on the cloud sat
One like the Son of Man,
00:07:52.43\00:07:55.44
having on His
head a golden crown,
00:07:55.47\00:07:57.77
and in his hand
a sharp sickle. "
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When the book of
Revelation paints the picture
00:07:59.64\00:08:02.74
of Jesus' coming,
00:08:02.78\00:08:04.11
it portrays Him coming
with a crown on His head
00:08:04.15\00:08:06.98
because he comes as the
King of kings and Lord of lords.
00:08:07.02\00:08:11.29
You will see that the
Bible does not describe
00:08:11.32\00:08:14.12
Jesus' second coming with Him
sneaking into the world silently
00:08:14.16\00:08:18.23
or secretly.
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Pause...
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Could Christians be
expecting Jesus' second coming
00:08:21.56\00:08:23.93
to be different than what
the Bible clearly describes?
00:08:23.97\00:08:26.94
The people in
Jerusalem were surprised...
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confused and unprepared
00:08:29.97\00:08:32.24
for how Jesus came to
the earth the first time
00:08:32.27\00:08:35.04
in a meek,
quiet, unassuming manner
00:08:35.08\00:08:38.31
with only a few to welcome Him
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as an infant
born to a poor family.
00:08:39.91\00:08:42.02
Unfortunately, the people
were applying the prophecies
00:08:42.05\00:08:46.39
of the Messiah's second
coming to His first coming.
00:08:46.42\00:08:49.99
They expected the opposite.
00:08:50.03\00:08:52.33
They expected a
conqueror to overthrow Rome
00:08:52.36\00:08:55.86
because they were being
suppressed under its rule.
00:08:55.90\00:08:58.63
So, the Jews
thought a king would come
00:08:58.67\00:09:01.34
and reestablish them
as the governing power
00:09:01.37\00:09:03.81
and flip the hierarchy on Rome.
00:09:03.84\00:09:06.64
History has a way of
repeating itself, Friends.
00:09:06.68\00:09:09.84
Many Christians today,
00:09:09.88\00:09:12.15
are expecting Jesus'
second coming to be different
00:09:12.18\00:09:15.85
than what the
Bible clearly describes.
00:09:15.88\00:09:18.02
Jesus gave us definite signs...
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actual details
of His Second Coming
00:09:21.06\00:09:24.23
so that we can distinguish
him from any imposter.
00:09:24.26\00:09:27.80
He comes with a
crown of gold on His head.
00:09:27.83\00:09:31.13
The Bible always
portrays Christ's coming
00:09:31.17\00:09:33.94
in power and glory.
00:09:33.97\00:09:35.50
When you look at
the book of Revelation,
00:09:35.54\00:09:37.14
it always portrays Him
coming in heavenly majesty.
00:09:37.17\00:09:40.41
Let's look at Revelation 19:11,
00:09:40.44\00:09:42.78
"Now I saw heaven opened,
00:09:42.81\00:09:44.68
and behold, a white horse.
00:09:44.71\00:09:46.41
And He who sat on him
was called Faithful and True,
00:09:46.45\00:09:49.52
and in righteousness
He judges and makes war. "
00:09:49.55\00:09:53.22
Verse 14, "And
the armies in heaven,
00:09:53.25\00:09:56.32
clothed in fine linen,
00:09:56.36\00:09:57.93
white and clean,
00:09:57.96\00:09:59.29
followed Him on white horses. "
00:09:59.33\00:10:01.40
Why does the Bible picture Jesus
00:10:01.43\00:10:03.83
symbolically
coming on a white horse?
00:10:03.87\00:10:05.90
A white horse is a symbol
of purity, victory and triumph.
00:10:05.93\00:10:10.41
When Jesus comes with a
crown of gold upon His head,
00:10:10.44\00:10:13.44
riding a white horse,
00:10:13.48\00:10:15.18
He is pictured as
a victorious General
00:10:15.21\00:10:17.95
coming to defeat
all the forces of evil.
00:10:17.98\00:10:20.55
Jesus returns
victoriously... triumphantly
00:10:20.58\00:10:24.02
and gloriously.
00:10:24.05\00:10:25.52
Revelation 11:15,
"The kingdoms of the world
00:10:25.55\00:10:28.79
have become the
kingdoms of our Lord
00:10:28.82\00:10:30.63
and of His Christ,
00:10:30.66\00:10:32.16
and He shall
reign forever and ever!"
00:10:32.19\00:10:35.10
When Jesus comes, the
great controversy will end.
00:10:35.13\00:10:39.13
Sin and sinners will be no more.
00:10:39.17\00:10:41.87
Jesus' coming is not
some mysterious event.
00:10:41.90\00:10:45.14
He comes to reign
over the entire universe.
00:10:45.17\00:10:47.94
He comes to be worshipped
and praised by the redeemed
00:10:47.98\00:10:51.15
forever and ever.
00:10:51.18\00:10:53.01
There are two very important
questions that many ask
00:10:53.05\00:10:56.65
concerning the second coming.
00:10:56.69\00:10:58.02
Number one: How will
Jesus come back the second time?
00:10:58.05\00:11:01.66
Number two: How can I know that
I will be ready when He comes?
00:11:01.69\00:11:06.09
The Bible gives very
clear answers to both questions.
00:11:06.16\00:11:10.47
God's end-time plan
is revealed in His Word.
00:11:10.50\00:11:14.14
Jesus plainly
describes one of the deceptions
00:11:14.17\00:11:17.74
before his return this way.
00:11:17.77\00:11:19.84
Luke 17:23,
00:11:19.87\00:11:21.91
"And they will say to you,
'Look here!' or 'Look there!'
00:11:21.94\00:11:25.71
Do not go after
them or follow them. "
00:11:25.75\00:11:28.78
In other words, if anyone says,
00:11:28.82\00:11:31.52
"Hey, Jesus is
meeting secretly right now
00:11:31.55\00:11:33.89
with a select few in
Tokyo or New York... "
00:11:33.92\00:11:36.42
or in some secret temple chamber
00:11:36.46\00:11:38.53
with a
particular religious group,
00:11:38.56\00:11:40.26
or... "right now He's
gathering a massive followers
00:11:40.30\00:11:42.70
in the desert... "
00:11:42.73\00:11:44.07
or anywhere on earth,
00:11:44.10\00:11:45.43
we can know...
this is an imposter
00:11:45.47\00:11:47.90
and these claims are false.
00:11:47.94\00:11:50.11
Do not go running after them.
00:11:50.14\00:11:52.21
Luke 17:24,
00:11:52.24\00:11:54.81
"For as the lightning
that flashes out of one part
00:11:54.84\00:11:57.65
under heaven,
00:11:57.68\00:11:59.01
shines to the
other part under heaven,
00:11:59.05\00:12:00.42
so also the Son of
Man will be in His day. "
00:12:00.45\00:12:03.72
Christ won't suddenly appear
on a talk show in Hollywood
00:12:03.75\00:12:07.82
or as a miracle worker
on the streets of Paris.
00:12:07.86\00:12:10.23
Our Jesus won't walk down some
major streets in this world.
00:12:10.26\00:12:14.56
Our Jesus won't hold
up His hands boasting,
00:12:14.60\00:12:17.33
"I'm the Messiah... "
00:12:17.37\00:12:18.80
He's coming like lightning
00:12:18.83\00:12:22.04
which lights and
flashes up the whole sky.
00:12:22.07\00:12:26.21
Christ is
coming down from above.
00:12:26.24\00:12:29.04
He won't rise up from below.
00:12:29.08\00:12:31.38
Remember the story
I told you last night
00:12:31.41\00:12:33.88
how Nick warned that the goddess
will soon be rising from below?
00:12:33.92\00:12:37.75
If you missed that story,
00:12:37.79\00:12:39.95
go back to the archive
Presentation: The Grave.
00:12:39.99\00:12:42.56
You don't want to miss it.
00:12:42.59\00:12:43.93
Such an important discrepancy.
00:12:43.96\00:12:46.90
That's why
Jesus gives us details
00:12:46.93\00:12:49.13
like He's coming in
the clouds of glory,
00:12:49.16\00:12:50.97
so that we aren't
looking for some goddess
00:12:51.00\00:12:53.07
coming up from the earth.
00:12:53.10\00:12:54.44
Is it really necessary
to understand all this?
00:12:54.47\00:12:57.97
If I just love
Jesus, is that enough?
00:12:58.01\00:13:01.04
Satan attempts to deceive
people and many are deceived.
00:13:01.08\00:13:05.41
He's called: The Great Deceiver.
00:13:05.45\00:13:07.62
He counterfeits the
truth to lead millions astray.
00:13:07.65\00:13:10.95
Let me share with
you some very clear facts
00:13:10.99\00:13:14.06
about the second
coming of our Lord Jesus.
00:13:14.09\00:13:16.32
Christ's coming
will be a literal event.
00:13:16.36\00:13:19.36
Acts 1:11,
00:13:19.39\00:13:21.46
"This same Jesus,
00:13:21.50\00:13:22.96
who was taken up
from you into heaven,
00:13:23.00\00:13:25.20
will so come in like manner
00:13:25.23\00:13:27.30
as you saw Him go into heaven. "
00:13:27.34\00:13:29.20
Jesus ascends...
