Richard F. Ames (1936-2024)

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A Time Like No Other

Bible prophecy has foretold the chaotic world we all are experiencing at this time. The prophet Daniel revealed what he called “the time of the end.” God showed Daniel prophetic trends we are witnessing every day. Daniel chapter 12 and verse 4 states:

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Even while we recover from coronavirus-related lockdowns, many cities and regions again face traffic congestion, reflecting the symbolic prophecy of Isaiah 2:7;

“Their land is also full of silver and gold, And there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, And there is no end to their chariots.”

Knowledge, too, has increased exponentially in these end-times. Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg observed that one daily copy of The New York Times contains more information than the average seventeenth-century Englishman encountered in a whole lifetime. Futurist Buckminster Fuller, as far back as 1982, said that the knowledge available to humanity was doubling every year. More recently, scientists at IBM found that as of 2020, knowledge was doubling every twelve hours.

But we need to seek the REAL knowledge. Daniel also foretold the Great Tribulation, later confirmed by the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, in Matthew 24. Daniel 12:1:

“And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.”

Bible prophecy reveals the future for all nations in the next decade and beyond. Do you know what happens after the Great Tribulation? The Book of Revelation and many other prophecies reveal the sequence of events and the prophetic Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is coming soon. It’s the time of God’s judgments on the rebellious nations of this world. Will you and your family be prepared? You need to understand the Day of the Lord in Bible prophecy.

Stay tuned.

Trials and Heavenly Signs

Warm greetings to all our friends around the world. The world has experienced two world wars. All nations were affected by these wars. Will there be a World War III? On today’s program we will answer that question. Your Bible reveals that future global conflicts will ravage our world during the prophetic Day of the Lord. You need to know how the Day of the Lord will affect you and your family.

On the Day of Pentecost in 31 AD, the Apostle Peter quoted from the prophet Joel, explaining the supernatural darkness surrounding our Lord’s crucifixion.

“I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord” (Acts 2:19–20).

That darkness was also a type of the cosmic disturbances that will introduce the future Day of the Lord. Yes, it will be “the great and awesome day of the Lord.” If you have your Bible, turn to Revelation the sixth chapter. The heavenly signs follow the Great Tribulation. Revelation 6:12:

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place” (Revelation 6:12–14).

All the earth will see these signs introducing the Day of God’s judgment on the nations. Every few years we see “blood moons.” NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, describes their color as “sunset-red” or, as the eclipse progressed, “filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the Moon into a great red orb” (“Colorful Lunar Eclipse,” NASA Science, science.NASA.gov, September 18, 2014). 

This spectacular sight is just a type of the great blood moon yet to come.

The Day of the Lord is a period of one year consisting of seven trumpet judgments or plagues, when God will judge all nations. The first six trumpets are described in Revelation chapters eight and nine. When will this take place? And what is the sequence of events you should be watching? Your Bible reveals the framework of prophecy leading up to the Day of the Lord, Armageddon, and World War III. My friends, what is the solution to mankind’s conflicts and world wars? We should all look forward to the solution to world war. That solution is the coming Kingdom of God. Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10,

“Your Kingdom come.”

Jesus Christ will return as King of kings and Lord of lords to bring lasting peace and prosperity among the nations of this world. We look forward to the Second Coming of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. 

Three major milestones lead up to the climax of human history and the end of this age. They are: 

1. The Great Tribulation; 

2. The Heavenly Signs;

and

3. The Day of the Lord. 

These three events cover a period of about 3 and one-half years. There are over 30 prophecies in your Bible referring to the Day of the Lord. Isaiah 34:8 and Isaiah 63:4 show that the Day of the Lord in end-time prophecy, the time preceding the Second Coming, is a period of one year. You might want to write down those references: Isaiah 34:8 and Isaiah 63:4.

