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October 20, 2021 3:00 am
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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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 Mia greg@harvest.org again it's greg@harvest.org you can learn more about becoming harvest partner by going to harvest.org coming in today here on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie points on remember there's coming a day when evildoers will finally bring with them. So all the horrible injustice that happens in this world we think they can get away with this and never face the ramifications for their sin. They escape the long arm of the law that they will not harm. There's a final judgment. This is the evil mind. The Bible says vengeance is mine, I will repay the today on a new beginning for Greg Laurie. In the future to the day of judgment. When God finally meets out punishment according to his righteousness in the dramatic book of Revelation examining God's plan last day later tell you about Pastor Greg takes this insight.
Revelation chapter 9 the title of my messages. This second coming. Revelation 19 verse 11. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse and he that sound in 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 knew except himself. And he is 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, followed him on white horses. Wow, what a powerful passage that is verse 11. He's called faithful and true. This is in contrast to the devil who was unfaithful and he lives. Jesus said in John 844 to the Pharisees, you belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He's a murderer from the beginning and he is a liar and he is the father of lies. Though our Lord is faithful and true, but of course, not everyone thinks that for the nonbeliever God is never fair in what he does and when men go out and break God's laws that he gives us for our own protection.
Then they face the inevitable consequences they shake it for us in the face of God and blame him, but the fact is, he's faithful and true, and God keeps his promises. Think about Jesus said I'll never leave you or forsake you. Jesus said my peace I give to you not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Has the Lord not kept his promises to you when he's going to keep all of his promises including this promise to come again because it said in John 14. Three. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again to receive you unto myself that where I am, you may be also not want to point out something judgment is not God's happy place.
I think some people think the judgment of God's :-) yeah, I've been waiting for this. I can hardly wait. No, it's the opposite of that. Remember we read in Scripture that God is not willing that any should perish, and also we read God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked are some things we learn from the verses we just read in case you're taking notes number one, the second coming of Christ will be public it will be seen by everyone.
The second coming of Christ will be public and will be seen by all will be no mistaking it when it happened the walnuts. It was just a really bad storm. No, everyone will know because Jesus said if the lightning shines from the east to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Number two, the second coming of Christ will be accompanied by sadness and weeping.
Yes, it's a happy day for heaven but it's a sad day for Israel will mourn as they realize that Jesus was their Messiah. Zechariah 1210 says the look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son.
They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who is dying and Jesus is coming to bring righteous retribution and vengeance me say that again Jesus is coming to bring righteous retribution and vengeance. Now I know some people don't like the idea of a vengeful God.
They want to think of him as a loving God.
He is a loving God. He is a forgiving God. He is also a holy God and a righteous God, and in this instance he is a vengeful God so would still know God is too good to punish sin, no listen, God is too good to not punish sin. Romans 1219 says this beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to rent for it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Think about we all read of horrible injustice that happens in this world, wicked acts of violence perpetrated on people and innocent little children, and we think they can get away with this, and those people never get arrested. There never incarcerated.
The never face the ramifications for their sin.
They escape the long arm of the law. But listen, they will not escape the long arm of the Lord. There's a final judgment and everything will come out this is that day.
Now again I want to distinguish between the rapture and the second coming to stages of the Lord's return.
The rapture is at the beginning of the tribulation.
I should say before the second coming is at the end of the tribulation and the rapture. He comes before judgment, the second coming, he returns with judgment and the rapture. Jesus comes for his people. In the second coming, he returns with his people in the rapture. He comes as a thief in the night, the second coming. Everyone will see, let me say a word about us being there with the Lord were returning with the Lord. He's returning with mighty armies because the Bible says, when Christ was alive, shall appear, we shall see him as he has and will be with him in the day so were coming back with the Lord when he returns to the earth again.
Now notice he rides a white horse. In verse 11, a white horse.
Now think about when Jesus came into Jerusalem he wrote a little donkey little different than a white horse, and we think it donkey and no white horse will this is how we expect him to come on a beautiful white stallion on that first entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, they said, hail him hail him hail him. There was only days later that they said nail him, nail him, nail him, but now he is returning as the risen Lord. And it's interesting that the white stallion if you been with us in this revelation series. You may recall that revelation six has the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
The first is a white horse, and that's antichrist reminding us that Antichrist comes on the scene trying to present himself as Jesus Christ or as the Messiah. Remember anti-doesn't just mean against it also means instead of, but he is up falls Messiah and remember antichrist. In Revelation 6 had one crown.
But Jesus wears many crowns remember our Lord wore a crown of thorns when he was crucified.
Now we wears many crowns as he returns on his white stallion.
