Who Is the Antichrist?: The Enemy's Despotic Rule

Everybody you're listening to a new beginning, which is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. If this program is impacted you, I love to hear from you.

So just send an email to me at greg@harvest.org again it's greg@harvest.org you can learn more about becoming harvest partner by going to harvest.org. The antichrist will exercise unprecedented control over the population. Pastor Greg Laurie says even religion will be dictating the antichrist religion will be a mixture of many movies intertwined with Colt's whatever form of spirituality want to believe in its pool. As long as it's not Christianity. So when we see any kind of a movement toward a one world religion that is of course on anti-tablets of leave. Anything we want, as long as it's the right thing. Pastor Greg Laurie says that this product control will be out of control during the reign of the anti-beginning to forget about the good news coming this Sunday. Pastor Greg shares the gospel of SoCal, Southern California and elsewhere online or your friend or loved, who is the Christ type the word antichrist. If your search engine on Google and you will find 18 million option. Who is the antichrist. He's a real person is effectively the son of Satan himself is called the beast, the son of perdition, the wicked one, the lawless one and he is spoken of many times in the Bible and we all know, I think even people that are not familiar with the Bible. They know what is number is right 666. Listen when he comes on the scene, he will not be dressed in all black with steam rising in the background with the dark Vader being playing in the background now know the antichrist will be charismatic Jill B. Articulate, he'll be intelligent still be what we would describe as a great world leader, a statesman will be magnetic still have everything that you would hope they have in a leader and not only that but he will do it, no other leader is ever been able to do still be able to solve the Middle East peace issues and get everybody to sign a peace treaty that they will actually abide by. For 3 1/2 years.

You see, when antichrist comes on the scene.

He doesn't come off as this evil person that he actually has. He comes on the scene as a peacemaker, but in reality he's a troublemaker and it's just a ruse to get people to follow him and then he will ultimately show his true colors other was a poll done by U.S. News & World Report. There revealed that 49% of Americans say they expect to see an antichrist some time in the future in a Newsweek poll that was done.

19% of Americans believe that antichrist is on earth now and in the same pole Of those who accept Bible prophecy believe antichrist is alive right now as well. Things are certainly ripe for the emergence of this leader.

So let's Turner Bibles not to Revelation chapter 13 I want to read quite a few verses so read along with Revelation 13 starting in verse one John remember is on the island of Patmos is been given this revelation which means the unveiling of the future. So this is what John is seeing any rights then I stood on the sand of the sea and I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having seven heads and 10 horns, and on his horns were 10 crowns, and on his head a blasphemous knee. Another beast which I saw was like a leopard's feet were like the feet of a bear in his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The Dragon gave him his power, his throne and great authority.

Verse three and I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded in his deadly wound which was healed in all the world marveled and followed the beast, and they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast thing, who is like the bees to is able to make war with him and he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given the authority to continue for 42 months or 3 1/2 years. He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name's tabernacle, and those that dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.

His authority was given to him over every tribe and tongue and nation. How is he able to do this, he's energized by the double. He's called the man of sin in second Thessalonians to three.

He's called the wicked one in second Thessalonians to eight and by the way antichrist does not act alone.

He has a partner in crime a sidekick if you will, identified as the falls prophet. Revelation 1311 says another beast that looks like a lamb and speaks like a Dragon so this is another evil man different from the antichrist, so you've heard of the dynamic duo of Batman and Robin, this is the demonic duo of antichrist and his religious leader, the false prophet know you had Satan to the mix and you haven't unholy Trinity. Just as there is a holy Trinity of father son and Holy Spirit. There is an unholy Trinity of Satan in the place of God antichrist in the place of Jesus Christ and this false prophet in the place of the holy spirit the antichrist. Religion will be a mixture of many believes, intertwined with a cold-ism. So when we see any kind of a movement toward a one world religion that is up for shock of antichrist. You know the popular thing today is people say one spiritual. I'm not a religious person. I'm not into organized religion.

