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As Galileans, we witnessed
his first miracle.
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He warned us that a time of
great deception would come.
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But we must hold on
to our faith that one
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day He would return to save
us from the end of the world.
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Most people don't believe
that Jesus is coming back.
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What if there was evidence that
proves that this is all real?
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Because there were
so many people
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bringing up little bits
and pieces of this,
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I'm thinking there's got
to be a pattern here.
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00:01:01,740 --> 00:01:03,446
The Bible talks about
it as being a mystery,
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00:01:03,470 --> 00:01:05,336
but why does the
rapture have to happen?
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What's the point to it all?
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A Galilean would have
understood that perfectly.
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They are the key to everything.
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I'm just so stunned.
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I never thought I would
see this in my lifetime.
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This is the most profound
discovery in human history.
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From his promise made through
wine at the Last Supper to why
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the world cannot know
the day of his return,
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we were chosen to preserve the
truth until the end of days.
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So even if we are not
spared from death,
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others can unveil what
we knew and believe.
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This discovery proves
that He is coming back.
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We are not destined to
live in this world forever,
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for out of the
earth we were taken,
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as we are nothing
more than dust,
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and to dust we shall return.
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Though the body must perish,
the spirit lives forever,
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so I urge you to seek the
things that are eternal
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rather than that which
will decay into nothing.
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As I write to you, the foretold
coming of the messiah, our Lord
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Jesus Christ, is
now fulfilled, as we
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await his prophesied
return at the end of days.
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Though He first came
to save the world,
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He will return to judge it.
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00:03:59,210 --> 00:04:03,056
My brothers and
sisters in Christ,
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know that a time of great
tribulation approaches such as
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has not been seen since
the beginning of the world
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nor shall there ever be again.
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But our Lord will return to
retrieve those that follow Him
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from the wrath
that will be poured
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out upon all who are living
on the face of the Earth.
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A time of worldwide
wars, famines,
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great earthquakes,
and sickness that will
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bring an abundance of death.
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The oceans will rage
and the land will burn,
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as the moon becomes as blood
and the sun black as sackcloth.
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00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:11,666
But I warn you, before
that terrible day there
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will be a great falling
away from the faith.
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00:05:17,290 --> 00:05:22,836
And when the hour of judgment
comes upon this fallen world,
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few will remain
that truly believe.
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Though the convergence
of signs for his return
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have been revealed to you
throughout the scriptures,
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there are some mysteries that
God proclaims will be sealed
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until the time of the end...
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Understanding that
will be unveiled
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to the generation
that will witness
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the return of the messiah.
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I fear, though, that
when the savior returns,
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will He find any faith
left on the Earth?
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It's been 2,000 years since the
final prophecies were recorded,
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and today the foundation for
the convergence of nearly
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every prophetic
sign foretold within
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the remaining
biblical prophecies
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has never been more prominent.
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As a result, a recent rise in
debates regarding the signs
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of the times has led to
growing division regarding
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when the messiah will return.
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00:07:07,090 --> 00:07:09,496
After all, if the
events prophesied
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within the ancient records
are indeed to come to pass,
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00:07:13,510 --> 00:07:15,646
then knowing the timing
of the Lord's return
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would be of great importance.
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The timing is a real
hot-button, especially
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among religious people,
Christians and what the like.
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We love predictability.
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We want to know when He's
going to be coming back.
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The conflict, the disagreement,
the contention over the timing
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of the rapture...
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And particularly in
the last 10 years,
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it has gone off the chart.
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You know, instead
of saying, my, how
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they love one another, as they
said of the early church...
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Now today of the church,
they say, my, how
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they fight with one another.
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And recent findings
from organizations,
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such as LifeWay Research,
confirm that the infighting
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00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:05,766
among Christians is deepening.
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00:08:05,790 --> 00:08:08,226
In one of our surveys,
we ask when they thought
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the rapture would occur.
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00:08:09,700 --> 00:08:12,516
The largest group, 36%,
believe that the rapture
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will occur pre-tribulation.
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But if that's the
largest group, that
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means there's not a
majority believing any one
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00:08:18,930 --> 00:08:19,960
thing about the rapture.
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In addition to the 36% that
believe the rapture will occur
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before the tribulation period
begins, 4% of Christians
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believe it will
happen in the middle.
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18% believe the rapture
will happen at the end.
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00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:41,535
An additional 13%
consist of other timing
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variations and theories.
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4% just aren't sure
about any of it.
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And surprisingly, the remaining
25%, a growing statistic,
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no longer believe in a
literal rapture at all.
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But why is this happening?
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People have access to a
lot of information right
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00:09:02,680 --> 00:09:05,686
at their fingertips, so
they want to go and develop
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00:09:05,710 --> 00:09:06,617
their ideas on their own.
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00:09:06,641 --> 00:09:08,836
They want to put
together this cornucopia
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of eschatological
beliefs without any kind
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of hermeneutical framework.
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But it really may not match
up with any views out there.
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So while the debate
rages on regarding
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the signs of the times...
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Some Christians believe
this is the final sign
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for Christ's return, as Russia
occupies war-torn Syria.
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Israel prepares for war, as
they send troops to the border.
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...the secular world,
which makes up
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most of the global
population, couldn't
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00:09:41,910 --> 00:09:44,436
care less about the
return of Jesus,
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scoffing at what is perceived
as nothing more than
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00:09:47,550 --> 00:09:49,095
unfounded biblical nonsense.
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It's helping to
drive people away.
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First it's going to drive
them away from the topic we're
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talking about, but ultimately
it will drive people
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away from the church,
from Christianity,
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from pursuing the faith.
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That's how serious this is.
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Yeah, I'm sure that
somebody that has not bought
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into the teachings
of Jesus Christ
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scratch their head a little bit
if something this important,
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about Jesus returning...
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Christians can't even explain
how that's going to happen.
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00:10:29,580 --> 00:10:32,346
After all, if the validity
of biblical prophecy
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can be confirmed by
historical discoveries,
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00:10:35,250 --> 00:10:37,806
then why can't most Christians
get on the same page
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when it comes to the
return of their messiah?
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00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:46,715
Maybe this is because we're
asking the wrong question.
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There is so much
infighting about when
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Jesus is coming back, nobody
stopped and asked why.
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But the fact is, the timing
is not nearly as important
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as the why of his return.
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People forget to even ask,
why is Jesus coming back?
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Why is all this going to happen?
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00:11:09,270 --> 00:11:11,776
Why must there be
an end of the world?
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And I think we're focusing
on the wrong thing.
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The issue is why does the
rapture have to happen.
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What's the point to it all?
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So what is the point?
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Are the events of the end
times simply a sequence
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of ancient superstitions, or
did those that were with Christ
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understand something
much greater that was
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buried by the sands of time?
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Before our story can begin,
we need to first understand
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that Jesus wasn't simply a Jew.
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More specifically,
he was a Galilean.
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Not only that, but
Jesus's disciples
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were all Galileans as well.
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They were not only Galileans,
they were Galileans from just
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about every walk of life.
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You've got a guy
who's a fisherman.
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You've got a guy
who's a tax collector.
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And yet Jesus assembled
these Galileans together.
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And I think there's a great
reason why the Galileans being
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present, his disciples,
future apostles,
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would be spoken to by Christ
in the Galilean vernacular.
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You see, even though the regions
throughout ancient Israel
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share the same culture, the
Galileans developed customs
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that were unique only to them.
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Why is this important?
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Because Jesus used
people's cultures
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to more deeply communicate
the spiritual nature of God.
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He used words and symbols
and analogies and parables
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for them to understand.
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You see it on the
Sermon on the Mount...
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Speaking to them in ways
that they can understand.
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Speaking to them about
being fishers of men,
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you know, for example.
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Why would you use that
analogy unless you
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knew that these are fishermen?
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Everything He said was
based on life that he lived,
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culture that he belonged to.
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I think it's hard for us
to understand in our day
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what it was like for
them in their day.
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When Jesus spoke, it was from
the heart to their heart.
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There was a profound
connection made.
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The first century believers
had such a clear understanding
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of what Jesus was saying.
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He gave them clear revelation.
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So it's no wonder that
one day his disciples
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came to Him to ask
about the fulfillment
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of God's plan for the future.
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And Jesus answered them
in shocking detail.
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And He uses illustrations that
they can understand that tells
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them the world is going
to come to an end someday,
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and here's how it's
going to happen.
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So to fully understand the
depths of what Jesus could have
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revealed to the Galileans
regarding how and why He would
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return in the last days, we must
understand the unique culture
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to whom He was speaking.
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00:14:10,060 --> 00:14:12,900
We need to see the Messiah
through their eyes.
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This sparked an ambitious
research project,
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and fragments of
new insight began
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00:14:25,150 --> 00:14:28,610
to expose the forgotten ways
of the ancient Galileans.
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You know that 2/3 of the gospel
took place in a little strip
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of land by the Sea of Galilee?
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2/3 of the gospel.
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It actually makes no sense,
if you really think about it.
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Most of the Jews didn't
live there, but yet 2/3
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of the gospel took
place right there.
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00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:54,746
So you cannot ignore the culture
and the people, the life,
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and the habits of those days.
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And that's why the Galileans
are playing such a big part.
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There are a lot of
other people who have
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a lot of pieces to the puzzle.
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And a lot of other people are
working on the same projects.
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It's an enormous research
project to make sure that you
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00:15:09,420 --> 00:15:10,486
find it and get it right.
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Because there were
so many people
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bringing up little bits
and pieces of this,
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I'm thinking there's got
to be a pattern here.
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And there was... pieces to a
puzzle that formed a prophetic
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timeline woven
throughout the ancient
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scriptures that
directly references
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00:15:27,610 --> 00:15:29,926
an ancient Galilean ceremony...
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A ceremony that was passed
down through generations
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to foretell how and
why Christ will return
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00:15:35,860 --> 00:15:39,186
in the last days of the world.
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And of all the
ancient ceremonies,
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this secret could
have been hiding.
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It was discovered within
a one-of-a-kind wedding...
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00:15:48,550 --> 00:15:52,216
A wedding that contains a series
of customs that would unfold
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over an entire year, revealing
a chronological sequence
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of events that perfectly aligns
with the recorded biblical
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00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,830
prophecies leading to the
second coming of Christ.
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00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:06,796
It's a wedding.
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It is a Galilean-style wedding.
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There's no doubt about it.
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Why use a Galilean wedding?
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00:16:12,820 --> 00:16:16,156
Because all of his
disciples were Galileans.
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00:16:16,180 --> 00:16:20,716
When Jesus taught his disciples,
He used an object to start
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with that they already knew.
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Then He would say, the kingdom
of heaven is like that.
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00:16:25,690 --> 00:16:27,376
In the case of the
Galilean wedding,
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He would say to the guys,
you know what our weddings
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are like, don't you?
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00:16:30,521 --> 00:16:32,596
We do them all the time.
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00:16:32,620 --> 00:16:36,786
The end of the world is
going to be like that.
248
00:16:36,810 --> 00:16:40,506
The parallels to the
rapture are incredible,
249
00:16:40,530 --> 00:16:41,666
and it is so brilliant.
250
00:16:41,690 --> 00:16:43,088
It's so brilliant.
251
00:16:45,780 --> 00:16:48,516
So what exactly about
their ancient wedding
252
00:16:48,540 --> 00:16:50,286
changes everything
that we thought we
253
00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:54,216
knew about the second coming?
254
00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:56,976
To truly understand the
depth of what we're only
255
00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:02,316
now rediscovering, we must
journey back to ancient Galilee
256
00:17:02,340 --> 00:17:04,325
during the time of
Christ to follow
257
00:17:04,349 --> 00:17:07,055
the very sequence of
events that was hidden
258
00:17:07,079 --> 00:17:09,756
within their prophetic wedding.
259
00:17:09,780 --> 00:17:14,426
This is where the story begins.
260
00:17:14,450 --> 00:17:17,060
These are the Galileans,
and this is what they knew.
261
00:17:46,350 --> 00:17:50,266
Welcome to the town of Cana.
262
00:17:50,290 --> 00:17:52,656
Israel is now under
Roman control,
263
00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:54,966
ruled by Tiberius Caesar.
264
00:17:54,990 --> 00:17:57,006
And under his cruel
authority, life
265
00:17:57,030 --> 00:18:01,056
is harsh for many of the Jews.
