Episode 22
Message 6 - The End Times
Message 6 - The End Times
In this episode of the Red-Letter Crusade, Pastor Robert Thibodeau explores what it means to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus reminds us it’s not just about church attendance—it’s about choosing the narrow path and letting His words transform our hearts.
Pastor Bob challenges us to examine our lives, discover our true purpose, and live with eternity in mind. This message will inspire you to walk closer with Christ and reflect His love in everyday life.
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Transcript
Welcome to Freedom through Faith.
Speaker A:Prepare to be blessed.
Speaker A:As pastor and teacher, Robert Thibodeau leads us into the anointed study of the word of God, teaching and empowering you how to impact your world with the gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching you how to receive the blessing of blessings and provisions of God and how to walk through this life with freedom through faith.
Speaker A:And now, here's Pastor Robert Thibodeau.
Speaker B:Hello everyone everywhere.
Speaker B:Pastor Bob Thibodeau here.
Speaker B:Welcome Freedom through Faith.
Speaker B:Glory to God.
Speaker B:We have a message and a half for you today.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:Ah, there's a lot going on and we got a lot to talk about, so let's just jump right into it.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Let's go to Lord with a word of prayer.
Speaker B:Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before your throne this day praising you for all the things we see, all the things you show us through your word.
Speaker B:And Lord, we see the promise coming.
Speaker B:We praise you for your word, for it is true.
Speaker B:And Father, we pray that you have your way with this broadcast lead guide direct this conversation by your holy spirit as we lift up you and the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Speaker B:Lord Jesus, we thank you for the opportunity to share your word through the power of the Internet so it may go around the world at lightning speed just like your word says.
Speaker B:And Father, we give you honor, glory and praise for all that you accomplish in Jesus name.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:If there's ever a time we need to pray, it is right now.
Speaker B:So join me as we what I now call our laying the solid foundation of faith.
Speaker B:It's the Lord's Prayer.
Speaker B:It is so important that you say these words out loud because faith comes how?
Speaker B:By hearing and hearing what the word of God.
Speaker B:And I want you to pray this out loud and just contemplate the words you're saying.
Speaker B:Let it go through your ears, down into your heart, come back up out of your mouth.
Speaker B:For faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God.
Speaker B:And this is the prayer Jesus said we need to pray.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Just, just say this out loud.
Speaker B:Our Father who art in heaven, Holy be thy name.
Speaker B:Thy kingdom come, thine will be done in this earth as it is in heaven.
Speaker B:Lord, give us today our daily bread.
Speaker B:Forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Speaker B:And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil.
Speaker B:For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever in Jesus name.
Speaker B:Amen and amen.
Speaker B:Praise the Lord.
Speaker B:Have your Bibles open them to Matthew, chapter 24 now.
Speaker B:Let me just Start off here, folks.
Speaker B:I didn't plan for this message today to be delivered really on schedule and right now, in the middle of an escalating world conflict.
Speaker B:But God did.
Speaker B:And that's why today's lesson is so important and so in tune for such a time as this.
Speaker B:I mean, when I.
Speaker B:When I first read this book, what did Jesus say?
Speaker B:Seven Messages from the Master by Reverend Terry, a Christian, it didn't just bless me.
Speaker B:To be honest, it broke me.
Speaker B:It broke me wide open.
Speaker B:I mean, it stripped away the noise, the layers, the theological clutter that picked up over decades of ministry and brought me face to face with the actual words of Jesus, the red letter of truth, uninterrupted by commentary or interpretation.
Speaker B:This book, folks, redefined my mission.
Speaker B:I mean, it shifted my entire ministry focus.
Speaker B:I laid down years of preaching and teaching and podcasting just to say yes to this new assignment.
Speaker B:To get the word out.
Speaker B:Not just any word, his words.
Speaker B:The red letters.
Speaker B:The words Jesus said.
Speaker B:The ones that will judge every single person, whoever walked this earth at any time.
Speaker B:I mean, back then, back a year or so ago, I had no idea this was coming.
Speaker B:No idea what kind of shaking would begin to take place, no idea how prophetic and timely this message we're doing right now, this series would become.
Speaker B:But here we are, right in the middle of what feels like birth pains, the very ones Jesus described.
Speaker B:And this message that we're doing today has never been more important than it is right now.
Speaker B:As I stand here today preparing to deliver you message six from this book, the end times.
Speaker B:The world right now is holding its breath.
Speaker B:I couldn't have planned this to be more timely of a message, but God knew it.
Speaker B:And here we are today.
Speaker B:I mean, for months, Iran has refused to sit down and negotiate a deal to limit its nuclear activities.
Speaker B:Despite repeated warnings from global leaders.
Speaker B:Despite several opportunities to de escalate everything, despite appeals for a peaceful, mutually beneficial resolution, Iran decided they're pushing forward.
Speaker B:And they crossed line after line after line that had been drawn in the sand.
Speaker B:And then Israel intelligence confirmed Iran was just weeks away from being able to assemble an active nuclear weapon.
Speaker B:Well, Israel reacted preemptively, decisively.
Speaker B:And now the fuse has been lit.
Speaker B:Iran retaliated, missiles are launched, tensions exploded, allies are choosing sides.
Speaker B:The Middle east, already unstable, now looks like a match that's been tossed into a gasoline soaked field.
Speaker B:And this isn't just about Israel anymore.
