When All Hell Breaks Loose: Heavenly Thoughts

Today's episode of a new beginning is brought to you by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. Learn more@harness.org and while you're there, browse our library of free e-books designed to help you grow in your faith. Everywhere we offer in God's answer is no way we all know which chance you were hoping for Maurice's trust God and trust God's timing and we don't get. We assume no maybe you actually away from God's ways are not necessarily so keep in place to lifeline the connections to the very throne of God today have a new beginning for Greg Laurie shows us a bit about what happens to our prayers in the heavenly realm. Some of your so-called harvest large evangelistic review week from Sunday. Find out how you can use it to share Christ with a friend today study Revelation great prophetic puzzle revealed in Revelation 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 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 God, a man without solutions 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 unleashed of all kinds of crazy stuff was going on. That's over at in our study in Revelation 9, verse one, then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to 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, but angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in the Greek is called a Paglia okay so this bottomless pit is being opened up and out of income what is described as locusts, but these are demonic creatures that are unleashed upon the planet doing all these awful things. So say the 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. So put your spiritual armor on, and be careful up for the Bible says that were in a spiritual battle and we must put on the whole armor of God, 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 9 likes 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 you're 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, 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. Now with all of this horrible stuff happening. You would think people would be turning to God. You would think they would be repenting of their sin, but sadly it's a very opposite.

Revelation 920 says, but the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons a modern paraphrase of Revelation 920 to 21 says as follows, and I quote the remaining men and women who weren't killed by these weapons went on their merry way.

They did not change their way of life. They didn't quit worshiping demons he didn't quit centering their lives around tablets and cell phones and social media. Everything while that's a really modern translation well II made up that last part is what it actually says they didn't quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and press and hunks of stone and wood. They couldn't see here or move. I added that other part because I thought is I know what these objects have become for some of us idols say will I don't worship it, don't you, you spend more time with that tablet with that phone and any other thing you're always looking down when you want to be looking up more and all that information that you get online and in social media, etc. can be so destructive in your life that verse continues on to say there wasn't a sign of a change of heart.

They plunge right on with their murderous occult promiscuous and thieving ways. That's the hardening power of sin K. We talked about a lot of hellish things.

Let's close with some heavenly thoughts. This message is titled when all hell breaks loose.

Let's talk a little bit about when heaven breaks loose. Let me loopback just something I read with you. But we didn't talk about Dr. Revelation 8 verse three 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 of the saints on 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 Angels hand question what happens to our prayers we offer them to God. Let me say this, that all depends. Because not all prayers are offered to God and you know it's possible to pray and never have a single thought of God, let's be honest, haven't you prayed.

I know I have a about something. Maybe in the group with other people praying in her brain. Oh yes, Lord, do this and then when I'm actually thinking about what I meant to have for lunch.

I completely disengage from a church and I'm worshiping but I'm not thinking about that song that I'm singing I'm judging the person one row in front of me in the outfit they're wearing or something else. So it's very possible to say our prayers and not pray. Jesus told the story of two men wanted to the temple to pray, one was a tax collector, which basically is another way of saying he was a sinner and then he was with the Pharisee.

He was a very religious man but Jesus said King James version.

The Pharisee prayed thus with himself.I think you are not like other men I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I possess and I'm especially not as bad as this guy next to me.

What a messed up prayer. Meanwhile, the other man the text like to the center simply said God be merciful to me a sinner. Jesus said that man, the sinner went down from there justified, not the other men who prayed with himself. In other words, his prayer never went any higher than the ceiling.

Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message just a moment were encouraged when we hear the pastor Greeks teaching and preaching is touching lives a vector Greg New York on I would say that your crusading Matt regarding 2000 wasn't for my mom will make your day one. They probably saved my life. After that your Christian church.

I married my wife baptized together but they do no good. You know, and that your lost my daughter and your teachings on that subject. Help me through a very dark time now I have two beautiful son, and will picking up will relapse living his life. Thank you so much for always doing a good word Lord I appreciate your grateful to hear of the changed lives to pastor Greeks teaching and be sure to tell a friend about Pastor Greg's upcoming SoCal harvest October 3 Angel Stadium in Southern California help them find hope in Christ for information go to harvest.org that's harvest.org were considering the privilege of prayer today is a part of Pastor Greg study series in the book of Revelation and to get a replay of this practical insight go to harvest.org. Let's talk for a moment about those prayers that we offer to God. And we don't get an answer. Well, don't we wait a second. Every prayer is effectively answered yes no and wait and repeat that every prayer we offer to God is effectively answered with yes no or way you know member when you're a kid and you would ask your mom for something or your dad can we go to this. Can you buy me that they would say yes, that's an answer. No that's an answer and the dreaded.