266
00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:05,366
But on this day, there's
hope for the future,
267
00:18:05,390 --> 00:18:08,016
a promise for a new beginning...
268
00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:11,586
Because on this day, the
betrothal between a young groom
269
00:18:11,610 --> 00:18:13,560
and his bride is taking place.
270
00:18:37,980 --> 00:18:41,636
I don't think it's possible
to overstate how important
271
00:18:41,660 --> 00:18:45,656
a wedding is in the Middle
Eastern culture today,
272
00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:49,166
as it was in that day,
the first century.
273
00:18:49,190 --> 00:18:53,066
A wedding was the most
important event that would take
274
00:18:53,090 --> 00:18:56,320
place in any town for anyone.
275
00:19:00,130 --> 00:19:03,196
In fact, as word spread
throughout the streets
276
00:19:03,220 --> 00:19:06,916
that a betrothal was taking
place, everyone who was able
277
00:19:06,940 --> 00:19:09,220
would rush to the main
gate to witness it.
278
00:19:12,170 --> 00:19:13,466
Everything took
place at the gate.
279
00:19:13,490 --> 00:19:16,046
And this was really, really
important, because this
280
00:19:16,070 --> 00:19:17,576
is where you found the elders.
281
00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,486
The elders ratified
legal agreements.
282
00:19:20,510 --> 00:19:24,056
And if you held the
ceremonies near the gate,
283
00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,066
you would have
layers of people that
284
00:19:26,090 --> 00:19:28,826
would gather around who
are maybe not family
285
00:19:28,850 --> 00:19:30,646
members, maybe not friends.
286
00:19:30,670 --> 00:19:33,146
So you see, having wedding
guests the way we have them
287
00:19:33,170 --> 00:19:35,246
today wasn't important to them.
288
00:19:35,270 --> 00:19:37,736
They wanted witnesses,
because you can't
289
00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,826
make a covenant without
having witnesses
290
00:19:40,850 --> 00:19:42,170
to ratify the covenant.
291
00:19:45,940 --> 00:19:49,996
There is a written
proposal that is presented.
292
00:19:50,020 --> 00:19:52,936
It is a written
covenant of marriage
293
00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:56,286
that the bride accepts.
294
00:19:56,310 --> 00:19:59,876
They would be asked, do
you agree on these terms?
295
00:19:59,900 --> 00:20:02,116
They would say, "We
do," which means
296
00:20:02,140 --> 00:20:03,496
that they can't go back on it.
297
00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:05,836
They can't say, "I didn't
know that was in there,"
298
00:20:05,860 --> 00:20:08,110
or "those terms were
disagreeable to me."
299
00:20:10,910 --> 00:20:13,586
After the agreement outlining
the union between the two
300
00:20:13,610 --> 00:20:16,526
families was
publicly read, gifts
301
00:20:16,550 --> 00:20:18,716
were then exchanged,
with the most
302
00:20:18,740 --> 00:20:21,050
extravagant going to the bride.
303
00:20:25,380 --> 00:20:28,986
In fact, contrary to
popular belief, a dowry,
304
00:20:29,010 --> 00:20:32,256
or the price that was paid to
the bride's father in Galilee,
305
00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:34,596
was not a purchase of
the bride as property
306
00:20:34,620 --> 00:20:37,716
as it was with surrounding
cultures in the Middle East,
307
00:20:37,740 --> 00:20:39,816
but rather an
insurance policy that
308
00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:41,946
would help take care
of her if anything
309
00:20:41,970 --> 00:20:45,436
were to happen to her beloved.
310
00:20:45,460 --> 00:20:48,136
But what comes next
will set in motion
311
00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:51,316
a sequence of events that
will shape the future
312
00:20:51,340 --> 00:20:52,860
for generations to come.
313
00:20:57,220 --> 00:20:59,866
Then it focuses down
on to the moment where
314
00:20:59,890 --> 00:21:03,166
everyone holds their breath.
315
00:21:03,190 --> 00:21:04,816
What happens is
the bridegroom is
316
00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:08,716
then handed a pitcher of wine.
317
00:21:08,740 --> 00:21:12,046
The groom then pours wine
into a ceremonial cup
318
00:21:12,070 --> 00:21:15,190
that will be offered to
his desired bride-to-be.
319
00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:19,936
And it was called
the cup of joy.
320
00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:24,496
With both hands, reverently,
and respectfully, and fearfully,
321
00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,876
he would pass it to his bride.
322
00:21:27,900 --> 00:21:35,136
When the groom presents the cup,
she now has the choice as to
323
00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:38,316
whether or not she
will accept or reject
324
00:21:38,340 --> 00:21:39,620
this proposal for marriage.
325
00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:47,886
The moment the cup is
handed to the bride,
326
00:21:47,910 --> 00:21:51,576
she's given all power
to stop the wedding
327
00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:57,376
by pushing the cup back and
rejecting the bridegroom.
328
00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,706
Contrary to all other wedding
customs in the Middle East,
329
00:22:00,730 --> 00:22:05,336
the bride in a Galilean wedding
possessed the final authority.
330
00:22:05,360 --> 00:22:08,446
She alone had the power
to accept or reject
331
00:22:08,470 --> 00:22:11,706
the offer from the groom.
332
00:22:11,730 --> 00:22:14,166
The betrothal could
not be completed
333
00:22:14,190 --> 00:22:18,400
without her willing acceptance
to drink from the cup of wine.
334
00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:29,240
But on this day, during this
betrothal, the bride accepts.
335
00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:00,706
The groom will then also
take and drink from the cup,
336
00:23:00,730 --> 00:23:03,016
solidifying the new covenant.
337
00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:07,984
But then he says
something truly profound.
338
00:23:08,008 --> 00:23:10,686
And then the bridegroom
says publicly
339
00:23:10,710 --> 00:23:13,536
so everyone can hear,
"You are now consecrated
340
00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:16,926
to me by the laws of Moses, and
I will not drink of this cup
341
00:23:16,950 --> 00:23:22,626
again until I drink it anew
with you in my father's house."
342
00:23:22,650 --> 00:23:26,566
But to understand why this
phrase is so profound,
343
00:23:26,590 --> 00:23:28,476
we must look at
another act recorded
344
00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:32,796
later in the scriptures.
345
00:23:32,820 --> 00:23:36,396
During the Last Supper,
Jesus offered a cup of wine
346
00:23:36,420 --> 00:23:39,720
to his disciples to signify
a new covenant with them.
347
00:23:45,060 --> 00:23:47,756
And after his disciples
drank from the cup,
348
00:23:47,780 --> 00:23:50,216
Jesus then said
something similar to what
349
00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:55,476
a Galilean would have heard
from their own weddings.
350
00:23:55,500 --> 00:23:57,276
He said...
351
00:23:57,300 --> 00:24:03,886
But I say to you, I will not
drink of this fruit of the vine
352
00:24:03,910 --> 00:24:08,596
from now on until that day
when I drink it new with you
353
00:24:08,620 --> 00:24:11,546
in my father's kingdom.
354
00:24:11,570 --> 00:24:16,016
This is exactly why when
He gave them the cup,
355
00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:21,116
He actually says this is the
new covenant in my blood.
356
00:24:21,140 --> 00:24:23,926
I'm about to pour my blood.
357
00:24:23,950 --> 00:24:25,576
It's a promise.
358
00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:27,796
We're going to be
together again,
359
00:24:27,820 --> 00:24:31,846
and we're going to mark
it by drinking the wine.
360
00:24:31,870 --> 00:24:33,670
It's something important.
361
00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:40,146
The breaking of bread
and offering of wine...
362
00:24:40,170 --> 00:24:43,866
These acts were to form a
new union, a new promise,
363
00:24:43,890 --> 00:24:47,046
meant to deliberately
set in motion events
364
00:24:47,070 --> 00:24:49,230
of unimaginable importance.
365
00:24:53,660 --> 00:24:57,146
In my Arab culture, you
eat from the same bread
366
00:24:57,170 --> 00:24:59,996
and you drink from the same cup.
367
00:25:00,020 --> 00:25:04,346
The thought is that, that
which is in you is in me.
368
00:25:04,370 --> 00:25:07,496
It is a common
union, comm-union...
369
00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:10,166
No longer two, but one.
370
00:25:10,190 --> 00:25:14,216
When Jesus says that
at that Last Supper,
371
00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:18,716
this is my body given
for you, broken for you,
372
00:25:18,740 --> 00:25:21,626
He is talking as a
bridegroom to his bride.
373
00:25:21,650 --> 00:25:25,826
When He says to
them, this is the cup
374
00:25:25,850 --> 00:25:29,126
of my blood in the
new covenant, that's
375
00:25:29,150 --> 00:25:32,036
how they would
seal the betrothal
376
00:25:32,060 --> 00:25:35,196
in the ancient wedding.
377
00:25:35,220 --> 00:25:37,866
Well, when you think about
the Galilean disciples,
378
00:25:37,890 --> 00:25:39,506
they understood
exactly what it was
379
00:25:39,530 --> 00:25:40,856
saying regarding these things.
380
00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:43,656
They were familiar things.
381
00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:46,926
The illustration was
entirely clear to them.
382
00:25:46,950 --> 00:25:49,746
When Jesus said
that, his Galilean
383
00:25:49,770 --> 00:25:53,081
disciples at the Last Supper
heard only one thing...
384
00:25:53,105 --> 00:25:54,105
Wedding.
385
00:25:59,270 --> 00:26:03,086
In fact, this might explain
why later in the gospel records
386
00:26:03,110 --> 00:26:05,906
the disciples asked
Jesus only when
387
00:26:05,930 --> 00:26:11,036
the events of the last days
would take place and not why...
388
00:26:11,060 --> 00:26:13,106
Because as Galileans,
they likely
389
00:26:13,130 --> 00:26:16,406
had already made the
connection, especially given
390
00:26:16,430 --> 00:26:19,676
Jesus's first recorded
miracle, which took place
391
00:26:19,700 --> 00:26:23,846
in the town of Cana when
he turned water into wine
392
00:26:23,870 --> 00:26:26,716
at a Galilean wedding.
393
00:26:26,740 --> 00:26:31,696
And I find this most fascinating
that the first miracle
394
00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,846
Jesus ever performed
was at a wedding.
395
00:26:34,870 --> 00:26:39,826
And that wedding had the
same cultural dynamic
396
00:26:39,850 --> 00:26:42,856
that Jesus was
describing when he
397
00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,500
was explaining to his disciples
about his soon return.
398
00:26:50,210 --> 00:26:52,736
But the conclusion of
the betrothal was merely
399
00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:55,016
the first step on a
year's-long journey
400
00:26:55,040 --> 00:26:59,516
to an unimaginable conclusion.
401
00:26:59,540 --> 00:27:01,826
Now the betrothal
ceremony is finished,
402
00:27:01,850 --> 00:27:04,436
and the families rejoicing,
partying in the streets,
403
00:27:04,460 --> 00:27:05,996
go back to their houses.
404
00:27:06,020 --> 00:27:07,826
But this is just
the beginning, now,
405
00:27:07,850 --> 00:27:09,686
of an entire year
of preparations
406
00:27:09,710 --> 00:27:12,650
that goes into making
the way for the wedding.
407
00:27:18,010 --> 00:27:20,466
And though, technically,
the bride and groom are now
408
00:27:20,490 --> 00:27:23,226
united as one under
a new covenant,
409
00:27:23,250 --> 00:27:24,945
the real work only now begins.
410
00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:30,516
The groom must
leave his betrothed,
411
00:27:30,540 --> 00:27:36,096
where they will live apart until
the day of their wedding feast.
412
00:27:36,120 --> 00:27:38,946
In fact, the groom is
now responsible for all
413
00:27:38,970 --> 00:27:40,686
of the preparations
for the day he will
414
00:27:40,710 --> 00:27:42,570
be reunited with his bride.
415
00:27:46,500 --> 00:27:49,566
Over the following months, he
will acquire materials to build
416
00:27:49,590 --> 00:27:54,716
a new room onto
his father's house,
417
00:27:54,740 --> 00:27:56,486
along with crafting
new furniture,
418
00:27:56,510 --> 00:27:58,115
such as tables and stools.
419
00:28:01,130 --> 00:28:04,826
He'll negotiate for required
items, such as oil lamps, rugs,
420
00:28:04,850 --> 00:28:07,196
and dishes that will be used
in the wedding feast that will
421
00:28:07,220 --> 00:28:11,306
take place in their new home.
