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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - When Persecution Comes (Part 1)

June 9, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - When Persecution Comes (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Persecution #Tradition-American #LightoftheWorld #Suffering #Martyrs #Trials-HardTimes #Tribulation #EndTimes #Antichrist #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - When Persecution Comes (Part 1) | June 9, 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"
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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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  • To many christians, persecution is something that happens in a
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  • Far off country like north korea or in the middle east.
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  • But in reality, persecution is running rampant
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  • Right here in america.
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  • And the bible teaches that hostility toward christians is
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  • Bound to get worse.
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  • Today, i'm going to offer three essential words to help you
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  • Prepare for what's ahead.
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  • My message is titled "when persecution comes" on today's
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  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Announcer: as our nation marks 250 years, america
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  • Stands at a crossroads.
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  • Will we return to the god who blessed us or continue down a
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  • Path that leads to ruin?
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  • Through the in god we trust matching challenge, your gift
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  • Today will be doubled in ministry impact.
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  • For 30 years, "pathway to victory" has pierced the
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  • Darkness of our nation with the light of god's word by sharing
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  • Biblical truth that transforms hearts.
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  • Join us in this critical hour by giving toward the in god we
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  • Trust matching challenge today.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: millions of christians around the world have been
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  • Blessed by the books of best selling author, randy alcorn.
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  • You've read his novels, perhaps, or read his, nonfiction books
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  • Like the "treasure principle."
  • 00:01:43.259 --> 00:01:44.994
  • However many people are not familiar with his personal story
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  • That redirected his life and ministry.
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  • When randy was 22 he joined another man to form a church in
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  • Boring, oregon.
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  • Isn't that a great name for a town?
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  • Boring, oregon.
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  • Needless to say it was a sleepy town, but it wasn't a
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  • Sleepy church.
  • 00:02:04.714 --> 00:02:06.082
  • It quickly became one of the largest churches in the entire
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  • Area of portland.
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  • And while he was a pastor, randy alcorn also frequently spoke out
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  • Against abortion.
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  • He served on the board of a local pregnancy center.
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  • He said later in an interview, the issue of life was consuming
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  • My mind and heart.
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  • When that light for life is turned on, you can't turn
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  • It off.
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  • In january of 1989, alcorn asked his elders for permission to
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  • Participate in local peaceful protests at abortion clinics.
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  • The elders acquiesced to their pastor's request.
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  • And so alcorn and his fellow protesters would march in front
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  • Of these abortion clinics sometimes blocking access
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  • With their bodies.
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  • The abortion clinics fought back pursuing every legal remedy at
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  • Their disposal in order to protect the "rights" of the
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  • Women who use them.
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  • Alcorn was arrested frequently.
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  • He recalls hearing one lawyer for an abortion clinic saying in
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  • Court, my clients have every bit as much right to perform
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  • Abortions as mcdonald's does to serve hamburgers.
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  • Although that was true, legally, alcorn knew that under god's
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  • Laws, murder was never permissible.
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  • And so he continued his protest.
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  • One of the clinics that randy alcorn blocked, sued him,
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  • Followed by another.
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  • And eventually they won a judgment against the pastor of
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  • $8.2 million.
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  • Alcorn told the judge that he would pay any money he
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  • Legitimately owed, but his conscience would not allow him
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  • To turn money over to an abortion clinic that would be
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  • Used to kill babies.
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  • When alcorn discovered that the court was going to garnish 1/4
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  • Of his wages from the church to help satisfy the judgment he
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  • Realized he was placing his church in an
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  • Untenable situation.
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  • If the congregation defied the court order, they could face
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  • Possibly years of expensive litigation.
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  • So to keep that from happening, randy alcorn resigned as pastor
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  • And lived off of his modest book royalties at the time.
  • 00:04:09.572 --> 00:04:13.743
  • But then he faced another challenge.
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  • He was still adamant that no portion of his earnings should
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  • Be used to kill babies.
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  • And the only way to prevent the garnishment of even his book
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  • Royalties was to agree to work for minimum wage.
  • 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:28.458
  • Fortunately, frugality had always been a part of his
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  • Family's way of living and although his book sales have
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  • Exploded during the last 20 years, randy alcorn still lives
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  • In the same modest three room home and he works for minimum
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  • Wage plus some speaking honoraria, writing his best
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  • Selling books.
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  • He has not used an atm or written a check since 1990.
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  • Randy and his wife, nancy are quick to point out the many
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  • Benefits that have accrued to their family because of
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  • This experience.