Maybe. And so what we pray and we don't get a yes we assume it's a no, but maybe it's actually awake. Duly noted. For later Zacharias was to be the father of John the Baptist. The reason he was surprised when the angel Gabriel came to him and told him his firm is going to be answered is because number one. He was a really old man and even expected he would be a father and number two he had been praying this for 30 years. That's a long time to pray and not get an answer long enough to conclude that the answer was no but God was getting answer is friendless of the best. He was gonna really answer.

In other words, God was going to do exceedingly above and beyond that which old Zacharias could think or ask because he was not just going to be the father of a son he was going to be a father of the greatest profit of the Bible, the direct forerunner of Jesus. He and his wife Elizabeth were going to be the parents of John the Baptist. So coming back to this story before us, we are prayers that are stored in heaven as I said in an earlier message.

Your prayers are in the cloud right there stored there. Duly noted during God's to do box and even if you have forgotten about them. God is not forgotten about them. So the answer to your prayer, your pray now may come 30 years from today. And again I may come 30 days from today and it may even come after you're gone and you're in heaven you prayed for your grandchild salvation or you prayed for something else and that prayer may not even be answered in your lifetime it, but it will ultimately be answered, so we need the big picture.

We need to think of the eternal perspective in all things. When we pray to quote the great theologian Buzz light year. It's to infinity and beyond get the big picture God hears your prayers God. Note your prayers. God does not forget your prayers. So keep praying closing thoughts of this message focused on prayer number one. Never underestimate the power of prayer. When your prayers are in alignment with the will of God. They are on stoppable. How do you get into an alignment with the will of God by looking at the Bible. Jesus says this if you abide in me and my word is at home with you. You will ask what you will and it shall be done unto you more expanded translation would say Jesus speaking. If you maintain a living communion with me and my word is at home in your heart, whatever you ask for will immediately be yours seem if you're maintaining a regular communion with Christ and talking to him and listening to him and his word is at home in your hearts, it's going to change what you pray for and you gonna find yourself praying for what God wants. So keep praying.

Keep persisting. Don't give up. Jesus said ask and it shall be given to you seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open and there is an ascending intensity in those words, ask, seek, not keep God and don't give up number two about prayer. God's timing is not always our time, God's timing is not always our time in Revelation 6 we read of the martyrs in heaven crying to God and asking them to bring judgment saying how long, old Lord, holy and true, until you avenge our blood. What is God say in response. Wait just a bit longer we grow impatient with the Lord were like kids on the long car rides a door parent are we there yet are we there yet and we might be saying the Lord, are you in answered this yet when you going to come. Are we there yet, the Lord would say just just a little bit longer. Remember God's delays are not necessarily his denials final point, your prayers are not forgotten or not forgotten. Even if you forgotten them.

God has not and they are alive before God, let me say this now and closing prayer is a privilege. Prayer is something that is offered to the child of God, because it's based on relationship friend since of my wife calls me I'm going to pick that call up now. She doesn't always fit my call out but I always take my son called Mandan will immediately answer that if one of my grandkids call me or text me or come up to me whoever I'm talking to him in the stop the conversation and I'm in a talk to them what its relationship and in the same way when you're a child of God, your father in heaven will hear your prayers. You see, well are we all God's children. My answer may surprise you know were not all God's children were all created by God so loved by God, but were not all God's children the way you become a child of God is by believing in Jesus Christ and God is said for your salvation, who died on the cross and shed his blood for you and then rose again from the dead, you come to the Father through the son. The Bible says, for as many as received him, he gave them the power to become sons of God, what must I do to be a Christian. I must receive him. My Bible hereby work offering it to you here take my supercool green Bible with ribbons coming out of the bottom. I wanted you say here you go and you receive the gift you accept the gift the way you become a child of God is by receiving Christ into your life.

