Robert Jeffress - How Can I Know I'm Going To Heaven When I Die? (Part 2)

February 19, 2025 | S25:E86

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - How Can I Know I'm Going To Heaven When I Die? (Part 2) | February 19, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With 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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  • It's been said that in this world, nothing is certain except
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  • Death and taxes, and while most of us deal with our taxes in
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  • April, the fact is nobody gets out of this life alive.
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  • So, what's going to happen to us after we die?
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  • Although we experience the same fate, death, the bible teaches
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  • That we're going to experience one of two very different
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  • Destinations, and today i'm going to share with you five
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  • Biblical facts about heaven and how to get there.
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  • My message is titled, "how can i know i'm going to
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  • Heaven when i die?"
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Announcer: it's okay to have questions about your faith,
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  • But you need answers you can trust.
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  • In his book "how can i know?"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress addresses seven of life's
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  • Most important questions.
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  • If you've ever wondered how you can know the bible is true or
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  • How you can know if you're going to heaven,
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  • This book makes a compelling case for answers you
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  • Can embrace with confidence.
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  • Request your copy of "how can i know?"
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  • When you give a generous gift to support the ministry
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  • Of pathway to victory.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Jeffress: it was the patriarch job who asked perhaps the most
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  • Consequential question of life.
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  • If a man dies, will he live again?
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  • Is this life all there is, or is there something that awaits us
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  • Beyond the grave?
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  • The answer to that question has grave, so to speak, implications
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  • For every one of us.
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  • If there is an existence after the grave, then what is it and
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  • How do we conform our beliefs and behavior in a way to ensure
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  • Our well-being and that existence after the grave?
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  • That's what we're looking at right now in our
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  • Series "how can i know?"
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  • Last time we began looking at the question, how can i know i'm
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  • Going to heaven when i die?
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  • Jesus and the other new testament writers had
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  • A lot to say about heaven.
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  • Interestingly, jesus talked more about hell than he did about
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  • Heaven, but he did teach about heaven, and although the
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  • Information we have is accurate, it's not complete.
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  • Jesus doesn't tell us everything we wanna know about heaven.
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  • Sometimes i wonder why that is.
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  • I think if we really knew what awaited us as christians, there
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  • Probably would be mass suicides.
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  • We would all want to get there as quickly as we possibly could,
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  • And if not, at the very least, it would be a distraction to us
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  • If we really knew what was waiting for us in heaven.
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  • We'd be like the little boy who was told by his parents to eat
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  • His meat and vegetables, but he had a hard time doing that
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  • Because there was also an ice cream sundae in front of him.
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  • He couldn't get past the sundae in order to concentrate on his
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  • Meat and vegetables.
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  • I think that's the way we would be.
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  • We'd find it very hard to fulfill our responsibilities
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  • Here on earth if we understood the truth about heaven.
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  • Nevertheless, jesus gave us just enough information about heaven
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  • To whet our appetites.
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  • And tonight--this morning what i wanna do is look at five truths
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  • That the bible teaches us about heaven, the kind of heaven
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  • You're going to experience if you know jesus as your savior.
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  • First of all, the bible teaches heaven is an actual location.
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  • John 14, beginning with verse 1, jesus said, "do not let your
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  • Heart be troubled; believe in god, believe also in me.
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  • In my father's house are many dwelling," what, "places."
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  • Underline that word places.
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  • "if it were not so, i would have told you; for i go to prepare
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  • A," there it is again, "a place for you.
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  • And if i go and prepare a," there it is again, "place for
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  • You, i will come again and receive you unto myself."
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  • Three times in three verses, jesus uses the word place.
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  • That word is topos in greek.
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  • It literally means a geographical location.
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  • Heaven is an actual location.
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  • Secondly, heaven is both an immediate and an
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  • Ultimate destination.
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  • It's both an immediate and an ultimate destination.
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  • Let me explain what i mean.
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  • We saw last time when we looked at the rich man, the bible says
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  • He was in hell.
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  • Some versions say he was in hades.
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  • It tells us, among other things, that when a non-christian dies,
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  • He doesn't cease to exist, he doesn't go into some waiting
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  • Station, he doesn't go into soul sleep.
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  • An unbeliever begins suffering immediately in a very real
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  • Place, but it's only a temporary place.
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  • An unbeliever doesn't go to the lake of fire.
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  • He goes to hades.
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  • The hades is the waiting place of the unsaved dead.
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  • It's a place of immediate torment and pain as jesus
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  • Described, but it's not the forever destination of
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  • The unbeliever.
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  • The unbeliever is in hades awaiting what?