As the Great Tribulation unfolds, the famous four horsemen of the Apocalypse will intensify their ride. In the book of Revelation, chapter five, we read of a scroll sealed with seven seals. Jesus, the Revelator, opens the seals to the book. We read the description of those seals in Revelation the sixth chapter. The first four seals are known as the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. They are described in Revelation 6:1–8. The first horse, the white horse and its rider, represent false religions, false Christs. Jesus Himself points out the sequence of these end-time events in His Olivet prophecy in Matthew 24. The second seal reveals a horseman, riding a red horse, with the power to take peace from the earth. The third seal presents a rider on a black horse, representing the scarcity of food and resulting famine. The fourth seal shows a rider on a pale horse, representing death and pestilence. These four horsemen have power to kill major portions of earth’s population. As it tells us in Revelation 6:8, 

“And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.”

Yes, there has always been war, famine, and pestilence. But you and I will see the four horsemen of the apocalypse intensify their ride, with unprecedented global impact. Then the fifth seal describes an end-time persecution of the saints. Then Jesus opens the sixth seal, revealing the heavenly signs that will terrify people all over the earth.

The Trumpets Heralding God’s Wrath

The Great Tribulation lasts for two-and-a-half years. Then God sends the cosmic disturbances or the heavenly signs. The Day of the Lord follows the heavenly signs and brings God’s judgment on the nations for a period of one year.

What happens during that year-long period of judgment? Revelation 8 and 9 describe six of the seven trumpet plagues. A major key to understanding the book of Revelation is that there are seven seals, seven trumpet events, and seven last plagues or bowls. Simply stated, as you can see on this chart, the seventh seal consists of seven trumpet events. The seventh trumpet consists of the seven last plagues, including the final battle between good and evil referred to as Armageddon.

What happens during the Day of the Lord? Let’s read what happens when the Lamb, Jesus Christ, opens the seventh seal. Turn in your Bible to Revelation, the eighth chapter. Let’s understand. The seventh seal represents the Day of the Lord and the events taking place in that one year period. This is very important. Why? Because these events lead up to the greatest event ever to occur in history, the Second Coming of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Revelation 8:1,

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets” (Revelation 8:1–2).

These seven trumpets represent God’s judgments on the nations. The first four disrupt the ecology and environment. Notice the subheads summarizing these judgments in verses 7 through 13:

“First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck.” “Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck.” “Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck.” And the “Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck.”

These trumpet plagues, as they are called, will bring devastation on the earth. Nations will cry out for basic necessities that will disappear from their lands, lakes, and rivers.

Three trumpet plagues remain, Revelation 8:13. The Apostle John writes what he sees and hears in vision:

“And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!’”

The last three trumpet plagues are called woes. The word “woe” is an exclamation of grief! The first woe or the fifth trumpet plague is described in chapter nine. The fifth angel sounds a trumpet that begins a military action that lasts five months. And what power supports that military action? Revelation 9:11,

“And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” 

Yes, the destroyer, Satan the devil, gives power to this military force. The second woe, or the sixth trumpet plague, is pictured with symbols of horses and horsemen. Here we see an intense military counter-attack. Revelation 9:12,

“One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things. Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’”

An army of 200 million drives west across the Euphrates River and destroys one third of the earth’s population. Revelation 9:15,

“So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to KILL A THIRD OF MANKIND. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a THIRD OF MANKIND was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.”

This phase of World War III will kill billions of people. Jesus said in Matthew 24:22, that unless those days were shortened no flesh would be saved—otherwise, all life on earth would be destroyed.

Judgment Upon Mankind’s Sins

Our Lord reveals the sequence of events leading up to His Second Coming. My friends, I hope you are praying daily as Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:10,

“Your kingdom come.”

While this seventh trumpet announcement will be good news to you and me, rebellious nations will reject that announcement and even fight against Christ at His coming. Revelation 11:15,

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”

The heavenly beings praise God at this glorious announcement, but notice the response of earthly nations. Revelation 11:16,

“And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: ‘We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

The seventh trumpet also introduces God’s final wrathful judgment on rebellious nations. This judgment period executes “the wrath of the Lamb.” As it tells us in Revelation 6:17,

“For the great day of His wrath has come….”

The seventh trumpet concludes this year-long Day of the Lord with seven final judgments. Revelation 15:1,

“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.”

Revelation the 16^th chapter describes these final judgment plagues. The Apostle John writes,

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth’” (Revelation 16:1).

