The Berean Call Podcast

<p>Welcome to The Berean Call podcast. I’m T. A. McMahon, TBC’s Executive Director. We’re currently re-airing a discussion I had with Dave Hunt in 2003 featuring his book Countdown to the Second Coming. <br><br>In this program, we will be looking specifically at the difference between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). Dave gives great attention to this subject, describing God’s specific dealings with Israel, touching upon what Scripture calls “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” an unprecedented time of tribulation for God’s chosen people.<br>We will also see God’s involvement with the church right up to the present, and consider how those plans are different for each group accordingly. God makes it clear that Israel is not the church, and the church is not Israel, although many try to gloss over that distinction today.</p>

<p>PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.<br><br>PHILIPPIANS 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful [full of care], but ye lacked opportunity.<br><br>PHILIPPIANS 4:14-18 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction [shared in my distress]. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated [shared] with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.<br><br>COLOSSIANS 1:7-8 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.<br><br>COLOSSIANS 1:23-25 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;<br><br>COLOSSIANS 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.<br><br>1 THESSALONIANS 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls [lives], because ye were dear unto us.<br><br>1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-2 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:</p>

<p>EPHESIANS 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.<br><br>EPHESIANS 4:1-2 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; <br><br>EPHESIANS 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. <br><br>EPHESIANS 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.<br><br>EPHESIANS 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; <br><br>PHILIPPIANS 1:20-24 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.<br><br>PHILIPPIANS 1:25-26 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.<br><br>PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory [selfish ambition, conceit]; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. <br><br>PHILIPPIANS 2:5-9 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:<br><br>PHILIPPIANS 2:17-18 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.<br><br>PHILIPPIANS 2:19-23 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.<br><br>PHILIPPIANS 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.</p>

<p>Welcome to The Berean Call podcast. I’m T. A. McMahon, TBC’s Executive Director. We’re currently re-airing a discussion I had with Dave Hunt in 2003 featuring his book Countdown to the Second Coming. <br>In this episode, Dave and I discuss why speculations about the Bible, prophecy, the church, and Israel can be foolish as well as perilous. <br><br>First of all, what’s the value of speculation, when God has clearly revealed what will take place in the future?<br>Inevitably, speculation leads to men imposing their own ideas and beliefs upon what God himself has spoken. In fact, an endeavor such as adding to or subtracting from God’s Word is condemned in the Scriptures themselves (Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19).<br><br>We will be discussing some of the serious consequences caused by such speculations, one being that they critically undermine biblical discernment.</p>

<p>On our website: <a href="https://www.thebereancall.org/content/get-biblical-understanding-60" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.thebereancall.org/content/get-biblical-understanding-60</a><br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 8:16-17 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for <a href="http://you.For" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">you.For</a> indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 11:8-9 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you <a href="http://service.And" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">service.And</a> when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 12:13-19For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this <a href="http://wrong.Behold" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wrong.Behold</a>, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the <a href="http://children.And" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">children.And</a> I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be <a href="http://loved.But" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">loved.But</a> be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with <a href="http://guile.Did" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">guile.Did</a> I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.<br><br>GALATIANS 1:3-5 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.<br><br>GALATIANS 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.<br><br>GALATIANS 4:11 I am afraid of [for] you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.<br><br>GALATIANS 4:13-15Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation [trial] which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.<br><br>GALATIANS 5:13-14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.<br><br>GALATIANS 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be <a href="http://tempted.Bear" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">tempted.Bear</a> ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.<br><br>GALATIANS 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.</p>

<p>1 CORINTHIANS 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity [love], it profiteth me nothing.<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 13:5 [Love] Doth not behave itself unseemly [shameful], seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 14:18-19 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 1:5-6 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. <br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound [abound] to the glory of God.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 5:13-14 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us.<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again<br><br>2 CORINTHIANS 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.</p>