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  • He said, "it would have been very difficult to leave the
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  • Pastorate to become a writer and speaker and suddenly i had no
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  • Choice," randy later said in an interview.
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  • His wife, nancy, also refused to wallow in self pity over
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  • Their situation.
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  • However, after seeing one of their best friends and fellow
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  • Abortion protesters spend nine months in jail after losing his
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  • Job and home because of his abortion protest, nancy alcorn
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  • Observed this experience has taught us we will not always
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  • Receive justice in this world.
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  • Any christian who seriously takes god's command to be light
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  • And salt in this dark and decaying world needs to
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  • Understand you may not and will not always receive justice, but
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  • You always can be guaranteed to receive persecution.
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  • Jesus said in john 16:33, "in this world, you will have
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  • Tribulation, but be of good courage; i have overcome
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  • The world."
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  • The apostle paul who before his conversion had been
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  • An instrument of persecution against christians almost
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  • Overnight became a target of persecution.
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  • In 2 corinthians chapter 11, he details some of the suffering
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  • That he experienced as a christian.
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  • He said in 2 corinthians 11:24 to 27, "five times i received
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  • From the jews thirty-nine lashes.
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  • Three times i was beaten with rods, once i was stoned,
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  • Three times i was shipwrecked,
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  • A night and a day i have spent in the deep.
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  • I've been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers
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  • From robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the
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  • Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness,
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  • Dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; i have
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  • Been in labor, and hardship, through many sleepless nights,
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  • In hunger and thirst, often without food in cold
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  • And exposure."
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  • That was paul's experience.
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  • Or listen to the experience of the first century christians
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  • That followed paul.
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  • As the writer of hebrews notes, "believers were tortured, not
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  • Accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a
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  • Better resurrection; and others experienced scourging, yes,
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  • Chains and imprisonment.
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  • They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they
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  • Were put to death with the sword; they went about in
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  • Sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,
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  • Ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy,)
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  • Wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in
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  • The ground."
  • 00:07:39.615 --> 00:07:41.117
  • Now, when we read passages like that, let's be honest, we try to
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  • Assure ourselves that we won't have to go through that kind of
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  • Suffering because after all, we live in a different time
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  • In history.
  • 00:07:53.329 --> 00:07:54.764
  • And yet it's pointed out that more christians died as martyrs
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  • In the 20th century than all the other centuries combined
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  • Christians around the world.
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  • The reason we in the west, in america specifically, feel
  • 00:08:05.341 --> 00:08:09.345
  • Immune from this kind of suffering is we live in a
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  • Self-made bubble.
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  • We're not aware of what is happening to christians around
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  • The world today.
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  • For example, since 2003, iraqi christians have been frequent
  • 00:08:18.421 --> 00:08:22.258
  • Targets by islamic extremists.
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  • In iran authorities arrested 70 christians over a six week
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  • Period of time in an effort to target grassroot
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  • Christian groups.
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  • In january of 2011, a judge in afghanistan told shahid
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  • Azabdullah that if he did not renounce christ within one week,
  • 00:08:39.208 --> 00:08:42.511
  • He would face up to 20 years in prison or even be sentenced
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  • To death.
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  • Today, more christians are imprisoned in china than in any
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  • Other country in the world.
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  • Hundreds of thousands of believers are detained in work
  • 00:08:52.688 --> 00:08:56.192
  • Camps each year without even a court order so that they can
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  • Participate in a re-education through labor program as the
  • 00:08:59.528 --> 00:09:03.799
  • Chinese like to call it.
  • 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:05.601
  • The only legal churches allowed by the chinese government are
  • 00:09:05.601 --> 00:09:08.971
  • Those controlled by the government.
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  • Those who meet in house churches not sanctioned by the government
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  • Risk torture, imprisonment, and death.
  • 00:09:14.744 --> 00:09:18.781
  • Philip yancey describes a visit with pastor alan wan who helped
  • 00:09:18.781 --> 00:09:24.687
  • To found the house church movement in china during the
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  • Japanese occupation.
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  • Pastor wan was 90 years old at the time of his interview.
  • 00:09:29.792 --> 00:09:34.330
  • He had spent 22 years in prison.
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  • He had been tortured and spent months in solitary confinement
  • 00:09:37.133 --> 00:09:41.137
  • In a windowless cell.
  • 00:09:41.137 --> 00:09:42.505
  • Listen to what he said to philip yancey.