Speaker B:Intelligence officials right here in the United States are now issuing warnings that Iranian backed sleeper cells, terrorist operatives already positioned in our cities, may now be activated.
Speaker B:Public spaces are being watched, authorities are on edge, and we're hearing words that we haven't heard in decades.
Speaker B:War footing in the natural.
Speaker B:People are afraid, okay?
Speaker B:And in the spirit, people are beginning to wake up to this.
Speaker B:I mean, the body of Christ can no longer afford to play church.
Speaker B:We can't afford to waste time debating theology or chasing emotional highs because Jesus is coming and he told us what to look for.
Speaker B:He gave us the signs, he gave us the parables.
Speaker B:He gave us the truth.
Speaker B:And all of it is recorded in red.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:And it's all condensed for you right here in this book.
Speaker B:So today we're not turning to the news for answers, we're turning to Jesus own words for answers.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:And that's what this message is about today.
Speaker B:Not what I say, not what some theologian speculates, but what did Jesus say?
Speaker B:Because this is not fear mongering, okay?
Speaker B:This is the Holy Spirit ringing the alarm bell.
Speaker B:The Master is speaking.
Speaker B:And what you do next might echo through eternity for yourself, for your loved ones, for those that you care about.
Speaker B:With that in mind, let's step now into message number six.
Speaker B:The end times, the signs of the times.
Speaker B:I mean, Jesus didn't leave us guessing here.
Speaker B:He did not hide the truth and mystery.
Speaker B:He spoke clearly, warning us, preparing us and equipping us for this day and time.
Speaker B:Right now, In Matthew, chapter 24, Luke 21, Mark 13, we find him laying out the signs like a military commander would on a field map.
Speaker B:Precise, strategic, unmistakably clear.
Speaker B:And when the disciples asked, lord, what will be the signs of your coming and what will be the signs of the end of the age, Jesus didn't sidestep the issue.
Speaker B:He didn't defer.
Speaker B:No, he answered with power and authority.
Speaker B:He.
Speaker B:He said, watch out that nobody deceives you.
Speaker B:That's where he starts.
Speaker B:Not with wars, not with earthquakes, not with famines.
Speaker B:Deception.
Speaker B:Why?
Speaker B:Because deception is the enemy's greatest weapon, Especially in the last days.
Speaker B:It's not going to be nuclear missiles.
Speaker B:It'll be a lie.
Speaker B:Jesus said, many will come in my name.
Speaker B:Not just cult leaders or false prophets, even well meaning pastors and teachers preaching a half truth, a watered down gospel, a message designed to give comfort to the crowd instead of confronting the sin in the crowd.
Speaker B:And it's rampant today in churches, folks nationwide.
Speaker B:Yeah, I said it.
Speaker B:The unspeakable thing you're not supposed to say the lie that the devil's trying to pass off as church today.
Speaker B:But we need to stop Listening to the lies that the devil's trying to get pastors and church leaders to accept.
Speaker B:We need to focus on what did Jesus say?
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Don't turn me off now.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:I'm.
Speaker B:I'm just starting to get on a roll today.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:This message, out of all of them that we've gone over, could be the one message that can change eternity for you and those you care about.
Speaker B:Glory to God.
Speaker B:So let's go back to Jesus teaching now.
Speaker B:All right?
Speaker B:Jesus said people would claim to be the Christ.
Speaker B:Now, what does that mean?
Speaker B:They weren't claiming to be the Messiah.
Speaker B:They're saying they're anointed.
Speaker B:Or at least speak as if they're authorized to represent him.
Speaker B:But their message will be far from the red letter words, my friend.
Speaker B:We are living in that day.
Speaker B:Right now, people are twisting scriptures, rebranding, truth, editing Jesus.
Speaker B:But let remind you now, Jesus doesn't need a PR agent.
Speaker B:He needs bold voices willing to repeat what he said without any apology.
Speaker B:That's what we're doing right now in this study.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:He went on to say, you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you're not alarmed by it, for such things must need to happen, but the end is still to come.
Speaker B:Sound familiar?
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:We are heading, or I mean, so we.
Speaker B:We are hearing of wars right now.
Speaker B:We're watching rumors become reality right now.
Speaker B:The warnings are no longer being whispered.
Speaker B:They're being broadcast across every news channel in real time right now.
Speaker B:Jesus said this was what was going to happen.
Speaker B:And his words are coming to pass right now.
Speaker B:He described nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, famines, earthquakes, pestilence, lawlessness, increasing love, growing cold.
Speaker B:He said all of this would happen like birth pains.
Speaker B:Now, I've never given birth, praise God, but I've walked almost 48 years besides someone who has.
Speaker B:And my daughter has given birth to grandbabies as well.
Speaker B:Let me tell you something about contractions.
Speaker B:Once they start, you don't ignore them because they don't get any easier.
Speaker B:All the women out there just said, yes, Amen.
Speaker B:Preach it, Brother Bob.
Speaker B:Glory to God.
Speaker B:They don't get easier.
Speaker B:They get harder.
Speaker B:They come closer together.
Speaker B:They become more intense with more urgent.
Speaker B:Jesus said, when these signs begin to appear, don't ignore them.
Speaker B:Pay attention, because the delivery is near.
Speaker B:In the natural, when a baby is born into the world, the entire family is never going to go back to the way it was ever again.
Speaker B:That's what the birth pains represent.
Speaker B:Everything is about to Change forever.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Don't shut me down.
Speaker B:I'm preaching.
Speaker B:Good.