For the sake of time, I’ll just list the plagues as titled in the New King James Version of the Bible of the Bible:

First Bowl: Loathsome Sores
Second Bowl: The Sea Turns to Blood
Third Bowl: The Waters Turn to Blood
Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched
Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain
Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up
Seventh Bowl: The Earth Utterly Shaken

You might think people would respond to God’s correction and repent. But no;

“And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory” (Revelation 16:9).

The rebellious nations of planet earth will be angry. After the Euphrates River is dried up, armies will gather at Megiddo in northern Israel to fight what is commonly called the Battle of Armageddon. You can read about that in Revelation 16:12–16. Yes, the climax of World War III is already foretold. The King of kings Himself gives us this admonition and blessing:

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame” (Revelation 16:15).

Yes, my friends, keep watching world news for prophetic events. Learn the sequence of prophetic events and stay spiritually awake.

And what will be the result of that climactic battle of all time? It’s called the battle of that great day of God Almighty in Revelation 12:14. The kings of the earth join the symbolic Beast at Armageddon. The Beast superpower will be a revival of the ancient Roman Empire, as we’ve explained in previous programs. Their judgement is already determined in this amazing prophecy. Turn in your Bible to Revelation 17:12:

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and THE LAMB WILL OVERCOME THEM, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:12–14).

Yes, genuine Christians will be with the King of kings. And, yes, they will escape the Day of the Lord judgments on the nations. My friends, some of you watching this program may have come to the place in your life where you want to make a dramatic change and live a new life, repenting of your past sins and accepting Christ’s shed blood for the forgiveness of your sins. The Apostle Peter addressed thousands of worshippers in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost in 31 AD. Read that in your own Bible in Acts 2. The mobs of people had been complicit in the crucifixion of Christ and they were cut to the heart in response to Peter’s message. They asked Peter and the apostles,

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

Listen to Peter’s answer that is just as urgent for us today:

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

If you have studied your Bible enough to understand repentance and the commitment to obey your Savior and the Bible’s requirements, we have representatives in many regions around the world. Just call the number on the screen or contact us at one of our regional offices listed in Tomorrow’s World magazine or on TomorrowsWorld.org website.

Will you be with Christ at His coming as one of those who are “called, chosen, and faithful”?

Armageddon—And Beyond…

More than 30 prophecies in your Bible refer to the Day of the Lord. We’ve seen the future devastation that comes from world war. Thankfully, at the conclusion of the Day of the Lord, the seventh trumpet announces the good news of Christ’s takeover of world governments. Turn in your Bible to Revelation 19. Revelation 19:11, the Apostle John writes,

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:11–16).

The nations will respond to Christ’s announced coming with anger, as it tells us in Revelation 11:18. When Christ returns to this earth, He’ll conquer his enemies. He’ll conquer the nations and their powerful armies that fight against Him at His coming. The Day of the Lord will bring God’s judgment on the nations. As we’ve seen, in one sense the Day of the Lord is the year preceding the return of Christ. In another sense, it continues on through the millennium and on out to eternity. 

The Apostle Peter describes it this way. 2 Peter 3:10,

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be DISSOLVED, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:10–13).

Thank you for watching. To understand the prophetic events leading up to the Day of the Lord, order your free CD titled “The Day of the Lord” by clicking the link in the description. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss another Tomorrow’s World video. See you next time!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A Time of Need

The coronavirus pandemic, major rioting, fires, wars, and natural disasters caused many to consider 2020 a year to forget. The effects of this pandemic damaged economies all over the world and intensified the negative conditions in poorer countries. Regulations countering the pandemic included quarantines and, in some cases, months of isolation. Some communities even enforced stringent curfews confining families to their homes for long periods of time. But one of the most damaging effects on many individuals was that of separation from face-to-face socialization leading to severe loneliness.

Loneliness has always been a social problem, but the problem has become so severe in Japan that the government established a “Minister for Loneliness”! The Independent reported: “Japan has appointed a minister for loneliness following a recent rise in the number of suicides and the coronavirus pandemic’s exacerbation of the issue”

Is loneliness one of your serious problems? If so, you need to solve that problem and experience success, happiness, contentment, and hope. Your Bible gives multiple solutions. One of the major solutions to loneliness is the help of a faithful friend. You need to know the way to true love and peace. And you need to know Who can be your greatest friend!

