Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.
#History
#EndTimes
#Prophecy
#Signs&Wonders
#Church
#Season
#Rapture
#Tribulation
#Antichrist
#War
#Armageddon
#SpiritualWarfare
#Judgement
#RobertJeffress
Closed captions
Show Timecode
Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - History's Most Important Event (Part 1) | April 23, 2026
- ...
- 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.623
- Male announcer: alaska is unlike any other place on earth, and
- 00:00:01.391 --> 00:00:04.294
- This is your chance to witness god's masterpiece and america's
- 00:00:04.394 --> 00:00:08.031
- Priceless treasure june 13th through 20, 2026.
- 00:00:08.164 --> 00:00:12.068
- Dr. robert jeffress: you know, i can hardly wait to show
- 00:00:12.168 --> 00:00:13.136
- You alaska.
- 00:00:13.903 --> 00:00:15.271
- I've been there before, and every time i witness those
- 00:00:15.271 --> 00:00:18.608
- Massive glaciers and towering mountains, i'm reminded of how
- 00:00:18.608 --> 00:00:22.545
- Incredibly creative our god is.
- 00:00:22.545 --> 00:00:25.215
- Announcer: picture this: waking up to snow-capped peaks outside
- 00:00:25.215 --> 00:00:28.585
- Your window, then heading to your refreshing breakfast,
- 00:00:28.585 --> 00:00:31.721
- Knowing that all your meals are prepared for you.
- 00:00:31.721 --> 00:00:34.257
- The world-class service means that you can truly relax.
- 00:00:34.257 --> 00:00:37.594
- Jeffress: we'll explore charming villages together,
- 00:00:37.594 --> 00:00:40.130
- We'll stroll alongside the still waters of the mountain stream,
- 00:00:40.130 --> 00:00:44.033
- And, yes, we'll see god's artistry at every turn.
- 00:00:44.033 --> 00:00:48.371
- Announcer: reserve your spot on the 2026 pathway to victory
- 00:00:48.371 --> 00:00:52.075
- Cruise to alaska by calling... or visit ptv.org.
- 00:00:52.075 --> 00:00:59.115
- ♪♪♪
- 00:01:00.750 --> 00:01:07.290
- Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
- 00:01:07.290 --> 00:01:09.659
- Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
- 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:12.529
- With doctor robert jeffress.
- 00:01:12.529 --> 00:01:15.098
- Jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
- 00:01:15.165 --> 00:01:16.900
- Again to "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:19.169
- For 2000 years, christians have wondered, "when
- 00:01:19.169 --> 00:01:22.238
- Is jesus coming back?"
- 00:01:22.238 --> 00:01:23.973
- Well, no one knows the day or the hour, but we can be certain
- 00:01:23.973 --> 00:01:28.044
- That jesus will indeed return, just as he promised.
- 00:01:28.044 --> 00:01:32.282
- Last time, we discovered what will take place during a
- 00:01:32.282 --> 00:01:34.951
- Seven-year period known as the great tribulation.
- 00:01:34.951 --> 00:01:38.988
- And today we're going to look at the culmination of that season
- 00:01:38.988 --> 00:01:42.158
- Of time when christ finally returns to earth.
- 00:01:42.158 --> 00:01:45.895
- My message is titled "history's most important event" on today's
- 00:01:45.895 --> 00:01:50.633
- Edition of "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:50.633 --> 00:01:53.570
- ♪♪♪
- 00:01:54.270 --> 00:01:57.807
- Announcer: wars, natural disasters, global instability.
- 00:01:59.275 --> 00:02:03.046
- Many people look at the headlines and wonder if we're
- 00:02:03.046 --> 00:02:05.682
- Living in the end-times.
- 00:02:05.682 --> 00:02:07.283
- In his brand new book, "ask dr. jeffress about the end times,"
- 00:02:07.283 --> 00:02:11.354
- Dr. robert jeffress provides clear, biblical answers to the
- 00:02:11.354 --> 00:02:14.624
- 20 questions people ask most about the future.
- 00:02:14.624 --> 00:02:22.232
- Request "ask dr. jeffress about the end times" when you
- 00:02:22.232 --> 00:02:25.702
- Give a generous ministry gift to pathway to victory.
- 00:02:25.702 --> 00:02:28.805
- ♪♪♪
- 00:02:30.506 --> 00:02:36.246
- Jeffress: in 1961, just a few days before president-elect john
- 00:02:36.246 --> 00:02:41.084
- F. kennedy was inaugurated as president of our country, he
- 00:02:41.084 --> 00:02:45.255
- Invited evangelist billy graham to join him in key biscayne,
- 00:02:45.255 --> 00:02:49.559
- Florida for a few days of relaxation and golf.
- 00:02:49.559 --> 00:02:52.996
- Now, the invitation to graham surprised people for
- 00:02:52.996 --> 00:02:55.765
- Two reasons.
- 00:02:55.765 --> 00:02:57.100
- First of all, because of kennedy's well-known disinterest
- 00:02:57.100 --> 00:03:00.670
- In spiritual matters, but also because of his equally
- 00:03:00.670 --> 00:03:04.540
- Well-known dislike of evangelist billy graham.
- 00:03:04.540 --> 00:03:08.144
- Nevertheless, they spent a couple of days together, and one
- 00:03:08.144 --> 00:03:11.447
- Day after they finished playing golf, they were riding back to
- 00:03:11.447 --> 00:03:14.484
- The hotel, and kennedy still had his driving privileges.
- 00:03:14.484 --> 00:03:17.887
- He was driving a white lincoln with graham in the front seat,
- 00:03:17.887 --> 00:03:22.025
- And suddenly president kennedy pulled the car over to the side
- 00:03:22.025 --> 00:03:25.828
- Of the road.
