A (2:44)

Well, Nathan, there's a traditional tolerance that we all would encourage, and yet there's a new tolerance that is very dangerous overtones. So traditional tolerance is respect for different viewpoints while still holding to your own convictions. It's what allowed our country to thrive even as people from all over the world came here. And we didn't force them to adopt certain religious viewpoints, but we respected people's ability to choose for themselves. Now, in the context of the founding of this nation, it was a context of Christian beliefs, and yet we didn't say you had to be Baptist or Methodist or even Catholic. You could choose your own version of the Christian faith. Now, obviously, we have a much wider range of religious faiths, but what is being embraced now is not merely tolerance. In other words, respect for others, ability to disagree, but it is a demand that we embrace beliefs that are contrary to our own convictions. And so this new tolerance demands endorsement and, and celebration of all kinds of beliefs and even lifestyles. And the irony is that this new virtue means that everything is tolerated except Judeo Christian values.

B (3:51)

Yeah, it's interesting that classic liberalism that rose out of the Enlightenment was open to many ideas. That's what universities were for. You went and shared ideas, you learned things. It wasn't always Judeo Christian, but it was open and free. But then we've seen this Marxist view that this intolerance is masquerading as tolerance enter into our systems. We've seen, for instance, the Democratic Party leave their liberalism behind and become Marxists. We've seen the universities, Hollywood, and even society is moving towards that where every opinion is equally valid, but that anything biblical is not. And it directly contradicts what the Bible says in Isaiah 5:20. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness. It's a rejection of a standard set by God that produces the rejection of moral absolutes. This new tolerance, folks, is not moral progress, even though it calls itself progressivism. It's an actual moral collapse dressed up in virtuous language.

A (4:49)

You know, you talked about universities and colleges being repositories of knowledge and seeking truth. I'm reminded that Harvard University, very famous in recent years and days for its leftist bent. Its original motto was for the glory of Christ in Christi glorium, that was in Latin, but for the glory of Christ. Later that was replaced by Veritas Christo et ecclese, which meant truth for Christ and the church. In other words, Harvard was founded to be an institution designed to produce pastors and ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But of course, today, very few people remember that or know that instead. The claim that they hold up as their motto is simply veritas truth. And and yet they've abandoned the only truth that matters, and that is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You know, the impact on American culture has been devastating. We've seen moral convictions silenced by the threat of being labeled as intolerant. And people are increasingly reluctant to condemn evil behaviors in cultures such as the Holocaust or human sacrifice out of fear of being labeled as bigoted. Instead, in our own society, people are embracing all cultures, even those that are clearly destructive. And in doing so, Nathan, they're denying the civil influence of Judeo Christian principles. There are thinking atheists who would still say today and have that Judeo Christian values have indeed made this the freest and most prosperous society in all of human history. And so even though they don't believe in Christ, they have embraced those Judeo Christian principles. And yet today those are the very principles that are being rejected by this new tolerance.

B (6:30)

Yes, and they waged the club was called bigotry. You're a bigot if you disagree with them. Our own founder, Dr. David Reagan, liked to say an imbecile's claim is treated as equally valid to the gospel. That's why we're seeing Islam being elevated in the United States as an equal ideology to Christianity, even though it's ultimately self destructive and wants to conquer the world. So we're in a system that clearly cannot coexist with our Judeo Christian values as this country changes. Well, folks, coming up, we're going to look at how the new tolerance is impacting public policy and the hot topic area of immigration. And we're going to talk to Pastor Vic Batista about his immigration experience in light of recent headlines. That's next on what's really Going On.

C (7:13)

Recently, a listener named Jim contacted Christ in Prophecy to say this whenever I feel discouraged, your ministry reminds me of the temporary nature of it all and the eternal promises that await us. Thank you for blessing us for so many years. We want to hear from you. Let us know how understanding Bible prophecy has shaped your faith by sharing your story@christinprophecy.org contact

A (7:40)

welcome back to our segment we call what's really Going On. You know, folks, for many, many months now, indeed years, there's been much debate, much discussion and a lot of heat and noise about immigration policy in the United States and throughout the world, quite frankly. But we all have opinions. Today we have with us an expert. As a matter of fact, we have one of our own. Vic Batisto, who is our Spanish evangelist affiliated with Lamb and Lion Ministries, will tell you more about Vic. But Vic, welcome to Christ in Prophecy Radio.

D (8:11)

Tim, it's a pleasure to be here with you and Nathan. What a joy it is to be able to visit you guys live well.

A (8:16)

You have been a part of our team. You and Nathan have a podcast. We'll talk more about that in a moment, but give us a really brief rundown. How did you come to know the Lord and what is your own background that that makes you an expert when it comes to immigration?

