Harvest Ministry "A New Beginning" with Greg Laurie's Notes for the Week of Monday, 19 January 2015

Harvest Ministry "A New Beginning" with Greg Laurie's Notes for the Week of Monday, 19 January 2015
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
End Times series
"Israel, Iran, and ISIS in Bible Prophecy"
ISRAEL, IRAN, AND ISIS
Ezekiel 37: Dry Bones Live Again
1 Some time later, I felt the Lord’s power take control of me, and his Spirit carried me to a valley full of bones. 2 The Lord showed me all around, and everywhere I looked I saw bones that were dried out. 3 He said, “Ezekiel, son of man, can these bones come back to life?”
I replied, “Lord God, only you can answer that.”
4 He then told me to say:
Dry bones, listen to what the Lord is saying to you, 5 “I, the Lord God, will put breath in you, and once again you will live. 6 I will wrap you with muscles and skin and breathe life into you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
7 I did what the Lord said, but before I finished speaking, I heard a rattling noise. The bones were coming together! 8 I saw muscles and skin cover the bones, but they had no life in them.
9 The Lord said:
Ezekiel, now say to the wind,[a] “The Lord God commands you to blow from every direction and to breathe life into these dead bodies, so they can live again.”
10 As soon as I said this, the wind blew among the bodies, and they came back to life! They all stood up, and there were enough to make a large army.
11 The Lord said:
Ezekiel, the people of Israel are like dead bones. They complain that they are dried up and that they have no hope for the future. 12 So tell them, “I, the Lord God, promise to open your graves and set you free. I will bring you back to Israel, 13 and when that happens, you will realize that I am the Lord. 14 My Spirit will give you breath, and you will live again. I will bring you home, and you will know that I have kept my promise. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Judah and Israel Together Again
15 The Lord said:
16 Ezekiel, son of man, get a stick and write on it, “The kingdom of Judah.” Then get another stick and write on it, “The kingdom of Israel.”[b] 17 Hold these two sticks end to end, so they look like one stick. 18 And when your people ask you what this means, 19 tell them that I, the Lord, will join together the stick of Israel and the stick of Judah. I will hold them in my hand, and they will become one.
20 Hold these two sticks where they can be seen by everyone 21 and then say:
I, the Lord God, will gather the people of Israel and bring them home from the foreign nations where they now live. 22 I will make them into one nation and let them once again live in the land of Israel. Only one king will rule them, and they will never again be divided into two nations. 23 They will no longer worship idols and do things that make them unacceptable to me. I will wash away their sin and make them clean, and I will protect them from everything that makes them unclean. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
24-25 Their king will always come from the family of my servant King David and will care for them like a shepherd. The people of Israel will faithfully obey my laws. They and their descendants will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, just as their ancestors did. 26 I solemnly promise to bless the people of Israel with unending peace. I will protect them and let them become a powerful nation. My temple will stand in Israel for all time, 27 and I will live among my people and be their God. 28 Every nation on earth will know that my temple is in Israel and that I have chosen the Israelites to be my people.[Footnotes:
37.9 wind: Or “breath.” The Hebrew word may mean either.
37.16 Israel: The Hebrew text has “Joseph, that is, Ephraim,” the leading tribe in the northern kingdom.]
The Bible tells us that in the last days things will go from bad to worse. It seems like every time you turn around there is a new terrorist attack. A new poll reveals that Americans believe that our country has spun off its axis and is out of control. But it’s not just America that is out of control; it’s the whole world. We are living in the last days. And there are things that are happening now that we have never seen before.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. The Bible says the Jews would be scattered. Our Lord warned that the temple was going to be dismantled, and He warned that judgment was coming on the city of Jerusalem. It came. After Titus invaded Jerusalem with his forces of Rome in AD 70, the Jews were scattered to the four corners of the world.
2. God said that Israel would regather together in their land again. Ezekiel 37:11–14 says, “Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, “We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.” Therefore, prophesy to them and say, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!”’” (NLT).