Speaker B:So many believers are looking at the world like it's falling apart.
Speaker B:It's not falling apart.
Speaker B:I believe it's Jesus showing that things are actually.
Speaker B:Hear me now, they're actually falling into place.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Prophecy is aligning.
Speaker B:Nations are shaking, hearts are trembling.
Speaker B:And through it all, heaven is speaking.
Speaker B:Angels are rejoicing.
Speaker B:The things they've waited to see are now happening.
Speaker B:Your loved ones in heaven are singing hallelujah because they know what's about to happen.
Speaker B:Glory to God and man.
Speaker B:I want to run around this room like 37 times shouting Hallelujah myself right now.
Speaker B:The point is, I'm trying to make make this clear.
Speaker B:Now is not the time to be asleep.
Speaker B:It's not the time to be distracted.
Speaker B:This isn't about fear mongering.
Speaker B:This is about readiness.
Speaker B:In revelation, Jesus tells the church, wake up.
Speaker B:Strengthen what remains.
Speaker B:Return to your first love.
Speaker B:Hold fast to what you receive and overcome.
Speaker B:That's not just advice.
Speaker B:That's a command.
Speaker B:Because judgment is coming.
Speaker B:And Jesus, the one with.
Speaker B:With eyes like fire and a voice like rushing waters, is not returning as a baby in a manger.
Speaker B:He's not returning in the gentleness of a lamb.
Speaker B:No, he's coming back as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Commander of Heaven's armies.
Speaker B:He's coming back as the lion of Judah.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:Now, let me be clear here.
Speaker B:Everyone, yes, everyone, will appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
Speaker B:We covered that before.
Speaker B:That's not symbolic.
Speaker B:That's scripture.
Speaker B:That's revelation.
Speaker B:And on that day, there will be a sorting that takes place.
Speaker B:Those who have not been well, I should say those who have been born again, who have served the king, who have answered the call to live for him, they will enter into eternal glory.
Speaker B:Those who refused, those who wanted to delay that decision, those who wanted to play church or mock the truth, they're gonna face eternal separation.
Speaker B:Not because God rejected them, but because they rejected God.
Speaker B:It's as simple as that.
Speaker B:It's so simple, people can't accept it as being the truth.
Speaker B:This is why the red letter words of Jesus matter so much.
Speaker B:This is why we're going deep on this.
Speaker B:This is why I laid out everything to focus on this one thing.
Speaker B:Getting his words into the hands and the hearts and the homes of as many people as possible before that trumpet sounds.
Speaker B:We are living right now in prophetic days.
Speaker B:And Jesus told us one thing.
Speaker B:One thing.
Speaker B:What was that one thing?
Speaker B:He told us to watch.
Speaker B:Are you Watching, that's the question.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Because deception and delusion and division, that's the devil's end time playbook, folks.
Speaker B:Jesus didn't just warn about the obvious signs like earthquakes and wars.
Speaker B:He went straight, straight for the spiritual assault that would define the last days deception.
Speaker B:And if you don't have your spiritual eyes open, you won't even see it coming.
Speaker B:And that's what makes it so dangerous.
Speaker B:Matthew, chapter 24, verses 11 and 12.
Speaker B:Jesus said, Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
Speaker B:And because of lawlessness, that's gonna abound.
Speaker B:The love of many will what?
Speaker B:Grow cold?
Speaker B:That's not a casual statement.
Speaker B:That is a.
Speaker B:You call it a heavenly intelligence briefing.
Speaker B:That's the Messiah, the commander in chief of the kingdom, laying out the devil's war strategy for everyone to see.
Speaker B:Laying it out in plain sight so it's not going to be a surprise.
Speaker B:And the truth is, it is working.
Speaker B:We are watching lawlessness explode on TV in real time.
Speaker B:Cities burning right here in America right now.
Speaker B:Lawlessness running rampant.
Speaker B:Any attempt to enforce the laws of society are being met with violence, authority, legal authority, spiritual authority are being rejected.
Speaker B:Gender confusion, I'll just call it that.
Speaker B:Is running rampant right now.
Speaker B:Good is being called evil.
Speaker B:Evil is being called good.
Speaker B:And in the midst of it all, even the church is beginning to fracture.
Speaker B:Denominations continue to split, pastors are falling by the wayside.
Speaker B:Entire churches are preaching messages that strive to try and make people feel good, but while keeping them spiritually asleep.
Speaker B:And Jesus said, because of all of this, the love of many will just grow cold.
Speaker B:And that's what's happening right now, folks.
Speaker B:People aren't just sinning anymore.
Speaker B:They could care less.
Speaker B:They sin and they don't care who knows about it.
Speaker B:Numbness is spreading like a disease.
Speaker B:And it's not because they were never on fire.
Speaker B:It's because they've been seduced into a type of apathy.
Speaker B:Jesus gave the church a warning in the book of Revelation, I have this against you.
Speaker B:You've left your first love.
Speaker B:You were once passionate.
Speaker B:You once burned with purpose.
Speaker B:You once could not wait to go to worship or pray or study his word.
Speaker B:But now it's become a routine, mechanical, and may I say some people may even consider church attendance, I'll just say, a burden.
Speaker B:Now that's you.
Speaker B:This isn't a condemnation.
Speaker B:It's supposed to be a wake up call.
Speaker B:Jesus isn't mad.
Speaker B:He's merciful.
Speaker B:He's standing at the door, knocking not with a hammer, but with nail scarred hands.
