Antichrist, Armageddon & The Second Coming - II

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God don't want to hear from you. Would you consider emailing me you can reach me at greg@harvest.org again that's Greg harvest.org and you can also make me one of your friends on Facebook and drop me a comment. Many confuse the rapture and the second coming, something to name the same thing coming up today on a new beginning after Greg Laurie clarified the rupture is when Jesus comes for his people. The second coming. He returns again with his people. I've got good news for you. You're going of the holy land experience, but you're not going to do it at a bus you're going to do it with the Lord himself and rode your headlights only show which right in front of you shuffling what dangers lie just beyond your field of vision.

Many believers think of Bible prophecy.

That way the foggy, unsettling, uncertain to come today of a new beginning for Greg Laurie help clear the fall as we get a clear view of what's to come. Message antichrist second coming dive into this mysterious character.

The antichrist who will see exactly what first of all, he is sent by Satan himself. He is in imitator. Consider this the prefix anti-not only means against and certainly the antichrist is against Christ but also also means instead up. He's a false Christ.

Remember in Matthew 24 is Jesus is answering the question what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the AG said many will come in my name, saying, I am he.

I am the Messiah that to the antichrist is, he's a false Messiah, and some will even believe he is the Messiah. He's achieved imitation. Let's read a little bit about this curious character. In Revelation 13 verse one John writes how John was banished to the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel.

Jesus came to him and gave him a vision. It's as though John was put into a spiritual time machine and catapulted into the future. I don't know, but was a DeLorean or not.

But seriously, he saw the future and he describes what he saw in this great book.

Revelation he writes in Revelation 13, verse one.

I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and 10 horns, and on his horns 10 crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name another beast I saw was like a leopard's feet were like the feet of a bear's mouth was like the mouth of a lion and the dragon gave him his power, throne and great authority. And I saw one of his heads were mortally wounded in his deadly wound was healed. In all the world marveled and followed the beast, and they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the bees and they worshiped the beast same who was like the beast, and who will make war with him while interesting see. So here we have the antichrist are merging and he is again defying God and attempting to take the place of Christ, and it says in verse 20 is a blasphemous name will be a great orator a great communicator but he's coming in opposition to God. Bobby not at first. At first, still seem very consolatory at first till seem like a wonderful person but then his true agenda will be revealed, and he will specifically target followers of Jesus Christ. Revelation 13 seven says it was granted to him to make war with the saints, and do over come them and he also was going to dominate the globe are Revelation 13 seven says authority was given to him over every tribe and tongue and nation.

But again, I emphasize the way he. People is through peace. The Bible says, through peace, he will deceive many.

But then people realize how evil he actually is will be the devil's son. As I already pointed out, I think sometimes in life we we get pulled into evil things because the devil is very good at packaging. This wears he's great at making bad things look good is also adapted making good things seem bad, and so we sort of by what he's offering and we get pulled into it hook line and sinker and then he choose this off and he spits us out all look how exciting drugs can look drinking can look partying can look sexual experimentation can look then fast forward a few years and you have an addict you of an alcoholic.

You of a person with some kind of an aerial disease or other issues, and they realize how empty it all is, and that's what the world is gonna realize antichrist will come as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

And then he'll show who we really is and maybe some of you have been misled by the devil you been taken advantage of. He's chewed you up and spit you out.

You come to the end of your rope there someone watching me right now that is even thought about taking their own life there someone watching me right now was attempted to take their own life and I want you to know no matter how bad things are for you right now there is a God in heaven who loves you and the Lord is an expert at putting broken things back together and I'll tell you how to come into a relationship with him and just a few moments. Another thing I would point out antichrist will establish global control through a cashless society. Revelation 13 seven says no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who was a mark in the name of the beast. And this is the number of his name, let him that has understanding calculate the number of the beast threats a number of a man and it's 666 just about everybody understands this number or at least they know of this number. I don't think they understand it, but this is the mark of the beast.

If you Google the number 666 you'll find 543 million results in probably 543 million ideas of what it all means. But here's what the Scripture is saying antichrist will introduce a cashless society requiring people to take a mark. No one will be able to buy or sell without this mark.