00:13:29.24\00:13:31.11
the power of gravity
cannot hold Him down.
00:13:31.14\00:13:34.04
As the disciples gaze
up at Jesus in wonder,
00:13:34.08\00:13:37.28
He ascends higher
and higher and higher.
00:13:37.31\00:13:40.15
They saw Him go...
they will see Him return.
00:13:40.18\00:13:44.09
A real Christ ascended and
a real Christ will descend.
00:13:44.12\00:13:49.19
This Jesus who healed the sick,
00:13:49.22\00:13:51.66
fed the 5,000
and raised the dead
00:13:51.69\00:13:53.83
ascended and will return again.
00:13:53.86\00:13:56.77
I love how the Bible says...
00:13:56.80\00:13:58.93
the coming of Jesus
will be a visible event
00:13:58.97\00:14:01.90
because I can't wait to see Him.
00:14:01.94\00:14:04.91
Revelation 1:7 says,
00:14:04.94\00:14:06.71
"Behold, He is
coming with clouds,
00:14:06.74\00:14:09.04
and every eye will see Him... "
00:14:09.08\00:14:11.75
don't you love
that? Every eye...
00:14:11.78\00:14:14.38
this text re-emphasizes how
Jesus will not come secretly
00:14:14.42\00:14:19.25
especially just to a chosen few,
00:14:19.29\00:14:21.96
"Behold, He is
coming with clouds
00:14:21.99\00:14:24.93
and every eye will see Him. "
00:14:24.96\00:14:27.00
This event is
literal and visible.
00:14:27.03\00:14:31.03
Christ's coming will
also be an audible event.
00:14:31.10\00:14:35.07
1st Thessalonians 4:16,
00:14:35.10\00:14:37.61
"For the Lord Himself
shall descend from heaven
00:14:37.64\00:14:41.14
with a shout,
00:14:41.18\00:14:42.51
with the voice of the archangel,
00:14:42.54\00:14:44.05
and with the trumpet of God.
00:14:44.08\00:14:45.55
And the dead in
Christ shall rise first. "
00:14:45.58\00:14:48.52
Can you imagine hearing
the voice of God thundering
00:14:48.55\00:14:53.69
through the universe
trumpeting His arrival?
00:14:53.72\00:14:56.79
That's no secret...
00:14:56.83\00:14:58.59
He's not coming
quietly or secretly.
00:14:58.63\00:15:00.90
God's
magnificent shout will awaken
00:15:00.93\00:15:04.10
all of those who
have died in Christ.
00:15:04.13\00:15:06.43
His voice will
pierce their graves
00:15:06.47\00:15:09.37
and they shall awaken
to their conquering king
00:15:09.40\00:15:11.97
who has come to rescue them.
00:15:12.01\00:15:13.68
They will hear the
voice of the archangel
00:15:13.71\00:15:16.11
with a trumpet
signifying victory...
00:15:16.14\00:15:18.41
triumph over death
00:15:18.45\00:15:19.98
and the dead in
Christ will rise first.
00:15:20.02\00:15:22.78
This is the incredible moment
00:15:22.82\00:15:25.05
each body will
receive immortality
00:15:25.09\00:15:28.29
meaning... forever...
we will live in perfection.
00:15:28.32\00:15:32.66
1st Thessalonians 4:17 promises,
00:15:32.69\00:15:35.70
"Then we who
are alive and remain
00:15:35.73\00:15:37.70
shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds
00:15:37.73\00:15:40.80
to meet the Lord in the air... "
00:15:40.84\00:15:43.51
So, not only do the righteous
dead rise from their graves,
00:15:43.54\00:15:47.28
but also, the
righteous who are alive
00:15:47.31\00:15:49.94
when He comes will
meet Jesus in the air
00:15:49.98\00:15:53.15
surrounded by 1,000s and
1,000s of glistening angels.
00:15:53.18\00:15:57.85
You don't want to
miss this, Friends.
00:15:57.89\00:15:59.79
If we would only take time
to think about such a moment,
00:15:59.82\00:16:03.43
then, any trial that we
are experiencing on this earth
00:16:03.46\00:16:06.70
is worth going through
00:16:06.73\00:16:08.43
because not only will
Jesus get you through this trial
00:16:08.46\00:16:11.67
but He promises you
such an incredible reward.
00:16:11.70\00:16:14.90
Take it because He's
freely giving it to you.
00:16:14.94\00:16:18.21
Pause...
00:16:18.24\00:16:19.67
Now, does Jesus come to
live on this earth at this time?
00:16:19.71\00:16:22.64
No...
00:16:22.68\00:16:24.15
Scripture has us
meeting Him in the air
00:16:24.18\00:16:27.22
so, let's not
mess with Scripture.
00:16:27.25\00:16:29.35
We don't meet Him on the earth.
00:16:29.38\00:16:31.49
His feet do not
touch the ground.
00:16:31.52\00:16:33.46
We meet Him in the air.
00:16:33.49\00:16:35.26
This point alone clears up
any question about imposters
00:16:35.29\00:16:39.36
walking around on this earth.
00:16:39.39\00:16:41.13
In Matthew 24:26,
00:16:41.16\00:16:43.93
"Therefore if they say to you,
00:16:43.97\00:16:45.87
'Look, He is in the desert!'
00:16:45.90\00:16:47.74
do not go... "
00:16:47.77\00:16:49.10
Suppose your friend
comes to you and tells you,
00:16:49.14\00:16:52.11
he's found Jesus
00:16:52.14\00:16:53.71
who's preaching warm, beautiful
Bible truths with power
00:16:53.74\00:16:58.48
and even calls
fire down from heaven...
00:16:58.51\00:17:00.92
heals the sick and
blesses the children...
00:17:00.95\00:17:04.09
reads people's
minds and stops wars...
00:17:04.12\00:17:06.65
what will you tell your friend?
00:17:06.69\00:17:09.02
Because now you know
from Scripture yourself.
00:17:09.06\00:17:12.16
Immediately you should
tell him that he is an imposter.
00:17:12.19\00:17:17.33
The Bible says, "Do not go... "
00:17:17.37\00:17:19.50
because when the
real Christ comes,
00:17:19.53\00:17:21.40
He will perform a
dazzling light show in the sky
00:17:21.44\00:17:25.84
with ten thousand
times ten thousand angels
00:17:25.87\00:17:28.71
as shown in Matthew 24:27,
00:17:28.74\00:17:31.35
"For as the
lightning comes from the east
00:17:31.38\00:17:33.75
and flashes to the west,
00:17:33.78\00:17:35.22
so also will the
coming of the Son of Man be. "
00:17:35.25\00:17:38.19
Christ's coming
will be a glorious event.
00:17:38.22\00:17:42.09
Only Christ is a life giver.
00:17:42.12\00:17:45.06
Only He can resurrect the dead.
00:17:45.09\00:17:47.36
The real Christ will
catch us up in the sky
00:17:47.40\00:17:51.33
to travel with Him
00:17:51.37\00:17:52.70
past the moon...
00:17:52.73\00:17:54.07
past the stars...
00:17:54.10\00:17:55.44
past the sun...
00:17:55.47\00:17:56.81
to the very throne room
of God in the universe...
00:17:56.84\00:17:59.17
and there we will
always be with Him...
00:17:59.21\00:18:01.91
hmmm...
00:18:01.94\00:18:03.38
Matthew 24:30,
00:18:03.41\00:18:04.88
"the Son of Man
will appear in heaven,
00:18:04.91\00:18:07.02
and then all the tribes
of the earth will mourn... "
00:18:07.05\00:18:10.12
Christ's coming
is like lightning
00:18:10.15\00:18:12.19
that flashes from
the east to the west.
00:18:12.22\00:18:14.19
He appears in the sky
to all tribes of the earth
00:18:14.22\00:18:17.33
and Revelation
1:7 tells us this,
00:18:17.36\00:18:20.16
"every eye will see Him... "
00:18:20.20\00:18:22.53
You see, it is
not only believers
00:18:22.56\00:18:25.47
who will see Him when He comes,
00:18:25.50\00:18:27.07
but also the masses
who have rejected Him.
00:18:27.10\00:18:30.37
This is the prime
opportunity for God's character
00:18:30.41\00:18:34.91
to be vindicated.
00:18:34.94\00:18:36.28
Every person will see and hear
the exact truth from the Bible
00:18:36.31\00:18:41.35
being fulfilled
before their very eyes.
00:18:41.38\00:18:43.39
When Jesus comes... there are
only two classes of people...
00:18:43.42\00:18:48.12
the unsaved and the saved.
00:18:48.16\00:18:50.63
The lost and the redeemed.
00:18:50.66\00:18:53.23
There is no second
chance when Christ comes again.
00:18:53.26\00:18:56.43
This is the climax
of earth's history.
00:18:56.46\00:18:59.33
So, Jesus is making
sure to come literally...
00:18:59.37\00:19:02.70
visibly...
00:19:02.74\00:19:04.07
audibly...