- 00:03:25.828 --> 00:03:27.297
- He stopped the engine, he looked at billy graham, and said,
- 00:03:27.297 --> 00:03:32.268
- "billy, do you believe jesus christ is coming back to earth
- 00:03:32.268 --> 00:03:36.906
- One day?"
- 00:03:36.906 --> 00:03:38.408
- Graham said, "i certainly do, mr. president."
- 00:03:38.408 --> 00:03:42.578
- Then kennedy asked, "why do i hear so little about it today?"
- 00:03:42.578 --> 00:03:49.052
- The fact that jesus christ is coming back to earth is one of
- 00:03:49.052 --> 00:03:53.189
- The best kept secrets in the world.
- 00:03:53.189 --> 00:03:55.992
- And yet, as you look at scripture, the constant refrain
- 00:03:55.992 --> 00:03:59.195
- Of both the old and the new testament is christ is coming
- 00:03:59.195 --> 00:04:03.599
- Back again to reclaim this broken world that has been lost.
- 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:08.037
- It is that event, what i call history's most important event,
- 00:04:08.037 --> 00:04:12.508
- That we have come to in our study of bible prophecy.
- 00:04:12.508 --> 00:04:16.212
- Today, we're going to do three things.
- 00:04:16.212 --> 00:04:18.047
- First of all, we're going to look at the events that precede
- 00:04:18.047 --> 00:04:21.317
- The coming of christ.
- 00:04:21.317 --> 00:04:22.885
- And then we're going to look in revelation 19 at that second
- 00:04:22.885 --> 00:04:25.888
- Coming of jesus and how it is far different from the rapture
- 00:04:25.888 --> 00:04:29.992
- That occurs seven years earlier.
- 00:04:29.992 --> 00:04:31.894
- And then finally, we're gonna answer the question, "so what?
- 00:04:31.894 --> 00:04:35.131
- What difference does it make if christ is coming back?"
- 00:04:35.131 --> 00:04:39.068
- If you have your bibles, i want you to turn to revelation
- 00:04:39.068 --> 00:04:41.771
- Chapter 16, as we review the events preceding the second
- 00:04:41.771 --> 00:04:46.743
- Coming of christ.
- 00:04:46.743 --> 00:04:48.344
- You remember in our study of bible prophecy, we saw that way
- 00:04:48.344 --> 00:04:52.849
- Back 4000 years ago in genesis chapter 12, god began his plan
- 00:04:52.849 --> 00:05:00.490
- To redeem mankind with a man named abraham.
- 00:05:00.490 --> 00:05:03.659
- Remember how god came to abraham in 2000 bc approximately and
- 00:05:03.659 --> 00:05:09.065
- Said, "abraham, you are gonna be the catalyst for my redemption
- 00:05:09.065 --> 00:05:12.635
- Of all mankind."
- 00:05:12.635 --> 00:05:13.970
- And god made a promise to abraham that through him and his
- 00:05:13.970 --> 00:05:16.739
- Descendants, all the nations of the world would be blessed.
- 00:05:16.739 --> 00:05:21.110
- And remember, in psalm 89, the psalmist said even if abraham's
- 00:05:21.110 --> 00:05:24.881
- Descendants and david's descendants were unfaithful, god
- 00:05:24.881 --> 00:05:28.117
- Was still going to be faithful to fulfill his promise.
- 00:05:28.117 --> 00:05:31.654
- It was an unconditional promise that god made to abraham.
- 00:05:31.654 --> 00:05:35.958
- Of course, the question is, well, when was that promise
- 00:05:35.958 --> 00:05:39.962
- Going to be fulfilled?
- 00:05:39.962 --> 00:05:41.564
- That was a question that was especially of interest to the
- 00:05:41.564 --> 00:05:44.767
- Israelites about 1500 years later, in the 6th century bc,
- 00:05:44.767 --> 00:05:49.272
- When they were exiled in babylon.
- 00:05:49.272 --> 00:05:51.974
- They thought, "god's finished with israel.
- 00:05:51.974 --> 00:05:54.143
- Maybe god's not going to fulfill his promise."
- 00:05:54.143 --> 00:05:56.712
- Remember the prophet daniel, living in babylon in exile,
- 00:05:56.712 --> 00:05:59.916
- Said, "lord, what are you gonna do?
- 00:05:59.916 --> 00:06:01.551
- Are you going to fulfill your promise?"
- 00:06:01.551 --> 00:06:03.986
- And in daniel chapter 9, remember, god came to him, and
- 00:06:03.986 --> 00:06:08.057
- He said that there are going to be 490 years in which god will
- 00:06:08.057 --> 00:06:14.063
- Finally fulfill his promise to israel.
- 00:06:14.063 --> 00:06:16.632
- And we looked at god's stopwatch, and we saw how this
- 00:06:16.632 --> 00:06:20.269
- 490 years was divided into the first 483 years that have
- 00:06:20.269 --> 00:06:25.208
- Already elapsed.
- 00:06:25.208 --> 00:06:26.542
- And there are seven final years left on god's stopwatch in which
- 00:06:26.542 --> 00:06:30.079
- He is gonna fulfill that promise that he made to abraham of the
- 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:33.583
- Redemption of mankind and the restoration of the world.
- 00:06:33.583 --> 00:06:37.520
- So right now, we're living in that gap between the first
- 00:06:37.520 --> 00:06:41.924
- Coming of christ, after which god stopped his stopwatch, the
- 00:06:41.924 --> 00:06:45.995
- 483 years was over.
- 00:06:45.995 --> 00:06:48.030
- We're living in the gap between then and the events that will
- 00:06:48.030 --> 00:06:51.868
- Lead to the return of jesus christ.
- 00:06:51.868 --> 00:06:54.470
- And i want you to notice on your outline, there are three
- 00:06:54.470 --> 00:06:57.206
- Significant events that are taking place during this gap,
- 00:06:57.206 --> 00:07:01.143
- The interval between the first, and the second coming of christ.
