Short Prophecy Videos

Part 1

Dr. Reagan: Greetings in the name of Jesus, our Blessed Hope, and welcome to Christ in Prophecy. Those of you who are regular viewers are familiar with my colleague here, Nathan Jones, but for those of you who are not, Nathan is our ministry’s Associate Evangelist and Web Minister.

Several years ago, Nathan came to me with an idea of making a series of very short, one minute video programs focusing on the fundamentals of Bible prophecy. He called them Bible Prophecy Insights. Nathan, what motivated you to develop this whole new form of outreach for us?

Nathan Jones: Well, as Web Minister my pulpit is the internet. And you have to go where the people are, and the people increasingly are on the internet. And when they consume information on the internet they tend to like it shorter, and they also tend like it bite sized. And then if they want more information then they lead you to another website or video to watch. So, we have plenty of wonderful shows here at Christ in Prophecy which is called long form video, half hour, hour. But a lot of people now on the internet are consuming very short, few minute videos. So, what I wanted to do was create one really good video that taught them one bit about Bible prophecy, one topic, and then would encourage them to come back to our website at lamblion.com and research more on that topic, and watch full length videos like Christ in Prophecy.

Dr. Reagan: Yes, and I would imagine that would particularly appeal to younger people like Millennials who don’t do that much reading according to the polls, but really like videos. And also they have a rather short attention span.

Nathan Jones: Yeah, increasingly on the internet the attention spans are getting shorter and shorter. What I saw successfully a ministry that did this was Creation Today with Eric Hovind. He made these one minute videos called Creation Minute and they were beautiful and they taught a subject, a topic in creation and then it brought people back to his website. So, I called Eric and I said, “Hey, how did you do this?” And he explained it to me generously. And he said that he has a Disney animator who was helping him design in.

Dr. Reagan: A Disney animator?

Nathan Jones: A Disney animator. So, I contacted him, his name is Ralph Strean of Sevenfold Films, and he agreed to work with us. He made six different videos that talked about different aspects of Bible prophecy, for one minute, and then we would bring them back to our website so people could read more.

Dr. Reagan: And you covered quite a number of topics in those six didn’t you?

Nathan Jones: Oh, signs of the times, the Rapture, the Valley of Dry Bones.

Dr. Reagan: Well, how about showing the very first one you made. But before you do so explain it to us.

Nathan Jones: Well that’s one of my favorite ones, the “Accuracy of Bible Prophecy.” A mathematician, Peter Stoner calculated the probability of 8 prophecies being fulfilled in the life of Jesus out of 108 Messianic First Coming prophecies was absolutely unbelievable. And I thought what a great illustration. What if we computer animated that? So that’s we did I computer animated his example to prove mathematically that the chance of Jesus fulfilling those prophecies was astronomical.

Dr. Reagan: So, the idea that those prophecies could be fulfilled accidentally in the life of one person is just beyond the realm of probability.

Nathan Jones: It’s beyond the realm of probability.

Dr. Reagan: OK, let’s take a look at it.

Video

Nathan Jones: I’m Nathan Jones with your Bible Prophecy Insight. Can math prove the accuracy of Bible prophecy? Well let’s start with just 8 of the 108 prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ life. Mathematician Peter Stoner calculated that the probability of all 8 being fulfilled in the life of one person is 1 in 10 to the 17th power. That’s 17 zeros! That would be like filling the entire state of Texas two feet deep in quarters. Mark just one, throw it in. The odds would be like walking for days and then the very first coin picked up that would be the one with the mark. Impossible, right? Well, not if the Bible is truly God’s Word. To learn more about Bible prophecy visit us at lamblion.com.

Dr. Reagan: Wow, Nathan that was fantastic. And what you’ve done has whetted my appetite. So how about showing us another one?

Nathan Jones: Well praise the Lord. Glad you liked it. Let’s see the fourth one it is probably my favorite one it is called, “Technology Foretold.” It covers the sign of the end time about how technology, we would get all these new technologies the closer to Jesus’ return. For example when Daniel was asking the angel to reveal some information to him and the angel said, “You can’t understand this until the time where knowledge and technology increase. When those increase then we would understand that prophecy.” And that’s what this one is about.

Dr. Reagan: And that’s exactly where we are today. Let’s see it.

Video

Nathan Jones: I’m Nathan Jones with your Bible Prophecy Insight. Can you believe the technology we have today? I mean jets, cell phones, x-rays, Mars explorers even we seem to have it all! And yet, it all came about in just the last few decades. And did you know that many of our technologies today were foretold in the Bible 2,500 years ago? The books of Daniel and Revelation describe mass transportation, satellite communications, television, computers, the internet, nuclear weapons, and a great population explosion. And, all this was to come just as Jesus is about to return. To learn more about Bible prophecy come visit us at lamblion.com.

