← Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Ep 1117 | Jase Unpacks How to Conquer Fear When the World Is Falling Apart
00:57:51
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- [00:02]
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- [01:02]
Phil Robertson
I am unashamed. What about you?
- [01:07]
Jase Robertson
Welcome back to the Unashamed podcast. The last podcast, we were. It was kind of an odd coupling. We were talking about the LSU game because, you know, on the weekend at the College World Series, and then kind of led us into also current events that are happening around the world because it all kind of came together. Jason's last weekend, you know, for us, because we were, like, all into the. To the sports stuff. But then, like, happens a lot of times, you know, real life breaks in to, you know, it kind of lets you know what's important. You know, what?
- [01:39]
Phil Robertson
We're human beings. We're literally watching the game. And Missy's like, oh, they're talking about maybe World War three is taking place. And, you know, I wasn't joking, but I was like, well, I hope they wait till this game's over, you know, because just I was like, I'm here now. And, you know, it hurts your heart that, you know, people are fighting and people are dying. And, I mean, there's wars going on all over the globe, which is sad, but it makes you remember even all the times Jesus referred to the evil one, you know, in this, him having the power over death, which is why Jesus came here, to free us from that fear. And, you know, that's kind of what I was thinking. I thought, at the end of the day, I'm in Christ. And one of the benefits of being in Christ is life after death, you know, and to rush in when people are suffering and hurting. And that's what the church is supposed to do, you know, and providing healing, hope, and concern where needed. So, yeah, it's scary times, but this has been going on since the dawn of humanity. I mean, we're going back to Cain and Abel.
- [03:00]
Jase Robertson
Well, you got to look at it from everybody's perspective. Zach, I thought you did a good job last time. One at just kind of showing that question of who is Israel? You know, because we think about this idea from a kingdom perspective, and when you're looking at nations and you kind of tend to paint one brush, I mean, if you look at it from Israel's perspective. Jason, I was thinking about this on the last podcast. I didn't get a chance to say this, but, you know, our grandparents, all of our, three of our grandparents in their lifetime, really almost in dad's lifetime, because it was just before when it started, but you had a regime in the world that was trying to conquer the world, and in the process of that made their mind up that they were going to kill every Jew on the planet. I mean, like, that was their goal. And they killed millions of people just because they didn't like them, because, you know, whatever the reasons were, whatever. And so from their perspective, when, when they feel threatened with annihilation, it's not like it hasn't happened recently. This is our grandparents who we all spent time with. It was in their lifetime when that happened in World War II. So when something like this rolls along and somebody says, you know, we're going to stop, start dropping nuclear bombs on, on Israel, from their perspective, it's time to do something, you know, because they've lived through this nightmare of someone wanting to kill everybody, you know, even just a physical Jew.
- [04:28]
Phil Robertson
Yeah. And I think a lot of it is just the fact that God chose Israel. And whether they believe that or not, I mean, you have the best selling book of all times, which basically claims that. And the idea of it creates bitterness from their neighbors. And that's why I think Ephesians 2 is so powerful about when he's, you know, at the end of chapter one and even into chapter two, when he's talking about this mystery of Jews and Gentiles coming together under one new humankind, one new humanity, and him destroying that hostility that was there. And you're still seeing the repercussions of that even today. And it also says, you know, in chapter two, when he talks about in him those who are in Christ, this new humanity under Christ, which he had previewed when he said that Christ came at the time he did to bring all things on heaven and earth under one head. But when he gets to the end of chapter two, he's like, in him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him, you two are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his spirit. I mean, that's right after he talked about in Christ bringing this one humanity together. So it's not like the answer to the problem is not anywhere. I mean, you just think about what Christ does, about destroying that wall of hostility that you're seeing. Yeah.