- 00:07:01.143 --> 00:07:05.047
- First of all, is what we call the church age.
- 00:07:05.047 --> 00:07:08.217
- Remember that chart on bible prophecy at several pages later
- 00:07:08.217 --> 00:07:11.554
- In your notes?
- 00:07:11.554 --> 00:07:12.922
- We've looked at it almost every week.
- 00:07:12.922 --> 00:07:14.524
- Notice after the crucifixion and the resurrection of christ,
- 00:07:14.524 --> 00:07:18.461
- There is a pause called the church age.
- 00:07:18.461 --> 00:07:21.163
- It is a time when god has temporarily turned away from
- 00:07:21.163 --> 00:07:25.401
- Israel so that gentiles like you and i have an opportunity to
- 00:07:25.401 --> 00:07:29.705
- Be saved.
- 00:07:29.705 --> 00:07:31.040
- It's a time that was talked about in romans 11:25.
- 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:34.143
- Paul said, "i don't want you to be ignorant, brethren, about
- 00:07:34.143 --> 00:07:37.213
- This partial hardening that has come to israel until the
- 00:07:37.213 --> 00:07:41.417
- Fullness of the gentiles has come in."
- 00:07:41.417 --> 00:07:44.453
- The end of the church age will be that event we've talked
- 00:07:44.453 --> 00:07:47.456
- About--the rapture of the church--when god snatches away
- 00:07:47.456 --> 00:07:50.593
- The church, that is you and i to be with him in glory.
- 00:07:50.593 --> 00:07:54.897
- And once that occurs, that stopwatch starts for the final
- 00:07:54.897 --> 00:07:58.734
- Seven years of earth's history.
- 00:07:58.734 --> 00:08:01.337
- What's going to happen in those final seven years?
- 00:08:01.337 --> 00:08:04.006
- It's the period of time called the great tribulation.
- 00:08:04.006 --> 00:08:07.577
- Daniel 9:27 gives us the outline.
- 00:08:07.577 --> 00:08:10.413
- It is a week of years--seven years.
- 00:08:10.413 --> 00:08:14.717
- Antichrist will make a peace treaty with israel.
- 00:08:14.717 --> 00:08:17.086
- Halfway through, he will break the peace treaty and turn
- 00:08:17.086 --> 00:08:19.388
- Against israel, as well as christians who will be saved
- 00:08:19.388 --> 00:08:22.391
- During that time.
- 00:08:22.391 --> 00:08:23.726
- It is a time not only of antichrist reign of terror, but
- 00:08:23.726 --> 00:08:27.863
- It is a time of god's pouring out his judgment upon the world.
- 00:08:27.863 --> 00:08:32.468
- We've said that there are two purposes of this seven-year
- 00:08:32.468 --> 00:08:35.738
- Period of time called the great tribulation.
- 00:08:35.738 --> 00:08:38.107
- First of all, for god to pour out his wrath on unbelievers, as
- 00:08:38.107 --> 00:08:42.078
- He has promised to do.
- 00:08:42.078 --> 00:08:43.646
- But secondly, to give unbelieving israel and gentile
- 00:08:43.646 --> 00:08:48.284
- Unbelievers the chance to be saved.
- 00:08:48.284 --> 00:08:52.054
- And remember, the last several weeks, we said the first 3 1/2
- 00:08:52.054 --> 00:08:55.191
- Years of this tribulation time will be relatively peaceful.
- 00:08:55.191 --> 00:08:59.128
- But halfway through it, the antichrist turns against
- 00:08:59.128 --> 00:09:03.165
- Believers, both jewish and gentile.
- 00:09:03.165 --> 00:09:06.135
- This will also be the time when the bulk of god's judgments
- 00:09:06.135 --> 00:09:09.605
- Against the world will be poured out during this last
- 00:09:09.605 --> 00:09:12.441
- 3 1/ 2 years in the form of those seal judgments,
- 00:09:12.441 --> 00:09:15.611
- The trumpet judgments, and the bold judgments.
- 00:09:15.611 --> 00:09:19.081
- Now, what is going to be the reaction of the world to
- 00:09:19.081 --> 00:09:22.785
- These judgments?
- 00:09:22.785 --> 00:09:24.987
- Have you all heard the maxim before, "he who calls the shots,
- 00:09:24.987 --> 00:09:29.925
- Takes the shots?"
- 00:09:29.925 --> 00:09:31.894
- And the fact is, if you're in management, you understand
- 00:09:31.894 --> 00:09:34.630
- That truth.
- 00:09:34.630 --> 00:09:35.998
- If you're in charge and something goes wrong, people
- 00:09:35.998 --> 00:09:38.734
- Hold you accountable for it.
- 00:09:38.734 --> 00:09:40.069
- He who calls the shots takes the shots, but the same thing is
- 00:09:40.069 --> 00:09:43.172
- Gonna be true of antichrist.
- 00:09:43.172 --> 00:09:44.740
- He's the great world dictator.
- 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:46.742
- He has subjugated all the nations of the earth to follow
- 00:09:46.742 --> 00:09:49.645
- After him.
- 00:09:49.645 --> 00:09:51.013
- But imagine what these 3 1/2 years are going to be like when
- 00:09:51.013 --> 00:09:54.383
- There's going to be not only political turmoil and
- 00:09:54.383 --> 00:09:57.720
- Persecution of people, but all of these natural disasters.
- 00:09:57.720 --> 00:10:01.390
- The world forces are gonna start to blame antichrist for these
- 00:10:01.390 --> 00:10:05.361
- Devastating judgments against the world.
- 00:10:05.361 --> 00:10:07.897
- He's going to be seen as weakened in his power.
