The Best is Yet to Come: An Open Invitation

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. God wants as long as you have a personal relationship coming up today here on a new beginning. Lori points to evidence words Revelation 22 verse 17 writes income hairs, thirst, as desires of the water was read more word through the book of Revelation. John's eye-opening vision of what God wants us to know about the John follow the Lord your telling us what you have seen what is now what will take place later to get to the bottom line is all culminates in a personal God.

This is message series in the book of Revelation. The title of my messages.

The best is yet to come sure of the closing words of the apostle John in Revelation 22.

Look at verse six and he said to me, these words are faithful and true on the Lord God of the holy prophet sent his angel to show his servants, the things which must shortly take place. Behold I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. Verse eight. Now I John son heard these things, and when I heard and saw them I felt on the worship of the feet of the angel who showed me these things and he said see that you do not do that on your fellow servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book, worship God. And then he said to me do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book for the time is at hand. He was on just let him be unjust still. He was guilty, let him be filthy still. He was righteous B righteous till he was holy B.

Holy still. Behold I am coming quickly. My reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to his work as I've already told you the Bible promises rewards crown acknowledgment for your faithful service to the Lord. The Bible says don't be weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up, and we hear their verse. Don't be deceived, God is not mocked whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap the B cells of the flesh reap corruption, so will we hear you reap what you sow.

We always think of it in a negative way and there is a negative way that can play out in your life. But then the verse goes on to say, what if you sold of the spirit we all reap life everlasting joy just as surely as a person with sound of sin will reap the consequences of it.

The person was on the righteousness will reap the blessings of it.

Jesus as my reward is with me and I'll give to everyone according to his work. So my question is are you working for the Lord not working for your salvation. Salvation is a gift from heaven to you, but because I'm say I should want to do something for the Lord not working for salvation, but rather working from salvation of faith that works will produce words of faith that doesn't won't Paul writes in first Corinthians 1558 therefore, my brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Listen to this.

The decisions and the lifestyle I choose in this life will impact me in the life to come. Look at verse 11, he was unjust B unjust. Still, he was filthy than to be filthy still he who was righteous B righteous till he was holy B. Holy still.

Let's understand what John is saying he is not saying that you should live an ungodly line. He simply saying, if you lived this way in an ungodly way, you'll face the consequences of it.

Really, it's a warning. So now Jesus gives us a stern warning here in the book of Revelation chapter 22 verse 18. If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book and if anyone takes away from the book of this prophecy, God will take away from the book of life from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book while loose paraphrase. Don't mess around with the book of Revelation.

This would speak of those who would disobey or disregard or distort or dilute Scripture I meet who are we to edit the Bible. Someone might say, what if you don't agree with what the Bible says on this topic will be a simple answer is change your opinion because the Bible is right.

Our objective is not to conform Scripture to culture is to conform culture to Scripture using but this warning that is given to us here would include disobeying God's word. It will also include disregarding sort of tuning it out.

That's why Jesus would often use the statement he that has ears to hear, let him care. Allow me to update that. Listen up. Pay attention to what is being said. We all know what it's like to tune things out. Maybe someone saying something to us in and we don't want to hear it. So we just tune it out. Jesus is seen tune it in. Listen to what I'm saying to you. Another way that we would do this is by distorting the word of God, sort of forcing that the fit into the lifestyle that we are perhaps chosen well I don't know if I really agree with that interpretation, I've come up with my own interpretation. That's what the devil did with Jesus and what we call the temptation in the wilderness.

Remember, Satan quoted Scripture he said to Jesus, go ahead and jump off of the temple because the Bible says that his angels will give charge over you, and so the double quote of the Bible with the Jesus court of the Bible back in context to Satan and Jesus said it is written, you shall not test the Lord your God. Now we come to the finale.

Revelation 2220 he who testifies to these things says Shirley I am coming quickly.

Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always saying.

Even so, Lord Jesus, Jesus is giving his last recorded words in the Bible last words are important.