Now there are some alarming trends happening in tech right now that cause some to say is this going to be the mark of the beast with all of our track and trace technology. What we know where people are in controlling their lives in how you could do commerce and transactions exclusively online. Now it in the rise of globalism we can see the four shocks of it. Let me emphasize again, don't waste your time looking for the antichrist emphatically at this if you have figured out who the antichrist is that's bad news because he can be revealed until the church is removed.

So if you know the antichrist is newsflash you just miss the rapture. So let's not waste our time pursuing these things.

These are future events. The market's future. It's not in our past and it's not yet in our president.

It will be a visible literal mark that will be on the right hand or forehead and one will have to declare their allegiance to the antichrist to receive it. You would not get it accidentally back the Bible even tells us in Revelation that there is an angel warning people not to take the mark of the beast, and so all of this culminates as great tribulation.

Everything was building up in the time of the tribulation, the lesser seven years, to the battles of Armageddon and then this event is going to happen and it's found in Revelation 19 verses 11 to 14 John writes I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse and he that sat on him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire on his head were many crowns.

He had a name written that no one can name except himself.

And he was clothed with a robe dipped in blood in his name is called the word of God and the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, following him on white horses. This is the description of the second coming of Jesus Christ then spoke his air force one right.

The Lord is coming back to planet earth to establish his kingdom and everyone will know.

So some amounts.

It was the second coming, or just a really bad storm mono you'll know it's a second coming. Jesus said, as the lightning shines from the east to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be the return of Jesus Christ will be accompanied by sadness and weeping. Yes, it's a happy day for heaven but it's a sad day for earth. Specifically, Israel will mourn as they realize Jesus was the Messiah all along. Zechariah 1210 says Allport, a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David on the people of Jerusalem and the lick on him whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son would die him they had pierced to remember Jesus died by being crucified on a cross all the wrongs in the world are going to be made right.

Justice will finally be meted out Mr. Greg Laurie about the second half of this message in just a moment, time and timeline say the movie glory was fine is 03 may three Greg Laurie questions like why am I here what is the meaning of life and what happened after I guy probably has the answer glory and affect online event coming to a screen where you.org so tell a friend. It's Coming Your Way, Labor Day weekend so rushed home. Pastor Greg is offering a detailed look at the antichrist today from his series in times living like Jesus will return at any moment was continue. Now I think it's very important stop for a moment and contrast the rapture and the second coming, because sometimes people confuse these two events so let me put them side-by-side and explain it. The rapture is when Jesus comes before judgment, the second coming is when he returns with judgment in the rapture.

He comes as a thief in the night and the second coming every I will see him arrive sure he comes for his people.

In the second coming.

He returns again with his people.

I've got good news for you. Maybe some of you will wish you could take a trip to Israel when you're going to have that holy land experience, but you're not going to do it in a bus you're going to do it with the Lord himself because we read that he returns with these Army were told over in June 14 that the Lord will come with 10,000s of his saints to execute judgment. Who are these things that return with Christ back to the earth. The answer is Colossians 3 it says, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then we shall appear with him in glory. Good news folks were coming back and riding horses to I don't know if you like to ride horses are about a preacher that got a horse but instead of using secular terms like giddyup and whoa he decided to substitute.

Praise the Lord forgive the and hallelujah for well so the preacher got this horse and he said, praise the Lord horse trotted off. Praise the Lord he said again now the horse is in a full gallop. Praise the Lord that horses going at full steam fees over the great time, but he realizes the horse is headed toward the edge of a cliff. The preachers anyway, what's the word.

Whoa horses still going. Oh no, thank you Jesus horses getting toward the edge of the clipped up hallelujah and the worst stops right at the edge of the cliff.

A few little pebbles are going over the side. The preacher wipes his face as if she praise the Lord went over the side you get the joke. Okay.

But seriously, though, were going to come back with.

This is very exciting.

I want you to think about the first coming of our Lord in the second coming of our Lord. When Jesus first came of course he was a little baby wrapped in strips of cloth in the manger when he comes back again. He'll be clothed royally in a robe dipped in blood credits first coming. He was surrounded by animals and shepherds at his second coming will be accompanied by saints and angels at his first coming.