422
00:28:11,330 --> 00:28:13,496
And scholars have
now discovered that
423
00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:17,156
the theological implications
of this period in the wedding
424
00:28:17,180 --> 00:28:19,736
held profound
importance regarding
425
00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:21,590
the first coming of Christ.
426
00:28:25,940 --> 00:28:29,336
You see, before
Jesus's crucifixion,
427
00:28:29,360 --> 00:28:34,126
He warned his disciples that He
too would have to leave them.
428
00:28:34,150 --> 00:28:36,506
Jesus tells them...
429
00:28:36,530 --> 00:28:41,056
I go to prepare a place for you.
430
00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:44,386
And if I go and prepare
a place for you,
431
00:28:44,410 --> 00:28:52,410
I will come again and receive
you to myself, that where I am,
432
00:28:53,250 --> 00:28:57,236
there you may be also.
433
00:28:57,260 --> 00:28:58,946
I'm going to prepare
a place for you.
434
00:28:58,970 --> 00:29:00,686
This is key, especially
when we think
435
00:29:00,710 --> 00:29:04,686
about the first century
Galilean experience and culture.
436
00:29:04,710 --> 00:29:06,236
I'm going away.
437
00:29:06,260 --> 00:29:08,666
A Galilean would have
understood that perfectly
438
00:29:08,690 --> 00:29:13,056
to mean that he's going to go
away to prepare a new home.
439
00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:17,216
He's going to go prepare a
place for his bride, personally.
440
00:29:17,240 --> 00:29:20,726
And then Jesus said something
that they all understood.
441
00:29:20,750 --> 00:29:23,756
I'm going to come back and
get you, that where I am,
442
00:29:23,780 --> 00:29:26,186
there you may be also.
443
00:29:26,210 --> 00:29:31,106
But then He's not leaving before
He's making a verbal promise
444
00:29:31,130 --> 00:29:35,786
that He's about to come back
and take us, and where He is,
445
00:29:35,810 --> 00:29:37,226
we will also be.
446
00:29:37,250 --> 00:29:39,116
And it's very important
that we understand
447
00:29:39,140 --> 00:29:42,646
He's not saying so where
you are, I will also be.
448
00:29:42,670 --> 00:29:45,296
It's where I am,
you will also be.
449
00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:50,816
He is speaking as a bridegroom
to his bride, and they knew it.
450
00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:54,416
They knew it, because this
was the culture of that day.
451
00:29:54,440 --> 00:29:57,726
It is so tragic, for
lack of a better word,
452
00:29:57,750 --> 00:30:02,696
they don't understand the
profound depth of the culture.
453
00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:07,436
You cannot separate the
culture from the gospels.
454
00:30:07,460 --> 00:30:09,696
If you take the culture
out of the gospels,
455
00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:12,710
you virtually gut out
the entire meaning of it.
456
00:30:16,290 --> 00:30:18,516
But unlike the earthly
custom, where the groom
457
00:30:18,540 --> 00:30:21,576
will bring his bride back
to his father's house,
458
00:30:21,600 --> 00:30:24,216
Jesus was speaking in a
heavenly realm, where only
459
00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:28,596
those that are born again,
having agreed to be his bride,
460
00:30:28,620 --> 00:30:30,446
could go.
461
00:30:30,470 --> 00:30:33,546
It's Jesus who introduced the
doctrine of the rapture to us.
462
00:30:33,570 --> 00:30:35,196
I'm going to come
and pick you up,
463
00:30:35,220 --> 00:30:36,811
take you back where I've been.
464
00:30:36,835 --> 00:30:39,276
You need to
understand something,
465
00:30:39,300 --> 00:30:42,786
if you don't have that event
taking place in your theology,
466
00:30:42,810 --> 00:30:44,706
you've got the wrong Jesus.
467
00:30:44,730 --> 00:30:47,166
If Jesus doesn't come
back for his church,
468
00:30:47,190 --> 00:30:49,476
then we all have
the wrong Jesus.
469
00:30:49,500 --> 00:30:54,066
He so has to come back,
that it's mandatory.
470
00:30:54,090 --> 00:30:56,856
It is absolutely a
definitive event.
471
00:30:56,880 --> 00:30:59,736
It defines either we have the
right Jesus or the wrong Jesus
472
00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:02,646
based upon the biblical
Jesus coming back or not.
473
00:31:02,670 --> 00:31:04,186
He has to come back.
474
00:31:04,210 --> 00:31:06,726
He said, I'm going
away, but I'm going away
475
00:31:06,750 --> 00:31:10,446
to prepare a place for you.
476
00:31:10,470 --> 00:31:13,476
Then I'm going to come back, and
I'm going to bring you to me.
477
00:31:13,500 --> 00:31:14,377
Well?
478
00:31:14,401 --> 00:31:18,616
Hello, that sounds
to me like a rapture.
479
00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:21,376
And this is further
reinforced by Christ himself
480
00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:25,066
when He tells his disciples
that when this time comes,
481
00:31:25,090 --> 00:31:27,286
there will be those
living on the Earth
482
00:31:27,310 --> 00:31:28,870
that will not taste death.
483
00:31:39,090 --> 00:31:42,066
But until that time
when the groom can
484
00:31:42,090 --> 00:31:43,956
be reunited with
his bride, there is
485
00:31:43,980 --> 00:31:47,244
much that needs to take place.
486
00:31:47,268 --> 00:31:51,056
And although the groom has
left to prepare a new home,
487
00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:53,210
the bride's job is
not yet over either.
488
00:32:02,620 --> 00:32:05,026
She must prepare for
the hour that her groom
489
00:32:05,050 --> 00:32:06,120
will return for her.
490
00:32:10,690 --> 00:32:13,046
The bride then
takes the next year
491
00:32:13,070 --> 00:32:16,646
to put together a wedding
dress and other accouterments
492
00:32:16,670 --> 00:32:17,966
for the particular wedding.
493
00:32:17,990 --> 00:32:20,726
She's got to buy
with her bridesmaids
494
00:32:20,750 --> 00:32:24,236
all kinds of pieces of cloth.
495
00:32:24,260 --> 00:32:27,656
The bride and her bridesmaids
would either weave or acquire
496
00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:29,816
fabrics for the bride's dress.
497
00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:32,156
Smaller towns in the
region, being separated
498
00:32:32,180 --> 00:32:34,286
from more populated
areas, may not
499
00:32:34,310 --> 00:32:36,536
have the materials
readily available
500
00:32:36,560 --> 00:32:38,330
to complete an elaborate gown.
501
00:32:41,930 --> 00:32:43,316
The bride would
often have to wait
502
00:32:43,340 --> 00:32:46,466
for traveling merchants that
would sell what was needed.
503
00:32:46,490 --> 00:32:49,646
These preparations could
become a difficult and costly
504
00:32:49,670 --> 00:32:53,710
task that in the first century
could take months to complete.
505
00:32:57,680 --> 00:32:59,726
But that wasn't all.
506
00:32:59,750 --> 00:33:02,546
Even after the wedding
gown was completed,
507
00:33:02,570 --> 00:33:04,886
the bride also needed
to remain vigilant
508
00:33:04,910 --> 00:33:07,976
and pure as she
waited for her groom,
509
00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:10,040
no matter how long it took.
510
00:33:13,340 --> 00:33:18,236
The bride was to be
always ready for her groom
511
00:33:18,260 --> 00:33:21,026
to come back and take
her to that place
512
00:33:21,050 --> 00:33:22,676
that he had prepared for her.
513
00:33:22,700 --> 00:33:25,256
The bride would just
not sit and wait.
514
00:33:25,280 --> 00:33:28,250
The bride was to occupy
until her bridegroom came.
515
00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,926
And this is where things
get very interesting.
516
00:33:35,950 --> 00:33:38,386
Typically in Galilee,
around one year
517
00:33:38,410 --> 00:33:41,146
would pass while preparations
were being made for the wedding
518
00:33:41,170 --> 00:33:43,276
feast at the father's house.
519
00:33:43,300 --> 00:33:46,906
But recently uncovered evidence
has exposed new insight
520
00:33:46,930 --> 00:33:48,796
that is sending shock
waves throughout
521
00:33:48,820 --> 00:33:51,796
the theological community.
522
00:33:51,820 --> 00:33:54,766
During this entire
process to now,
523
00:33:54,790 --> 00:33:57,766
neither the groom nor
the bride actually
524
00:33:57,790 --> 00:34:01,445
knew when the day or the hour
of the wedding would take place.
525
00:34:04,340 --> 00:34:09,236
The exact minute of the
actual ceremony of the wedding
526
00:34:09,260 --> 00:34:10,300
was not known.
527
00:34:10,324 --> 00:34:13,796
Yeah, the bride just did
not know the day or the hour
528
00:34:13,820 --> 00:34:16,760
that her bridegroom was coming,
so she always had to be ready.
529
00:34:19,310 --> 00:34:23,576
In fact, no one in
the entire town knew...
530
00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:28,615
No one, that is,
except for one person.
531
00:34:28,639 --> 00:34:32,786
No one knew the day or
the hour of this wedding...
532
00:34:32,810 --> 00:34:35,635
Not the son, not anyone else...
533
00:34:35,659 --> 00:34:39,476
Only the father
of the bridegroom.
534
00:34:39,500 --> 00:34:42,925
Only the father of the groom
knew the day and the hour
535
00:34:42,949 --> 00:34:45,056
that the wedding
would take place...
536
00:34:45,080 --> 00:34:48,746
The one who read the
conditions on behalf of his son
537
00:34:48,770 --> 00:34:50,576
during the betrothal...
538
00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:55,626
The one that provided payment
to obtain a bride for his son.
539
00:34:55,650 --> 00:34:59,006
He and he alone holds
the secret to when
540
00:34:59,030 --> 00:35:02,846
the wedding will take
place, the hour that his son
541
00:35:02,870 --> 00:35:04,550
can retrieve his bride.
542
00:35:08,420 --> 00:35:10,136
All the types of
weddings in the regions,
543
00:35:10,160 --> 00:35:12,436
whether among Arabs,
Jews, or other people,
544
00:35:12,460 --> 00:35:13,736
were all predictable.
545
00:35:13,760 --> 00:35:15,836
You would take a year to
prepare for that wedding,
546
00:35:15,860 --> 00:35:17,786
but at the end of that
year, the wedding would
547
00:35:17,810 --> 00:35:20,216
take place on a designated day.
548
00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:22,976
This is what made a Galilean
wedding different than all
549
00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:24,386
the weddings in the area.
550
00:35:24,410 --> 00:35:27,306
Because the bridegroom would
finish building his room.
551
00:35:27,330 --> 00:35:28,443
He would finish with the feast.
552
00:35:28,467 --> 00:35:29,576
And then he would
go to his father
553
00:35:29,600 --> 00:35:31,746
and say, father I'm done.
554
00:35:31,770 --> 00:35:33,086
I want my bride.
555
00:35:33,110 --> 00:35:35,786
And the father would
say, I'll tell you when.
556
00:35:35,810 --> 00:35:39,296
For the Galileans, it
was a surprise wedding.
557
00:35:39,320 --> 00:35:43,106
The son would go home
to the father's house.
558
00:35:43,130 --> 00:35:44,696
And in the Middle
East they do this,
559
00:35:44,720 --> 00:35:46,586
but specifically you
see this in the Galilee
560
00:35:46,610 --> 00:35:51,176
to this day, where the
son adds onto the house.
561
00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:55,406
It's one portion built upon
another, extending the home,
562
00:35:55,430 --> 00:35:57,086
enlarging the home.
563
00:35:57,110 --> 00:36:00,266
And so the father
would have been
564
00:36:00,290 --> 00:36:03,726
the one with absolute
preview over what's going on.
565
00:36:03,750 --> 00:36:08,966
It's the father who tells the
son, that's it, you're done.
566
00:36:08,990 --> 00:36:12,956
And then the father would
give the announcement, son,
567
00:36:12,980 --> 00:36:14,156
go get your bride.
568
00:36:14,180 --> 00:36:16,616
The father would be
the one who would
569
00:36:16,640 --> 00:36:19,676
determine the day and the hour.
570
00:36:19,700 --> 00:36:22,646
And he would say to the
groom, OK, now's the time.
