Erick Stakelbeck: Push Back Against Evil | Stakelbeck Tonight

December 15, 2025 | 25:5

In this riveting episode of Stakelbeck Tonight, host Erick Stakelbeck delves into the aftermath of a horrific terror attack in Australia, shedding light on the dark reality of rising Islamic extremism in the West. With a focus on the biblical mandate to shine light in the darkness, the episode explores the need for believers to stand strong in the face of evil. Additionally, Pastor Samuel Rodriguez brings a message of urgency and hope, discussing the awakening in America and the call to push back against dangerous ideologies. The episode culminates in a discussion with Bob Fortner about his book on the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the restoration of a people.

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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: Push Back Against Evil | Stakelbeck Tonight | December 15, 2025
  • Welcome to stakelbeck tonight i'm erick stakelbeck
  • 00:00:17.772 --> 00:00:20.541
  • And we just witnessed the worst massacre of jews
  • 00:00:20.541 --> 00:00:24.479
  • Since october 7th, 2023.
  • 00:00:24.479 --> 00:00:27.482
  • On sunday, a pair of islamic terrorists,
  • 00:00:27.482 --> 00:00:30.218
  • A father and son, opened fire on a large hanukkah
  • 00:00:30.218 --> 00:00:33.754
  • Gathering at bondi beach in sydney, australia.
  • 00:00:33.754 --> 00:00:37.225
  • They murdered at least 15 people, including multiple
  • 00:00:37.225 --> 00:00:40.695
  • Rabbis, a holocaust survivor and a ten year old girl.
  • 00:00:40.695 --> 00:00:44.932
  • Dozens more were wounded.
  • 00:00:44.932 --> 00:00:46.534
  • It was a scene of total chaos
  • 00:00:46.534 --> 00:00:48.870
  • That was all too reminiscent of the october 7th attacks.
  • 00:00:48.870 --> 00:00:52.440
  • But this time it happened in the west.
  • 00:00:52.440 --> 00:00:55.376
  • And as this pair of islamic jihadists
  • 00:00:55.376 --> 00:00:57.645
  • Fired round after round for what seemed like an eternity,
  • 00:00:57.645 --> 00:01:01.215
  • Police were nowhere to be found.
  • 00:01:01.215 --> 00:01:04.218
  • It was up to an unarmed bystander named ahmed
  • 00:01:04.218 --> 00:01:07.588
  • Al ahmed to tackle and disarm one of the gunmen.
  • 00:01:07.588 --> 00:01:11.325
  • He himself was shot in the process.
  • 00:01:11.325 --> 00:01:13.561
  • And folks, pray for this courageous man.
  • 00:01:13.561 --> 00:01:15.930
  • Speedy recovery.
  • 00:01:15.930 --> 00:01:17.565
  • Now one of the terrorists
  • 00:01:17.565 --> 00:01:18.733
  • Is in critical condition and the other,
  • 00:01:18.733 --> 00:01:20.968
  • His father, was eventually shot and killed by police.
  • 00:01:20.968 --> 00:01:24.739
  • They were muslims of pakistani descent, and both had reportedly
  • 00:01:24.739 --> 00:01:28.876
  • Pledged allegiance to isis and isis's flag
  • 00:01:28.876 --> 00:01:32.180
  • Was found in a car near the site of yesterday's attack,
  • 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:35.216
  • As well as an improvised explosive device, meaning
  • 00:01:35.216 --> 00:01:38.886
  • The carnage could have been even worse.
  • 00:01:38.886 --> 00:01:42.123
  • Australian authorities are now reportedly investigating
  • 00:01:42.123 --> 00:01:45.059
  • An iranian link to the attack.
  • 00:01:45.059 --> 00:01:46.861
  • Surprise, surprise.
  • 00:01:46.861 --> 00:01:48.362
  • In 2024, the iranian regime was behind
  • 00:01:48.362 --> 00:01:51.399
  • Two arson attacks in australia targeting jewish sites.
  • 00:01:51.399 --> 00:01:56.037
  • Israel says it warned
  • 00:01:56.037 --> 00:01:57.438
  • Australia's government that more attacks may be coming.
  • 00:01:57.438 --> 00:02:01.175
  • And we know that one of the terrorists from yesterday
  • 00:02:01.175 --> 00:02:03.911
  • Has been on authorities radar screen for years.
  • 00:02:03.911 --> 00:02:07.281
  • Yet the massacre still happened, and the response
  • 00:02:07.281 --> 00:02:10.885
  • Of australia's woke left wing prime minister in the aftermath
  • 00:02:10.885 --> 00:02:15.156
  • Gives some clues as to why.
  • 00:02:15.156 --> 00:02:18.626
  • The director general of isis
  • 00:02:18.626 --> 00:02:21.495
  • Warned about a range of, threats,
  • 00:02:21.495 --> 00:02:24.999
  • But yet, and anti-semitism,
  • 00:02:25.600 --> 00:02:28.769
  • The rise of right wing extremist groups as well.
  • 00:02:28.769 --> 00:02:33.307
  • Did you catch that?
  • 00:02:33.774 --> 00:02:35.042
  • Prime minister al benes isn't focused on the jihadist
  • 00:02:35.042 --> 00:02:38.913
  • In his midst that australia has foolishly let into the country.
  • 00:02:38.913 --> 00:02:43.451
  • No. in the wake of a horrific attack by islamic
  • 00:02:43.451 --> 00:02:46.887
  • Terrorists, he's focused on right wing extremism
  • 00:02:46.887 --> 00:02:51.525
  • From australia to europe to canada.
  • 00:02:51.525 --> 00:02:54.095
  • This kind of nonsense is par for the course today
  • 00:02:54.095 --> 00:02:57.365
  • Among western so-called leaders.
  • 00:02:57.365 --> 00:03:00.868
  • They welcome in waves of muslim migrants into their countries.
  • 00:03:00.868 --> 00:03:04.905
  • And then when those migrants refuse to assimilate
  • 00:03:04.905 --> 00:03:08.409
  • And become aggressive, even violent average
  • 00:03:08.409 --> 00:03:11.879
  • Citizens get fed up and call for them to be deported.