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  • That great final white throne judgment in revelation chapter
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  • 20 when all people whose names are not written in the book of
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  • Life will be deposited into the lake of fire.
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  • The ultimate destination for unsaved people is the lake of
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  • Fire, gehenna, where they will also be tortured and suffer day
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  • And night, forever and ever.
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  • We use the term hell as a catch-all term to describe both
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  • The immediate place of the unsaved dead and the ultimate
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  • Place, the lake of fire.
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  • In the same way, heaven we use as a generic term.
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  • It describes where christians go immediately when they die, but
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  • Where they go immediately is not where they will go ultimately.
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  • Thirdly, the bible says heaven will be primarily a
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  • Re-created earth.
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  • When we talk about this fourth heaven, this ultimate
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  • Destination that we're going to spend eternity in, what does the
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  • Bible teach us about it?
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  • Well, it will primarily be a recreated earth.
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  • You know, one of the biggest misconceptions about heaven is
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  • That when we die, we become these disembodied spirits that
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  • Just float around up there somewhere
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  • In a galaxy far, far away.
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  • Dr. criswell used to say, "if i felt like i was gonna spend
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  • Eternity on some distant rotating ball billions of miles
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  • Away, one that i'm not familiar with, i wouldn't get excited
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  • About heaven at all.
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  • I like this earth.
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  • I like everything about this earth except the sin, the
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  • Sickness, and the sadness of it, and that will be gone forever."
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  • Ladies and gentlemen, we were made not for another world, we
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  • Were made for this world, and that's why the bible says
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  • Ultimately our ultimate destiny--destination is not up
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  • There somewhere, it's right here on the recreated earth.
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  • Now if you think i'm making that up, just jot down these
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  • Scripture verses, psalm 37, verse 9.
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  • "but those who wait upon the lord shall inherit the,"
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  • What, "earth."
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  • Earth, our inheritance is the earth, or 2 peter 3:13, "but
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  • According to god's promise we are looking for new heavens and
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  • A new earth, in which righteousness dwells."
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  • That shouldn't surprise us, that god is going to recreate
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  • This world.
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  • Remember that god originally created man to be perfect and to
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  • Enjoy perfect fellowship with a perfect god and he made a
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  • Perfect earth for man to dwell in, but sin ruined all of that,
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  • At least temporarily.
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  • Not only did the fall of adam and eve, not only did it result
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  • In the corruption of man, but it corrupted the earth as well.
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  • Paul writes about that in romans 8.
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  • He said the whole creation is
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  • Groaning right now, longing to be released from the curse.
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  • Look, our eternity is not a case of us going up
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  • Someplace unidentified.
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  • That's not what heaven is.
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  • It's not our going up there.
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  • The new heaven and the new earth is god coming down to where
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  • We are.
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  • We are not going up to dwell with him.
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  • He's coming down to dwell with us.
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  • The full meaning of the word emmanuel, "god is with us."
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  • He is coming down and will rule over us forever and ever, and
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  • That leads to a fourth truth about heaven.
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  • Heaven is a continuum of our earthly existence.
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  • It is a continuum of our earthly existence.
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  • This is one of the most frequent misconceptions people have about
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  • Life after death.
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  • They think our life after death has nothing to do, no
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  • Connection, with our life on earth, but nothing could be
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  • Further from the truth.
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  • Our existence is a continuing between now and eternity.
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  • For example, there's a continuity between the present
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  • Earth and the new earth.
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  • Notice in revelation 21 verses 1 to 3, the descriptions of this
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  • New earth that god gives us.
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  • Just enough detail to whet our appetite.
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  • He said, "then he showed me a river of the water of life,
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  • Clear as crystal, coming from the throne of god and of
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  • The lamb.
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  • And in the middle of the street there was a tree of life,
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  • Bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month;
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  • And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
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  • What is the new earth going to be like?
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  • It's gonna have trees and rivers and water and mountains.
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  • I mean, just think of the most beautiful place that you have
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  • Ever gone here on earth.
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  • That's only a pencil sketch of what heaven is gonna be like and
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  • The new heaven and the new earth, but it's gonna contain
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  • Those things that we're gonna be familiar with, and by the way, i
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  • Think part of that new heaven and new earth are gonna
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  • Be animals.
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  • God included animals in the garden of eden, why not think
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  • He's going to do the same now, and i'm not saying it's gonna be
  • 00:10:44.400 --> 00:10:46.969
  • Your pet fido, but i'm saying there are going to be animals,
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  • Most likely, in the new earth that god creates.
  • 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:55.277
  • Secondly, there's a continuity between our earthly bodies and
  • 00:10:55.277 --> 00:10:59.615
  • Our eternal bodies.