  • 00:09:42.505 --> 00:09:44.740
  • He said, "i pulled blankets over my head and prayed.
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  • For 10 years no letters from my family got through.
  • 00:09:48.077 --> 00:09:51.847
  • I had no bible, but a few passages and psalms stayed
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  • With me."
  • 00:09:55.518 --> 00:09:56.852
  • Wan spent 13 years of his sentence in china's most
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  • Northern province.
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  • He said, "it was a miracle.
  • 00:10:01.590 --> 00:10:03.659
  • I had only a light jacket and in the freezing winter weather, i
  • 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:07.630
  • Never caught a cold or the flu, not sick a single day."
  • 00:10:07.630 --> 00:10:12.802
  • Pastor wan is convinced that persecution for christians is
  • 00:10:12.802 --> 00:10:16.839
  • Not only inevitable, but profitable for believers.
  • 00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:20.476
  • He said, "we live in a time like the apostles.
  • 00:10:20.476 --> 00:10:23.145
  • Christians are persecuted, yes, but look at the hong kong and
  • 00:10:23.145 --> 00:10:27.216
  • Taiwan church.
  • 00:10:27.216 --> 00:10:29.351
  • They have prosperity, but they don't seek god.
  • 00:10:29.351 --> 00:10:32.688
  • I tell you i came out of that prison with faith stronger than
  • 00:10:32.688 --> 00:10:36.025
  • I went in.
  • 00:10:36.025 --> 00:10:37.393
  • Like joseph we don't know why we go through hard times until
  • 00:10:37.393 --> 00:10:40.463
  • Later looking back.
  • 00:10:40.463 --> 00:10:41.797
  • Think of it, we in china may soon have the largest christian
  • 00:10:41.797 --> 00:10:46.035
  • Community in the world, and in an atheistic state that tried to
  • 00:10:46.035 --> 00:10:50.506
  • Stamp us out."
  • 00:10:50.506 --> 00:10:52.708
  • Christians experienced intense sufferings in the first century.
  • 00:10:52.708 --> 00:10:57.012
  • They are now experiencing suffering around the world.
  • 00:10:57.012 --> 00:11:00.583
  • The bible also predicts that in the final years before christ
  • 00:11:00.583 --> 00:11:04.620
  • Returned, christians will also experience
  • 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:07.690
  • Unprecedented hardship.
  • 00:11:07.690 --> 00:11:09.625
  • The apostle john describes a large group of believers who
  • 00:11:09.625 --> 00:11:12.695
  • Will be slain during the tribulation.
  • 00:11:12.695 --> 00:11:15.164
  • In revelation 6:9, he says, "and when he broke the fifth seal, i
  • 00:11:15.164 --> 00:11:19.435
  • Saw underneath the altar, the souls of those who had been
  • 00:11:19.435 --> 00:11:22.605
  • Slain because of the word of god, and because of the
  • 00:11:22.605 --> 00:11:25.541
  • Testimony that they had maintained."
  • 00:11:25.541 --> 00:11:28.611
  • And of course, the instigator of this persecution will be
  • 00:11:28.611 --> 00:11:31.580
  • The antichrist.
  • 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.948
  • In revelation 13:7, john says, "and it was given to him, the
  • 00:11:32.948 --> 00:11:37.353
  • Antichrist, to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and
  • 00:11:37.353 --> 00:11:42.391
  • Authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was
  • 00:11:42.391 --> 00:11:45.728
  • Given to him."
  • 00:11:45.728 --> 00:11:47.296
  • The special target of antichrist persecution will be christians.
  • 00:11:47.296 --> 00:11:53.068
  • What way will antichrist make war with god's people?
  • 00:11:53.068 --> 00:11:57.173
  • One way he will do so is by restricting the purchase of
  • 00:11:57.173 --> 00:12:01.777
  • Necessary goods and services for survival to those who agree to
  • 00:12:01.777 --> 00:12:07.016
  • Worship him.
  • 00:12:07.016 --> 00:12:08.384
  • You know, from our study in the revelation that antichrist will
  • 00:12:08.384 --> 00:12:11.720
  • Have a lieutenant, a right hand man known as the false prophet,
  • 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:16.625
  • Who will enforce this global mandate to worship
  • 00:12:16.625 --> 00:12:19.595
  • The antichrist.
  • 00:12:19.595 --> 00:12:20.963
  • This false prophet will mandate that everyone has to receive a
  • 00:12:20.963 --> 00:12:25.668
  • Mark of some kind that will demonstrate his allegiance to
  • 00:12:25.668 --> 00:12:29.104
  • Antichrist if he wants to purchase any good or
  • 00:12:29.104 --> 00:12:32.374
  • Any service.
