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Is Satan still ruling the world, or did Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension fundamentally change history? In this episode, Mike D'Virgilio explores the biblical case that Satan was bound at Christ's first coming, limiting his ability to deceive the nations and opening the way for the Great Commission to advance. Drawing from Revelation 20, John 12, Matthew 12, Luke 10, Genesis 12, and Matthew 28, this discussion argues that the gospel is about more than individual salvation—it's about Christ's present reign and His kingdom bringing blessing, redemption, and transformation to the nations.

I've got an extremely busy week down in Mobile, Alabama, and so I'm re-sharing the John MacArthur memorial podcast I did last July after he passed away. I begin with a few memories of running into MacArthur's writing and preaching, followed by a clip of what may have been his shortest exposition ever: Hebrews 13:3. 

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

After John MacArthur passed away a year ago today, it dawned on me that there was an opportunity to honor him while mostly keeping to the topic of my mid-week podcast, the Prison Pulpit, reminding us to pray for the persecuted church.

But before sharing the MacArthur preaching clip from 1973 on Hebrews 13:3, I briefly talk about the following topics…

My first MacArthur memory: Scary Nursing Home Book Stand

My best MacArthur memory: Titus exposition (via mp3) from Istanbul to Sophia, Bulgaria

My only visit to Grace Community Church: Random Tuesday in 2012

My favorite MacArthur sermon: https://www.gty.org/sermons/GTY104/the-tale-of-two-sons

My closest connection to John MacArthur: My late Uncle Jack

Read the written version of today’s podcast on my Substack: 

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/macarthurs-shortest-exposition-ever

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series? 

To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as more prison stories and sermons from others like the late Richard Wurmbrand. Here’s my humble attempt at expositing Hebrews 13:3: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Follow China Compass

Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

What is the true meaning of 666 and the mark of the beast?

In this episode, Matt Plett examines Revelation 13:16–18 and one of the most debated passages in all of biblical prophecy. Is 666 a future microchip, a global economic system, or something John expected his original audience to understand?

By examining Deuteronomy 6, allegiance in thought and action, ancient gematria, the 616 textual variant, and the historical context of Nero Caesar, this study explores why many Christians believe the number of the beast pointed to a first-century ruler rather than a distant future figure.

What did John's readers think when they first heard the number 666?

Ditch Big Tech for good. Visit MARK37.COM/LIBERTY

On this episode of The Sentinel Report, we examine the questions swirling around the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham at 71 following an aortic dissection—just days after his return from Ukraine and amid threats connected to Iran. We also break down bombshell developments in the Charlie Kirk murder case and disturbing calls from radical leftists to overthrow America and kill property owners.

Then, four powerhouse guests join the program: renowned astrophysicist and climate scientist Dr. Willie Soon; Pastor David Whitney of the Institute on the Constitution; Harvard-trained Reverend Steven Craft; and Camp Constitution founder Hal Shurtleff, who defeated the City of Boston in a unanimous 9–0 U.S. Supreme Court victory.

From climate and faith to the Constitution, America's Christian heritage, and the escalating battle for liberty, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

CrossPolitic One-on-One — Show Notes: China Update with Missionary Ben

On this episode of CrossPolitic One-on-One, the Waterboy sits down with Missionary Ben — host of China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network and himself a deportee from China — for an update on the underground church. The conversation covers Pastor Ezra Jin's miraculous July 4th release from prison (and the eight still behind bars), the latest crackdown on Pastor Wang Yi's church network, how Christians should think about doing business with China, and what the American church can learn from brothers and sisters who are forced to make hard decisions for their faith every single day.