  • 00:10:59.615 --> 00:11:02.451
  • A continuity between our earthly bodies and eternal bodies.
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  • You know, people ask me all the time about heaven.
  • 00:11:05.654 --> 00:11:08.791
  • Will we know one another in heaven?
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  • Will we all be the same in heaven?
  • 00:11:11.260 --> 00:11:13.162
  • Will we eat in heaven?
  • 00:11:13.162 --> 00:11:14.964
  • What exactly is going to be our existence like in heaven, and
  • 00:11:14.964 --> 00:11:18.667
  • Interestingly, the bible gives us a lot of detail about that.
  • 00:11:18.667 --> 00:11:22.671
  • If you want to know what your body is gonna be like in the new
  • 00:11:22.671 --> 00:11:26.342
  • Heaven and new earth, just look at jesus's resurrection body.
  • 00:11:26.342 --> 00:11:30.713
  • Remember, after he was raised from the dead, he spent 40 days
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  • On earth interacting with his disciples and other people.
  • 00:11:34.250 --> 00:11:38.988
  • Interestingly, his disciples recognized him, though not
  • 00:11:38.988 --> 00:11:42.391
  • Always immediately.
  • 00:11:42.391 --> 00:11:44.059
  • They weren't expecting to see him, but then when they realized
  • 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:47.062
  • Who he was, they recognized him.
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  • He bore similarities in his new body and his first human
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  • Body that he had.
  • 00:11:54.503 --> 00:11:55.838
  • And thirdly, there's a continuity between our present
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  • Choices and our future existence, and this is what is
  • 00:11:58.741 --> 00:12:03.312
  • So important to understand.
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  • As brief as our life here on earth is, the choices we make
  • 00:12:05.648 --> 00:12:11.387
  • Impact us forever and ever and ever.
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  • In the same way the decision an unbeliever makes in this life to
  • 00:12:15.024 --> 00:12:19.261
  • Reject or simply neglect the gospel of jesus christ has
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  • Eternal ramifications.
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  • Revelation 20:15 says, "if any man's name was not found written
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  • In the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
  • 00:12:31.507 --> 00:12:37.279
  • Do you know, to me one of the most horrible aspects of hell is
  • 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:41.917
  • Not just the fact of the physical suffering, the
  • 00:12:41.917 --> 00:12:45.521
  • Eternality of suffering, the forever destination, it's the
  • 00:12:45.521 --> 00:12:49.825
  • Fact that in hell people will have the opportunity to remember
  • 00:12:49.825 --> 00:12:55.130
  • Their earthly existence.
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  • Remember what abraham said to the rich man who was in agony in
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  • The flames.
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  • He said, "'child, remember that during your life you received
  • 00:13:04.473 --> 00:13:09.078
  • Your good things, and likewise lazarus bad things; but now he
  • 00:13:09.078 --> 00:13:14.116
  • Is being comforted here, and you are in agony.'"
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  • Abraham was simply saying, remember, you had many
  • 00:13:17.186 --> 00:13:20.189
  • Opportunities while on earth to thank god for your provisions,
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  • To acknowledge his sovereignty over your life, remember.
  • 00:13:23.959 --> 00:13:28.564
  • An unbeliever who ends up in hell will be able to remember
  • 00:13:28.564 --> 00:13:32.401
  • Those opportunities to receive christ, when a friend invited
  • 00:13:32.401 --> 00:13:36.672
  • Him to church or shared the gospel with him, but it will be
  • 00:13:36.672 --> 00:13:40.643
  • Too late.
  • 00:13:40.643 --> 00:13:42.011
  • There's a continuity between life here on earth
  • 00:13:42.011 --> 00:13:44.613
  • And life in heaven.
  • 00:13:44.613 --> 00:13:45.948
  • Remember, when you die, it's not somebody else who goes to heaven
  • 00:13:45.948 --> 00:13:49.551
  • Or to hell, it is you.
  • 00:13:49.551 --> 00:13:52.588
  • Randy alcorn writes it this way about that continuity.
  • 00:13:52.588 --> 00:13:56.458
  • Earth leads directly into heaven just as it leads directly
  • 00:13:56.458 --> 00:14:01.697
  • Into hell.
  • 00:14:01.697 --> 00:14:03.165
  • Life here is a running start into one place or the other.
  • 00:14:03.165 --> 00:14:08.404
  • Heaven and hell are both retroactive to earth.
  • 00:14:08.404 --> 00:14:12.541
  • The best of earth is a glimpse of heaven and the worst of earth
  • 00:14:12.541 --> 00:14:17.813
  • Is a glimpse of hell.