00:19:04.11\00:19:05.97
and Jesus comes gloriously.
00:19:06.01\00:19:08.18
So, there is no
question what is happening.
00:19:08.21\00:19:10.68
The entire
universe is witnessing this
00:19:10.71\00:19:14.22
decisive event in human history.
00:19:14.25\00:19:16.82
1st Corinthians 15:51 to 52,
00:19:16.85\00:19:20.42
"Behold, I tell you a mystery:
00:19:20.46\00:19:22.72
We shall not all sleep,
00:19:22.76\00:19:24.36
but we shall all be
changed... in a moment,
00:19:24.39\00:19:26.90
in the twinkling of an eye,
00:19:26.93\00:19:28.46
at the last trumpet.
00:19:28.50\00:19:29.83
For the trumpet will sound,
00:19:29.86\00:19:31.53
and the dead will be
raised incorruptible... "
00:19:31.57\00:19:34.14
meaning... indestructible...
00:19:34.17\00:19:35.64
"and we shall be changed. "
00:19:35.67\00:19:37.97
Can you imagine
00:19:38.01\00:19:39.34
seeing the earth illuminated
with the glory of God?
00:19:39.37\00:19:43.11
The ground rumbles...
00:19:43.14\00:19:45.55
the buildings shake
00:19:45.58\00:19:46.92
and the lightning flashes
00:19:46.95\00:19:48.92
and the thunder crashes.
00:19:48.95\00:19:50.39
Ten thousand times
ten thousand angels
00:19:50.42\00:19:54.59
speed with haste to graves
00:19:54.62\00:19:56.26
as righteous
believers rise from the earth.
00:19:56.29\00:19:58.79
This tells us again that
the dead are in their graves
00:19:58.83\00:20:03.06
not already in heaven.
00:20:03.10\00:20:05.10
Our bodies no longer
have the curse of sin.
00:20:05.13\00:20:08.50
There are no more deaf ears...
00:20:08.54\00:20:10.21
there no more blind eyes.
00:20:10.24\00:20:12.01
no more arthritic limbs
00:20:12.04\00:20:13.38
and no more diseased bodies.
00:20:13.41\00:20:15.01
As believers, we are looking
up to meet the eyes of Christ.
00:20:15.04\00:20:20.32
Can you imagine that very moment
00:20:20.35\00:20:23.75
when your eyes meet
with His for the first time?
00:20:23.79\00:20:27.92
I hope I'll be able to
see Him through my tears.
00:20:27.96\00:20:31.99
This is the most magnificent
event in the heavens.
00:20:32.03\00:20:37.00
Instantly our mortal bodies
which are subject to disease
00:20:37.03\00:20:41.74
and death receive immortality.
00:20:41.77\00:20:44.77
Instantly, we are transformed.
00:20:44.81\00:20:47.54
New life pulsates
through our every cell.
00:20:47.58\00:20:51.15
We radiate with health and joy.
00:20:51.18\00:20:53.15
As Christ descends in
glory, we sing His praises
00:20:53.18\00:20:57.59
as our bodies are changed
from disease and degenerated
00:20:57.62\00:21:01.12
to flawless.
00:21:01.16\00:21:02.56
Revelation 15:3,
00:21:02.59\00:21:05.19
"Great and marvelous are
Your works, Lord God Almighty!
00:21:05.23\00:21:09.30
Just and true are Your
ways, O King of the saints!"
00:21:09.33\00:21:12.53
Finally, the King of kings
00:21:12.57\00:21:15.20
receives the praise
He's always deserved
00:21:15.24\00:21:18.57
as every believer
acknowledges Him as Savior.
00:21:18.61\00:21:22.44
What a beautiful scene!
00:21:22.48\00:21:24.71
Reuniting with families...
00:21:24.75\00:21:26.68
embracing our loved ones...
00:21:26.72\00:21:28.32
this is the
greatest drama of the ages,
00:21:28.35\00:21:31.45
Isaiah 25:9 says,
00:21:31.49\00:21:34.49
"Behold, this is our God;
00:21:34.52\00:21:36.52
we have waited for Him,
00:21:36.56\00:21:38.09
and He will save us.
00:21:38.13\00:21:39.73
This is the Lord:
we have waited for Him;
00:21:39.76\00:21:42.36
we will be glad and
rejoice in His salvation. "
00:21:42.40\00:21:45.13
You see, we have not
accepted the false Christ...
00:21:45.17\00:21:48.87
the counterfeit messiah who
pretended he was Jesus Christ.
00:21:48.90\00:21:52.11
We need to remember that the
great controversy has two sides
00:21:52.14\00:21:55.81
to the battle
00:21:55.84\00:21:57.18
and the other side is
also present during this event.
00:21:57.21\00:22:01.38
Can you imagine how
Satan will see his every lie...
00:22:01.42\00:22:05.69
every counterfeit...
00:22:05.72\00:22:07.12
every deception
crumble before him.
00:22:07.16\00:22:10.73
He will see God's
children rising to Jesus.
00:22:10.76\00:22:15.16
Those same people he persecuted
00:22:15.20\00:22:18.30
are now forever
known as the overcomers
00:22:18.33\00:22:22.70
throughout the universe.
00:22:22.74\00:22:24.11
Perhaps, even the
evil angels will quiver
00:22:24.14\00:22:28.14
as they see those they
tempted being made immortal.
00:22:28.18\00:22:32.85
They realize
they've lost the war.
00:22:32.88\00:22:36.35
It's over...
00:22:36.38\00:22:37.72
it's done.
00:22:37.75\00:22:39.09
Pause...
00:22:39.12\00:22:40.46
2nd Corinthians 6:2,
00:22:40.49\00:22:42.46
"Behold, now is
the accepted time;
00:22:42.49\00:22:45.09
behold, now is the
day of salvation. "
00:22:45.13\00:22:47.96
Our eternal destiny is being
settled by the choices we make
00:22:48.00\00:22:53.03
right now today, Friends,
00:22:53.07\00:22:54.60
I believe we are living
on the very edge of eternity.
00:22:54.64\00:22:58.47
We are living in the days
00:22:58.51\00:23:00.41
just before the
second coming of Christ.
00:23:00.44\00:23:02.51
Don't you want to
make it a priority today
00:23:02.54\00:23:05.85
to be ready for
this crowning event?
00:23:05.88\00:23:07.82
Let's look at seven Biblical
facts that happen at His return.
00:23:07.85\00:23:12.52
First, there will be
stupendous seismic upheavals.
00:23:12.55\00:23:16.12
Mountains and
islands will disappear
00:23:16.16\00:23:18.46
and a great earthquake
will shake this planet
00:23:18.49\00:23:21.20
as shown in Revelation 6:14.
00:23:21.23\00:23:23.67
"Then the sky receded as a
scroll when it is rolled up,
00:23:23.70\00:23:27.17
and every mountain and island
was moved out of its place. "
00:23:27.20\00:23:30.71
Second, the
righteous dead are raised.
00:23:30.74\00:23:34.18
Paul tells us in
1st Thessalonians 4:16,
00:23:34.21\00:23:37.75
"the dead in
Christ shall rise first. "
00:23:37.78\00:23:40.25
All who sleep in their graves
00:23:40.28\00:23:42.22
will hear
Christ's trumpet-like voice
00:23:42.25\00:23:44.55
and rise up to eternal life.
00:23:44.59\00:23:46.72
Next... Righteous
living are changed.
00:23:46.76\00:23:50.53
Then... immortality is given
00:23:50.56\00:23:53.23
and then the wicked
living are destroyed.
00:23:53.26\00:23:56.60
In Revelation 6:15,
00:23:56.63\00:23:58.70
"And the kings of
the earth, the great men,
00:23:58.73\00:24:01.44
the rich men, the commanders,
00:24:01.47\00:24:03.34
the mighty men, every
slave and every free man,
00:24:03.37\00:24:06.44
hid themselves in the caves
00:24:06.47\00:24:08.48
and in the rocks
of the mountains. "
00:24:08.51\00:24:10.31
We can see... they
have no change of heart
00:24:10.35\00:24:13.38
when they see the God
of the universe descend.
00:24:13.42\00:24:16.48
They actually still reject
Him by wanting to hide from Him.
00:24:16.52\00:24:20.32
In this very action,
00:24:20.36\00:24:22.02
we can see that God's judgment
of every heart is correct.
00:24:22.06\00:24:26.63
The wicked still
want to run away from Him.
00:24:26.66\00:24:30.27
Their actions in
this verse also show
00:24:30.30\00:24:34.20
that when Jesus comes,
there will be no second chance,
00:24:34.24\00:24:37.67
no second opportunity.
00:24:37.71\00:24:39.47
When Jesus comes, the
wicked living are destroyed.
00:24:39.51\00:24:43.85
The details of this will
be studied tomorrow night...
00:24:43.88\00:24:46.92
don't miss it.
00:24:46.95\00:24:48.28
Next: The
righteous welcome Christ.
00:24:48.32\00:24:52.25
The Bible says
when Christ comes,
00:24:52.29\00:24:54.12
we are caught up to
meet Him in the air.