  • 00:12:32.374 --> 00:12:33.742
  • Think of commodities like food, think of services like
  • 00:12:33.742 --> 00:12:37.213
  • Health care.
  • 00:12:37.213 --> 00:12:38.714
  • In revelation 14, verses 16 to 18, john says, "and he causes
  • 00:12:38.714 --> 00:12:43.719
  • All the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the
  • 00:12:43.719 --> 00:12:46.789
  • Free men, and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand
  • 00:12:46.789 --> 00:12:50.926
  • Or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be
  • 00:12:50.926 --> 00:12:54.563
  • Able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the
  • 00:12:54.563 --> 00:12:59.001
  • Name of the beast or the number of his name.
  • 00:12:59.001 --> 00:13:01.470
  • Here is wisdom.
  • 00:13:01.470 --> 00:13:02.805
  • Let him who has understanding, calculate the number of the
  • 00:13:02.805 --> 00:13:06.175
  • Beast, for that number is that of a man, and his number is six
  • 00:13:06.175 --> 00:13:09.645
  • Hundred and sixty-six."
  • 00:13:09.645 --> 00:13:12.548
  • Author grant jeffrey claims that the technology to essentially
  • 00:13:12.548 --> 00:13:16.252
  • Barcode human beings like you do a bottle of toothpaste or a book
  • 00:13:16.252 --> 00:13:21.257
  • Is already available through radio frequency
  • 00:13:21.257 --> 00:13:24.660
  • Identification chips.
  • 00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:26.161
  • Grant jeffrey writes, using existing technology,
  • 00:13:26.161 --> 00:13:30.299
  • The mark or number 666 can be implanted under the skin of
  • 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:36.105
  • Every person using an rfid microchip.
  • 00:13:36.105 --> 00:13:40.042
  • A powerful electronic scanner could detect the chip from a
  • 00:13:40.042 --> 00:13:44.246
  • Distance and reveal all of your personal information far more
  • 00:13:44.246 --> 00:13:48.484
  • Than your name, address, age, and marital status.
  • 00:13:48.484 --> 00:13:50.986
  • While the implanted microchip and its information would be
  • 00:13:50.986 --> 00:13:54.123
  • Readable by a radio frequency scanner.
  • 00:13:54.123 --> 00:13:57.660
  • A person would not know when or where his private information
  • 00:13:57.660 --> 00:14:01.664
  • Was being accessed or who was accessing the information.
  • 00:14:01.664 --> 00:14:06.902
  • David jeremiah envisions the possibility of long lines of
  • 00:14:06.902 --> 00:14:12.074
  • Christians waiting in the supermarket to purchase food and
  • 00:14:12.074 --> 00:14:17.846
  • Praying for a miracle that that scanner will somehow not notice
  • 00:14:17.846 --> 00:14:22.551
  • That they do not possess the required identification.
  • 00:14:22.551 --> 00:14:28.557
  • Now, such a thought is not just fanciful imagination.
  • 00:14:28.557 --> 00:14:32.861
  • It is guaranteed reality if you take seriously the revelation
  • 00:14:32.861 --> 00:14:37.566
  • From john.
  • 00:14:37.566 --> 00:14:38.901
  • There is coming time, a time of great, intense persecution.
  • 00:14:38.901 --> 00:14:43.672
  • Now i want you to stay with me tonight.
  • 00:14:43.672 --> 00:14:45.541
  • If we know that christians in past ages have
  • 00:14:45.541 --> 00:14:48.744
  • Suffered persecution.
  • 00:14:48.744 --> 00:14:50.579
  • If we know that christians around the world are now
  • 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:53.382
  • Suffering persecution.
  • 00:14:53.382 --> 00:14:55.050
  • If we know there is a time coming in the future when every
  • 00:14:55.050 --> 00:14:58.354
  • Believer will suffer persecution, doesn't it make
  • 00:14:58.354 --> 00:15:02.057
  • Sense that we who live in america are also going to face a
  • 00:15:02.057 --> 00:15:06.128
  • Time of persecution as well.
  • 00:15:06.128 --> 00:15:08.364
  • We know that the last seven years of earth's history will be
  • 00:15:08.364 --> 00:15:11.800
  • Intense persecution for every believer in the world.
  • 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:15.137
  • Listen to jesus words in matthew 24 verse 36.