  • 00:14:17.813 --> 00:14:19.982
  • Earth is the in-between world, touched both by heaven and hell,
  • 00:14:19.982 --> 00:14:25.521
  • Affording a choice between the two.
  • 00:14:25.521 --> 00:14:29.091
  • And that leads to the final truth about heaven, and that is
  • 00:14:29.091 --> 00:14:32.494
  • Heaven is reserved for those who trust in christ.
  • 00:14:32.494 --> 00:14:38.133
  • If you believe that there is life after death and if you
  • 00:14:38.133 --> 00:14:43.605
  • Accept that jesus is probably the best authority to tell--tell
  • 00:14:43.605 --> 00:14:47.843
  • Us about heaven and hell, then it only makes sense that we
  • 00:14:47.843 --> 00:14:52.147
  • Would trust what he said is the way to heaven.
  • 00:14:52.147 --> 00:14:56.552
  • How can i know i'm going to heaven when i die?
  • 00:14:56.552 --> 00:15:00.055
  • What did jesus say about that?
  • 00:15:00.055 --> 00:15:02.791
  • Jesus linked our entrance into heaven to what we believe.
  • 00:15:02.791 --> 00:15:09.031
  • Belief and salvation are inseparably linked to
  • 00:15:09.031 --> 00:15:12.368
  • One another.
  • 00:15:12.368 --> 00:15:13.702
  • In john 6:40, jesus said, '"truly, truly, i say unto you,
  • 00:15:13.702 --> 00:15:17.473
  • He who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has
  • 00:15:17.473 --> 00:15:20.843
  • Eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed
  • 00:15:20.843 --> 00:15:24.113
  • From death into life."'
  • 00:15:24.113 --> 00:15:25.814
  • He who believes.
  • 00:15:25.814 --> 00:15:27.182
  • Or john 6:40, '"for this is the will of my father, that everyone
  • 00:15:27.182 --> 00:15:31.086
  • Who beholds the son and believes in him will have eternal life,
  • 00:15:31.086 --> 00:15:37.259
  • And i myself will raise him up on the last day."'
  • 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:40.863
  • Or jesus said in john 11, "'i am the resurrection and the life;
  • 00:15:40.863 --> 00:15:44.767
  • He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he
  • 00:15:44.767 --> 00:15:48.303
  • Live again.'"
  • 00:15:48.303 --> 00:15:49.905
  • It's clear, only those who believe in christ will be saved
  • 00:15:49.905 --> 00:15:54.543
  • By christ.
  • 00:15:54.543 --> 00:15:55.878
  • But here's the $64,000 question.
  • 00:15:55.878 --> 00:15:58.747
  • What does it mean to believe in jesus?
  • 00:15:58.747 --> 00:16:01.417
  • If you don't hear another word i say today, hear this.
  • 00:16:01.417 --> 00:16:05.621
  • To believe doesn't mean to agree with a certain amount of facts
  • 00:16:05.621 --> 00:16:09.725
  • About jesus.
  • 00:16:09.725 --> 00:16:11.226
  • To believe in jesus doesn't mean to believe, well, i believe, i
  • 00:16:11.226 --> 00:16:15.964
  • Agree that he is the son of god.
  • 00:16:15.964 --> 00:16:18.867
  • I believe that he died on the cross for the sins of the world.
  • 00:16:18.867 --> 00:16:22.538
  • I believe that he was raised from the dead on the third day.
  • 00:16:22.538 --> 00:16:26.208
  • I believe, i believe in these facts about jesus.
  • 00:16:26.208 --> 00:16:29.945
  • That won't get you into heaven.
  • 00:16:29.945 --> 00:16:32.548
  • You know how i know that?
  • 00:16:32.548 --> 00:16:34.483
  • Because the demons, even satan themselves, believe all of
  • 00:16:34.483 --> 00:16:39.888
  • Those facts.
  • 00:16:39.888 --> 00:16:41.790
  • Did you know that the devil and his demons believe that jesus is
  • 00:16:41.790 --> 00:16:45.461
  • The son of god?
  • 00:16:45.461 --> 00:16:47.062
  • They were always saying, the demons, "who are you, son of
  • 00:16:47.062 --> 00:16:49.698
  • God, to do this to us?"
  • 00:16:49.698 --> 00:16:51.366
  • They recognized him.
  • 00:16:51.366 --> 00:16:53.168
  • They believed that he died on the cross
  • 00:16:53.168 --> 00:16:55.170
  • For the sins of the world.
  • 00:16:55.170 --> 00:16:56.505
  • They were there that friday afternoon, they watched it.
  • 00:16:56.505 --> 00:17:00.776
  • They know that jesus was raised from the dead, but does anybody
  • 00:17:00.776 --> 00:17:05.614
  • Want to argue that they're gonna be in heaven.