Dr. Reagan: Another fantastic presentation.

Nathan Jones: Praise the Lord.

Dr. Reagan: Congratulations. Folks, we are going to take a brief break and then we’ll be back to show you some of Nathan’s new programs that he calls Inbox Videos.

Part 2

Dr. Reagan: Welcome back to Christ in Prophecy. I am in the process of interviewing my colleague, Nathan Jones, about his production of short video programs designed to teach Bible prophecy and the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Nathan, how about more of your wonderful Bible Prophecy Insights at least one more of them before we shift to the new series called Inbox?

Nathan Jones: OK. Well let’s do number six it’s the prophecy Ezekiel made of the Valley of Dry Bones.

Video

Nathan Jones: I’m Nathan Jones with your Bible Prophecy Insight. 2,600 years ago the prophet Ezekiel was shown a vast valley of dry human bones. God declared that they would come to life. And they did! With a great rattling sound the bones drew together and were given life. And God explained His vision it would be the Jewish people resurrected as a nation once more. In 1948, the dry bones became the nation of Israel again, just as God foretold. The only part still missing is God’s Spirit, and they’ll get that upon Jesus’ return. To learn more about Bible prophecy visit us at lamblion.com.

Dr. Reagan: Folks, that is just one of six one minute videos that Nathan produced a couple years ago called Bible Prophecy Insights. This year he shifted gears and he started producing short videos but just a little bit longer called Inbox Videos. Nathan what caused you to suddenly decide to shift the gears and go to videos that are just a little bit longer?

Nathan Jones: Well, one we lost our computer animator Ralph he went on to do a full movie on Genesis chapter 1-3.

Dr. Reagan: OK.

Nathan Jones: It is in 3-D it looks incredible. But, so we decided that we needed short ones but they had to also be again more information about one topic about Bible prophecy, but we could expand a little more without going too long, more that say 3-5 minutes.

Dr. Reagan: OK.

Nathan Jones: Some are a little longer. But the reason was is that they are called “The Inbox” because I answer a lot of the Bible questions that come into the ministry.

Dr. Reagan: Right.

Nathan Jones: And that’s my inbox. And I thought well instead of sending long articles and answers, I could show them a short video, and you know kill two birds with one stone. So it makes it easy for me. But that’s the reason why they are the Inbox: Answers for the End Times because they give answers to a lot of questions people commonly have.

Dr. Reagan: Well, that certainly makes sense to me, because I know you are always answering all these difficult questions because I send them over to you.

Nathan Jones: Yes, you do. And you encourage people to send them to me too.

Dr. Reagan: I do. So, this will be another way to get people’s attention. But they are still short.

Nathan Jones: Yes.

Dr. Reagan: They are not long videos, and they are really, really well done. I compliment you and your colleague on the production of those.

Nathan Jones: Praise the Lord.

Dr. Reagan: And I’d like for you to show us one right now. So which one are going to show us? And tell us a little bit about it.

Nathan Jones: Well, I decided to do: “Is America in Bible Prophecy?” A very common question amongst Americans. And you want to time these when major events are happening.

Dr. Reagan: OK.

Nathan Jones: So, we made this at the same time as the 2016 Elections. Is America in Bible Prophecy? And it’s good with these videos to do three things: (1) Educate people. (2) Entertain people, and (3) Enlighten people, give something they take away and they can apply to their life. And we hope we accomplished that with this video.

Dr. Reagan: Yes, and on this on folks, you better be ready for a surprise opening. Here now is the Inbox on America in Bible Prophecy.

Video

Newscaster:And now the President wants Congress to get behind him, as well as keep our eyes on the chamber right now. We are told the President right behind those doors, waiting to be announced by the House Sergeant of Arms Paul Irving. Just moments ago of course– here comes the Sergeant of Arms now.

Paul Irving: Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States.

Nathan Jones: My fellow Americans, we fearfully worry and debate, especially during an election year, whether the actions or inactions of a particular candidate or party are going to destroy the United States. The answer to the debate is, “Yes! Yes, they are.” After all, as a nation we’ve kicked God out of just about every institution in our society. Our leaders, no matter what party, just do not seek the counsel and wisdom of God.

The greatest ruler of Israel – King David – warned his citizens that when, “they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, He brought down their heart and there was none to help.” God chides godless rulers point blank, “Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes.” Ouch! Pretty harsh. But, so true. As long as we as a nation ignore the eternal wisdom of God and try to go it alone based on one, our own very limited understanding of the universe, and two, because we’re working off a broken moral compass, we most definitely as a nation are doomed to failure.

Bleak? Yes, but not hopeless, if only we as a nation repent and turn back to God.

Does the Bible contain any prophecies concerning the United States that will help Americans make an informed decision during an election? Here are four biblical references where it is believe the United States can be found in end time Bible prophecy.