- [06:13]
Zach Dasher
And then you see the same language, similar in Paul's letter to the church in Galatia. He says, before faith came, he said we were all held captive under the law, which we were imprisoned until the coming of faith would be revealed, which was revealed in Christ. So then the law was our guardian until Christ came in order that we might be justified by faith. That's that same language I mentioned in the last podcast about Romans 9, how the Gentiles were included in as children of Abraham because they put their faith in Christ. But now that faith has come, listen to this. We are no longer under a guardian, but for in Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God, everybody, all the Jews and Gentiles, through faith, for as many as you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek. There is neither slave nor free. There is no male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise. And I think, man, what good news is that? And I think that's why, like you think about the atomic age that we live in, because there's a lot of fear that comes apart. Are we in World War iii? Are we under a nuclear. And yeah, we probably are. But if you're in Jesus, you can remember this, that we actually can pull ourselves together and despite all the fears, we can. This is a quote by C.S. lewis that I love. He said, the first point to be made in the atomic age, how we live in it. And the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we're all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, well, let that bomb come when it finds us doing sensible and human things. Praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts, not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies, a microbe can do that, but they need not dominate our minds. And I love that because that gives me a sense of peace, like, no matter what's going on. We don't have to quit living. We don't have to quit being the kingdom in the world. The kingdom has come. So we're going to be the kingdom. We're going to continue to operate. Yeah, we'll deal with Stu, talk about it, but it cannot dominate our minds. We. We are liberated in Christ.
- [08:42]
Jase Robertson
But think about. You're right, Zach and Jay, you mentioned that idea about hostility and so much about what we see in Middle Eastern politics between nations in the Middle east is this division. Some of it's division within Islam, some of it's the division of Judaism and Islam. But if you think about it, Zach, what you just read in Galatians, Jesus being the promise of Abraham really becomes the ultimate unifier. Because I didn't realize until I mentioned Larry Bowles on the last podcast. And Larry, he showed us which something I never knew is that one of the ways that they have helped lead a lot of Muslims to Christ is the idea of just that, going back to Abraham, who both recognized and saying, what was the promise of Abraham? It was bigger than Judaism and it was bigger than Islam. It was Jesus, the Messiah, coming to earth. And when we come to him, then we can all be on the same page. So I just love the idea that what we're talking about on the podcast, you have to talk about geopolitics, you have to talk about America and how we fit into it. But at the heart of it, it always comes down to the idea that in Christ is the ultimate answer. Because of what you just said. Because ultimately it's about living forever.
- [09:57]
Zach Dasher
Yeah. And there's no distinct. There's no distinction. I think that's a big thing. That Ephesians passage that Jase mentioned, that wall of hostility between Jew and gentile in Christ is gone. Meaning it's not there. Meaning it doesn't exist. There's no distinction. There's no separation. I think was it Ronald Reagan said, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall? This is like the ultimate tearing down of a wall of hostility between basically Israel and the nations. And. And it's through Israel. It is important to recognize this, that it is. The Bible does teach that it is through Israel that all of the nations will be blessed. And that's true. That still stands today. That is through the promise that God made. Yeah, the promise he made that. Think about it. Was it Genesis 22 when he sacrificed Isaac and that substitution was made on that mountain. Right. He provided a ram in the thicket, a substitution, paid his only son. All that foreshadowing of Jesus. That covenant, that covenant made with Abraham, we are now beneficiaries of that promise that first started with Israel and then was extended out to the gentile nations. And we were brought into that communion with God. So I'm so thankful, so thankful for a God that redeems all people.
- [11:22]
Jase Robertson
Yesterday I took the grandkids to a water park and I got my very first wristband that said senior citizen discount, Jase. Can you believe that?
- [11:31]
Phil Robertson
Oh, I actually can. So it happened. Just own it. Own it.
- [11:38]
Jase Robertson
That's what I'm saying. I was proud of it. I keep it as a memento. But, you know, this last year has been a lot of changes for me. Obviously, When I hit 60, I realized that I was overweight, I was not healthy, and I needed to do something about it, as a lot of people do at different points in their lives. And so I turned to some good people. At PhD weight loss, the program teaches you what to eat, when to eat, and it works on your relationship with food because the main thing they're trying to do is get you to lose this weight for life. If you're looking online, here's a picture of me before, a picture of me now. Obviously a huge difference. 23 and a half weeks into this program, I've lost over 60 pounds. I feel great. The main thing is my medicine's been cut, so I'm healthier. There's no gimmicks, there's no pills, there's no shots. And these side effects that you get with a lot of what's out there. Now, I love that you're not eating rabbit food. I haven't been hungry because it's high in protein. PhD weight loss even provides up to 80% of your weekly food at no extra cost. So check them out. Now's the time. If you know you're needing to do something, don't hold back anymore. Check them out. Join me on my weight loss journey. Schedule your one on one consultation today by calling 864-644-1900 or you can visit myphdweightloss.com that's 864-644-1900. Tell them that Al Robertson sent you.
