UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
APOCALYPSE NOW!
Revelation 8:1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, [a] and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, 9 and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters. 11 The name of the star is called “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
12 The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way. 13 I saw, and I heard an eagle,[b] flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 8:7 TR omits “One third of the earth was burnt up”
b. Revelation 8:13 TR reads “angel” instead of “eagle”
How do we determine what is good? How could a God of love allow good people to face a judgment? Sometimes people say they believe in a God that is not judgmental, but God must judge people because He is not only loving, He is also righteous and holy.
In Revelation 8, we read about the opening of the seventh seal by God: His judgment falling on planet earth after a momentary silence in heaven, the seven angels, the seven trumpets, the golden altar, and what happens to our prayers when they are offered to God.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. God’s judgment frightens us. You think twice about what you are doing when you see what happens to another person who has thumbed their nose at God.
2. God’s judgment sobers us. It forces us to reassess the way we have been living our lives and hopefully change our priorities.
3. God’s judgment humbles us. It strips away our self-righteousness. It reminds us how sinful we are. It reminds us that we are not really in control of our lives and that we really need God.
4. God’s judgment reassures us. The fact that there is going to be a final judgment reassures us that there is justice in the universe.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• Never underestimate the power of prayer. When you are praying according to God’s will, your prayer is unstoppable (see 1 John 5:14).
• God’s timing is not always our timing. The Bible says He makes everything beautiful in His time (see Ecclesiastes 3:11).
• Keep praying. We should never give up or back down. Ask, seek, knock.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
How could a God of love send people to hell? He doesn’t. He won’t. If you end up in hell, you went there willingly because you rejected His offer of forgiveness. You rejected Jesus Christ and all that He did for you. But if you will ask God to forgive you of your sin, He will remove it from you and change you. You will be born again.
Monday, 16 June 2014
Apocalypse Now! — III
Revelation 8:1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, [a] and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, 9 and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters. 11 The name of the star is called “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
12 The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way. 13 I saw, and I heard an eagle,[b] flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 8:7 TR omits “One third of the earth was burnt up”
b. Revelation 8:13 TR reads “angel” instead of “eagle”
Pastor Greg Laurie says, as we draw closer to the Last Days, prayer becomes our lifeline. It's an important study of how prayer can keep us closely connected to our Heavenly Father. Insights from Pastor Greg's Revelation series.
WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSERevelation 9:1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a[a] burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 5 They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. 6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”,[b] but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”. [c] 12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.
13 The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!”
15 The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million.[d] I heard the number of them. 17 Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. 20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries,[e] nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 9:2 TR adds “great”
b. Revelation 9:11 “Abaddon” is a Hebrew word that means “ruin”, “destruction”, or “the place of destruction”
c. Revelation 9:11 “Apollyon” means “Destroyer”.
d. Revelation 9:16 literally, “ten thousands of ten thousands”
e. Revelation 9:21 The word for “sorceries” (pharmakeia) also implies the use of potions, poisons, and drugs
The Bible is one book that dares to predict the future. Not once. Not twice. But hundreds of times.
Anybody can predict the future, but we don’t know if the prediction is accurate until it actually comes true. In the case of the Bible, we have a lot of history to look back at. Things the Bible said would happen have happened exactly as God said they would.
In Revelation 9, we see the foreshocks of what is to come, the opening of the bottomless pit, and the sins of the great tribulation.
We should study the book of Revelation and Bible prophecy for several reasons:
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. It will unlock the mystery of history. Biblical history is not cyclical. It is linear. Christians are moving toward a goal. Revelation 11:15 says, “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever” (NIV).
2. It will bring sense to our suffering. Death, grief, crying and pain will no longer exist because the previous things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (NIV). We win in the end.
3. It will cause us to live more godly lives. If we really believe that Christ is coming, we will want to be more prayerful. 1 Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so you can pray” (NIV). If we really believe the Lord is coming, it will cause us to want to live godly lives.
4. It shows us there will be justice in the world one day. There are wicked people who do wicked things and seemingly get away with. According to Revelation, there is going to be a reckoning one day.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• The prominent sins in the tribulation period include idol worship, murder, sorceries, sexual immorality, and thievery. People will not repent.
• The devil and his demons are real and aggressive.
• Though powerful, demons have clear limitations.
• The devil flees at the name of Jesus.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
God is in control. Nothing is happening that surprises Him in any way. We need to take the message of this book and give it to people. God says that if you want to believe, He will strengthen you in your belief. If you want to reject it, He will strengthen you in your rejection. You make the choice.
God will respect the decision that you make.
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
When All Hell Breaks Loose — I
Revelation 9:1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a[a] burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 5 They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. 6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”,[b] but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”. [c] 12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.