571
00:36:22,670 --> 00:36:24,476
The day and hour has come.
572
00:36:24,500 --> 00:36:27,746
The bridal chamber, that
place that you've prepared
573
00:36:27,770 --> 00:36:30,266
was complete, he
would say, OK, now.
574
00:36:30,290 --> 00:36:31,376
This is the day.
575
00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:32,546
This is the hour.
576
00:36:32,570 --> 00:36:33,656
Go get your bride.
577
00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:38,396
This goes back now to
several accounts in the Bible
578
00:36:38,420 --> 00:36:42,926
where Jesus tells his
disciples that no one knows
579
00:36:42,950 --> 00:36:44,876
the day or the hour
when I'm going to come.
580
00:36:44,900 --> 00:36:47,876
They wanted to know if He was
going to establish the kingdom.
581
00:36:47,900 --> 00:36:50,426
And He says, no, no, no,
you don't understand.
582
00:36:50,450 --> 00:36:54,536
No one knows when I'm going
to come back for my bride.
583
00:36:54,560 --> 00:36:57,086
The only person that could send
the bridegroom to get the bride
584
00:36:57,110 --> 00:36:58,047
was the father.
585
00:36:58,071 --> 00:37:01,586
The only person that could send
Jesus to come back to the Earth
586
00:37:01,610 --> 00:37:04,466
is his father.
587
00:37:04,490 --> 00:37:07,856
You see, during
Jesus's first coming,
588
00:37:07,880 --> 00:37:10,946
when his disciples asked when
He would return at the end
589
00:37:10,970 --> 00:37:15,626
of days, He also told them...
590
00:37:15,650 --> 00:37:20,456
But of that day and
hour no one knows,
591
00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:27,506
not even the angels in
heaven, nor the son,
592
00:37:27,530 --> 00:37:30,326
but only the father.
593
00:37:30,350 --> 00:37:35,636
Jesus himself, I
believe, demonstrated
594
00:37:35,660 --> 00:37:42,296
the genuine Galilean tradition
by saying not even the son
595
00:37:42,320 --> 00:37:44,786
knows the day and the hour.
596
00:37:44,810 --> 00:37:49,286
At the moment of his promise to
the disciples that He's coming
597
00:37:49,310 --> 00:37:55,916
to take them, at the moment
of his description of the end,
598
00:37:55,940 --> 00:38:03,940
He was telling his disciples no
one knows the day or the hour.
599
00:38:04,560 --> 00:38:08,586
But although Jesus himself says
He will not know the exact time
600
00:38:08,610 --> 00:38:11,616
of his return based on
prophesied events that would
601
00:38:11,640 --> 00:38:14,856
take place at the end
of days, the gospels
602
00:38:14,880 --> 00:38:19,416
make it clear that we could
know the approaching season
603
00:38:19,440 --> 00:38:23,916
in which the end of our
age would take place.
604
00:38:23,940 --> 00:38:26,786
The day is drawing near, so
he's got to get the feast out.
605
00:38:26,810 --> 00:38:29,526
But still, he doesn't know
the day when it's happening.
606
00:38:29,550 --> 00:38:31,456
He's got a lot of help putting
it together, because there
607
00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:34,086
could be 50 to 100 people
attending this thing,
608
00:38:34,110 --> 00:38:36,306
and he's got to feed
them not just for one day
609
00:38:36,330 --> 00:38:37,650
but for several days.
610
00:38:44,010 --> 00:38:46,236
The bridegroom is
finished with the feast.
611
00:38:46,260 --> 00:38:47,926
He's finished
putting it together.
612
00:38:47,950 --> 00:38:49,446
He's got the room
built. He calls
613
00:38:49,470 --> 00:38:51,066
upon his father
to inspect it all,
614
00:38:51,090 --> 00:38:52,476
which is more of a formality.
615
00:38:52,500 --> 00:38:55,206
And the father finally says,
yes, son, it's ready to go.
616
00:38:55,230 --> 00:38:57,936
The son says, I want my bride.
617
00:38:57,960 --> 00:39:02,686
And the father says,
I'll tell you when.
618
00:39:02,710 --> 00:39:05,576
But remember, this
is a bridegroom who's
619
00:39:05,600 --> 00:39:08,306
waiting for the moment when
his father taps him and says,
620
00:39:08,330 --> 00:39:09,297
go get her.
621
00:39:09,321 --> 00:39:11,636
He's excited, he's thrilled.
622
00:39:11,660 --> 00:39:15,026
And when Jesus is
in heaven right now,
623
00:39:15,050 --> 00:39:18,246
wow, I can't even begin to
picture what's going on,
624
00:39:18,270 --> 00:39:20,966
but he's got to be
loving his bride,
625
00:39:20,990 --> 00:39:23,876
saying I can't wait
to come back and take
626
00:39:23,900 --> 00:39:26,680
you to be with me where I am.
627
00:39:32,290 --> 00:39:35,726
And although the groom has now
completed the preparations,
628
00:39:35,750 --> 00:39:37,526
he still has to
wait for the moment
629
00:39:37,550 --> 00:39:40,360
that his father will tell
him to go get his bride.
630
00:39:43,160 --> 00:39:45,806
And during this
same time, the bride
631
00:39:45,830 --> 00:39:48,536
would also be
prepared and waiting,
632
00:39:48,560 --> 00:39:52,190
equally as eager to be united
forever with her beloved.
633
00:39:57,060 --> 00:40:00,646
But as the sun sets on
the town this evening,
634
00:40:00,670 --> 00:40:05,476
the time of waiting
is nearly finished.
635
00:40:05,500 --> 00:40:08,380
The darkness of
night approaches.
636
00:40:19,790 --> 00:40:23,726
This brings us to a topic
that's fiercely debated today.
637
00:40:23,750 --> 00:40:27,026
Since the origin of Christ's
message left with the Galileans
638
00:40:27,050 --> 00:40:30,176
has faded into history,
Jesus's statements
639
00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:34,016
regarding not knowing the
day or the hour of his return
640
00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:38,706
has sparked heated debate
and growing misconceptions.
641
00:40:38,730 --> 00:40:40,396
And the church has
suffered from this.
642
00:40:40,420 --> 00:40:42,556
And that is, there are
those who want to set dates.
643
00:40:42,580 --> 00:40:45,376
And yet the Bible teaches
both from Jesus himself
644
00:40:45,400 --> 00:40:48,856
and from the apostles that no
man knows the day or the hour.
645
00:40:48,880 --> 00:40:52,336
It is my belief that
these date setters,
646
00:40:52,360 --> 00:40:56,956
so-called, have irreversibly
damaged Bible prophecy.
647
00:40:56,980 --> 00:41:01,546
I grieve about the
obsession of when will it
648
00:41:01,570 --> 00:41:03,616
happen, as far as day and hour.
649
00:41:03,640 --> 00:41:07,616
When you start setting days
and then it doesn't happen,
650
00:41:07,640 --> 00:41:09,676
then you have
millions or hundreds
651
00:41:09,700 --> 00:41:13,066
of thousands of disappointed
people that, good chances,
652
00:41:13,090 --> 00:41:14,806
that they'll walk
away from that faith
653
00:41:14,830 --> 00:41:17,230
because it wasn't proved right.
654
00:41:20,600 --> 00:41:23,276
And the result is
that Bible prophecy
655
00:41:23,300 --> 00:41:26,816
is being systematically
erased from Christianity
656
00:41:26,840 --> 00:41:29,656
all over the world.
657
00:41:29,680 --> 00:41:30,647
I'm just so stunned.
658
00:41:30,671 --> 00:41:33,176
I never thought I would
see this in my lifetime
659
00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:35,176
that the greatest
news in the Bible
660
00:41:35,200 --> 00:41:37,846
is now marginalized,
jeopardized,
661
00:41:37,870 --> 00:41:42,286
and is simply coming under
great criticism and skepticism.
662
00:41:42,310 --> 00:41:45,766
And then you talk to a pastor,
and he'll say, you know what?
663
00:41:45,790 --> 00:41:48,316
I don't want to be
identified with the fringe.
664
00:41:48,340 --> 00:41:50,056
There is a fringe.
665
00:41:50,080 --> 00:41:53,126
We don't know the day or
the hour, and we don't.
666
00:41:53,150 --> 00:41:55,096
Nobody's got any
special insight.
667
00:41:55,120 --> 00:41:59,566
It's a secret, apparently,
only God the Father knows.
668
00:41:59,590 --> 00:42:02,956
Look, when you
live in this world
669
00:42:02,980 --> 00:42:04,936
and suddenly someone
tells you you're
670
00:42:04,960 --> 00:42:08,776
about to be taken physically
out of this world,
671
00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:12,256
then knowing the day is
like hitting the jackpot.
672
00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:18,196
However, it saddens me that
even though Jesus himself said
673
00:42:18,220 --> 00:42:19,846
no one knows the
day and the hour,
674
00:42:19,870 --> 00:42:22,516
why do we think that
we need to know?
675
00:42:22,540 --> 00:42:23,936
It sends a clear message.
676
00:42:23,960 --> 00:42:28,996
We're not supposed to
deal with the actual date.
677
00:42:29,020 --> 00:42:33,468
We're supposed to deal with
the preparation for that day.
678
00:42:36,210 --> 00:42:38,976
In addition, with
spreading misconceptions
679
00:42:39,000 --> 00:42:42,096
of biblical prophecy, more
churchgoing Christians
680
00:42:42,120 --> 00:42:44,556
with each passing
year no longer want
681
00:42:44,580 --> 00:42:48,306
to hear about these
so-called fringe topics.
682
00:42:48,330 --> 00:42:53,866
And most churches have
clearly recognized this trend.
683
00:42:53,890 --> 00:42:57,006
And if you ask a pastor,
he will tell you flat-out,
684
00:42:57,030 --> 00:42:58,476
"You know what?
685
00:42:58,500 --> 00:43:02,016
The world is coming to end is
not going to grow my church.
686
00:43:02,040 --> 00:43:05,676
The fact that even Jesus is
coming back is not going to."
687
00:43:05,700 --> 00:43:08,556
That is the number
one reason, actually.
688
00:43:08,580 --> 00:43:12,666
And it's really because
pastors are themselves ignorant
689
00:43:12,690 --> 00:43:15,036
concerning Bible prophecy.
690
00:43:15,060 --> 00:43:16,506
They're also fearful.
691
00:43:16,530 --> 00:43:20,136
They're fearful that if they
start teaching Bible prophecy...
692
00:43:20,160 --> 00:43:21,996
I mean, really, they're
teaching the Bible,
693
00:43:22,020 --> 00:43:24,306
so how can you not
teach the Bible,
694
00:43:24,330 --> 00:43:26,286
the whole counsel
of God, without also
695
00:43:26,310 --> 00:43:28,686
teaching prophecy by default?
696
00:43:28,710 --> 00:43:32,646
But they're fearful that it's
going to be too controversial.
697
00:43:32,670 --> 00:43:36,306
Christians always want to
be accepted by the world.
698
00:43:36,330 --> 00:43:39,276
They are always on
the run to adopt
699
00:43:39,300 --> 00:43:43,626
and embrace worldly views in
order for people to like them.
700
00:43:43,650 --> 00:43:45,426
You sugarcoat everything.
701
00:43:45,450 --> 00:43:49,356
You become a motivational
speaker rather than a pastor.
702
00:43:49,380 --> 00:43:51,186
Because if you come
to an unbeliever
703
00:43:51,210 --> 00:43:53,116
and you pull out
this rapture card,
704
00:43:53,140 --> 00:43:54,401
he's going to run away from you.
705
00:43:54,425 --> 00:43:55,705
He's going to
think you're crazy.
706
00:43:58,250 --> 00:44:00,876
And this growing trend
of marginalizing Bible
707
00:44:00,900 --> 00:44:04,476
prophecy is not merely
an unfounded perception.
708
00:44:04,500 --> 00:44:07,986
It's proven to be happening
and likely far worse
709
00:44:08,010 --> 00:44:10,476
than you believe.
710
00:44:10,500 --> 00:44:12,636
Let me take you to
a more qualitative
711
00:44:12,660 --> 00:44:14,376
study we did several years ago.
712
00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:19,386
We took 450 of those sermons
from different pastors,
713
00:44:19,410 --> 00:44:23,376
and just took those as a sample
and looked at those sermons.
