Pathway to Victory

Speaker 1

Hey, podcast listeners, thanks for streaming today's podcast from Pathway to Victory.

Pathway to Victory is a nonprofit ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Robert Jeffress. Our mission is to pierce the darkness with the light of God's word through the most effective media available, like this podcast.

To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate or follow the link in our show notes.

Now here's today's podcast from Pathway to Victory.

Speaker 2

Hi, this is Robert Jeffress and I'm glad to study God's Word with you every day. This Bible teaching program. On today's edition of Pathway to Victory.

Speaker 3

We’re going to discover today how the end times reveal another one of Jesus' roles. Not only do the end times reveal Jesus as Messiah, prophet, and king, they reveal him to be the true judge of all of the world.

Most people don't believe Jesus would ever judge anyone, but as we're going to see today, the fact is Jesus is going to judge everyone.

Speaker 1

Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress. People often say that the wicked will meet their just rewards. So is there really going to be a day of reckoning?

Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress shares what the Bible says about the judgments that will occur at the end of time. We'll also discover why Jesus Christ has been appointed as the ultimate judge of all humanity.

Now, here's our Bible teacher to introduce today's message: Dr. Jeffress.

Speaker 2

Thanks David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory. Let me start with a question today. What comes to your mind when you hear the name Jesus? Maybe it's a classical painting, or maybe it's the face of an actor playing Jesus in a television program. Well, Jesus is the most portrayed person in human history, but most of these depictions stem from the first coming of Jesus, not his second coming. This becomes the genesis or the impetus for my brand new book called *Jesus Revealed in the End Times*.

In my new book, I introduce you to the multifaceted person of Jesus Christ. Each chapter celebrates a specific role he plays in our lives: Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the prophet, the Lamb, the conqueror, the King, the Judge, the Lord, and maybe best of all, Jesus our friend. I'd like to send you a hardbound copy of my brand new book. This 200-page volume is one of the most important books I've ever written, and a copy is yours when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory.

When you respond today, I'll be sure to include a collection of encouragement cards. Each one can be displayed on your desk or in your kitchen as a constant reminder that Jesus is coming again and he is your hope. This special offer for both my book and the encouragement cards concludes tomorrow, so be sure to reach out to us today.

Let's turn our attention to the message I began on yesterday's program. I titled this study, *Jesus the Judge*.

Speaker 3

Today, in our message, "Jesus the Judge," we're going to look at five judgments in the end times over which Jesus is going to preside.

The first judgment we call the judgment seat of Christ. Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one of us may be rewarded for what we have done in the body, whether it be good or bad." We're going to be judged and rewarded according to what kind of life we have lived. That's the judgment seat of Christ.

The second judgment Jesus will preside over is the judgment of the Tribulation martyrs. What do you mean by the Tribulation martyrs? They will go through the world witnessing and evangelizing. Through their witness, many will come to know Christ as Savior. During the Tribulation, many of those believers, Jews and Gentiles alike, will be martyred because of their faith. At the end of the Tribulation, those Tribulation martyrs will be raised from the dead, receive their new bodies, and be rewarded. This is the judgment of the Tribulation martyrs.

There's a third judgment, the judgment of Israel. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, is filled with prophecies about this judgment. Isaiah 11:12 says, "He will lift up a standard. God will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." Remember that during the Tribulation, there are many Jews who will be saved, and many who aren't saved. In the last three and a half years of the Tribulation, Satan the dragon, in concert with the beast, the Antichrist, goes after Christians and Jews alike. Many of them flee into the wilderness and escape death, but they can't escape the judgment of God. He is bringing back all of the Jews at this time for a judgment.

What is that judgment? It is according to a standard He will lift up, and that standard is Jesus Christ. Now listen to this, because a lot of Christians in today's world are confused about this. You don't go to heaven for being a Jew. No. There's one way to heaven, and it is through faith in Jesus Christ. Before the millennium, it is important to separate righteous Jews—those who have trusted in Christ—from the unrighteous rebels that need to be judged, those who have opposed the Messiah. That's what happens during the judgment of Israel.

I could point to many scriptures. Isaiah was one. Another is Ezekiel 20:37-38. God is talking to Israel, saying, "I will make you pass under the rod. I will bring you into the bond of the covenant." In other words, they're outside the covenant if they're Jews and not believers. The Abrahamic covenant was for believing Jews, not for every Jew. Paul said, "Not all those who claim to be Israel are really Israel." The only way you can be a true Israelite is to believe in Christ and be a descendant of Abraham.

But God is saying, "I will make you pass under the rod, and I will purge you from the rebels, those who transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they will not enter the land of Israel." Here’s a group of Jews who will not enter the land, and it's those who have rebelled against the gospel. "I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn. They will not enter Israel. Thus you will know that I am the Lord."