<p>We often hear from people who are suffering from various ailments and they don’t understand why they are being made to endure them. I don’t know the particular reason why Jesus doesn’t heal a person who is ill and who asks Him for healing. There are many conditions of suffering that of course Jesus knows about and for which we don’t understand the reasons. None of this negates the truth, however, that He certainly loves all those who cry out to Him to be healed. Psalm 22:24 tells us, “For He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto him, He heard.”<br><br>I also know that everyone who repents—that is, turns to Jesus for salvation and thereby receives the gift of eternal life—is healed spiritually. That person is born of the Spirit and will ultimately be with Him both temporally and eternally, no matter what earthly circumstances he or she may be enduring. Physical healing from the Lord, however, is only temporal and involves outcomes that God desires to accomplish to His glory and for the benefit of the person seeking healing. One can only wonder what betterments He has in mind, but our knowledge of His perfect love and compassion encourages us to trust Him to do what’s best for us (Matthew 9:36; 14:14), or for those we uphold in prayer.</p>

<p>Welcome to The Berean Call podcast. I’m T. A. McMahon, and I am blessed to have been a good friend and co-worker of Dave Hunt for almost 40 years. For many years, we recorded a radio program, Search the Scriptures Daily, and covered a wide variety of topics addressing issues related to biblical discernment. One of the first of Dave’s books that we published was called Countdown to the Second Coming. That book led to a series of discussions on this topic, which we will continue airing today. <br><br>The way things are going in the world, many are thinking about the return of Christ and when that might be, which is a subject of critical importance today. For example, one interesting point that comes up during this discussion is, “What will be the sign of the last times?”<br><br>This series was originally broadcast in 2003, but it is relevant to the world in which we live today. Among other topics, we will be discussing the Antichrist and how the church and many Christians even now are falling further into apostasy. Because it was broadcast in 2003, some of it may seem dated; nevertheless, the biblical content of our discussion is very much as important today as it was back then. <br><br>Too often, when the fulfillment of prophecy is explained and an attempt is made to fit it into contemporary times, it doesn’t work. Later events of history, such as advances in technology, political and social conditions, religious beliefs, and so forth, can render the explanations not viable. Although the discussions in this program took place 17 years ago, I believe we have avoided that problem. We hope you are edified by our discussion of the End Times. Let us know what you think.</p>

<p>ROMANS 15:5-7 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.<br><br>ROMANS 16:3-4 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-8 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 8:9-13 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 10:24: Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth [well-being].<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. <br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 10:32-33 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.<br><br>1 CORINTHIANS 12:25-26 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.</p>

<p>ROMANS 9:1-3 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:<br><br>ROMANS 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. <br><br>ROMANS 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;<br><br>ROMANS 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.<br><br>ROMANS 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.<br><br>ROMANS 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.<br><br>ROMANS 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.<br><br>ROMANS 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.<br><br>ROMANS 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. <br><br>ROMANS 14:15-17 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. <br><br>ROMANS 14:18-19 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. <br><br>ROMANS 15:1-3 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.</p>

<p>Welcome to The Berean Call podcast. I’m T. A. McMahon, and I am blessed to have been a good friend and co-worker of Dave Hunt for almost 40 years. For many years, we recorded a radio program, Search the Scriptures Daily, and covered a wide variety of topics addressing issues related to biblical discernment. One of the first of Dave’s books that we published was called Countdown to the Second Coming. That book led to a series of discussions on this topic, which we will begin airing today. <br><br>The way things are going in the world, many are thinking about the return of Christ and when that might be, which is a subject of critical importance today. For example, one interesting point that comes up during this discussion is, “Can we actually set a date for when the Antichrist will appear?”<br><br>This series was originally broadcast in 2003, but it is relevant to the world in which we live today. Among other topics, we will be discussing the Antichrist and how the church and many Christians even now are falling further into apostasy. Because it was broadcast in 2003, some of it may seem dated; nevertheless, the biblical content of our discussion is very much as important today as it was back then. <br><br>Too often, when the fulfillment of prophecy is explained and an attempt is made to fit it into contemporary times, it doesn’t work. Later events of history, such as advances in technology, political and social conditions, religious beliefs, and so forth, can render the explanations not viable. Although the discussions in this program took place 17 years ago, I believe we have avoided that problem. We hope you are edified by our discussion of the End Times. Let us know what you think.</p>

<p>LUKE 12:20-21 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.<br><br>LUKE 14:12-14 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: [who cannot repay] And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.<br><br>JOHN 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. <br><br>JOHN 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.<br><br>JOHN 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.<br><br>JOHN 13:4-17 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.<br>ACTS 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations [trials], which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:<br><br>ACTS 20:22-24 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.<br><br>ACTS 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.</p>