This is error horse one returning to the earth again and hope you're enjoying this series were doing on the book of Revelation, and I'm very excited to tell you about a brand-new book that we have just released simply called Revelation, a book of promises. I wanted tell you how to get your own copy at the end of the program, but if you can't wait, just go to harvest.org to find out more about getting your copy of this brand-new book. This commentary on the book of Revelation called Revelation, a book of promises and no backdoor study. Sometimes people wonder what it Jesus look like you think of all the films you've seen the present Jesus and we've seen him presented in so many ways in people wonder whether his skin color was what his hair color was how tall he was, is that it interesting that in all the Bible, not one gospel author, not one person stops to just say, oh by the way, Jesus was like around five tinea dark hair or whatever one person describes a maybe that's because God knows our propensity for idolatry in you that we would worship an image of him but here we actually have a description that the appearance of Jesus, but it is symbolic. Three things stand out his eyes, his head in his row first. There are his eyes. Verse 12 his eyes are like a flame of fire. Now this conveys judgment. This conveys righteousness as he is looking at you, you know, when you meet someone you look in the eyes shake her hand and I was taught my sons, and no one you meet someone for the first time you stand up you firmly shake their head and you say nice to meet you. Some people don't want to make eye contact at all.
They say the eye is the window to the soul will know you're looking into the eyes of Jesus. Imagine that for a moment, his penetrating gaze cuts through every mask of hypocrisy because he sees the heart.
We read when Jesus saw Matthew and call them in the Gospels, he saw right through him, or literally, he gazed right through them. So here are the eyes of the Lord who sees everything and then there's his head. Verse 12 on his head were many crowns. His many crowns because he rules many kingdoms because he is Lord of all, God is sovereign over the entire universe is the all-knowing, all-powerful ruler was also a loving, compassionate Savior. And then there's his robe. Verse 13 is a robe that dipped in blood in his name is called the word of God. This phrase dipped in blood could be better translated spattered in blood reminding us that when he came the first time he came to die for the sin of the world.
Now he is coming to judge the world and return again and he speaks his enemies out of existence, which is the word from his mouth. The same voice that creates and stops storms and summons Angel speaks and now that judgment is finally come now, you would think when Christ is returning in these forces that are engaged in battle with each other in the battle of Armageddon of the kings of the East that we already read about and the forces of the antichrist. Suddenly Christ appears Christ is returning. You would think that they would turn from their sedentary is the Lord returning to planet Earth.
You think they would just say God forgive us know that some of the do it all. Look at verse 19 I saw the beast that's the antichrist, the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him who sat on his horse and on his army so they take what little strength they have left and pointed toward Christ and attacked him and now this final judgment comes.
Revelation 19 verse 20 then the beast that's antichrist was captured with him the false prophet Betsy antichrist sidekick/religious Guru leader. Both of them are taken who worked signs in his presence and they were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. The antichrist, the false prophet are immediately judged. These two are so wicked they go directly to the lake of fire know those who have died rejecting Christ will wait for that final judgment. The great white throne judgment and I will talk about later. This is amazing stuff that John's watching Jesus over well and then we read in verse 10 that he fell at the feet of this angel that's delivering this message and the angel says amen. We didn't say he meant but he said see that you don't do that on your fellow servant, and of your brothers and then he makes this amazing statement that testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. So the Angels and Hegel do that were in this together. This is all about Jesus and then he gives us very important message that shows you why we've studied the book of Revelation and why we need to know more about prophecy in the Bible. Why because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Listen to this.
If you have gone through this series with us in your heart is not been moved closer to God.
If you can live in sin, breaking God's commandments with abandon and yet say oh I believe in the imminent return of Jesus. Houston, we have a problem. The idea is if you really understand Bible prophecy.
It should affect you in the way that you live as it says in verse John he that has this hope that is the hope of the Lord's return. They will purify himself, even as he is pure.
So hopefully studying these things says impacted you spiritually because ultimately the book of Revelation. And remember, Revelation, not revelations is only one the book of Revelation unveils truth. That's what it means unveiling it unveils our future and unveils us to us, but most importantly, the book of Revelation unveils Jesus.
Here's Jesus it's all about Jesus. It's all about a relationship with Jesus Christ.
So let me say in closing, if you're a Christian, there is a judgment seat you will appear before. Again, not about whether you get in heaven or not. Because the judgment will happen in heaven. It's like an award ceremony. We'll be giving rewards for your faithfulness to the Lord. But if you're a nonbeliever you will stand before the great white throne judgment, not talk about that next time it's going to be ominous and is going to be final and there's no turning back. If you get there. Listen, there are no chances after death. But there are thousands before you of an opportunity to get right with God.