  • 00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:15.850
  • That's when these leaders jump into action,
  • 00:03:15.850 --> 00:03:18.552
  • Not to listen to their citizens, but to condemn them.
  • 00:03:18.552 --> 00:03:22.223
  • As right wing extremists cracked down on their free speech
  • 00:03:22.223 --> 00:03:26.327
  • And denounced their supposed islamophobia.
  • 00:03:26.327 --> 00:03:30.164
  • At the same time, countries like australia, canada, france
  • 00:03:30.164 --> 00:03:34.168
  • And the uk have catered to their growing radical muslim
  • 00:03:34.168 --> 00:03:38.105
  • Populations by distancing themselves
  • 00:03:38.105 --> 00:03:40.775
  • From israel and even recognizing a palestinian state
  • 00:03:40.775 --> 00:03:45.079
  • Over the objections of israel and the united states.
  • 00:03:45.079 --> 00:03:48.783
  • Meanwhile, the islamist run wild here was the scene
  • 00:03:48.783 --> 00:03:52.453
  • In sydney, australia, on october 8th, 2023.
  • 00:03:52.453 --> 00:03:56.490
  • Just one day after the october 7th massacre.
  • 00:03:56.490 --> 00:04:00.227
  • Watch.
  • 00:04:00.428 --> 00:04:19.547
  • Again,
  • 00:04:19.747 --> 00:04:20.648
  • That was sydney, australia, not gaza.
  • 00:04:20.648 --> 00:04:23.184
  • And they were chanting gassed the jews.
  • 00:04:23.184 --> 00:04:25.786
  • Just hours after hamas terrorist rampaged
  • 00:04:25.786 --> 00:04:28.856
  • Through southern israel. folks.
  • 00:04:28.856 --> 00:04:31.258
  • As you can see, yesterday's sydney terror
  • 00:04:31.258 --> 00:04:33.861
  • Attack did not happen in a vacuum.
  • 00:04:33.861 --> 00:04:37.131
  • Neither did the other incidents involving islamic terrorism
  • 00:04:37.131 --> 00:04:39.934
  • These past few days in syria
  • 00:04:39.934 --> 00:04:42.269
  • And isis, terrorists murdered two u.s.
  • 00:04:42.269 --> 00:04:44.638
  • Soldiers and another u.s.
  • 00:04:44.638 --> 00:04:46.407
  • Citizen who was working
  • 00:04:46.407 --> 00:04:47.541
  • As an interpreter in what was a brazen attack.
  • 00:04:47.541 --> 00:04:51.412
  • And in germany, authorities broke up an islamic terror plot
  • 00:04:51.412 --> 00:04:55.182
  • To attack a christmas market in bavaria.
  • 00:04:55.182 --> 00:04:58.319
  • Three moroccans, an egyptian and a syrian were arrested.
  • 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:02.790
  • The jihad has come to the shores of the west.
  • 00:05:02.790 --> 00:05:06.260
  • The west let it in.
  • 00:05:06.260 --> 00:05:08.429
  • And right now,
  • 00:05:08.429 --> 00:05:09.663
  • Other than the united states under president trump, the west
  • 00:05:09.663 --> 00:05:12.600
  • Doesn't seem to have what it takes to preserve
  • 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:16.137
  • Judeo-christian western civilization.
  • 00:05:16.137 --> 00:05:19.173
  • The hour is late.
  • 00:05:19.173 --> 00:05:20.808
  • How many more wake up calls do we need?
  • 00:05:20.808 --> 00:05:24.545
  • Coming up, pastor sami rodriguez joins us to break down
  • 00:05:24.545 --> 00:05:27.948
  • The urgency of the hour
  • 00:05:27.948 --> 00:05:29.717
  • And how god is moving amid all the memes.
  • 00:05:29.717 --> 00:05:33.587
  • That's next. stick around.
  • 00:05:33.587 --> 00:05:37.008
  • That's next. stick around.
  • 00:05:37.008 --> 00:05:39.338
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight,
  • 00:05:40.106 --> 00:05:41.941
  • We just walk
  • 00:05:41.941 --> 00:05:43.042
  • You through the horrific details of sunday's islamic
  • 00:05:43.042 --> 00:05:45.845
  • Terror attack in sydney, australia.
  • 00:05:45.845 --> 00:05:48.147
  • 15 people murdered during a hanukkah celebration,
  • 00:05:48.147 --> 00:05:51.751
  • A jewish community targeted in cold blood, and a father
  • 00:05:51.751 --> 00:05:55.388
  • And son pledging allegiance to isis, carrying it out.
  • 00:05:55.388 --> 00:05:59.325
  • Our good friend, pastor sami rodriguez, is president
  • 00:05:59.325 --> 00:06:01.794
  • Of the national hispanic christian leadership conference
  • 00:06:01.794 --> 00:06:04.397
  • And lead pastor of new season church in sacramento,
  • 00:06:04.397 --> 00:06:07.233
  • And he joins us now
  • 00:06:07.233 --> 00:06:08.501
  • To break down yesterday's events and how god, despite it all,
  • 00:06:08.501 --> 00:06:12.371
  • Is moving in america and around the world
  • 00:06:12.371 --> 00:06:15.208
  • Amid all the darkness that we're seeing.
  • 00:06:15.208 --> 00:06:17.410
  • Pastor sam, always great to see you.
  • 00:06:17.410 --> 00:06:19.645
  • First thoughts after yesterday.
  • 00:06:19.645 --> 00:06:21.314
  • Look at this anti-semitic turn in the western world.
  • 00:06:21.314 --> 00:06:24.650
  • Pastor sam,
  • 00:06:24.650 --> 00:06:25.751
  • I consider australia, of course, a part of the west.
  • 00:06:25.751 --> 00:06:28.221
  • It's taken a very dark, very violent and demonic turn.
  • 00:06:28.221 --> 00:06:32.558
  • What are you seeing overall?
  • 00:06:32.558 --> 00:06:34.427
  • Well, first of all, great to be with you, my dear brother.
  • 00:06:35.561 --> 00:06:38.431
  • Gas. the jews mantra
  • 00:06:38.431 --> 00:06:40.900
  • Unchecked will lead to kill the jews massacre.
