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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Truth About Heaven (Part 2)

May 8, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - The Truth About Heaven (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.
#Truth #Heaven #EndTimes #Eternity #EternalLife #LifeAfterDeath #Death #Work #Responsibility #Prophecy #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Truth About Heaven (Part 2) | May 8, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
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  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Heaven is a mysterious place, and people by nature are curious
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  • About what awaits them after death.
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  • The bible provides some details about our eternal home, but not
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  • Everything we're curious about.
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  • Still, many people are eager to fill in the blanks about what
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  • Heaven is going to be like, so how can we discern fact
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  • From fiction?
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  • Today we're going to open the scriptures to learn what the
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  • Bible says and doesn't say about our eternal home.
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  • My message is titled, "the truth about heaven," on today's
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  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ you took my place. ♪
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  • ♪ laid inside my tomb of sin. ♪
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  • ♪ you were buried for three days. ♪
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  • ♪ and then you walked right out again. ♪
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  • ♪ and now death has no sting. ♪
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  • ♪ and life has no end. ♪
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  • ♪ for i have been transformed. ♪
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  • ♪ by the blood of the lamb. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you jesus for the blood applied. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you jesus it has washed me white. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you jesus you have saved my life. ♪
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  • ♪ brought me from the darkness ♪
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  • ♪ into glorious light. ♪
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  • ♪ glory to his name. ♪
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  • ♪ there to my heart was the blood applied. ♪
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  • ♪ glory to his name. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you jesus for the blood applied. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you jesus it has washed me white. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you jesus you have saved my life. ♪
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  • ♪ brought me from the darkness ♪
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  • ♪ into glorious light. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you jesus you have saved my life. ♪
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  • ♪ brought me from the darkness. ♪
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  • ♪ brought me from the darkness ♪
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  • ♪ into glorious light. ♪
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  • ♪ glorious light. ♪
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  • ♪ thank you for his glorious light. ♪♪
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Announcer: wars, natural disasters, global instability.
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  • Many people look at the headlines and wonder if we're
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  • Living in the end times.
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  • In his brand-new book, "ask dr. jeffress about the end times,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress provides clear biblical answers to the 20
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  • Questions people ask most about the future.
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  • Request "ask dr. jeffress about the end times" when you give
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  • A generous ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: we used to do this.
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  • We hadn't done it in a couple of years, but i used to do an
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  • Annual thing called "ask the pastor," where people could
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  • Submit questions and ask the pastor any topic they wanted
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  • To ask.
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  • And, you know, after doing that for about 25 years, i got to
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  • Where i could anticipate just about every question that was
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  • Gonna be asked.
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  • Where did cain get his wife? did adam have a belly button?
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  • You know, those deep theological questions every body
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  • Wonders about.
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  • But one year i was absolutely stumped, i'll have to--i,
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  • It's a question i never had heard before.
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  • This lady out in the middle section stood up.
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  • They brought her a microphone and she said, "pastor, if
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  • A woman is pregnant at the rapture, will she be pregnant
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  • Throughout eternity?"
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  • I paused for a moment and i said, "yes, it's called hell."
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  • [congregation laughing]
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  • Now, after the laughter subsided a little bit, i admitted that
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  • Was a unique question.
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  • Will embryos on earth be embryos in heaven?
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  • If you're ten on earth, will you be ten in heaven forever
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  • And ever?
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  • If you're a senior adult, when you die and go to heaven, are
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  • You gonna be looking for the branch office of the aarp at the
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  • Pearly gates, you know?
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  • The real question is, what age are we gonna be in heaven?
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  • Some people have postulated that, well, perhaps we're gonna
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  • Be the same age jesus was when he started his ministry.
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  • We're all gonna be 30 years old.
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  • That's complete conjecture.
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  • The fact is, we don't know what age we will be in heaven.
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  • But now we get to the question everybody's interested in.
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  • Number 7, will there be animals in heaven, and specifically,
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  • Will my pet be in heaven?
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  • I can't tell you the number of people who ask me that question
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  • About will our pets be with us in heaven.
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  • Let's see what the bible says about the place of animals
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  • In heaven.
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  • First of all, isaiah chapter 11.
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  • There's a description of the millennium, the renovated earth,
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  • When christ reigns for a thousand years.
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  • And yes, the bible teaches that there will be animals present
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  • During the millennium.
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  • Verse 6 says: "and the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the
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  • Leopard will lie down with the kid.
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  • And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a
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  • Little boy will lead them.
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  • Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down
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  • Together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox," and on
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  • And on.
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  • Obviously, there are animals present during the millennium.
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  • Furthermore, the bible also says, at the second coming of
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  • Christ that precedes the millennium, there is some type
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  • Of animal coming out of heaven: horses.
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  • Look at revelation 19, verses 11 to 14: "and i saw heaven opened,
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  • And behold, a white horse, and he who sat upon it is called
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  • Faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and
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  • Wages war.