3. In the last days Israel will be attacked by a large force to the north. Israel will not have an ally, but the Lord is going to step in and decimate the armies of Magog and its allies. “This is what will happen on that day. When Gog invades the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezekiel 38:18 NIV). Then God is going to pour out His Spirit on Israel (see Ezekiel 39:29).
4. God’s work with the Gentiles must come to a crescendo before He pours out His Spirit on the nation Israel. Romans 11:25 says “I want you to understand this mystery, dear friends, so you will you not feel proud and start bragging. Some of the Jews have hard hearts, but this will last only until the complete number of Gentiles come to Christ” (NLT). 
RELEVANT REMINDERS
 • Some prophetic events have already transpired according to the Bible. For instance, Israel was scattered, and has regathered in Jerusalem.
 • The final conflict of man will be centered on Jerusalem, and the Holy City will stand alone, but will not be surrendered to anyone.
 • A day is coming when the eyes of many Jewish people will be opened, sparked by the intervention of God when He saves Israel.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
Jesus told us to be aware of the signs of His return. When these signs are closer together, bigger and brighter, you know that His coming is near—like a woman going into labor. Are you ready for His return? Will you be caught up to meet Him in the air, or will you be left? 
Monday, 19 January 2015
Israel, Iran, and ISIS in Bible Prophecy — I
Ezekiel 37: Dry Bones Live Again
1 Some time later, I felt the Lord’s power take control of me, and his Spirit carried me to a valley full of bones. 2 The Lord showed me all around, and everywhere I looked I saw bones that were dried out. 3 He said, “Ezekiel, son of man, can these bones come back to life?”
I replied, “Lord God, only you can answer that.”
4 He then told me to say:
Dry bones, listen to what the Lord is saying to you, 5 “I, the Lord God, will put breath in you, and once again you will live. 6 I will wrap you with muscles and skin and breathe life into you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
7 I did what the Lord said, but before I finished speaking, I heard a rattling noise. The bones were coming together! 8 I saw muscles and skin cover the bones, but they had no life in them.
9 The Lord said:
Ezekiel, now say to the wind,[a] “The Lord God commands you to blow from every direction and to breathe life into these dead bodies, so they can live again.”
10 As soon as I said this, the wind blew among the bodies, and they came back to life! They all stood up, and there were enough to make a large army.
11 The Lord said:
Ezekiel, the people of Israel are like dead bones. They complain that they are dried up and that they have no hope for the future. 12 So tell them, “I, the Lord God, promise to open your graves and set you free. I will bring you back to Israel, 13 and when that happens, you will realize that I am the Lord. 14 My Spirit will give you breath, and you will live again. I will bring you home, and you will know that I have kept my promise. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Judah and Israel Together Again
15 The Lord said:
16 Ezekiel, son of man, get a stick and write on it, “The kingdom of Judah.” Then get another stick and write on it, “The kingdom of Israel.”[b] 17 Hold these two sticks end to end, so they look like one stick. 18 And when your people ask you what this means, 19 tell them that I, the Lord, will join together the stick of Israel and the stick of Judah. I will hold them in my hand, and they will become one.
20 Hold these two sticks where they can be seen by everyone 21 and then say:
I, the Lord God, will gather the people of Israel and bring them home from the foreign nations where they now live. 22 I will make them into one nation and let them once again live in the land of Israel. Only one king will rule them, and they will never again be divided into two nations. 23 They will no longer worship idols and do things that make them unacceptable to me. I will wash away their sin and make them clean, and I will protect them from everything that makes them unclean. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
24-25 Their king will always come from the family of my servant King David and will care for them like a shepherd. The people of Israel will faithfully obey my laws. They and their descendants will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, just as their ancestors did. 26 I solemnly promise to bless the people of Israel with unending peace. I will protect them and let them become a powerful nation. My temple will stand in Israel for all time, 27 and I will live among my people and be their God. 28 Every nation on earth will know that my temple is in Israel and that I have chosen the Israelites to be my people.[Footnotes:
37.9 wind: Or “breath.” The Hebrew word may mean either.