Speaker B:And he's saying, come back to me.
Speaker B:Come close to me.
Speaker B:Come clean with me.
Speaker B:Let me reignite in you what the world has tried to smother out.
Speaker B:Now, let's talk about the enemy's second strategy for a minute.
Speaker B:Delusion.
Speaker B:In Second Thessalonians, Chapter 2, Paul writes that God will allow a strong delusion to come upon the world.
Speaker B:Not because God wants people to be lost, but because they refuse to love the truth and be saved.
Speaker B:They didn't just miss the truth, they rejected the truth.
Speaker B:And when you reject truth long enough, you don't just end up confused, you become deluded.
Speaker B:And that's what we're seeing right now, isn't it?
Speaker B:People aren't just lost, they're passionately defending lies.
Speaker B:You can show them the scripture.
Speaker B:You can explain it clearly.
Speaker B:You could present the truth in love to them, and they'll just look you in the eye and say, that's not what it means.
Speaker B:Or, well, that may have been, but it's not relevant anymore.
Speaker B:Or even worse, that's not love, folks.
Speaker B:If truth isn't love, then Jesus wasn't love.
Speaker B:Because he spoke truth without compromise.
Speaker B:And sometimes it actually made people walk away.
Speaker B:People he cared about turned around and left.
Speaker B:And here's the final card in Satan's hand.
Speaker B:Division.
Speaker B:Divide the church, divide the families.
Speaker B:Divide the nations, divide the minds.
Speaker B:Jesus warned that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Speaker B:The devil knows he can't destroy the church from the outside, so he's infiltrated.
Speaker B:Hear me now.
Speaker B:He.
Speaker B:The devil has infiltrated the church from the inside out.
Speaker B:What?
Speaker B:How?
Speaker B:Pastor Bob?
Speaker B:Simple petty arguments, Racial division, political strife, offense over trivial matters, entire ministries being derailed over social media comments.
Speaker B:That's not revival.
Speaker B:That's rot.
Speaker B:And Jesus said we'd know the tree.
Speaker B:How?
Speaker B:By its fruit.
Speaker B:So what should be the response?
Speaker B:Well, we have to return to the red letter standard.
Speaker B:Not man's opinions, not denominational traditions, not political leanings, left or right.
Speaker B:We need the words of Jesus right here.
Speaker B:Why?
Speaker B:Because his words matter.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:Let his words cleanse your mind.
Speaker B:Let them recalibrate your calling.
Speaker B:Let them comfort your compromise.
Speaker B:Let them revive your love.
Speaker B:The Book of Revelation says, jesus walks among the lampstands.
Speaker B:That's the churches he's coming around.
Speaker B:He's inspecting.
Speaker B:He evaluates.
Speaker B:He brings correction.
Speaker B:He calls you back to him.
Speaker B:And when he finds a heart still burning, still faithful, still watching, he strengthens them.
Speaker B:He seals them.
Speaker B:He uses them to help spread the message.
Speaker B:God did not need you in this earth 100 years ago, you were born for such a time as this.
Speaker B:Not to speculate, not to spectate, but to stand firm, fully armored, fully awake, fully focused on doing one thing.
Speaker B:What's that?
Speaker B:Finishing strong and helping others to do the same.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:So I ask you right now, are you standing in truth, or are you just standing near the truth?
Speaker B:Huh?
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:You have to stand strong in a shaken world, folks.
Speaker B:Jesus never sugarcoated the truth when he spoke about the end times.
Speaker B:He didn't leave his disciples or us in the dark.
Speaker B:He warned us of betrayal.
Speaker B:He warned us of hatred and persecution.
Speaker B:He warned us about the deception that was going to happen.
Speaker B:But he also gave us the strategy to overcome it all.
Speaker B:The key?
Speaker B:Endurance.
Speaker B:Not just clinging to your faith when things are easy, but enduring to the end when the world is falling apart all around you.
Speaker B:Matthew 24, verse 13.
Speaker B:Jesus said, but the one who endures to the end will what be saved.
Speaker B:This isn't about surviving.
Speaker B:It's about standing.
Speaker B:It's about refusing to back down, give up, or let go of the truth that you know.
Speaker B:Even when everything in the culture around you tells you, just compromise on it.
Speaker B:Let's be real.
Speaker B:Right now.
Speaker B:It's not popular to stand for Jesus.
Speaker B:It's not popular to say there's only one way to heaven.
Speaker B:Oh, that upsets so many people.
Speaker B:It's not applauded to say sin is still sin, one way or another.
Speaker B:But let me tell you something.
Speaker B:Truth doesn't need applause, folks.
Speaker B:It just needs a voice to speak it.
Speaker B: Jesus said in John: Speaker B:But take heart.
Speaker B:I've overcome the world.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:That means no matter what the headlines say, no matter what the world throws at you, he has already secured the victory.
Speaker B:And that victory is living on the inside of you if you belong to Him.
Speaker B:But don't miss this.
Speaker B:Your endurance is not based on willpower.
Speaker B:It's not about trying harder.
Speaker B:It's about staying connected to the vine.
Speaker B:That's why Jesus said in John 15, apart from me.
Speaker B:Apart from me, you can do nothing.
Speaker B:The moment you cut yourself off from him, you start to drift away.
Speaker B:You lose clarity, you lose strength.