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  • And the armies which are in heaven," that is you and i,
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  • "clothed in fine linen, white and clean, we were following him
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  • On white horses."
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  • So somewhere up there, there are horses that the lord and those
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  • Who belong to him, come with him at the second coming.
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  • But after revelation 21 and 22, when you get to the destruction
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  • Of the present heaven and earth, and the creation of the new
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  • Heaven and earth, you find no mention of animals in the
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  • New jerusalem.
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  • No mention of them anywhere.
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  • Does that mean they're not here?
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  • Not necessarily.
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  • The argument from silence is one of the weakest arguments
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  • There are.
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  • But the fact is there are no animals mentioned in revelation
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  • 21 to 22.
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  • However, if there are animals in the new heaven and the new
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  • Earth, most probably they are not our pets today that have
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  • Been resurrected to new life.
  • 00:08:30.299 --> 00:08:33.135
  • You know, ancient civilizations believed that animals had
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  • Spirits just like human beings, and that they experienced
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  • Resurrection, and that's why many civilizations would put
  • 00:08:39.208 --> 00:08:42.011
  • Replicas of pets in the tomb of those who were deceased, but the
  • 00:08:42.011 --> 00:08:46.582
  • Word of god teaches that there is a difference between man and
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  • Animal, and the basic difference is the eternality of man's soul
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  • Compared to that of an animal.
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  • If you turn over to ecclesiastes chapter 3, solomon makes that
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  • Point very clear.
  • 00:09:01.964 --> 00:09:03.799
  • "for the fate of the sons of men, and the fate of beasts is
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  • The same.
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  • As one dies, so dies the other.
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  • Indeed, they all have the same breath, and there is no
  • 00:09:11.841 --> 00:09:14.477
  • Advantage of man over beast, for all is vanity.
  • 00:09:14.477 --> 00:09:18.114
  • They all come to--go to the same place.
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  • They all came from dust, and they shall all return to dust."
  • 00:09:20.316 --> 00:09:23.919
  • What solomon is saying is, animals and beasts are alike in
  • 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:27.089
  • This way, they die.
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  • There's no advantage to being a human over an animal in the fact
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  • That you don't escape death.
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  • Just like an animal dies, you die and your body returns
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  • To dust.
  • 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:38.267
  • But then he goes on to say, in verse 21: "who knows that the
  • 00:09:38.267 --> 00:09:41.370
  • Breath of a man ascends upward and the breath of the beast
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  • Ascends downward to the earth?"
  • 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:46.509
  • Here's the difference.
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  • The breath, the spirit, of a man ascends to heaven.
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  • There is an eternality of man that is not true of animals.
  • 00:09:52.281 --> 00:09:58.354
  • If there are animals in the new heaven and the new earth,
  • 00:09:58.354 --> 00:10:02.491
  • They're gonna be new animals that god has created, probably
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  • Not our resurrected pets.
  • 00:10:06.162 --> 00:10:08.764
  • Number 8, will there be marriage in heaven?
  • 00:10:08.764 --> 00:10:12.768
  • Will there be marriage in heaven?
  • 00:10:12.768 --> 00:10:14.136
  • If i've been married for 60 years here on earth, am i gonna
  • 00:10:14.136 --> 00:10:17.406
  • Be stuck--i mean, am i gonna be married to the same person
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  • In heaven?
  • 00:10:20.609 --> 00:10:22.411
  • What does the bible say about that?
  • 00:10:22.411 --> 00:10:23.746
  • Turn over to luke 20.
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  • Now that's a question the bible answers very, very clearly.
  • 00:10:25.081 --> 00:10:28.984
  • Remember, a group of the sadducees who didn't even
  • 00:10:28.984 --> 00:10:31.787
  • Believe in an afterlife, decided to play their own version of
  • 00:10:31.787 --> 00:10:35.291
  • "ask the rabbi" to try to stump jesus with a question in order
  • 00:10:35.291 --> 00:10:39.161
  • To trick him.
  • 00:10:39.161 --> 00:10:40.496
  • And the question was this.
  • 00:10:40.496 --> 00:10:41.864
  • They said, "jesus, suppose a woman is married seven different
  • 00:10:41.864 --> 00:10:44.200
  • Times, seven different men, and she dies, in the next life,
  • 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:48.604
  • Which we don't believe in, in the next life, whose wife will
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  • She be?"
  • 00:10:52.441 --> 00:10:53.976
  • They thought they had really stumped the lord.
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  • Not at all.
  • 00:10:56.812 --> 00:10:58.180
  • Look at verse 34 of luke 20: "and jesus said to them, 'the
  • 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:01.417
  • Sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who
  • 00:11:01.417 --> 00:11:05.988
  • Are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection
  • 00:11:05.988 --> 00:11:09.692
  • From the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for
  • 00:11:09.692 --> 00:11:14.296
  • Neither can they die anymore, for they are like angels, and
  • 00:11:14.296 --> 00:11:18.501
  • Are sons of god, being sons of the resurrection.'"