37.16 Israel: The Hebrew text has “Joseph, that is, Ephraim,” the leading tribe in the northern kingdom.]
Thanks to cable and Internet reporting, we can stream bad news into our homes 24 hours a day! It's distressing! Where is our world headed? Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see the parallel between world events and Bible prophecy.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Israel, Iran, and ISIS in Bible Prophecy — II
Ezekiel 37: Dry Bones Live Again
1 Some time later, I felt the Lord’s power take control of me, and his Spirit carried me to a valley full of bones. 2 The Lord showed me all around, and everywhere I looked I saw bones that were dried out. 3 He said, “Ezekiel, son of man, can these bones come back to life?”
I replied, “Lord God, only you can answer that.”
4 He then told me to say:
Dry bones, listen to what the Lord is saying to you, 5 “I, the Lord God, will put breath in you, and once again you will live. 6 I will wrap you with muscles and skin and breathe life into you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
7 I did what the Lord said, but before I finished speaking, I heard a rattling noise. The bones were coming together! 8 I saw muscles and skin cover the bones, but they had no life in them.
9 The Lord said:
Ezekiel, now say to the wind,[a] “The Lord God commands you to blow from every direction and to breathe life into these dead bodies, so they can live again.”
10 As soon as I said this, the wind blew among the bodies, and they came back to life! They all stood up, and there were enough to make a large army.
11 The Lord said:
Ezekiel, the people of Israel are like dead bones. They complain that they are dried up and that they have no hope for the future. 12 So tell them, “I, the Lord God, promise to open your graves and set you free. I will bring you back to Israel, 13 and when that happens, you will realize that I am the Lord. 14 My Spirit will give you breath, and you will live again. I will bring you home, and you will know that I have kept my promise. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Judah and Israel Together Again
15 The Lord said:
16 Ezekiel, son of man, get a stick and write on it, “The kingdom of Judah.” Then get another stick and write on it, “The kingdom of Israel.”[b] 17 Hold these two sticks end to end, so they look like one stick. 18 And when your people ask you what this means, 19 tell them that I, the Lord, will join together the stick of Israel and the stick of Judah. I will hold them in my hand, and they will become one.
20 Hold these two sticks where they can be seen by everyone 21 and then say:
I, the Lord God, will gather the people of Israel and bring them home from the foreign nations where they now live. 22 I will make them into one nation and let them once again live in the land of Israel. Only one king will rule them, and they will never again be divided into two nations. 23 They will no longer worship idols and do things that make them unacceptable to me. I will wash away their sin and make them clean, and I will protect them from everything that makes them unclean. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
24-25 Their king will always come from the family of my servant King David and will care for them like a shepherd. The people of Israel will faithfully obey my laws. They and their descendants will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, just as their ancestors did. 26 I solemnly promise to bless the people of Israel with unending peace. I will protect them and let them become a powerful nation. My temple will stand in Israel for all time, 27 and I will live among my people and be their God. 28 Every nation on earth will know that my temple is in Israel and that I have chosen the Israelites to be my people.[Footnotes:
37.9 wind: Or “breath.” The Hebrew word may mean either.
37.16 Israel: The Hebrew text has “Joseph, that is, Ephraim,” the leading tribe in the northern kingdom.]
Terrorism is a worldwide danger that only seems to be getting worse. We may wonder, "where is God in all of this." Pastor Greg Laurie points out these events may be setting the stage for the next event in Bible prophecy
End Times series
"Antichrist, Armageddon & America"
ANTICHRIST, ARMAGEDDON, AND AMERICA
Revelation 13: The Two Beasts
1 I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God. 2 The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast. 3 One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast, 4 and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.”
5 The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule. 6 The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with God. 7 It was allowed to fight against God’s people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race. 8 The beast was worshiped by everyone whose name wasn’t written before the time of creation in the book of the Lamb who was killed.[a]
9 If you have ears,
    then listen!
10 If you are doomed
to be captured,
    you will be captured.
If you are doomed
    to be killed by a sword,
you will be killed
    by a sword.