Stay tuned!

What is True Friendship?

Warm greetings to all our friends around the world!

We all need friends, but the national shutdowns due to the coronavirus have interfered with normal socialization and fellowship. The coronavirus pandemic caused many governments to virtually “shut down” cities, states, provinces, and whole nations. In April 2020, BBC News reported: “Coronavirus: The world in lockdown in maps and charts.” The report described “How the world shut down. The approaches to dealing with coronavirus across the world have been wide-ranging to say the least. In Colombia the days that you’re allowed to leave the house depend on the number of your national ID card; in Serbia a designated dog-walking hour was introduced; and in Belarus the president has gone against medical advice, recommending vodka and saunas as a way to stay safe. Some of the more common approaches have seen governments issue recommendations on social distancing for part or all of the country, while others have acted to restrict all non-essential internal movement. The latter is often called a lockdown” (BBC.com).

BBC News indicated that starting in April of 2020, more than 70 countries introduced nation-wide lockdowns, including France, Germany, the UK, Russia, Italy, Spain, South Africa, and New Zealand. The restrictions in some areas resulted in strict isolation affecting the mental health of many. The nation of Japan, facing an unprecedented increase in death and suicide in pandemic-stricken 2020, instituted an aggressive solution to loneliness; it appointed a Minister for Loneliness. The Independent reported: “Japan has appointed a minister for loneliness following a recent rise in the number of suicides and the coronavirus pandemic’s exacerbation of the issue”.

On today’s program, we’ll discuss principles of friendship and biblical examples of both faithful and unfaithful friendships. We will also discuss the Bible’s awesome revelation of One who can be our greatest Friend!

Ancient King David, before he became king, was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king after King Saul. You can read about that in 1 Kings the sixteenth chapter. Most of you know the story of David’s victory over the giant Goliath and his subsequent military victories. King Saul was jealous and even tried to kill David two times. But Saul’s son Jonathan, who would ordinarily be considered the next king, became David’s best friend. In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan affirms to David that he will do all he can to protect David from King Saul’s anger, and pledges his friendship with David. 1 Samuel 20:16:

“So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, ‘Let the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.’”

And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

This rare example of faithful and loving friendship was in the context of God’s blessing. Remember the remarkable statement in Acts 13:22 regarding David’s character:

“And when He [God] had removed him, [King Saul] He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’”

Yet, King David knew that his closest fellowship was with God, who had blessed him and delivered him through numerous trials. When betrayed by his old friend Ahithophel, David reflected in Psalm 55:16,

“As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.”

My friends, you and I need that same close relationship with God. As it tells us in James 4:8,

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

James also mentions that the patriarch Abraham “believed God… And he was called a friend of God” (James 2:23).

Who is your closest friend?

Over the years, I’ve had many, many friends, but who is my BEST friend? God blessed me with a wonderful wife, and now over 57 years of marriage. But what was it that we had in common? We had similar backgrounds in culture and education, but what cemented our friendship, our love, was the way of life God called us to live. You’ve heard that way of life on [the] Tomorrow’s World program. It’s the way of True Christianity. There are counterfeit forms of Christianity which, frankly, have turned off some who might actually have been interested in biblical Christianity. I hope you’ve seen our Tomorrow’s World telecast “What is Biblical Christianity?”

Where can you find true and faithful friends? You can find them in a loving group of biblical Christians who follow the true Jesus Christ of your Bible.

Friendship is Love

Tomorrow’s World magazine author Phil Sena gives us this perspective in his Tomorrow’s Youth column, “BREAK FREE FROM LONELINESS.”

“What is loneliness? It is complicated. It is not just one thing—and it can be caused by any number of factors. Some feel that no one else shares their values. Some feel they have no one to share their life with. Some simply feel that no one cares about them. These feelings can lead to a sense of isolation and alienation—and to a deep sadness, even despondency, making ordinary life more painful than the people around them can understand” (March–April, 2010).