So you don't have to face that final judgment because Jesus already feasted for you when he died on the cross in your place, he voluntarily willingly went to the cross and was nailed to it and bled and died for the sin of the world. He bled and died for your sin I mentioned earlier about how you can ever relationship with God. Let me ask you, do you know God in a personal way is Christ living inside of you. Do you have his peace in your heart that passes all human understanding, you find yourself just filled with fear and panic and anxiety and worry especially with all that's going on in the world and then you're afraid of death and then you fear the idea of the return of the Lord, that would indicate to me you don't have a relationship with them, but you can ever relationship with them. As I've said before, being a Christian is not becoming a religious person. Being a Christian means you ever relationship with God Almighty. This is why Jesus died. This is why he rose again so you can know God, not just know about God. So you can know God is the same Jesus who died and rose again from the dead is alive and he standing at the door of your life, and he is knocking, and he is saying if you will hear his voice and open the door to come in St. hear his voice like a little audible voice. Probably not, but the short of it tug a tug inside of you because what I've said is resonating with you, it's making sense to you using this set. This is what I've been looking for. This is who I been looking for its Jesus. How could I have missed him. All this time. Maybe you looked all the various religious ideas, but you never once open the Bible mail you tried all the drugs you tried all the parties you've tried all the things of culture says you should have them make you happy and you're not. Maybe you've even thought of taking your own life. You're so despondent.
Here is Jesus saying everything you need is found in a relationship with me if you will come to me and believe in me, I will forgive you of all of your sin and you can know that you go to heaven. You can know that you be ready for the return of the Lord.
July Christ to come in your life would you like him to forgive you of your sin. Would you like a relationship with him.
Would you like to make a clean break with your past and have a new beginning can happen for you right here right now I would like to lead you in a simple prayer, a prayer will you will be asking Jesus to come into your life to be your savior and your Lord. Now all prayer but I would ask you to pray it out loud after me.
So if you want Jesus to come in your life right now if you want to go to heaven when you die if you want to be ready for the Lord's return, or you want to fill that big hole in your heart. You just need to ask Christ to come in and I'll lead you in this prayer stop what you're doing if you can and pray this prayer.
You might even pray it out loud after me. This is a prayer we are asking Jesus to come and live in your life. 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 and rose again from the dead. Now Jesus, I ask you to come into my life be my Savior be my Lord be my God, be my friend. Thank you for hearing this prayer answering this prayer in Jesus name I pray for Greg Lord closing with some important prayer for those making a decision for the Lord today and if you just prayed with Pastor Greg and you meant those words. Sincerely, your sins have been forgiven. We know Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and we want to help you get started. Living the Christian life would like to send you something called our new believers growth packet just ask for it and will send it to you free of charge requested when you write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or when you call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org will Pastor Greg are excited to make available your new book on Revelation in conjunction with our current study series and now many Bible students.
No Revelation promises a blessing to those who read here and keep the words of this book. That's right so it seems. Even the Bible acknowledges that revelation is no ordinary Bible study. That's right, it stands out from every other book of the Bible. Of course it's the final book at the end of your Bible and the word Revelation means unveiling because it's not God's desire to conceal God to reveal in Bible prophecy is not given to scare us but to prepare us and there is a special blessing attached to this book. In particular, and it's in the first chapter of Revelation, and that promise is blessed is the person that reads, hears and keeps the words of this book. So they've it's interesting because that phrase remains to read out loud so there's a blessing on you if you will simply read this book but then it says you must hear it you know Jesus will often say he that has ears to hear, let them. Here are about a vernacular would be. Listen up. Pay attention so I have to read it. I have to hear it and then finally I need to keep it. Meaning I need to take these Jews in this book and apply them in their own life. What we study Bible prophecy is not just to know more about the future but it's for us to know how we should live in the present and we are not only teaching on it here on a new beginning, but we have a brand-new book that we have just completed its thick hardcover book a commentary if you will, on the book of Revelation. Here's what I've had a lot of people say to me for the first time I understood how this book applied to me.
I think this is very understandable, but a very relevant book, especially for the times in which we are living so for your gift of any size were offering you this brand-new book hot off the presses, simply titled Revelation, subtitled a book of promises. So whatever you can send a helper ministry is greatly appreciated.
This helps us to get the gospel out get the teaching of the word of God out so order your copy of this brand-new book Revelation, a book of promises yet it's writing will rush a copy back to you to thank you for your investment in these daily teaching opportunities is only through listener support that we can continue to come your way.
So get in touch today for Pastor Greg's new book 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 24 hours a day at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org everybody Greg Laurie here. You know my uncle Fred Jordan at one of the first Christian TV programs out there. It was called church in the home.
I remember watching it as a little boy when I was living with my grandparents only have church in the home for you every weekend is called harvest@homeinvitedtoharvest.org we have worship in a message of God's word. So join us this weekend for Harvest at Home harvest.next time as we move ahead in our Revelation series. Pastor Greg leads her study of the millennium. See what the Bible tells us about this thousand year earthly reign of Jesus Christ. Join us here on a new beginning. Pastors and Bible teachers regularly and 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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