  • 00:11:18.501 --> 00:11:22.772
  • Now notice jesus did not say, when we die we become angels.
  • 00:11:22.772 --> 00:11:28.444
  • It's one of the great misunderstandings
  • 00:11:28.444 --> 00:11:30.513
  • Among christians.
  • 00:11:30.513 --> 00:11:31.881
  • No, we do not become angels.
  • 00:11:31.881 --> 00:11:34.083
  • Jesus is simply saying in our resurrected bodies, we are like
  • 00:11:34.083 --> 00:11:37.119
  • Angels in this aspect: we're not going to marry, and therefore
  • 00:11:37.119 --> 00:11:41.657
  • We're not going to procreate.
  • 00:11:41.657 --> 00:11:45.027
  • We will not be married to other people in heaven.
  • 00:11:45.027 --> 00:11:50.366
  • Now, you know, some people, to some people that's very
  • 00:11:50.366 --> 00:11:55.271
  • Upsetting, the fact that their marriage is not going to
  • 00:11:55.271 --> 00:11:58.507
  • Continue in heaven.
  • 00:11:58.507 --> 00:11:59.875
  • Other people are more upset that their pet's not gonna be in
  • 00:11:59.875 --> 00:12:02.311
  • Heaven than they are--they're not gonna be married in heaven.
  • 00:12:02.311 --> 00:12:06.315
  • It doesn't mean you're not gonna know your mate.
  • 00:12:06.315 --> 00:12:08.784
  • It doesn't mean you won't have a relationship with your mate, as
  • 00:12:08.784 --> 00:12:11.220
  • You do with other friends, but it will be a different kind
  • 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:14.723
  • Of relationship.
  • 00:12:14.723 --> 00:12:16.559
  • Now, if the thought that you're not gonna be married or the
  • 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:19.762
  • Thought that fido isn't gonna be with you in heaven, causes you
  • 00:12:19.762 --> 00:12:23.165
  • A lot of angst, remember this: heaven is gonna be a place of
  • 00:12:23.165 --> 00:12:27.236
  • Complete joy.
  • 00:12:27.236 --> 00:12:28.571
  • God knows exactly what you need to be happy, and there's not
  • 00:12:28.571 --> 00:12:32.141
  • Gonna be anything lacking in heaven, the bible tells us.
  • 00:12:32.141 --> 00:12:36.045
  • Question number 9, what are we going to do in heaven?
  • 00:12:36.045 --> 00:12:39.882
  • What are we going to spend eternity doing?
  • 00:12:39.882 --> 00:12:41.884
  • Now we know the picture of, you know, floating on a cloud,
  • 00:12:41.884 --> 00:12:44.687
  • Plucking the harp.
  • 00:12:44.687 --> 00:12:46.021
  • That's a mischaracterization of heaven.
  • 00:12:46.021 --> 00:12:47.857
  • But you know what i found is even some christians, many
  • 00:12:47.857 --> 00:12:51.327
  • Christians, don't understand exactly what we're gonna be
  • 00:12:51.327 --> 00:12:54.263
  • Doing in heaven.
  • 00:12:54.263 --> 00:12:55.631
  • We had a guest preacher one time, and he started kinda
  • 00:12:55.631 --> 00:12:58.400
  • Getting on the congregation a little bit, and he said, "you
  • 00:12:58.400 --> 00:13:01.370
  • Know, those of you who can't even sit through a 2-hour
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  • Worship service, how in the world do you think you're gonna
  • 00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:07.443
  • Enjoy heaven when all we're gonna do is worship god?"
  • 00:13:07.443 --> 00:13:12.281
  • There were a few scattered amens, but not
  • 00:13:12.281 --> 00:13:14.149
  • Real enthusiastic.
  • 00:13:14.149 --> 00:13:17.219
  • Because frankly, we're all just being honest here, the thought
  • 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:21.991
  • Of doing nothing for all eternity except worshiping god,
  • 00:13:21.991 --> 00:13:27.529
  • It's kind of boring.
  • 00:13:27.529 --> 00:13:29.865
  • No, you're not gonna admit to that, but you're thinking it.
  • 00:13:29.865 --> 00:13:34.403
  • That's kinda boring.
  • 00:13:34.403 --> 00:13:36.305
  • We're gonna do nothing but worship god?
  • 00:13:36.305 --> 00:13:39.975
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:13:39.975 --> 00:13:41.777
  • While worship is certainly going to be a primary activity in
  • 00:13:41.777 --> 00:13:45.481
  • Heaven, it's not going to be our only activity in heaven.
  • 00:13:45.481 --> 00:13:49.618
  • The bible says not only are we going to be worshiping, we're
  • 00:13:49.618 --> 00:13:52.955
  • Going to be working in heaven.
  • 00:13:52.955 --> 00:13:55.925
  • The fact is, god created us to do more than worship.