  • 00:15:15.137 --> 00:15:19.241
  • Jesus said, talking about his return, "but of that day or hour
  • 00:15:19.241 --> 00:15:24.313
  • No one knows, not even the angels, nor the son, nor harold
  • 00:15:24.313 --> 00:15:28.884
  • Camping, but the father alone."
  • 00:15:28.884 --> 00:15:32.688
  • Just seeing if you're awake.
  • 00:15:32.688 --> 00:15:36.091
  • Nobody knows when christ is coming back.
  • 00:15:36.091 --> 00:15:38.694
  • That preacher out in california now he's been wrong a
  • 00:15:38.694 --> 00:15:41.463
  • Third time.
  • 00:15:41.463 --> 00:15:42.798
  • He said the rapture is gonna happen october 21.
  • 00:15:42.798 --> 00:15:45.434
  • Boy, he is so lucky he doesn't live in the old testament times.
  • 00:15:45.434 --> 00:15:48.871
  • You know, deuteronomy 18 says, if you make one false prophecy,
  • 00:15:48.871 --> 00:15:52.941
  • You're to be stoned to death.
  • 00:15:52.941 --> 00:15:54.777
  • He's made three at least.
  • 00:15:54.777 --> 00:15:56.578
  • Somebody ought to muzzle that guy if they don't stone him
  • 00:15:56.578 --> 00:15:59.248
  • Anyway and tell him to be quiet.
  • 00:15:59.248 --> 00:16:01.517
  • Nobody knows. nobody knows.
  • 00:16:01.517 --> 00:16:04.353
  • But i want you to notice something what this text says.
  • 00:16:04.353 --> 00:16:07.289
  • No one knows the day or the hour, but god knows the day and
  • 00:16:07.289 --> 00:16:10.859
  • The hour, which means there is a day and an hour fixed on god's
  • 00:16:10.859 --> 00:16:17.599
  • Calendar when the lord is going to return.
  • 00:16:17.599 --> 00:16:21.203
  • And that means that every second that passes means we are moving
  • 00:16:21.203 --> 00:16:25.674
  • Toward that great climactic event.
  • 00:16:25.674 --> 00:16:28.544
  • And that means every second that passes, we are moving toward
  • 00:16:28.544 --> 00:16:32.081
  • This time of great tribulation and persecution against
  • 00:16:32.081 --> 00:16:35.851
  • Believers on the earth.
  • 00:16:35.851 --> 00:16:38.120
  • Now, i think it's important to define terms here.
  • 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:41.156
  • What do we mean by persecution?
  • 00:16:41.156 --> 00:16:43.792
  • By persecution i'm talking about any negative consequences you
  • 00:16:43.792 --> 00:16:47.362
  • Experience for being salt, that is restraining evil, or by being
  • 00:16:47.362 --> 00:16:52.501
  • Light, and trying to share the gospel with other people.
  • 00:16:52.501 --> 00:16:55.637
  • Now, obviously, there is a spectrum of persecution that
  • 00:16:55.637 --> 00:16:59.708
  • People experience.
  • 00:16:59.708 --> 00:17:01.477
  • That spectrum can range from not being invited to a dinner party
  • 00:17:01.477 --> 00:17:05.547
  • Because you're too opinionated.
  • 00:17:05.547 --> 00:17:07.649
  • All the way to being tortured and even executed because you
  • 00:17:07.649 --> 00:17:11.520
  • Don't recant your faith.
  • 00:17:11.520 --> 00:17:13.088
  • There is a spectrum of persecution.
  • 00:17:13.088 --> 00:17:15.624
  • And i want to suggest to you tonight that the degree to which
  • 00:17:15.624 --> 00:17:18.527
  • You as a christian will experience persecution is
  • 00:17:18.527 --> 00:17:22.764
  • Dependent upon two factors.
  • 00:17:22.764 --> 00:17:25.501
  • First of all, the intensity of your conviction will determine
  • 00:17:25.501 --> 00:17:30.672
  • The intensity of the persecution you face, let me say it again,
  • 00:17:30.672 --> 00:17:33.942
  • The intensity of your conviction will determine the intensity of
  • 00:17:33.942 --> 00:17:38.780
  • The persecution you face.
  • 00:17:38.780 --> 00:17:40.616
  • The pastor who never preaches against homosexuality or
  • 00:17:40.616 --> 00:17:43.986
  • Abortion or the--talks about the exclusivity of the
  • 00:17:43.986 --> 00:17:47.222
  • Gospel will never face ridicule from the media.