<p>MATTHEW 5:41-42 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.<br><br>MATTHEW 10:38-39 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.<br><br>MATTHEW 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. <br><br>MATTHEW 20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.<br><br>MATTHEW 23:11-12 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.<br><br>MARK 8:34-37 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?<br><br>MARK 9:33-35 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.<br><br>LUKE 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.<br><br>LUKE 8:2-3 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance.<br><br>LUKE 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.<br><br>LUKE 10:30-37 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.</p>

<p>Tom: Welcome to Apostasy Update. I’m T. A. McMahon, and in this program we are following up with our addressing two separate prayer gatherings in Washington, DC. They took place the last weekend of September, and their professed goal was to pray for the United States. Both were led by individuals who claim that their efforts involved praying for America, that America would repent and turn back to God, and that He would bring about revival. Franklin Graham was the main figure in one group. He’s the son of Billy Graham and heads up the Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Leading the other program was Jonathan Cahn, bestselling author and pastor of Beth Israel Worship Center. <br> <br>My guest to discuss what took place at the Washington gatherings is Dave James. He’s an author and Bible teacher as well as a longtime contributor to The Berean Call.</p>

<p>Welcome to Apostasy Update. I’m T. A. McMahon, and in this program, we are addressing two separate gatherings in Washington, DC. They took place last weekend of September, and their professed goal was to pray for the United States. Both were led by individuals who claim that their efforts involved praying for America, that America would repent and turn back to God, and that He would bring about revival. Franklin Graham was the main figure in one group. He’s the son of Billy Graham, and he heads up Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Leading the other program was Jonathan Cahn, best-selling author and pastor of Beth Israel Worship Center. My guest, as we discuss what took place at the Washington gatherings, is Dave James. He’s an author and Bible teacher as well as a long-time contributor to The Berean Call.</p>

<p>In this segment, Understanding the Scriptures, we continue our exploration of the doctrine of salvation, with the focus on the Old Testament Book of Isaiah. Again, along with Dave Hunt, here’s T.A. McMahon.<br><br>Tom: If you’re a new listener to the program, in this segment we’ve been…well, it really has to do with doctrine. We want to look at doctrine and understand biblical doctrine as best we can. And we’re looking at the scriptures. We’ve been studying, discussing, wrestling through the Doctrine of Salvation, and, Dave, for the last couple of weeks we’ve addressed Isaiah 53, and we see what God has done for us—His incredible love, and the sacrifice that He made for His glory, but because He loves us.</p>

<p>Continuing in this section, Understanding the Scriptures, the topic is the gospel of salvation. We’re really trying to, I mean we are taking awhile, but we’re really trying to zero in on exactly what the gospel is. Dave last week we talked about sin. We went back to the Garden of Eden and we recounted how sin entered in and our Lord said the day you eat of it you shall surely die. That’s what I want to talk about this week.<br><br>What does the death penalty mean? It is a process of a physical death; we mentioned that. But it also involves the wrath and punishment of God doesn’t it? And [it also means] separation from God forever.</p>

<p>As we mentioned last week, Isaiah 53 is an astounding picture of the cross, an incredibly clear presentation of what Jesus did for us, isn’t it? Well, let’s continue with verse 5: “But he was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” Dave, this is the Lord of the Universe here.</p>

<p>The topic that we've been looking at for a number of weeks, and that we'll continue to look at because it's so foundational to the faith; and that's the doctrine of Salvation. Last week we started to look at the book of Isaiah, particularly chapter 53 which is just an awesome passage, not that you could pick and choose and say one verse is better than another, these are all inspired by God. But this is particularly awesome to me because it really deals with the God of the universe becoming a man and dying for our sins. Last week I quoted from Charles Westley, "Amazing love how could it be, that thou my God wouldst die for me." That's just tremendous. And this, these passages in Isaiah 53 spell it out in a way that it's overwhelming. Again we're talking about God here. Now Dave, we left off with verse 3, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him: he was despised, and we esteemed him not." Now last week we talked about that there was no beauty in him we went to the previous verse but....</p>

