When All Hell Breaks Loose: Jesus Is the Answer

You are listening to a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. Visit our website and learn more about harvest partners@harvest.org we the love of Jesus Christ. Humans really were missing Asher Gregori to just Revelation is either real read Jesus is more powerful than the Jesus is more powerful and help you overcome whatever struggle you're facing right now. Maybe it's an addiction. Maybe it's a lifestyle you can't break free from you is no way out. There is a way out of price is right is wrong.

Wrong is right was the answer. Believers noted Jesus is the answer.

Gregori will bring the good news a week from Sunday at SoCal harvest. Why would Angel Stadium about alignment live around the world harvest for the word of someone who needs to hear Pastor Greg today on a new beginning inside on the dark days ahead will my messages will help breaks loose together. No father speaks to us through your word. We know your word is true. We know that the Bible is the one book that dares to predict the future, not once, not twice, but hundreds of times with 100% accuracy.

So as we take a glimpse into the future as we also looked behind the veil of the world of angels and demons. We pray that will gain insight that will help us to walk closely with you in this life.

So speak to us from Scripture, we pray in Jesus name we ask it. Amen.

Let me start with the question have you ever been in the restaurant. Then maybe your booth is close to the booth next to you and you hear people talking and one is speaking a little loudly so you can't help but overhear what they're saying by the way my wife always says to me in restaurants.

Greg don't speak so loudly and I'll say I'm not be allowed to push lower your voice anyway so you hear someone in the booth next to you and they say that their friend Melissa, this is the secret that I don't want you to share it with anyone.

Now here's a question. Do you put your hands over your ears or do you lean over and listen then you know the answer. We all listen, then why because we all like to know secret even if we don't know these people and it has nothing to do with us and we've never heard of the people they're talking about. We love to hear secrets listen to this. The Bible says the secret of the Lord is with those that fear him.

Christian see and understand what is happening in this world far better than nonbelievers.

Jesus made this statement in a prayer to his father in Matthew 11 he says father, thank you for hiding these things from people that think they're wise and revealing them to people who have child like me. God reveals to us his followers what is happening in the world because we've taken the time to read the book and it unveils the future for us and we look at this world and many are just confused and frankly there kind of alarm and even freaking out because her thinking. What does this all mean for instance a continuing conflict in the Middle East, the moral meltdown in America.

What is this all mean what is happening. People ask what is happening folks is these are signs of the times, and these signs of the times are all pointing up and they're saying to us pay attention because Jesus is coming, but as we see this turmoil in our world. As a Christian we should not despair because God is told us what is going to happen.

No were looking at this great prophetic puzzle revealed in Revelation chapter rate and at this point in our study chronologically were right in the middle of what is called the great tribulation.

It will last for seven years and will be inaugurated by the emergence of antichrist and it will be ended by the return of Jesus Christ.

The first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. A relatively calm and peaceful as Antichrist comes on the scene looking like a good guy. Amen with a solution's economic solutions, many other things that he brings to the table.

He's a charismatic leader and facsimile even think he's the very Christ because they told you before the prefix anti-doesn't just mean against it also means instead of will be a false Christ that will be embraced by many. One of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. Antichrist shows his true colors and the wrath of God is unleashed and demons are lease and all kinds of crazy stuff is going on in that drawer at in Revelation chapter rate verse one.

Let's read together reading from the new King James version. When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about a half-hour and I saw the seven angels who stand before God and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.

He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.

Then the angel took the censer he filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the year and there were noises and thunderings and lightnings in an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. There is now a series of judgments fall on planet Earth.