D (8:28)

Thank you, Tim. Thanks for asking. Well, I originally was born in the Dominican Republic. We immigrated to the US back in 1976. I came when I was a little child. My parents brought me over from the Dominican Republic because it was more or less the land of the free compared to the Dominican Republic. So when we came to the US we landed in New York City, Delancey. From there we moved to the Bronx and grew up in the Bronx and I went to school and eventually ended up in Miami, Florida, where I came to know the Lord and became part of Calvary Chapel. I pastored with them now for over 25 years. And I have a bunch of siblings. There's nine of us, six brothers and three sisters. All immigrated. Yeah, they didn't have television back then, so finally we got a black and white tv so things slowed down. So all my brothers and sisters, they are living in different areas of the US they're all doing very well, all got an education. But immigrating to this country was a great blessing. But I also had a little bit of its challenges, especially back in 1976. There were different areas where we live, different neighborhoods, different racial boundaries that we had to overcome. But overall, we thank the Lord for being in this wonderful country. But we're blessed to be here, Tim.

A (9:44)

Well, we're blessed to have you here, not only in this country, but obviously co laboring with us for Christ. Well, Vic, as you were sharing with us earlier, you said that as you were looking forward to and hoping to become an American citizen, which you are, that was fraught with a little bit of uncertainty because of some things that had happened in your life. So how did that come about?

D (10:01)

Well, Tim, as a young person, you know, we all make mistakes when we're in our 20s. And I did some things that I really shouldn't have done. I had a little bit of a problem with drinking, and that got me in a little bit of a trouble, trouble with the law. But that messed up my record, which I, of course, back then didn't realize being an immigrant. And because of my record, I was at one time almost being able to be deported to the Dominican Republic, because if you had committed some type of a crime, it was retroactive. So in my zeal to be a U.S. citizen, which I wanted to be as U.S. citizens, I wasn't aware of that background criminal history that I had. And I was already a pastor, I had my own family. And the topic came that I might be deported because of my past criminal history. So I was working with an attorney, and he said, vic, you know, you want to go ahead and go through with being a citizen, but there's a possibility that when you get to the swearing, they might actually send you back. So I prayed about it, and I said, well, if the Lord wants me back in the Dominican Republic, then he's going to use me there. But while I'm here in the United States of America, I need to do what's right, and I need to make sure that everything I do is legal, because I recognize that there was a lot of problems with immigration back there and illegal people in our country. And as a pastor, there were people in our congregation that were not legal, and they also were fearful of returning to their country. And that's when I explained to them that while we're here, we need to do what's right. So when my time came to actually go for the swearing to become a citizen, I was a little bit hesitant, a little bit nervous about it because there was the possibility of being deported. But I figured, well, I'm going to trust the Lord and if he wants me to be here, then I'll be here. So, Tim and Nathan, I tell you, it was the joy of my life when I walked in with my little flag waving in Miami, and they said that you are now a citizen, praise God. And that was a great blessing because it really encouraged me to come, continue to do the right thing. And now I'm able to have dual citizenship in the U.S. in the Dominican Republic. So my encouragement to individuals always is, do what's right, trust the Lord no matter what.

A (12:14)

Well, that's a very powerful testimony because you lived it and doing what is right, trusting in the Lord. You also shared that there's a tremendous insight even from the flag of the Dominican Republic. Tell us what is unique about the doctor Flag that's still flying today over the capital of the Dominican Republic?

D (12:30)

Great question, Tim. And when I was doing missions trip to the Dominican Republic, we did a lot of missions trip, and we will often go there, and we will. I will look at the flag, and the flag was really nice because it has a cross in the middle. But what many people don't know is that in the middle of the cross, there's an actual Bible, and it's open to a certain verse. Once I found out what that was, I would challenge other people from the Dominican Republic, and I almost kid with them because it was a form of evangelism. And I would say, so you call yourself a Dominican, right? And they go, yeah. I said, so what is on our flag? And they will all say, well, there's a cross. And I said, but what's in the middle of the cross? And some of them, very few will actually recognize that it was a Bible. And I would say, that's great, but do you know what verse it's open to? And that's when they were like, verse. And I said, yes, so check it out. So it's actually open to John 8. 32, what the Bible says. And you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free. So upon one of our missions trips, I wanted to start a Bible prophecy ministry. And that's where the Lord said, you know what? That will be a great the truth will set you free. So that's how that started. And it's been a great blessing to be able to evangelize with that verse.

A (13:36)

You certainly have. And Nathan, you are a partner with Vic on a podcast. I've been able to appear sometimes as a guest, but you guys are faithful every week. So tell us how you got to be involved with Vic on a podcast named the Truth Shall Set yout Free.