  • 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:44.570
  • I have great friends in australia.
  • 00:06:44.570 --> 00:06:46.138
  • I actually oversee two very prominent ministries
  • 00:06:46.138 --> 00:06:48.941
  • In australia and it breaks my heart why?
  • 00:06:48.941 --> 00:06:52.545
  • The jihadist ideology can only exist when woke.
  • 00:06:52.545 --> 00:06:56.816
  • Progressive governments in the western world
  • 00:06:56.816 --> 00:06:59.619
  • Create space for these ideologies
  • 00:06:59.619 --> 00:07:02.021
  • And put them in the same scale as other ideologies.
  • 00:07:02.021 --> 00:07:05.725
  • The pushing away of our judeo-christian values system,
  • 00:07:05.725 --> 00:07:08.494
  • The embracing of progressivism, socialism, marxism, cancel
  • 00:07:08.494 --> 00:07:12.231
  • Culture, wokeism that undergirds this jihadist ideology.
  • 00:07:12.231 --> 00:07:16.769
  • I want your audience to understand there is an ideology.
  • 00:07:16.769 --> 00:07:20.373
  • It is jihadist.
  • 00:07:20.373 --> 00:07:21.774
  • It comes from islam.
  • 00:07:21.774 --> 00:07:23.442
  • Extreme islamic interpretations of the koran,
  • 00:07:23.442 --> 00:07:26.712
  • Which believe in killing of the infidels.
  • 00:07:26.712 --> 00:07:28.948
  • The objective is killing of jews and christians and gentiles
  • 00:07:28.948 --> 00:07:33.152
  • And people that are not christians,
  • 00:07:33.152 --> 00:07:34.754
  • That are not better, yet they're not muslim
  • 00:07:34.754 --> 00:07:37.256
  • Killing of the infidels.
  • 00:07:37.256 --> 00:07:38.257
  • They also believe in
  • 00:07:38.257 --> 00:07:39.959
  • Doing things with little girls and boys, mutilating sexually
  • 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:43.763
  • Little girls.
  • 00:07:43.763 --> 00:07:44.797
  • They also believe in totalitarian, authoritarian
  • 00:07:44.797 --> 00:07:47.466
  • Governmental structures.
  • 00:07:47.466 --> 00:07:48.801
  • That's jihadist.
  • 00:07:48.801 --> 00:07:50.069
  • And it's permeating the western world.
  • 00:07:50.069 --> 00:07:52.071
  • You referenced the uk, new zealand, australia, france.
  • 00:07:52.071 --> 00:07:56.042
  • There are governments creating space in the name of one.
  • 00:07:56.042 --> 00:07:59.512
  • Hyper tolerance.
  • 00:07:59.512 --> 00:08:01.080
  • We are not to tolerate values and ideologies that run counter
  • 00:08:01.080 --> 00:08:06.319
  • Intuitive to the image of god and every single human being.
  • 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:09.388
  • We are not to tolerate evil. i just said it.
  • 00:08:09.388 --> 00:08:12.224
  • We are not to tolerate evil, eric, and we're tolerating evil.
  • 00:08:12.224 --> 00:08:16.095
  • Did you hear the australian prime minister? what he said?
  • 00:08:16.095 --> 00:08:18.831
  • Yeah, he actually completed the argument with right wing
  • 00:08:18.831 --> 00:08:24.370
  • Right.
  • 00:08:24.570 --> 00:08:26.205
  • Jihadism is the opposite of center right.
  • 00:08:26.205 --> 00:08:30.109
  • Right. ideology the opposite.
  • 00:08:30.109 --> 00:08:32.778
  • Complete opposite.
  • 00:08:32.778 --> 00:08:33.980
  • It's right. center right.
  • 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.481
  • Not extreme cuckoo for cocoa puffs right wing,
  • 00:08:35.481 --> 00:08:38.117
  • But center right. right.
  • 00:08:38.117 --> 00:08:39.418
  • Conservative governments are the ones pushing back
  • 00:08:39.418 --> 00:08:42.254
  • On the jihadist ideology.
  • 00:08:42.254 --> 00:08:44.223
  • And then?
  • 00:08:44.223 --> 00:08:45.057
  • Then we had the premier of south wales
  • 00:08:45.057 --> 00:08:47.360
  • Who had the audacity to say, the problem here is guns.
  • 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:50.930
  • No, of course, because guns have souls
  • 00:08:50.930 --> 00:08:54.967
  • And guns know the difference between right
  • 00:08:54.967 --> 00:08:57.770
  • And wrong and guns have an ideology.
  • 00:08:57.770 --> 00:09:01.207
  • Eric. it's just ludicrous.
  • 00:09:01.207 --> 00:09:03.676
  • That is creating space for what we saw on bondi beach.
  • 00:09:03.676 --> 00:09:07.713
  • And unless we wake up,
  • 00:09:07.713 --> 00:09:09.348
  • Unless the christian church around the world wakes
  • 00:09:09.348 --> 00:09:11.884
  • Up, unfortunately, this will continue to happen.
  • 00:09:11.884 --> 00:09:15.087
  • It's madness all around.
  • 00:09:15.087 --> 00:09:16.355
  • And as you said, it's all about the ideology.
  • 00:09:16.355 --> 00:09:18.591
  • Pastor sam.
  • 00:09:18.591 --> 00:09:19.458
  • It is jihadist ideology, by the way.
  • 00:09:19.458 --> 00:09:21.861
  • We saw another example of it on friday in germany.
  • 00:09:21.861 --> 00:09:24.864
  • They broke up.
  • 00:09:24.864 --> 00:09:25.564
  • German authorities
  • 00:09:25.564 --> 00:09:26.732
  • Broke up a plot to attack a christmas market in bavaria.
  • 00:09:26.732 --> 00:09:30.169
  • So this continues to happen.
  • 00:09:30.169 --> 00:09:32.204
  • And when i look across the landscape
  • 00:09:32.204 --> 00:09:33.839
  • Of the western world, i see donald j.
  • 00:09:33.839 --> 00:09:35.775
  • Trump standing tall and not much else.