  • 00:17:05.614 --> 00:17:08.584
  • No, they believe those things.
  • 00:17:08.584 --> 00:17:09.952
  • In fact, they believe them more than you do and i do because
  • 00:17:09.952 --> 00:17:12.821
  • They were there to witness those things, but intellectual belief
  • 00:17:12.821 --> 00:17:16.592
  • Is not enough.
  • 00:17:16.592 --> 00:17:18.127
  • No, to believe in the bible, that greek word means to trust
  • 00:17:18.127 --> 00:17:22.030
  • In, to depend upon, to lean upon, to put your whole
  • 00:17:22.030 --> 00:17:26.235
  • Weight upon.
  • 00:17:26.235 --> 00:17:27.569
  • It means to come to that point that you say, "god, i know i'm
  • 00:17:27.569 --> 00:17:30.906
  • A sinner.
  • 00:17:30.906 --> 00:17:32.274
  • I know i deserve your punishment, but i am trusting
  • 00:17:32.274 --> 00:17:35.277
  • And believing and depending on what jesus did for me to save me
  • 00:17:35.277 --> 00:17:40.382
  • From my sins."
  • 00:17:40.382 --> 00:17:42.084
  • Jesus said it this way, "for god so loved the world, that he gave
  • 00:17:42.084 --> 00:17:46.321
  • His only son, that whoever believes in jesus shall not
  • 00:17:46.321 --> 00:17:51.960
  • Perish, but shall have everlasting life."
  • 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:56.098
  • To illustrate what it means to believe in jesus, i like to use
  • 00:17:56.098 --> 00:18:00.669
  • This illustration.
  • 00:18:00.669 --> 00:18:02.838
  • Men, just imagine you want to take your wife out to a nice
  • 00:18:02.838 --> 00:18:06.141
  • Restaurant here in dallas, an expensive restaurant, and you
  • 00:18:06.141 --> 00:18:10.979
  • Arrive at the restaurant, you're in nice but casual clothes,
  • 00:18:10.979 --> 00:18:16.051
  • You're ready to be seated, but the host said, "sir, i'm sorry,
  • 00:18:16.051 --> 00:18:19.755
  • But," and he points to a sign, "jackets are required for
  • 00:18:19.755 --> 00:18:23.825
  • Our establishment.
  • 00:18:23.825 --> 00:18:25.260
  • You have to be wearing a jacket."
  • 00:18:25.260 --> 00:18:26.962
  • And you get frustrated and mad.
  • 00:18:26.962 --> 00:18:29.097
  • You say, "well, that is so out of date.
  • 00:18:29.097 --> 00:18:30.699
  • Nobody requires that any longer."
  • 00:18:30.699 --> 00:18:32.868
  • You can say, "well, i didn't know about this requirement.
  • 00:18:32.868 --> 00:18:35.070
  • It's unfair that you would make me follow this," and the host
  • 00:18:35.070 --> 00:18:39.474
  • Said, "you know, you're not the first person who's come in here
  • 00:18:39.474 --> 00:18:42.110
  • With that same problem, and that's why we keep a spare
  • 00:18:42.110 --> 00:18:45.280
  • Jacket in the back.
  • 00:18:45.280 --> 00:18:46.748
  • Let me go get it."
  • 00:18:46.748 --> 00:18:48.116
  • He comes out with this jacket.
  • 00:18:48.116 --> 00:18:49.851
  • He said, "now, if you want to put it on, you're welcome to
  • 00:18:49.851 --> 00:18:52.888
  • Come into the restaurant."
  • 00:18:52.888 --> 00:18:55.023
  • You've got a choice to make.
  • 00:18:55.023 --> 00:18:57.292
  • You can continue to protest of how fine your clothes are and
  • 00:18:57.292 --> 00:19:01.330
  • How unfair this law is, and you'll be turned away and miss a
  • 00:19:01.330 --> 00:19:06.201
  • Great meal, or you can humble yourself, put on the jacket, and
  • 00:19:06.201 --> 00:19:11.740
  • Enjoy an unforgettable evening.
  • 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:15.544
  • Did you know god has a dress code for heaven?
  • 00:19:15.544 --> 00:19:21.350
  • Not our physical clothing, but our spiritual clothing.
  • 00:19:21.350 --> 00:19:25.320
  • He demands, for entrance into heaven, you have to be
  • 00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:29.391
  • Absolutely perfect, perfect.
  • 00:19:29.391 --> 00:19:33.662
  • "well, pastor, nobody can be perfect."
  • 00:19:33.662 --> 00:19:36.965
  • Exactly, and that's why god sent jesus.