This means that God’s people must learn to endure and be faithful!
11 I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. 12 It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast. 13 It worked mighty miracles, and while people watched, it even made fire come down from the sky.
14 This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a sword. 15 It was allowed to put breath into the idol, so that it could speak. Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast was put to death. 16 All people were forced to put a mark on their right hand or forehead. Whether they were powerful or weak, rich or poor, free people or slaves, 17 they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name.
18 You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.[Footnotes:
13.8 wasn’t written. . . was killed: Or “not written in the book of the Lamb who was killed before the time of creation.”]
Revelation 16: The Bowls of God’s Anger
1 From the temple I heard a voice shout to the seven angels, “Go and empty the seven bowls of God’s anger on the earth.”
2 The first angel emptied his bowl on the earth. At once ugly and painful sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol.
3 The second angel emptied his bowl on the sea. Right away the sea turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel emptied his bowl into the rivers and streams. At once they turned to blood. 5 Then I heard the angel, who has power over water, say,
“You have always been,
and you always will be
    the holy God.
You had the right
    to judge in this way.
6 They poured out the blood[a]
of your people
    and your prophets.
So you gave them blood
    to drink,
as they deserve!”
7 After this, I heard
    the altar shout,
“Yes, Lord God All-Powerful,
your judgments are honest
    and fair.”
8 The fourth angel emptied his bowl on the sun, and it began to scorch people like fire. 9 Everyone was scorched by its great heat, and all of them cursed the name of God who had power over these terrible troubles. But no one turned to God and praised him.
10 The fifth angel emptied his bowl on the throne of the beast. At once darkness covered its kingdom, and its people began biting their tongues in pain. 11 And because of their painful sores, they cursed the God who rules in heaven. But still they did not stop doing evil things.
12 The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it completely dried up to make a road for the kings from the east. 13 An evil spirit that looked like a frog came out of the mouth of the dragon. One also came out of the mouth of the beast, and another out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 These evil spirits had the power to work miracles. They went to every king on earth, to bring them together for a war against God All-Powerful. But that will be the day of God’s great victory.
15 Remember that Christ says, “When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready. Then you won’t have to walk around naked and be ashamed.”
16 Those armies came together in a place that in Hebrew is called Armagedon.[b]
17 As soon as the seventh angel emptied his bowl in the air, a loud voice from the throne in the temple shouted, “It’s done!” 18 There were flashes of lightning, roars of thunder, and the worst earthquake in all history. 19 The great city of Babylon split into three parts, and the cities of other nations fell. So God made Babylon drink from the wine cup that was filled with his anger. 20 Every island ran away, and the mountains disappeared. 21 Hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds each, fell from the sky on people. Finally, the people cursed God, because the hail was so terrible.[Footnotes:
16.6 They poured out the blood: A way of saying, “They murdered.”
16.16 Armagedon: The Hebrew form of the name would be “Har Megiddo,” meaning “Hill of Megiddo,” where many battles were fought in ancient times (see Judges 5.19; 2 Kings 23.29,30).]
Imagine a world without America. Who would have stopped Hitler, stood up to the aggression of the Soviet Union, or led the charge against terrorism after we were attacked on 9/11? Whenever there is a crisis in the world, people expect the United States to step in with humanitarian aid. But a day is coming when America will not be the reigning superpower that it is today. There is no mention of America in the end-times events, and a new world leader is coming that the world is going to pledge its loyalty to.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. The Antichrist is coming to deify Satan. Revelation 13:4 (NKJV) says, “They worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’” The dragon is Satan himself.
2. The Antichrist is coming to defy and take the place of Jesus. “He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:5 NKJV).
3. The Antichrist is coming to kill Christians. “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Revelation 13:7 NKJV). Sadly, in the tribulation period many Christians will be martyred for their faith.
4. The Antichrist is coming to dominate the globe. Scripture says, “Through peace Antichrist will deceive many.” This coming world leader, the Antichrist, will come at economically difficult times. He will solidify the world’s economic system and bring world peace. The tribulation does not start violently; it starts peacefully.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
 • Every nation’s days are numbered. We need God to intervene in our nation.