714
00:44:23,400 --> 00:44:27,846
Only 2% of those were
preached from a passage
715
00:44:27,870 --> 00:44:32,716
of scripture that would be a
prophetic book of the Bible.
716
00:44:32,740 --> 00:44:35,806
Here's why this is a problem.
717
00:44:35,830 --> 00:44:40,096
The culmination of prophetic
events make up almost 1/3
718
00:44:40,120 --> 00:44:42,136
of the entire Bible.
719
00:44:42,160 --> 00:44:46,456
The findings that on
any given day only 2%
720
00:44:46,480 --> 00:44:49,396
of sermons contained
anything prophetic
721
00:44:49,420 --> 00:44:51,916
means that churches
are intentionally
722
00:44:51,940 --> 00:44:54,916
marginalizing the topic.
723
00:44:54,940 --> 00:44:59,476
I think that when you take 30%
of the Bible and you ignore it,
724
00:44:59,500 --> 00:45:01,546
then your understanding
of the other 70%
725
00:45:01,570 --> 00:45:02,836
is going to be flawed.
726
00:45:02,860 --> 00:45:05,776
The Bible cannot be dissected.
727
00:45:05,800 --> 00:45:08,446
You cannot just
choose what you want.
728
00:45:08,470 --> 00:45:11,626
As to why it is that
Christians today
729
00:45:11,650 --> 00:45:14,746
are dismissive of
the Lord's return,
730
00:45:14,770 --> 00:45:19,666
I would connect the dots
with Biblical illiteracy.
731
00:45:19,690 --> 00:45:21,646
And here's the thing.
732
00:45:21,670 --> 00:45:25,396
I'm sad to say that it's
the fault of the pastor
733
00:45:25,420 --> 00:45:27,076
behind the pulpit.
734
00:45:27,100 --> 00:45:30,346
Churches are going to
tell you, you know what?
735
00:45:30,370 --> 00:45:32,386
I want to live my full life.
736
00:45:32,410 --> 00:45:34,966
I want to see my
children grow up.
737
00:45:34,990 --> 00:45:36,016
I want to see my grand...
738
00:45:36,040 --> 00:45:39,226
I don't want to think about
end of the world issues.
739
00:45:39,250 --> 00:45:45,316
And I think that is what so
threw me, is that the fact that
740
00:45:45,340 --> 00:45:49,126
the King is coming, we have a
glorious home prepared for us,
741
00:45:49,150 --> 00:45:53,446
we're going to go to that place
eternally, became negative,
742
00:45:53,470 --> 00:45:56,566
became a downer.
743
00:45:56,590 --> 00:45:59,686
But the bigger problem
is that you cannot remove
744
00:45:59,710 --> 00:46:02,206
prophecy from the
Bible without also
745
00:46:02,230 --> 00:46:06,416
removing the return of Christ.
746
00:46:06,440 --> 00:46:11,296
I absolutely believe that the
rapture is a fundamental belief
747
00:46:11,320 --> 00:46:12,916
in Christianity.
748
00:46:12,940 --> 00:46:18,556
Eschatology, Bible prophecy,
is of paramount importance.
749
00:46:18,580 --> 00:46:22,526
Nearly 1/3 of the
Bible is prophecy,
750
00:46:22,550 --> 00:46:24,436
so you cannot have
the whole counsel
751
00:46:24,460 --> 00:46:28,186
of God without also having
the prophetic word of God.
752
00:46:28,210 --> 00:46:29,866
It's the gospel.
753
00:46:29,890 --> 00:46:32,806
The gospel is that Jesus came.
754
00:46:32,830 --> 00:46:37,846
He was crucified, buried,
rose again, on the third day,
755
00:46:37,870 --> 00:46:40,576
and is coming back
again one day.
756
00:46:40,600 --> 00:46:44,906
If you take the return of
Jesus Christ out of the gospel,
757
00:46:44,930 --> 00:46:46,540
you gut the gospel out.
758
00:46:50,990 --> 00:46:54,356
But even worse yet,
the unintended result
759
00:46:54,380 --> 00:46:57,656
of prophecy being systematically
removed from churches
760
00:46:57,680 --> 00:47:00,626
and educational institutes
is that the world
761
00:47:00,650 --> 00:47:05,376
is forgetting why prophecy
exists in the first place.
762
00:47:05,400 --> 00:47:12,966
It's so that God can prove
to the world that He is God.
763
00:47:12,990 --> 00:47:15,936
The point to all of this is
that if you remove prophecy
764
00:47:15,960 --> 00:47:20,456
from the Bible, you remove
the proof that the Bible
765
00:47:20,480 --> 00:47:22,100
is from a divine source.
766
00:47:25,580 --> 00:47:28,166
It would place the remaining
scriptures of the Bible
767
00:47:28,190 --> 00:47:31,496
on par with other religious
teachings in the world.
768
00:47:31,520 --> 00:47:33,536
With all things
perceived as equal,
769
00:47:33,560 --> 00:47:35,456
the Bible would
be seen as no more
770
00:47:35,480 --> 00:47:39,770
relevant or divine than any
other so-called holy book.
771
00:47:42,590 --> 00:47:45,776
This is actually why it is
that young people today want
772
00:47:45,800 --> 00:47:47,966
nothing to do with the church.
773
00:47:47,990 --> 00:47:55,376
The number one reason that
many today don't believe
774
00:47:55,400 --> 00:47:57,266
is because there's no evidence.
775
00:47:57,290 --> 00:47:58,856
You know, what's
interesting is Jesus said,
776
00:47:58,880 --> 00:48:01,276
I have told you what's going
to happen before it happens.
777
00:48:01,300 --> 00:48:06,356
So when it happens, you
will believe that I am.
778
00:48:06,380 --> 00:48:07,976
There is so much evidence.
779
00:48:08,000 --> 00:48:10,076
And the problem
is that many today
780
00:48:10,100 --> 00:48:12,596
do not believe
because they do not
781
00:48:12,620 --> 00:48:15,115
see the evidence that is there.
782
00:48:18,540 --> 00:48:21,676
And only one thing
could come from this...
783
00:48:21,700 --> 00:48:24,166
A falling away of
those that believe
784
00:48:24,190 --> 00:48:27,466
Christ will return and even
in the validity of the Bible
785
00:48:27,490 --> 00:48:29,026
itself...
786
00:48:29,050 --> 00:48:34,336
A terrifying trend
that has already begun.
787
00:48:34,360 --> 00:48:40,126
So my mother and father
immigrated to America
788
00:48:40,150 --> 00:48:42,676
from the Middle
East, and the America
789
00:48:42,700 --> 00:48:48,796
that they came to in 1963
is not the America today.
790
00:48:48,820 --> 00:48:51,856
It has changed dramatically.
791
00:48:51,880 --> 00:48:55,936
There was a day when
there was this knowledge
792
00:48:55,960 --> 00:48:59,446
of the Lord's return.
793
00:48:59,470 --> 00:49:01,906
You talk about it today,
and it almost reminds me
794
00:49:01,930 --> 00:49:04,966
of what Peter said about
how that there is coming
795
00:49:04,990 --> 00:49:09,376
a day that they will mock
and scoff any mention
796
00:49:09,400 --> 00:49:10,576
of the Lord's return.
797
00:49:10,600 --> 00:49:13,616
"Where's the promise
of his coming?
798
00:49:13,640 --> 00:49:16,546
They've been saying that for
generations and generations,
799
00:49:16,570 --> 00:49:18,436
yet he does not come."
800
00:49:18,460 --> 00:49:21,856
Well, I think that's all a
part of the end-time apostasy.
801
00:49:21,880 --> 00:49:25,126
Everything we're talking
about, it was prophesied,
802
00:49:25,150 --> 00:49:26,266
it's happening.
803
00:49:26,290 --> 00:49:29,416
I think one of the things
that plays into here
804
00:49:29,440 --> 00:49:31,276
is what the Bible
calls the great falling
805
00:49:31,300 --> 00:49:35,650
away, the great fall
from truth into apostasy.
806
00:49:38,740 --> 00:49:41,686
And this is not simply a
perceived social change
807
00:49:41,710 --> 00:49:44,656
from different generational
perspectives but one that
808
00:49:44,680 --> 00:49:46,456
is being exposed
through findings
809
00:49:46,480 --> 00:49:50,536
from various organizations,
such as LifeWay research,
810
00:49:50,560 --> 00:49:55,036
the Barna Group
and Pew Research.
811
00:49:55,060 --> 00:49:58,066
We see that only
about 15% are bought
812
00:49:58,090 --> 00:50:01,876
in to evangelical teaching
indicating that Jesus Christ is
813
00:50:01,900 --> 00:50:05,386
the only way to remove their
sin and that Jesus Christ alone
814
00:50:05,410 --> 00:50:07,463
is how somebody can
see eternal life
815
00:50:07,487 --> 00:50:08,596
and that they ought
to share that.
816
00:50:08,620 --> 00:50:09,916
More than eight
out of 10 Americans
817
00:50:09,940 --> 00:50:14,026
would have some hesitancy
or maybe completely dismiss
818
00:50:14,050 --> 00:50:16,846
the core evangelical beliefs
of putting the Bible first
819
00:50:16,870 --> 00:50:20,616
and believing in Christ alone.
820
00:50:20,640 --> 00:50:23,696
According to multiple in-depth
studies from various research
821
00:50:23,720 --> 00:50:27,266
organizations, more
than 80% of Americans
822
00:50:27,290 --> 00:50:31,466
no longer believe that the Bible
is the complete word of God...
823
00:50:31,490 --> 00:50:35,036
A trend that isn't surprising
when considering the proof
824
00:50:35,060 --> 00:50:37,196
for the validity
of the Bible itself
825
00:50:37,220 --> 00:50:40,496
is being systematically erased.
826
00:50:40,520 --> 00:50:43,316
With all religions being
viewed more with each passing
827
00:50:43,340 --> 00:50:46,436
year as being equal
and without substance,
828
00:50:46,460 --> 00:50:50,826
a global trend of
humanism is exploding.
829
00:50:50,850 --> 00:50:53,606
We're up to almost one
out of four Americans
830
00:50:53,630 --> 00:50:56,246
indicating, "I don't
really feel like I'm
831
00:50:56,270 --> 00:50:58,016
a part of any religious group."
832
00:50:58,040 --> 00:51:01,826
On that same survey, we
did ask whether people
833
00:51:01,850 --> 00:51:05,846
believe the world will
end in their lifetime.
834
00:51:05,870 --> 00:51:09,026
And less than one out of
five, 18% of Americans,
835
00:51:09,050 --> 00:51:12,842
actually believe that the world
will end within their lifetime.
836
00:51:15,000 --> 00:51:18,156
Since the return of Christ
is synonymous with the end
837
00:51:18,180 --> 00:51:20,466
of the world as we
know it, this may
838
00:51:20,490 --> 00:51:23,676
lend some associative insight
into the trends we're beginning
839
00:51:23,700 --> 00:51:26,556
to see in why most
people no longer believe
840
00:51:26,580 --> 00:51:29,316
that Jesus is going to return.
841
00:51:29,340 --> 00:51:32,496
And surprisingly, the
scriptures foretold
842
00:51:32,520 --> 00:51:34,230
this, too, was going to happen.
843
00:51:37,550 --> 00:51:40,496
I know you have a
little strength.
844
00:51:40,520 --> 00:51:44,786
This describes this
church in the last days
845
00:51:44,810 --> 00:51:48,926
prior to the return of Jesus
Christ as just hanging on.
846
00:51:48,950 --> 00:51:52,226
There are a remnant of
believers today that
847
00:51:52,250 --> 00:51:56,336
are hanging on to that hope.
848
00:51:56,360 --> 00:51:59,516
And they are few in
numbers and growing
849
00:51:59,540 --> 00:52:02,246
fewer with each passing day.
850
00:52:02,270 --> 00:52:04,056
Jesus said that
when He comes back,
851
00:52:04,080 --> 00:52:05,876
we'll even find
faith on the Earth.
852
00:52:05,900 --> 00:52:07,676
We know that in the
last days, there's
853
00:52:07,700 --> 00:52:10,436
going to be a diminishing
of people believing.
854
00:52:10,460 --> 00:52:12,476
I believe that what is
happening in America
855
00:52:12,500 --> 00:52:17,186
is that the westernized
version of, can I say,
856
00:52:17,210 --> 00:52:20,666
a man-made Christianity
is failing.