- [13:06]
Phil Robertson
Well, what I was going to say, you know, we're in John 10 and we're fixing to get into Jesus being the shepherd of the sheep. And remember, he's like, watch out for the thief who comes to kill and destroy. Well, what's fascinating about that is all through the Bible, I've noticed this. I know you all have, too. That There's a correlation between the king and his people, which for us is King Jesus, and we're his people, but there's a correlation to that. And a shepherd who takes care of his sheep, which seems so weird to like, when you look at it from the worldly view. They're like, well, when you think of sheep and a shepherd, you don't think there's anything powerful about that. And one place that you can read is Ezekiel 34. And the title of it that is not inspired, but they put it there. It's shepherds and sheep. And I'd like to read a little bit of it and make a correlation, because you kind of see this. The whole thing keeps talking about.
- [14:19]
Jase Robertson
The.
- [14:19]
Phil Robertson
Sovereignty of the Lord, and it's this speech about shepherds and sheep. But just to read a little bit of it, in verse one, it says, the word of the Lord came to me, son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, this is what the Sovereign Lord says. Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves. Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat with the curds, clothe yourselves with wool, and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally so. They were scattered because there was no shepherd. And when they were scattered, they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them. Therefore you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord. He keeps saying that based on his authority and his rule. Because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals. And because my shepherds did not search for my flock, but cared for themselves rather than the flock. Therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says. I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths and it will no longer be food for them. And it goes on. The whole thing is about this, even in verse 12. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he's with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them. In verse 17, he says, I will judge between one sheep and another and between rams and goats. I mean, the whole thing is about that. And it goes all the way to the end. The Last verse in 31 says, you, my sheep, the sheep of my pasture are people, and I am your God, declares the sovereign Lord. So that's why it's not shocking when Jesus says, I am the gate, you know, in John 10 for the sheep. You remember when he says that. Well, what was the purpose of that illustration? Well, here's Jesus who became one of the sheep, a human. He was a Jew, he was an Israelite. And he makes that statement. Well, that gate, that reference, which was also referenced in John 5, remember when he healed the guy who had been paralyzed for 38 years? You remember where that took place? It was at the sheep gate. They named that place there where they would let the sacrificial lambs go through. And so here's Jesus identifying with that like, I've become a sheep to eventually what he Sundays in John 10, and I'm also the shepherd. And so then you get into that, well, what is Jesus? Is he from the line of David, the line of Judah, which is a king in David's line, who David was the king in Israel, or is he a lamb? Because you see those references all throughout the New Testament. And so that's where I'm going with this, with this king and his people and the shepherd and the sheep, which led me to the book of Revelation, because there's a whole section over two dozen times he's referred to in this picture of, here's an enemy to people who have surrendered to Christ, and in this instance, it was Rome. But you kind of see the same similarities that you're even seeing in this prophecy from Ezekiel. It's where people in power who are oppressing people who have put their trust in Jesus, who is the most powerful human that has ever lived, obviously by, you know, conquering death itself, which is what great powers use to maintain their power. And so it gave me all these visual images of, like, why a shepherd and sheep? Because you think about it, here's a shepherd in Jesus. He's making this illustration that he's a shepherd that is willing to give his own life for the sheep. Well, find me another power out there that's operating like that. You know, all the powerful figures we know, it's the exact opposite. They're there to preserve their power. They're willing to give up the people who follow them so that they can.
- [19:22]
Jase Robertson
Maintain their power and transfer it to who they want. You know, when you were reading Ezekiel 34, the picture, the word that kept coming to my mind as you read those words was humility. I mean, I just thought about it from a. You know, like, the idea of being sheep is a very humbling thing. If we could pick any animal to be like, I mean, very few of us would say, that's the one I would choose, right? Because they're so docile and, you know, they're just kind of out there, and you just kind of shear them and you. And you can eat their meat. And it's like man. I mean, it's just not much inspiring about that. But that isn't that really us as human beings? I mean, we think we're all that, but then it. But. But when God turns around and says, not only are you sheep, but I'm a shepherd. I've been the creator of the universe, and yet I love you so much. I'm willing to take care of you. I'm willing to mend you. I'm willing to go find you when you lose your way. I mean, I'm willing to protect you when you're. When you're frightened and when you're scared. And so just. It's just as humbling on his part as it is our part.
