Pastor Jim & Lori Bakker along with the Students of Master’s Media as they discuss The Signs of Jesus’ Return.
Songs
I’ll Fly Away
Quotes
“We’re in the season of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” -Pastor Jim Bakker
“False doctrine comes from taking scripture out of context.” – Pastor Jim Bakker
“No one person is going to know it all. No one person is going to have full disclosure of the book of Revelation. It’s not given to private interpretation.” – Pastor Jim Bakker
Narrative
Pastor Jim Bakker’s teaching centered around the subject of the Second Coming of Jesus and how the Bible says those who pay attention to the signs of the times can know in what season Christ will return. Historically, he explained, the church has taught that no one can know the day or the hour of this event. That belief is based on one Bible verse taken out of context. Pastor Jim then referenced 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, verses that outline how Christians should remain watchful and that they are expected to remain aware of the times, unlike those in the world who are said to be “asleep.”
Pastor Jim said he will not argue with anyone over their beliefs, but disagrees with the doctrine of a pre-tribulation rapture because it does not line up with what the Bible plainly says. Many, he noted, believe that they will be taken out of the world before the tribulation and, therefore, see no reason to take preparatory survival actions like storing food and water, or having an emergency plan. He pointed out that Matthew 24:29-30 states that the return of Christ takes place after the tribulation, and if the rapture takes place at the return of Christ, that means the gathering of the elect occurs after the great time of trouble. He also said that Revelation 7:14 indicates a great multitude survives and comes out of a terrible period of tribulation. He went on to say that the matter is simple to understand if one only takes the Bible at its own word.
Lori asked her husband how he had accepted and taught a different doctrine for so many years as a preacher. He answered that he let others tell him what the Bible said and engaged in proof-texting, instead of reading, studying and following the Word for himself. Once he started digging into the scriptures, he discovered the things others taught him were not found in the Book. It’s all clear, he said, if you don’t muddy things up.
Focusing on the signs of the current times, he said a big earthquake is right around the corner and the time is approaching when food will be more valuable than gold. The ministry continues offering food buckets to supporters who make donations and Pastor Jim and the panel were very excited to announce a new product called the Old Mill Inn Freeze Dried Ice Cream Bucket. They all sampled various items, as did the studio audience, and everyone raved about how delicious the snacks were. The Pastor quoted an expert who encouraged people to include comfort foods in their survival planning to add some sense of encouragement and relief when going through a troublesome time.
Scriptures
Matthew 24:36 KJV But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
I Thessalonians 5:1-4 KJV But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
I Thessalonians 5:5 KJV Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
I Thessalonians 5:4 NCV But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
I Thessalonians 5:5-6 NCV You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
Matthew 24:32-34 NIV “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Matthew 24:3 KJV And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24:21 KJV For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Revelation 4:1 KJV After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Luke 21:34 KJV And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Revelation 16:14 KJV For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Revelation 19:20 KJV And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 13:14 KJV And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Revelation 13:3 KJV And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
II Thessalonians 2:3 KJV Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Matthew 7:21-23 Some will not enter the kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 7:21 NIV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:23 KJV And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:22 KJV Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Luke 10:20 KJV Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Revelation 1:3 KJV Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
I John 2:15 KJV Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Revelation 1:1 KJV The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Matthew 24:29-31 KJV Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
I Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Matthew 24:6-8 KJV And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:14-15 KJV And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand)
Matthew 24:21 KJV For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:24 KJV For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:29-30 KJV Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Luke 21:34 KJV And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
John 15:15 KJV Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Revelation 7:9 KJV After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
II Corinthians 5:8 KJV We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Revelation 7:14 NCV I answered, “You know, sir.” And the elder said to me, “These are the people who have come out of the great distress. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 6:8 KJV And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Proverbs 16:18 KJV Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
II Timothy 2:15 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Matthew 24:31-32 KJV And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Matthew 24:34 KJV Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