857
00:52:20,690 --> 00:52:22,016
It's failing in faith.
858
00:52:22,040 --> 00:52:24,386
It's failing in its ability
to engage the culture.
859
00:52:24,410 --> 00:52:27,276
It's failing to be ready, to
be busy about our Father's
860
00:52:27,300 --> 00:52:28,077
business.
861
00:52:28,101 --> 00:52:29,586
It's failing in evangelism.
862
00:52:29,610 --> 00:52:30,387
Why?
863
00:52:30,411 --> 00:52:31,946
There's no sense of urgency.
864
00:52:31,970 --> 00:52:33,596
And so we live in
a time when there
865
00:52:33,620 --> 00:52:35,756
are those saying that
they believe in the Bible
866
00:52:35,780 --> 00:52:36,986
and believe in Jesus.
867
00:52:37,010 --> 00:52:40,076
I have to ask the question,
what Bible are you reading,
868
00:52:40,100 --> 00:52:43,076
and which Jesus are
you talking about?
869
00:52:43,100 --> 00:52:47,136
When you're completely
detached from the word of God,
870
00:52:47,160 --> 00:52:49,746
then the rapture sounds crazy.
871
00:52:49,770 --> 00:52:51,846
Although the same people
who may reject God
872
00:52:51,870 --> 00:52:53,136
will believe in aliens.
873
00:52:53,160 --> 00:52:56,256
They will believe in
going to the psychic
874
00:52:56,280 --> 00:52:59,356
and hearing from the
dead and all of that.
875
00:52:59,380 --> 00:53:01,456
They believe in so
many weird things.
876
00:53:01,480 --> 00:53:05,656
But when you talk
about Bible stories,
877
00:53:05,680 --> 00:53:08,046
they will immediately say
these are fairy tales.
878
00:53:08,070 --> 00:53:11,056
And it's interesting,
because we found
879
00:53:11,080 --> 00:53:15,796
physical evidences to almost
every single miraculous story
880
00:53:15,820 --> 00:53:17,236
in the scriptures.
881
00:53:17,260 --> 00:53:19,426
Again, the Bible declares
that in the last days
882
00:53:19,450 --> 00:53:22,036
there's going to be those
who will say, where's
883
00:53:22,060 --> 00:53:23,946
the promise of his coming?
884
00:53:23,970 --> 00:53:26,656
Everything has been continuing
on since the beginning.
885
00:53:26,680 --> 00:53:28,956
And they mock... the Bible says
in the last days there's going
886
00:53:28,980 --> 00:53:31,426
to be mockers, and there's
going to be those that make
887
00:53:31,450 --> 00:53:33,496
light of the return of Jesus.
888
00:53:33,520 --> 00:53:35,746
Not only is it
going to get worse,
889
00:53:35,770 --> 00:53:39,290
it's going to get
exponentially worse.
890
00:53:58,680 --> 00:54:01,806
Considering these trends,
it's not surprising
891
00:54:01,830 --> 00:54:05,406
that this is precisely why
the scriptures famously warned
892
00:54:05,430 --> 00:54:08,496
that in the last days,
Jesus will return
893
00:54:08,520 --> 00:54:12,336
as a thief in the
night into a world that
894
00:54:12,360 --> 00:54:17,056
is unbelieving and unprepared.
895
00:54:17,080 --> 00:54:22,096
Jesus warned his disciples to
be ready for his second coming.
896
00:54:22,120 --> 00:54:24,346
He said He would come
like a thief in the night.
897
00:54:24,370 --> 00:54:27,296
Regarding the times and
the seasons, my brethren,
898
00:54:27,320 --> 00:54:28,846
you have no need
that I should tell
899
00:54:28,870 --> 00:54:31,096
you because you perfectly know.
900
00:54:31,120 --> 00:54:34,396
The day of the Lord indeed
will come to this world
901
00:54:34,420 --> 00:54:35,327
as a thief in the night.
902
00:54:35,351 --> 00:54:37,006
But it will not come
as a thief in the night
903
00:54:37,030 --> 00:54:40,086
to you, because if you're
ready, you're ready.
904
00:54:40,110 --> 00:54:44,146
And we can only be surprised
and we can only suffer
905
00:54:44,170 --> 00:54:45,946
from it if we're not ready.
906
00:54:45,970 --> 00:54:47,656
He's going to come as
a thief in the night
907
00:54:47,680 --> 00:54:49,656
to those who are not aware.
908
00:54:49,680 --> 00:54:52,876
He's going to come to those as a
thief in the night to those who
909
00:54:52,900 --> 00:54:55,066
have been bogged
down and weighted
910
00:54:55,090 --> 00:54:58,000
down with what Jesus said
are the cares of this life.
911
00:55:10,710 --> 00:55:12,726
Jesus returning as
a thief in the night
912
00:55:12,750 --> 00:55:17,546
to those unprepared in the last
days appear self-explanatory.
913
00:55:17,570 --> 00:55:19,736
And for years,
theologians interpreted
914
00:55:19,760 --> 00:55:23,026
the meaning at face value.
915
00:55:23,050 --> 00:55:26,266
But you see, in
ancient Galilee, we
916
00:55:26,290 --> 00:55:30,236
know that only the father of the
groom knew the day and the hour
917
00:55:30,260 --> 00:55:32,806
that the wedding
would take place.
918
00:55:32,830 --> 00:55:35,326
But what researchers
have now discovered
919
00:55:35,350 --> 00:55:41,510
is that the hour would be
in the middle of the night.
920
00:55:44,420 --> 00:55:48,596
Well, even the idiom of, "no
man knows the day or the hour,"
921
00:55:48,620 --> 00:55:52,196
the idiom of, "as a thief in
the night," they in that day
922
00:55:52,220 --> 00:55:56,456
would have absolutely understand
exactly what Jesus was saying
923
00:55:56,480 --> 00:55:58,856
when he uses those expressions.
924
00:55:58,880 --> 00:56:02,366
They knew it was literally going
to be as a thief in the night,
925
00:56:02,390 --> 00:56:04,256
and it would be in
the night, which again
926
00:56:04,280 --> 00:56:06,826
was why they had to
have oil in their lamps
927
00:56:06,850 --> 00:56:08,276
and their lamps lit...
928
00:56:08,300 --> 00:56:09,656
So that it would
not be as a thief.
929
00:56:09,680 --> 00:56:10,766
They were ready.
930
00:56:10,790 --> 00:56:12,230
They were dressed and ready.
931
00:56:16,460 --> 00:56:22,206
This was the ultimate surprise
twist on the Galilean wedding,
932
00:56:22,230 --> 00:56:24,756
and Jesus, who lived
among them for years,
933
00:56:24,780 --> 00:56:26,796
knew this all too well...
934
00:56:26,820 --> 00:56:29,676
That the groom would
come for the bride
935
00:56:29,700 --> 00:56:31,050
in the middle of the night.
936
00:56:34,790 --> 00:56:35,876
Her life was pure.
937
00:56:35,900 --> 00:56:38,426
She slept in her wedding dress.
938
00:56:38,450 --> 00:56:41,156
Her bridesmaids were dressed
in their white linen garments,
939
00:56:41,180 --> 00:56:44,396
and they were ready to help
her out should the bridegroom
940
00:56:44,420 --> 00:56:46,676
come... which he was
coming unexpectedly
941
00:56:46,700 --> 00:56:48,566
at an hour she didn't know...
942
00:56:48,590 --> 00:56:50,886
So that she could be
ready to meet him.
943
00:56:50,910 --> 00:56:54,006
They will do that in the middle
of the night for a reason.
944
00:56:54,030 --> 00:57:02,030
It's to basically declare that
it can happen when everybody
945
00:57:02,480 --> 00:57:06,446
else are not necessarily ready.
946
00:57:06,470 --> 00:57:08,216
It is deliberate.
947
00:57:08,240 --> 00:57:11,066
And that's why only
the people that
948
00:57:11,090 --> 00:57:12,686
have an active
part in the wedding
949
00:57:12,710 --> 00:57:15,026
are excited and are ready.
950
00:57:15,050 --> 00:57:18,836
But those that are not are
completely... they're asleep.
951
00:57:18,860 --> 00:57:20,966
They are literally asleep.
952
00:57:20,990 --> 00:57:22,476
Yes, exactly.
953
00:57:22,500 --> 00:57:25,856
And that's why we're told not
to fall asleep as others do.
954
00:57:25,880 --> 00:57:28,646
That's why one of
the reasons, I think,
955
00:57:28,670 --> 00:57:33,446
Christians should
always look for is, what
956
00:57:33,470 --> 00:57:36,686
are the signs that Jesus
gave to the disciples,
957
00:57:36,710 --> 00:57:37,950
and are we seeing them?
958
00:57:47,500 --> 00:57:50,176
And though Jesus returning
as a thief in the night
959
00:57:50,200 --> 00:57:52,996
was directed to the
unprepared world,
960
00:57:53,020 --> 00:57:55,366
He also gave another
warning directed more
961
00:57:55,390 --> 00:57:58,276
to those that would be
waiting for his return
962
00:57:58,300 --> 00:58:00,286
at the end of days...
963
00:58:00,310 --> 00:58:02,836
A parable that
warns how even those
964
00:58:02,860 --> 00:58:09,336
that believe they are prepared
can end up left in the dark.
965
00:58:09,360 --> 00:58:13,326
Jesus spoke about 10 bridesmaids
in the night prepared
966
00:58:13,350 --> 00:58:15,126
and with oil burning
in their lamps
967
00:58:15,150 --> 00:58:17,316
waiting for the
arrival of the groom,
968
00:58:17,340 --> 00:58:20,826
which would come at any hour.
969
00:58:20,850 --> 00:58:22,326
So you've got the
parable of those
970
00:58:22,350 --> 00:58:23,916
with the oil in the lamps.
971
00:58:23,940 --> 00:58:25,506
You've got 10 of them.
972
00:58:25,530 --> 00:58:29,976
You've got all 10 who started,
but not all 10 finished.
973
00:58:30,000 --> 00:58:31,456
You say, yeah, yeah, they did.
974
00:58:31,480 --> 00:58:32,317
No, they didn't.
975
00:58:32,341 --> 00:58:35,586
The Bible says that at the
time of the midnight cry,
976
00:58:35,610 --> 00:58:38,586
they all jumped up and
trimmed their lamps,
977
00:58:38,610 --> 00:58:42,096
but only five had enough
oil to continue on.
978
00:58:42,120 --> 00:58:43,146
And this is key.
979
00:58:43,170 --> 00:58:44,946
Symbolically in
scripture, the oil
980
00:58:44,970 --> 00:58:47,806
is a reference to the
Holy Spirit in your life.
981
00:58:47,830 --> 00:58:50,256
And so you can be a
believer... listen carefully...
982
00:58:50,280 --> 00:58:53,256
Jesus said these are they
who believe for a while.
983
00:58:53,280 --> 00:58:55,326
It doesn't mean you're
born again to believe.
984
00:58:55,350 --> 00:58:58,746
Has your belief brought
you to faith in Christ?
985
00:58:58,770 --> 00:59:01,206
So these virgins were religious.
986
00:59:01,230 --> 00:59:02,706
These virgins were ready.
987
00:59:02,730 --> 00:59:04,406
These virgins were waiting.
988
00:59:04,430 --> 00:59:05,206
They had lamps.
989
00:59:05,230 --> 00:59:06,097
They had oil.
990
00:59:06,121 --> 00:59:11,846
But only the ones that had
enough oil made it to the end.
991
00:59:11,870 --> 00:59:15,216
The application for this
today is quite clear.
992
00:59:15,240 --> 00:59:17,946
With recently exposed
social trends,
993
00:59:17,970 --> 00:59:20,676
many believe that this
prophetic warning from Jesus
994
00:59:20,700 --> 00:59:24,066
himself regarding the
church in the last days
995
00:59:24,090 --> 00:59:27,446
is already coming true.
996
00:59:27,470 --> 00:59:29,756
I think the remnant
is keeping watch.
997
00:59:29,780 --> 00:59:33,986
It's a little sliver
of Christianity,
998
00:59:34,010 --> 00:59:37,776
some estimate
between 1% and 10%.
999
00:59:37,800 --> 00:59:38,576
They're watching.
1000
00:59:38,600 --> 00:59:39,377
They're waiting.