1/3 of the trees are burned up, 1/3 of the sea becomes blood of third of the living creatures in the sea.look at verse 13 and I looked and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice whoa whoa whoa to the inhabitants of the earth because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels which are about whoa whoa whoa it's repeated three times. This judgment is coming on you right now. We start with the silence in heaven. Sort of like the silence in the courtroom when the verdict is about to be read out when the jury foreman stands up and says we, the members of the jury do fine were all waiting to hear what the verdict is there's a silence that's what's happening here, and the fact that it lasts for 1/2 hour shows us that God is in no rush to bring judgment. You heard the expression of a rush to judgment. It's very opposite with God, who knows all things. He does not want to do this, but because he is righteous because he is just he must do. This judgment must come in. The Lord knows that one said first domino falls is going to be like the others are hitting the other dominoes in the ghetto fall in rapid succession, so a whole series of events about to unfold. Verse two a shows that some high-ranking angels are overseeing this epic operation Revelation a to. I thought the notice of the seven angels who stand before God and them were given seven trumpets. It doesn't just say seven is the seventh so these are high ranking angels. The magnificent seven if you will. And now the seventh seal brings the seven trumpet judgments in the seven trumpet judgments progressed to the seven bowl judgments out the seven trumpet judgments can be divided into two groups. The first four are directed by God against the environment are reminiscent of the plagues that came upon Egypt during the days of Moses the other judgments are spread over the next three chapters in the fall on humanity. One thing is clear global warming is indeed coming because the first trumpet targets the earth's vegetation in verse seven and we see that it will decimate crops and forests in the air will be filled with smoke and ash. The second trumpet targets the ocean of verse eight says something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown to see your great glory will have the second half of this message just a moment. You know how frequently Angel Stadium Sunday night, October 3, comparing experience help from Greg Laurie music from Lori more information joined us for pastor Greg's riveting studies in the book of Revelation. Today we're exploring John's unveiling of the great tribulation in chapter 9 cannoli shifters and we get to the title of the message which is when all hell breaks loose. So we've seen God pouring his judgment out. Now we see the bottomless pit. Open up and all this demonic activity. Revelation 9 verse one and the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the keys of the bottomless pit, and he open the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace.

So the son of the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit and out of the smoke locusts came on the earth them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power and they had as a king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in the Greek is called a Paglia okay so we've all heard the stories of great actors and great singers said have massive success and then the get strung out on drugs or alcohol. Some even taking their own lives and we say well there a fallen star. Here's the original fallen star Lucifer himself, that is, who is being referenced here in Revelation chapter 9 when he says I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth and noticed to him was given the key to the bottomless pit is he Satan was once a high ranking angels. Sometimes we blessed, blessed how good a God of love create some of this wickedness Satan answered he did. Satan was originally this magnificent angelic being that worship the Lord. But the problem was Satan is and he wasn't called Cindy was called Lucifer, son of the morning, but the problem with Lucifer or Satan was he wanted to be worshiped instead of being a worshiper. Don't forget when Jesus was tested in the wilderness.

What is Satan say to Jesus he says. Worship me and I'll give you all the kingdoms of the world see that's what he's wanted all along that the Bible says in Isaiah 1412 how you are fallen from heaven oh shining star son of the morning.

Jesus said, I beheld Satan fall is lightning from heaven Lieut. 18 so Satan wanted this exalted position so he was rejected from that of sort of position he held as a once high ranking angel Revelation 12 I'm good to this later says that great Dragon was hurled down, that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him, so when Satan fell. He led some of the Angels with them.

One third of the angels went with Lucifer and those fallen angels are now what we would call demon and use it will eventually scary, remember he took one third the other two thirds are still on our side. So were still on the winning side of Lucas what is happening here this bottomless pit is being opened up and out of it come what is described as locusts, but these are demonic creatures that are unleashed upon the planet.

Apparently there are some demons and I don't know why they're in this place it up and put in the bottomless pit. Not all demons are there many are just roaming about doing what they do. But some of these demons are in this bottomless pit. Jude 16 is I want to remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of their authority. God gave them up and when they left the place where they belonged and got his kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment that you recall when Jesus healed the one demoniac it was down in chains. The demon said don't send us to the bottomless pit, so this is a bad place. This is for the worst of the worst angels of their led by a polygon or Abaddon in Abaddon is one bad dude. I'll tell you that much high ranking horrible wicked demonic powers doing all these awful things. So Satan is sort of whipping up this frenzy and they been doing this for a long time, but now they're going into overdrive. The purpose of demon seems to be twofold. Number one, they seek to hinder the purposes of God. Number two, they seek to extend the power of Satan. Listen, if you're taking notes.