I'm just spiritual and to me it's like what is that even mean I'm not into organized religion. Are you into disorganized chaos. The bottom line, if you're really a spiritual person as you claim you will find your way to Jesus Christ. Jesus said the Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who ultimately ordered his execution. Everyone who is of the truth will hear my voice, you say you're a seeker you say you're a spiritual person. If you really are. You will come to believe in Jesus Christ and if you don't, I don't think you really are a seeker, because God says those that seek me will find me see were moving toward what I would describe as an ABC culture ABC culture anything, but Christ, whatever form of spirituality you want to believe in its call. As long as it's not Christianity. As long as they don't believe in the Bible. The Bible also tells us one of the signs of the last days will be a great apostasy or falling away. Matthew 2412 Jesus says because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Second Thessalonians to three says that they will not come until there is a great rebellion against God in this world. Rebellion comes from the root word apostasy. I will begin her English word apostasy from a defection from the truth. I think with this is describing is professed believers falling away professed just because a person says they're a Christian doesn't mean they are the proof is in the pudding by the web never understood that statement with what proof is inputting, but the proof is in the lifestyle is in it and if you're really a Christian. People will see results in your life will see the spiritual fruit that comes from your life. So just because a person says there were Christian, even a spiritual leader, it doesn't mean they necessarily are as I've said before, I think, will be three surprises will be get to have surprise number one. Some of the people the we thought will be there will be there. Number two.

Some of the people we never thought will be there will be there surprise number three you'll be there. I'll be there. But just because someone professes faith in Christ doesn't mean there necessarily a believer first Timothy four says the Bible clearly speak to them the last days some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits taught by demons and their hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron seared with a hot iron.

You know, I don't know about you, and this is a weird thing for a guy to admit that I liked iron clothes.

I think of seeing something that's all wrinkle monk at the superpowerful steam iron that came from Europe. It's much better than our wimpy American clients and so when you really need to get a wrinkle out you pulled the little button on it and big bunch of steam comes out.

It's great. So the other day I was earning some shirt and I put the shirt on and there was one wrinkle one wrinkle. I can't believe I don't think this turned off so I had the bright idea of just giving in the shortest team-high was wearing it. So I pulled the shirt up like this and I took the yard and I gave it up versus the ice cream. It hurts so bad. But later that night my wife finally had my shirt off. Don't try to envision a please have my shirt up, there's this big red spot. My wife says what is that I said don't even ask, but seared as with a hot iron scary that people can be in the church and yet have their hearts hardened against God people going to fall away in the end times. Second Timothy forces the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine in the suit their own desires teachings that they want to hear a great number of teachers.

The listen to that give them what their itching ears want to hear. That's how it is for a lot of people. Sadly, even Christian. Sometimes they want to hear something you what's the new message. Once a new revelation.

Listen to this.

If it's new, it's not true and if it's true, it's not new it. The Bible gives you everything you need to know about God. Stop looking for some new revelation because you might get yourself into trouble and we see this today we see people allowing other things that take the place of what matters in their lives.

You're probably you're more passionate about politics than you are about your faith. You have a problem when your conspiracy theories are more important than your theology. I've seen Jesus loving Bible believing believers get sidetracked in their social media is to be filled with scriptures and things that honor the Lord and now it's all politics and conspiracy theories until all of these people.

I would say this is a quote directly from Jesus return to your first love.

Don't let these other things get in the way of your life.

This false prophet that emerges on the scene will actually be able to do miracles put that word in quotes, miracles, signs and wonders. Romans 1313 says of the false prophet, he performs great signs, he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth and the site a minute deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the be sending that's pretty dramatic calling fire down from heaven. Listen to this antichrist is going to have a mock death and resurrection.

A mock death and resurrection. Look at verse three. Johnson's I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded in his deadly wound was healed.

And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So it appears from this text that there will be an assassination attempt on antichrist, and will even appear that it is successful then somehow the antichrist survives that imaginative when Pres. Kennedy was shot in Dallas. If he survived that horrible shot that hit his head or if John Lennon had somehow survived the shooting that happened in the Dakota Apartments in New York City. While would be like a dead person a come back to life.