00:24:54.16\00:24:56.32
Over and over
Scripture describes how this...
00:24:56.36\00:24:59.49
the saved sing praises
to their long-awaited Jesus
00:24:59.53\00:25:02.73
as they embrace their rescue.
00:25:02.76\00:25:04.73
And then, finally,
Righteous will go to heaven.
00:25:04.77\00:25:09.10
Hallelujah...
00:25:09.14\00:25:11.31
Now, let's look at a
popular misconception.
00:25:11.34\00:25:13.94
The Bible mentions that
Christ is coming as a thief.
00:25:13.98\00:25:18.11
Let's read a few texts about it.
00:25:18.15\00:25:20.28
2nd Peter 3:10,
00:25:20.32\00:25:22.22
"But the day of the Lord will
come as a thief in the night,
00:25:22.25\00:25:25.32
in which the heavens will
pass away with a great noise. "
00:25:25.35\00:25:28.46
Matthew 24:43,
00:25:28.49\00:25:31.23
"But know this,
00:25:31.26\00:25:32.79
that if the master
of the house had known
00:25:32.83\00:25:35.50
what hour the thief would come,
00:25:35.53\00:25:37.27
he would have watched
and not allowed his house
00:25:37.30\00:25:39.70
to be broken into. "
00:25:39.73\00:25:41.10
Are these texts speaking about
the manner of Jesus' coming
00:25:41.14\00:25:45.14
or the time of His coming?
00:25:45.17\00:25:47.48
When the Bible
talks about a thief,
00:25:47.51\00:25:49.84
it is talking about the
unexpected time He comes.
00:25:49.88\00:25:53.42
Now look... does a thief
cup his hands around his mouth
00:25:53.45\00:25:56.62
and call out a
warning like, "Here I come...
00:25:56.65\00:25:58.59
get ready...
00:25:58.65\00:25:59.99
I'm going to steal
everything you've got. "
00:26:00.02\00:26:02.09
No... he comes when
we least expect it...
00:26:02.12\00:26:06.26
quickly... rapidly...
00:26:06.29\00:26:07.70
between 1995 and 2001,
00:26:07.73\00:26:11.00
Stéphane Breitwieser, a French
Waiter and Art Connoisseur
00:26:11.03\00:26:15.44
stole more than
200 items from museums,
00:26:15.47\00:26:18.61
galleries and
castles across Europe.
00:26:18.64\00:26:20.81
Some authorities have estimated
the total value of his thefts
00:26:20.84\00:26:24.61
at 1.4 billion US dollars.
00:26:24.65\00:26:28.82
Breitwieser claimed that
his motive was purely artistic.
00:26:28.85\00:26:33.36
He didn't sell any
of the items he stole
00:26:33.39\00:26:35.42
although many were
destroyed by his mother
00:26:35.46\00:26:37.96
when she learned of his arrest.
00:26:37.99\00:26:39.33
Breitwieser
obviously timed his thefts
00:26:39.36\00:26:42.33
so he would be unexpected.
00:26:42.36\00:26:44.13
The museums,
galleries and castles
00:26:44.17\00:26:46.63
were not ready for him.
00:26:46.67\00:26:48.00
When Jesus comes as
a thief in the night,
00:26:48.04\00:26:50.81
the world will
not expect Him either.
00:26:50.84\00:26:53.54
Matthew 24:36,
00:26:53.58\00:26:55.74
"But of that day
and hour no one knows,
00:26:55.78\00:26:58.51
not even the angels of
heaven, but My Father only. "
00:26:58.55\00:27:01.88
The Bible does not teach that
He comes secretly as a thief...
00:27:01.92\00:27:06.35
not at all.
00:27:06.39\00:27:07.72
Notice, Matthew 24:44,
00:27:07.76\00:27:10.06
"Therefore you also be ready,
00:27:10.09\00:27:12.29
for the Son of Man
is coming at an hour
00:27:12.33\00:27:14.86
you do not expect. "
00:27:14.90\00:27:16.50
In other words, you want
to be prepared at all times
00:27:16.53\00:27:21.37
because you don't know
when Jesus will return.
00:27:21.40\00:27:24.34
The second coming is a
surprise to the unprepared
00:27:24.37\00:27:28.88
but those that have
studied their Bibles like you
00:27:28.91\00:27:32.71
will be ready.
00:27:32.75\00:27:34.18
Pause...
00:27:34.22\00:27:35.55
Now, what about the expression:
One taken and the other left
00:27:35.58\00:27:40.26
found in Luke 17:36?
00:27:40.29\00:27:42.52
There it says, "Two
men will be in the field:
00:27:42.56\00:27:45.79
the one will be
taken and the other left. "
00:27:45.83\00:27:47.96
Does this text say that the
one that is left is left alive?
00:27:48.00\00:27:52.80
No...
00:27:52.83\00:27:54.24
that's what popular opinion says
00:27:54.27\00:27:57.04
much like the
fictional books and movies
00:27:57.07\00:27:58.77
in the "Left Behind" Series.
00:27:58.81\00:28:00.18
But that is not
what Scripture says.
00:28:00.21\00:28:02.88
Luke 17:26,
00:28:02.91\00:28:05.18
"As it was in the days of Noah,
00:28:05.21\00:28:07.22
so it will be also in
the days of the Son of Man. "
00:28:07.25\00:28:10.29
At the second coming, there
will be two classes of people
00:28:10.32\00:28:14.26
just like in Noah's day.
00:28:14.29\00:28:16.06
One class was
saved alive in the Ark.
00:28:16.09\00:28:19.56
The other was
swept away and died.
00:28:19.59\00:28:22.83
Jesus continues in verse 28,
00:28:22.86\00:28:25.70
"Likewise, as it was
also in the days of Lot... "
00:28:25.73\00:28:29.00
Well, what
happened in the days of Lot?
00:28:29.04\00:28:31.41
One class... taken
out of the city and saved.
00:28:31.44\00:28:35.48
The other was burned up.
00:28:35.51\00:28:37.51
There will be two classes
right before Jesus comes.
00:28:37.55\00:28:41.15
One saved: That will
ascend to meet Christ
00:28:41.18\00:28:44.22
and one lost: They
are dead and destroyed
00:28:44.25\00:28:47.62
at Christ's second coming.
00:28:47.66\00:28:48.99
Revelation is plain about
this division of the world
00:28:49.02\00:28:52.29
at the second coming of Christ.
00:28:52.33\00:28:53.80
Those who love Christ...
and those who fear His arrival.
00:28:53.83\00:28:58.27
Revelation 6:16, 17
describes those who rejected Him
00:28:58.30\00:29:03.17
and they said to
the mountains and rocks,
00:29:03.20\00:29:05.91
"Fall on us and hide
us from the face of Him
00:29:05.94\00:29:08.94
who sits on the throne and
from the wrath of the Lamb!
00:29:08.98\00:29:12.01
For the great day
of His wrath has come,
00:29:12.05\00:29:14.38
and who is able to stand?"
00:29:14.42\00:29:16.35
How tragic! He
comes to save them
00:29:16.38\00:29:20.62
but they run
and hide themselves.
00:29:20.66\00:29:22.89
Their hearts are
gripped with fear.
00:29:22.92\00:29:25.09
They have not crowned
Him as the King of Glory
00:29:25.13\00:29:27.86
in their hearts today.
00:29:27.90\00:29:29.23
So, they don't want to crown Him
00:29:29.26\00:29:30.63
as the King of
Glory in the universe.
00:29:30.67\00:29:32.27
They run... they are frightened.
00:29:32.30\00:29:34.84
They cry for the rocks
and mountains to fall on them.
00:29:34.87\00:29:37.47
So, when the Bible describes
the second coming of Christ,
00:29:37.51\00:29:40.14
one of the
greatest deceptions is
00:29:40.18\00:29:42.44
that some will be left on earth
00:29:42.48\00:29:44.65
and have a second
chance during the tribulation.
00:29:44.68\00:29:47.52
No...
00:29:47.55\00:29:49.92
The devil has sold
that lie to deceive people
00:29:49.95\00:29:52.92
to put off their salvation.
00:29:52.95\00:29:54.96
They think, "I can
put off my salvation
00:29:54.99\00:29:58.16
and during the tribulation,
I can get serious then. "
00:29:58.19\00:30:01.03
No...
00:30:01.06\00:30:03.30
Do not delay your decision.
00:30:03.33\00:30:05.53
Friends, according to
the book of Revelation
00:30:05.57\00:30:07.97
and according to
the teaching of Jesus,
00:30:08.00\00:30:10.17
there is no second opportunity.
00:30:10.21\00:30:12.94
The time to get serious
about your salvation is now.
00:30:12.97\00:30:16.85
Just as in Noah's day when the
angel sealed the ark's door shut
00:30:16.88\00:30:21.32
and the rain began to fall,
00:30:21.35\00:30:23.32
from that moment
00:30:23.35\00:30:25.35
no one could get
inside the ark to safety.
00:30:25.39\00:30:28.29
No matter how loud they screamed
00:30:28.32\00:30:30.16
or how hard they
knocked on the door,
00:30:30.19\00:30:32.23
it was over.
