Greg Laurie - Afterlife

April 8, 2025 | S25:E84

Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.

#GregLaurie #Faith #Apostles #Religion #WordofGod #inActive #EndTimes #Tribulation #Rapture #Afterlife #Rejoice #Grief #Reward #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Afterlife | April 8, 2025

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Greg laurie: hi, i'm greg laurie,
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And i'm so glad you've joined us
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Because god's word is full of promises.
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It's alive, it's powerful, and it can change your life.
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So, let's get started.
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♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪
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♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪♪
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Greg: the story is told of billy graham
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Going to a city to hold one of his great crusades.
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And billy wrote a letter to his wife, ruth,
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To tell her how things are going,
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But he didn't know where the post office
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Was in this particular town.
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He saw a young man standing on a street corner,
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And he called out to him,
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"young man, where's the post office?"
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And so, the young boy told billy graham
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Where the post office was.
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And then billy said to that young guy,
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"hey, you want to come to this stadium tonight
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And hear me preach?
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I'm gonna tell people how to get to heaven."
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The little guy said,
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"how would you know how to get to heaven?
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You don't even know how to get to the post office."
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Well, sooner or later, if you're a christian,
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You're gonna enter the afterlife.
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And if you put your faith in christ,
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You're going to go to heaven.
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What a great hope that is.
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The bible says to be absent from the body
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Is to be present with the lord.
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You'll close your eyes on earth,
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And you'll open them in heaven.
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So, we have basic two modes of transportation to get us
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To the afterlife if we're a believer.
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It's either gonna be death or the rapture.
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And i'm gonna talk a little bit about the rapture
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In this message.
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I'm gonna tell you what it is, why there is a rapture,
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When it would potentially happen,
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And a little bit more.
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Let's read revelation chapter 4, verses 1 to 2.
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Remember john's on the island of patmos.
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He's been catapulted into the future
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In kind of a spiritual time machine.
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I don't think it was a delorean.
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And he seen things that are to come
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And he writes about it now in revelation 4:1.
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He says, "after these things," you might underline that phrase.
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"after these things," john says, "i looked,
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And behold, a door standing open in heaven.
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And the first voice which i heard
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Was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying,
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'come up here, and i will show you things
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That will take place after this.'"
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You might underline those words: "after this."
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And john says, "immediately i was in the spirit;
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And behold, a throne set in heaven,
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And one sat on the throne."
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So, let's talk about the next event
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On the prophetic calendar.
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I already mentioned it. it's called the rapture.
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What is the rapture?
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Listen very carefully.
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The rapture is a future event
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When christ will descend from heaven and resurrect
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The bodies of believers who have died.
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Their spirits have gone to heaven,
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But their bodies are still here in the earth in the grave.
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At the same time, we who are alive,
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If it happens in our lifetime,
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We will be caught up together with them.
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With who?
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With those others
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Who are having their resurrection bodies
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Given to them.
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We'll be caught up together with them in heaven.
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It'll be a great reunion.
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Is it spoken of elsewhere in scripture?
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Answer, yes.
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Jesus spoke of it in john chapter 14.
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He said, "at my father's house there are many mansions.
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If it were not so, i would have told you.
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I go to prepare a place for you.
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And if i go and prepare a place for you, i will come again and
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Receive you unto myself that where i am, you may be also."
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Jesus also mentioned this event in what we sometimes call the
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Olivet discourse found in matthew 24.
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He says there in verse 42, "men will be in a field.
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One will be taken and the other left.
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Two women will be at a handmill.
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One will be taken and the other left.
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So be watching, you don't know what day your lord will come."
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So, some are in the field, some are working, some are sleeping,
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So it's a global event that will happen in a moment that you
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Can't even really measure in time.
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Point number two, why is there a rapture?
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This is very important.
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Paul was writing to the believers
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There in thessalonica,
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And they had loved ones who had died.
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And they were wondering
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If they would ever see those people again.