You're not born a Christian you must be born again to be a Christian. Jesus said you must be born again or literally born from above the spiritual rebirth is about how to set up to prayer. You can call out to God right now the Bible says whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. So let me ask you a question. Do you want to go to heaven when you die, do you want to be spared from this time we been reading about called the great tribulation. Do you want to be ready for the Lord's return to be caught up together in the clouds with all believers. If so, you need to pray and ask Christ to come in your life.

Yes he died in the cross and he rose from the dead know he stands at the door of your life in the Knox.

These is if you hear his voice and open the door he will come in July Jesus to come in your life would you like him to forgive you of your sin.

Would you like to go to heaven when you die. If so, stop what you're doing if you would please pray this prayer with me. Pray this simple prayer you can print out loud if you like you can pray then the quietness of your heart. Pray these words. If you would right here right now.

Just pray Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner but I know that you are the Savior who died on the cross for me, to my life. Jesus forgive me of all of my sin make me ready for your return. Thank you for hearing this prayer.

Thank you for answering this prayer in Jesus name I pray.

Mr. Greg Lord leading those in prayer who want to make a change in the relationship with the Lord. And if you just pray that prayer we want to help you get started in your new relationship with God. Let us send you our new believers growth packet. It's a resource collection. Pastor Greg is assembled to help you get started off right in your walk of faith and will send it to you without charge. Just try to set a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

We can take your call anytime 24 seven again., 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click the words know God and by the way, let us know how you're enjoying Pastor Greg series in Revelation. Yesterday when we look at world events global hostility toward Israel. Of course a worldwide pandemic contempt for biblical values. It sure seems like the time is right for the Lord return. Yes, but many people our age. Remember Pastor saying that back in the 70s, what can we learn from your new book on Revelation, I think we want to always live our life ready for the Lord's imminent return, he may come tonight. He could come in the year he may come in 10 years, 20 years we don't know when he's coming.

I've always avoided any kind of date setting because Jesus says no one knows the day or the hour.

However, there are so many passages that tell us to wake up spiritually and to put on the armor of God, because the day of the Lord is coming. It will come.

It could come in our lifetime. It may come after, but no matter what life will come to an end and we will enter eternity. So we want to be ready for that moment. But there are many signs of the times happening right now that I think we should pay attention to the Bible tells us that in the end times. It would be like a woman having labor pains.

Now you know when mother is ready to give birth.

Her labor pains become more frequent and there closer together and that is exactly the analogy Jesus use when you see these things begin. The company says look up for your redemption is drawing near. We've had an increase in many things. The Bible said would be happening.

As an example, the Bible predicted that one day there would be a cashless society. 100 years ago that would've seemed absurd, but today with modern technology with crypto currency with all of the tech that's happening around us, we can see how we could step into that immediately.

The Bible tells us in the last days that there would be a spread of plagues globally. I think that you could say that this pandemic covered 19 was a plague and that is a sign of the times I could go on and on and things that are happening.

The tension in the Middle East and much much more. As we see these things happen.

The reminders that Jesus is coming again. I'll tell you what the book of Revelation unlocks this for us, and I've written a brand-new book simply called Revelation subtitled a book of promises. This is a thick book. This is a hard cover book that will be a resource that you can go to again and again and it's going to help make the book of Revelation more understandable to you and you'll begin to understand, perhaps for the first time how to apply these truths in your own life. Listen, I want to send this book to you for no charge.

It's actually for your gift of any sites or encouraging you to send something to help us continue to reach out to this radio broadcast a new beginning, and our other outreach efforts, as well as how we proclaim the gospel. This is how we do it to pray for us. You support as you give us the ability to reach new people and is our way of saying thanks will send you your copy of this brand-new book I just wrote Revelation subtitled a book of promises will be glad to get it on its way to you immediately and will also include a custom bookmark. We produce that lays out the timeline of the events of Bible prophecy, the rapture, the second coming, the tribulation, the millennium, she them all displayed in proper order.

Very helpful in the bookmark is automatically included with Pastor Greg new hardcover book. When you send your donation be sure to ask for Revelation, a book of promises you can write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. Our team is standing by around-the-clock Sadat, 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and then something exciting is coming up a week from Sunday. It's SoCal harvested Angel Stadium. Pastor Greg's live evangelistic event 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 and 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. You can get all the details of harvest.org/SoCal well next time Pastor Greg helps us understand the two witnesses mentioned the book of Revelation. Who are they and what they do will find out. Join us here on a new beginning. Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Moore new beginning as a podcast, made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God if this show has impacted your life.

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