Speaker B:But when you remain tied to him, in him, through his word, through prayer, through obedience, you receive strength that can't be described, strength that doesn't just survive the shaking, it grows stronger because of the shaking.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:Hear me now.
Speaker B:The shaking isn't just coming.
Speaker B:It's already started.
Speaker B:The political world is shaking right now.
Speaker B:The financial systems are shaking right now.
Speaker B:The moral Foundations of our culture are shaking right now.
Speaker B: And According to Hebrews: Speaker B:So that only not what only could be shaken, it can remain what will remain, only that which was built on the rock.
Speaker B:Jesus said in Matthew chapter 7.
Speaker B:I'll just paraphrase that instead of reading it all, that everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Speaker B:And though the winds blew and the storms came, that house did not fall.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:That's where we stand.
Speaker B:That's how we endure.
Speaker B:And let's take it one step further.
Speaker B:Now.
Speaker B:It isn't just about you standing for yourself.
Speaker B:This is about you standing for your family, you standing for your children, your church, your city.
Speaker B:It's about you standing for your nation, not protesting against it.
Speaker B:We're not just called to endure.
Speaker B:We're called to occupy.
Speaker B:Until he comes.
Speaker B:We're not supposed to hide and wait to be rescued.
Speaker B:No, we're supposed to go out and attack and advance the kingdom, shining his light into the dark areas, preaching the truth to those that need to hear it, making disciples of those who will listen to us even in the darkest days.
Speaker B:And those days are coming, if not here already.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Yes, there is persecution coming.
Speaker B:That's never stopped the church before.
Speaker B:Why should it do it now?
Speaker B:Yes, the culture is growing colder and darker.
Speaker B:That just means your fire has to burn hotter and brighter.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Yes, there are attacks all around us.
Speaker B:That's why God gave you armor.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:Folks, don't miss this.
Speaker B:If you're still here, if you're still breathing, you still have a mission in the army.
Speaker B:You still have a mission in this battle.
Speaker B:That means you were born for this moment in history.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:You're not here by accident.
Speaker B:You are heaven's answer to the earth's shaking.
Speaker B:Right now.
Speaker B:You are a torchbearer in the darkness, giving light to others.
Speaker B:You are part of a remnant of army, not because you're perfect, but because you said yes to him.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Now is the time to rise up, to repent, where you've grown cold, to realign where you've drifted, to refuel, where you've grown weary.
Speaker B:Because this world is.
Speaker B:It's not getting brighter, but the church should be getting brighter.
Speaker B:And if the only voice that still speaks eternal truth is his, then his words matter.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:I mean, that's the divine sorting that Jesus is talking about.
Speaker B:That's what Jesus warned about.
Speaker B:It's what revelation Confirms.
Speaker B:Let's talk about something here, something that most folks avoid in church these days.
Speaker B:Something that makes people uncomfortable.
Speaker B:Something that makes them squirm in their seats and check their watches to see how much longer they got to sit there.
Speaker B:It's called judgment.
Speaker B:What is the main reason most churches today refuse to talk about that?
Speaker B:See, Jesus talked about it.
Speaker B:He talked about it repeatedly.
Speaker B:Do you think it's important to him?
Speaker B:So did the prophets.
Speaker B:So does the Book of Revelation.
Speaker B:This is not about scaring you.
Speaker B:It's about preparing you.
Speaker B:Because, folks, whether we like it or not, there is a day of judgment reckoning.
Speaker B:And every single person who has ever walked this earth will appear before the judgment seat.
Speaker B: Jesus said in John: Speaker B:What's the judge?
Speaker B:The very words I have spoken will condemn them at that last day.
Speaker B:Just let that sink in.
Speaker B:It's not your good intentions that matter.
Speaker B:No, it's not you checking the box every Sunday for your church attendance either.
Speaker B:It's not your good deeds.
Speaker B:It's his words that'll serve as the measure of judgment against you that you have to measure up against.
Speaker B:I know that's not a popular preaching, but truth was never meant to be popular.
Speaker B:It was meant to set you free.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:And if you know this truth now, you can prepare, you can repent and get right.
Speaker B:You can realign your entire life today, because tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Speaker B:The Bible is crystal clear on this.
Speaker B:There will be a sorting coming.
Speaker B:Matthew 20:5.
Speaker B:Jesus describes the sheep and the goats.
Speaker B:All were gathered before him, weren't they?
Speaker B:Some were welcomed into the kingdom, others cast into the outer darkness.
Speaker B:Why?
Speaker B:Because of their obedience or their rejection.
Speaker B:Not just what they said.
Speaker B:Because words can be forgiven.
Speaker B:They will be judged by what they did with what they knew.
Speaker B:You might not know all of it, but if you walk in what you do know, you can be exposed to more.
Speaker B:Revelation, chapter 20.
Speaker B:I believe it is.
Speaker B:The apostle John sees it unfold.
Speaker B:He said, I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.
Speaker B:And books were opened and the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.
Speaker B:Don't miss that.
Speaker B:There's not just one book being opened.
Speaker B:The Book of Life.
Speaker B:There are books, plural.
Speaker B:Books of works, Books of decisions, books of actions, books of rejections.
Speaker B:Books of every idle word.
Speaker B:Books of every choice you made, every moment you said yes or no to God's call.
Speaker B:And folks, again, this is not meant to scare you.
Speaker B:Because when they open the Stack of books that have been written about your life.
Speaker B:And if you're a believer who's been saved, born again, forgiven, every single book they open, but one, when open, will have blank pages in it.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:Don't shut me down now.