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So, he wrote these words, inspired by the holy spirit,
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To calm their hysteria and to bring them perspective.
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He's saying you are gonna see them again,
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Going back to 1 thessalonians 4, verse 13.
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Paul says, "i don't want you to be uninformed, brothers,
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About those who have died,
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So that you will not grieve as those who have no hope."
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This is interesting, he says, "i don't want you to be
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Uninformed."
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And this sort of addresses the question of why should we study
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Bible prophecy?
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Some would say you can't understand it.
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No, you can understand it.
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Let me take it a step further.
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You need to understand it.
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The more we know about the afterlife will better enable us
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To live a good life here on earth.
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And so, it's very important how we view these things, because it
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Will affect us.
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And so, paul is saying, "i don't want you to grieve as those that
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Have no hope."
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Listen, when a christian loses a loved one,
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When a loved one dies, we grieve.
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And i bring this up
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Because sometimes well-meaning christians
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Will say to someone who's lost a loved one,
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"well, don't cry. they're in heaven."
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Excuse me, i will cry. i must cry.
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My sorrow is an indication of my love.
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So, paul's not saying, "don't grieve."
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He's saying, "don't grieve as those who have no hope."
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He's saying don't grieve hopelessly, grieve hopefully.
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Yes, you can miss them. yes, you can be sad.
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But remind yourself of this fact:
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You will see them again.
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And so, that's what he's saying to the believers there
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And, really, in effect, to all of us today.
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Now, here's the big question,
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The one that's asked more than any other:
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When is the rapture?
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And i'm gonna give you the answer, so get ready for it.
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Get out your pen. get ready to write it down.
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When is the rapture? answer: any time.
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It can happen today. it could happen tonight.
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It could happen tomorrow. we don't know.
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The bible says, "no man knows the day or the hour
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When the son of man will return."
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So, here's john on the lonely island of patmos
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Writing these words, and he's concluded again,
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With the words of jesus, standing at the door, knocking.
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Now a door is open for john in heaven,
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And he's hurtled into the afterlife.
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Revelation chapter 4, verse 2, john writes,
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"immediately i was in the spirit;
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And behold, a throne set in heaven,
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And one sat on the throne.
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And he who sat there was like a jasper
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And sardius stone in appearance;
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There was a rainbow around the throne."
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I find that interesting,
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A complete circular rainbow around the throne.
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"in appearance like an emerald.
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Around the throne were twenty-four thrones,
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And on the thrones i saw twenty-four elders sitting,
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Clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold
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On their heads.
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And from the throne proceeded lightnings,
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Thunderings, and voices.
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Seven lamps of fire burning before the throne,
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Which are the seven spirits of god.
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Before the throne," verse 6,
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There was a sea of glass, like crystal.
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And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
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Were four living creatures full of eyes in front and back.
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The first living creature was like a lion,
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The second living creature like a calf,
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The third living creature had the face of a man,
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And the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
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And the living creatures, each having six wings,
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Were full of eyes around and within.
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And they don't rest day and night, saying:
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'holy, holy, holy, lord god almighty
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Who was, who is, and who is to come!'"
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John is now in the afterlife.
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And what does john see in heaven?
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First of all, he sees the lord seated on his throne.
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You know, that's a phrase we use often as christians.
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"well, god's on the throne."
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And that's our way of saying god's in control,
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And indeed he is.
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John sees the lord sitting on his throne
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In control of all things, and it's beautiful to behold.
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Now, john's trying to describe these things.
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He says in verse 3, they were like, were like.
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You know, it's not like the way a teenager says it.
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You know, and they'll say, "like, i'm all,
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And she's all, and he's like, and i'm like,"
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And i'm like, "hey, shut up."
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You know, it's not that kind of thing.
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It's--john is trying, to the best of his ability
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With 1st century language, to describe this amazing thing
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He has seen.
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How can he describe heaven?
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The apostle paul was caught up to heaven,
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The third heaven.
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And he said, "what i saw was indescribable.
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There's hardly even words i can use to explain it to you."
