Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham. The book of Revelation is not an obscure, ancient document out of touch with what's happening. today. The future is here. The future is now.
On today's PowerPoint. Dr. Graham brings a message about what God's judgment looks like and how you can escape it.
Now here's Dr. Graham with his message. Terrorism and the Tribulation. Take your Bibles and turn to Revelation. Chapter 6, Revelation is about the future and the future.
is now. The future is now. Terrorism is a link to the future. Terrorism, as we're seeing it in the world today, is a major sign of the times in which we live and linked. Uh to prophecy.
We all realize, don't we, that something is desperately wrong in the world. We're cheering the fact that good things are happening, that the gospel is going forward, that lives are being changed. We celebrate that. As a matter of fact, in the last days, there will be a great revival of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Coinciding with that, we know that there's something desperately wrong with the world.
We wonder what's going to happen next. Will there be another attack on America? Will Iran make a nuclear weapon and use it against Israel and the world? Will another super virus spread throughout the earth? Christians, how many more Christians are going to die for their faith?
And then, what about the increasing immorality and the breakdown of the family in our own nation and the redefinition, so-called, of marriage? And then we wonder: when will we lose our freedom of speech, our religious expression, and our freedom of religion? We're seeing a blowback even greater than ever here in our country regarding our freedoms as Christians. One of the reasons that we're studying the Revelation. Is that the Bible, the Revelation, warns us of things to come?
The book of Revelation is not an obscure, ancient document out of touch with what's happening today. The future is here. The future is now. And what we read in the Revelation is happening before our eyes. It's like a storm warning.
And that is what we have in the book of Revelation.
Now, let me catch you up just a bit from the last time that we were together. In Revelation 6, there is the riding of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Those four horses representing deception and the revelation of the Antichrist. And on the heels of that, on the hoofbeats of that, came great disaster and wars, and then deprivation and economic disaster, and then death as the pale horse rides.
So those are the first four seals that we opened. There are three judgments, series of judgment that are pronounced in the book of Revelation. Chapter 6 through 19. I told you, it's not going to be all that pleasant. Because it's going to be judgment, judgment, judgment.
Thank God, in the midst of judgment, there is Jesus, and we'll be proclaiming the hope that we have in Christ. But it is a sobering warning. 21 separate, unique, distinct judgments are described in the Revelation. Seven seals that are open, the scroll that is unleashed and peeled open, then seven trumpet judgments that are to come, and then seven bowls or vials that are opened up upon the earth. In the midst of all of this is the great tribulation.
Revelation 6 to 19 describes this terrible Tribulation that comes upon the earth when hell will be unleashed and judgment will fall. And we see in the passage that we're about to read those Who die, those who seek the Lord and ultimately die. But we also see those who hide and run from the wrath of God.
So, really, it's. It's a hide and seek game, but it's no game. Those who seek and find and those who run. and hide.
So beginning in verse 9 of chapter 6, we read, when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness or the testimony that they had borne. Verse 10, they cried out with a loud voice, O sovereign Lord, holy and true. How long? How long? Before you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth.
Who are These Believers who are underneath the throne of God in a place of safety and security. They are described as robed. They are described as resting and rewarding beneath the throne of God. These are none other than tribulation. Believers.
Now remember the church has made its exit. Jesus comes for us. We are raptured into his presence. We are taken into the presence of Jesus. And so while believers are in heaven and this tribulation is unleashed upon the earth, there will be people who come to believe and confess in Christ in the great tribulation.
Yes, people will be saved after the rapture.
Now I know what some of you may be thinking. You may thinking, well, I'll just wait and check that out at the time then. I don't know if all this Jesus stuff is true or not. I don't know if this rapture and all this prophecy is just fantasy or whether it is fact. I'm thinking I'll get a second chance.
And decide for Jesus then. That is a very Bad plan. It's a terrible plan. It's a bad idea. First of all, because No second chances are promised to any of us.
This may be the last message you ever hear. This may be the last day you ever live. And we're not promised another day, much less another chance. Today, the Bible says, is the day of salvation. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.