1. “A nation tall and smooth of skin” (Isaiah 18)
Verse seven prophesies how, “a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide…”

When it comes to describing the United States, the reference to a powerful nation divided by great rivers, such as the Mississippi River, fits the bill. But, the smooth skin part? Context is vital to interpretation, and verses 1-2 address the country of Ethiopia, which in Isaiah’s time included the Sudan, so therefore the dividing river is the Nile River. These people are Ethiopians/Sudanese, and clearly not Americans.

2. “The merchants of Tarshish and all their young lions” (Ezekiel 38-39)

In this future prophecy, the people of Tarshish sit back and do nothing but watch Russia and the Islamic nations of the Middle East attempt to invade Israel. In Ezekiel’s time, roughly 600 BC, Tarshish was considered the nation at the Western end of the earth. So, it’s assumed, her “young lions” must be the New World colonies of the West. But, was Tarshish Britain or Spain? Historians aren’t sure. So this may be a reference to the Spanish-speaking colonies, and not the English-speaking ones, which would have included the United States.

3. “A great eagle” (Revelation 12)

Revelation 12 tells a story of a Dragon who is cast down to the earth, and he persecutes the Woman who gave birth to the Male Child. But the Woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is protected. Some have interpreted this passage to mean that in the future the Dragon (Satan) will persecute the Woman (Israel) who gave birth to the Male Child (Jesus), and a great eagle (the symbol of America) will rescue the Jews from the Antichrist with something like a massive airlift. Well, everything up to the Eagle is interpreted correctly, but God in Deuteronomy 32 describes Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery as, “how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” The eagle’s wings, God explains, is Himself and not the United States.

4. Babylon the Great (Revelation 18)

This passage foretells of a coming one-world ruler who will reign from “Babylon”. The ruler’s empire is described as having made the nations drunk on her fornications and the merchants of the earth rich through her luxuries. God then destroys this evil empire in “one hour.”

Some conclude that since the United States is powerful, wealthy, and the moral polluters of the world that Babylon must be the United States, or at least New York City or Hollywood. The context, though, is a new global government where all the nations of the world are members. America, if it still exists during that future time, would only be a member state, never having reached the status of a global empire.

So, where can the United States be found in Bible prophecy? Not in any of those four passages. But, God does say, “the indignation of the Lord is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies,” and that He will utterly destroy the nations of the world when Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom. So, in these general prophecies which address all the nations of the world, the United States, like the rest, can be found.

Will a God-fearing United States exist during Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom? I sure hope so, ruled over by the righteous King – Jesus Christ.

But, remember, Christians, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our true citizenship is not of this world, but in Heaven. So, while we wait for Christ’s coming kingdom, do as Jesus commanded, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

To get more answers for the end times subscribe to this channel and please visit us at christinprophecy.org.

Dr. Reagan: Well, President Nathan I really was surprised by the opening of that particular video. But I tell you one thing it grabs your attention and that’s of course what you were trying to do. What I’d like to do next is show the tremendous video you put together in defense of the Pre-Trib Rapture. And that was done in response to one that had been posted on the internet by whom?

Nathan Jones: Jefferson Bethke.

Dr. Reagan: Yes, who is a very fine young man and a great Bible teacher, but really is off base with the Rapture. And you make that very clear in this video. Here it is folks.

Video

Nathan Jones: Hey, Guys, Nathan here. I’ve returned because what I want to talk about today is…

What are some misconceptions about the Rapture?

The best example of getting it all wrong about the Rapture is a video made by YouTube “poet” Jefferson Bethke, who was made popular by his awesome video “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” Jeff’s done some good work furthering the Gospel, and I commend him for it, but when it comes to his understanding of the Rapture, I have to ask…

How is Jefferson Bethke wrong about the Rapture?

Jeff makes the following eight common misconceptions people have about the Rapture.

Oh, but first, what do I mean by the Rapture? I’m referring to that biblical teaching that Jesus is going to return one day to catch up, snatch away… rapture… believers in Christ – called the Church – off this earth and up to Heaven to live with Him forever. The Apostle Paul comforted the Thessalonians by teaching them that the Rapture is meant to encourage believers living in this difficult age of persecution. Christians, though, will not have to endure the worst time that is yet to come – the wrath of God over a 7-year Tribulation time period.

Paul explained that the Rapture is meant to give Christians comfort and hope. Jeff disagrees. His thesis:

1. The Rapture is problematic when it comes to hope as a Christian believer.

How can the teaching of the Rapture be “problematic” when Jesus Himself even promised…
As a Christian I find it highly comforting to know that God doesn’t beat up on His children when He brings judgment on the world, a judgment that will destroy much of the world’s population and ecology. Jesus even compares His Church to a Bride, and no man beats up on his fiancé, especially for seven years. God’s loving protection provides great comfort and hope!