That's exactly what's happening. What story does that remind us of remind us of the resurrection of Jesus. What is a result of this so-called resurrection of antichrist. Revelation 13 for so they worshiped the Dragon gave authority to the beast and worshiped the beast think Google is like the beast, so incredible.

He's such an imitator. He will see people that don't know better, let me close with this. I titled this. Who is the antichrist, to give the answer ready. Who is the antichrist iron the way nobody knows. So don't waste your time looking for antichrist again. Jesus said when you see these things begin to happen. Look up for your redemption draws near know if an earthquake is coming. You will, of course, shocks, and I think were seen for socks of antichrist for socks of Armageddon were shots of end times events right now is a good closer and closer together. Not unlike labor pains. A woman experiences when she's ready to give birth, so as we see these events to closer together things I've talked about in this message. It says antichrist is coming, but it also says Jesus Christ is even coming sooner because again Jesus will come for his people before antichrist is revealed no let me close with this kind of a provocative question. Are you in antichrist is in a great and confused.

I thought you said that the coming world leader, yes, but that phrase antichrist is used elsewhere in the Bible. First John 222 says who's the great liar the one who says Jesus is not the Christ. Such people are antichrist and they've denied the father and the son comes down to this.

I have a choice.

I'm than either follow Jesus Christ. I'm than the follow, in effect, anti-Christ, it's really up to me it's Emmanuelle or Jezebel. It's antichrist or Jesus Christ.

It's really God or Satan you want to make the right decision because you are following the living God. We are following a false God, and by the way everybody has a God no matter who you are you of some altar you bow before might be the alternative view you worship yourself effectively or in might be the altar of materialism might be the altar of pleasure or some other thing that you bow before but you want to make sure you gobble for the Lord because if you do, your name will be written in the book of life, but could Revelation 13 eight all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We ask you closing your name written in the book of life, say what is it's a book in heaven a scroll and if you believe in Jesus Christ.

Your name is there and if you don't believe in Jesus Christ. Your name is not there. There's coming a final judgment spoken of in Revelation will be will stand before God, great people, unknown people, famous people every person who doesn't know God and the Bible says that their name is not found written in the book of life there cast in the lake of fire. God doesn't want anyone to face judgment. That's why he poured his judgment on his son, Jesus Christ, who died in our place.

As I said before, God treated Jesus as if he had lived your life so he could treat you as though you had lived his life, Christ died in your place and I love this phrase it is you sure in Revelation the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Back in the councils of eternity before there was a garden of Eden before there was a planet called Earth before there was anything God decided that one day his son would come to this earth and be born in a manger in Bethlehem and then Diana Cross and rise again from the dead. He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Consider this if your parent you'll know what I'm talking about.

Even a grandparent if anything happens to one, your kids, your grandkids if they're sick or they fall. You can almost feel the pain. Can't you it was harder for the father to send the sun then it would've been for the father himself will come to this cross, he had to watch his beloved son suffer and die. But what did Jesus tell us, for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son.

What a gift that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Do you believe in Jesus is your name written in the book of life is and what is it mean to believe in Jesus means more than just acknowledging amending Jesus walked this planet 2000 years ago. It means that you recognize that Jesus is the son of God.

You ask him to forgive you of your sin and you ask him to come and take residence in your heart. Jesus says behold I stand at the door and I'm not in the future my voice and open the door, I will come. Would you like to ask Jesus to come in your life right now. Would you like to know that you go to heaven when you die.

Would you like your name written in the book of life.

Would you like to Mrs. Holt's tribulation. We've been talking about, they can all happen if you will call out to Jesus. The Bible says whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved in a moment I went to pray and I would ask you that would like Jesus to come in your life you that would like your sin forgiven you that would like to begin a relationship with God to pray with me.

In fact, I'll even lead you in a simple prayer you can pray this prayer out loud if you like you can pray it quietly in your heart.

