Grace, Love, & Total Restoration
with Jim Bakker
Q: As a pioneer in Christian television, what thoughts come to mind when you consider how far it’s come in the decades since you started?
A: Christian television started in Portsmouth, Virginia with one black and white camera. In that small studio for almost 8 years, I was the first host of the “700 Club.” In those early days, other secular broadcasters said, “Who watches Christian Television?” I would reply, “Someday people will say, ‘Who doesn’t watch Christian television?” I have lived to see that day.
Today, Christian Television is going around the world 24 hours a day, fulfilling scripture that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come!
Q: In the early years of media ministry, you revolutionized the way the Gospel was presented through “The PTL Club.” Describe how God guided you to innovate and reach more people with the message of Christ.
A: All the ministries we helped pioneer over the years are still on the air preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ! In the early days of Christian television, we went from one TV station to syndication of daily programs, then to satellites around the world. Christian television was born through an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thousands and then millions were saved! For the first time in history, people were healed watching TV!
Q: Today, you co-host “The Jim Bakker Show” with your wife, Lori. What can new viewers that tune in on Daystar expect to see?
My wife, Lori, and I are honored to be on Daystar with the Jim Bakker Show where our guests are mainly prophets and those with a message to the church. We have been called to prepare the church for the revelation days we are living in.
Q: As an expert on the book of Revelation, more and more people are turning to you for insight into biblical prophecy. What inspired your study of scripture pointing to the last days?
A: During my years in prison, I studied the book of Revelation one word at a time! God spoke to me that I was to help prepare the church for the coming of Jesus Christ, His Son. We are living in the book of Revelation days!
Q: Briefly describe how certain global events now making headlines are aligning with scripture to fulfill prophecy.
A: Israel has become a state again and just celebrated its 70th birthday. Political warfare and war between good and evil is one of the dramatic signs that we are living in the last days. Almost all of Matthew 24 has been fulfilled concerning the events Jesus said would usher in His return.
Q: As you look at the current political climate in America, what role will this nation play in end time events?
A: God, I believe, still wants to bless America. However, America is rapidly turning her back on God. Whether we be the mighty nation God ordained us to be is up to the Church. As it is says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
We must have what used to be called “revival,” a turning back to God! I believe that God has spoken to me that he can no longer tolerate or bless us as a nation if we continue to murder our unborn babies. To date, it’s documented that over 60 million unborn babies have been murdered through abortion in the United States.
Q: Why is it so important for believers to pay attention to the “signs of the times” and remain informed about the world around us?
A: It’s important for believers to watch the signs of the time and be informed about what’s going on around us so that day – the coming of the Lord – will not come upon us unaware as the Gospel of Luke boldly declares, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts become burdened by excessiveness and drunkenness and anxieties of life, and that Day comes on you unexpectedly.”
Q: As you continue your study of scripture, can you give our readers some insight on what the Lord is showing you?
A: The more I study the Word, the more I’m convinced we are in the last days. The four horsemen of the apocalypse in Revelation 6 are out of the barn. The first horse, I believe, is the spirit of the Antichrist and that horse is riding around the world, as the spirit of division, confusion and calling evil good and good evil. As Franklin Graham said to me as his father, Billy Graham, lay in state at his childhood home, “God told me that at the death of my father, all hell would break loose and Christian leaders need to STAND UP NOW!”
Q: When you reflect on your life and ministry, what accomplishment are you most proud of, and why?
A: I am most pleased with the millions of souls that have come to Jesus Christ through my ministry and who will be with me in heaven. I’m also happy that the television ministries that I helped start and encourage are still broadcasting the Gospel of Jesus Christ and winning souls for eternity.
Q: Your story has been described as one of “grace, love and total restoration.” What does that mean to you?
A: I have often said to many, “I have a prison-tested testimony.” Some things being preached today do not work in prison! But I can tell you that God never walks away. He spoke to my heart that He did not take me to prison to get even, He got even on the cross. He brought me to prison to get to know Him. My favorite scripture from my time in prison is found in Hebrews 13:5, which says, “I will never, never, never leave you and I will never, never, never forsake you.” God’s grace has never left me, He protected me through prison years and restored my family.
Q: How are you and Lori sharing the power of God’s redeeming love with the world through your ministry?
A: One of the ways we are able to share the love of God is through Lori’s House, which is a home for girls saving their babies from abortion. Lori and I are both broken vessels with a message that if God can restore us, He can restore anyone!
Q: Why is it so important to train up the next generation to reach the world through Christian media?
A: I believe Christian media is more important now than at any time in history. The Gospel of the Kingdom has to be preached to all nations, and then the end will come. Without television, satellites and all the internet media, the fulfillment of scripture would almost be impossible. The spirit of Antichrist can be overcome with the confidence John gave us in Revelation 12:11, which says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death.” With God, we win!