13 The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!”
15 The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million.[d] I heard the number of them. 17 Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. 20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries,[e] nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 9:2 TR adds “great”
b. Revelation 9:11 “Abaddon” is a Hebrew word that means “ruin”, “destruction”, or “the place of destruction”
c. Revelation 9:11 “Apollyon” means “Destroyer”.
d. Revelation 9:16 literally, “ten thousands of ten thousands”
e. Revelation 9:21 The word for “sorceries” (pharmakeia) also implies the use of potions, poisons, and drugs
After the Rapture, what will life be like for those left behind? Pastor Greg Laurie addresses that question. He explains the upheaval after the Church and its preserving influence are removed. It's another eye-opening study from his Revelation series.
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
When All Hell Breaks Loose — II
Revelation 9:1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a[a] burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 5 They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. 6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”,[b] but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”. [c] 12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.
13 The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!”
15 The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million.[d] I heard the number of them. 17 Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. 20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries,[e] nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 9:2 TR adds “great”
b. Revelation 9:11 “Abaddon” is a Hebrew word that means “ruin”, “destruction”, or “the place of destruction”
c. Revelation 9:11 “Apollyon” means “Destroyer”.
d. Revelation 9:16 literally, “ten thousands of ten thousands”
e. Revelation 9:21 The word for “sorceries” (pharmakeia) also implies the use of potions, poisons, and drugs
The Devil knows what we find most tempting, and he exploits it! Pastor Greg Laurie explains our enemy's enticements are subtle and effective. He points out how to resist our spiritual adversary, especially given the times in which we live.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
When All Hell Breaks Loose — III
Revelation 9:1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a[a] burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 5 They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. 6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”,[b] but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”. [c] 12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.
13 The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!”
15 The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million.[d] I heard the number of them. 17 Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. 20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries,[e] nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 9:2 TR adds “great”
b. Revelation 9:11 “Abaddon” is a Hebrew word that means “ruin”, “destruction”, or “the place of destruction”
c. Revelation 9:11 “Apollyon” means “Destroyer”.
d. Revelation 9:16 literally, “ten thousands of ten thousands”
e. Revelation 9:21 The word for “sorceries” (pharmakeia) also implies the use of potions, poisons, and drugs
If we fashion our own god after our image, we shouldn't be surprised when it can't help us in our time of need. And Pastor Greg Laurie says that kind of idol worship is one of the five big sins that will be present during the Tribulation Period. Listen in for strong insights about the unfolding of God's End Times plan.
LIGHT IN A VERY DARK PLACE
Revelation 11:1 A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise, and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. 3 I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands, standing before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. 7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. 8 Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 From among the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations people will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 Those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” They went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.
15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!”
16 The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God’s throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was[a]; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 God’s temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 11:17 TR adds “and who is coming”
Have you ever gone to see a movie, and during the film someone pulls out their cell phone and starts checking their e-mail or texts? It is amazing how far a little light will go in a dark place. In Revelation chapter 11, we see two very bright lights: the two witnesses, whom God is going to raise up in the great tribulation period to preach the gospel and to warn the people. Chapter 11 closes with the seventh trumpet, the worshipping of God by the 24 elders, and an amazing glimpse into heaven.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. When you preach God’s truth you will be opposed. Persecution is going to increase in the last days and certainly in the tribulation period. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (KJV).
2. When you speak the truth it is going to be torment for some. People want to live a certain way. You torment them just by being a follower of Jesus. Revelation 11:10 reads, “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” (ESV).
3. Christ’s death and resurrection is the sign for a nonbelieving world. Christ died. He rose. He can forgive you of your sins. That is the message to lost humanity. That is the message we have to give out.
4. Christ’s saints will stand before His judgment seat and receive rewards. In verse 18, He has given us a glimpse into heaven. “You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great” (ESV).
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• You as a Christian are indestructible until God is done with you. No matter what weapon is formed against you before that day, it will not prosper.
• Once you die, if you have rejected Christ, there is no changing your eternal destination.
• Heaven is the real deal, the eternal dwelling place. Earth is the copy, the temporary dwelling place. In verse 15, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and
of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (ESV).
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
Who knows that God has not put you where you are right now for such a time as this? We can’t take it with us, but we can send it on ahead. Every investment we make of our lives for God’s glory
will result in an eternal reward: the giving of your time, the use of your gifts, the investment of your resources. It is all laying up for you treasure in heaven and being faithful to the Lord. God has given you a calling. He wants you to be faithful to the very end.
Friday, 20 June 2014
Light in a Very Dark Place — I
Revelation 11:1 A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise, and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. 3 I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands, standing before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. 7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. 8 Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 From among the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations people will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 Those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” They went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.
15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!”
16 The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God’s throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was[a]; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 God’s temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 11:17 TR adds “and who is coming”
Whatever your occupation, in God's eyes your real job is "Ambassador." You're an Ambassador for Christ, His representative to your circle of influence. And Pastor Greg Laurie helps us stand up and speak out for our Lord!
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Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie
P.O. Box 4000
Riverside, CA 92514-4000 United States
Phone: 1(800)821-3300
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