But Dupree because this is where you are calling out to the Lord to forgive you and change you. Let's all pray together. Father I pray for every person watching wherever they are. You know the Lord you love them the very hairs of their head are numbered in your calling many to yourself right now and I pray that your Holy Spirit will convict them of their sin and convince them of their need for Jesus and help them to come to you now and believe nobler heads about their eyes are closed and were praying, why don't you just pray this prayer out loud after me or in your heart if you like pray these words Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for my sin rose again from the dead, I repent of my sin that I choose to follow you, Lord. From this moment forward.

Thank you for hearing this prayer in answering this prayer in Jesus name I pray, amen Greg Laurie important prayer with those making a decision for the Lord today and if you just pray that prayer with Pastor Greg and Mentos word sincerely we want to welcome you into the family of God and would like to help you get started. Living the life of faith letter sent you something called our new believers growth packet will answer many of the questions you might have and help you build a strong foundation for your faith. So ask for the new believers] as you write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime around the clock that's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click the words know God and I would like to help you take your study of Revelation even deeper. Pastor Greg has just released his brand-new book called Revelation, a book of promises and FS Greg nearly everyone can think of a question that like to ask about the book of Revelation may be something about the 144,004 about the mark of the beast or if believers will be here when the Antichrist is revealed, will he find answers in your new book 100%. They will let me just give quick answer to every one of those questions for the hundred and 44,000. There hundred and 44,000 Jewish people who believe in Jesus as the Messiah. There sort of like 144,000 kosher Billy Graham's combing the planet sharing the gospel in their under divine protection and then you mentioned will believers be here to see the Antichrist. I think the simple answer is no because the Bible says he who now restrains will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way and then will that wicked one, be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy with the brightness of his coming. The restraining force in the world today is the work of the Holy Spirit through the church. It is my opinion that Antichrist cannot be revealed until the church is removed, so we should not waste time looking for Antichrist, but instead be looking for Jesus Christ the mark of the beast that will come with the Antichrist in the tribulation. So know the coven. 19. Vaccines are not the mark of the beast know there is no thing right now that is happening that is the mark of the beast that will come later. So the main thing we want to focus on is being ready to meet the Lord. So I answer those questions and a lot more in this brand-new book that I've just written simply called Revelation, a book of promises. It's hardcover this is a pretty thick book folks and Morgan ascended to you for your gift of any size because I believe this is going to be a resource that you can go to time and time again as you study this book. It's understandable. It's down to earth. It's practical. I don't use a lot of theological language I speak in a way that you can grasp it and I want to send you this book again for your gift of any size whatever you can send will use to reach more people with the gospel in the teaching of the word of God. Yet we so much appreciate that investment is really an investment in touching and changing lives.

As will be doing shortly at SoCal harvest October 3. So get in touch today with that donation and will thank you with a copy of Pastor Greg's brand-new book Revelation, a book of promises and by the way, will include a bookmark designed by our team to show the timeline of in times of events very clearly what comes before watch what comes after what surround us today at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us anytime around the clock at 1-800-821-3300 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and then as we been mentioning this weekend something important is coming. It's a huge one night evangelistic event SoCal harvest this Sunday and that Pastor Greg whether listeners are in Southern California or elsewhere.

This is their opportunity to invite someone who needs to hear the gospel will debut actually could call it the Americas harvest because this is adjuster Southern California, though the event is based there. It's going to be national frankly it'll be international because were going to use every media platform available it will be in all of our Facebook pages will have partners and friends that will work with in the cross opposed the event live. It'll be on YouTube. Little bit harvest.org and working with some partner radio stations in its own skin to be a lot of places so here's the thing you need to understand this is in the event there. From the moment it starts to the time it ends is designed to present the gospel and confront the person and I mean that in a good way.

Not a bad way it's directed straight forward.

When I give a message at SoCal harvest time preaching for a decision about it, telling who Christ is what Jesus said how to come into a relationship with him and then I'm going to give them the opportunity to believe in Jesus Christ and so we weren't even going to do it this year because of the cove of lockdowns, and so forth. But we just decided to go for it. But instead of three Nitro doing one night.