00:30:32.26\00:30:33.66
Pause...
00:30:33.70\00:30:36.26
There was no second
chance to be rescued
00:30:36.30\00:30:38.53
just like when you see
Jesus coming in the clouds,
00:30:38.57\00:30:43.00
He brings his reward with Him.
00:30:43.04\00:30:45.64
Everything has been decided.
00:30:45.67\00:30:48.24
You cannot look up
and say, "Oh, now I see...
00:30:48.28\00:30:52.21
oh, now I believe in Him... "
00:30:52.25\00:30:53.95
because then...
it will be too late.
00:30:53.98\00:30:57.19
Don't let another day go by
00:30:57.22\00:30:59.55
without making this most
important decision of your life.
00:30:59.59\00:31:02.82
Choose Jesus
00:31:02.86\00:31:04.99
and when you do,
00:31:05.03\00:31:07.00
oh, the sweet reward that
you cannot possibly imagine
00:31:07.03\00:31:13.84
but let's take a glimpse
of what the reward of heaven
00:31:13.87\00:31:17.84
will be like.
00:31:17.87\00:31:19.34
Jesus says in John 14:2 and 3,
00:31:19.37\00:31:23.95
"I go to
prepare a place for you.
00:31:23.98\00:31:26.51
And if I go and
prepare a place for you,
00:31:26.55\00:31:30.25
I will come again and
receive you to Myself;
00:31:30.29\00:31:34.29
that where I am,
there you may be also. "
00:31:34.32\00:31:38.43
Can you believe that?
00:31:38.46\00:31:40.83
The King of the Universe
wants you to be with Him
00:31:40.86\00:31:46.77
for all of eternity.
00:31:46.80\00:31:48.50
So, He is holding back
the winds of strife right now
00:31:48.54\00:31:52.87
because He wants all of
us to have the opportunity
00:31:52.91\00:31:56.88
to choose Him.
00:31:56.95\00:31:58.28
Choose to be ready at the
second coming... choose heaven.
00:31:58.31\00:32:01.32
You see, Jesus wants
just one more soul...
00:32:01.35\00:32:04.79
just one more.
00:32:04.82\00:32:06.55
This reminds me of the true
rescue story of Desmond Doss...
00:32:06.59\00:32:10.36
a Seventh-day Adventist
00:32:10.39\00:32:12.26
who stood boldly for
God and His convictions.
00:32:12.29\00:32:15.30
He was in Okinawa during the
bloodiest battle of World War 2
00:32:15.33\00:32:19.90
and saved 75 men without
firing or carrying a gun.
00:32:19.93\00:32:25.51
As an Army Medic,
00:32:25.54\00:32:28.38
he single handedly evacuated the
wounded from behind enemy lines.
00:32:28.41\00:32:33.31
He braved a barrage of gun fire
while tending to the soldiers
00:32:33.35\00:32:38.22
and was even
wounded by a grenade
00:32:38.25\00:32:40.99
but God preserved his life.
00:32:41.02\00:32:43.99
Desmond was loyal to God
00:32:44.03\00:32:45.99
and was a witness
to the whole world
00:32:46.03\00:32:48.30
and God used him to
rescue so many others.
00:32:48.33\00:32:52.50
All through the ages,
God has had moral heroes
00:32:52.53\00:32:56.71
just like Desmond Doss.
00:32:56.74\00:32:58.61
I love Desmond's prayer,
00:32:58.64\00:33:00.98
let us each pray, "Please Lord,
00:33:01.01\00:33:04.05
give me just one more...
just one more soul for heaven. "
00:33:04.08\00:33:08.08
Because heaven is the
ultimate gift from God
00:33:08.12\00:33:12.59
and I would
love... wherever that is
00:33:12.62\00:33:15.36
as long as I'm with Jesus...
00:33:15.39\00:33:17.19
but since God did give
us a glimpse of heaven,
00:33:17.23\00:33:20.30
let's go there together now.
00:33:20.33\00:33:22.53
When we look at chapters
like Revelation 21 and 22,
00:33:22.56\00:33:26.37
we could imagine
00:33:26.40\00:33:27.74
that after rising to
meet the Lord in the air,
00:33:27.77\00:33:30.94
we soar past planets
00:33:30.97\00:33:33.01
and our eyes see
heaven for the very first time
00:33:33.04\00:33:36.44
with its 12 gates
made of gigantic pearls
00:33:36.48\00:33:39.78
and its 12 foundations
each made of precious gems.
00:33:39.81\00:33:43.85
We see the streets of pure
gold that we've dreamed about
00:33:43.89\00:33:47.96
and now, we see
them with our own eyes
00:33:47.99\00:33:51.13
and we are enveloped with
the light from the glory of God.
00:33:51.16\00:33:55.06
The verses tell us... there
will be no sun or moon needed
00:33:55.10\00:33:58.73
as wherever God resides,
00:33:58.77\00:34:00.67
it glows with a
brightness like fire.
00:34:00.70\00:34:03.37
Next, we run
towards the river of life
00:34:03.41\00:34:06.34
which flows out of God's throne
00:34:06.37\00:34:08.78
because we see
that infamous tree...
00:34:08.81\00:34:11.48
that tree that we will feast on
00:34:11.51\00:34:13.78
where we receive immortality.
00:34:13.82\00:34:16.12
The Tree of Life that
bears 12 kinds of fruit
00:34:16.15\00:34:19.39
and what we initially
cannot wrap our minds around,
00:34:19.42\00:34:23.12
is how huge the holy City is.
00:34:23.16\00:34:25.69
It is perfectly square...
00:34:25.73\00:34:27.63
each wall 375 miles
00:34:27.66\00:34:31.53
and everyone
fits inside perfectly.
00:34:31.57\00:34:35.40
God has prepared
every detail so beautifully
00:34:35.44\00:34:40.41
just like our new
bodies are so beautiful
00:34:40.44\00:34:43.85
with our immortal perfect flesh
00:34:43.88\00:34:45.88
and bone bodies
just like our Creator...
00:34:45.91\00:34:48.22
our Master... our King... Jesus
00:34:48.25\00:34:51.05
and as the days pass,
00:34:51.09\00:34:53.09
it becomes more
and more apparent
00:34:53.12\00:34:56.36
that there really
is no more pain...
00:34:56.39\00:34:58.89
no more fear and no more tears.
00:34:58.93\00:35:01.93
We are overwhelmed with
all the joy that is in us...
00:35:01.96\00:35:07.27
that is around us...
00:35:07.30\00:35:08.64
that we share with all
believers from all time.
00:35:08.67\00:35:12.04
Together side by side
we praise our Creator...
00:35:12.07\00:35:16.21
our Savior.
00:35:16.24\00:35:18.81
Oh Friends, just
thinking about it
00:35:18.85\00:35:20.95
hmmm...
00:35:20.98\00:35:22.32
Now, this is not make believe,
00:35:22.35\00:35:23.82
let's look at
some Scripture together
00:35:23.85\00:35:26.76
so that you have all of
these beautiful promises
00:35:26.79\00:35:29.42
and descriptions of
heaven marked in your own Bible.
00:35:29.46\00:35:32.16
Let's look at Scripture...
00:35:32.19\00:35:34.30
there really are giant
pearls... listen to this,
00:35:34.33\00:35:37.77
Revelation 21 verse 21,
00:35:37.80\00:35:40.60
"The twelve gates
were twelve pearls:
00:35:40.64\00:35:43.10
each individual
gate was of one pearl.
00:35:43.14\00:35:46.34
And the street of
the city was pure gold,
00:35:46.37\00:35:49.21
like transparent glass. "
00:35:49.24\00:35:51.15
Did you know that pearls
are the product of suffering?
00:35:51.18\00:35:55.75
A tiny irritant slips
inside an oyster shell
00:35:55.78\00:35:59.49
and as the
little creature suffers,
00:35:59.52\00:36:01.52
it transforms that
irritant into a lustrous gem.
00:36:01.56\00:36:05.13
The gates are of pearl...
00:36:05.16\00:36:07.43
your entrance... my entrance...
00:36:07.46\00:36:10.60
God provided at
infinite personal suffering
00:36:10.63\00:36:14.60
as in Christ, He reconciled
all things to Himself.
00:36:14.64\00:36:18.67
Revelation 21 verses 19 and 20,
00:36:18.71\00:36:22.54
"The foundations of the
wall of the city were adorned
00:36:22.58\00:36:26.01
with all kinds
of precious stones:
00:36:26.05\00:36:28.58
the first foundation was jasper,
00:36:28.62\00:36:31.32
the second sapphire,
00:36:31.35\00:36:33.42
the third chalcedony,
00:36:33.46\00:36:35.59
the fourth emerald,
00:36:35.62\00:36:37.09
the fifth sardonyx,
00:36:37.13\00:36:38.69
the sixth sardius,
00:36:38.73\00:36:40.26
the seventh chrysolite,
00:36:40.30\00:36:41.80
and the eighth beryl,
00:36:41.83\00:36:43.43
the ninth topaz,
00:36:43.47\00:36:45.13
the tenth chrysoprase,
00:36:45.17\00:36:47.04
the eleventh jacinth,
00:36:47.07\00:36:48.90
and the twelfth amethyst. "
00:36:48.94\00:36:50.64
Wow! God has used only
the very finest materials
00:36:50.67\00:36:55.54
in building the city.