Speaker B:Praise the Lord.
Speaker B:Because Jesus blotted all those, all those sins away.
Speaker B:But there will be one book that remains.
Speaker B:Oh, danger, Will Robinson.
Speaker B:Danger, danger, danger.
Speaker B:I know, I just dated myself there.
Speaker B:Most of you don't, probably don't know what I'm talking about.
Speaker B:It was a TV show called Lost in Space when I was growing up.
Speaker B:But you get the point.
Speaker B:The one book that will remain from which you will be judged if you are a believer is the Book of Life.
Speaker B:You want your name in that book?
Speaker B:Praise God, because it'll also not just have your name, it's going to list your qualifications for rewards that last throughout eternity.
Speaker B:What's the qualifications for those rewards?
Speaker B:Well, the exact same qualifications that those who are cast away had to be judged by.
Speaker B:Jesus said in John chapter 12, and we studied this before.
Speaker B:I believe.
Speaker B:I believe it was message three.
Speaker B:Go back and listen.
Speaker B:But Jesus said, if anyone hears my words and does not believe, I don't have to judge them.
Speaker B:Really?
Speaker B:Then how are we judged?
Speaker B:Just keep reading.
Speaker B:I believe it's John 12 right now there.
Speaker B:Anyway, the word that I've spoken is what will judge him in that last day.
Speaker B:Now, we've already established that if your name's not in the Book of Life, you're lost already.
Speaker B:So what does that have to do with our judgment?
Speaker B:Simple.
Speaker B:It's for our rewards.
Speaker B:Praise God if you're saved, born again.
Speaker B:If you're a believer, the books of your life, of everything against you, are blank.
Speaker B:There's nothing in them.
Speaker B:They can't condemn you, Praise God.
Speaker B:But for your eternal rewards.
Speaker B:In the book of the Revelation, we see them as crowns being passed out.
Speaker B:You will all receive your eternal crowns based upon what we just read In John chapter 12, the word that I've spoken to you.
Speaker B:That's what's going to judge you on the last day you want me go through.
Speaker B:Do you want to go through eternity with people who knew you on this earth?
Speaker B:Maybe you're a pastor, minister, a super strong believer.
Speaker B:And now, because you really.
Speaker B:That was just for show.
Speaker B:You didn't really do what Jesus told you to do.
Speaker B:They'll forever be coming up to you in heaven, showing off their stack of crowns on their head and ask you how come you don't have any crowns?
Speaker B:Hmm?
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:At least you're in heaven.
Speaker B:Yeah, but won't you be embarrassed?
Speaker B:For all of eternity, And I'll just leave it at that.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Thank you, Jesus, for that.
Speaker B:I got a little sidetracked there on a rabbit trail, but.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:We were talking about being judged by the words of Jesus and having our names in the book of Life.
Speaker B:Do you want your name in that book and those whose names are not found in the book of Life cast into the lake of fire forever?
Speaker B:Eternal separation, eternal regret, eternal torment.
Speaker B:Not because they weren't good people, but because they refused the only way to get their name written in the book of Life.
Speaker B:How's that?
Speaker B:They rejected the only one who already paid their price for all of their sins and blotted out all the handwriting and all the other books that were the record of their life.
Speaker B:Now, you might be thinking, Brother Bob, that sounds harsh.
Speaker B:Yes, it is.
Speaker B:But it's also just.
Speaker B:God's not cruel.
Speaker B:He's holy.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:And he has extended grace and mercy and invitation after invitation.
Speaker B:But there will come a day when the invitation ends and the decision, your decision, will stand forever.
Speaker B:That's why this message is not just about the future.
Speaker B:It's about.
Speaker B:It's about urgency.
Speaker B:We do not just.
Speaker B:We're not here just to build ministries or to write books or enjoy church potluck dinners.
Speaker B:We are here on assignment in the military, the army of the Lord.
Speaker B:We are ambassadors of the kingdom and for the kingdom.
Speaker B:We are soldiers in this spiritual war.
Speaker B:The goal isn't comfort, it's clarity.
Speaker B:The mission isn't safety.
Speaker B:It's salvation.
Speaker B:Folks, If Jesus.
Speaker B:If Jesus was willing to warn his own disciples who walked with him, saw his miracles, heard his voice, how much more do we need to hear it right now?
Speaker B:How much more do we need his warnings as well right now?
Speaker B:How much more should we be warning those we care about right now?
Speaker B:Again, this is not about fear.
Speaker B:It's about faith.
Speaker B:Faith that prepares.
Speaker B:It's about responding now so you're not found wanting.
Speaker B:Then this world wants to distract you from that.
Speaker B:The enemy wants to deceive you from that.
Speaker B:He'll whisper, oh, you got time.
Speaker B:There's plenty of time.
Speaker B:Don't worry about.
Speaker B:Take this week out.
Speaker B:You don't need to go to church.
Speaker B:That could be the one message that would have saved you or saved someone in your family.
Speaker B:But Jesus said, the end will come.
Speaker B:How?
Speaker B:Like a thief in the night.
Speaker B:Unexpected, sudden and final.
Speaker B:So what do we do?
Speaker B:Well, we live like he's coming back tonight.
Speaker B:We plan like we'll serve him for a hundred years.
Speaker B:If he doesn't, we take every opportunity to repent, to obey, to love, and to witness.