  • 00:17:47.222 --> 00:17:50.392
  • The christian student who refuses to challenge his
  • 00:17:50.392 --> 00:17:53.395
  • Non-christian professor's erroneous teaching will never
  • 00:17:53.395 --> 00:17:56.598
  • Have to worry about a lowered grade.
  • 00:17:56.598 --> 00:17:58.934
  • A believer who decides not to offend his non-christian parents
  • 00:17:58.934 --> 00:18:03.205
  • By sharing the gospel with them will never risk experiencing
  • 00:18:03.205 --> 00:18:07.209
  • Their disapproval.
  • 00:18:07.209 --> 00:18:08.877
  • The intensity of your conviction will determine the
  • 00:18:08.877 --> 00:18:12.614
  • Intensity of the persecution you experience.
  • 00:18:12.614 --> 00:18:15.450
  • Secondly, the extent of the persecution you face is
  • 00:18:15.450 --> 00:18:20.522
  • Determined by the spiritual climate of the culture in which
  • 00:18:20.522 --> 00:18:23.592
  • You live.
  • 00:18:23.592 --> 00:18:24.927
  • The extent of the persecution you face is also determined by
  • 00:18:24.927 --> 00:18:28.297
  • The spiritual climate of the culture in which you live.
  • 00:18:28.297 --> 00:18:31.767
  • Thursday night, we had another one of our dinners with
  • 00:18:31.767 --> 00:18:34.002
  • The pastor.
  • 00:18:34.002 --> 00:18:35.337
  • I had 200 folks there, half of them were prospects of a
  • 00:18:35.337 --> 00:18:37.206
  • Great evening.
  • 00:18:37.206 --> 00:18:38.540
  • But during the question and answer time, somebody asked me
  • 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:40.642
  • The question said, "pastor, do you think this world is
  • 00:18:40.642 --> 00:18:43.512
  • Getting worse?"
  • 00:18:43.512 --> 00:18:46.014
  • I said, "well, worse than what?
  • 00:18:46.014 --> 00:18:48.784
  • I mean is our culture more decadent, more ungodly than that
  • 00:18:48.784 --> 00:18:54.389
  • Of the first century during the roman empire?
  • 00:18:54.389 --> 00:18:57.059
  • Well, no, but is our culture, especially in america more
  • 00:18:57.059 --> 00:19:01.463
  • Ungodly than it was 40 or 50 or 100 years ago?
  • 00:19:01.463 --> 00:19:05.767
  • The answer would be yes."
  • 00:19:05.767 --> 00:19:08.036
  • And in fact, if you don't believe that the culture in
  • 00:19:08.036 --> 00:19:11.106
  • Which we are living right now in america is more ungodly than it
  • 00:19:11.106 --> 00:19:14.610
  • Has been in the past, i want you to ask yourself how the american
  • 00:19:14.610 --> 00:19:18.914
  • People, especially the media would respond if the president
  • 00:19:18.914 --> 00:19:24.253
  • Of the united states made these remarks during a televised
  • 00:19:24.253 --> 00:19:27.055
  • Speech from the oval office, quote, "the general principles
  • 00:19:27.055 --> 00:19:31.260
  • On which the fathers achieved independence were the general
  • 00:19:31.260 --> 00:19:35.097
  • Principles of christianity.
  • 00:19:35.097 --> 00:19:37.065
  • I will avow that i then believed and now believe that those
  • 00:19:37.065 --> 00:19:40.068
  • General principles of christianity are eternal and
  • 00:19:40.068 --> 00:19:43.405
  • Immutable as the existence and attributes of god.
  • 00:19:43.405 --> 00:19:46.642
  • And that the whose principles of liberty are unalterable as
  • 00:19:46.642 --> 00:19:50.279
  • Human nature."
  • 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.947
  • Can you imagine how people would respond
  • 00:19:51.947 --> 00:19:54.483
  • If the president said this country was founded on
  • 00:19:54.483 --> 00:19:57.786
  • Christian principles?
  • 00:19:57.786 --> 00:19:59.121
  • Why there would be howls and cries and calls of impeachment
  • 00:19:59.121 --> 00:20:02.724
  • All around the country.
  • 00:20:02.724 --> 00:20:04.726
  • And yet those are the words that were spoken by the second
  • 00:20:04.726 --> 00:20:07.529
  • President of the united states, john adams.