1001
00:59:39,401 --> 00:59:40,686
They're looking at headlines.
1002
00:59:40,710 --> 00:59:42,116
They're looking
at current events.
1003
00:59:42,140 --> 00:59:44,186
But I think that's a
smaller and smaller
1004
00:59:44,210 --> 00:59:45,640
portion of the Church today.
1005
00:59:57,420 --> 01:00:00,866
As we head back to
the time of Christ,
1006
01:00:00,890 --> 01:00:02,990
the sun has now set on Cana.
1007
01:00:05,610 --> 01:00:07,586
And just as Jesus
warned the world will
1008
01:00:07,610 --> 01:00:10,586
fall asleep in the
last days, tonight
1009
01:00:10,610 --> 01:00:14,336
so have many of the Galileans.
1010
01:00:14,360 --> 01:00:17,450
But tonight, the groom's
hour has finally come.
1011
01:00:23,960 --> 01:00:26,066
The bridegroom knows
the day is coming.
1012
01:00:26,090 --> 01:00:27,836
But he sleeps with
his groomsmen...
1013
01:00:27,860 --> 01:00:30,576
They're all over the floor,
perhaps in a small room...
1014
01:00:30,600 --> 01:00:33,500
And the father makes the
decision, now is the time.
1015
01:00:37,520 --> 01:00:40,946
The father has decided that
now is the hour his son
1016
01:00:40,970 --> 01:00:42,230
will retrieve his bride.
1017
01:01:13,140 --> 01:01:19,550
He wakes him and says,
go get your bride.
1018
01:01:24,700 --> 01:01:28,906
The son leaps to his feet, and
he grabs a shofar, a ram's horn
1019
01:01:28,930 --> 01:01:32,776
trumpet, and he lets go a blast
to wake up the entire village.
1020
01:01:32,800 --> 01:01:34,226
It's a marvelous scene.
1021
01:01:34,250 --> 01:01:37,366
But it's meant to wake
up not only the village,
1022
01:01:37,390 --> 01:01:38,830
but the bride and her family.
1023
01:01:43,300 --> 01:01:47,616
It was during hours
of unexpectedness
1024
01:01:47,640 --> 01:01:49,536
that it would have been,
in the very early hours
1025
01:01:49,560 --> 01:01:53,346
of the morning, even at
midnight, where the bride
1026
01:01:53,370 --> 01:01:55,866
would be hearing that cry.
1027
01:01:55,890 --> 01:01:58,146
Behold, the bridegroom cometh.
1028
01:01:58,170 --> 01:01:59,616
And she was to rise up.
1029
01:01:59,640 --> 01:02:01,176
She was to get her lamp trimmed.
1030
01:02:01,200 --> 01:02:05,480
She was to be now
executing her preparedness.
1031
01:02:19,000 --> 01:02:21,886
The wait is over, and the
groom is finally on his way
1032
01:02:21,910 --> 01:02:25,526
to be united with his bride.
1033
01:02:25,550 --> 01:02:27,416
As they move through
the town streets,
1034
01:02:27,440 --> 01:02:30,866
trumpets blared loudly to
not only wake the bride,
1035
01:02:30,890 --> 01:02:36,006
but also the guests that were
invited to the wedding feast.
1036
01:02:36,030 --> 01:02:38,256
Only those that were
prepared could quickly
1037
01:02:38,280 --> 01:02:42,406
rise and join the concession.
1038
01:02:45,930 --> 01:02:48,436
The bridegroom and his
groomsmen now exit the house.
1039
01:02:48,460 --> 01:02:50,956
They go out of the compound,
begin to serpentine
1040
01:02:50,980 --> 01:02:52,786
through the streets
of the village,
1041
01:02:52,810 --> 01:02:57,406
until finally they come
near the bride's house.
1042
01:02:57,430 --> 01:02:59,986
And as the bride
comes into view,
1043
01:03:00,010 --> 01:03:03,040
what a shockingly
beautiful scene it must be.
1044
01:03:17,190 --> 01:03:18,366
There in the middle
of the night,
1045
01:03:18,390 --> 01:03:21,426
you have a row of women with
the bride in the middle... all
1046
01:03:21,450 --> 01:03:24,486
the bridesmaids dressed in
their white linen robes,
1047
01:03:24,510 --> 01:03:26,046
and in the center,
the bride dressed
1048
01:03:26,070 --> 01:03:27,990
in her beautiful bridal gown.
1049
01:03:33,660 --> 01:03:36,426
After a year of
preparing and waiting,
1050
01:03:36,450 --> 01:03:38,500
they are finally
together again...
1051
01:03:42,480 --> 01:03:45,365
Reunited as one forever.
1052
01:04:00,080 --> 01:04:02,306
The parade led by
the bridegroom now
1053
01:04:02,330 --> 01:04:04,496
rush up towards the
bride and her family...
1054
01:04:04,520 --> 01:04:05,996
And all the people that
are standing there,
1055
01:04:06,020 --> 01:04:07,106
the bridesmaids.
1056
01:04:07,130 --> 01:04:08,816
And the two men
with the litter set
1057
01:04:08,840 --> 01:04:11,560
the litter down on the
ground in front of the bride.
1058
01:04:14,320 --> 01:04:18,196
And she very, very modestly
steps out onto the litter,
1059
01:04:18,220 --> 01:04:22,156
and she lowers herself down.
1060
01:04:22,180 --> 01:04:24,446
The bride did not
simply follow her groom
1061
01:04:24,470 --> 01:04:30,230
back to the father's house, but
she was lifted into the air.
1062
01:04:37,840 --> 01:04:41,596
In fact, the ancient Galileans
referred to this moment
1063
01:04:41,620 --> 01:04:45,070
as "flying the bride
to the father's house."
1064
01:04:53,240 --> 01:04:56,246
She's lifted up off the ground.
1065
01:04:56,270 --> 01:05:00,536
She's escorted with him back
to that place of preparation.
1066
01:05:00,560 --> 01:05:03,416
It speaks, it shouts,
all about God's grace.
1067
01:05:03,440 --> 01:05:05,036
It's not her efforts.
1068
01:05:05,060 --> 01:05:07,596
She was just to be ready
because she loves him.
1069
01:05:07,620 --> 01:05:09,356
She's borne aloft.
1070
01:05:09,380 --> 01:05:11,216
She's taken away with him.
1071
01:05:11,240 --> 01:05:13,586
It's all about the grace of God.
1072
01:05:13,610 --> 01:05:15,686
It's about the grace of
God from the beginning
1073
01:05:15,710 --> 01:05:17,630
all the way through
to now, to the end.
1074
01:05:22,780 --> 01:05:24,766
There are multiple
chilling similarities
1075
01:05:24,790 --> 01:05:27,736
between this cultural
practice and descriptions
1076
01:05:27,760 --> 01:05:30,586
throughout the Bible
regarding what theology
1077
01:05:30,610 --> 01:05:34,026
has coined the rapture...
1078
01:05:34,050 --> 01:05:36,356
A moment that
believers are caught up
1079
01:05:36,380 --> 01:05:38,096
in the air to be
with the returning
1080
01:05:38,120 --> 01:05:40,370
messiah at the end of days.
1081
01:05:42,880 --> 01:05:45,226
This makes me think of
something... that when
1082
01:05:45,250 --> 01:05:48,226
the bride is lifted
off the ground,
1083
01:05:48,250 --> 01:05:49,846
and they carry her
off the ground,
1084
01:05:49,870 --> 01:05:52,656
as it were, flying her
to the father's house,
1085
01:05:52,680 --> 01:05:55,576
doesn't this sound
like Jesus collecting
1086
01:05:55,600 --> 01:05:58,666
his bride off the Earth
to join him in the air?
1087
01:05:58,690 --> 01:06:00,766
Absolutely, I believe that.
1088
01:06:00,790 --> 01:06:02,606
Without question.
1089
01:06:02,630 --> 01:06:03,407
Without question.
1090
01:06:03,431 --> 01:06:07,396
The clues that were
given in scripture
1091
01:06:07,420 --> 01:06:12,496
all speak with specificity to
this exactly being the rapture.
1092
01:06:12,520 --> 01:06:15,826
This is the reason why
He's coming to take us.
1093
01:06:15,850 --> 01:06:18,676
Why would a bridegroom
come and take the bride
1094
01:06:18,700 --> 01:06:21,496
unless it's to marry her?
1095
01:06:21,520 --> 01:06:24,766
From that moment on, we will
always be with the Lord,
1096
01:06:24,790 --> 01:06:27,556
just like a husband
and a wife are one.
1097
01:06:27,580 --> 01:06:29,686
They cannot be
separated anymore.
1098
01:06:29,710 --> 01:06:31,336
This is why I
believe the rapture
1099
01:06:31,360 --> 01:06:32,530
is such an amazing thing.
1100
01:06:42,730 --> 01:06:45,796
After the bride is flown
to the father's house,
1101
01:06:45,820 --> 01:06:48,020
the long-awaited
conclusion has begun...
1102
01:06:52,530 --> 01:06:55,296
The beginning of a wedding
feast joined and witnessed
1103
01:06:55,320 --> 01:06:58,836
by all of those that were
prepared and heard the call
1104
01:06:58,860 --> 01:07:00,360
during the darkness of night.
1105
01:07:07,830 --> 01:07:09,936
And Jesus made it
clear to his disciples
1106
01:07:09,960 --> 01:07:12,246
that this, too, is
a picture of what
1107
01:07:12,270 --> 01:07:14,160
will happen at the end of days.
1108
01:07:17,610 --> 01:07:21,456
Those that are caught up to
be with the returning messiah
1109
01:07:21,480 --> 01:07:24,906
will partake in what the Bible
refers to as the marriage
1110
01:07:24,930 --> 01:07:29,866
supper of the lamb, the
lamb being a clear reference
1111
01:07:29,890 --> 01:07:34,466
to Christ himself as the
sacrificial lamb crucified
1112
01:07:34,490 --> 01:07:35,490
on the cross.
1113
01:07:38,460 --> 01:07:42,096
In fact, the apostle John
references this wedding
1114
01:07:42,120 --> 01:07:46,056
feast when believers are
reunited with Christ as written
1115
01:07:46,080 --> 01:07:48,376
in the Book of Revelation.
1116
01:07:48,400 --> 01:07:52,626
To those in the final
generation, he writes...
1117
01:07:52,650 --> 01:07:58,296
Let us be glad and rejoice
and give honor to Him,
1118
01:07:58,320 --> 01:08:01,786
for the marriage of
the lamb is come,
1119
01:08:01,810 --> 01:08:04,060
and his wife has
made herself ready.
1120
01:08:06,730 --> 01:08:10,066
The father's house
in a Galilean wedding
1121
01:08:10,090 --> 01:08:12,766
is the perfect
picture of heaven.
1122
01:08:12,790 --> 01:08:16,755
Together as a married
couple, bride and bridegroom,
1123
01:08:16,779 --> 01:08:21,075
united forever, living in the
bridegroom's father's house.
1124
01:08:21,099 --> 01:08:24,406
Why is this so important,
is because this
1125
01:08:24,430 --> 01:08:29,415
is our destination,
that we are chosen
1126
01:08:29,439 --> 01:08:33,106
as the bride of Jesus
Christ and to dwell
1127
01:08:33,130 --> 01:08:35,536
with him for all eternity.
1128
01:08:35,560 --> 01:08:40,335
And everything here on earth
is a foreshadow, a picture,
1129
01:08:40,359 --> 01:08:41,776
of that which is to come.
1130
01:08:41,800 --> 01:08:44,656
You know, it's interesting,
at the Last Supper, twice
1131
01:08:44,680 --> 01:08:46,096
Jesus says this...
1132
01:08:46,120 --> 01:08:51,196
I eagerly await to partake
with you when this finds
1133
01:08:51,220 --> 01:08:53,926
its fulfillment in my kingdom.
1134
01:08:53,950 --> 01:08:56,516
Here's the question
that has to be asked...
1135
01:08:56,540 --> 01:08:58,516
Why did God make everything?
1136
01:08:58,540 --> 01:09:00,856
Why did He let the world fall?
1137
01:09:00,880 --> 01:09:03,856
Why did He send his son?
1138
01:09:03,880 --> 01:09:05,806
Why did his son have to die?
1139
01:09:05,830 --> 01:09:08,596
Why did his son have
to rise from the dead?