If you knew you were going to die. You had to write down a final statement, what would your last words, be they reveal what's important you to give a glimpse into your character. Some parting comments that are recorded through history are surprising. Others are thoughtful, some are just odd rent since Karl Marx one of the founders of communism. I was on his deathbed and this housekeeper came and said to him tell me your last words and I'll write them down. Marx replied, get outta here last words are for fools who haven't said enough."

In contrast to Karl Marx as Groucho Marx's last words were dye my dear why that's the last thing I'll do and then he died.

Nostradamus was known for predicting the future, not very accurately I might add, but in one instance he was right. Nostradamus gave his last words which were tomorrow I will no longer be here that ended up being true. Pablo Picasso, the great painter gave his last words he said bring to me drink to my health because you know I can't drink anymore.

The Roman Emperor Julian having attempted to reverse the official endorsement of Christianity by the Roman Empire, gave his last words he said you will of 10 Galilean other words, of people of faith are far different than the ones I just mentioned.

When Stephen was being stoned in his life was draining from him. His final words were I see the heavens open and I see Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And then he said, Lord, don't lay this sin to their charge, reflecting our Lord's words when he hung on the cross of Calvary and said father forgive them for they know not what they do lots words of evangelist DL Moody were quote I see earth reseeding in heaven is opening God is calling me John Wesley said the best of all is that God is with us poncho via the revolutionary said don't let it end like this.

Tell them I said something will.

Jesus did say something he says in verse 20. Surely I am coming quickly. John is so overwhelmed. He offers this beautiful prayer.

Even so, Lord Jesus, affect the word amen means so. So John is saying yes. So be it. Or, as St. Paul reminded us, let it be that say Paul McCartney or Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here. You know my uncle Fred Jordan that 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 we have church in the home for you every weekend is called harvest@homebythatharvest.org we have worship in a message of God's word.

So join us this weekend for harvested home harvest.join us for the final installment in Pastor Greg series in Revelation. He continues now. So the Bible closes with an invitation.

Revelation 22 verse 17 in the Spirit and the bride say, and he who hears, says, let him who thirsts, whatever desires let them take the water of life freely. Did you know that, as one of God's favorite words in the face of judgment on the earth. God commanded Noah to build an ark and when it was built. The Lord said, come into the ark of safety, Moses was standing in the midst of the people who would give in their worship to the golden calf and he said let him who is on the Lord side come and stand by me. God says come let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet Toby as white as snow of the red like crimson, though be as white as wool. Isaiah 55 the Lord says hey everyone that thirst, let them come to the waters Jesus to an inquiry man said come and see Jesus again said come unto me all you that are laboring and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, in fact, there are two words in the Bible that show us what our focus as Christians ought to be the first word is come in the second word is go first, we come to the Lord, that we go out and tell others know this beautiful promise of having your spiritual thirst quenched in verse 17, Revelation 22 whatever desires, let him take the water of life freely. The closing verses of the Bible make it perfectly clear that salvation is a matter of the well, whoever will let them come.

It's an offer.

It's an invitation. Whoever will lead Kim, it's a matter of the will or maybe I should say it's also a matter of the won't you either will or you won't accept God's offer of forgiveness and then when you accept that offer of forgiveness.

You find the satisfaction you're looking for because there's nothing this world offers that will satisfy that deep thirst in your soul mentioned earlier that Abraham was looking for a city made by God in the same way were all wired that way were longing for a place we've never been to before were effectively homesick for heaven. Nothing. This world offers will satisfy that homesickness or that spiritual thirst were all striving and hungry and thirsty for truth for a life that is worth living in Jesus can give you that life and you can have the hope of heaven. So let me ask you, in closing, are you sure you will go to heaven when you die. Is there any more important question than that I don't think so.

Heard about a man who died and went to heaven and that Peter met him at the pearly gates and said okay buddy this is how it works. You need thousand points to get in the habit tell me all the good things you've done that give you points for each item and I thought about it for a moment. He says I've been married to the same wonderful woman for 50 years, I kept my vows to her IV mean Gouda and impure thought. Peter says that's good.

I give you 3.0 with frequent company do I need to get you need a thousand points.