Jeremiah 23:6 states, "In his days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely." That refers to believing Judah. Believing Israel will dwell securely. This is his name, by which he shall be called, "The Lord of Righteousness." This closely fits in with the fourth judgment. Not only will Israel, not only will the Jews who survived the Tribulation be judged to separate the righteous from the unrighteous, but the Gentiles will be judged at this time as well.

The judgment of the Gentiles is many ways similar to the judgment of Israel. It occurs in the interim period before the millennium and serves to separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Only the righteous will enter into the millennium. Jesus talked about this judgment of the Gentiles in Matthew 25:31-33, part of the Olivet discourse. "When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them from one another as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left."

Now, when we talk about the judgment of nations, listen to this. It's not what we think. I used to think, and I used to hear people say, "Well, God's going to judge the United States of America, and he's going to judge Great Britain and Scandinavia." There’s going to be a judgment of nations because, after all, that's what it says. If you press them, they say, "Well, why these nations?" Well, they're primarily non-Jewish. There are a few Jews, but mainly it's non-Jews. So we're going to be judged by nations. No, that's not what it's saying. That's impossible.

First of all, there are no eternal judgments of nations. We are judged individually by our relationship with God. A nation can be under God's judgment, as we see in the Old Testament. Babylon was judged because they practiced child sacrifice, and the Israelites were judged because they imitated that. They faced dire consequences. I believe the same thing is true in America. As long as we allow the murder of millions of unborn babies in the womb, we're going to experience God's judgment. Even righteous people, those who believe the right thing about life, have to suffer the fallout of living in a nation that doesn't believe that.

But that's not what this is talking about. The best way to understand the nations—the word is "ethne" in Greek—is that it simply refers to individual Gentiles, non-Jews. God is going to judge Gentiles just like he judged the Israelites. Joel 3:2 talks about that.

What will be the basis upon which he judges the Gentiles? This is so misunderstood. Look at Matthew 25:34-40. He has just said, "I'm going to separate the sheep from the goats, believers from unbelievers." Verse 34: "Then the king will say to those who are on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom which I prepared for you. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.'"

Then the righteous will answer him and say, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick and in prison and come to visit you?" Then the king will answer and say, "

Speaker 2

There's no greater choice in all of life. This is your day to begin walking in harmony with God. And if you've made this decision, would you be sure to write and let me know in a moment? David will give our mailing address. Your encouraging words will make it to my desk, you can be certain of that, and I'll look forward to celebrating your decision.

Earlier, you heard me describe a book I've written on today's topic. It's brand new and already a bestseller. The book is titled *Jesus Revealed in the End Times* and the subtitle is *Hope for Today from the One who Holds Our Future*. Tomorrow is the final day in this brief teaching series, and if you've intended to request a copy of my book, be sure to reach out to us right away. Just mention my book, *Jesus Revealed in the End Times*. When you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory, I'll be sure it's sent to your home right away. In fact, I'm also going to include a collection of encouragement cards. These creative cards will provide a visual reminder that the King is coming and he's the one who holds our future in the palm of his hands.

In closing, I'd like to express my profound thanks to our Pathway partners and all who give generously to support Pathway to Victory. God has called me to teach His Word with boldness, clarity, and conviction, but he's never asked me to do this alone. Gratefully, he's brought about faithful friends like you who empower us to pierce the darkness with the light of His Word. Thanks so much, David.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Dr. Jeffress. Today, when you support the ministry of Pathway to Victory by giving a generous gift or by becoming a Pathway partner, you're invited to request a copy of the brand new book by Dr. Robert Jeffress called *Jesus Revealed in the End Times*. Go to ptv.org or call us at 866-999-2965.

And when you give $100 or more, you'll also receive the complete collection of audio and video discs for this month's teaching series, *Jesus Revealed in the End Times*. You'll get that along with the corresponding study guide. Today and tomorrow, though, are the last days we'll mention this offer, so please get in touch right away. One more time, our phone number is 866-999-2965 or go to ptv.org. You could also send your request by mail. Write to P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas 75222. Again, that's P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, TX 75222.

I'm David J. Mullins. Have you ever longed for someone who truly understands you and supports you through life's ups and downs? Learn about Jesus, our friend. That's Friday on Pathway to Victory.

*Pathway to Victory* with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. Embark on the spiritual journey of a lifetime on the Pathway to Victory Journeys of Paul Mediterranean Cruise, May 5-16, 2025. Enjoy 11 days of fellowship, relaxation, and spiritual refreshment while sailing aboard a luxury cruise ship. You'll visit sought-after island destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, and amidst all the natural beauty, you'll seek the one who created it. To book your spot on the 2025 Journeys of Paul Mediterranean cruise, go to ptv.org.

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