B (13:49)

Yeah. Back in 2010, Vic had started this podcast that had a different name, but he wanted to name it the Truth Will Set yout Free. And, Vic, this is the first time I'm actually learning about this, why you named it the Truth Will Set you Free. I always thought it was just the verse in the Bible, but it has significance to your home country. And so for the last now 16 years, Vic and I have been podcasting verse by verse through the Bible, especially the prophetic books. And if you are on Spotify, pray.com, apple, even go to our own website and sign up for the rss feed. On christinprophecy.org, you can listen to what now 16 years worth of podcasts.

D (14:24)

Wow.

A (14:25)

Well, you guys have been a great blessing to, I know many multitudes of listeners. And we pray today that what we're sharing is an element of what's really going on. We'll peel back some of the arguments and the debate over immigration and if people would just seize to what is true. And as you modeled Vic so beautifully, trusting in the Lord, because wherever he sends us, if we believe in him, we will stay in the center of his will and we will be of service to him and really be able to be a blessing to others.

D (14:54)

Absolutely, Tim. And that's why we always encourage people, especially as believers, do what's right, trust in the Lord. We want to be good citizens, but we also want to be role models. And I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here with you.

A (15:04)

Well, Vic, before we close out this particular segment, obviously you also make yourself available to go and speak on behalf of Lamb and Lion Ministries, but really to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and focusing on the prophetic word that promises he is coming soon. So what do you offer to churches when you go and speak? What unique talent do you have that Nathan and I obviously lack?

D (15:26)

I'm just kidding. I said they speak Spanish.

A (15:28)

Of course. Of course.

D (15:29)

One of the things that we always that we've had as part of Calvary Chapel, but also here as an evangelist, is that we offer Spanish and English. So anyone that has a congregation where they have a Spanish congregation and they want to learn more Bible prophecy, I would love to come out and speak to them and share with them. We actually, we have a book that I just wrote. It's called Navigating the Revelation Letters and that's soon going to be in Spanish.

A (15:51)

Oh, man. So we will.

D (15:52)

We will be able to move.

A (15:53)

Yeah.

D (15:53)

So we'll be able to bring it to not only the Spanish congregation, but also the English congregation. And Tim, if I could give out my number, please are always welcome to call or text 305-992-9537. We'd love to go out and speak at their churches or their events.

B (16:09)

And you can get in touch with Vic through our website@christinprophecy.org, just click contact. We'll make sure he gets any kind of contact through email as well.

A (16:17)

Well, it's been a blessing to have you today, brother. I'll look forward to other times when we get to minister together, but we'll continue to co labor through podcasts and other vehicles until he's coming.

D (16:26)

Amen. Thank you.

A (16:27)

All right, we'll be right back, folks. Stay with us.

C (16:30)

People are desperately searching for answers online and many voices trying to get their attention. At Christ in Prophecy, we point people to God's Word. It's the only Source that is 100% reliable from the beginning to the end times. To help us teach others about Bible prophecy, please consider making a generous donation to support this ministry. We rely on the fervent prayers and sacrificial giving of fellow believers to continue broadcasting Christ in Prophecy on tv, radio and online. The Bible has already revealed what we need to know. Help us share the truth with others by giving today@christinprophecy.org donate

A (17:14)

well, it was great to have Vic Batista here on site with us and be able to talk about what's really going on from his perspective as a pastor, as an evangelist of Jesus Christ. So Nathan, you and I have served in that capacity as evangelists now for a number of years, proclaiming the Gospel with an emphasis on the soon return of Christ. Obviously, we believe that that is key even to our gospel outreach. But this new tolerance would not tolerate us. It would not tolerate us proclaiming the gospel. And so this is not just a cultural problem, it's a spiritual and a prophetic problem. And its deepest danger may be what's going on inside the church, where even the Gospel is being muted out of a desire to be tolerated by society at large.

B (17:56)

Yeah, we've seen this phenomenon in recent years. Instead of the church being anti culture or opposite counterculture in that it brings the Gospel to the world, it's trying to be likable to the world. And in doing so, the pulpits are becoming silent. Mainline denominations are trying to appease and tolerate all the viewpoints, even if they're anti biblical. And they're unwilling to address gambling, abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, et cetera. And as a result, the Gospel is being silenced right from our own pulpits, and the preaching messages are just diluted to feel good. Best life now messages, you know.