  • 00:09:35.775 --> 00:09:38.544
  • He's a churchill in a sea of chamberlains.
  • 00:09:38.544 --> 00:09:41.580
  • Pastor sam, how concerned are you about the western world
  • 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:45.217
  • And the lack of defense of judeo-christian,
  • 00:09:45.217 --> 00:09:48.020
  • Western civilization, as weak leaders
  • 00:09:48.020 --> 00:09:51.524
  • Invite waves of muslim migrants in?
  • 00:09:51.524 --> 00:09:55.795
  • Of course, weakness attracts adversity.
  • 00:09:56.629 --> 00:09:59.131
  • And you stated
  • 00:09:59.131 --> 00:10:00.332
  • That completely accurately as it pertains to donald trump,
  • 00:10:00.332 --> 00:10:03.069
  • President trump, we had the privilege of
  • 00:10:03.069 --> 00:10:04.704
  • Being with him
  • 00:10:04.704 --> 00:10:05.971
  • Last week at the oval office, a group of our faith leaders.
  • 00:10:05.971 --> 00:10:09.775
  • We had the conduit of the white house faith office.
  • 00:10:09.775 --> 00:10:12.311
  • Without a doubt, he used the firewall.
  • 00:10:12.311 --> 00:10:14.213
  • He has a firewall.
  • 00:10:14.213 --> 00:10:15.114
  • Look what's happening in the uk
  • 00:10:15.114 --> 00:10:16.549
  • With with little segment in neighborhoods
  • 00:10:16.549 --> 00:10:18.584
  • Permitting creating space for sharia law.
  • 00:10:18.584 --> 00:10:21.087
  • And again, it's that we don't want to be islamophobic.
  • 00:10:21.087 --> 00:10:24.657
  • Sort of.
  • 00:10:24.657 --> 00:10:25.291
  • Of course, no one is upset
  • 00:10:25.291 --> 00:10:27.093
  • That that notion is just a red herring.
  • 00:10:27.093 --> 00:10:29.962
  • We believe that every single human being
  • 00:10:29.962 --> 00:10:31.931
  • Is created in the image of god. absolutely.
  • 00:10:31.931 --> 00:10:34.400
  • And we want
  • 00:10:34.400 --> 00:10:35.201
  • We believe everyone have
  • 00:10:35.201 --> 00:10:36.335
  • We all have got ordained right
  • 00:10:36.335 --> 00:10:38.137
  • That we can exercise accordingly.
  • 00:10:38.137 --> 00:10:40.039
  • But when what you espouse and what you believe
  • 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:43.676
  • Diminishes, dilutes, contradicts the image of god in human
  • 00:10:43.676 --> 00:10:47.279
  • Beings.
  • 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.314
  • When you want to do another human being heart,
  • 00:10:48.314 --> 00:10:49.982
  • You put your political stance on the side.
  • 00:10:49.982 --> 00:10:52.251
  • Collective society must emerge and take actions against that.
  • 00:10:52.251 --> 00:10:56.889
  • And that's what's not happening in the western world.
  • 00:10:56.889 --> 00:10:58.891
  • The uk, the uk is overrun right now
  • 00:10:58.891 --> 00:11:01.994
  • By jihadism, by that jihadist ideology.
  • 00:11:01.994 --> 00:11:05.197
  • New zealand, australia.
  • 00:11:05.197 --> 00:11:07.066
  • Hey, eric, i don't want to step on any eggshells.
  • 00:11:07.066 --> 00:11:10.035
  • Right now. maybe you want to edit this.
  • 00:11:10.035 --> 00:11:12.304
  • There are parts of the us, my friend.
  • 00:11:12.304 --> 00:11:15.141
  • Part of the u.s..
  • 00:11:15.141 --> 00:11:16.675
  • Yes, i'm calling up parts of michigan and other parts
  • 00:11:16.675 --> 00:11:19.445
  • Of the country, dearborn for getting to dearborn.
  • 00:11:19.445 --> 00:11:22.748
  • I just, you know, that are permitting, you know, the toxic
  • 00:11:22.748 --> 00:11:26.719
  • Sharia law neighborhoods, even in the great state of texas
  • 00:11:26.719 --> 00:11:30.422
  • And attempt to pass sharia law that's actually happening.
  • 00:11:30.422 --> 00:11:33.859
  • It's not conspiracy theory.
  • 00:11:33.859 --> 00:11:35.628
  • It's actually happening.
  • 00:11:35.628 --> 00:11:36.996
  • What have i stated on multiple occasions of you, eric?
  • 00:11:36.996 --> 00:11:40.065
  • We are what we tolerate.
  • 00:11:40.065 --> 00:11:45.404
  • But i do believe in comes the optimism.
  • 00:11:43.369 --> 00:11:48.474
  • I do believe a
  • 00:11:48.808 --> 00:11:51.644
  • Measurable pushback is beginning to take place.
  • 00:11:51.644 --> 00:11:54.413
  • The election in chile of a conservative president
  • 00:11:54.413 --> 00:11:58.250
  • Addressing these issues of jihadism
  • 00:11:59.018 --> 00:12:01.620
  • And unfettered immigration without vetting individuals
  • 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:05.257
  • Coming into chile.
  • 00:12:05.257 --> 00:12:06.425
  • Across the world, we saw what took place in germany.
  • 00:12:06.425 --> 00:12:09.261
  • We're seeing the emergence
  • 00:12:09.261 --> 00:12:10.930
  • Of governments going, enough is enough.
  • 00:12:10.930 --> 00:12:13.098
  • Something has to be done. yeah we are.
  • 00:12:13.098 --> 00:12:15.067
  • That was very encouraging
  • 00:12:15.067 --> 00:12:15.968
  • In chile, like you said, pastor sam.
  • 00:12:15.968 --> 00:12:17.536
  • But i think it all starts this resistance
  • 00:12:17.536 --> 00:12:19.839
  • In washington, d.c., with president trump.
  • 00:12:19.839 --> 00:12:21.874
  • Tell us more about your visit to the oval office last week.
  • 00:12:21.874 --> 00:12:24.476
  • And you really seeing signs of encouragement, right?