There comes a time in which. The scripture says God's Spirit will no longer strive with us. Wrestle with us and God will give us up. God gives them up who ultimately reject Him. And if you get very good at rejecting Christ, it's like a callus on your hand.
But the callus is on your heart. And your heart is harder and harder and harder, and your resistance is stronger and stronger and stronger. And before you know it, you have no need, desire. to believe in Jesus in your own mind.
So it's a bad idea to reject Jesus to begin with, but there's something else to remember that's very important regarding this tribulation period. Because during the tribulation, the Antichrist will be revealed, and he will be a powerful, compelling, charming world leader who promises peace. And many Most, in fact. will believe the lies of the Antichrist. In fact, there's a scripture on this in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.
This is a description of the work of the man of lawlessness, which is a reference to the one who is to come, not the Christ, but the false Messiah, the Antichrist, who will reign and rule in this world of terror. And it says in verse 9, the coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders. In other words, he's going to be a miracle worker. And with all wicked deception, for those who are perishing because they refuse, notice past tense, they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion so that they may believe what is false.
They will believe the lies. of the enemy. In order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure. in unrighteousness.
So don't count on the fact that You will have another chance, another day. in the tribulation. receive Christ. People will be demonized in that day. When you reject Jesus, you begin to believe lies.
And that's what's going to happen in the world. It will be a demonized culture.
Now in verse 5, we are told there are two reasons why these believers who are now in heaven are murdered and martyred. For the word of God and the witness or the testimonies that they held. In other words, these Under the throne of God, under the altar of God, are there because they were martyred as followers of Jesus. They stood up For their faith. They're there.
because of their testimony. Persecution is happening. everywhere. And 90% of the persecution, while other religious groups are persecuted, 90% of persecution around the world is towards Christians. Where Christians are actually outlawed, and it's open season.
On Believers. Terrorists like Hamas and ISIS and others, the radical Islamic extremists who believe the words of Muhammad and the Quran to kill the infidel, to crush and conquer by the swords. These are the opponents. And while not every Muslim is a terrorist for sure. We know Muslim people.
who pray for peace. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is a fact that all of these terrorists are radical extremist Muslims. They believe in the caliphate. They believe in an Armageddon that is to come. That Will bring about their next Messiah, the twelfth Iman, but it's real.
And we need to pray that our own government will stand up. To those Who Are killing Christians and killing others around the world. The church and the people of God in this country need to wake up to the reality of persecutions around the world. You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message. Terrorism and the Tribulation.
How would your life change if you applied a bit of practical wisdom each day of the month? Find out by joining Dr. Graham in October as he dives into practical wisdom from the Bible. Each day will send its short teaching from God's Word to help you grow in wisdom and live the life He desires. If you're ready, text CHALLENGE to 59-789 and we'll get started.
Again, that's challenge to 59789. We'd love to send you a powerful resource from Dr. Jack Graham called The Jesus Book, a Christ-centered journey through scripture that shows how every part of the Bible reveals the person and work of Jesus. This book will help you understand how the entire Bible points to Christ, from Genesis to Revelation, and how His living word can bring peace, confidence, and clarity to your daily walk with Him. The Jesus book is our thanks for your gift of $10 or more.
And so when you give, know that your support helps take God's word across the airwaves, into homes, prisons, and hearts all over the world. To give your gift and get your copy of the Jesus Book, text the word BOOK to 59789. Again, text Book to 59789.
Now let's get back to today's message. Terrorism and the Tribulation. The pages of Christian history are stained with the blood of martyrs and faithful Christians who are willing to die for Jesus. When it says in this passage they are slain, it is a word which means butchered like an animal. Even beheaded.
Did you know that the Antichrist His tool of torture for the last days will be beheadings. We thought that was left to the Middle Ages. We thought beheadings were in the past, but now, once again, we're seeing. The rise of this extreme kind of terrorism and crucifying, even of children. The antichrist and terrorist regime will exterminate Christians at all costs.
And that includes you and me.