 • America is clearly not present in the end-times events because America may be decimated in a nuclear attack, may decline as a world power, or a massive spiritual awakening in America may occur with millions suddenly disappearing in the rapture.
 • If the coming of the Antichrist is close, the coming of Jesus for His church is even closer. Look up, for your redemption is drawing near. 
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
The rapture is not a joke. It will happen. People will come to Christ during the tribulation, but the tribulation is going to be a hard time for Christians. The Antichrist is going to kill Christians during that time. Don’t be one of those who will find out what the tribulation is like. Get right with God or get left.
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Antichrist, Armageddon & America — I
Revelation 13: The Two Beasts
1 I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God. 2 The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast. 3 One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast, 4 and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.”
5 The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule. 6 The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with God. 7 It was allowed to fight against God’s people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race. 8 The beast was worshiped by everyone whose name wasn’t written before the time of creation in the book of the Lamb who was killed.[a]
9 If you have ears,
    then listen!
10 If you are doomed
to be captured,
    you will be captured.
If you are doomed
    to be killed by a sword,
you will be killed
    by a sword.
This means that God’s people must learn to endure and be faithful!
11 I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. 12 It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast. 13 It worked mighty miracles, and while people watched, it even made fire come down from the sky.
14 This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a sword. 15 It was allowed to put breath into the idol, so that it could speak. Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast was put to death. 16 All people were forced to put a mark on their right hand or forehead. Whether they were powerful or weak, rich or poor, free people or slaves, 17 they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name.
18 You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.[Footnotes:
13.8 wasn’t written. . . was killed: Or “not written in the book of the Lamb who was killed before the time of creation.”]
Revelation 16: The Bowls of God’s Anger
1 From the temple I heard a voice shout to the seven angels, “Go and empty the seven bowls of God’s anger on the earth.”
2 The first angel emptied his bowl on the earth. At once ugly and painful sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol.
3 The second angel emptied his bowl on the sea. Right away the sea turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel emptied his bowl into the rivers and streams. At once they turned to blood. 5 Then I heard the angel, who has power over water, say,
“You have always been,
and you always will be
    the holy God.
You had the right
    to judge in this way.
6 They poured out the blood[a]
of your people
    and your prophets.
So you gave them blood
    to drink,
as they deserve!”
7 After this, I heard
    the altar shout,
“Yes, Lord God All-Powerful,
your judgments are honest
    and fair.”
8 The fourth angel emptied his bowl on the sun, and it began to scorch people like fire. 9 Everyone was scorched by its great heat, and all of them cursed the name of God who had power over these terrible troubles. But no one turned to God and praised him.
10 The fifth angel emptied his bowl on the throne of the beast. At once darkness covered its kingdom, and its people began biting their tongues in pain. 11 And because of their painful sores, they cursed the God who rules in heaven. But still they did not stop doing evil things.
12 The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it completely dried up to make a road for the kings from the east. 13 An evil spirit that looked like a frog came out of the mouth of the dragon. One also came out of the mouth of the beast, and another out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 These evil spirits had the power to work miracles. They went to every king on earth, to bring them together for a war against God All-Powerful. But that will be the day of God’s great victory.
15 Remember that Christ says, “When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready. Then you won’t have to walk around naked and be ashamed.”
16 Those armies came together in a place that in Hebrew is called Armagedon.[b]
17 As soon as the seventh angel emptied his bowl in the air, a loud voice from the throne in the temple shouted, “It’s done!” 18 There were flashes of lightning, roars of thunder, and the worst earthquake in all history. 19 The great city of Babylon split into three parts, and the cities of other nations fell. So God made Babylon drink from the wine cup that was filled with his anger. 20 Every island ran away, and the mountains disappeared. 21 Hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds each, fell from the sky on people. Finally, the people cursed God, because the hail was so terrible.[Footnotes:
16.6 They poured out the blood: A way of saying, “They murdered.”
16.16 Armagedon: The Hebrew form of the name would be “Har Megiddo,” meaning “Hill of Megiddo,” where many battles were fought in ancient times (see Judges 5.19; 2 Kings 23.29,30).]