- 00:10:07.897 --> 00:10:10.933
- And so, the bible says the forces of the world, the kings
- 00:10:10.933 --> 00:10:14.437
- Of the earth are going to mount a challenge to antichrist power.
- 00:10:14.437 --> 00:10:19.041
- And that challenge is the thing that precipitates this war
- 00:10:19.041 --> 00:10:23.679
- Of armageddon.
- 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:25.047
- Many times we talk about the battle of armageddon, and there
- 00:10:25.047 --> 00:10:28.284
- Is a climactic battle that we will look at in just a moment.
- 00:10:28.284 --> 00:10:31.687
- But it is actually a war that characterizes the last 3 1/2
- 00:10:31.687 --> 00:10:35.658
- Years of the tribulation and goes up and down the length of
- 00:10:35.658 --> 00:10:39.028
- All of israel.
- 00:10:39.028 --> 00:10:40.830
- But here you got the world forces.
- 00:10:40.830 --> 00:10:43.132
- They are tired of the tyranny of the antichrist, and they are
- 00:10:43.132 --> 00:10:46.435
- Ready to try to topple him.
- 00:10:46.435 --> 00:10:48.370
- And that's where we've come to in revelation 16, the battle or
- 00:10:48.370 --> 00:10:52.508
- The war of armageddon.
- 00:10:52.508 --> 00:10:54.243
- Look at revelation 16, verses 13 and 14.
- 00:10:54.243 --> 00:10:57.813
- John says, "and i saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon," now
- 00:10:57.813 --> 00:11:03.419
- That's the satan, the power behind the antichrist.
- 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:07.690
- "i saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the
- 00:11:07.690 --> 00:11:10.760
- Mouth of the beast," that's the antichrist, "and out of the
- 00:11:10.760 --> 00:11:13.796
- Mouth of the false prophet," antichrist assistant, "i saw
- 00:11:13.796 --> 00:11:17.399
- Coming out of their mouths three unclean spirits."
- 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:22.037
- Did you realize that just like there is a holy trinity--
- 00:11:22.037 --> 00:11:25.341
- Father, son, and holy spirit-- there is a satanic trinity?
- 00:11:25.341 --> 00:11:29.278
- The dragon, that is satan; the beast, the antichrist; and the
- 00:11:29.278 --> 00:11:33.482
- False prophet.
- 00:11:33.482 --> 00:11:34.817
- John says, "i saw coming out of the mouths of the satanic
- 00:11:34.817 --> 00:11:38.521
- Trinity, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are the
- 00:11:38.521 --> 00:11:43.325
- Spirit of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings
- 00:11:43.325 --> 00:11:47.663
- Of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the
- 00:11:47.663 --> 00:11:52.268
- Great day of god, the almighty.
- 00:11:52.268 --> 00:11:54.770
- And so they gathered them together to the place in hebrew
- 00:11:54.770 --> 00:11:58.941
- Which is called har-magedon."
- 00:11:58.941 --> 00:12:02.444
- The satanic trinity--satan, the dragon; the beast, that is
- 00:12:02.444 --> 00:12:08.150
- Antichrist; the false prophet-- they are going to try to lure
- 00:12:08.150 --> 00:12:12.054
- All the kings of the earth to
- 00:12:12.054 --> 00:12:14.123
- This one spot in israel for the great battle.
- 00:12:14.123 --> 00:12:17.426
- Now you say, "why would the antichrist wanna gather together
- 00:12:17.426 --> 00:12:21.697
- All of his forces--or all of his enemies in one place?"
- 00:12:21.697 --> 00:12:25.801
- The answer is so he could destroy them.
- 00:12:25.801 --> 00:12:27.703
- That's the way you do battle.
- 00:12:27.703 --> 00:12:29.271
- If your enemies are all dispersed throughout the world,
- 00:12:29.271 --> 00:12:33.943
- You can't get at them.
- 00:12:33.943 --> 00:12:35.311
- You need to bring them all together in one place.
- 00:12:35.311 --> 00:12:38.047
- I remember years ago hearing doctor criswell tell the story
- 00:12:38.047 --> 00:12:42.151
- About being seated on an airplane next to the chief of
- 00:12:42.151 --> 00:12:45.621
- Staff of the pentagon one day.
- 00:12:45.621 --> 00:12:47.890
- And because doctor criswell was preaching on the battle of
- 00:12:47.890 --> 00:12:50.459
- Armageddon, he turned to the chief of staff of the pentagon
- 00:12:50.459 --> 00:12:54.096
- And said, "do you ever believe there will come a time when
- 00:12:54.096 --> 00:12:57.967
- There will be no need for foot soldiers, that everything will
- 00:12:57.967 --> 00:13:01.036
- Be done through nuclear warfare?
- 00:13:01.036 --> 00:13:03.005
- Will there ever be a time when foot soldiers are irrelevant?"
- 00:13:03.005 --> 00:13:06.976
- And the chief of staff, without hesitating, said,
- 00:13:06.976 --> 00:13:09.511
- "absolutely not.
- 00:13:09.511 --> 00:13:11.513
- There will always be a need for foot soldiers because soldiers
- 00:13:11.513 --> 00:13:16.018
- Are the way we push our enemy all together in one spot so that
- 00:13:16.018 --> 00:13:20.723
- We can destroy them, even with nuclear warfare."
- 00:13:20.723 --> 00:13:23.926
- That's exactly what you have going on here.
- 00:13:23.926 --> 00:13:26.562
- From the antichrist perspective, he is the one who is enticing
- 00:13:26.562 --> 00:13:31.367
- All of the world forces to come to this plane of megiddo so that
- 00:13:31.367 --> 00:13:35.938
- He can destroy them.
- 00:13:35.938 --> 00:13:37.907
- That is from his point of view, but from god's point of view, he
- 00:13:37.907 --> 00:13:42.511
- Is the one gathering together in one spot so that he might smite
- 00:13:42.511 --> 00:13:46.782
- The nations of the earth.