Here's three things you need to know about demons. I know you don't want to talk much about this, but it's good to know these things. Three things you need to know about demons. Number one the real and aggressive. The real and aggressive. They're not all bound in this bottomless pit.

This will happen later. Right now, many are roaming freely in sort of a search and destroy mission.

Remember when the Angels of the Lord appeared before God in the book of Job, Satan was among them.

And God says to Satan, what have you been doing, where you come from, and Satan responds in Job to do what I've just been going back-and-forth across the earth watching everything that's going on. While that's creepy is walking around checking things out looking for opportunities looking for ways to bring misery and destruction. That is why the Bible describes the double as a blood thirsty lion, seeking his prey of first Peter 56 is be careful. Watch out for attention to W great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for some victim to devour some years ago I read an interesting book with the title death in the long grass written by Peter Hathaway Sticky was a lion hunter and apparently there was a group of lions who got it teased for human blood and they would sneak into the camp very late at night and and they would choose their prey. They would step over sleeping men and find the person they wanted in an drug amount and none of the people would even know a lion had been in the tent so they woke up in the morning and found them gone when it was all said and done over 100 men were hunted and killed by these bloodthirsty lions in this book pointed out that a charging lien can cover 100 yards in just three seconds so I don't say this to freak you out.

I just say this, that the devil is poised and ready to strike.

So put your spiritual armor on, and be careful of the Bible says that were in a spiritual battle and we must put on the whole armor of God. Now, having said that demons are aggressive in demons are trying to create destruction money at this number two, though powerful demons, and the devil himself. Have clear limitations. We say that again, though powerful, the devil and his demons have clear limitations.

Let me tell you something that Satan does not want you to know this power is considerable, but it is still limited. Remember, this is all allowed by God. We already read in revelation to him was given the key to the bottomless pit. This is temporary and God is given his permission for a period of time. So all these demons are out and about.

According to Revelation mine like scorpions with the power to sting, but not to kill but notice that they can't attack everyone. Revelation 9 forces there commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing of any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God and therefore memory pointed out last time that when you become a believer when you put your faith in Jesus Christ. You become his property, which is a good thing. The Bible says are not your own. You been bought with a price and God effectively puts his ID tag on you.

Which means your under his protection of the devil can read and he sees that ID tag and knows that he can do nothing in the life of the Christian, without the express permission of God. So these servants of God in the tribulation. We have the seal are not affected by these demon powers third thing I want to see about demons and I'm done. Demons flee at the name of Jesus Christ.

They flee at the name of Jesus Christ I remember that story that I already reference about those demons that were in that men and there was a lot of because they identify themselves as Legion for there were many. They said don't sentence of the bottomless pit. So Jesus sent them into our herd of pigs, poor pigs and the pigs went over the side of a cliff and committed mass to the side, you might say that the first case of deviled ham in his the cliff still would demons went over the side of the clipper to get there, begging us because they know the power of pricey he was in control. Jesus is more powerful than the devil. Jesus is our powerful than any demon and he can help you overcome whatever struggle you're facing right now. Maybe it's an addiction. Maybe it's a lifestyle you can't break free from.

You see there's no way out.

There is a way out into Christ you have the accompaniments to God.

I I've tried to do this on my own and I failed. Help me and he will help you but you must call out to his name.