  • 00:12:24.476 --> 00:12:26.812
  • A lot of darkness in the world right now.
  • 00:12:26.812 --> 00:12:28.280
  • Of course,
  • 00:12:28.280 --> 00:12:28.614
  • We had a
  • 00:12:28.614 --> 00:12:29.748
  • Isis terror attack that killed three americans in syria
  • 00:12:29.748 --> 00:12:32.151
  • Over the weekend.
  • 00:12:32.151 --> 00:12:32.952
  • So the list goes on on that front.
  • 00:12:32.952 --> 00:12:34.720
  • But pastor sam, bring some more of that
  • 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:36.755
  • Encouraging news and you're so well known for.
  • 00:12:36.755 --> 00:12:39.291
  • And then you have a front row seat for again,
  • 00:12:39.291 --> 00:12:40.993
  • You were just in the oval office last week.
  • 00:12:40.993 --> 00:12:43.596
  • Yeah, we were in the oval office.
  • 00:12:44.363 --> 00:12:45.631
  • We had an opportunity to we had two day
  • 00:12:45.631 --> 00:12:47.166
  • Retreat of the national faith advisory board
  • 00:12:47.166 --> 00:12:49.335
  • And working with from the leadership of pastor
  • 00:12:49.335 --> 00:12:51.537
  • Paula white and jenny corn had an opportunity to
  • 00:12:51.537 --> 00:12:54.139
  • We had bobby kennedy, christy know
  • 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:56.175
  • Conversations that that i can't share
  • 00:12:56.175 --> 00:12:58.177
  • The details here, of course, because of our ethical
  • 00:12:58.177 --> 00:13:00.646
  • Agreements and so forth.
  • 00:13:00.646 --> 00:13:01.981
  • But pretty amazing eye opening conversations.
  • 00:13:01.981 --> 00:13:04.750
  • And then subsequently, we wrapped up with
  • 00:13:04.750 --> 00:13:06.452
  • President trump, who was an amicable and affable
  • 00:13:06.452 --> 00:13:09.488
  • And loving and caring and job for that as ever.
  • 00:13:09.488 --> 00:13:13.025
  • And we spent some time with president trump,
  • 00:13:13.025 --> 00:13:14.727
  • And we concluded by praying with him and over him.
  • 00:13:14.727 --> 00:13:17.897
  • I do see optimism in this nation.
  • 00:13:17.897 --> 00:13:20.399
  • We're seeing the emergence of a generation, generation
  • 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:22.701
  • Z, that that is committed
  • 00:13:22.701 --> 00:13:24.470
  • More to biblical orthodoxy than even generation x
  • 00:13:24.470 --> 00:13:27.473
  • Or millennials.
  • 00:13:27.473 --> 00:13:28.440
  • There's an a,
  • 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.408
  • There's an awakening, a spiritual revival
  • 00:13:29.408 --> 00:13:30.709
  • Taking place in america, primarily in generation z.
  • 00:13:30.709 --> 00:13:33.979
  • So we're seeing some great things take place now.
  • 00:13:33.979 --> 00:13:36.548
  • It requires all of us to be vigilant.
  • 00:13:36.548 --> 00:13:39.051
  • It requires all of us to wake up and say,
  • 00:13:39.051 --> 00:13:41.487
  • You know,
  • 00:13:41.487 --> 00:13:42.054
  • For such a time as this,
  • 00:13:42.054 --> 00:13:43.055
  • We're on this planet
  • 00:13:43.055 --> 00:13:44.089
  • To fill the earth for the glory of jesus,
  • 00:13:44.089 --> 00:13:45.858
  • To advance the kingdom of heaven.
  • 00:13:45.858 --> 00:13:47.393
  • What i deem as the lamb's agenda.
  • 00:13:47.393 --> 00:13:49.295
  • We have a clarion call issued right now.
  • 00:13:49.295 --> 00:13:52.564
  • This is the moment
  • 00:13:52.564 --> 00:13:53.866
  • To push back on these ideologies,
  • 00:13:53.866 --> 00:13:56.268
  • These social constructs, these teachings
  • 00:13:56.268 --> 00:13:58.437
  • Permeate any society, literally killing lives.
  • 00:13:58.437 --> 00:14:02.541
  • But i do believe
  • 00:14:02.541 --> 00:14:04.009
  • The church of god, the church of jesus christ in america.
  • 00:14:04.009 --> 00:14:07.046
  • Eric, watch this is more awake than ever before.
  • 00:14:07.046 --> 00:14:12.918
  • This is we are awake now like we woke up during the black robe
  • 00:14:12.918 --> 00:14:16.689
  • Regiment of the mid 1700s after the first great awakening.
  • 00:14:16.689 --> 00:14:21.093
  • So and i. but we're not done waking up yet.
  • 00:14:21.093 --> 00:14:23.095
  • There's still little sectors, little sectors,
  • 00:14:23.095 --> 00:14:25.764
  • But i believe the church is waking up
  • 00:14:25.764 --> 00:14:28.667
  • And we're going to see the glory of god
  • 00:14:28.667 --> 00:14:30.402
  • Fill america like never, ever, ever before.
  • 00:14:30.402 --> 00:14:34.306
  • Amen. pastor sam love it my friend.
  • 00:14:34.306 --> 00:14:36.275
  • Merry christmas folks!
  • 00:14:36.275 --> 00:14:37.309
  • Be sure to follow
  • 00:14:37.309 --> 00:14:38.444
  • Pastor sam on instagram facebook across social media.
  • 00:14:38.444 --> 00:14:41.680
  • Pastor sam, great stuff. god bless.
  • 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:43.549
  • We will see you again soon.
  • 00:14:43.549 --> 00:14:44.783
  • And when we come back, tbn chief operating officer and author
  • 00:14:44.783 --> 00:14:48.454
  • Bob fortner joins us to talk about his powerful new book.
  • 00:14:48.454 --> 00:14:51.991
  • It's all about the rebuilding of jerusalem.
  • 00:14:51.991 --> 00:14:55.060
  • Prophets, priests and kings.
  • 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:58.030
  • Stick around.
  • 00:14:58.030 --> 00:15:01.011
  • Stick around.