  • 00:20:07.529 --> 00:20:11.033
  • We have become increasingly hostile toward christianity in
  • 00:20:11.033 --> 00:20:16.138
  • Our country.
  • 00:20:16.138 --> 00:20:17.472
  • Now, secularists would attribute that change to our nation's
  • 00:20:17.472 --> 00:20:20.442
  • Collective open-mindedness and tolerance.
  • 00:20:20.442 --> 00:20:25.280
  • They would say we now are much more sophisticated than
  • 00:20:25.280 --> 00:20:28.750
  • Earlier generations.
  • 00:20:28.750 --> 00:20:30.118
  • We recognize that there are multiple paths to god and no one
  • 00:20:30.118 --> 00:20:33.855
  • Religion can claim exclusivity.
  • 00:20:33.855 --> 00:20:36.591
  • Biblicists would say no, it is romans chapter 1 in action
  • 00:20:36.591 --> 00:20:40.362
  • Because our nation has rejected the truth of god, we have fallen
  • 00:20:40.362 --> 00:20:43.899
  • Into a time of darkening in our understanding.
  • 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:47.302
  • But regardless of the reason, i think even the most casual
  • 00:20:47.302 --> 00:20:50.272
  • Observer realizes that our culture is more hostile toward
  • 00:20:50.272 --> 00:20:54.142
  • Christianity than at any other time in our nation's history.
  • 00:20:54.142 --> 00:20:57.879
  • And realizing that that negativity and hostility is more
  • 00:20:57.879 --> 00:21:01.450
  • Likely to increase than it is to subside means we ought to get
  • 00:21:01.450 --> 00:21:06.455
  • Ready for persecution.
  • 00:21:06.455 --> 00:21:08.757
  • Well, how should we respond to the escalating attacks
  • 00:21:08.757 --> 00:21:12.294
  • Against christians?
  • 00:21:12.294 --> 00:21:13.662
  • How do we get ready for persecution?
  • 00:21:13.662 --> 00:21:16.231
  • In hebrews chapter 10, verse 25, the writer says, "we ought to
  • 00:21:16.231 --> 00:21:20.068
  • Encourage one another, and all the more as we see the day
  • 00:21:20.068 --> 00:21:25.173
  • Drawing near."
  • 00:21:25.173 --> 00:21:28.009
  • Now, one way we can encourage one another as christians is to
  • 00:21:28.009 --> 00:21:32.581
  • Help prepare one another for this inevitable time
  • 00:21:32.581 --> 00:21:36.017
  • Of persecution.
  • 00:21:36.017 --> 00:21:37.452
  • And that's what i want to do in these moments tonight.
  • 00:21:37.452 --> 00:21:41.189
  • Tonight, i wanna share with you three words that i believe are
  • 00:21:41.189 --> 00:21:44.826
  • Essential in strengthening yourself and preparing for the
  • 00:21:44.826 --> 00:21:48.997
  • Coming persecution that every genuine follower of christ
  • 00:21:48.997 --> 00:21:54.403
  • Will experience.
  • 00:21:54.403 --> 00:21:55.737
  • The first word and write it down is the word "certain."
  • 00:21:55.737 --> 00:21:59.674
  • Suffering is certain.
  • 00:21:59.674 --> 00:22:03.211
  • The first recorded case of persecution against christians
  • 00:22:03.211 --> 00:22:06.581
  • As a whole occurred under emperor nero in 64 ad.
  • 00:22:06.581 --> 00:22:10.919
  • On the night of june 18, a great fire erupted in rome,
  • 00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:14.890
  • Destroying 10 of the 14 sections of the city.
  • 00:22:14.890 --> 00:22:17.926
  • Many believed that nero himself set the fires, but to deflect
  • 00:22:17.926 --> 00:22:21.696
  • Blame from himself he blamed christians and he was able to
  • 00:22:21.696 --> 00:22:25.600
  • Devise the most heinous tortures imaginable for believers.
  • 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:29.604
  • One thing he would do would be to take christians while they
  • 00:22:29.604 --> 00:22:32.407
  • Were alive, immerse them in wax, and then set them on fire to
  • 00:22:32.407 --> 00:22:36.678
  • Serve as human torches to illuminate his gardens.
  • 00:22:36.678 --> 00:22:40.816
  • However, as in our culture, this awful persecution against
  • 00:22:40.816 --> 00:22:45.020
  • Christians didn't happen suddenly.
  • 00:22:45.020 --> 00:22:48.089
  • Instead it happened progressively.