00:36:55.58\00:36:56.98
If you were to layer each of
these gems on top of one another
00:36:57.01\00:37:01.05
it makes the most
beautiful rainbow.
00:37:01.08\00:37:04.35
Isn't our Creator so artistic?
00:37:04.39\00:37:06.65
A rainbow of promise is the
foundation of the holy city.
00:37:06.69\00:37:11.36
Revelation 22:5,
00:37:11.39\00:37:14.06
"There shall be no night there:
00:37:14.10\00:37:15.90
They need no lamp
nor light of the sun,
00:37:15.93\00:37:18.60
for the Lord God
gives them light.
00:37:18.63\00:37:20.97
And they shall
reign forever and ever. "
00:37:21.00\00:37:23.81
Revelation 22:1 and 2,
00:37:23.84\00:37:26.94
"And he showed me a
pure river of water of life,
00:37:26.98\00:37:30.85
clear as crystal,
00:37:30.88\00:37:32.81
proceeding from
the throne of God
00:37:32.85\00:37:35.48
and of the Lamb.
00:37:35.52\00:37:36.85
In the middle of its street,
00:37:36.89\00:37:40.76
and on either side of the river,
00:37:40.79\00:37:43.06
was the tree of life,
00:37:43.09\00:37:44.76
which bore twelve fruits,
00:37:44.79\00:37:47.10
each tree yielding
its fruit every month.
00:37:47.13\00:37:50.33
The leaves of the tree were for
the healing of the nations. "
00:37:50.37\00:37:54.07
First, let's notice how
the Tree of Life's roots
00:37:54.10\00:37:58.27
are on either side of the river.
00:37:58.31\00:38:00.81
How massive that tree must be!
00:38:00.84\00:38:03.31
The leaves and fruit
perpetuate immortality
00:38:03.35\00:38:07.35
providing eternal
youth for God's people.
00:38:07.38\00:38:10.15
Genesis 3:22 says,
00:38:10.19\00:38:12.89
"take also of the
Tree of Life, and eat,
00:38:12.92\00:38:15.99
and live forever. "
00:38:16.02\00:38:17.53
God designed us to
live forever with Him.
00:38:17.56\00:38:22.13
The Holy City is
an architect's dream
00:38:22.16\00:38:26.13
described in Revelation 21:16,
00:38:26.17\00:38:29.27
"The city is
laid out as a square;
00:38:29.30\00:38:31.57
its length is as
great as its breath.
00:38:31.61\00:38:34.54
And he measured
the city with the reed:
00:38:34.58\00:38:37.05
twelve thousand furlongs.
00:38:37.08\00:38:38.88
Its length, breadth,
and height are equal. "
00:38:38.91\00:38:43.49
Ancient cities were measured
by outside wall circumference.
00:38:43.52\00:38:47.69
A furlong is an eight of a mile
00:38:47.72\00:38:50.83
which means the city
will have a circumference
00:38:50.86\00:38:53.76
of 1500 miles
00:38:53.80\00:38:56.20
and since it is square,
00:38:56.23\00:38:58.13
each wall will be
375 miles in length.
00:38:58.17\00:39:02.60
Now, it's a perfect square.
00:39:02.64\00:39:04.84
It is the same
long as it is wide
00:39:04.87\00:39:07.08
but notice... the
height is also equal.
00:39:07.11\00:39:10.55
So, it will be 375 miles up
00:39:10.58\00:39:14.05
and it will contain
140,625 square miles
00:39:14.08\00:39:20.66
which is more
area here in the US...
00:39:20.69\00:39:23.59
if you think about it...
00:39:23.63\00:39:24.96
it would be more than Virginia,
the District of Columbia,
00:39:24.99\00:39:27.70
Pennsylvania,
00:39:27.73\00:39:29.06
Maryland, New
Jersey, Rhode Island
00:39:29.10\00:39:31.93
and Vermont combined
00:39:31.97\00:39:33.67
estimating at
least 39 billion at least
00:39:33.70\00:39:37.97
could fit inside the city.
00:39:38.01\00:39:39.47
We currently have 7.8
billion living on this earth
00:39:39.51\00:39:44.45
so, that's
almost five times more
00:39:44.48\00:39:46.45
can easily fit inside the city.
00:39:46.48\00:39:48.85
Wow! I cannot wait.
00:39:48.88\00:39:50.32
Now, in 1st Corinthians 15:53,
00:39:50.35\00:39:53.32
"For this corruptible
must put on incorruption,
00:39:53.36\00:39:56.12
and this mortal must
put on immortality. "
00:39:56.16\00:39:59.63
Revelation 21:4,
00:39:59.66\00:40:02.10
"And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes;
00:40:02.13\00:40:05.80
there shall be no more
death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
00:40:05.83\00:40:09.17
There shall be no more pain,
00:40:09.20\00:40:10.94
for the former
things have passed away. "
00:40:10.97\00:40:13.78
Isaiah 40:31,
00:40:13.81\00:40:16.21
"But those who wait on the
Lord shall renew their strength;
00:40:16.24\00:40:20.52
they shall mount up
with wings like eagles,
00:40:20.55\00:40:23.28
they shall run and not be weary,
00:40:23.32\00:40:25.42
they shall walk and not faint. "
00:40:25.45\00:40:27.92
Every faculty will
be developed fully...
00:40:27.96\00:40:32.26
every capacity increased.
00:40:32.29\00:40:34.83
The acquirement of knowledge
will never weary the mind
00:40:34.86\00:40:38.77
or exhaust the energies.
00:40:38.80\00:40:41.40
This text lets us know
00:40:41.44\00:40:43.97
that what we know about
heaven is just a teaser.
00:40:44.01\00:40:47.54
As 1st Corinthians 2:9 reads,
00:40:47.58\00:40:50.15
"But as it is written:
00:40:50.18\00:40:51.51
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
00:40:51.55\00:40:54.28
nor have entered
into the heart of man
00:40:54.32\00:40:56.55
the things
which God has prepared
00:40:56.58\00:40:58.79
for those who love Him. "
00:40:58.85\00:41:00.19
Pause...
00:41:00.22\00:41:02.12
Matthew 8:11,
00:41:02.16\00:41:03.49
"And I say to you
00:41:03.53\00:41:04.86
that many will
come from east and west,
00:41:04.89\00:41:07.63
and sit down with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
00:41:07.66\00:41:10.93
in the kingdom of heaven. "
00:41:10.97\00:41:12.30
Pause...
00:41:12.33\00:41:13.67
Did you hear that?
00:41:13.70\00:41:15.04
We're going to sit down
00:41:15.07\00:41:16.54
with the great
spiritual minds of the ages.
00:41:16.57\00:41:18.87
God's heroes of faith
00:41:18.91\00:41:21.31
from throughout
the ages will be there.
00:41:21.34\00:41:24.88
The Bible Worthies
we have only read about
00:41:24.91\00:41:28.42
and never yet met will be there.
00:41:28.45\00:41:30.89
Think about how
it's going to be.
00:41:30.92\00:41:33.29
Perhaps one day you'll be
working in your beautiful garden
00:41:33.32\00:41:36.73
and see a man walking
down the street and say,
00:41:36.76\00:41:39.06
"Ah, that looks like Adam
00:41:39.09\00:41:40.83
and he makes his way
over to you and says,
00:41:40.86\00:41:43.57
"Hi, I'm Adam, I've been
admiring your strawberries... "
00:41:43.63\00:41:47.20
and you sit down together
00:41:47.24\00:41:48.74
and you begin to talk about life
00:41:48.80\00:41:50.84
and share the
joys of Jesus together
00:41:50.87\00:41:53.31
and perhaps one
day you meet Moses,
00:41:53.34\00:41:55.74
a Patriarch who
received the Ten Commandments
00:41:55.78\00:41:58.31
written by the very hand of God.
00:41:58.35\00:41:59.85
Moses shares details
about what it was like
00:41:59.88\00:42:03.18
to go through the Red Sea
00:42:03.22\00:42:04.75
with the
Egyptians following behind
00:42:04.79\00:42:06.79
and the faith that it
took to walk into the water.
00:42:06.82\00:42:09.86
He recalls what it was like
to lead the Children of Israel
00:42:09.89\00:42:13.33
40 years in the wilderness.
00:42:13.36\00:42:15.23
Next... maybe you see Daniel
play wrestling with a lion.
00:42:15.26\00:42:20.80
You run over and make friends
00:42:20.84\00:42:22.70
as he shares his lions'
den experience with you.
00:42:22.74\00:42:25.47
When you ask
Daniel, "Where you afraid?"
00:42:25.51\00:42:27.94
With tears of joy he responds,
00:42:27.98\00:42:30.28
"I trusted my God... "
00:42:30.31\00:42:32.68
but most of all,
00:42:32.71\00:42:35.45
heaven is a place to
fellowship with Jesus...