2. The Rapture teaching is too new to be true.

Jeff trots out that well-disproven claim that the Rapture teaching was popularized in 1830 by a crazed teenager named Margaret MacDonald, and then a cult leader named John Darby promoted her view. This is an historical fallacy, for not only was Darby teaching about the Rapture well back in the 1820s, but many others had since the Puritans 200 years earlier.

Bible prophecy stopped being taught in the Church in the 400s AD when Augustine began spiritualizing everything in the Bible, and until the Renaissance you could be killed for disagreeing with his teachings. When the Reformation in the 14- and 1500s began bringing back the literal interpretation of the Bible, Bible prophecy was once again taken seriously.

Anyway, biblical truth is determined by Scripture alone, and not how that teaching has been perceived at different times during history. And Scriptures teach about the Rapture of the Church. Christianity is now understanding the Rapture better because of what the Prophet Daniel was told – that end time prophecy will not be fully understood until the time comes for it to be fulfilled.

3. Raptured people live as disembodied spirits.

Jeff goes as far as calling the Rapture teaching a Gnostic heresy! He’s right that Gnosticism is a heretical teaching that material is bad and spirit is good, which the Apostles kept refuting. But, the Rapture passages never teach that after we die we live as disembodied spirits. The Apostle Paul explained when Raptured our corrupted human bodies are transformed and changed into our new glorified bodies. The Bible teaches that these glorified bodies are tangible, recognizable, and eternal, just like Jesus’ body at His resurrection.

4. The Tribulation is for destroying those God doesn’t want.

Jeff doesn’t seem to understand what the Tribulation is all about. The Tribulation isn’t all about judgment, but about salvation. The Church is raptured because God has promised His Bride will never have to endure His wrath, but for those people left behind, this is God’s big push to get them on their knees and bring them to salvation. While the focus is on bringing the Jewish people to accept Jesus as Messiah, Gentiles will also come to know Christ. And God uses all sorts of amazing methods to share the Gospel.
The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, and multitudes will come out of the Tribulation saved.

5. Christians are worried they’ll be left behind.

No Christian today should have any fear that they’ll be left behind. If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, then you’re secure in God’s promise: “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory”.

6. The Rapture is about ushering in Jesus at the end of time.

To make such a statement, Jeff’s likely bought into the once dead but now resurrected view called Dominionism, also Kingdom Now, or Post-Millennialism. This view spiritualizes the biblical prophecies concerning the Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, Millennial Kingdom, and Eternal State and throws them all into a blender. The result is that prophecy is all in the past and that the Church will evangelize the world until it gets better and better, until eventually the Church reigns over a golden age. Jesus then returns and the Church hands a restored world over to Him.

But, is the world getting better and more Christian?

No, not really. Postmillennialism is an exciting concept, but not realistic. Only Jesus Himself personally can restore all things.

7. Christians are hiding out waiting for the Rapture instead of evangelizing.

One merely has to leave the confines of their Reformed churches and actually get to know a person who believes in the Rapture of the Church to understand that we Premillennialists take the Great Commission very seriously. Because we always live with the “30,000 foot level” view – that being, Jesus is returning soon – we’re always excited by three things: 1) evangelism, 2) holy living, and 3) the return of Christ in victory. The greatest missions’ movements ever were pioneered by those who live with the hope of the Rapture.

8. Paul’s reference to hope was about the Eternal State.

That Jesus rules over a restored and united Heaven and Earth in the Eternal state is exciting and does provide great hope for the Christian, I agree. But, that’s like watching the Super Bowl game alone and missing all the games that led up to it. There are so many other victories our team has before that final game. It’s a great stretch to claim Paul’s reference to hope was just about the end game, especially since the context of his comforting the Thessalonians was about not living through the Tribulation.

The hope God gives us isn’t limited to the Eternal State, but in all of Christ’s other victories as well, and that includes the Rapture

To get more answers for the end times subscribe to this channel and please visit us at christinprophecy.org.

Closing

Dr. Reagan: Well, Nathan I want to thank you for sharing those very clever, and innovative videos with us. And I understand that your assistant Steve Stufflebean played a major role in producing those.

Nathan Jones: Oh, yeah, I’m only half the creative team. The other half is always behind the camera, or behind the editing booth. Steven is very creative and comes up with many great ideas.

Dr. Reagan: Well I pray the Lord will continue to richly bless the two of you as you come up with creative ideas to produce these little videos that really make a point about Bible prophecy.

Nathan Jones: Praise the Lord.

Dr. Reagan: And also the defense of the faith. Well, folks, that is our program for this week. I hope it’s been a blessing to you. Until next week the Lord willing this is Dave Reagan speaking for Lamb and Lion Ministries saying, “Look up, be watchful, for our redemption is drawing near.”

End of Program