- [20:26]
Zach Dasher
And, yeah, we sing a lot of songs in church about the worthiness of the lamb, the worthiness of that sheep, you know, and you think about that vulnerability, that picture of. Of really kind of weakness in a way. But what's helpful for me is that passage in Revelation 5 where you have John on the isle of Patmos, and he is trying to figure out, is there anybody worthy to break the seal on this scroll that has kind of the redemptive plan in it? And he says here that no one was worthy to open it. And they start to realize this, and they're like, oh, my goodness. John's like, no one's worthy to open the scroll. And he says, I began to weep loudly. Revelation 5. 4. Because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to even look in it. And one of the elders said to me, weep no more. And this is why he says them to weep no more. I think it's so interesting what you were talking about with the lion and the lamb reference. Like, is he a lion? Is he a lamb? Which one Is he a lion? A sheep? He says, behold, the reason why I don't want you to cry is, behold the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. Has conquered so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. So you see the picture of just God's divine sovereignty in Jesus as a lion, not as a weak lamb, but as a powerful lion. I think of Aslan in CS Lewis's Narnia. Is he safe? Well, no, he's a lion, but he is good. And then listen what happens whenever he turns to look at this lion? Cause he's told, look at this big. Look at the lion. Everything's cool. We found the one worthy to open the scroll. The lion from the tribe of Judah, from the root of David. His name is Jesus. And between the throne and the four living creatures, and among the elders, he says, I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain. So he says, behold the lion. And when John turns to see, he sees the land of the Lamb of God that looked like it had been slain, but it was. It was risen. It was standing. And that's why they sang that new song. Worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing man. That sounds a whole lot like Daniel 7 to me. You know what I mean?
- [22:50]
Phil Robertson
Well, exactly. Well, I was going the same place because I introduced this the last time, talking about Revelation, because really, when you have nations or even people who set themselves up as more powerful than anything on the planet, well, to people who have entrusted themselves to Jesus, we realize that he's the most powerful being in heaven and on earth. And that was his whole purpose, is to bring those two dimensions, I guess, is the best word I can come up with.
- [23:32]
Zach Dasher
Well, listen what he says. Listen to verse 10. Here he says, verse 9 says, and they sang a new song. Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seal. So they're singing this to the lion, who they're looking at as a lamb. For you were slain, and by your blood. You ransomed people for God from every tribe, going back to what we've been talking about the whole time, bringing together Jew and Gentile and. And language and people and nation, all people. And you have made them a kingdom and a priest to our God. And listen to this. They shall reign on the earth. That's your point?
- [24:11]
Phil Robertson
Yeah.
- [24:12]
Zach Dasher
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- [24:22]
Phil Robertson
Well, I like the assortment of different colors. And they actually took a pair of jeans and made them soft, which is very intriguing.
- [24:32]
Zach Dasher
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- [25:35]
Phil Robertson
And you know what mirrors that verse is? There's a verse in Re in Romans, chapter five. And I'm going to Romans just on purpose. But Romans 5:17 echoes the same thought, Zach. It says, for if by the trespass of the one man, talking about Adam, physical death, it says death, but death reign through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness, and here's that phrase again, reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. And that's why I'm glad you went to Revelation, because, you know, when I studied this and thought about, how do you sum up the book of Revelation? I believe it was a template, you know, using figures and what we call apocalyptic language, which is really not the right word because apocalyptic means something that is revealed. Well, Jesus is revealing it, but we tend to lump that in with the use of figurative language, symbols, a picture. This was John having a dream when he was in the Spirit, Revelation 1. It would be like you trying to write down dreams you have, because there seems to be no rules when you have a dream, as far as time and space and even sense making you see these things. And so he's trying to describe this heavenly perspective. And this is what you have, symbols, and they have meanings. But if you spend your whole time trying to figure out what every symbolic usage is, you tend to miss the point. And that's why when you read it from once through, from Revelation 1 all the way to the end, you see there's some kind of persecution that's imminent. And they're going to persecute people who are following Jesus. And they're going to use it the same way earthly kingdoms use their power. It's basically like bend the knee to us or we're going to torture you, kill you, kill your family. And that happened. And that happened to the temple in Jerusalem in AD 70, while Roman rule was at hand. I mean, they destroyed that temple and it's never been rebuilt, which is fascinating. And people who had trusted the Lord were persecuted, they were martyred, they died