- 00:13:46.782 --> 00:13:49.084
- "well, wait a minute, robert.
- 00:13:49.084 --> 00:13:50.452
- The text says it is the evil spirits that lure the kings of
- 00:13:50.452 --> 00:13:54.857
- The earth there, and yet you're saying god leads them there.
- 00:13:54.857 --> 00:13:59.061
- Which is it?"
- 00:13:59.061 --> 00:14:00.496
- The answer is both.
- 00:14:00.496 --> 00:14:01.830
- See, many times, god even uses demons to accomplish
- 00:14:01.830 --> 00:14:07.036
- His purpose.
- 00:14:07.036 --> 00:14:08.370
- Do you remember the story in 1 kings, how god sent an evil
- 00:14:08.370 --> 00:14:12.074
- Spirit to cause evil king ahab to mount an attack against the
- 00:14:12.074 --> 00:14:18.280
- City of ramoth-gilead?
- 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:20.282
- Now, who was it that lured ahab to do it?
- 00:14:20.282 --> 00:14:22.584
- Well, the direct cause was a demon, but the ultimate cause
- 00:14:22.584 --> 00:14:26.422
- Was god.
- 00:14:26.422 --> 00:14:27.756
- It reminds me of luther's comment: "even the devil is
- 00:14:27.756 --> 00:14:29.658
- God's devil."
- 00:14:29.658 --> 00:14:31.026
- There is no one or nothing that thwarts god's program.
- 00:14:31.026 --> 00:14:34.229
- And so, for god's--from god's point of view, he is luring the
- 00:14:34.229 --> 00:14:37.466
- Enemies of together--of the world together at this spot
- 00:14:37.466 --> 00:14:39.735
- Called har-magedon, or the plain of megiddo.
- 00:14:39.735 --> 00:14:43.939
- Now many of us have had the chance to be at that plane of
- 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:47.042
- Megiddo before.
- 00:14:47.042 --> 00:14:48.410
- It is the site of some of the most famous battles in all the
- 00:14:48.410 --> 00:14:51.013
- Old testament--beirut and the canaanites, gideon and
- 00:14:51.013 --> 00:14:54.583
- The midianites.
- 00:14:54.583 --> 00:14:55.951
- When napoleon stood over that plane, like many of us have
- 00:14:55.951 --> 00:14:59.221
- Done before.
- 00:14:59.221 --> 00:15:00.589
- When napoleon looked out over that plane, he said, "this is
- 00:15:00.589 --> 00:15:03.625
- The most natural battlefield in all of the world."
- 00:15:03.625 --> 00:15:08.197
- And if you go there, you'll see why that is.
- 00:15:08.197 --> 00:15:11.133
- It's going to be the place for that climactic battle.
- 00:15:11.133 --> 00:15:14.336
- Look at revelation 16, verse 17.
- 00:15:14.336 --> 00:15:16.905
- While the world forces are gathering themselves together
- 00:15:16.905 --> 00:15:20.509
- At the plane of megiddo to mount war against
- 00:15:20.509 --> 00:15:22.544
- The antichrist, it is at that point that god releases his
- 00:15:22.544 --> 00:15:26.782
- Judgment--his final judgment against the earth.
- 00:15:26.782 --> 00:15:29.485
- Look at revelation 16, verse 17.
- 00:15:29.485 --> 00:15:32.187
- "and the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a
- 00:15:32.187 --> 00:15:37.426
- Loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying,
- 00:15:37.426 --> 00:15:40.429
- 'it is done.'"
- 00:15:40.429 --> 00:15:43.432
- This is the final bowl judgment, the final of god's judgments
- 00:15:43.432 --> 00:15:47.803
- Against the world.
- 00:15:47.803 --> 00:15:49.405
- And notice this judgment, this bowl is poured out, not on the
- 00:15:49.405 --> 00:15:53.442
- Earth, it is poured out in the air.
- 00:15:53.442 --> 00:15:58.280
- I believe that john is describing what we would call a
- 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:02.918
- Nuclear explosion.
- 00:16:02.918 --> 00:16:04.586
- A nuclear exchange.
- 00:16:04.586 --> 00:16:06.522
- Something that happens in the air and has great
- 00:16:06.522 --> 00:16:09.858
- Destructive force.
- 00:16:09.858 --> 00:16:12.094
- I did some research this week about nuclear weapons--i hope i
- 00:16:12.094 --> 00:16:16.465
- Don't get in trouble with the nsa tracking my computer for
- 00:16:16.465 --> 00:16:19.868
- Doing it.
- 00:16:19.868 --> 00:16:21.236
- But i was doing some research about nuclear weapons and
- 00:16:21.236 --> 00:16:25.207
- Exactly how powerful they are.
- 00:16:25.207 --> 00:16:27.843
- Did you know that a rudimentary nuclear bomb, 1 kiloton,
- 00:16:27.843 --> 00:16:33.749
- Is 1000 tons of explosive.
- 00:16:33.749 --> 00:16:36.418
- That was a rudimentary nuclear bomb.
- 00:16:36.418 --> 00:16:39.521
- Did you know if that elementary, crude device of 1000 tons of
- 00:16:39.521 --> 00:16:45.060
- Explosive--if a terrorist on 9/11 had used that and detonated
- 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:50.199
- It in the middle of midtown new york city, it would have killed
- 00:16:50.199 --> 00:16:55.938
- Most of the residents of manhattan, of staten island,
- 00:16:55.938 --> 00:16:58.941
- And brooklyn?
- 00:16:58.941 --> 00:17:00.275
- It would have leveled the united nations, the new york stock
- 00:17:00.275 --> 00:17:02.978
- Exchange, and also all three or four major broadcast networks.