Timestamps

03:35 — Intro — Fight Laugh Feast conference update and Business Makers Network

07:06 — Meet Missionary Ben — deported from China, host of China Compass

08:11 — Pastor Ezra Jin: from Tiananmen Square to Zion Church — and his July 4th release

10:32 — How Zion Church grew and why it became a target — the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and Xi Jinping's crackdown

12:22 — October 2024: Jin's arrest, the simultaneous network raid, and the eight still in prison

13:04 — Did Trump broker the release? The May meeting with Xi and why this one worked when others haven't

14:45 — Jin's Wall Street Journal op-ed: "I'm Free Now. Pray for China." — Hebrews 13:3

16:19 — Zion Church splits into house churches — and may now be larger than before the arrest

17:22 — Why not just join the state-sanctioned church? — a stopgap, not a home

18:16 — How should Christians think about doing business with China?

21:05 — What can ordinary believers do? — going to China, sharing the gospel, meeting the church

23:32 — How should Trump engage Xi? — befriending, influencing those around him, holding cards close

26:46 — What the American church can learn from the underground church in China

28:43 — Pastor Wang Yi update — seven and a half years in, sentence nearing end, no word from him directly

30:01 — Recent crackdown: 50 SWAT officers at a Wang Yi church plant, 20–30 arrested

32:22 — Missionary Ben's book Unbeaten, Mission Catalyst, and the Malaysia conference for Chinese house church leaders

Connect with Missionary Ben

Podcast: China Compass (weekends) & Prison Pulpit Series (midweek)

Network: Fight Laugh Feast Network — available in the FLF app

Book: Unbeaten — $4 on Amazon

Ministry: Mission Catalyst International — training indigenous pastors and missionaries

Give: mci3.org

Fight Laugh Feast 2026: Holy Wars

Join us October 1–3 in Franklin, Tennessee at The Factory in Franklin for the Fight Laugh Feast Conference. This year's theme is Holy Wars — Just War, the Crusades, and the Christian Life. Featuring Doug Wilson, Joe Boot, Pastor Toby, Ben Merkel, Jared Longshore, and more. Pre-business makers conference Thursday 1–5 PM. Pastor/church leadership luncheon Friday. Business luncheon Saturday. Booths are nearly full — sponsorship opportunities still available.

Tickets: https://tickets.flfnetwork.com/holy-wars-conference

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

Also Mentioned

Business Makers Network

A network for courageous Christian business leaders — building a Christian economy for the good of businesses, churches, and America. Over 100 members, quarterly CEO calls, and a national conference each May.

Website: businessmakers.network

Contact: [email protected]

About CrossPolitic

CrossPolitic exists to put Jesus over Politics and reclaim the public square through bold, joyful, biblically grounded media. We confront the chaos discipling America and build the next generation of Christian media infrastructure. Our mission is simple: all of Christ for all of media for all of America.

Mainstream media is collapsing. Eighty-seven percent of journalists identify as progressive, and even many conservative outlets prioritize profit over principle. Meanwhile, billions of hours of digital content are discipling the world every day. CrossPolitic stands in that gap, producing courageous, entertaining, truth-filled media for households, churches, and leaders across the nation.

Become a CrossPolitic Club Member

Support the mission and unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes shows, and theology series.

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/menu/checkout

Subscribe & Share!

Every like, comment, and share helps push Christian media back into the algorithm where it belongs.

Follow CrossPolitic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CROSSPOLITIC

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Join our Email List: https://crosspolitic.com/

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NRBTV, DirecTV, Dish, and everywhere podcasts are found.

#CrossPolitic #ChinaChurch #UndergroundChurch #PastorEzraJin #WangYi #MissionaryBen #ChristianPersecution #ChristianMedia

Today’s show is a short one. Tom and Glenn are out of the country, but Chris is joined by repeat guest, Dr. George Grant to discuss a recent article he published with Ligonier Ministries about Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence!

The Presbyterian Rebellion: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/the-presbyterian-rebellion?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1dennhbd1uaq2

Foundations of Freedom: A 250 Year Experiment in Liberty: https://a.co/d/0eBWx4cD

Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Follow Glenn Sunshine on Substack: https://substack.com/@glennsunshine

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/