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But paul said, "it was like a paradise."
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Imagine trying to describe paradise
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To someone who's never seen it.
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Imagine trying to describe the island of maui
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To a two year old.
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How are you gonna convey that information?
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So, here is john trying to convey to us
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What he has seen as he is taken
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Into the afterlife.
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But he sees the lord on his throne.
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Also, verse 4, he sees 24 elders.
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Who are these elders? nobody knows.
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They could be angelic beings.
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Perhaps it's 12 patriarchs from the old testament
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And 12 apostles from the new testament,
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But they're given crowns,
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And we know already that there are rewards promised
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To us who faithfully serve the lord and their crowns.
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The bible speaks of a crown of life
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And a crown of rejoicing, and more.
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And so, the elders are given crowns,
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But this is what's important.
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What do the elders do with the crowns?
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They cast their crowns down before the lord.
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So, when we're in heaven,
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We're not gonna be walking around, say,
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"hey, check out all my crowns, man.
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You know, check out all the medals and the ribbons."
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I have a friend who's been in so many track meets
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And other athletic events.
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He has so many ribbons.
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I don't think i won a single ribbon or award
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Throughout my childhood, but this guy has so many.
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And i say, "you ought to just put them all on at one time,
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Just hang them around your neck
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And wear them all out."
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Well, that would be a little ridiculous.
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So, no one's gonna be walking around with heaven saying,
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"hey, look at all my rewards."
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You know, otherwise, a guy like billy graham,
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Man, who can touch him?
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It's not about that.
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We take these things
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That we've done for god on earth,
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And we present them back to the lord in heaven.
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In heaven, there are also ominous storm warnings.
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Look at verse 5.
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John writes, "from the throne proceeded lightnings,
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Thunderings, and voices.
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Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,
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Which are the seven spirits of god."
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This is all symbolic of judgment in scripture.
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From the safety of heaven, john can see that a storm
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Is brewing on earth.
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He is in a shelter from the storm.
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But ominous things are coming to planet earth,
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Which, of course, will be the great tribulation period.
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Now, i already pointed out earlier,
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God has promised to keep his children
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From the great tribulation period.
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Because remember, earlier we read
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In revelation 3:10,
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"because you have kept my command to persevere,"
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Jesus says, "i'll keep you from the hour of trial,
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Which will come upon the whole world
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To test those that toil in the earth."
00:12:24.709 --> 00:12:27.245
God will preserve us.
00:12:27.245 --> 00:12:28.913
He will deliver us before this time of tribulation
00:12:28.913 --> 00:12:33.351
That is coming upon the earth.
00:12:33.351 --> 00:12:36.488
And it's interesting to think about the simple fact
00:12:36.488 --> 00:12:39.257
That when we're in heaven, we're gonna know so much more
00:12:39.257 --> 00:12:42.460
Than we know now.
00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:44.195
You know, you ever seen those little bobblehead dolls and the
00:12:44.195 --> 00:12:47.365
Head's really big and it kind of moves around, you know?
00:12:47.365 --> 00:12:49.601
And it's not like we're gonna be bobbleheads in heaven, "oh, i
00:12:49.601 --> 00:12:52.403
Know so much."
00:12:52.403 --> 00:12:53.738
But it's interesting, because the bible says we'll continue to
00:12:53.738 --> 00:12:56.274
Learn in heaven.
00:12:56.274 --> 00:12:58.409
But we're told in 1 corinthians 13,
00:12:58.409 --> 00:13:00.411
We will know as we are known.
00:13:00.411 --> 00:13:02.280
So, many mysteries will be revealed to us.
00:13:02.280 --> 00:13:05.083
Many problems will be solved.
00:13:05.083 --> 00:13:08.052
Many questions, if not all, immediately will be answered.
00:13:08.052 --> 00:13:12.056
But then we'll spend the rest of eternity just discovering
00:13:12.056 --> 00:13:15.326
More about the lord, more about his glorious nature
00:13:15.326 --> 00:13:20.832
And his plan, et cetera.