Speaker B:Because the King is coming, the Judge will sit, and when he opens that book of life, I want your name to be there, bold and clear, written in his blood.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:So ask yourself not, am I a good person?
Speaker B:No.
Speaker B:But am I known by Jesus?
Speaker B:Do I follow his voice?
Speaker B:Do I live by his words?
Speaker B:Have I surrendered my life to Him?
Speaker B:Because it's his words that will be the standard.
Speaker B:And if his words matter today, they will matter even more for all of eternity.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:So we need to be watching.
Speaker B:We need to be working, we need to wake up, we need to stay ready in these last days.
Speaker B:I mean, how can I say this, Lord, if everything Jesus said about judgment and eternity wasn't already sobering enough, he then gave his followers a direct cross call to stay awake, to watch, to stay faithful, especially in the last days.
Speaker B:And I'm here to tell you right now, those days aren't coming.
Speaker B:No, they're here.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B: When Jesus said in Matthew: Speaker B:Matthew 24, verse 42, he says, Watch therefore, for you don't know what hour your Lord is coming.
Speaker B:He wasn't giving a theological riddle.
Speaker B:He was giving the battle command.
Speaker B:Stay alert, stay prepared.
Speaker B:Keep your eyes on the signs, your heart in the Word.
Speaker B:Keep your hand to the plow.
Speaker B:I was in the military.
Speaker B:We used to have drills all the time.
Speaker B:But then one go out, you hear the command, this is not a drill.
Speaker B:This is not a drill.
Speaker B:This is not theory.
Speaker B:We are living in it.
Speaker B:And just in case anyone thinks, well, we've been hearing this for years.
Speaker B:Brother Bob, guess what?
Speaker B:That's exactly what Peter said too.
Speaker B:Second Peter, chapter three, verse four.
Speaker B:Peter said there would be scoffers in the last day that keep saying, where is this coming that he promised.
Speaker B:But Peter explained, God's not slow to act, he's just merciful.
Speaker B:Right now he's giving you time for repentance.
Speaker B:But when that window closes, it'll be too late to prepare.
Speaker B:Jesus laid out plainly in Matthew 25, the parable of the ten virgins.
Speaker B:All ten showed up.
Speaker B:All ten were waiting.
Speaker B:All ten had their lamps with them, but only five brought oil, the lamps, only five were truly prepared.
Speaker B:When the bridegroom came and what happened?
Speaker B:Those that weren't prepared were shut out.
Speaker B:What was the separation?
Speaker B:Readiness, watchfulness, Faithfulness.
Speaker B:Folks, this is not the time for half hearted Christianity.
Speaker B:This is not the time for sleepwalking.
Speaker B:Through your spiritual life.
Speaker B:Jesus is coming back for a bride without spot or wrinkle, not a distracted, division led lukewarm church.
Speaker B:Yet much of the body of Christ today is just asleep, lulled by comfort, silenced by compromise, deceived by our culture.
Speaker B:Today day.
Speaker B:And Jesus warned us, this is what's going to happen.
Speaker B: Matthew: Speaker B:Most?
Speaker B:Hear me now.
Speaker B:Most.
Speaker B:Not just a few.
Speaker B:Not just the unbelievers.
Speaker B:Most.
Speaker B:He's talking about believers.
Speaker B:And you want to look at it.
Speaker B:That's actually terrifying, isn't it?
Speaker B:But there's hope.
Speaker B:Because right after that Jesus also said, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Speaker B: Matthew: Speaker B:That's our calling.
Speaker B:Stand firm.
Speaker B:Stand.
Speaker B:Having done all the Stand.
Speaker B:Stand there for some more.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:So be like the servant.
Speaker B: Matthew: Speaker B:He was found faithfully doing what the Master commanded when he returns.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Let's read that together.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Matthew 24, verse 45 who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his Lord has made ruler over his household to give them meat in due season?
Speaker B:Blessed is that servant whom when his Lord comes, finds him doing what he's supposed to do.
Speaker B:Verily I say to you that.
Speaker B:That he he will make that servant ruler of all his goods.
Speaker B:Verse 48 but if that evil servant says in his heart he's not coming right now, I can do what I want.
Speaker B:I don't have to take care of you guys.
Speaker B:Go do that.
Speaker B:I want this done a certain way.
Speaker B:You go take care of that right now.
Speaker B:And he starts abusing the people because it's not done to the standard that he knows the Lord wants, but he's trying to compromise and be the head boss and do it.
Speaker B:All that stuff.
Speaker B:He said, if that evil servant says, my Lord's not coming right now, he's delaying his coming and begins to smite the fellow servants and to eat and drink with the party of partygoers.
Speaker B:The drunken.
Speaker B:The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he's not looking for him, and in an hour that he's not even aware of and shall cut him apart and point to him his portion with the hypocrites.
Speaker B:In other words, you're fired.
Speaker B:Get out now.
Speaker B:He's got to go be a servant for somebody else.
Speaker B:And the people that he abused.
Speaker B:What do you think are going to do to him?
Speaker B:All right, he said there'll be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Speaker B:Folks, I can't say this any clearer.
Speaker B:Not hiding.
Speaker B:He's not coming.
Speaker B:We can't be hiding.
Speaker B:We can't be hesitating.
Speaker B:We can't be checking social media for the signs of his coming.
Speaker B:No, we need to be working.
Speaker B:We need to be serving.
Speaker B:We need to be loving others.
Speaker B:We need to be praying.
Speaker B:We need to be preaching.