00:42:35.48\00:42:38.45
our Christ who died for us...
00:42:38.49\00:42:41.16
the one who had nails driven
through His hands for us...
00:42:41.19\00:42:45.73
the Man whose head received a
crown of pressing thorns for us.
00:42:45.76\00:42:51.23
The very One... the only
One who shed His blood for us.
00:42:51.27\00:42:55.90
Isaiah 66:23 says,
00:42:55.94\00:42:58.91
"from one Sabbath to another,
00:42:58.94\00:43:01.38
all flesh shall come to worship
before Me," says the Lord Jesus.
00:43:01.41\00:43:06.08
I personally cannot wait
to hear you tell me, Friend,
00:43:06.11\00:43:10.29
about the day that
you are walking out
00:43:10.32\00:43:13.25
of the heavenly temple
00:43:13.29\00:43:14.62
when Jesus stands
before you and He smiles
00:43:14.66\00:43:18.86
the most beautiful
smile that you've ever seen...
00:43:18.89\00:43:21.93
as He looks at you,
He reaches out His hands
00:43:21.96\00:43:25.23
and He says, "I want
to take a walk with you. "
00:43:25.27\00:43:27.87
You walk through
fields of waving grain
00:43:27.90\00:43:31.67
and Jesus reaches out and
breaks off some of that grain
00:43:31.71\00:43:35.14
and He says, "Taste it... "
00:43:35.18\00:43:37.11
and together
you walk over a hill
00:43:37.15\00:43:39.61
and He says, "Look
at these flowers...
00:43:39.65\00:43:42.15
aren't they magnificent?
00:43:42.18\00:43:43.82
There are no other flowers
like them in the universe.
00:43:43.85\00:43:47.66
Look at the purples, the
pinks the reds, the blues...
00:43:47.69\00:43:51.39
there's no field like it.
00:43:51.43\00:43:53.46
I made this
bouquet especially for you
00:43:53.50\00:43:56.53
and I painted a
whole hillside with it. "
00:43:56.56\00:43:59.33
And suddenly you hear a
chorus of angels and Jesus says,
00:43:59.37\00:44:03.51
"They're singing your song.
00:44:03.54\00:44:05.31
You are so valuable to
me that the most precious...
00:44:05.34\00:44:09.64
and I would have entered
into the agony... the pain,
00:44:09.68\00:44:11.65
the suffering and the
darkness of the cross,
00:44:11.68\00:44:14.08
it was only to save you. "
00:44:14.12\00:44:16.92
Music...
00:44:16.95\00:44:18.49
He puts His hand on
your shoulder and says,
00:44:18.52\00:44:21.19
"I don't have anyone else
like you in all the universe.
00:44:21.22\00:44:25.96
I made each of you special.
00:44:25.99\00:44:29.46
You are a rarity...
you are My prize possession
00:44:29.50\00:44:34.77
because if I lost you, I
could never replace you. "
00:44:34.80\00:44:40.28
Music...
00:44:40.31\00:44:46.72
Christ came to earth and poured
out all of heaven for you.
00:44:46.75\00:44:50.72
God's rescue is far more amazing
than you can ever realize.
00:44:50.75\00:44:55.32
God's plans for
you are unimaginable.
00:44:55.36\00:44:59.19
Is there anything or anyone
00:44:59.23\00:45:02.23
that is keeping you from being
ready for the coming of Christ?
00:45:02.26\00:45:06.43
Right now, Jesus
is preparing for you
00:45:06.47\00:45:10.17
to be with Him in heaven.
00:45:10.21\00:45:12.37
He wants to spend
eternity with you.
00:45:12.41\00:45:15.58
Is it your desire
to be with Him forever?
00:45:15.61\00:45:18.61
Do you want to
surrender your life to Him
00:45:18.65\00:45:21.58
and follow the wonderful
plans He has for your life?
00:45:21.62\00:45:24.59
Music...
00:45:24.62\00:45:26.52
Friends, let's pray together.
00:45:26.55\00:45:29.12
"Heavenly Father,
00:45:29.16\00:45:31.03
music...
00:45:31.06\00:45:33.19
I ask You for
one thing tonight...
00:45:33.23\00:45:35.20
the only thing I want...
00:45:35.23\00:45:37.57
to live in Your heavenly
home for all of eternity
00:45:37.60\00:45:42.24
and to marvel at Your goodness.
00:45:42.27\00:45:44.77
Lord, You know the hearts
00:45:44.81\00:45:47.04
of those who are
listening right now
00:45:47.08\00:45:49.14
and also long to
be with You in heaven.
00:45:49.18\00:45:52.88
Help us to make
decisions every day
00:45:52.91\00:45:56.69
that lead us to You.
00:45:56.72\00:45:58.59
In Jesus' precious
powerful name, amen. "
00:45:58.62\00:46:03.46
God bless each
and every one of you.
00:46:03.49\00:46:07.50
I look forward to
sharing tomorrow night's topic
00:46:07.53\00:46:10.80
titled: The Desolation.
00:46:10.83\00:46:12.83
Please join us again for:
Unlocking Bible Prophecies.
00:46:12.87\00:46:17.24
Choose God's way.
00:46:17.27\00:46:19.37
Good night Friends.
00:46:19.41\00:46:21.74
As a special bonus
for our 3ABN Viewers,
00:46:21.78\00:46:26.01
we wanted to share stories
of God's incredible miracles
00:46:26.05\00:46:29.42
before we end this Program.
00:46:29.45\00:46:30.85
Thank you for your
prayers and support
00:46:30.89\00:46:32.92
of Adventist World Radio.
00:46:32.95\00:46:34.62
Every day, lives like these
are being changed for eternity.
00:46:34.66\00:46:39.43
We're here at Victoria Falls
00:46:39.46\00:46:43.00
located on the water
of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
00:46:43.03\00:46:46.30
These are the largest
falls in the entire world.
00:46:46.33\00:46:49.57
Music...
00:46:49.60\00:46:58.75
This is the spot
where Dr. Livingston
00:46:58.78\00:47:01.52
viewed the Falls
for the very first time.
00:47:01.55\00:47:03.72
He wrote, "No one
can imagine the beauty
00:47:03.75\00:47:06.76
of the view from
anything witnessed in England.
00:47:06.79\00:47:09.42
Music...
00:47:09.46\00:47:10.79
Scene so lovely...
00:47:10.83\00:47:12.16
must have been gazed upon
by angels in their flight.
00:47:12.19\00:47:15.63
Music...
00:47:15.66\00:47:17.10
To our eyes, it is
a magnificent sight
00:47:17.13\00:47:19.93
but it is the work of God that
captivates the angels' eyes.
00:47:19.97\00:47:23.91
Such work is being done
by cell phone evangelism.
00:47:23.94\00:47:27.58
Let me tell you
the story of Marius.
00:47:27.61\00:47:29.84
Marius is a man who was
born a Seventh-day Adventist
00:47:29.88\00:47:33.15
here in South Africa
00:47:33.18\00:47:35.82
and he's been an
Elder in his church...
00:47:35.85\00:47:38.65
taught Sabbath School
00:47:38.69\00:47:40.26
but he wanted to
do something more...
00:47:40.29\00:47:42.32
more for winning
souls to the kingdom.
00:47:42.36\00:47:44.93
So, when he heard of
cell-phone evangelism,
00:47:44.96\00:47:47.43
he thought to himself,
00:47:47.46\00:47:48.80
"Hey, that's maybe
something I should give a try. "
00:47:48.83\00:47:50.97
So, after a long talk with God,
00:47:51.00\00:47:53.80
on a freeway...
00:47:53.84\00:47:55.17
driving down... you
know... late night...
00:47:55.20\00:47:57.51
he said, "Lord, I needed
to be doing something more. "
00:47:57.54\00:47:59.54
And all that kept
coming to his mind...
00:47:59.57\00:48:01.21
cell-phone evangelism.
00:48:01.24\00:48:02.84
So, he decided
right then and there
00:48:02.88\00:48:04.78
he would start a
group on his cell phone App
00:48:04.81\00:48:07.62
and he added his son, actually.
00:48:07.65\00:48:09.85
His son hadn't been in
church for about a decade
00:48:09.88\00:48:12.85
and he really wanted his
son to reconnect with the Lord.
00:48:12.89\00:48:15.89
So, he started sending
the evangelistic series out
00:48:15.92\00:48:20.36
through the cell phone
and his son started listening
00:48:20.40\00:48:23.13
and they began conversations
00:48:23.16\00:48:24.77
about the different
topics that were being shared
00:48:24.80\00:48:27.70
and his son was becoming
more and more interested again.
00:48:27.74\00:48:30.84
And it's such a great feeling
00:48:30.87\00:48:32.57
when family members
reconnect with the Lord
00:48:32.61\00:48:35.08
and you can share that with them
00:48:35.11\00:48:37.11
and this is what was
happening for Marius.