00:13:20.832 --> 00:13:23.067
But in heaven, you're also remembering earth.
00:13:23.067 --> 00:13:27.372
I think sometimes people think
00:13:27.372 --> 00:13:29.040
That we have sort of a brain wipe.
00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:30.809
You remember that movie "men in black"
00:13:30.809 --> 00:13:32.510
And people would see an alien,
00:13:32.510 --> 00:13:34.646
So they'd do that little thing where they--
00:13:34.646 --> 00:13:36.381
Their memory would be erased?
00:13:36.381 --> 00:13:37.916
And people think their memory will be erased in heaven.
00:13:37.916 --> 00:13:40.518
Because they'll say,
00:13:40.518 --> 00:13:41.853
"well, we can't remember what happened on earth
00:13:41.853 --> 00:13:43.521
Because we'll be so sad."
00:13:43.521 --> 00:13:45.156
That's not true.
00:13:45.156 --> 00:13:46.491
The bible never says that, actually.
00:13:46.491 --> 00:13:48.393
Because the fact is in heaven, you will have perspective.
00:13:48.393 --> 00:13:52.096
You'll see things the way god sees them.
00:13:52.096 --> 00:13:54.632
As an example, in heaven you're aware of the passing of time,
00:13:54.632 --> 00:13:58.536
Because over in revelation 6:10 we have those folks that have
00:13:58.536 --> 00:14:04.175
Come out of the tribulation period saying, "how long, o
00:14:04.175 --> 00:14:06.978
Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on
00:14:06.978 --> 00:14:10.748
Those that dwell on the earth?"
00:14:10.748 --> 00:14:12.450
So, they're remembering earth.
00:14:12.450 --> 00:14:15.086
How could you have a reward for something you did on earth in
00:14:15.086 --> 00:14:18.756
Heaven if you had no recollection of what you did?
00:14:18.756 --> 00:14:22.026
"what's this ribbon for, this crown?
00:14:22.026 --> 00:14:24.128
Why do i have it? i don't remember anything."
00:14:24.128 --> 00:14:26.030
No, you'll remember, but with perspective.
00:14:26.030 --> 00:14:29.100
Now, do people in heaven know what is going on on earth?
00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:32.737
Immediately, people say, "no, they're oblivious to it."
00:14:32.737 --> 00:14:35.173
I don't know that that's completely true.
00:14:35.173 --> 00:14:38.009
They may know some things that are going on on earth.
00:14:38.009 --> 00:14:41.613
As an example,
00:14:41.613 --> 00:14:42.947
Every time a person comes to christ on earth,
00:14:42.947 --> 00:14:46.284
There's a party in heaven, right?
00:14:46.284 --> 00:14:48.186
Jesus said, "i tell you, there's joy in heaven
00:14:48.186 --> 00:14:50.922
In the presence of the angels
00:14:50.922 --> 00:14:52.457
Over one sinner that comes to repentance."
00:14:52.457 --> 00:14:54.993
So, that shows a direct connection
00:14:54.993 --> 00:14:56.928
Between an earthly event and a heavenly awareness.
00:14:56.928 --> 00:15:00.565
So, we need to expand our thinking about heaven,
00:15:00.565 --> 00:15:04.135
And we have a lot of unbiblical ideas,
00:15:04.135 --> 00:15:07.505
And we're gonna know more than we know now.
00:15:07.505 --> 00:15:09.874
That is for sure,
00:15:09.874 --> 00:15:11.276
And we'll see it with perspective.
00:15:11.276 --> 00:15:13.244
Here's the big question.
00:15:13.244 --> 00:15:14.712
What are we going to be doing in heaven?
00:15:14.712 --> 00:15:17.282
This is important because sometimes
00:15:17.282 --> 00:15:19.017
People think heaven is gonna be boring.
00:15:19.017 --> 00:15:22.587
It's gonna be a drag.