  • 00:13:55.925 --> 00:14:01.530
  • God created us to work.
  • 00:14:01.530 --> 00:14:04.366
  • And the reason god created us to work is we are made in
  • 00:14:04.366 --> 00:14:07.736
  • His image.
  • 00:14:07.736 --> 00:14:09.071
  • God is a worker.
  • 00:14:09.071 --> 00:14:10.439
  • He created us to work, and listen to me, worship and work
  • 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:14.310
  • Are not mutually exclusive.
  • 00:14:14.310 --> 00:14:17.279
  • You can be worshiping while you work.
  • 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:21.083
  • You know, a perfect illustration of that is in the garden
  • 00:14:21.083 --> 00:14:23.686
  • Of eden.
  • 00:14:23.686 --> 00:14:25.287
  • Adam and eve, think about this.
  • 00:14:25.287 --> 00:14:27.456
  • Before the fall, they had a perfect relationship with god
  • 00:14:27.456 --> 00:14:31.093
  • That was untainted by sin.
  • 00:14:31.093 --> 00:14:32.661
  • They were enjoying perfect fellowship with god.
  • 00:14:32.661 --> 00:14:35.531
  • But did they just sit around the garden, singing hymns and
  • 00:14:35.531 --> 00:14:37.967
  • Praying 24/7?
  • 00:14:37.967 --> 00:14:40.369
  • No.
  • 00:14:40.369 --> 00:14:41.704
  • Genesis 2:15 says god gave them a job: "you're to cultivate the
  • 00:14:41.704 --> 00:14:45.140
  • Garden and to keep it."
  • 00:14:45.140 --> 00:14:46.642
  • They worked and they worshiped at the same time.
  • 00:14:46.642 --> 00:14:49.979
  • And the same thing is true for us.
  • 00:14:49.979 --> 00:14:51.547
  • We're going to be doing more than singing hymns and praying
  • 00:14:51.547 --> 00:14:55.117
  • All day.
  • 00:14:55.117 --> 00:14:56.452
  • I would say all day and all night, but there's not gonna
  • 00:14:56.452 --> 00:14:58.053
  • Be any night, it's just gonna be all day.
  • 00:14:58.053 --> 00:15:00.422
  • God has responsibilities for us.
  • 00:15:00.422 --> 00:15:02.224
  • You say, "where do you get that?"
  • 00:15:02.224 --> 00:15:03.559
  • 2 timothy 2:12, "if we endure with him, we shall reign
  • 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:07.696
  • With him."
  • 00:15:07.696 --> 00:15:09.031
  • Or revelation 22, verse 5: "we shall reign with him forever and
  • 00:15:09.031 --> 00:15:12.735
  • Ever and ever."
  • 00:15:12.735 --> 00:15:14.470
  • In matthew chapter 25, jesus talked about the parable of the
  • 00:15:14.470 --> 00:15:18.307
  • Talents, and he was teaching us that dependent upon our
  • 00:15:18.307 --> 00:15:21.310
  • Faithfulness in this life, we will receive responsibilities in
  • 00:15:21.310 --> 00:15:24.613
  • The next life.
  • 00:15:24.613 --> 00:15:25.981
  • Some will rule over planets, some will rule over stars, some
  • 00:15:25.981 --> 00:15:28.817
  • Will rule over galaxies.
  • 00:15:28.817 --> 00:15:30.986
  • Now, paul said, one day we will judge angels.
  • 00:15:30.986 --> 00:15:34.156
  • God will give us responsibilities to carry out
  • 00:15:34.156 --> 00:15:37.059
  • Throughout all eternity, and we will find fulfillment in
  • 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:40.129
  • Doing that.
  • 00:15:40.129 --> 00:15:41.497
  • And remember, all of the impediments that keep us from
  • 00:15:41.497 --> 00:15:44.366
  • Enjoying work in this life, tired bodies, strained
  • 00:15:44.366 --> 00:15:47.803
  • Relationships, government regulations, all those things
  • 00:15:47.803 --> 00:15:50.572
  • Will be removed in the next life so that we can enjoy work as god
  • 00:15:50.572 --> 00:15:55.310
  • Intended us to enjoy it.
  • 00:15:55.310 --> 00:15:57.146
  • We will be working in heaven.
  • 00:15:57.146 --> 00:16:00.149
  • Question number 10, and i get this all the time: are
  • 00:16:00.149 --> 00:16:03.519
  • Christians in heaven right now aware of what's going on
  • 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:07.956
  • On earth?
  • 00:16:07.956 --> 00:16:09.358
  • Are christians in heaven aware of what's happening on earth?
  • 00:16:09.358 --> 00:16:13.395
  • And i think the bible answers that question with an
  • 00:16:13.395 --> 00:16:16.732
  • Affirming yes.
  • 00:16:16.732 --> 00:16:18.734
  • At least to some extent, people in heaven know what's happening
  • 00:16:18.734 --> 00:16:22.371
  • On earth.