A (18:31)

In addition, Bible verses are often twisted to be manipulated into whatever the pastor wants to say or whatever he thinks his listeners want to hear. And often it is endorsing or at least accepting of sin. One of the examples would be Matthew 7:1 frequently misused to silent moral discernment, where Jesus said, do not judge so that you will not be judged. But here's a verse you don't often hear. In John 7:24, the Lord also said, do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. In other words, the Lord himself did not call us to be non judgmental. He just said, use righteous discernment. And yet today, even from pulpits, we're told not to be discerning whatsoever and to embrace or at least accept anything that is thrown down our throats. You know, Bible prophecy warned about this very day and age. Paul, writing to his Protege Timothy in 2 Timothy 4, beginning in verse 3, said, the time will come when they, the world at large will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. And too often this very impetus is in the church where congregations do not want to hear truth, they just want to have their ears tickled. And Nathan, I used to tell my pastor, when I walk in the door, I'll be glad to leave my shoes at the door so you can step on my toes. In other words, I said, do not hold back from proclaiming truth, even if it makes me uncomfortable, because that's what scripture should do. It should make me uncomfortable in my sin and call me to repentance and draw me closer to Christ.

B (20:05)

That's why we are saying what the Bible prophesies. The very first sign that Jesus talked about in Luke 21 and Matthew 24 would be an increase in false teachers and false prophets that people would want their itching ears to hear lies being told to them. So there is a growing acceptance that all religions lead to God, all paths lead to God. Maybe you folks who are tuned in believe that. Yeah, I could be a Buddhist or a Muslim or a Hindu. It all leads to God. Matter of fact, 65% Americans and including a majority of Christians believe that many religions can lead to eternal life in heaven. But contrast this with Jesus clear claim in John 14:6. He said, I am the way and, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me or Acts 4:12. There is salvation in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. So the Bible is very, very clear that Jesus Christ is the way, the only way to reach the Father and go to heaven. So this idea, this apostasy that's teaching you that you can be any religion or no religion at all. 25% of people in the United States, Tim, now call themselves nuns. No religion whatsoever. And yet they'll still Enter heaven. Only people who are saved enter heaven according to the Bible.

A (21:23)

You know, there are tremendous prophetic implications to what we're talking about today, folks. In other words, we are leading. The world itself is leading toward a one world religion. This new tolerance is paving the way for that one world religion of the antichrist. The Revelation 17 describes a false adulterous religion that unites the world under the beast. And so this call for ecumenicalism where everything is morphed into one non offensive kind of mushy faith. And so that's across denominations and it's across religions. The Antichrist will demand allegiance, offering false peace and false unity. And this is not speculation. This is exactly what the Bible prophesied and told us to watch out for and to avoid at all costs.

B (22:10)

That's why we have to go to the Bible, folks. Psalm 97:10 Hate evil, you who love the Lord. Romans 12, 9 Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Matthew 5, 13, 14 we are called to be salt and light, not to be silent. Folks. Love without truth is not love, and tolerance without conviction is not a virtue. Jesus is coming soon and he's coming to reign with righteousness and justice as we wait for his return. We're not called to indifference, we're called to stand firm. Well, stay with us. Tim's going to come back and give us a final word of encouragement.

C (22:45)

Swipe away the endless bad news and open up our Lamplighter magazine to discover your blessed hope. Our bi monthly magazine sheds God's light on today's headlines through powerful articles written by men and women who love God and His Word. Find out what's really happening and how you can have hope in Christ. The Lamplighter magazine is available in print, email and downloadable formats. Request your copy when you go to christinprophecy.org Friends, we live in a world

A (23:14)

that tells us that the greatest sin is making a moral judgment. And yet the Bible calls us to something far more demanding and far more loving than that. Psalm 94:16 asks the question, who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness? That question was not merely rhetorical. God was looking for men and women of conviction, people who would love him enough to call evil by its proper name and love their neighbors enough to tell them the truth. We are not called to be harsh or hateful. We are called to speak the truth in love. We are called to be bold and compassionate. And it is compassion rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That compels us to proclaim that there is only one way, one truth, one life through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It's that same love that motivates us to tell our neighbors and friends that Jesus is coming soon, warning those who have not yet embraced him as Savior and Lord to flee from the wrath to come and into the loving arms of our Savior and to encourage the church to be watchful, to be hopeful and to be expectant for his glorious return. We would invite you to join with us, partner with us in proclaiming the glorious good news of the Gospel and Christ's soon return. Just call 972-736-3567 and join us in this mission of hope and encouragement. The new tolerance may be paving the way for the Antichrist, but it cannot stop the return of the king. As Revelation 19:11 tells us, one day heaven will open and the one called faithful and true will ride forth and he will judge with righteousness. Evil will not be tolerated in that day. It will be defeated. Until he comes. Our cry and our prayer is Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus, Godspeed.