00:15:22.587 --> 00:15:23.988
We're gonna just sit around on fluffy clouds
00:15:23.988 --> 00:15:26.557
And pluck harps and just sleep.
00:15:26.557 --> 00:15:29.661
Now, actually, some people might find that very appealing,
00:15:29.661 --> 00:15:32.797
Like a long nap.
00:15:32.797 --> 00:15:34.232
But we're gonna be doing a lot of things in heaven,
00:15:34.232 --> 00:15:36.367
Starting with worship.
00:15:36.367 --> 00:15:38.036
We'll be worshiping the lord in heaven.
00:15:38.036 --> 00:15:40.271
Look at verse 10 here in revelation 4.
00:15:40.271 --> 00:15:43.741
"the twenty-four elders fell down
00:15:43.741 --> 00:15:46.044
Before him who sits on the throne,
00:15:46.044 --> 00:15:48.379
And they worship him who lives forever and ever.
00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:50.648
They cast their crowns before him."
00:15:50.648 --> 00:15:52.250
Listen to what they say.
00:15:52.250 --> 00:15:53.751
"you are worthy, o lord,
00:15:53.751 --> 00:15:55.086
To receive glory and honor and power;
00:15:55.086 --> 00:15:57.388
You created all things
00:15:57.388 --> 00:15:59.390
For by your will they exist and were created."
00:15:59.390 --> 00:16:03.294
So, they are giving honor to god,
00:16:03.294 --> 00:16:06.597
And we will be worshiping the lord.
00:16:06.597 --> 00:16:08.566
So, get in the practice now.
00:16:08.566 --> 00:16:11.569
Be a worshiper of the lord because this is something
00:16:11.569 --> 00:16:15.139
We'll be doing a lot of in heaven.
00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.574
But we're not gonna just sit around
00:16:16.574 --> 00:16:18.276
And have one long church service.
00:16:18.276 --> 00:16:20.111
I think that's how some people envision it.
00:16:20.111 --> 00:16:22.113
"oh, it's like church on sunday when it goes too long."
00:16:22.113 --> 00:16:24.749
No, no, there'll be worship.
00:16:24.749 --> 00:16:26.851
And you'll see the lord in his glory,
00:16:26.851 --> 00:16:28.720
And you'll want to worship.
00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.288
But listen, you'll be doing things as well.
00:16:30.288 --> 00:16:33.358
You'll be busy serving the lord.
00:16:33.358 --> 00:16:36.294
Revelation 22:3 says his servants
00:16:36.294 --> 00:16:38.663
Will serve him, will serve him.
00:16:38.663 --> 00:16:41.699
So, there'll be tasks for us to accomplish.
00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:44.469
Can you imagine the lord saying,
00:16:44.469 --> 00:16:45.803
"would you go do something for me right now?"
00:16:45.803 --> 00:16:48.206
"yes, lord. what can i do?"
00:16:48.206 --> 00:16:50.408
"anything you want."
00:16:50.408 --> 00:16:52.343
We're told in revelation 7:15 that we're gonna be serving him
00:16:52.343 --> 00:16:56.414
Day and night in his temple.
00:16:56.414 --> 00:16:58.783
I mean, i'm looking forward to rest,
00:16:58.783 --> 00:17:01.185
But i can only rest for so long.
00:17:01.185 --> 00:17:03.554
I like to get out and do things,
00:17:03.554 --> 00:17:05.723
And i even like to accomplish things.
00:17:05.723 --> 00:17:09.060
You wonder, "will we be able to accomplish
00:17:09.060 --> 00:17:12.296
Some things in the afterlife
00:17:12.296 --> 00:17:14.665
We were not able to complete in this life?"
00:17:14.665 --> 00:17:18.536
You know, we all have dreams and aspirations,
00:17:18.536 --> 00:17:21.906
Things we wished we could have done
00:17:21.906 --> 00:17:24.275
Or maybe our dreams were shattered.
00:17:24.275 --> 00:17:27.011
And i think sometimes people act as though everything
00:17:27.011 --> 00:17:30.815
That can be done must be done in this life.