  • 00:16:22.371 --> 00:16:23.739
  • Where do i find that in the bible?
  • 00:16:23.739 --> 00:16:25.074
  • Well, think about abraham in luke chapter 16.
  • 00:16:25.074 --> 00:16:27.209
  • He was with the lord, but he was aware of the rich
  • 00:16:27.209 --> 00:16:29.578
  • Man's suffering.
  • 00:16:29.578 --> 00:16:31.280
  • Or in revelation chapter 6, verse 10, jot down that passage.
  • 00:16:31.280 --> 00:16:35.651
  • The picture here is during the great tribulation.
  • 00:16:35.651 --> 00:16:38.887
  • The tribulation saints, that is, those christians who have died
  • 00:16:38.887 --> 00:16:42.057
  • Because of their faith, their spirits are in heaven, are
  • 00:16:42.057 --> 00:16:44.293
  • Looking down at what is happening on earth during the
  • 00:16:44.293 --> 00:16:46.795
  • Great tribulation, and notice what they cry out.
  • 00:16:46.795 --> 00:16:49.131
  • They said, "o lord, how long will you refrain from judging
  • 00:16:49.131 --> 00:16:53.268
  • And avenging our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?"
  • 00:16:53.268 --> 00:16:57.706
  • In other words, during the tribulation, people in heaven
  • 00:16:57.706 --> 00:17:00.609
  • Are gonna be able to look down.
  • 00:17:00.609 --> 00:17:02.111
  • They will see the calamity on the earth, and they're gonna
  • 00:17:02.111 --> 00:17:04.413
  • Say, "lord, how long are you gonna allow this to happen
  • 00:17:04.413 --> 00:17:07.649
  • Before you bring judgment?"
  • 00:17:07.649 --> 00:17:09.585
  • So the bible is clear, at least to some extent, that people in
  • 00:17:09.585 --> 00:17:13.122
  • Heaven are aware of what is happening on earth.
  • 00:17:13.122 --> 00:17:16.425
  • And of course, that brings up a related question: well, does
  • 00:17:16.425 --> 00:17:19.261
  • That mean then, that christians in heaven are going to
  • 00:17:19.261 --> 00:17:24.333
  • Experience grief in heaven when we see our loved ones being
  • 00:17:24.333 --> 00:17:29.638
  • Consigned to hell?
  • 00:17:29.638 --> 00:17:30.973
  • Have you ever wondered that?
  • 00:17:30.973 --> 00:17:32.407
  • I mean, how is it gonna be possible if i have a friend or
  • 00:17:32.407 --> 00:17:35.410
  • A loved one who is suffering and being tormented in hell forever,
  • 00:17:35.410 --> 00:17:39.314
  • How could i ever possibly enjoy heaven?
  • 00:17:39.314 --> 00:17:45.053
  • Revelation chapter 21, verse 4, john says, "and god shall wipe
  • 00:17:45.053 --> 00:17:50.459
  • Away every tear from their eyes."
  • 00:17:50.459 --> 00:17:55.230
  • And this takes place after the great white throne judgment,
  • 00:17:55.230 --> 00:17:59.001
  • After unbelievers are cast into the lake of fire.
  • 00:17:59.001 --> 00:18:02.905
  • After that time, john says, god wipes away every tear from
  • 00:18:02.905 --> 00:18:07.643
  • Our eyes.
  • 00:18:07.643 --> 00:18:09.111
  • Doesn't say he wipes away every memory.
  • 00:18:09.111 --> 00:18:12.214
  • Some people think god just does a memory wipe and that's how he
  • 00:18:12.214 --> 00:18:14.716
  • Accomplishes it.
  • 00:18:14.716 --> 00:18:16.084
  • No, it doesn't say that.
  • 00:18:16.084 --> 00:18:17.419
  • He said he just wipes away every tear from our eyes.
  • 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:20.255
  • How could that be possible if we know loved ones are suffering
  • 00:18:20.255 --> 00:18:24.860
  • In hell?
  • 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:26.528
  • I don't understand that completely.
  • 00:18:26.528 --> 00:18:29.598
  • But i like what j.i. packer
  • 00:18:29.598 --> 00:18:30.966
  • Wrote one time when he said, "other people's hell will
  • 00:18:30.966 --> 00:18:35.170
  • Not veto our heaven."
  • 00:18:35.170 --> 00:18:37.773
  • The bible says: "on that day, god will wipe away every tear
  • 00:18:37.773 --> 00:18:41.777
  • From our eyes.
  • 00:18:41.777 --> 00:18:43.111
  • There shall no longer be any death, or mourning, or crying
  • 00:18:43.111 --> 00:18:46.281
  • Or pain, for the old things will have passed away."
  • 00:18:46.281 --> 00:18:50.452
  • Just think, no more broken relationships, no more all-night
  • 00:18:50.452 --> 00:18:56.058
  • Vigils at the hospital.