<p>Tom: Welcome to Apostasy Update. I’m T. A. McMahon, and in this program, we’re addressing biblical eschatology—what the Bible has to say prophetically about the last days prior to the return of Jesus Christ. My partner in this discussion is Carl Teichrib. He’s the author of Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-enchantment. <br><br>Carl, welcome back, and thanks for joining me in our ongoing discussions on where the world and Christendom are headed according to the Scriptures as history draws to a close. <br><br>Carl: Good to be back, Tom. This is going to be another interesting conversation.<br><br>Tom: Much of the information that we’ve been presenting for those of you who have been following our programs, you know that we’ve looked to a number of books: first of all, Carl’s book, Game of Gods; America, the Sorcerer’s New Apprentice; Christianity and Anti-Christianity in Their Final Conflict; and most importantly, the Bible, which is God’s direct communication to mankind. <br><br>And, Carl, well, I want to focus again, as we have been for the last couple of weeks, on your book Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-enchantment. And what I’d like to do in this program is revisit, really revisit, a subject that we discussed not too long ago, and that is sorcery: sorcery, which the Bible declares will be a conspicuous characteristic of society and a popular pursuit in the last days just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. <br><br>The term used in the New Testament in Greek is pharmakeia, which has to do with the administering of drugs, and from which we get our English word pharmacy. And one of the reasons I want to revisit sorcery and the Bible’s claim that the use of drugs will be common place in the end times has to do with the recent US election. Bills were passed in a number of states legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes and for recreation.</p>

<p>And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.<br>—Acts 17:10-11 <br><br>Luke documents for us that the Apostle Paul, having left Thessalonica and recently arrived in the city of Berea, preached in the synagogue of the Berean Jews. Paul’s encouraging experience with the Bereans caused Luke to commend them. He wrote that they were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica because they received the Word of God from Paul “with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” to know whether or not what Paul had to say was true.</p>

<p>In this segment called “Understanding the Scriptures” we’ve been looking at the doctrine of salvation, a foundational doctrine to what we’re all about as Christians. And I think it’s been really informative—I’m—just listening to you Dave, about some of these things is just really blessed me and I hope our listeners are blessed as well.<br><br>What I’d like to talk about today really has to do with the death of Christ, what that means. And maybe for this program and the next program, I’d like to go over Isaiah 53, I mean the entire chapter. The passage here just underscores what Christ did. I mean we are talking about the Son of God here.</p>

<p>In our ongoing discussion in this segment called Understanding the Scriptures, we’ve been looking at the doctrine of salvation. One of the things I want to talk about today, or that we might discuss is the plan of salvation. Some people say, well you know you just have to give your heart to Jesus. You just have to turn your life over to him. You have to seek him. And certainly there’s some truth to that. But it’s not exactly what we’re to do, is it? Isn’t it God’s plan of salvation? Doesn’t it have content? Isn’t there a point where we in fact are saved?</p>

<p>Dave in our segment of Understanding the Scriptures, trying to help our listeners as well as ourselves—I mean we learn from this as well, but trying to understand the scriptures better, the topic has been the gospel of salvation which is central to our whole lives as Christians. But according to the scriptures, man is under condemnation for sin. I want to go over some verses here: Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:…” Now Romans 8:1 tells us that there is “therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” John 3:18 says, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”</p>

<p>Continuing in this section, Understanding the Scriptures, the topic is the gospel of salvation. We’re really trying to, I mean we are taking awhile, but we’re really trying to zero in on exactly what the gospel is. Dave last week we talked about sin. We went back to the Garden of Eden and we recounted how sin entered in and our Lord said the day you eat of it you shall surely die. That’s what I want to talk about this week.<br><br>What does the death penalty mean? It is a process of a physical death; we mentioned that. But it also involves the wrath and punishment of God doesn’t it? And [it also means] separation from God forever.</p>

<p>In this segment of our program, Understanding the Scriptures, we’re going over the gospel, the gospel of salvation. Last week we were dealing with the origins of sin. We were back in Genesis and I just want to go over some scriptures for us Dave.<br><br>Genesis 1:31, “Then God saw everything that he had made and indeed it was very good.” So the environment as we mentioned before—what God had prepared for Adam and Eve was perfect in every way. And then he had a condition for Adam and Eve, Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat. For in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.”</p>