Speaker B:So what does it take?
Speaker B:What does it look like?
Speaker B:Let's put it like that.
Speaker B:To stay ready means living like he's returning today.
Speaker B:Living like his return is real, because it is.
Speaker B:It means keeping short accounts, not letting any sin linger.
Speaker B:Means forgiving quickly, loving deeply, sharing boldly.
Speaker B:It means sowing into the kingdom, investing in eternity, storing up treasure where moth and rust can't corrupt.
Speaker B:Means staying rooted and grounded in the Word because the Word is what keeps your heart aligned.
Speaker B:When the whole world around you goes insane, it means listening for his voice above the noise all around you in this generation.
Speaker B:Because, folks, make no mistake, that trumpet is about to sound.
Speaker B:And when it does, that sky is gonna split open and the King will return.
Speaker B:When he does, there won't be time to scramble.
Speaker B:You'll either be ready or you won't.
Speaker B:It's as simple as that.
Speaker B:So don't wait for a better time.
Speaker B:Don't say, well, as things start to get worse and it appears this coming imminent, I'll.
Speaker B:I'll get serious then.
Speaker B:Folks, if you've been watching the news the past few days, they're worse.
Speaker B:You're living in those days right now.
Speaker B:Right now.
Speaker B:The very fact that you are hearing this message right now is proof, absolute proof, that God's mercy is still reaching out for you.
Speaker B:So wake up, get dressed in righteousness, trim your lamp, fill your oil, be about the Father's business until the sun returns.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:When that final trumpet sounds, when it happens, there will be no time to go back for your oil.
Speaker B:There'll be no time to run and make things right with others.
Speaker B:There will be only time to rise or you'll be left behind.
Speaker B:Are you ready for that day?
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Lord, this is so important.
Speaker B:Help me.
Speaker B:Now, folks, you've heard the warning signs.
Speaker B:You can see the headlines.
Speaker B:You can feel the shaking happening in your spirit right now.
Speaker B:Jesus didn't just tell us these things to scare us.
Speaker B:He said this to prepare us.
Speaker B:Because when the storm hits, it's too late to build a shelter.
Speaker B:Jesus is returning.
Speaker B:This is not a metaphor.
Speaker B:That's a guarantee.
Speaker B:And the question is not if.
Speaker B:The question is, are you ready?
Speaker B:Because if you have never surrendered your heart, your life to Jesus.
Speaker B:Or if you've drifted away and you, you just sense, you know it's time to come home.
Speaker B:Don't wait.
Speaker B:Not another day, not another hour.
Speaker B:This is the day of salvation.
Speaker B:Right now, wherever you are, I want you to pray this from your heart right now.
Speaker B:Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God.
Speaker B:I believe you died for my sins and rose again.
Speaker B:I ask you to forgive me.
Speaker B:I repent and turn to you.
Speaker B:Be my Savior.
Speaker B:My Lord, I give you my life.
Speaker B:Love now and forever in Jesus name.
Speaker B:Now if you've just prayed that right now heaven's rejoicing.
Speaker B:Your loved ones in heaven are rejoicing and so are we.
Speaker B:But this is only the beginning.
Speaker B:Here's your final step.
Speaker B:I want you to go visit our website and help us to get the word out to all the world.
Speaker B:Go with wdjsbookproject.com wdjsbookproject.com this is where you can learn more and connect with our ministry.
Speaker B:Help us get the word out about this great book.
Speaker B:Stand with us as we take these red letter words of Jesus around the world.
Speaker B:This book.
Speaker B:What Did Jesus say?
Speaker B:Seven messages from the mess.
Speaker B:It's changed my life and my ministry and it's time we get these red letter words into as many hands and hearts as possible.
Speaker B:Praise God.
Speaker B:Hallelujah.
Speaker B:Wdjsbookproject.com right there.
Speaker B:Go there right now.
Speaker B:As soon as we finish up because we are done now.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Praise the Lord.
Speaker B:Oh, like I said, I could not have planned today the importance of this message today.
Speaker B:I could not have planned this.
Speaker B:This is definitely of the Lord.
Speaker B:I said with all that stuff going on between Iran and Israel, we see prophecy coming to pass.
Speaker B:Another warning sign is the end tonight?
Speaker B:Probably not.
Speaker B:It could be.
Speaker B:Is the end next week?
Speaker B:We don't know.
Speaker B:One thing we do know, this is something Jesus talked about.
Speaker B:Amen, Amen, Amen and amen.
Speaker B:So go to wdjsbookproject.com take a look around.
Speaker B:Click on those links.
Speaker B:Join us in helping us to get the word out into all the earth.
Speaker B:That's all the time we have for today.
Speaker B:Praise the Lord.
Speaker B:Oh man, it's.
Speaker B:I can't emphasize it enough.
Speaker B:WBJSbook project.com till next time.
Speaker B:It's Pastor Bob reminding you be blessed.
Speaker A:You have past.
Speaker A:Just heard a message of encouragement from anointed pastor and teacher Robert Thibodeau with Freedom Through Faith Ministries in Baltimore, Maryland.
Speaker A:For more information on the Freedom Through Faith Ministries or to invite Pastor Thibodeau to your church, please Visit our website, www.ftfm.org.
Speaker A:that's FTFM for Freedom Through Faith Ministries.
Speaker A:Again, that's ftfm.org until next time.
Speaker A:When we gather together around the Word of God, be blessed and remember, we serve an awesome God.