- 00:17:02.978 --> 00:17:07.449
- That is from one rudimentary bomb of 1000 tons of explosive--
- 00:17:07.449 --> 00:17:13.589
- A kiloton.
- 00:17:13.589 --> 00:17:14.957
- But today, nuclear weapons are much more sophisticated.
- 00:17:14.957 --> 00:17:18.427
- They are not 1 kiloton, they are 100 kilotons.
- 00:17:18.427 --> 00:17:23.599
- These nuclear weapons that you find on submarines, they are
- 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:26.301
- 100 kilotons.
- 00:17:26.301 --> 00:17:27.870
- That means 100,000 tons of arsenal that have tremendous
- 00:17:27.870 --> 00:17:35.444
- Destructive power.
- 00:17:35.444 --> 00:17:36.812
- If you take 1000 present-day nuclear devices and explode them
- 00:17:36.812 --> 00:17:42.184
- At the same time, do you realize you could destroy the entire
- 00:17:42.184 --> 00:17:45.154
- World with just 1000 of those nuclear weapons?
- 00:17:45.154 --> 00:17:49.057
- How many nuclear weapons do we have today of that potency?
- 00:17:49.057 --> 00:17:53.061
- Did you know the united states possesses enough nuclear weapons
- 00:17:53.061 --> 00:17:56.765
- To destroy the world 18 times?
- 00:17:56.765 --> 00:18:00.936
- And it is reported that russia has enough nuclear weapons to
- 00:18:00.936 --> 00:18:04.940
- Destroy the world 29 times.
- 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:08.844
- Now, can't you see how some tension, some altercation in the
- 00:18:08.844 --> 00:18:15.250
- Middle east, perhaps it's iran attacking israel and bringing in
- 00:18:15.250 --> 00:18:20.088
- World forces on both sides, how some skirmish like that could
- 00:18:20.088 --> 00:18:24.426
- Begin an exchange of nuclear weapons?
- 00:18:24.426 --> 00:18:27.296
- I think that is exactly what john is saying that he saw.
- 00:18:27.296 --> 00:18:30.199
- He saw this judgment poured out in the air.
- 00:18:30.199 --> 00:18:33.101
- And notice the result of it in verses 18-20 of revelation 16.
- 00:18:33.101 --> 00:18:37.472
- "and there there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals
- 00:18:37.472 --> 00:18:40.876
- Of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there
- 00:18:40.876 --> 00:18:43.745
- Had not been since man came upon the earth, so great an
- 00:18:43.745 --> 00:18:47.516
- Earthquake was it, and so mighty.
- 00:18:47.516 --> 00:18:50.319
- And the great city was split into three parts, and the cities
- 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:53.722
- Of the nations fell.
- 00:18:53.722 --> 00:18:55.123
- And babylon the great was remembered before god, to give
- 00:18:55.123 --> 00:18:58.327
- Her the cup of the wine of his fierce wrath.
- 00:18:58.327 --> 00:19:01.830
- And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."
- 00:19:01.830 --> 00:19:06.602
- I think that is a nuclear exchange that he is
- 00:19:06.602 --> 00:19:09.838
- Describing here.
- 00:19:09.838 --> 00:19:11.406
- But regardless of the source of this judgment, this judgment
- 00:19:11.406 --> 00:19:15.410
- Against the entire world is just a prelude to the main event.
- 00:19:15.410 --> 00:19:20.282
- And that main event is the return of jesus christ.
- 00:19:20.282 --> 00:19:24.019
- Turn over to revelation chapter 19.
- 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:26.255
- As the world forces are battling at the plain of megiddo, as the
- 00:19:26.255 --> 00:19:30.626
- World is trying to recover from this nuclear judgment, suddenly
- 00:19:30.626 --> 00:19:34.997
- The heavens are going to open, the bible says.
- 00:19:34.997 --> 00:19:37.332
- And look at revelation 19:11-13.
- 00:19:37.332 --> 00:19:40.102
- "and i saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he
- 00:19:40.102 --> 00:19:44.439
- Who sat upon it is called faithful and true, and in
- 00:19:44.439 --> 00:19:47.743
- Righteousness he judges and wages war.
- 00:19:47.743 --> 00:19:50.479
- And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many
- 00:19:50.479 --> 00:19:54.149
- Diadems," crowns, "and he has a name written upon him which no
- 00:19:54.149 --> 00:19:57.719
- One knows except himself.
- 00:19:57.719 --> 00:19:59.588
- And he is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is
- 00:19:59.588 --> 00:20:03.592
- Called the word of god."
- 00:20:03.592 --> 00:20:05.761
- As the world forces are doing battle, suddenly they are
- 00:20:05.761 --> 00:20:08.764
- Startled when they see the clouds part, and they see the
- 00:20:08.764 --> 00:20:12.167
- Appearance of the lord jesus christ.
- 00:20:12.167 --> 00:20:14.836
- And when they see christ, they see he's not alone because, in
- 00:20:14.836 --> 00:20:18.473
- Addition to the appearance of christ, notice secondly, there
- 00:20:18.473 --> 00:20:21.476
- Is the appearance of the church of jesus christ.
- 00:20:21.476 --> 00:20:24.313
- Look at verse 14.
- 00:20:24.313 --> 00:20:25.781
- "and the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen,
- 00:20:25.781 --> 00:20:30.419
- White and clean, were following him on white horses."
- 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:35.390
- Who is that army that is following christ from heaven
- 00:20:35.390 --> 00:20:38.593
- To earth?
- 00:20:38.593 --> 00:20:39.961
- It is you.
- 00:20:39.961 --> 00:20:41.296
- It is i. we are the armies that are following with christ.
- 00:20:41.296 --> 00:20:44.700
- She said, "now, pastor, how do you know that?"
- 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:47.703
- It's very clear from revelation 19.