During the Tribulation period, the Antichrist will promise peace ... and he'll deliver. But Pastor Greg Laurie says that peace will be short-lived, and followed by untold devastation. A look at how the events of Bible prophecy may be right around the corner.
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Antichrist, Armageddon & America — II
Revelation 13: The Two Beasts
1 I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God. 2 The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast. 3 One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast, 4 and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.”
5 The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule. 6 The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with God. 7 It was allowed to fight against God’s people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race. 8 The beast was worshiped by everyone whose name wasn’t written before the time of creation in the book of the Lamb who was killed.[a]
9 If you have ears,
    then listen!
10 If you are doomed
to be captured,
    you will be captured.
If you are doomed
    to be killed by a sword,
you will be killed
    by a sword.
This means that God’s people must learn to endure and be faithful!
11 I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. 12 It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast. 13 It worked mighty miracles, and while people watched, it even made fire come down from the sky.
14 This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a sword. 15 It was allowed to put breath into the idol, so that it could speak. Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast was put to death. 16 All people were forced to put a mark on their right hand or forehead. Whether they were powerful or weak, rich or poor, free people or slaves, 17 they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name.
18 You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.[Footnotes:
13.8 wasn’t written. . . was killed: Or “not written in the book of the Lamb who was killed before the time of creation.”]
Revelation 16: The Bowls of God’s Anger
1 From the temple I heard a voice shout to the seven angels, “Go and empty the seven bowls of God’s anger on the earth.”
2 The first angel emptied his bowl on the earth. At once ugly and painful sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol.
3 The second angel emptied his bowl on the sea. Right away the sea turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel emptied his bowl into the rivers and streams. At once they turned to blood. 5 Then I heard the angel, who has power over water, say,
“You have always been,
and you always will be
    the holy God.
You had the right
    to judge in this way.
6 They poured out the blood[a]
of your people
    and your prophets.
So you gave them blood
    to drink,
as they deserve!”
7 After this, I heard
    the altar shout,
“Yes, Lord God All-Powerful,
your judgments are honest
    and fair.”
8 The fourth angel emptied his bowl on the sun, and it began to scorch people like fire. 9 Everyone was scorched by its great heat, and all of them cursed the name of God who had power over these terrible troubles. But no one turned to God and praised him.
10 The fifth angel emptied his bowl on the throne of the beast. At once darkness covered its kingdom, and its people began biting their tongues in pain. 11 And because of their painful sores, they cursed the God who rules in heaven. But still they did not stop doing evil things.
12 The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it completely dried up to make a road for the kings from the east. 13 An evil spirit that looked like a frog came out of the mouth of the dragon. One also came out of the mouth of the beast, and another out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 These evil spirits had the power to work miracles. They went to every king on earth, to bring them together for a war against God All-Powerful. But that will be the day of God’s great victory.
15 Remember that Christ says, “When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready. Then you won’t have to walk around naked and be ashamed.”
16 Those armies came together in a place that in Hebrew is called Armagedon.[b]
17 As soon as the seventh angel emptied his bowl in the air, a loud voice from the throne in the temple shouted, “It’s done!” 18 There were flashes of lightning, roars of thunder, and the worst earthquake in all history. 19 The great city of Babylon split into three parts, and the cities of other nations fell. So God made Babylon drink from the wine cup that was filled with his anger. 20 Every island ran away, and the mountains disappeared. 21 Hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds each, fell from the sky on people. Finally, the people cursed God, because the hail was so terrible.[Footnotes:
16.6 They poured out the blood: A way of saying, “They murdered.”
16.16 Armagedon: The Hebrew form of the name would be “Har Megiddo,” meaning “Hill of Megiddo,” where many battles were fought in ancient times (see Judges 5.19; 2 Kings 23.29,30).]