00:48:37.15\00:48:39.75
So, in just a
few weeks actually,
00:48:39.78\00:48:41.72
his son is going to be baptized
00:48:41.75\00:48:43.62
and everyone is so excited
00:48:43.69\00:48:45.42
along with several other
people that he has reached
00:48:45.45\00:48:48.69
through cell-phone evangelism.
00:48:48.72\00:48:50.06
And what's amazing is
that in only just a few months,
00:48:50.09\00:48:54.26
his network has grown
to over a 1,000 people
00:48:54.30\00:48:57.73
listening to the
gospel on their cell phone.
00:48:57.77\00:49:00.10
So, thanks to Marius...
00:49:00.14\00:49:02.04
these people are
coming back to the Lord...
00:49:02.07\00:49:05.21
back to Bible truth...
00:49:05.24\00:49:06.57
so, now Marius is winning
souls for the kingdom of God
00:49:06.61\00:49:10.31
and it's so exciting.
00:49:10.35\00:49:11.75
At AWR, we love...
love spreading the gospel,
00:49:11.78\00:49:15.92
it truly is from
broadcast to baptism.
00:49:15.95\00:49:18.85
This is AWR 360.
00:49:18.89\00:49:23.46
Music...
00:49:23.49\00:49:25.06
Come with me to
the continent of Africa
00:49:25.09\00:49:29.50
where one of our
faithful radio producers
00:49:29.53\00:49:31.97
has sacrificed so much
00:49:32.00\00:49:33.57
to reach his fellow
countrymen for Jesus.
00:49:33.60\00:49:35.84
Hi, I'm Cami
and this is AWR 360.
00:49:35.87\00:49:40.28
Trumpet: Lift up the
trumpet and loud let it ring
00:49:40.31\00:49:44.08
Jesus is coming again.
00:49:44.11\00:49:51.42
Music... drums...
00:49:51.45\00:50:03.90
It was late one afternoon as
I closed the door to my office
00:50:03.93\00:50:07.30
at the AWR Station.
00:50:07.34\00:50:08.97
I would be gone
for several days.
00:50:09.00\00:50:11.51
Music...
00:50:11.54\00:50:21.12
As Assad boarded the
bus, nothing seemed unusual.
00:50:21.15\00:50:26.02
It was like any other day.
00:50:26.05\00:50:28.39
Only today... he
was traveling farther.
00:50:28.42\00:50:31.29
This time, returning
home for a short visit.
00:50:31.33\00:50:34.36
Despite religious persecution
in his country of birth,
00:50:34.40\00:50:38.60
Assad longed for
his people to know Jesus
00:50:38.63\00:50:41.50
and this spurred him on.
00:50:41.54\00:50:43.77
All of a sudden, Assad's
thoughts were interrupted.
00:50:43.81\00:50:48.34
Music...
00:50:48.38\00:51:05.03
I cringed as they
reached for me too.
00:51:05.06\00:51:07.56
and then to my horror yelled,
00:51:07.60\00:51:09.46
"This is the man
we are looking for. "
00:51:09.50\00:51:11.73
Music...
00:51:11.77\00:51:15.50
They said they knew
of my work with the radio
00:51:15.54\00:51:18.74
and wanted my contacts.
00:51:18.77\00:51:20.68
Unsatisfied with
the answers I gave,
00:51:20.71\00:51:23.71
they threw me into a
large empty container.
00:51:23.75\00:51:26.58
Door creaking...
00:51:26.61\00:51:33.19
Shut out from
fresh air and sunshine,
00:51:33.22\00:51:37.26
he sat in darkness.
00:51:37.29\00:51:39.36
His socks, shoes
and jacket were taken
00:51:39.39\00:51:42.56
and Assad suffered
from the extreme conditions.
00:51:42.60\00:51:45.80
As the sun beat down in the day,
00:51:45.83\00:51:48.50
the metal container
intensified the heat...
00:51:48.54\00:51:51.31
while at night, a
sharp chill set in.
00:51:51.34\00:51:55.94
music...
00:51:55.98\00:51:58.98
Without food or water,
Assad soon fell very sick.
00:51:59.01\00:52:03.62
As I sat in the dark
isolation of the container,
00:52:03.65\00:52:08.26
my mind went
back to my childhood.
00:52:08.29\00:52:10.66
Music...
00:52:10.69\00:52:12.39
Scenes of my village
being raided by night
00:52:12.43\00:52:15.36
flashed before me.
00:52:15.43\00:52:16.90
Music...
00:52:16.97\00:52:23.51
Those men had worn masks too.
00:52:23.54\00:52:25.87
Somehow I escaped them
and I ran with all my might.
00:52:25.91\00:52:33.68
Music...
00:52:33.72\00:52:35.78
Alone in the darkness, I
wondered for the first time.
00:52:35.82\00:52:39.49
"What would become of me?"
00:52:39.52\00:52:42.59
Pause...
00:52:42.62\00:52:44.46
Assad's mind
lingers on the memories.
00:52:44.49\00:52:48.36
There was an
orphanage he was taken to
00:52:48.40\00:52:51.10
and the boys there introduced
him to Adventist World Radio.
00:52:51.13\00:52:55.10
They huddled together listening,
knowing that if caught
00:52:55.14\00:52:59.84
punishment would ensue.
00:52:59.87\00:53:01.61
Christianity
was not allowed here
00:53:01.64\00:53:05.31
but this only made them
long all the more for the truth.
00:53:05.35\00:53:09.38
Radio...
00:53:09.42\00:53:12.25
Then, there was that day
00:53:12.29\00:53:13.69
when the orphanage director
had called him into her office.
00:53:13.72\00:53:17.03
Assad was old enough now
and he must leave the orphanage.
00:53:17.06\00:53:21.40
Music...
00:53:21.43\00:53:30.64
His heart ached as he
walked away never to return.
00:53:30.67\00:53:33.91
Again, he wondered,
"What will become of me?"
00:53:33.94\00:53:37.68
Music...
00:53:37.71\00:53:39.48
Now, he sat alone in a
metal shipping container
00:53:39.51\00:53:42.88
pondering the same question
he had as a lonely child
00:53:42.92\00:53:46.65
and dejected orphan.
00:53:46.69\00:53:48.46
Assad closed his eyes
and thought about his work
00:53:48.49\00:53:51.73
with Adventist World Radio.
00:53:51.76\00:53:53.60
Since escaping his home country,
00:53:53.63\00:53:56.03
Assad had been producing
Adventist Radio Programs
00:53:56.06\00:53:59.33
in his native tongue
for his people back home.
00:53:59.37\00:54:01.74
Christianity was
forbidden in his country
00:54:01.77\00:54:04.61
but the radio
could carry the message
00:54:04.64\00:54:07.84
that missionaries could not.
00:54:07.88\00:54:09.64
Music...
00:54:09.68\00:54:18.45
I wondered what would
become of my radio program now?
00:54:18.49\00:54:22.66
Who would carry on the
work if I didn't return?
00:54:22.69\00:54:26.19
Music...
00:54:26.23\00:54:28.00
The days and weeks passed...
00:54:28.03\00:54:30.10
Assad was
released from the container
00:54:30.13\00:54:32.80
but the inhumane
conditions remained.
00:54:32.83\00:54:35.50
Starved, beaten
and even electrocuted,
00:54:35.54\00:54:39.24
he had endured more
than any human should.
00:54:39.27\00:54:42.78
One day, without notice,
00:54:42.81\00:54:46.78
my hands were unbound
00:54:46.82\00:54:48.95
and I was told...
I could return home.
00:54:48.98\00:54:51.35
I could hardly believe it.
00:54:51.39\00:54:54.19
I was free...
00:54:54.22\00:54:55.62
I was praising the Lord
as I boarded a bus again.
00:54:55.66\00:54:59.49
This time...
headed home to my family
00:54:59.53\00:55:02.20
and my work at
the radio station.
00:55:02.23\00:55:03.93
Music...
00:55:03.97\00:55:06.63
Despite the harrowing experience
Assad has been through,
00:55:06.67\00:55:10.11
he faithfully
continues his work with AWR
00:55:10.14\00:55:13.44
producing messages of hope
and truth for his home country.
00:55:13.48\00:55:17.25
Assad trusts the
Lord to keep Him safe
00:55:17.28\00:55:20.85
and knows that as long as
God wants him to be producing
00:55:20.88\00:55:24.09
these programs,
00:55:24.12\00:55:25.45
nothing can stop him.
00:55:25.49\00:55:27.32
Music...
00:55:27.36\00:55:32.06
There are many others like Assad
00:55:32.09\00:55:33.83
who have
suffered great persecution
00:55:33.86\00:55:35.86
to share their faith
00:55:35.90\00:55:37.60
and yet there are many more
00:55:37.63\00:55:38.97
who still need
to hear about Jesus.
00:55:39.00\00:55:40.87
Please pray for
these precious souls
00:55:40.90\00:55:43.20
and consider
helping to further the work
00:55:43.24\00:55:45.31
of Adventist World
Radio around the world
00:55:45.34\00:55:47.74
by donating today.
00:55:47.78\00:55:49.18
Together... from
broadcast to baptism,
00:55:49.21\00:55:51.85
this is AWR 360.
00:55:51.88\00:55:56.35