  • 00:22:48.089 --> 00:22:50.659
  • Nero was allowed by the population to commit these
  • 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:53.929
  • Atrocities against christians because as the historian tacitus
  • 00:22:53.929 --> 00:22:58.667
  • Notes, christians were already a class hated for the abominations
  • 00:22:58.667 --> 00:23:05.240
  • By the populists.
  • 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:07.642
  • There was a growing hatred toward christians that finally
  • 00:23:07.642 --> 00:23:11.947
  • Allowed nero to commit these heinous crimes
  • 00:23:11.947 --> 00:23:15.016
  • Against believers.
  • 00:23:15.016 --> 00:23:16.518
  • And you know, i believe in our culture, you see this growing
  • 00:23:16.518 --> 00:23:19.921
  • Hatred toward christians that is festering and is being fueled by
  • 00:23:19.921 --> 00:23:24.759
  • The media by using these stereotypes of what
  • 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:28.063
  • Christians are.
  • 00:23:28.063 --> 00:23:29.464
  • Just watch the media--notice how any evangelical christian in a
  • 00:23:29.464 --> 00:23:33.602
  • Sitcom or a movie is portrayed and it is this growing animosity
  • 00:23:33.602 --> 00:23:38.673
  • Toward believers that is going to pave the way for a general
  • 00:23:38.673 --> 00:23:41.877
  • Acceptance in our culture of the persecution against christians.
  • 00:23:41.877 --> 00:23:45.881
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:45.881 --> 00:23:51.253
  • Jeffress: there's more i need to share on this topic of
  • 00:23:51.253 --> 00:23:53.321
  • Persecution, so be sure to join us again next time
  • 00:23:53.321 --> 00:23:56.892
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:56.892 --> 00:23:58.860
  • Friends, america is in a spiritual crisis and now is the
  • 00:23:58.860 --> 00:24:03.331
  • Time to take action.
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  • Gospel to those who are hurting and searching.
  • 00:24:28.123 --> 00:24:31.893
  • Thank you in advance for your support.
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  • Now please stay right there.
  • 00:24:34.563 --> 00:24:36.231
  • I'll be back with more in just moment.
  • 00:24:36.231 --> 00:24:38.934
  • Announcer: as our nation celebrates 250 years, do we
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  • Still remember the faith that built america?
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  • America, select portraits of our founding fathers, and powerful
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  • Truth from god's word.
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  • Jeffress: america was founded on the principles of the
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  • Judeo-christian faith as revealed in the bible, and our
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  • Future depends on returning to that biblical foundation.
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  • Announcer: request the 250th commemorative edition of
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  • Jeffress: persecution for christians is not a
  • 00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:13.328
  • Question of if but when.
  • 00:26:13.328 --> 00:26:16.665
  • The bible makes it clear that suffering is certain for every
  • 00:26:16.665 --> 00:26:20.435
  • Genuine follower of christ.
  • 00:26:20.435 --> 00:26:22.671
  • And as our culture grows more hostile toward toward christian
  • 00:26:22.671 --> 00:26:25.473
  • Values, we need to be ready for what's ahead.
  • 00:26:25.473 --> 00:26:29.144
  • Make plans to join me again next time when i share two more
  • 00:26:29.144 --> 00:26:32.681
  • Essential words to help you endure seasons of suffering.
  • 00:26:32.681 --> 00:26:37.118
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
  • 00:26:37.118 --> 00:26:39.954
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:39.954 --> 00:26:42.390
  • Jeffress: you can be a millionaire for the rest of your
  • 00:26:42.457 --> 00:26:45.293
  • Life if you're willing to be bankrupt one day of your life.
  • 00:26:45.293 --> 00:26:52.167
  • Would you take him up on that offer?
  • 00:26:52.167 --> 00:26:54.469
  • Most anyone would.
  • 00:26:54.469 --> 00:26:56.237
  • You see, suffering, like time, is a matter of perspective.
  • 00:26:56.237 --> 00:27:01.643
  • We hope we never have to make the choice between faithfulness
  • 00:27:01.643 --> 00:27:05.046
  • To christ and painful persecution.
  • 00:27:05.046 --> 00:27:08.550
  • But the stories of christians around the world and in history
  • 00:27:08.550 --> 00:27:11.319
  • Tell us that we are not going to be exempt.
  • 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:15.890
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:15.890 --> 00:27:17.992
  • For part two of the message, "when persecution comes,"
  • 00:27:17.992 --> 00:27:21.529
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:21.529 --> 00:27:21.529