  • 00:18:56.058 --> 00:18:58.627
  • No more standing over the grave of a loved one.
  • 00:18:58.627 --> 00:19:02.197
  • All of that will be gone forever.
  • 00:19:02.197 --> 00:19:05.400
  • I don't know about you, but that's enough to make me want to
  • 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:07.569
  • Push away the spinach and carrots and go for the blue bell
  • 00:19:07.569 --> 00:19:10.305
  • Right now.
  • 00:19:10.305 --> 00:19:11.940
  • Aren't you ready for heaven right now when you think
  • 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:14.076
  • About that?
  • 00:19:14.076 --> 00:19:15.611
  • But the fact is god still has some very real responsibilities
  • 00:19:15.611 --> 00:19:18.981
  • He wants us to carry out here on earth before we go to heaven.
  • 00:19:18.981 --> 00:19:23.385
  • But the fact that this life is so unpleasant right now, only is
  • 00:19:23.385 --> 00:19:28.357
  • Gonna make heaven taste that much better.
  • 00:19:28.357 --> 00:19:30.692
  • But listen to this, the reverse is also true.
  • 00:19:30.692 --> 00:19:34.630
  • Knowing what awaits us makes this life more bearable.
  • 00:19:34.630 --> 00:19:39.668
  • Paul said it this way, he said, "for what we go through in this
  • 00:19:39.668 --> 00:19:42.070
  • Life, it is a light momentary affliction compared to the
  • 00:19:42.070 --> 00:19:45.007
  • Eternal glory that awaits us."
  • 00:19:45.007 --> 00:19:48.410
  • You know, one of the greatest criticisms against the teaching
  • 00:19:48.410 --> 00:19:50.979
  • Of bible prophecy, very few churches today even talk about
  • 00:19:50.979 --> 00:19:54.583
  • The subject of prophecy anymore, but one of the frequent
  • 00:19:54.583 --> 00:19:57.419
  • Criticisms is, "well, bible prophecy has nothing to do with
  • 00:19:57.419 --> 00:20:00.922
  • Everyday life."
  • 00:20:00.922 --> 00:20:02.257
  • Haven't you heard people say, "oh, they're so heavenly minded,
  • 00:20:02.257 --> 00:20:05.227
  • They're no earthly good"?
  • 00:20:05.227 --> 00:20:06.595
  • Well, look, the bible never divorces the truth of the next
  • 00:20:06.595 --> 00:20:11.199
  • Life from our responsibility in this life.
  • 00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:13.802
  • Listen to peter's words in 2 peter 3:11-12: "since all these
  • 00:20:13.802 --> 00:20:18.607
  • Things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people
  • 00:20:18.607 --> 00:20:22.277
  • Ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and
  • 00:20:22.277 --> 00:20:27.716
  • Hastening the coming day of the lord?"
  • 00:20:27.716 --> 00:20:31.753
  • I mean, think about this, folks.
  • 00:20:31.753 --> 00:20:33.989
  • Shouldn't the truth of the rapture, the fact that we're
  • 00:20:33.989 --> 00:20:36.291
  • Gonna be caught up one day to meet the lord in the air, and
  • 00:20:36.291 --> 00:20:38.927
  • We're gonna leave everything behind, shouldn't that affect
  • 00:20:38.927 --> 00:20:43.632
  • Our attitude toward our material possessions right now?
  • 00:20:43.632 --> 00:20:46.535
  • No, we're gonna have to let go of it one day.
  • 00:20:46.535 --> 00:20:48.303
  • Shouldn't it loosen our grip on those material possessions
  • 00:20:48.303 --> 00:20:50.772
  • Right now?
  • 00:20:50.772 --> 00:20:52.741
  • Shouldn't the fact that one day there's gonna be a great white
  • 00:20:52.741 --> 00:20:55.010
  • Throne judgment in which every unbeliever is gonna be judged
  • 00:20:55.010 --> 00:20:58.480
  • And cast into an eternal place of torment, shouldn't that be
  • 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:03.585
  • A motivation right now for us to share the gospel with our
  • 00:21:03.585 --> 00:21:07.389
  • Friends and family members, warning them of the future that
  • 00:21:07.389 --> 00:21:10.158
  • Awaits them?
  • 00:21:10.158 --> 00:21:12.494
  • Shouldn't the fact that you and i are gonna stand one day before
  • 00:21:12.494 --> 00:21:15.097
  • The judgment seat of christ, and give an account for every word,
  • 00:21:15.097 --> 00:21:20.135
  • Every action, every attitude, shouldn't that have some impact
  • 00:21:20.135 --> 00:21:25.440
  • On how we live right now?
  • 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:29.378
  • C.s. lewis talked about the value of being heavenly minded,
  • 00:21:29.378 --> 00:21:34.883
  • Of focusing on the future.
  • 00:21:34.883 --> 00:21:37.486
  • I close with this.