  • 00:15:01.011 --> 00:15:03.669
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
  • 00:15:04.436 --> 00:15:06.271
  • What if the years that feel like exile are actually god's setup
  • 00:15:06.271 --> 00:15:11.143
  • For a comeback?
  • 00:15:11.143 --> 00:15:12.444
  • Bob fontaine is the chief operating officer of tbn
  • 00:15:12.444 --> 00:15:14.980
  • And the author of prophets, priests and kings
  • 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:18.283
  • God's unfolding story in the return from exile
  • 00:15:18.283 --> 00:15:21.754
  • The rebuilding of a city, and the restoration of a people.
  • 00:15:21.754 --> 00:15:25.824
  • In this powerful book, he traces how god used prophets, pagan
  • 00:15:25.824 --> 00:15:29.561
  • Kings, and ordinary believers to bring a shattered nation
  • 00:15:29.561 --> 00:15:33.298
  • Home, rebuild jerusalem from the rubble,
  • 00:15:33.298 --> 00:15:36.568
  • And prepare the stage for the coming of the messiah.
  • 00:15:36.568 --> 00:15:40.372
  • Take a look.
  • 00:15:40.706 --> 00:15:42.741
  • Bob, welcome.
  • 00:15:42.741 --> 00:15:43.842
  • Great to have you here with us. it's great to be here.
  • 00:15:43.842 --> 00:15:45.611
  • Eric, we've talked a lot.
  • 00:15:45.611 --> 00:15:46.912
  • This is the first time in this situation.
  • 00:15:46.912 --> 00:15:49.214
  • Yeah. nice place.
  • 00:15:49.214 --> 00:15:50.349
  • You have a very nice and many thanks to you for that.
  • 00:15:50.349 --> 00:15:53.619
  • And, hey, this book you and i were talking off camera, bob.
  • 00:15:53.619 --> 00:15:56.055
  • Right up my alley. number one.
  • 00:15:56.055 --> 00:15:57.489
  • Both you and i have spent
  • 00:15:57.489 --> 00:15:58.657
  • A lot of time in israel, and we know the places
  • 00:15:58.657 --> 00:16:01.160
  • You write about in the book pretty intimately.
  • 00:16:01.160 --> 00:16:03.729
  • Number one, it's a story of the return from exile.
  • 00:16:03.729 --> 00:16:08.133
  • Tell us about god's faithfulness in this story,
  • 00:16:08.133 --> 00:16:10.803
  • How it runs through this entire story.
  • 00:16:10.803 --> 00:16:12.905
  • Well, god had a lot of covenants with the jewish people.
  • 00:16:12.905 --> 00:16:16.442
  • The covenant with abraham
  • 00:16:16.442 --> 00:16:17.776
  • That all the nations would be blessed through him.
  • 00:16:17.776 --> 00:16:20.846
  • Then the covenant with david, that
  • 00:16:20.846 --> 00:16:23.148
  • The messiah would come through the line of david.
  • 00:16:23.148 --> 00:16:26.652
  • In between, though, was the covenant with moses.
  • 00:16:26.652 --> 00:16:29.254
  • If they obeyed, they would have great favor.
  • 00:16:29.254 --> 00:16:31.790
  • If they didn't, they would not.
  • 00:16:31.790 --> 00:16:33.826
  • They did not obey.
  • 00:16:33.826 --> 00:16:35.461
  • So the people were disgraced, defeated, dispersed.
  • 00:16:35.461 --> 00:16:40.132
  • Yeah, but the messiah had to come from them.
  • 00:16:40.132 --> 00:16:43.502
  • And that's the story.
  • 00:16:43.502 --> 00:16:44.770
  • He had to bring those people back.
  • 00:16:44.770 --> 00:16:46.605
  • They had to rebuild the city, rebuild the temple,
  • 00:16:46.605 --> 00:16:49.441
  • Prepare the way for the messiah.
  • 00:16:49.441 --> 00:16:51.210
  • Yeah. he's a faithful god. he's a promise keeping god.
  • 00:16:51.210 --> 00:16:53.912
  • You make that point throughout, bob.
  • 00:16:53.912 --> 00:16:56.048
  • And i love the story of esther, by the way, which you dig into.
  • 00:16:56.048 --> 00:16:59.184
  • Esther obviously helped,
  • 00:16:59.184 --> 00:17:00.719
  • Free the jewish people in ancient persia.
  • 00:17:01.553 --> 00:17:04.490
  • But there were other effects from that act.
  • 00:17:04.490 --> 00:17:07.926
  • And there were three people in particular,
  • 00:17:07.926 --> 00:17:10.729
  • Who were deeply affected and which helped in israel's
  • 00:17:10.729 --> 00:17:13.665
  • Return from exile.
  • 00:17:13.665 --> 00:17:14.900
  • That came out of the esther story. tell us more about that.
  • 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:16.702
  • Yeah.
  • 00:17:16.702 --> 00:17:17.970
  • I mean, most people know that israel saved the jewish people,
  • 00:17:17.970 --> 00:17:20.205
  • But they just think, well, the jewish people,
  • 00:17:20.205 --> 00:17:22.875
  • There were three young men or maybe even boys at the time
  • 00:17:22.875 --> 00:17:26.712
  • That were saved because of esther, malachi in jerusalem,
  • 00:17:26.712 --> 00:17:31.750
  • Ezra in babylon, and nehemiah in her home city of susa.
  • 00:17:31.750 --> 00:17:37.589
  • The three of them together came, came to jerusalem, and helped
  • 00:17:37.589 --> 00:17:41.927
  • Rebuild the city and remind the people of who they were.
  • 00:17:41.927 --> 00:17:45.497
  • Yeah, and those kind of stories
  • 00:17:45.497 --> 00:17:47.099
  • Are just threaded throughout the book.
  • 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:48.867
  • Another great point you make, which fascinates
  • 00:17:48.867 --> 00:17:51.069
  • Me, i think of king cyrus bob, when i think many times of god
  • 00:17:51.069 --> 00:17:54.339
  • Using people who don't know the lord,
  • 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:56.241
  • Who don't know god, but he uses them anyway.