My friends, we need to find those who care for others. And it’s important to know the biblical values that produce loving relationships and friendships. And while it may not be easy when you are feeling lonely, we must exercise love for our neighbor and reach out to others. Mr. Sena gives this advice:

“Connect with others. There are other people who like some of the same things you like, or who believe the things you believe. Although it may be difficult at first, making the effort to meet some of those people will change your life. Reach out to people who share your interests, and soon your loneliness will cease. One of the best ways to break through loneliness is to realize that there are other lonely people, and that you may be able to help them. Is there someone in your community who needs help? It does not need to be something big; maybe just taking the time to listen to an elderly shut-in or encouraging a niece or nephew by playing catch. Making a difference in someone else’s life will make a big difference in your own” (ibid.).

Yes, you can reach out to others! Pray and ask God to help you love your neighbor. That is the second Great Commandment God gives us. You can read that in Mark 12:31. Most people know of the golden rule, but how many practice it as a way of life? Jesus stated it this way in Matthew 7:12:

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Tomorrow’s World presenter, Rod McNair, authored this inspiring article, “HOW TO FIGHT LONELINESS—FIVE WAYS TO OVERCOME.” It’s in the January–February 2020 edition of Tomorrow’s World magazine. You can access it on our TomorrowsWorld.org website. He gives five principles for fighting loneliness. We don’t have the time to mention all of them, so I’ll just mention the fifth principle here, but I urge you to go to TomorrowsWorld.org and read the whole article for yourself.

We’re discussing the importance of friends. Mr. McNair reminds us of a vital principle: SPEND TIME WITH YOUR MOST IMPORTANT FRIEND. He comments: “Before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ told His disciples, ‘No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends’ (John 15:15). That’s an amazing statement from the Savior of all mankind!”

The Savior of the World, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, paid the penalty of our sins by shedding His blood for you and me. God’s love is forever. God IS love, as it tells us in 1 John 4:8, 16. That love facilitates a powerful friendship with those who are willing to live godly, and to follow the example of our Savior.

How can we practice true friendship? Let’s look at the patriarch Job and his three friends. God allowed Satan to afflict Job to test him. Even though Job’s three friends misjudged Job, they still had an unusual willingness to share in his suffering. Notice the time they spent with him in silence. Job 2:13:

“So they [Job’s three friends] sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.”

Would you have the compassion and patience toward a friend for seven days in silence? That’s dedication. The book of Proverbs also gives us principles of friendship. Proverbs 12:26:

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully….”

Many make the mistake of compromising their character and values just to have a friend. If you are a faithful friend, you stand up for godly principles and never compromise. Proverbs 17:9:

“He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.”

A faithful friend does not carelessly disclose the weaknesses of others, but strives to help him or her overcome a character flaw. Proverbs 17:17:

“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

Or as the New Revised Standard Version translates it,

“A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.”

As we practice friendship, we need to know the Greatest Friend of all. Who is He? He is the One who loves you and gave His life for the sins of the world, and for your sins and mine! Yes, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ can be your BEST friend. So, we ought to know more about the true Jesus Christ of the Bible. The Apostle Paul warned that there are counterfeit presentations of Jesus. Turn in your Bible to 2 Corinthians 11:3. The Corinthians were fooled by people who SEEMED religious. Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:3,

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [Now listen to this!] For if he who comes preaches ANOTHER JESUS whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!”

The Corinthians tolerated “another Jesus.” As shocking as it may sound, many professing Christians today accept “another Jesus” and not the Jesus of your Bible! My friends, which Jesus do you follow? A king? Or a weakling wandering around in the desert? Can you really know the TRUE Jesus as He was in the flesh? And can you really know Him as He is NOW, the glorified Son of God at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven? Yes, you can.