in gruesome ways. And I think this becomes a template for no matter what kind of power there is on the earth, if this tends to repeat itself, I think the reason the Book of Revelation is there, no matter what power it is. And it really ties it to the power of the evil one, which has been given authority over the realm of the dead, which Jesus said, that's quoted in Hebrews 2, that we've read a lot about the human family and Jesus coming to destroy him who had the power of death over humanity. That's why Jesus came. But you see that language and I just wanted to see. You were reading from where? Revelation 5. I just wanted to help you get there, which is we read last time about, in Revelation 1:4 through 6, about Jesus in verse 5 is the ruler of the kings of Earth. But right before that, no, right after that, in verse 5 of Revelation 1, it says to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins. Now we're going back to that. He was a lamb, Isaiah 53, he was slaughtered for the sins of us like a sheep. He loved us and has freed us. And think freedom. Freedom from what? Any power that takes you captive, including the evil one, even from your own self, your selfish ambitions, any God that you make up. He's freed us from our sins by his blood and made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father to him be glory and power forever and ever. And that's what Jesus offers, if you notice those three things. He loves us. He freed us and he made us to be a kingdom and a priest, a group of priests. So he starts there and then even notice when he says in 1:5 that he rules over the kings of the earth. Well, one of the churches he writes to in chapter 3 and verse 14 he uses similar language, and it says, these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation, present tense, red letters. So that's where he starts. And he tells John to write down this vision. And we know that in history they were under Roman rule and Rome pushed back against people who were following Jesus. They were out to break it up. And it's interesting. In these letters to the seven churches, there's one theme, and y' all probably know what it is, but if you had to say there's. What's one word that came up in every letter to these seven churches? There's one word that occurs in all seven letters. Do y' all know what it is?
- [31:40]
Jase Robertson
I would guess love, but I don't know.
- [31:43]
Phil Robertson
No, I'm glad I came today.
- [31:44]
Zach Dasher
Yeah, I was going to say, look.
- [31:46]
Phil Robertson
There'S one word that happens. He commends them where they're doing good, and then he critiques them where they're not doing good. And then he gets to the end of each letter to the seven churches who are fixed to undergo this persecution. And you have that tribulation language in all of these, these writings. The word is. I'll read the First 1 in 2 7. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who. And here's the word overcomes. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Well, that's good news. Well, look at the second church when he gets to the end in chapter 2:11. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Well, whatever the second death is, if you're not hurt by it, I'm in. Because I know I die once here, just as man is appointed to die once, but I'm not going to die again. If you're in Christ. All right, read the next one, because you're not going to believe how this, this works out. In verse 17, he says the same phrase about if you have ears, then it says, to him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, which is obviously talking about something that Jesus is providing. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. Look at the next one, the fourth church in 2:26. 2:26. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations, he will rule them with an iron scepter. He will dash them to pieces like pottery. Just as I have received authority from my father, I will also give him the morning star, another reference to Jesus. He who has an ear, let him hear. All right, says the same thing. Look at chapter three and verse five. He who overcomes will like them be dressed in white, which is a symbol of purity in the book of Revelation. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. Look at 3:12. Him who overcomes. I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Which is why we say it's not a physical building in Israel. Ephesians 2, the last verse. You are the temple. This is an eternal thing. You've become a dwelling by the Holy Spirit in which God lives. He goes on to say, never, never again will he leave it. We're talking about never eternal life. He's defining it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem. This New Jerusalem has Jews and Gentiles in it. It's not a place, it's a people that have come together under Christ. Ephesians 1:10, which is coming down out of heaven from my God. It's not going to heaven. It's coming down via the Spirit in human being's mortal body. And I will also write on him my new name. And then here's the kicker. The reason I read all those. And you're like, what's the point? Look at the last one. I mean, you're going to have trouble wrapping your head around this when he gets to verse 21. To the last church, he says to him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. And you really see the picture there of the sheep being empowered. So think about all the other powers. They're just the leaders are trying to maintain their power. Jesus is trying to empower the sheep because of his power. And you overcome just as he overcame. So that leads to chapter four and five of Revelation.