Now having said that The spirit of the Antichrist is already in the world. 1 John 4, 3. Tells us that this spirit of antichrist is presently in the world. The spirit of the antichrist is anti-God, antichrist. And if you stand up for God's word, and the testimony of Jesus, you will be persecuted.
You may not be put in prison. or beheaded. for your faith. But according to 2 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 12, All Who live godly lives in Jesus Christ will suffer. Persecution.
In some sense, in some way. If you stand for your faith. If you Share the testimony of Jesus. You will suffer for your faith. In fact, the word martyr.
actually is translated from the word witness. If you are A witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. you will suffer opposition and perhaps even extreme persecution.
So the question is Are you standing up for Jesus? The question is Is your witness for Jesus Christ clear? and compelling. Does your family and your friends, do they know? That you love.
and follow Jesus. The truth is... If you are known as a Christian, You may be bullied. You may be mocked. You may be ostracized.
even punished and imprisoned. and martyred. But if you say to me something like, Well, you know, not much is happening in my life. I'm not all that harassed. I'm not all that hassled.
You know, everybody seems to like me. I can get along with pretty much Anybody. that either one of two things is true. Either you're not a believer. Because the scripture says All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, or if you are a believer, you're compromised as a Christian.
In some way, you are compromised to the degree that your witness means nothing. I like the way the message renders this verse that I've been quoting, 2 Timothy 3:12. Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble. There is no getting around it. What did Jesus say in the Beatitudes?
Blessed are you who suffer for righteousness' sake? when you are persecuted for my name, for great is your reward in heaven. Of such is the kingdom of God. When you take your stand for Christ, you will. Face the flack.
Now When you stand for Jesus, let me remind you, we do this lovingly. Faithfully. Consistently Don't be a jerk for Jesus. You know what I mean? A lot of people are just jerks and they think they're being persecuted for their faith.
No. Don't be mean-spirited. Don't be fringe. Don't be weird. Don't be obnoxious.
Don't be hyper-judgmental. And then wonder why people don't like you. No, you graciously take your stand for Christ. For the Word of God, you tell people in love of His love for you and for them. Take your stand in grace and truth.
But the fact is, Jesus said, Count the cost. Take up your cross and follow me.
Well, back to these martyrs in heaven. They cry out. In verse 10, Lord. How long? And they scream.
That's the word. That is used here. They cry out, they scream. To be avenged. We want to know: have we died in vain or have we died in victory?
Lord, how long will it be before our blood is avenged? How long before you settle the score? And you put an end. To evil.
Sometimes we wonder Why God doesn't stop this whole thing right now. Don't we? The Bible calls it the mystery of iniquity. The very fact that evil exists, that evildoers are allowed to be alive.
So we wonder, like these martyrs under the altar of God, Lord, how long? How much longer? Before you settle it. And judge the world. God says.
Here. Just a little while longer. Just a little more time. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. There is now a space for grace.
This is The era of grace. This is the opportunity for people to know Christ. But don't you ever doubt it. God will have it. have the last word.
You wouldn't want to believe in a God who was not just. and righteous. That would judge sin, would not judge sin or evil.
Someone may say, well, How could a God who loves judge people in their sin? I would answer how Could a God of love not judge people in their sin? We all cry out as these martyrs beneath the altar, we all cry out. For justice. None of us are to seek personal revenge.
I loved what Hormos was saying about that. There's no room. for personal revenge. Jesus taught us to love and pray for our enemies. and to wait on God.
Because God says in Romans chapter 12, vengeance is mine, says the Lord. Vengeance is mine. These martyrs are crying out, avenge us, O God. Is it right for us to pray that God would ultimately destroy the terrorists? To cry out for justice and mercy in the midst of this terror?
Yes. God will one day judge all the earth and the evildoers and the terrorists and the nations who forget. God. And remember God's wrath. The wrath of the lamb, as it is described here, you would expect to see the wrath of the lion.