Pastor Greg Laurie says, as we look at the Last Days scenario in Scripture, America can't be found! We're the reigning superpower, and a friend to Israel, yet we're not mentioned. He helps us understand what may be coming as the End Times approach.
Friday, 23 January 2015
Antichrist, Armageddon & America — III
Revelation 13: The Two Beasts
1 I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God. 2 The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast. 3 One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast, 4 and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.”
5 The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule. 6 The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with God. 7 It was allowed to fight against God’s people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race. 8 The beast was worshiped by everyone whose name wasn’t written before the time of creation in the book of the Lamb who was killed.[a]
9 If you have ears,
    then listen!
10 If you are doomed
to be captured,
    you will be captured.
If you are doomed
    to be killed by a sword,
you will be killed
    by a sword.
This means that God’s people must learn to endure and be faithful!
11 I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. 12 It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast. 13 It worked mighty miracles, and while people watched, it even made fire come down from the sky.
14 This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a sword. 15 It was allowed to put breath into the idol, so that it could speak. Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast was put to death. 16 All people were forced to put a mark on their right hand or forehead. Whether they were powerful or weak, rich or poor, free people or slaves, 17 they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name.
18 You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.[Footnotes:
13.8 wasn’t written. . . was killed: Or “not written in the book of the Lamb who was killed before the time of creation.”]
Revelation 16: The Bowls of God’s Anger
1 From the temple I heard a voice shout to the seven angels, “Go and empty the seven bowls of God’s anger on the earth.”
2 The first angel emptied his bowl on the earth. At once ugly and painful sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol.
3 The second angel emptied his bowl on the sea. Right away the sea turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel emptied his bowl into the rivers and streams. At once they turned to blood. 5 Then I heard the angel, who has power over water, say,
“You have always been,
and you always will be
    the holy God.
You had the right
    to judge in this way.
6 They poured out the blood[a]
of your people
    and your prophets.
So you gave them blood
    to drink,
as they deserve!”
7 After this, I heard
    the altar shout,
“Yes, Lord God All-Powerful,
your judgments are honest
    and fair.”
8 The fourth angel emptied his bowl on the sun, and it began to scorch people like fire. 9 Everyone was scorched by its great heat, and all of them cursed the name of God who had power over these terrible troubles. But no one turned to God and praised him.
10 The fifth angel emptied his bowl on the throne of the beast. At once darkness covered its kingdom, and its people began biting their tongues in pain. 11 And because of their painful sores, they cursed the God who rules in heaven. But still they did not stop doing evil things.
12 The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it completely dried up to make a road for the kings from the east. 13 An evil spirit that looked like a frog came out of the mouth of the dragon. One also came out of the mouth of the beast, and another out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 These evil spirits had the power to work miracles. They went to every king on earth, to bring them together for a war against God All-Powerful. But that will be the day of God’s great victory.
15 Remember that Christ says, “When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready. Then you won’t have to walk around naked and be ashamed.”
16 Those armies came together in a place that in Hebrew is called Armagedon.[b]
17 As soon as the seventh angel emptied his bowl in the air, a loud voice from the throne in the temple shouted, “It’s done!” 18 There were flashes of lightning, roars of thunder, and the worst earthquake in all history. 19 The great city of Babylon split into three parts, and the cities of other nations fell. So God made Babylon drink from the wine cup that was filled with his anger. 20 Every island ran away, and the mountains disappeared. 21 Hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds each, fell from the sky on people. Finally, the people cursed God, because the hail was so terrible.[Footnotes:
16.6 They poured out the blood: A way of saying, “They murdered.”
16.16 Armagedon: The Hebrew form of the name would be “Har Megiddo,” meaning “Hill of Megiddo,” where many battles were fought in ancient times (see Judges 5.19; 2 Kings 23.29,30).]
Armageddon. Nearly everyone has heard the word. But for some, it seems to ring with a mythical quality. Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see that Armageddon is real, and it's coming. Listen for an urgent series comparing current news with the events of prophecy.
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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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