  • 00:19:36.965 --> 00:19:41.603
  • 2 corinthians 5:21 says, "god made him," jesus, "who knew no
  • 00:19:41.603 --> 00:19:47.743
  • Sin to become sin for us, that we might become the
  • 00:19:47.743 --> 00:19:51.246
  • Righteousness of god in him."
  • 00:19:51.246 --> 00:19:53.348
  • When jesus died on that cross, he took all of our sins.
  • 00:19:53.348 --> 00:19:58.887
  • God placed all of our sins and wrapped them around jesus so
  • 00:19:58.887 --> 00:20:03.258
  • That jesus became the recipient of the punishment we deserve
  • 00:20:03.258 --> 00:20:07.095
  • From god.
  • 00:20:07.095 --> 00:20:08.430
  • He took our unrighteousness and wrapped it around jesus and he
  • 00:20:08.430 --> 00:20:12.768
  • Took the perfect righteousness of jesus and wrapped it around
  • 00:20:12.768 --> 00:20:16.772
  • Us so that when god looks at us, he doesn't see our soiled and
  • 00:20:16.772 --> 00:20:22.644
  • Imperfect garments of sin that we wear.
  • 00:20:22.644 --> 00:20:25.847
  • He sees the perfection of his son.
  • 00:20:25.847 --> 00:20:30.118
  • See, the bible says in isaiah 64:6, the best we can do, our
  • 00:20:30.118 --> 00:20:34.056
  • Righteousness is like a filthy garment to god.
  • 00:20:34.056 --> 00:20:39.194
  • So we've got a choice.
  • 00:20:39.194 --> 00:20:41.063
  • When we approach god, we can take a chance and just see if
  • 00:20:41.063 --> 00:20:45.534
  • Our garments, our behavior, are good enough to get into heaven.
  • 00:20:45.534 --> 00:20:50.605
  • If we take that chance, we're gonna lose because nobody's
  • 00:20:50.605 --> 00:20:54.509
  • Perfect enough to go to heaven, or we can wrap ourselves in that
  • 00:20:54.509 --> 00:20:58.947
  • Perfect garment of righteousness, jesus christ.
  • 00:20:58.947 --> 00:21:03.685
  • You know, the apostle paul had to make that decision.
  • 00:21:03.685 --> 00:21:07.456
  • He described himself before he became a christian as the hebrew
  • 00:21:07.456 --> 00:21:11.093
  • Of the hebrews, the jew of the jews.
  • 00:21:11.093 --> 00:21:13.528
  • I was righteous in my mind.
  • 00:21:13.528 --> 00:21:16.131
  • I kept the law, but that encounter with jesus on the road
  • 00:21:16.131 --> 00:21:20.335
  • To damascus changed everything, and suddenly paul saw his
  • 00:21:20.335 --> 00:21:24.406
  • Sinfulness and his need for a savior, and that's why in
  • 00:21:24.406 --> 00:21:27.909
  • Philippians 3:9 he prayed, he said, "my prayer is that i might
  • 00:21:27.909 --> 00:21:32.314
  • Be found in christ, not having a righteousness of my own derived
  • 00:21:32.314 --> 00:21:38.120
  • From the law, but that righteousness that comes from
  • 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:41.456
  • Christ on the basis of faith."
  • 00:21:41.456 --> 00:21:45.293
  • Let me ask you, when that day comes that you meet god face to
  • 00:21:45.293 --> 00:21:50.198
  • Face, do you want to be found wrapped in your righteousness or
  • 00:21:50.198 --> 00:21:56.004
  • Do you wanna be found wrapped in the righteousness of jesus?
  • 00:21:56.004 --> 00:22:00.175
  • If you wait until you die to make that choice, you will have
  • 00:22:00.175 --> 00:22:04.279
  • Waited too long.
  • 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:06.848
  • Only those who trust in christ in this life
  • 00:22:06.848 --> 00:22:11.386
  • Can know for sure they're going to heaven when they die.
  • 00:22:11.386 --> 00:22:15.457
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:22:15.457 --> 00:22:21.096
  • There's no response more appropriate right now,
  • 00:22:21.096 --> 00:22:24.232
  • And nothing more urgent than saying yes to god's invitation.
  • 00:22:24.232 --> 00:22:29.204
  • Go ahead, trust in his provision,
  • 00:22:29.204 --> 00:22:31.740
  • And put on the garment of god's love and forgiveness.
  • 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:36.011
  • Now, as we conclude today,
  • 00:22:36.011 --> 00:22:37.612
  • I want to share a note from jim in texas.