- 00:20:47.703 --> 00:20:49.571
- Go back up to verse 8 for a moment.
- 00:20:49.571 --> 00:20:51.773
- John is describing what happens in heaven immediately before the
- 00:20:51.773 --> 00:20:56.111
- Second coming of christ.
- 00:20:56.111 --> 00:20:57.446
- You know what's happening in heaven right before the second
- 00:20:57.446 --> 00:21:00.315
- Coming of christ to earth?
- 00:21:00.315 --> 00:21:01.750
- You and i are getting dressed for it.
- 00:21:01.750 --> 00:21:03.518
- We're getting ready for the event.
- 00:21:03.518 --> 00:21:05.420
- The reason we're getting dressed for it is as soon as christ
- 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:08.056
- Comes to earth and he judges unbelievers and dispatches them
- 00:21:08.056 --> 00:21:11.727
- To hell, the first thing that happens in the millennial
- 00:21:11.727 --> 00:21:14.596
- Kingdom that we'll talk about next week is a great
- 00:21:14.596 --> 00:21:17.399
- Wedding feast.
- 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:18.734
- It's called the marriage supper of the lamb.
- 00:21:18.734 --> 00:21:21.503
- It is gonna be a celebration that you and i are going to join
- 00:21:21.503 --> 00:21:24.606
- In when we, the bride of christ, are joined together with
- 00:21:24.606 --> 00:21:28.477
- Jesus christ.
- 00:21:28.477 --> 00:21:29.811
- And so in revelation 19, verse 8, it says we're gonna be in
- 00:21:29.811 --> 00:21:32.914
- Heaven, getting ready for this great supper
- 00:21:32.914 --> 00:21:35.150
- That is to take place.
- 00:21:35.150 --> 00:21:36.618
- Look at verse 8.
- 00:21:36.618 --> 00:21:37.986
- "it was given to her," that is the church, "to
- 00:21:37.986 --> 00:21:40.288
- Clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean, for the fine
- 00:21:40.288 --> 00:21:45.026
- Linen is the righteous acts of the saints."
- 00:21:45.026 --> 00:21:49.965
- Now i've been doing weddings for 35 years, and i've seen some
- 00:21:49.965 --> 00:21:53.135
- Very unusual get-ups that people have worn to weddings before.
- 00:21:53.135 --> 00:21:57.305
- You know, occasionally somebody will wear blue jeans and a
- 00:21:57.305 --> 00:22:00.809
- T-shirt, but that's not the usual dress.
- 00:22:00.809 --> 00:22:03.912
- Most people still dress in their finest for a wedding.
- 00:22:03.912 --> 00:22:08.283
- The bible says in heaven, before we, the bride of christ, return
- 00:22:08.283 --> 00:22:12.921
- With christ to reign over the world, we're gonna get dressed
- 00:22:12.921 --> 00:22:16.391
- For that occasion.
- 00:22:16.391 --> 00:22:17.759
- The bible says we're gonna dress in our finest clothes.
- 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:21.930
- Now, he's not talking about chanel dresses or brioni suits.
- 00:22:21.930 --> 00:22:25.400
- He's talking about what he says very clearly in verse 8. our
- 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:29.004
- Linen, our clothing are our righteous acts.
- 00:22:29.004 --> 00:22:34.142
- That's what we will be putting on for the wedding supper of
- 00:22:34.142 --> 00:22:38.513
- The lamb.
- 00:22:38.513 --> 00:22:39.848
- You're saying, "no, wait a minute, pastor.
- 00:22:39.848 --> 00:22:41.183
- Wait a minute.
- 00:22:41.183 --> 00:22:42.551
- Good works?
- 00:22:42.551 --> 00:22:44.252
- Haven't you taught us over and over again that good works
- 00:22:44.252 --> 00:22:48.423
- Are meaningless?"
- 00:22:48.423 --> 00:22:50.125
- No, no, not at all.
- 00:22:50.125 --> 00:22:52.360
- Good works are meaningless when it comes to earning
- 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:55.630
- Our salvation.
- 00:22:55.630 --> 00:22:56.965
- In fact, isaiah 64, verse 6 says the best garments we can
- 00:22:56.965 --> 00:23:00.335
- Manufacture for ourselves are like a filthy rag before god.
- 00:23:00.335 --> 00:23:03.872
- Isaiah 64, verse 6. yeah, good works are useless when it comes
- 00:23:03.872 --> 00:23:09.411
- To earning our salvation.
- 00:23:09.411 --> 00:23:11.913
- No, we have to have the garment that christ offers us free
- 00:23:11.913 --> 00:23:15.584
- Of charge.
- 00:23:15.584 --> 00:23:16.952
- His righteousness we put on when we trust in christ as
- 00:23:16.952 --> 00:23:19.187
- Our savior.
- 00:23:19.187 --> 00:23:20.555
- Jeffress: and what a glorious day that will be when we put on
- 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:28.196
- Our finest clothes to attend the wedding supper of the lamb.
- 00:23:28.196 --> 00:23:32.901
- Now, before we're out of time for today, i want to share an
- 00:23:32.901 --> 00:23:36.171
- Encouraging comment from wes, who recently wrote: "pastor
- 00:23:36.171 --> 00:23:40.308
- Jeffress, i woke up one morning five years ago to discover that
- 00:23:40.308 --> 00:23:44.412
- I was about to endure an unwanted and painful divorce.
- 00:23:44.412 --> 00:23:48.884
- On that very day, i stumbled across 'pathway to victory.'
- 00:23:48.884 --> 00:23:52.754
- What has happened in my life over the past five years
- 00:23:52.754 --> 00:23:56.291
- Has been nothing short of amazing.
- 00:23:56.291 --> 00:23:58.560
- God has restored my life and delivered on his promises.
- 00:23:58.560 --> 00:24:02.564
- Today, i'm sharing what i have learned with others."