- [36:25]
Zach Dasher
So our friends at the Tomorrow Clubs are reminding us that more than 1 billion children in the world have never heard about Jesus Christ. And that feels really overwhelming. But God does have a plan. You know, Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. And so this summer, the Tomorrow clubs are doing just that. They're hoping to bring Christ centered summer camps to 30 communities around the world. For example, in the small village of Sado, Georgia, a young girl named Sonia found hope and purpose at a Tomorrow Club's camp. That Sonia invited her mom, Anna, who had a long battle with depression, a lot of different family struggles, and she invited her to the local church. And there Anna encountered healing and found faith in Christ. And so today, she and Sonya both served together as Tomorrow Club leaders, helping others discover the same hope that they once received. This is one story of many. It's a small glimpse of how God uses these simple camps to spark a deep and long lasting transformation in many families, churches and entire communities around the world, especially in these remote and often forgotten places. So our goal is this, to reach 3,000 kids through 30 camps this year. That's why we're inviting the unashamed audience, our listeners, to join us and bring in Christ centered discipleship to 3,000 kids this summer through 30 Bible camps around the world. Unashamed listeners, you've already raised $11,000, but we still need to raise an additional 19,000 to reach our goal. Just $1,000 sponsors a full five day camp for 100 kids. But any amount you donate will help. Sponsor a day camp for 200 bucks or send 10 kids to camp for $100. Just go to tomorrowclubs.org 30camps or simply text 30camps of 44321 to give. Now that's tomorrowclubs.org 30cands or text 30camps of 44321.
- [38:15]
Jase Robertson
I want to make just a practical application because that's really such a practical living point. Because if I, out of, out of all the years that I've, you know, been in ministry and pastoring and leading and teaching people and walking with people and being a shepherd and a sheep, I would say the number one word that continues to come up over and over again on just living, just practical living for something bigger than yourself is overcome.
- [38:47]
Phil Robertson
Yeah.
- [38:47]
Jase Robertson
Whether it's overcoming evil, overcoming addiction, overcoming relationships, overcoming a fear, overcoming of death. I mean, overcome is such a good. I'm so glad you emphasize it because it, because it, you boil that all the way down to just a practical living level. And that's the number one word I would use in all my years of ministry with people is the ability to overcome.
- [39:11]
Phil Robertson
Yeah. And you know, it's sometimes translated conquer, which is when you think about that, that's what kingdoms do. That you say, what's all this going on in the Middle East? There's one nation trying to conquer another. And so think about that verse in Romans 8:37, where it says knowing all these things, you know, it's what things? It's trouble, persecution. This is Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Well, all these things happen. That's being predicted in the book of Revelation under the hands of Rome. And then watch what Romans 8:36 says. That is is written for your sake. We face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Know in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, life, angels, demons, present future powers, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. I mean, you're seeing spiritual warfare. And what I didn't read in all those letters to the seven churches, you know how many times Satan is mentioned in those letters? The evil one who is showing his power of death by basically being a murderer from the beginning, using death to lift up earthly kingdoms and their corrupt leaders. Look, he's mentioned in chapter 2, verse 9, verse 10, verse 13, chapter 3 and verse 9. So it's like he's in cahoots with the earthly powers, fueling death as a weapon to power.
- [41:05]
Zach Dasher
And the way that he does that is one of the ways he does that is to separate the intention of God by making his name known and naming us with his name. I just wanted to point this out because you read that I was like, man, that's really good. Because I'm preaching on Exodus 14 Sunday, which is on the parting of the Red Sea. And there's. I've been kind of toying with this idea where in Exodus 14:21 there's this part where Moses stretches out his hand over the sea and the Lord drove back the sea with a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land and all the waters were divided. So the parting of the Red Sea. And so if you look at that verse, it's cross referenced quite a bit of time in the Bible. And I went and I read through all of those cross references and in every one of those cross references it talks about God making his name known. So if you go back to the whole story of Exodus, the reason why that's important is because in the story of Exodus, the Lord says to Moses, I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but I didn't tell them my name. He said, I mean, I appeared to them, but I did not tell Them my name. This is the first time. News flash. Breaking news. I'm telling you my name and the name of God is Yahweh, or I am Exodus, chapter three. I am Yahweh. That's the name of the Lord. And so when you read that in Revelation 3, when it says, the one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, never shall he go out of it. And I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem. And I think that there's a big part of this, like you think about God's taking Jew and Gentile. He's making the priesthood of believers become the temple, the new temple of God, where God will dwell in the temple of our bodies built upon the cornerstone of the temple. Who's the cornerstone? It's Jesus, the incarnation of Yahweh, the name of God. We're named with him. We bear the name of God now because we're image bearers. And so our identity now is directly linked and rooted in and fixated on the name of God. So I think that name of God component of this is super important as we kind of unfold this now.