But instead it is the wrath of the Lamb. One of the great terrors of the tribulation. The terrors of eternity without God will be to know that the Lamb of God who loved you and poured out His blood for you on the cross. But you reject it. Would then become your judge.
Jesus, who died to save, will one day be the judge of all who rejected him. God is loving, God is merciful, God is gracious, but he is a God who takes vengeance upon the wicked. Micah 5:15 says, In anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey me.
So you're thinking, okay, God, go get them. Go get all those wicked nations. He'll judge all. the wicked people in Iran and ISIS and all the rest. But if God is going to judge the nations, what about our own nation?
What about America? God will judge America unless America repents. and other Western nations. that have turned their back on him.
Someone years ago said that we're sliding towards Sodom and Gomorrah. God judges the nations that reject Him. How can we in America expect any less? Vengeance. Wrath.
But the time of salvation is now. And knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade people. Be reconciled to God. Trust in Jesus. I didn't have time to finish this message this morning, but at the end, when the seal is broken, the people on earth panic and they run to the mountains.
They run and hide from God, still unrepentant. There are cataclysmic events in the universe and on earth that are frightening. The blood hangs like a blood clot in the sky. Seismic events and all of this described here at the end of Revelation, and when it happens. Politicians and world leaders and Rank and file and common, everyone will run.
And pray to the mountains to fall on them and try to hide from God, but you can't hide from God, dear friend. Let me close by saying that If all of this is frightening to you, As a Christian, I'm not frightened at all. Because I know a Savior who's promised to come. And to receive me for himself. And to every believer, there's a way of escape.
There's a way out. And Jesus is coming to take us to be with Him before all of this hell and terror is unleashed upon the earth. That's why we're bringing these messages. In order to warn you of the wrath to come, but more than that. to point you to Jesus.
Who died on the cross for your sins and rose again so that you could have eternal life. You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message. Terrorism and the Tribulation. Pastor, there is an upcoming opportunity for our listeners to join you on the trip of a lifetime. Can you tell us more?
I want to personally invite you to join me for something very special. It's the Patriot Tour to Washington, D.C., April 22nd through 27th, 2026. As we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, we're going to visit some of the most powerful and historic places in our nation's capital, like the U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Monuments, Mount Vernon, and the Museum of the Bible. This won't be just a tour.
It will be a spiritual journey. Really, I'll be opening God's word. word along the way, teaching us about the spiritual foundations, the biblical foundations of our nation, and the hope that we have for the future.
So, registration is now open and I'd love for you to be a part of this unforgettable experience. For more information and to reserve your spot today, text Patriot to 59789. Can't wait to see you there. How would your life change if you applied a bit of practical wisdom each day of the month? Find out by joining Dr.
Graham in October as he dives into practical wisdom from the Bible. Each day will send its short teaching from God's Word to help you grow in wisdom and live the life He desires. If you're ready, text Challenge to 59789 and we'll get started. Again, that's challenge to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?
We are to always speak the truth in love. Jesus came in grace and in truth.
So we never stop. preaching the truth. We never stop telling the truth. We never compromise our convictions about who Jesus is and how He died on the cross and rose again, and that people need to be saved from death and hell and judgment by trusting in Christ, in Christ alone. We never compromise.
ever back off. from what God's word says. That's the testimony of Jesus. But we should say what we say and live what we live in love. And that means that we serve people, that we pray for people, that we are willing to forgive people, that we live.
as bright lights in a dark world. Not glaring, but glowing with the love of Jesus. It's my prayer that you will be a witness for Christ. And in the face of Christ, Terrorism in the world and tribulation that is to come, growing resistance and opposition to the Christian faith in our. own country here in America.
and in places around the world where Jesus is being resisted and opposed and Christians are being persecuted. We pray. that God will give us the courage and the strength. and the devotion to him. to be faithful.
And in our faithfulness to God, that we would be genuine and authentic in our love for Christ. And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift of $10 or more to PowerPoint, we'll send you a copy of Dr. Graham's book, The Jesus Book, as our thanks. Text the word book to 59-789.
And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about the only way you can survive the end of the world. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.