We have amazing music from our friends for King and country until we come in a few surprises and then a message for everybody and enemies is that one of the thing for those of you that have the opportunity to attend this in person or watch it. This is going to be different than any SoCal harvest you've ever been to before. I would describe it as more of an immersive experience. They'll be elements of our cinematic crusade that you remember that we call the Russell Pope woven in to the live event is just going to be cool. What can I say, if possible, make plans to come to Southern California ever outside of our state and if you're in the state definitely make plans to join is it Angel Stadium on October 3 for the one night SoCal harvest what our listeners need to do right now, right this very minute to prepare for this weekend of three things you probably heard me say this before, but some folks are new to where broadcasts of this might be something you'd not heard of prey invite bring so start by praying you know Jesus said the harvest is great, but the laborers are few and he said pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into the harvest so pray. But don't just pray that other people would be sent pray that you would be sin because God wants to use you. You know the Bible says, how will they hear unless someone tell them how will they tell them unless they are sent God's looking for people to speak through so pray pray for a person that you know that is not yet a Christian and pray that God will soften their heart and open their spiritual lives and then invite now you extend a personal invitation.

Hopefully you earned a little credit with them, so to speak as a friend you been there for them in times of need. And now you're saying listen, this is the most important thing to me.

My faith and I want you to come to this event or watch this event or however you choose to connect them to what is happening. I read recently that 85% of the people out there who are not believers would be willing to talk about faith issues with their friend if it was important to their friend. So it's important if it's important to you.

It will be important to your listener so pray. Invite, invite, and then this is the key. Maybe bring them don't send them bring them so if you're in California and Sam to come pick you up in a motor drive you to the event.

Maybe we'll get dinner before or after or whatever but I need to bring you to this event and then while you're at the event your praying for them or you send them that link and you're saying I'm in a be watching to let's talk about it afterwards or you're watching it together. You know there's a harvest app for your TV up for the Apple platform for the Roku platform you can put it up there in your big screen and watch it in your firm room were on a tablet together or however you choose, but this is an event that will be available on every kind of platform out there and I hope that you utilize it because you know what people need to hear the gospel and we hope our listeners will not only remember this event in prayer and of course remember it by bringing somebody who needs to hear this message but do we also still remember with their support is not right.

Yeah, that's right, Dave. You know it. If these are very expensive events to undertake.

They cost a lot of money and think about it if you went heard a great been like for King and country are for what temp you would pay admission to go to the concert you do so happily because who doesn't want to go in here great Christian music.

But there's no charge to a person who comes to harvest Crusade.

This is sort of a tradition if you will that was established at every outset, we wanted to make the gospel without charge. The harvest Crusade, the so-called harvest is cut from the same cloth as the Billy Graham Crusade, and he is ministry was cut from the same cloth as the Billy Sunday crusades or campaigns or the deal Moody campaigns. It's the idea of going to large venues, neutral venues by neutral I mean not a church sanctuary were in a stadium in this case that a person can come to, but I don't want money to be a barrier. Yet we do receive an offering of the event, but it doesn't come close to covering our expenses. We need our friends to step into this with us and be a partner and invest in it because they want to lay up for themselves treasures in heaven and I'll tell you what I can think of a better way to spend your money than on giving people an opportunity to hear the gospel.

So for you there listening if you could help us financially, especially at this moment it would mean a great deal well.

Any other thoughts before go on SoCal harvest yes Dave, I have a very important announcement to make. And what I need is echo and then fanfare following and then some applause. Are you ready I'm ready. Okay, here it is, people listen volunteers for the SoCal harvest and that means you. That means I am asking you to come and be a part of what God is doing on October 3 in the Angel Stadium. Hey have you ever been to one of these events. There's nothing like it. This is an experience you want to have to be used by God, you might be an usher you might be a counselor you might work at our merge table.

You might do something else but whatever it is you matter and we need you and frankly I'm depending on you.

So Dave wanted to tell them where they need to go to sign up and actually be a part of the SoCal harvest on October 3. It Angel Stadium. Yes really easy just go to harvest.org/SoCal again harvest.org/SoCal get information on volunteering and also get more general information SoCal harvest coming up this Sunday.

Next time, or from the hard-hitting 13th chapter of Revelation. Be sure to turn in and join us here on a new beginning*Bible regularly and