- [43:28]
Jase Robertson
And it shows you, Zach, just the beauty of how we are here in the same context of speaking, because, you know, we're preaching to Joshua, you know, 3, 4, and 5 and which is 40 or 50 years ahead of where you're at in Exodus. But it's the exact same repeat everything talking about the people melted in fear at the name of God. And they didn't even know all of these people who were there, except for this one woman, Rahab, who heard the name and believed. I mean, it's just, you see it repeated in history over and over and over again, which is powerful. Go ahead, Jason.
- [44:01]
Phil Robertson
So you get to Revelation 4 and 5, and so the last two podcasts are basically just giving you this picture of 1 through 3 in the context. And Rome is fixed to persecute the church. They're fixed to have trouble. But it takes you back to where in John 14, in verse 1, because he knew what was going to happen to all his followers. And what did happen to them? Eventually they got killed. They all got killed. They all got martyred, which is all over the place in Revelation. And so he makes this statement, and I have this thought when I hear, oh, I think we're fixed to go through World War 3. These are the most comforting words when trouble, when war happens. Jesus said in John 14, 1 and I believe this is a mirror image of what happens in Revelation 4 and 5, and I'm going to prove it to you. He says, do not let your hearts be troubled, even though he knows they're all going to die one day in violent deaths in his name. But don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. And what you see in Revelation 4, after he gave those seven letters to those seven churches about overcoming the persecution from Rome and in cahoots with the evil one, he gives you a picture in chapter four of trusting God. And it's all about the Father. And I'm not going to read it, but I'll just read the last few verses because I want to get to chapter five where it says, trust also in me. And then you get into this idea of the Lamb, Jesus being the Lamb. So in chapter four, you know, there's this picture of these 24 elders. And people talk about, what does that mean? But it has to represent humanity as he's looking at this view of God sitting up there with God. And it says, they lay their crowns before the throne. This is the second part of verse 10. And say, you are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. So think about it. Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. There he is. There's a Father who's on the throne. And then trust in me, because when it gets to 5, 1, it says, then I saw in the right hand who sat on the throne, a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. You say, what is that? Well, just get the point. Verse 2. I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. But no one in heaven and on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. And then verse five, then one of the elders said to me, representing humanity, do not weep. See the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has triumphed. Who is that? Jesus in the form of a line. But watch what it goes on to say. He is able to open the scroll. Then I saw a lamb. Well, who is that? That takes you back to John 1. When John the Baptist said, look, there's the Lamb of God. It takes away the sins of the world, takes you back to Isaiah.
- [47:30]
Zach Dasher
So it's an interesting Time to be running a business. I know that because I'm a business owner. From tariff to trade policies, they're all dynamic. Supply chains are getting squeezed right now, cash flow tighter than ever. If you and your business can't adapt in real time, you could be in a world of hurt. So, Jase, I want to tell our audience about NetSuite by Oracle, but you might need to give a disclosure here.
- [47:51]
Phil Robertson
Yeah, full disclosure. I own shares of Oracle and have for many years. So you can tell us the details about NetSuite.
- [47:59]
Zach Dasher
Here's why you need NetSuite. Because you got to have total visibility, from global shipments to tariff impacts to real time cash flow problems. That's why NetSuite by Oracle, your AI powered business management suites trusted by over 41,000 businesses. NetSuite is the number one cloud ERP for many reasons. Because it brings accounting, financial management, inventory management, HR all into one suite. You have one source of truth giving you the visibility, the control that you need to make quick decisions. With real time forecasting, you're peering into the future with actionable data. And with AI embedded throughout, you can also automate a lot of those everyday mundane tasks, letting your team stay strategic. Netsuite helps you know what's stuck, what is costing you, and how to pivot fast. It's one system, full control. Tame the chaos with netsuite.
- [48:46]
Phil Robertson
This would have been a very useful tool back in the early days of Duck Commander. I can tell you that if your.
- [48:51]
Zach Dasher
Revenues are at least in the seven figures. Download the free ebook Navigating Global Trade. Three insights for leaders@netuite.com Bill that's netsuite.com Phil.