The Bible tells us in Philippians 2 at the name of Jesus Christ every knee will bow and every tongue will confess things in the earth, and things under the earth that Jesus Christ is the Lords of the glory of God the Esther, Greg Laurie poignant insights today on those forces of darkness that are aligned against us good counsel from our study series. In the book of Revelation. You're on the new beginning and hopefully you heard the entire program, but if there were any interruptions in the last half hour. You can get a replay by going to harvest.org just look for the title when all hell breaks loose or subscribe to our podcast by going to Google podcasts Apple podcasts course modifying let me ask you pastor Greg. What are some things that might surprise people in a study of Revelation. One thing that occurred to me as you know we think of eternity as being timeless, but a part of God's plan is a timed event, the millennium is a thousand years. So I guess will track time in some form in my wrong so I think that's accurate because the word millennium actually means a thousand. If the 1000 year reign of Christ, but we are aware of the passing of time. When we enter into eternity. The book of Revelation we read about those who were put to death for their faith and they know that was an unjust thing and they say to God, how long all Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth, so they're aware of the passing of time. They're aware of the injustice of what happened to them on planet Earth in their praying and asking God to intervene there aware of what has happened and will happen on planet Earth as well. Yeah there's a lot of surprises in the book of Revelation that shatter stereotypical ideas that have been passed on from generation to generation. That, quite honestly, are simply not biblical but I think the more we learn about heaven. The better we will be enabled to live here on earth you don't was CS Lewis who said his paraphrase. Those who think the most of the next world to the most in this one. And so Revelation is where the apostle John is found banished on the island of Patmos.

He had faithfully preached the gospel. He was the last of the apostles and people and probably never thought they would hear from John again but is he sitting on this island. Jesus Christ comes to him and takes him into what we might describe as a spiritual time machine if you will. I don't think it was a DeLorean but John is suddenly hurtled into the future any seeing what is going to come.

He's given an overview of the history of the church.

He's taken into the presence of God in heaven. He's taken over to the great white throne judgment. He's taken back to earth during the millennial reign of Christ. He gives us a front row seat at the battle of Armageddon, the second coming of Christ, and much much more.

The word Revelation means unveiling and so this is an unveiling a revealing of things that aren't to come, God wants us to understand these things general Paul when he's talking about the rapture of the church in first Thessalonians, he says brothers I don't want you to be ignorant. Why would he say that because there's a lot of ignorance about Bible prophecy. So polysemy you need to understand these things because it will affect you in the way that you live so were teaching on the book of Revelation. A new beginning but I'm very excited to tell you that we have a brand-new resource, a beautiful hardcover book commentary on the book of Revelation that I just wrote and simply called Revelation subtitled a book of promises I want to send you this book.

Part of the press. This will be a resource that you will use in the years to come that you can go to again and again as you study this great book and let it have its impact on your life. By the way, there's a special promise in Revelation for the person who reads and hears and keeps the words found in this book. So get a copy of this new book Revelation, a book of promises that will help you understand this very important book of the Bible, the book of Revelation and we will send this book to you for your gift of any size.

While some can only give a little will send you a copy. Some can give a little bit more. Of course, will send you a copy. Whatever you can do don't hesitate. I really want you to have this book because I think it's going to be a blessing to you. The book of Revelation, a book of promises available from harvest ministries right now. Yeah that's right. And we should point out where including a custom bookmark that shows the timeline of last days events so you can see what comes first. What comes next and so on is laid out very clearly the bookmark is included when we send you this significant book hardcover more than 400 pages called Revelation, a book of promises. So send your donation today to a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us at 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and be sure to join us.

A week from Sunday for SoCal harvested Angel Stadium pastor Greg first live evangelistic event since the pandemic on October 3. He welcomes Phil Wickham and for King and country and presents a powerful gospel message. If you're here in Southern California. Be sure to join us in person and of course bring someone who needs to meet the Lord elsewhere. Be sure to tune in online and invite someone who needs to meet the Lord to watch along with you get all the details@harvest.org/SoCal when next time will wrap up our studies of the trumpet judgments of Revelation glean some important insight on answered prayer.

Join us here on a new beginning. Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Moore. Thanks for beginning Greg Laurie podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for daily devotions and learn how to become a harvest partner harvest.org