00:17:30.815 --> 00:17:33.384
And if it's not done in this life, then that's it.
00:17:33.384 --> 00:17:36.187
There's no other chances.
00:17:36.187 --> 00:17:37.989
Now, i think it is important to do what we can
00:17:37.989 --> 00:17:40.658
With our life on earth.
00:17:40.658 --> 00:17:42.393
We certainly don't want to waste our life.
00:17:42.393 --> 00:17:45.730
It was corrie ten boom who wrote,
00:17:45.730 --> 00:17:47.398
"a life is not measured by its duration
00:17:47.398 --> 00:17:50.668
But by its donation."
00:17:50.668 --> 00:17:52.870
We all want to make a donation with our life.
00:17:52.870 --> 00:17:55.673
But what if a life was cut short through disease or a disability,
00:17:55.673 --> 00:18:01.279
Or that life was shorter than we hoped it would be
00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:04.282
Because they died as a young man or a young woman?
00:18:04.282 --> 00:18:07.752
They had no control over those circumstances.
00:18:07.752 --> 00:18:10.688
That doesn't seem fair.
00:18:10.688 --> 00:18:12.857
So, do they just lose and that's it?
00:18:12.857 --> 00:18:14.592
"too bad, you died younger
00:18:14.592 --> 00:18:16.427
And that's the way it goes for you."
00:18:16.427 --> 00:18:19.163
And then you see other people living long lives--
00:18:19.163 --> 00:18:22.333
Sometimes, honestly, long, wicked lives,
00:18:22.333 --> 00:18:26.437
Long, wasteful lives.
00:18:26.437 --> 00:18:28.606
And then you see someone that had so much promise
00:18:28.606 --> 00:18:31.175
And so much potential.
00:18:31.175 --> 00:18:33.277
I think of my own son, age 33,
00:18:33.277 --> 00:18:35.480
Just such a wonderful young man,
00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.949
So full of talent and vision and plans for his future.
00:18:37.949 --> 00:18:43.821
And he was taken to be with the lord at 33.
00:18:43.821 --> 00:18:46.891
But why do we think everything that can be accomplished
00:18:46.891 --> 00:18:49.861
Can only be accomplished on earth?
00:18:49.861 --> 00:18:52.029
There are things that we will do in the afterlife as well.
00:18:52.029 --> 00:18:56.367
And now as we close this message,
00:18:56.367 --> 00:18:58.469
The elders give us an insight as to why we exist.
00:18:58.469 --> 00:19:02.540
'cause this is a question that is often asked,
00:19:02.540 --> 00:19:04.976
"why am i here on earth?
00:19:04.976 --> 00:19:07.445
What is the meaning of life?
00:19:07.445 --> 00:19:09.514
Why was i placed here?"
00:19:09.514 --> 00:19:10.948
These elders in heaven tell us why we are here on earth.
00:19:10.948 --> 00:19:16.354
Let's go back to revelation 4, verse 11.
00:19:16.354 --> 00:19:20.424
They say, "you are worthy, o lord to receive glory,
00:19:20.424 --> 00:19:23.127
Honor, and power; you created everything
00:19:23.127 --> 00:19:25.730
And it's for your pleasure
00:19:25.730 --> 00:19:27.732
That they exist and were created."
00:19:27.732 --> 00:19:31.002
Why do i exist? why do you exist?
00:19:31.002 --> 00:19:33.804
Why was they put here? here's the answer.
00:19:33.804 --> 00:19:36.908
I exist and i was created
00:19:36.908 --> 00:19:38.843
To bring glory and pleasure to god.
00:19:38.843 --> 00:19:43.548
I was not created to bring glory and pleasure to myself.
00:19:43.548 --> 00:19:48.786
But there are people that dedicate their entire life
00:19:48.786 --> 00:19:51.355
To the pursuit of pleasure.