Jesus Christ—The One Who Gave Everything for His Friends

John 15:15:

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Yes, your greatest friend should be your Savior, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth! But notice, He gave this requirement, John 15:9:

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

My friends, not only can you overcome loneliness, you can find the way to true life, happiness, and friendship. But you need to prove and know the true Jesus of your Bible! There are many differences between the Jesus most people imagine, and the Jesus of your Bible. We’ve covered these points on previous programs, but let me mention just a few. The true Jesus of your Bible: 1. Observed the weekly seventh-day Sabbath (not Sunday. He is Lord of the Sabbath as it states in Mark 2:28–29). 2. Was born in the autumn, near the Feast of Trumpets (in September or October), not on December 25. There were shepherds living in the fields, Luke 2:8, in the autumn, not in the winter. You may want to do your own research to see whose ancient birthday was celebrated on December 25). 3. Taught that we must keep the Ten Commandments (contrary to modern popular teaching. Read Matthew 19:17). 4. Observed the biblical festivals and annual Holy Days (not pagan days with Christian names. He observed the Feast of Tabernacles, for example. See John the seventh chapter).

My friends, I urge you to read the New Testament with a fresh perspective. Read what Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote about Him. You need to study and know the real Jesus of your Bible. You may find Him very different from the traditional images that are promoted around the world.

Yes, the true Christ of your Bible is alive today! But where is He? What is He doing? Where is Jesus? He is at the right hand of the throne of God in heaven. You can read about that glorious throne in Revelation the fourth chapter! And you can read about His glorious, radiant, powerful appearance in Revelation 1:12–16! Yes, Christ ascended to heaven. And what is He doing? The book of Hebrews is called the priesthood book. The true Jesus of your Bible is called our great High Priest! Jesus is able to sympathize with our sufferings. Why? Because He suffered in the flesh. He knows pain and He knows betrayal and He knows the temptations we face. How do we know that? Turn again in the book of Hebrews to chapter 4 and verse 15. My friends, you have a great High Priest in heaven who knows you and intercedes for you. Listen to this in Hebrews 4:14:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Listen to this encouraging scripture. Hebrews 7:24:

“But He [Christ as our Great High Priest], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore [Listen to this] He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24–25).

Yes, the true Jesus of your Bible ever lives to intercede for you and your sins and your problems, and He is doing a Work on this earth right now, preparing the way for His Second Coming! He commissioned His Church to preach the gospel. You’ve been hearing that gospel on this program, my friends—the same gospel Jesus preached, the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God. Just read about that in Mark 1:14 and 15. Jesus also prophesied that the gospel would be preached at the end of the age;

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The true Jesus of your Bible actively guides His true servants in fulfilling the great commission. As He promised in the last verse of Matthew 28,

“… lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

My friends, you need to study your Bible and prove which Jesus is the true Christ!

Entering Into Fellowship With God

Doubting Thomas exclaimed that Jesus was “my Lord and my God” (John 20:28). The book of Hebrews reveals that Jesus is our “great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14). He is called “King of kings and Lord of lords” in Revelation 19:16. In Isaiah 9:6, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth is called “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Remember how John the Baptist described Jesus. John told the crowds that followed him, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Jesus is also “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). My friends, you can research in Bible dictionaries and commentaries and find many more wonderful titles and names for the Jesus of your Bible. Now, let’s look at one final description in John the fourth chapter. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well information only the Messiah could tell her. Then, she told the whole community about Jesus. They urged Jesus to stay with them. After they listened to Jesus, they came to the conclusion and the reality the world will soon know. John 4:42:

“Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’”

My friends, who is Jesus? He is the Savior of the world. And as it tells us in Acts 4:12:

“… there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, is alive! He is now preparing to return to this earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. That same Jesus wants to be your best friend.

My friends, we all should pray as Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:10,

“Your Kingdom come.”

The Kingdom of God is coming to this earth. The King of kings, the Prince of peace, will transform this carnal, selfish, warring world into a millennium of peace and prosperity. That’s the good news of the gospel. But will you be ready? Remember, Jesus said,

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16).

My friends, if you’ve studied biblical baptism, and if you’ve come to the place in your life where you have repented and have accepted Christ’s sacrifice, His shed blood for the remission of your sins, and if you have accepted His authority over your life, we invite you to counsel with one of our ministers. We have representatives in many regions around the world.

Thank you for watching! Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss another Tomorrow’s World video, and if you would like a copy of our booklet What Is A True Christian? for free, click the link in the description. See you next time.