- 00:24:02.564 --> 00:24:06.434
- Well, if you support "pathway to victory," i hope you're
- 00:24:06.434 --> 00:24:09.337
- Encouraged to see how your partnership with us has a
- 00:24:09.337 --> 00:24:13.208
- Multiplying impact.
- 00:24:13.208 --> 00:24:15.110
- Together, we're bringing the bright light of the gospel
- 00:24:15.110 --> 00:24:18.513
- Into darkness.
- 00:24:18.513 --> 00:24:19.915
- By god's grace, our ministry is transforming lives all across
- 00:24:19.915 --> 00:24:23.752
- America and around the world.
- 00:24:23.752 --> 00:24:26.421
- Now, stay right there.
- 00:24:26.421 --> 00:24:27.822
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
- 00:24:27.822 --> 00:24:32.227
- Announcer: with everything happening in our world today.
- 00:24:32.294 --> 00:24:35.196
- It's natural to wonder, are we living in the end-times?
- 00:24:35.196 --> 00:24:39.467
- In his brand-new book "ask dr. jeffress about the end times,"
- 00:24:39.534 --> 00:24:43.638
- Dr. robert jeffress answers the 20 questions people ask the
- 00:24:43.638 --> 00:24:47.042
- Most about the future.
- 00:24:47.042 --> 00:24:48.443
- Jeffress: in my 40+ years as a pastor, i've answered countless
- 00:24:48.443 --> 00:24:51.680
- Questions about the end-times, and that's why i wrote this
- 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:55.517
- Book, to give you clear, biblical answers that will fill
- 00:24:55.517 --> 00:24:59.321
- Your life with peace, joy, and excitement as we look forward to
- 00:24:59.321 --> 00:25:03.391
- Our lord's return.
- 00:25:03.391 --> 00:25:05.026
- Announcer: request your copy of "ask dr. jeffress about the
- 00:25:05.026 --> 00:25:08.063
- End times" when you give a generous gift to support
- 00:25:08.063 --> 00:25:11.166
- "pathway to victory," or when you become a pathway partner.
- 00:25:11.166 --> 00:25:14.970
- And when your ministry gift is $125 or more,
- 00:25:14.970 --> 00:25:19.007
- You'll also receive dr. jeffress's bestselling book
- 00:25:19.007 --> 00:25:22.110
- "perfect ending," also the stunning full-color resource
- 00:25:22.110 --> 00:25:25.780
- "the end times illustrated," and the complete "perfect ending"
- 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:29.317
- Teaching series on both cd and dvd.
- 00:25:29.317 --> 00:25:32.387
- Jeffress: the end-time events are going to be
- 00:25:32.387 --> 00:25:33.722
- Very frightening.
- 00:25:33.722 --> 00:25:35.090
- It's going to consist of economic turmoil.
- 00:25:35.090 --> 00:25:37.092
- There'll be wars, there'll be unprecedented persecution.
- 00:25:37.092 --> 00:25:41.062
- But fortunately christians don't have to fear that period
- 00:25:41.062 --> 00:25:44.099
- Of time.
- 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:45.433
- Announcer: your generous support of "pathway to victory" helps us
- 00:25:45.433 --> 00:25:48.036
- Proclaim the hope of christ's return through television,
- 00:25:48.036 --> 00:25:51.406
- Radio, and online streaming to people across the country and
- 00:25:51.406 --> 00:25:55.210
- Around the world.
- 00:25:55.210 --> 00:25:56.544
- Together we're piercing the darkness with the light of
- 00:25:56.544 --> 00:25:59.414
- God's word.
- 00:25:59.414 --> 00:26:00.782
- Jeffress: with so much violence and unrest around the globe,
- 00:26:03.985 --> 00:26:06.988
- Many are frightened by what the future holds for america and for
- 00:26:06.988 --> 00:26:11.192
- The world.
- 00:26:11.192 --> 00:26:12.560
- Well, let me assure you, god already knows what the
- 00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:15.030
- Future holds.
- 00:26:15.030 --> 00:26:16.364
- Nothing happens that is outside of his plan.
- 00:26:16.364 --> 00:26:19.668
- And in fact, he's already told us exactly what we can expect in
- 00:26:19.668 --> 00:26:23.705
- The coming days.
- 00:26:23.705 --> 00:26:25.073
- But the storm clouds are gathering, and biblical prophecy
- 00:26:25.073 --> 00:26:28.977
- Is unfolding right before our eyes.
- 00:26:28.977 --> 00:26:31.579
- We don't know the day or the hour, but it's clear that the
- 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:34.582
- Return of jesus christ is near.
- 00:26:34.582 --> 00:26:38.053
- And next time, we'll continue to discover what it will be like
- 00:26:38.053 --> 00:26:41.423
- When jesus christ finally returns to earth.
- 00:26:41.423 --> 00:26:44.659
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
- 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:47.495
- Series "perfect ending."
- 00:26:47.495 --> 00:26:50.598
- Jeffress: but let's be honest, as we look at the world today,
- 00:26:50.665 --> 00:26:53.034
- It doesn't look like jesus is winning, does it?
- 00:26:53.034 --> 00:26:56.237
- What we feel and what we see is very, very real, but it's also
- 00:26:56.237 --> 00:27:01.042
- Very, very temporary.
- 00:27:01.042 --> 00:27:03.445
- The bible says one day jesus is going to win.
- 00:27:03.445 --> 00:27:07.949
- One day, jesus is coming back again to reclaim and recreate
- 00:27:07.949 --> 00:27:13.021
- That which has been lost.
- 00:27:13.021 --> 00:27:15.023
- Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part two
- 00:27:15.023 --> 00:27:18.326
- Of the message, "history's most important event,"
- 00:27:18.326 --> 00:27:21.362
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:21.362 --> 00:27:21.362