The door of the end was close to him at his second coming, the door of the heavens will be open to him in the first coming. He was the Lamb of God, taking away the sins of the world and the second coming. He's a ferocious lion of the tribe of Judah, bringing judgment to the earth, and this is that moment that the Bible speaks of when it says every eye will see, and every tongue will confess and every knee will bow saying Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father summation. Jesus is coming member when we were kids and we played hide and seek, he would count to 20.

Then he would shut out ready or not here I come.

And he would go look for other people. The Lord is effectively saying ready or not here I come. Let me ask you, are you ready one of Jesus came back today know he would not come back in the second coming today because, as we already discovered that's at the end of the tribulation. Right, but he could come in the rapture of the church or his followers today tonight tomorrow. Would you be ready would you be left behind without is entirely up to you. You see, as I said before, you will either get right or get left. I don't mean the politically but I think you're right. You will either get right with God.

You will be left behind some of you have chased after the things this world offers and you ended up so empty you know it's interesting. Antichrist is not just speaking of a figure, a man that will come on the scene with the Bible talks about those who are antichrist and their lifestyles and these are people that don't have time for Jesus Christ. Are these are our people to put other things or people in the place of Jesus Christ. So here's a choice before you.

You were either following Jesus Christ are antichrist Jesus said your for me or against me.

When I heard those words years ago as a young teenager. I looked around at the Christians that I was with in the little Bible study on the front lawn of my high school campus in the preacher, who is name Lonnie said you're either for Jesus or against them look of the other kids and I thought well I'm not one of them send me that I'm against God was a very frightening thought to me and I was but that was also the day I gave my life to Jesus. And when I say gave my life to Jesus. I simply mean that was a day I said to God.

I believe what I read on what I know I want to know you come in the my life and he did come of your life as well. Question, do you like puzzles I don't. I have no interest in puzzles. I have no desire to get a puzzle out and put it back together again friendly to me it seems like a waste of time.

In contrast to me.

My wife Kathy loves puzzles.

So one day she was putting the puzzle together and it was completed and I was upstairs and she yells out Greg had said what she said I missing a piece of the puzzle, help me find it. So I came downstairs and sure enough she had completed this entire puzzle and there was one piece missing door on her hands and knees were crawling around on the floor trying to find it. We finally found it under the chair.

The missing piece and she put it in place.

Life can be like that you check all the boxes you reach all your goals if I just complete my education. I know I'll be happy in this they will apply. If I just get that dream job. I know all be happy. Well, if I just find the right person to marry. I know I'll be happy. That is if I get to find another person to marry.

I know I'll be happy what we had kids.

I would complete us well if I could retire. That would be the ultimate goal in on you go in life never quite finding what you're looking for.

It's like a puzzle you're putting together, and guess what, there's a piece missing but it's not under a chair.

It's in the hand of God. God holds the missing piece and you know what it is when we restated you know who it is it's Jesus that so you're looking for that.

So you want.

That is who you need Jesus Christ coming into your life and for giving you of your sin. Yes, he was born in a manger in Bethlehem, but why so we could go shopping give gifts to each other know he was born to die, that we might live that little baby came on rescue mission from heaven to go to a cross and died for your sin and mine then to rise again from the dead and the promises will come again, I ask you right now.

Have you asked him to come into your life.

Is he there was no room for him in the end. I wonder if there's room for him in your heart. I wonder if there's room for him in your life you can have a relationship with God was invoked.

We live in a scary world and it's going to get worse and it's going to get darker. But if you of your faith in Jesus Christ.

You do not have to be afraid. Remember, Jesus said, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

You believe in God believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions that were not so I would've told you if I go I'll come again and receive you will know myself and where I go you know in the way you know Thomas, one of his disciples was there and he said we don't know where you're going and we don't know the way. And Jesus said in response. I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes of the father, but by me. The only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ God son who died on the cross for you. God son who stands at the door of your life right now and knocks it says if you hear his voice and open the door he will come in so I'm a lead you in a prayer and if you want Christ to come of your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want to know that you will go to heaven when you die if you want to be ready for the Lord's return. I want you to pray this prayer with me right now. You can print out loud if you like you can print quietly in your heart if you like but pray. Jesus is just a prayer away. Pray this after me if you would, Lord Jesus, and know that I'm a sinner but I believe that you are the Savior who died on the cross for me, and rose again from the dead. Now I choose to follow you, Lord. From this moment forward. Thank you for hearing this prayer in answering this prayer Jesus name I pray that your great glory important closing prayer was making a change in the relationship with the Lord today and if you have just prayed along with Pastor Greg and asked Jesus to be your Savior would like to help you get started by sending something called the new believers growth packet it lesser.