  • 00:21:37.486 --> 00:21:38.820
  • He said, "hope is one of the theological virtues.
  • 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:41.623
  • This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal
  • 00:21:41.623 --> 00:21:45.227
  • World is not as some modern people think, a form of escapism
  • 00:21:45.227 --> 00:21:49.965
  • Or wishful thinking, but it's one of those things a christian
  • 00:21:49.965 --> 00:21:53.802
  • Is meant to do.
  • 00:21:53.802 --> 00:21:55.670
  • It does not mean that we are to leave the present world
  • 00:21:55.670 --> 00:21:58.340
  • As it is.
  • 00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:59.708
  • If you read history, you'll find that the christians who did the
  • 00:21:59.708 --> 00:22:03.412
  • Most for the present world were just those who thought most of
  • 00:22:03.412 --> 00:22:07.449
  • The next world.
  • 00:22:07.449 --> 00:22:09.217
  • It is since christians have largely ceased to think about
  • 00:22:09.217 --> 00:22:12.254
  • The other world that they have become so ineffective in
  • 00:22:12.254 --> 00:22:15.557
  • This one.
  • 00:22:15.557 --> 00:22:17.259
  • Aim at heaven, and you'll get earth thrown in.
  • 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:21.530
  • Aim at earth, and you'll get neither."
  • 00:22:21.530 --> 00:22:27.402
  • Living in anticipation of that perfect ending that awaits every
  • 00:22:27.402 --> 00:22:31.940
  • Believer in christ is the strongest motivation i know of
  • 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:36.478
  • For living a god-centered life, beginning today.
  • 00:22:36.478 --> 00:22:42.551
  • Jeffress: our future in heaven ought to drive everything we do
  • 00:22:46.755 --> 00:22:49.991
  • Here on earth and it all starts with a choice.
  • 00:22:49.991 --> 00:22:53.662
  • So, do you know for certain that when you die, not if you die,
  • 00:22:53.662 --> 00:22:57.966
  • But when you die, you're going to be welcomed into heaven?
  • 00:22:57.966 --> 00:23:01.670
  • The only way to spend eternity with god is by trusting in
  • 00:23:01.670 --> 00:23:05.474
  • Jesus christ as your savior today, and i urge you to take
  • 00:23:05.474 --> 00:23:10.111
  • That step this very moment.
  • 00:23:10.111 --> 00:23:12.914
  • Now before our time is up, let me share a note i received from
  • 00:23:12.914 --> 00:23:16.551
  • A friend who listens in colorado.
  • 00:23:16.551 --> 00:23:18.987
  • She wrote: "i have been saved for more than 30 years, but i
  • 00:23:18.987 --> 00:23:22.824
  • Have 7 brothers and sisters who do not know the lord yet.
  • 00:23:22.824 --> 00:23:26.862
  • I am hoping to use what i learn from the 'perfect ending' series
  • 00:23:26.862 --> 00:23:30.732
  • To help my brother and sisters-- to give them insight about why
  • 00:23:30.732 --> 00:23:34.369
  • It is so important to know the lord and to accept his gift of
  • 00:23:34.369 --> 00:23:38.173
  • Forgiving, life-saving grace."
  • 00:23:38.173 --> 00:23:41.142
  • Isn't that wonderful?
  • 00:23:41.142 --> 00:23:42.811
  • Thanks so much to those of you who support "pathway to victory"
  • 00:23:42.811 --> 00:23:46.481
  • So that this woman and so many like her can spread the truth of
  • 00:23:46.481 --> 00:23:50.151
  • God's word in ways we never dreamed possible.
  • 00:23:50.151 --> 00:23:53.755
  • Your continued support of "pathway to victory" empowers us
  • 00:23:53.755 --> 00:23:57.292
  • To proclaim god's truth with boldness and to touch lives for
  • 00:23:57.292 --> 00:24:01.630
  • God's glory.
  • 00:24:01.630 --> 00:24:03.131
  • Now stay right there.
  • 00:24:03.131 --> 00:24:04.566
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:04.566 --> 00:24:08.637
  • Announcer: with everything happening in our world today,
  • 00:24:08.703 --> 00:24:11.740
  • It's natural to wonder, are we living in the end times?
  • 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:15.977
  • In his brand-new book, "ask dr. jeffress about the end times,"
  • 00:24:15.977 --> 00:24:20.048
  • Dr. robert jeffress answers the 20 questions people ask the most
  • 00:24:20.048 --> 00:24:23.885
  • About the future.
  • 00:24:23.885 --> 00:24:25.253
  • Jeffress: in my 40-plus years as a pastor, i've answered
  • 00:24:25.253 --> 00:24:27.622
  • Countless questions about the end times and that's why i wrote
  • 00:24:27.622 --> 00:24:31.660
  • This book: to give you clear biblical answers that will fill
  • 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:35.730
  • Your life with peace, joy, and excitement as we look forward to
  • 00:24:35.730 --> 00:24:39.768
  • Our lord's return.