  • 00:22:37.612 --> 00:22:40.482
  • He wrote, "i haven't been to church in about nine years.
  • 00:22:40.482 --> 00:22:44.486
  • When you teach, i know the word of god is taught properly
  • 00:22:44.486 --> 00:22:48.089
  • And not watered down.
  • 00:22:48.089 --> 00:22:49.891
  • I'll admit, my life isn't where it needs to be,
  • 00:22:49.891 --> 00:22:52.928
  • And i'm not walking right,
  • 00:22:52.928 --> 00:22:54.896
  • But god is working through your program
  • 00:22:54.896 --> 00:22:57.265
  • To help bring me back to him."
  • 00:22:57.265 --> 00:23:00.368
  • Well, jim, that's a wonderful encouragement to me.
  • 00:23:00.368 --> 00:23:03.538
  • I love your honesty and your transparency.
  • 00:23:03.538 --> 00:23:06.875
  • And to everyone who supports pathway to victory,
  • 00:23:06.875 --> 00:23:09.778
  • It's your generosity
  • 00:23:09.778 --> 00:23:11.146
  • That makes testimonies like jim's possible.
  • 00:23:11.146 --> 00:23:14.316
  • We're deeply grateful for every person
  • 00:23:14.316 --> 00:23:16.751
  • Who is part of this ministry's impact,
  • 00:23:16.751 --> 00:23:19.154
  • Helping us touch lives across the country
  • 00:23:19.154 --> 00:23:21.990
  • And around the world.
  • 00:23:21.990 --> 00:23:23.625
  • Now, stay right there,
  • 00:23:23.625 --> 00:23:25.193
  • I'll be back with more pathway to victory in just a moment.
  • 00:23:25.193 --> 00:23:29.364
  • [narrator] if a friend
  • 00:23:29.865 --> 00:23:31.233
  • Or one of your children came up to you and asked,
  • 00:23:31.233 --> 00:23:33.001
  • "how do you know christianity is the right religion?"
  • 00:23:33.001 --> 00:23:36.104
  • Could you give a clear and credible answer?
  • 00:23:36.104 --> 00:23:38.840
  • We'd like to send you a book from dr. robert jeffress,
  • 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:41.676
  • Containing answers to life's seven most important questions.
  • 00:23:41.676 --> 00:23:45.547
  • It's titled, "how can i know?"
  • 00:23:45.547 --> 00:23:47.749
  • If we're honest,
  • 00:23:47.749 --> 00:23:49.117
  • Every one of us has questions about our faith,
  • 00:23:49.117 --> 00:23:51.319
  • Questions like, "how can i know the bible is true?"
  • 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:54.689
  • Or, "how can i know god exists?"
  • 00:23:54.689 --> 00:23:57.425
  • In my book, "how can i know?"
  • 00:23:57.425 --> 00:23:59.528
  • I tackle seven important questions
  • 00:23:59.528 --> 00:24:02.063
  • And provide biblically-based answers
  • 00:24:02.063 --> 00:24:04.666
  • You can embrace with confidence.
  • 00:24:04.666 --> 00:24:06.668
  • [narrator] seven straightforward answers
  • 00:24:06.668 --> 00:24:08.436
  • To seven pressing questions.
  • 00:24:08.436 --> 00:24:10.405
  • The book, "how can i know?" is yours today
  • 00:24:10.405 --> 00:24:12.807
  • When you give a generous gift to support
  • 00:24:12.807 --> 00:24:15.176
  • The ministry of pathway to victory,
  • 00:24:15.176 --> 00:24:17.379
  • Or when you sign up to become a pathway partner.
  • 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:20.482
  • And when your gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:24:20.482 --> 00:24:23.685
  • You'll also receive the complete series
  • 00:24:23.685 --> 00:24:25.854
  • On dvd and audio disc, with newly updated content for 2025.
  • 00:24:25.854 --> 00:24:31.126
  • It's not a sin to have doubts.
  • 00:24:31.760 --> 00:24:34.129
  • Sometimes doubt is a prerequisite to genuine faith.
  • 00:24:34.129 --> 00:24:38.633
  • [narrator] thank you for investing financially
  • 00:24:38.633 --> 00:24:40.936
  • In pathway to victory.
  • 00:24:40.936 --> 00:24:42.470
  • Your partnership will help
  • 00:24:42.470 --> 00:24:43.972
  • Our ministry broadcast god's truth on television,
  • 00:24:43.972 --> 00:24:47.042
  • On radio, and online, addressing doubts, clearing confusion,
  • 00:24:47.042 --> 00:24:51.680
  • And transforming lives through the bold,
  • 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:54.149
  • Biblical teaching of god's word.