  • 00:17:56.241 --> 00:17:58.744
  • Talk a bit more about that. you dig into that. in the book.
  • 00:17:58.744 --> 00:18:01.280
  • There's several examples
  • 00:18:01.280 --> 00:18:02.447
  • Throughout scripture of god using people.
  • 00:18:02.447 --> 00:18:04.917
  • Perhaps they don't even know they're being used.
  • 00:18:04.917 --> 00:18:07.119
  • They don't know the lord, but he uses them anyway.
  • 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:09.555
  • Well, this book talks about five kings in particular.
  • 00:18:09.555 --> 00:18:13.258
  • And they were all foreign kings.
  • 00:18:13.258 --> 00:18:14.726
  • They weren't jewish kings.
  • 00:18:14.726 --> 00:18:16.528
  • Nebuchadnezzar, cyrus the great, darius the great.
  • 00:18:16.528 --> 00:18:20.499
  • Xerxes artist.
  • 00:18:20.499 --> 00:18:22.401
  • Yeah.
  • 00:18:22.401 --> 00:18:23.235
  • Some of them were brutal dictators.
  • 00:18:23.235 --> 00:18:25.304
  • They were like the hitler and stalin of their day.
  • 00:18:25.304 --> 00:18:28.507
  • And yet god used them to fulfill the story,
  • 00:18:28.507 --> 00:18:32.578
  • To get the temple built.
  • 00:18:32.578 --> 00:18:34.012
  • And, and two of them, even provided provisions
  • 00:18:34.012 --> 00:18:38.884
  • For the temple sacrifices.
  • 00:18:38.884 --> 00:18:41.787
  • Darius the great, a brute, a brutal dictator,
  • 00:18:41.787 --> 00:18:44.289
  • You know, an artist.
  • 00:18:44.289 --> 00:18:45.490
  • He said, hey, hey, i want you to do this.
  • 00:18:45.490 --> 00:18:47.192
  • Hey, let me help.
  • 00:18:47.192 --> 00:18:48.594
  • Yes. and, god, just moving in amazing ways.
  • 00:18:48.594 --> 00:18:51.296
  • These were conquerors, as you said, dictators.
  • 00:18:51.296 --> 00:18:53.432
  • But god use them and move their hearts towards his purposes.
  • 00:18:53.432 --> 00:18:57.135
  • You're a student of history.
  • 00:18:57.135 --> 00:18:58.537
  • Of biblical history.
  • 00:18:58.537 --> 00:19:00.339
  • As you're going through i months of research going to this bob.
  • 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:03.408
  • Of course. it's not your first book.
  • 00:19:03.408 --> 00:19:05.410
  • What did you learn in particular in writing this book?
  • 00:19:05.410 --> 00:19:08.046
  • Did you learn anything new about scripture?
  • 00:19:08.046 --> 00:19:09.615
  • Did it make you look at scripture
  • 00:19:09.615 --> 00:19:10.816
  • Through a new lens in any way? well, yes.
  • 00:19:10.816 --> 00:19:13.151
  • I think, now, eric, be be honest.
  • 00:19:13.151 --> 00:19:15.687
  • Have you ever read in the old testament,
  • 00:19:15.687 --> 00:19:17.589
  • Especially a prophetic book and said,
  • 00:19:17.589 --> 00:19:19.925
  • What in the world is going on here?
  • 00:19:19.925 --> 00:19:21.660
  • Yes, yes for sure.
  • 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:23.762
  • I did too, and it caused me to want to put everything together
  • 00:19:23.762 --> 00:19:28.166
  • Because it is one story.
  • 00:19:28.166 --> 00:19:29.935
  • It's god's story.
  • 00:19:29.935 --> 00:19:31.603
  • And that was the really great joy
  • 00:19:31.603 --> 00:19:33.338
  • Seeing some of the interconnections between,
  • 00:19:33.338 --> 00:19:36.908
  • All the prophets, between jeremiah and between
  • 00:19:36.908 --> 00:19:39.745
  • Ezekiel and, and daniel, and seeing the inner connections
  • 00:19:39.745 --> 00:19:43.515
  • Between, like i said, esther and nehemiah and ezra
  • 00:19:43.515 --> 00:19:47.319
  • Seeing this one story, god's story,
  • 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:50.289
  • Getting everything back on track for the messiah.
  • 00:19:50.289 --> 00:19:52.557
  • Yeah.
  • 00:19:52.557 --> 00:19:53.792
  • The narrative, it just threads right through, like you said.
  • 00:19:53.792 --> 00:19:55.527
  • Talk a bit more about daniel.
  • 00:19:55.527 --> 00:19:56.828
  • Bob to me, he's such a fascinating figure in the bible.
  • 00:19:56.828 --> 00:19:59.731
  • He served under various administrations
  • 00:19:59.731 --> 00:20:01.767
  • For various empires.
  • 00:20:01.767 --> 00:20:03.068
  • Talk about his central role in all of this.
  • 00:20:03.068 --> 00:20:05.470
  • Well, well, daniel served for about 70 years.
  • 00:20:05.470 --> 00:20:09.107
  • He he died around the age of 90
  • 00:20:09.107 --> 00:20:11.710
  • And and started with nebuchadnezzar in babylon
  • 00:20:11.710 --> 00:20:15.614
  • And and went through all of the babylonian kings
  • 00:20:15.614 --> 00:20:20.118
  • And then went into the persian kings.
  • 00:20:20.118 --> 00:20:23.488
  • The amazing thing about daniel is, towards the end of his life,
  • 00:20:23.488 --> 00:20:27.359
  • He was actually reading a prophecy of jeremiah
  • 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:30.495
  • Where it said, after 70 years, i'll bring the people back.
  • 00:20:30.495 --> 00:20:33.432
  • And he said, wait a second.
  • 00:20:33.432 --> 00:20:35.200
  • It's almost 70 years.
  • 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:37.035
  • He cried out to god. he fasted.
  • 00:20:37.035 --> 00:20:39.037
  • He said, god, make this happen. make this happen.