1140
01:09:08,620 --> 01:09:11,356
And then why did his
son descend in heaven?
1141
01:09:11,380 --> 01:09:13,335
Why is his son coming back?
1142
01:09:13,359 --> 01:09:16,426
This may be the
most important event
1143
01:09:16,450 --> 01:09:19,096
in the entire
history of eternity
1144
01:09:19,120 --> 01:09:22,780
when God brings a
bride to his son.
1145
01:09:26,819 --> 01:09:30,576
Because of this, Jesus
promised that He would return
1146
01:09:30,600 --> 01:09:34,116
for his bride to all that have
and will accept his promise
1147
01:09:34,140 --> 01:09:38,406
until the day He returns,
to not only be united with,
1148
01:09:38,430 --> 01:09:40,806
but to save his
bride from the wrath
1149
01:09:40,830 --> 01:09:43,950
that is to come upon the
world in the last days.
1150
01:09:52,689 --> 01:09:55,856
But Jesus warns that many
will not accept his offer
1151
01:09:55,880 --> 01:09:59,036
to attend his wedding
feast, that there will
1152
01:09:59,060 --> 01:10:01,046
be many that choose
to be separated
1153
01:10:01,070 --> 01:10:03,776
from him for all of eternity...
1154
01:10:03,800 --> 01:10:07,706
Those that will be left behind.
1155
01:10:07,730 --> 01:10:09,296
When they get to
the father's house,
1156
01:10:09,320 --> 01:10:12,536
everybody piles into
the compound now,
1157
01:10:12,560 --> 01:10:15,246
and the feast is
set and ready to go.
1158
01:10:15,270 --> 01:10:18,590
And the door is
shut behind them.
1159
01:10:20,960 --> 01:10:23,246
And no one leaves,
and no one comes
1160
01:10:23,270 --> 01:10:26,420
in, for seven days and nights.
1161
01:10:29,220 --> 01:10:33,216
And in ancient Galilee,
if you were locked out,
1162
01:10:33,240 --> 01:10:34,760
there was no getting in.
1163
01:10:39,340 --> 01:10:41,626
There are so many people
who know about it,
1164
01:10:41,650 --> 01:10:43,306
believer and non-believer.
1165
01:10:43,330 --> 01:10:44,686
Oh, yeah, I've heard
about the rapture.
1166
01:10:44,710 --> 01:10:46,396
Oh, yeah, Jesus is
supposed to come back.
1167
01:10:46,420 --> 01:10:47,566
I've heard about this.
1168
01:10:47,590 --> 01:10:49,216
Listen, hearing about
it's not enough.
1169
01:10:49,240 --> 01:10:52,876
In fact, we know from Galilean
experience in the first century
1170
01:10:52,900 --> 01:10:54,926
that you not only
had to be ready,
1171
01:10:54,950 --> 01:10:56,486
you had to have enough oil...
1172
01:10:56,510 --> 01:10:57,287
You had to get in.
1173
01:10:57,311 --> 01:10:59,416
You had to get
into that wedding.
1174
01:10:59,440 --> 01:11:00,436
And then the door was shut.
1175
01:11:00,460 --> 01:11:02,400
By the way, once the door
was shut, it was shut.
1176
01:11:05,890 --> 01:11:10,576
Those who were out were out.
1177
01:11:10,600 --> 01:11:16,006
And you think about the
incredible, terrifying reality
1178
01:11:16,030 --> 01:11:19,516
of knowing that Christ said He
would come back, and to then
1179
01:11:19,540 --> 01:11:21,826
be shut out, to be left out?
1180
01:11:21,850 --> 01:11:24,776
And yet Jesus was warning
us in those parables.
1181
01:11:24,800 --> 01:11:26,121
He was warning.
1182
01:11:29,540 --> 01:11:32,636
And just as with an
ancient Galilean wedding,
1183
01:11:32,660 --> 01:11:36,296
Bible prophecy warns that those
who missed the second coming
1184
01:11:36,320 --> 01:11:40,676
of the messiah are destined
to partake in the wrath of God
1185
01:11:40,700 --> 01:11:43,880
that will be poured out
upon a rejecting word.
1186
01:11:54,500 --> 01:11:56,696
And the righteous will be
removed from the Earth,
1187
01:11:56,720 --> 01:11:59,456
because the Lord there
says in Isaiah 26,
1188
01:11:59,480 --> 01:12:01,886
I will put them in
their place, I will shut
1189
01:12:01,910 --> 01:12:04,826
the doors behind them
in these inner chambers,
1190
01:12:04,850 --> 01:12:09,896
while I pour out my indignation,
wrath, upon all those
1191
01:12:09,920 --> 01:12:11,276
who dwell on the Earth.
1192
01:12:11,300 --> 01:12:16,136
The fact that the church escapes
God's wrath is so important.
1193
01:12:16,160 --> 01:12:19,126
The church does not
escape man's wrath,
1194
01:12:19,150 --> 01:12:20,816
and we see that going on...
1195
01:12:20,840 --> 01:12:25,246
Terrible persecution going on
in various parts of the world.
1196
01:12:25,270 --> 01:12:29,426
But the church,
biblically, scripturally,
1197
01:12:29,450 --> 01:12:31,586
God says that He's
going to spare
1198
01:12:31,610 --> 01:12:33,274
us from the wrath to come.
1199
01:12:42,580 --> 01:12:44,806
When you look at
the whole picture,
1200
01:12:44,830 --> 01:12:49,576
the Galileans are really
the key to understanding
1201
01:12:49,600 --> 01:12:53,206
the why and what of the
second coming of Christ.
1202
01:12:53,230 --> 01:12:58,276
Jesus used this illustration
that they knew so intimately
1203
01:12:58,300 --> 01:13:01,336
over and over and over again...
1204
01:13:01,360 --> 01:13:05,626
That you have a bride who is
loved by a bridegroom, who is
1205
01:13:05,650 --> 01:13:08,596
betrothed to this bridegroom.
1206
01:13:08,620 --> 01:13:11,596
And the bridegroom is going
to make a covenant with her,
1207
01:13:11,620 --> 01:13:13,786
and then he's going to go away.
1208
01:13:13,810 --> 01:13:16,246
And eventually, when
they don't know,
1209
01:13:16,270 --> 01:13:21,526
he's going to come back to take
her to be with him where he is.
1210
01:13:21,550 --> 01:13:24,796
This is an amazing thing,
and it all stems from what
1211
01:13:24,820 --> 01:13:26,176
the Galileans understood.
1212
01:13:26,200 --> 01:13:27,976
And Jesus talked
to the Galileans
1213
01:13:28,000 --> 01:13:31,426
like they were Galileans, so
that they would understand what
1214
01:13:31,450 --> 01:13:33,496
He meant when He said,
this is what it's
1215
01:13:33,520 --> 01:13:35,806
going to be like when I return.
1216
01:13:35,830 --> 01:13:38,036
There are many people who
profess to be Christians that
1217
01:13:38,060 --> 01:13:41,086
are really not digging
into the details of what
1218
01:13:41,110 --> 01:13:42,616
God has revealed about Himself.
1219
01:13:42,640 --> 01:13:45,996
After all, that's
what scripture is.
1220
01:13:46,020 --> 01:13:48,786
The number of those looking
to the return of Christ
1221
01:13:48,810 --> 01:13:52,116
are diminishing with
each passing year,
1222
01:13:52,140 --> 01:13:55,506
and it's never been more
important to speak up about why
1223
01:13:55,530 --> 01:13:59,016
the messiah is coming back.
1224
01:13:59,040 --> 01:14:02,116
I have not given up by any
stretch of the imagination,
1225
01:14:02,140 --> 01:14:04,656
and that's based on what I
see happening in my events.
1226
01:14:04,680 --> 01:14:06,636
The attendees are
getting younger
1227
01:14:06,660 --> 01:14:08,296
and younger and younger.
1228
01:14:08,320 --> 01:14:10,506
So I have not given up.
1229
01:14:10,530 --> 01:14:13,806
I just think they need
to identify with teachers
1230
01:14:13,830 --> 01:14:16,636
who are their generation...
And they're rare,
1231
01:14:16,660 --> 01:14:19,046
but they do exist.
1232
01:14:19,070 --> 01:14:26,296
And to the pastors, you need
to tell your congregations.
1233
01:14:26,320 --> 01:14:28,006
The influence of
pastors for those
1234
01:14:28,030 --> 01:14:32,206
who attend church on a regular
basis, it is still very strong.
1235
01:14:32,230 --> 01:14:34,816
If I as a qualitative
researcher can
1236
01:14:34,840 --> 01:14:37,876
pull from some fascinating
qualitative research
1237
01:14:37,900 --> 01:14:40,546
that we did on Bible
reading and what influenced
1238
01:14:40,570 --> 01:14:41,956
people's Bible reading...
1239
01:14:41,980 --> 01:14:44,176
When a pastor suggests
something, and not
1240
01:14:44,200 --> 01:14:48,076
just the passage the pastor
mentions in the sermon,
1241
01:14:48,100 --> 01:14:51,766
but when a pastor suggests,
go home and read this,
1242
01:14:51,790 --> 01:14:55,586
go home and look up this,
that has a big impact.
1243
01:14:55,610 --> 01:14:58,146
And I just think we
need to hang in there
1244
01:14:58,170 --> 01:15:02,456
and keep encouraging the
church and encouraging pastors.
1245
01:15:02,480 --> 01:15:05,846
They have one of the
toughest jobs on the planet.
1246
01:15:05,870 --> 01:15:11,306
And those with media
influence need to speak out.
1247
01:15:11,330 --> 01:15:13,456
Jesus died for his church.
1248
01:15:13,480 --> 01:15:14,926
He's coming back for his church.
1249
01:15:14,950 --> 01:15:17,536
He loves his church.
1250
01:15:17,560 --> 01:15:23,366
And we all need to
tell the ones we love.
1251
01:15:23,390 --> 01:15:27,356
If they choose to ignore
it, it's their fault.
1252
01:15:27,380 --> 01:15:35,380
But if you never warned
them, that's your fault.
1253
01:15:40,150 --> 01:15:43,596
We live in a nation founded
on Christian values,
1254
01:15:43,620 --> 01:15:47,230
yet followers of Christ are
choosing to remain silent.
1255
01:15:50,330 --> 01:15:55,046
We must be prepared to tell
others why Jesus is coming back
1256
01:15:55,070 --> 01:15:57,440
so they too can make a choice.
1257
01:16:00,140 --> 01:16:01,436
It is our choice.
1258
01:16:01,460 --> 01:16:04,496
Jesus is not forced on anyone.
1259
01:16:04,520 --> 01:16:08,696
It is our own free
will and our choice
1260
01:16:08,720 --> 01:16:13,736
that we choose to accept
our proposal from Jesus
1261
01:16:13,760 --> 01:16:15,356
Christ as our bridegroom.
1262
01:16:15,380 --> 01:16:17,846
See, this is why Satan...
1263
01:16:17,870 --> 01:16:20,876
Again, the why... why
Satan hates particularly
1264
01:16:20,900 --> 01:16:21,717
the Christian marriage.
1265
01:16:21,741 --> 01:16:24,596
He hates marriage because
of what it represents.
1266
01:16:24,620 --> 01:16:28,646
See, it's a microcosm of
what awaits in heaven.
1267
01:16:28,670 --> 01:16:32,126
We are the family of
God, our Heavenly Father.
1268
01:16:32,150 --> 01:16:35,306
We are brothers and sisters,
siblings, if you will,
1269
01:16:35,330 --> 01:16:36,486
in Christ.
1270
01:16:36,510 --> 01:16:40,016
It is a microcosm, a picture,
of that which has yet
1271
01:16:40,040 --> 01:16:41,870
to be fulfilled when it comes.
1272
01:16:45,430 --> 01:16:47,380
Before the day of wrath...
1273
01:16:56,650 --> 01:16:58,605
Before the feast begins...
1274
01:17:07,230 --> 01:17:15,230
Before the rapture... before
the thief comes in the night...
1275
01:17:23,820 --> 01:17:31,556
Back to when it all
began, to the moment
1276
01:17:31,580 --> 01:17:34,132
that you are offered his cup...
1277
01:17:43,110 --> 01:17:48,130
The question is,
will you accept it?
1278
01:18:00,204 --> 01:18:02,204
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