  • 00:24:54.149 --> 00:24:58.553
  • Today, we've learned that heaven is a real place,
  • 00:24:59.554 --> 00:25:02.557
  • Prepared by god for those
  • 00:25:02.557 --> 00:25:04.225
  • Who put their trust in jesus christ.
  • 00:25:04.225 --> 00:25:07.562
  • Our present choices have eternal consequences,
  • 00:25:07.562 --> 00:25:11.366
  • And the single most important decision any of us can make
  • 00:25:11.366 --> 00:25:14.703
  • Is to accept god's free gift of salvation
  • 00:25:14.703 --> 00:25:17.906
  • Through faith in his son.
  • 00:25:17.906 --> 00:25:20.208
  • But that leads to another crucial question
  • 00:25:20.208 --> 00:25:22.644
  • That many people struggle with.
  • 00:25:22.644 --> 00:25:24.546
  • If god is so good that he prepared heaven for us,
  • 00:25:24.546 --> 00:25:27.782
  • Why does he allow suffering in this world?
  • 00:25:27.782 --> 00:25:31.119
  • Well, next time we'll discover
  • 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.587
  • How to reconcile god's goodness
  • 00:25:32.587 --> 00:25:35.390
  • With the reality of evil and pain.
  • 00:25:35.390 --> 00:25:38.026
  • Stay tuned for a preview
  • 00:25:38.026 --> 00:25:39.561
  • Of what's coming up next in our series, how can i know?
  • 00:25:39.561 --> 00:25:43.565
  • Have you ever heard anybody ask the question,
  • 00:25:44.532 --> 00:25:46.601
  • "how can i know god is good
  • 00:25:46.601 --> 00:25:48.903
  • With all the porcupines in the world?"
  • 00:25:48.903 --> 00:25:52.340
  • I mean, porcupines do not represent a threat
  • 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:55.977
  • To the goodness of god,
  • 00:25:55.977 --> 00:25:58.146
  • But the existence of evil in the world does.
  • 00:25:58.146 --> 00:26:02.250
  • Why is that?
  • 00:26:02.250 --> 00:26:03.718
  • It's because evil seems to contradict everything else
  • 00:26:03.718 --> 00:26:06.488
  • We know about god.
  • 00:26:06.488 --> 00:26:08.289
  • [narrator] set your dvr
  • 00:26:08.289 --> 00:26:09.457
  • And join us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:09.457 --> 00:26:11.459
  • How can i know god is good
  • 00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:13.428
  • With all the suffering in the world?
  • 00:26:13.428 --> 00:26:15.296
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:15.296 --> 00:26:17.132
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:17.132 --> 00:26:20.201
  • If you could go back in time
  • 00:26:20.802 --> 00:26:22.337
  • And walk with the apostle, paul, on one of his journeys,
  • 00:26:22.337 --> 00:26:25.340
  • Would you do it?
  • 00:26:25.340 --> 00:26:26.608
  • This may, let's go together
  • 00:26:26.608 --> 00:26:28.143
  • On the life-changing pathway to victory,
  • 00:26:28.143 --> 00:26:30.412
  • Journeys of paul, mediterranean cruise.
  • 00:26:30.412 --> 00:26:34.082
  • [narrator] embark on a voyage of elegance
  • 00:26:34.082 --> 00:26:35.984
  • And refinement aboard the luxurious celebrity ascent.
  • 00:26:35.984 --> 00:26:39.621
  • Enjoy lavish state rooms, spacious balconies,
  • 00:26:39.621 --> 00:26:42.590
  • And world-class dining.
  • 00:26:42.590 --> 00:26:44.325
  • You'll experience breathtaking views, famous beaches,
  • 00:26:44.325 --> 00:26:47.762
  • And crystal clear water in beautiful island destinations
  • 00:26:47.762 --> 00:26:51.266
  • Like santorini, mykonos, and crete.
  • 00:26:51.266 --> 00:26:54.369
  • Walk with me and other believers
  • 00:26:54.369 --> 00:26:56.104
  • In the very places where god's word was written.
  • 00:26:56.104 --> 00:26:59.574
  • Join us as we study his word together.
  • 00:26:59.574 --> 00:27:02.343
  • Surrounded by natural beauty,
  • 00:27:02.343 --> 00:27:04.245
  • We will seek our creator in his creation.
  • 00:27:04.245 --> 00:27:08.483
  • [narrator] reserve your spot on the pathway to victory,
  • 00:27:08.483 --> 00:27:11.052
  • Journeys of paul, mediterranean cruise.
  • 00:27:11.052 --> 00:27:13.655
  • Call 888-280-6747, or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:13.655 --> 00:27:13.655