  • 00:20:39.037 --> 00:20:42.007
  • God gave him a vision not about the 70 years,
  • 00:20:42.007 --> 00:20:45.744
  • But about the 70 times 7 to 490 years until the messiah
  • 00:20:45.744 --> 00:20:51.049
  • Gave him the whole timeline for the messiah
  • 00:20:51.049 --> 00:20:53.919
  • Because of that prayer.
  • 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:55.287
  • Amazing.
  • 00:20:55.287 --> 00:20:56.555
  • And another amazing thing about daniel he served gentile kings.
  • 00:20:56.555 --> 00:20:59.224
  • I mean, he served non-jewish kings,
  • 00:20:59.224 --> 00:21:00.959
  • Of course, of all in various empires.
  • 00:21:00.959 --> 00:21:03.462
  • Hey, last question, and you're not going to
  • 00:21:03.462 --> 00:21:04.996
  • A full showing this.
  • 00:21:04.996 --> 00:21:06.064
  • I love this subject.
  • 00:21:06.064 --> 00:21:07.265
  • I know you do as well.
  • 00:21:07.265 --> 00:21:08.300
  • And it's a fascinating, great read.
  • 00:21:08.300 --> 00:21:09.701
  • Just in time for christmas, of course.
  • 00:21:09.701 --> 00:21:11.937
  • How does this all point to the messiah?
  • 00:21:11.937 --> 00:21:14.439
  • You mentioned that as we started here.
  • 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:16.208
  • How does all of this, all that you're writing about
  • 00:21:16.208 --> 00:21:18.009
  • And prophets, priest and kings point to jesus?
  • 00:21:18.009 --> 00:21:20.812
  • Well, that's what the whole story is about.
  • 00:21:20.812 --> 00:21:23.115
  • Yes. it's a return from exile.
  • 00:21:23.115 --> 00:21:25.083
  • Yes, it's rebuilding jerusalem and the temple.
  • 00:21:25.083 --> 00:21:27.285
  • But really, it's all about the messiah.
  • 00:21:27.285 --> 00:21:30.355
  • Throughout this book, there's prophecies
  • 00:21:30.355 --> 00:21:32.324
  • About the messiah coming that, that, that, gave more,
  • 00:21:32.324 --> 00:21:36.828
  • Instruction on what it would look like, but
  • 00:21:36.828 --> 00:21:39.197
  • It really is all about jesus coming to save everyone.
  • 00:21:39.197 --> 00:21:43.835
  • Yeah, it all points at jesus,
  • 00:21:43.835 --> 00:21:45.137
  • Especially at this christmas season.
  • 00:21:45.137 --> 00:21:46.538
  • That's a message we love to hear.
  • 00:21:46.538 --> 00:21:47.639
  • Bob, congrats on the book. great job.
  • 00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:50.342
  • Great to say, hey, we'll do this again for your next one.
  • 00:21:50.342 --> 00:21:52.911
  • This was fun and foremost a great read.
  • 00:21:52.911 --> 00:21:54.846
  • Amazon.com wherever books are sold right
  • 00:21:54.846 --> 00:21:56.948
  • Now, prophets, priests and kings.
  • 00:21:56.948 --> 00:21:59.584
  • Check it out.
  • 00:21:59.584 --> 00:22:01.253
  • Coming up, my final thoughts on the biblical mandate
  • 00:22:02.287 --> 00:22:05.390
  • For believers to shine light in the darkness.
  • 00:22:05.390 --> 00:22:08.994
  • That's next.
  • 00:22:09.327 --> 00:22:10.061
  • Stick around.
  • 00:22:10.061 --> 00:22:14.007
  • Stick around.
  • 00:22:14.007 --> 00:22:16.995
  • Welcome back tostakelbeck tonight, folks.
  • 00:22:17.862 --> 00:22:19.531
  • As we wrap up here,
  • 00:22:19.531 --> 00:22:20.432
  • I want to wish all of our viewers,
  • 00:22:20.432 --> 00:22:21.766
  • Our jewish friends, in particular, a happy hanukkah.
  • 00:22:21.766 --> 00:22:24.736
  • And this is known as the festival of lights,
  • 00:22:24.736 --> 00:22:28.973
  • Which really is fitting because jesus said in the gospel
  • 00:22:28.973 --> 00:22:31.876
  • Of matthew, chapter five, verse 16, in the same way,
  • 00:22:31.876 --> 00:22:35.613
  • Let your light shine before others, that they may
  • 00:22:35.613 --> 00:22:39.150
  • See your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.
  • 00:22:39.150 --> 00:22:43.121
  • You know, look,
  • 00:22:43.121 --> 00:22:43.922
  • We've been talking
  • 00:22:43.922 --> 00:22:45.156
  • About some very heavy subject matter tonight, the horrific
  • 00:22:45.156 --> 00:22:48.393
  • Terror attack
  • 00:22:48.393 --> 00:22:49.427
  • In australia yesterday and the spread of darkness
  • 00:22:49.427 --> 00:22:52.130
  • Around the world, in the west, in particular.
  • 00:22:52.130 --> 00:22:54.098
  • But jesus says no.
  • 00:22:54.098 --> 00:22:55.800
  • As followers of jesus, we must shine our light in the darkness.
  • 00:22:55.800 --> 00:23:01.506
  • Walk the walk of faith for all to see.
  • 00:23:01.506 --> 00:23:04.676
  • Let's continue to do that, folks.
  • 00:23:04.676 --> 00:23:06.311
  • Walk blamelessly before the lord,
  • 00:23:06.311 --> 00:23:08.213
  • Because i can assure you,
  • 00:23:08.213 --> 00:23:09.581
  • People are watching and there's a great
  • 00:23:09.581 --> 00:23:11.649
  • Harvest of souls out there to be one for such a time as this.
  • 00:23:11.649 --> 00:23:15.687
  • Tomorrow night great israel breakdown from our dear friend
  • 00:23:15.687 --> 00:23:18.723
  • Marty shoshana joining us from jerusalem.
  • 00:23:18.723 --> 00:23:21.025
  • It's going to be good.
  • 00:23:21.025 --> 00:23:21.960
  • Until then, god bless you.
  • 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:24.295
  • We'll see you soon.
  • 00:23:24.295 --> 00:23:24.295