  • 00:24:39.768 --> 00:24:41.536
  • Announcer: request your copy of "ask dr. jeffress about the end
  • 00:24:41.536 --> 00:24:44.472
  • Times," when you give a generous gift to support "pathway
  • 00:24:44.472 --> 00:24:48.043
  • To victory."
  • 00:24:48.043 --> 00:24:49.377
  • Or when you become a pathway partner and when your ministry
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  • Gift is $125 or more, you'll also receive dr. jeffress's
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  • Bestselling book, "perfect ending," also the stunning
  • 00:24:57.519 --> 00:25:00.789
  • Full-color resource, "the end times illustrated" and the
  • 00:25:00.789 --> 00:25:04.726
  • Complete "perfect ending" teaching series on both
  • 00:25:04.726 --> 00:25:07.395
  • Cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:07.395 --> 00:25:08.964
  • Jeffress: the end time events are going to be
  • 00:25:09.030 --> 00:25:10.432
  • Very frightening.
  • 00:25:10.432 --> 00:25:11.800
  • It's going to consist of economic turmoil.
  • 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:13.501
  • There'll be wars.
  • 00:25:13.501 --> 00:25:14.869
  • There'll be unprecedented persecution.
  • 00:25:14.869 --> 00:25:17.439
  • But fortunately, christians don't have to fear that period
  • 00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:20.508
  • Of time.
  • 00:25:20.508 --> 00:25:21.843
  • Announcer: your generous support of "pathway to victory" helps us
  • 00:25:21.843 --> 00:25:24.446
  • Proclaim the hope of christ's return through television,
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  • Radio, and online streaming to people across the country and
  • 00:25:27.816 --> 00:25:31.620
  • Around the world.
  • 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.954
  • Together we're piercing the darkness with the light of
  • 00:25:32.954 --> 00:25:35.790
  • God's word.
  • 00:25:35.790 --> 00:25:38.226
  • Jeffress: if there's one thing i hope you take away from the
  • 00:25:40.195 --> 00:25:42.631
  • "perfect ending" study, it's this: bible prophecy does far
  • 00:25:42.631 --> 00:25:46.868
  • More than satisfy our curiosity about the future.
  • 00:25:46.868 --> 00:25:50.639
  • It impacts the choices we make every day, and i hope your daily
  • 00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:55.176
  • Choices are in alignment with god's desired plan for
  • 00:25:55.176 --> 00:25:58.980
  • Your future.
  • 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.649
  • Well, christians today are under attack and it's easy to get
  • 00:26:00.649 --> 00:26:03.918
  • Stuck in survival mode just trying to make it from one day
  • 00:26:03.918 --> 00:26:07.622
  • To the next, but god calls us to do much more than that.
  • 00:26:07.622 --> 00:26:11.760
  • Stay tuned for a preview of our upcoming series, "courageous."
  • 00:26:11.760 --> 00:26:16.798
  • Jeffress: we have an adversary, the devil, who is intent on
  • 00:26:16.798 --> 00:26:19.901
  • Destroying everything important to us.
  • 00:26:19.901 --> 00:26:23.538
  • We have a culture that is increasingly hostile to the
  • 00:26:23.538 --> 00:26:26.975
  • Things of god.
  • 00:26:26.975 --> 00:26:28.510
  • And if that were not enough, we all carry around us that fallen
  • 00:26:28.510 --> 00:26:32.347
  • Nature, the residuals of it anyway, that are opposed to
  • 00:26:32.347 --> 00:26:36.584
  • Everything god wants for our life.
  • 00:26:36.584 --> 00:26:39.554
  • How can we ever hope to survive that kind of environment?
  • 00:26:39.554 --> 00:26:43.925
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:43.925 --> 00:26:47.062
  • "survival tip #1: don't panic," part of the series "courageous,"
  • 00:26:47.062 --> 00:26:52.233
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:52.233 --> 00:26:54.803
  • Announcer: what if your next vacation changed the way you
  • 00:26:58.106 --> 00:27:00.341
  • Read your bible forever?
  • 00:27:00.341 --> 00:27:02.377
  • Jeffress: join me for 9 nights sailing the mediterranean with
  • 00:27:02.377 --> 00:27:05.580
  • Every detail taken care of.
  • 00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:07.949
  • When you stand where paul stood, your bible comes alive in ways
  • 00:27:07.949 --> 00:27:12.320
  • It never has before.
  • 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:14.089
  • Announcer: sail with us on the "pathway to victory" journeys of
  • 00:27:14.089 --> 00:27:16.891
  • Paul cruise, may 2027, and ask about our optional
  • 00:27:16.891 --> 00:27:20.729
  • Athens pre-extension.
  • 00:27:20.729 --> 00:27:22.330
  • Call...
  • 00:27:22.330 --> 00:27:25.734
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.734 --> 00:27:27.836