Many of the questions you might have and get you started in your walk with God. Just ask for new believers growth packet as you write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click know God.

It was a calm spring morning in the Western Pacific 12 man aboard a World War II bomber were preparing for their mission as they flew at 1500 feet above the water.

Author John Erwin says then something dreadful happened. The morning was April 12, 1945 my grandfather radio operator B-29 super fortress disorient was trying to understand what happened as if all data phosphorus on the plaintiff spoke with. I was rolling around the plane just in front of an he had a choice to choice that he made be the defining moment of and be a moment that would find my life as well. This is John described riveting event in his new book called beyond valor book he's been researching for some 15 years. It was about this moment of unbridled heroism for which his grandfather would receive the Congressional medal of honor. The plane was going down. No one could see because of the smoke in the cockpit letter when actually picked up the bomb while it was spewing 2000° phosphorus and carried it all the way to the front of the plane and threw it out. The only window that would open, saving everyone on the plane you need to read this book and will let you know how to get a copy of beyond valor in just a moment John was with us today. John your grandfather survived, in spite of his devastating burns and when I do enjoy very full life passing away in 2002.

If you could ask your grandfather.

One question, what would be man.

I would listen to his stories and I would be interested in his answer to how did you do this, how did you grab that bomb and walk me through that moment of decision for you as I would aspire to be a person that would make the right choice in a similar moment and the unity ask yourself that question in my unit is that is that DNA test and so I would.

I would ask him about that moment and in the I think the question I would ask you to do is tell me if you've stories and I would really listen, didn't do. I was a teenager involved another things and thinking about things and so it would either be asking about making that moment of decision or just ask him tell me she stories and that really sit there and and intently.

Listen, I wish I could go back and think you've more than made up for it. John and I think your grandfather would be really proud of the fact that you went on sought out as old buddies and got the story and now you're sharing it with others. You don't just thinking the other day old people are our young people who have just lived longer and I met when I was a little kid I look at old people really old people and I would actually think this is the child of course were these people come from you if you know and then one day you wake up and you're one of them. I speak from experience because I don't feel like an old person, but I am an older person now and and I think a lot of times we look at older folks in and we see that maybe they're not as mobile as they used to be, or their having the challenges that will come to everyone in time but will we fail to see is they have all of that wisdom. Hopefully, no look.

Not all old people are filled with wisdom. There are some people that literally have wasted their lives.

But then there are those that have lived wonderful, interesting, important lives and there's so much to learn from them and I hope someone listening to me right now will take time to learn your family history from your grandparents or even great-grandparents of their still living. But John is taken out to the next level. Aziz research a story of his grandfather, Henry read Irwin and he's put it down in a powerful book that you can now get for yourself and read this amazing story. The book is called beyond valor. It's a story of a true American hero, but also it's a story of a man was motivated by his faith in the last thing he said to his grandson or Lisa Lessing's grandson John remembered and their conversation was. He quoted Jesus in John 14 63 said I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes of the father but by me. Because of the sacrifice of Henry Irwin.

Many people are alive today and so this is a story you need to hear and it will inspire you and encourage you as well.

Yeah, that's right.

John is a master storyteller course is the director of movies like I can only imagine and I still believe, and in this book he tells the story of his own grandfather in a way that makes read Irwin's heroism and his faith come alive and would like to send beyond valor your way to thank you for your donation is an investment that helps us continue to bring Pastor Greg studies to you each day. If you value the insight you receive. We hope you will play an important role in helping these studies continue when you send your contribution. Be sure to ask for the book beyond valor and we can only mention this book.

A short time longer, so get in touch right away. You can write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest down for what Pastor Greg brings us empathic size dose of incurred look at God's plan for eternity and just what life will be like hereafter genetic and next time you beginning Pastor Greg Laurie possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor great free daily email, devotions at harvest.alert