- [49:09]
Phil Robertson
Standing in the center of the throne. Zach read this earlier. Encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. And just a sidebar here. If Jesus is at the center of heaven, where should he be on earth? I mean, for crying out loud, if he's supposed to bring all things in heaven and earth together? So back to the text. It says he had seven horns and seven eyes. Well, you say, oh no, I don't know. Horn represents power eyes. He sees it all. Just think, think in that vein right now, which are the. Is the seven whole? Which is the sevenfold spirit or the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth? So there's the spirit. He sent it out to the earth. He poured it out in Acts chapter two, by the way, he came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures, which I Didn't talk about, but they represent the celestial beings in heaven. The cherubim and the 24 elders that represents humanity in heaven fell down before the lamb. Each one had a harp. They were holding golden bowls of full of incense. You say, what is that? Well, it says what it is which are the prayers of the saints. They sang a new song which is shadowing the fulfillment. When Moses was chosen by God to free Israel. And the first thing he did when they were freed is he sang a song. But now there's a new song of freedom. That's why we read Revelation 1:5. We're freedom from death, we're freedom from sin. It's better. That's why Jesus is better than Moses. Hebrews 3 says that. So then watch what the song says. You are worthy to take the scroll to open its seals because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe, language, people, nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests. This is us. This is you and Gentile. All nations together, every language, every people, every nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God. And they will reign on the earth. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels. Numbering thousands upon thousands and 10,000, they encircled the throne. Here we are. Jesus is at the center. In a loud voice they sang, worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them, singing to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, power, forever and ever. So I want to say this, what's interesting about this, in chapter six, he opens the seals, which basically says he will judge the oppressor, he will bring justice, he'll come riding on a white horse, and then even death itself will be conquered. It's all about conquering, conquering, conquering the enemies of God, even though you die. So he gets to chapter seven. This is Anna.
- [52:30]
Zach Dasher
I think it's a covenant document. This is the covenant revealed.
- [52:35]
Phil Robertson
Well, I'm giving you the high points because I want to get to chapter seven before we run out of time and read this because what's going to happen? And I agree with, with what Zach's saying about the covenant document. It's basically saying Jesus won and is winning, which means we win no matter what. But he gets to chapter seven and he brings this idea of the shepherd back up. And I want to read these verses. This is chapter 7, 9, 17. And this is the lamb becoming the shepherd. So 7, verse 9. After this, I looked, and there before him was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation. There we go again. And they were standing before the throne in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes, symbol of purity, and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice, salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. All the angels were standing around the throne, around the elders and the four living creatures. There's the angels. They fell down on their faces before the throne. Worship God. Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength to be our God forever and ever. Then one of the elders asked me, these in white robes, who are they and where did they come from? I answered, sir, you know. And he said, these are they who have come out of the great tribulation. It's fixing to happen. They're going to persecute you. They're going to kill you. You. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple. And he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger. Never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. There's the connection. Kings, people, shepherd sheep. And he will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Now, you know what's fascinating? When I looked up that word shepherd in the Greek, it popped up in chapter 12 and verse 11 of Revelation. You can read it on your own time. In chapter 19, verse 7 and 9, chapter 21 and verse 23 and 27, and chapter 22, 1 3, where he's talking about the Lamb, is the light and the temple. But you know where else it popped up in John 21:16. And I want to read this when here's Jesus post resurrection, post resurrection. And he has this encounter with Mary, and she's the first one to declare that Jesus has risen. And then he has this encounter with Thomas, and despite his doubts, he's the first one to say, my Lord and my God. He figured out John 14:1, by the way. And then he comes to Peter, and here's a guy who, despite his denial, he has this conversation, and he says this in verse 16. Again, Jesus said, simon, son of Jonah, do you truly love me? He answered, yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said, now it's translated, take care of my sheep. But you know the same verse that I just read in Revelation 7 for Shepherd? It's the same Greek word. He said, shepherd, my sheep. I mean, you can't make this up. Our shepherd, who was a lamb, died and was raised so us as sheep could become shepherds on earth to other people by introducing Jesus, the ultimate lamb and shepherd. And that's why we win. It doesn't look like you have power because you say, oh, we're all just sheep, and sheep are so vulnerable and they're so tender. But he gives us through the power of his spirit to become shepherds on this earth, and we reign with him now and forevermore.
- [57:11]
Jase Robertson
And Peter confirmed what you just said in 1st Peter 5 when he said, as the chief shepherd has appointed me to be a shepherd, I now appoint shepherds. I mean, he said exactly what you just said to the people he was talking to. So we're out of time. Another thrilling discussion on Unashamed. We'll pick it up next time. Thanks for listening to the Unashamed podcast. Help us out by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcast. And don't miss an episode by subscribing on YouTube. And be sure to click the little bell and choose all notifications to watch every episode.