I give you three points for being faithful to your wife. Oh well, okay, the guises I attended church and I supported it with my prayer with my ties. Peter said good that's worth 1.1.10 wait the minutes as I started a soup kitchen and worked in a shelter for homeless people. Peter said let's good for two more points. Finally, the guy completely exasperated, said man.

The only way I want to get into heaven is by the grace of God. Peter said you've got it. That's worth a thousand points get into some something you do. By the way, that's the story I'm sure you know what it's a story to make a point you don't get to heaven by what you've done. You get to heaven on the basis of what Christ is done for you on the cross. That's the only way and they haven't coming back to that statement of Jesus when he said I go to prepare a place for you, said we don't know where this is where you're going to. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes of the father but by me. Why is Jesus the only way to the father because Jesus was the son of God. There is never been a man that walked this planet who was like Jesus, fully God and fully man and when he died on the cross with one hand he took hold of sinful humanity with the other hand, need to call about holy God and nails were driven to those hands and he died in our place.

The Bible says Christ died for our sin was not really nails that held them to the cross.

2000 years ago. It was love for you. Did you know that God loves you.

Did you know that God has a plan for you.

Did you know that God wants you to join him in heaven one day and if you want to join them. You must accept his offer.

You must respond to the invitation.

Let's say I sent you a text that I said meet me for lunch at 12 In-N-Out Burger now to respond in great were going to go get lunch if you don't respond.

I'm going to assume you either didn't get the message or you don't want to meet me for lunch and then if I get that�� You're I'm talking about� Oh, you're responding. Then I get nothing.

I'm thinking what happened.

You were going to say yes and then you decided not to say yes maybe a better offer came up whatever if you don't accept my offer.

You're in effect rejecting my offer got offers you forgiveness of all of your sent. He offers you a fresh start, mentioned earlier, you could be a woman who's had an abortion. You could be a man that is sinned in so many ways and you wonder, would God ever forgive me for what I've done, the answer is yes, because Christ died for those sins that you must be willing to turn from them and ask him to come in here like to be your savior and your Lord if you do this on the authority of this book that is completely trustworthy.

You my friend will go to heaven. Years ago I was wrapping up a message of one of our evangelistic crusades and I said these words friend you may never have another opportunity like this to come to Jesus Christ.

There was a guy sitting in the audience, whose last name was, you guessed it, friend. When I said that he would think he's talking to me and he went forward and gave his life to the Lord so friend, God is offering you forgiveness.

Now it's up to you if you want to accepted or rejected. Listen. Eternity hangs in the balance.

Your choices heaven or hell, forgiveness or judgment make the right choice and believe in Jesus. Right now I would like to close in prayer and I would like to extend an invitation to anyone wherever you are.

If you're not sure that you are going to heaven. If you are living with the guilt of your sin. If you would like to have a fresh start in life. Pray this prayer that I'm about to lead you in. This is a prayer will you will be asking Jesus Christ to come into your life again as I pray this prayer. Pray this prayer wherever you are after me.

You could print out loud if you like pray this with me if you want God to forgive you if you want to go to heaven.

Pray this with the Lord Jesus. I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you are the Savior who died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Jesus come into my life now I choose to follow you in my Savior and Lord my God friend Jesus name I pray, amen. Praying their prayer. Pastor Greg Laurie leading them in a prayer asking Jesus to be their Savior.

And if you just pray that prayer first of all we want to be the first to welcome you into God's family, and we also want to help you grow as a Christian would like to send you our new believers growth packet is free of charge and will help you get started right in walking each day with the Lord.

So ask for the new believers growth packet when you write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org.

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 long though. 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 will 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 loose 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 Shawna 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. Supposing 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 here in 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 know 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 and today is our last opportunity to mention this resource. 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 next time a timely set of studies from Pastor Greg launches a series called God's answer to fear, anxiety and worry. Join us here on a new beginning. Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie and everybody thinks for listening to this podcast to learn more about harvest ministries follow the show and consider supporting it. Just go to harvest.org and find out how to know God personally go to harvest.org and click on know God