00:19:51.355 --> 00:19:54.091
The bible even tells us in the last days,
00:19:54.091 --> 00:19:56.561
People would be lovers of pleasure
00:19:56.561 --> 00:19:58.729
Rather than lovers of god.
00:19:58.729 --> 00:20:01.399
In 1 timothy 5:6 we're told, "she that lives
00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:05.937
For pleasure is dead while she lives."
00:20:05.937 --> 00:20:09.707
Listen to this.
00:20:09.707 --> 00:20:11.042
Living for pleasure is one of the most unpleasurable things
00:20:11.042 --> 00:20:15.112
You can do.
00:20:15.112 --> 00:20:16.747
Let me say that again.
00:20:16.747 --> 00:20:18.082
Living for pleasure is one of the most unpleasurable things
00:20:18.082 --> 00:20:22.386
You can do.
00:20:22.386 --> 00:20:23.721
It's been said the best cure for hedonism
00:20:23.721 --> 00:20:26.624
Is an attempt to practice it.
00:20:26.624 --> 00:20:29.126
Just go for it.
00:20:29.126 --> 00:20:30.728
You're saying, "so, greg, are you saying
00:20:30.728 --> 00:20:32.063
That we can't experience pleasure as christians?"
00:20:32.063 --> 00:20:33.898
No. i'm saying don't live for it.
00:20:33.898 --> 00:20:36.701
Don't make that the pursuit of your life, because if you do,
00:20:36.701 --> 00:20:39.503
You'll never find it.
00:20:39.503 --> 00:20:40.838
However, the bible says,
00:20:40.838 --> 00:20:42.373
In his presence there is fullness of joy.
00:20:42.373 --> 00:20:44.976
And on his right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.
00:20:44.976 --> 00:20:49.413
Jesus said in john 10:10,
00:20:49.413 --> 00:20:51.082
"i have come that you might have life
00:20:51.082 --> 00:20:53.584
And that more abundantly."
00:20:53.584 --> 00:20:56.120
So, oh yes, you can experience pleasure,
00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:59.690
But you experience it not by living for pleasure
00:20:59.690 --> 00:21:02.260
But by living for god.
00:21:02.260 --> 00:21:04.862
My friend randy alcorn put it this way, and i quote.
00:21:04.862 --> 00:21:09.333
"if we come to see the purpose of the universe as god's
00:21:09.333 --> 00:21:12.837
Long-term glory rather than our short-term happiness, then we
00:21:12.837 --> 00:21:18.075
Will undergo a critical paradigm shift in tackling the problem of
00:21:18.075 --> 00:21:22.913
Suffering," end quote, well said.
00:21:22.913 --> 00:21:25.549
If i understand
00:21:25.549 --> 00:21:26.884
That the ultimate goal of my life
00:21:26.884 --> 00:21:28.686
Is bringing glory to god, it changes everything.
00:21:28.686 --> 00:21:31.689
Here's the bottom line.
00:21:31.689 --> 00:21:33.024
When you seek to fulfill
00:21:33.024 --> 00:21:34.358
The purpose you were created for,
00:21:34.358 --> 00:21:36.093
Which is to know, glorify, and worship god,
00:21:36.093 --> 00:21:39.030
You will find the happiness you've been seeking in life.
00:21:39.030 --> 00:21:42.933
You won't find the happiness you want in life by seeking it.
00:21:42.933 --> 00:21:46.904
You'll find the happiness you want in life by seeking him
00:21:46.904 --> 00:21:50.308
Because the bible says,
00:21:50.308 --> 00:21:52.343
"happy are the people whose god is the lord."
00:21:52.343 --> 00:21:55.780
Yes, god created you for his own glory.
00:21:55.780 --> 00:21:59.517
Isaiah 43:7, the lord says,
00:21:59.517 --> 00:22:03.154
"everyone that i've created, i've created for my glory."
00:22:03.154 --> 00:22:08.059
Then 1 corinthians 10:31, paul says,
00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:10.561
"whatever you do, do it for the glory of god."
00:22:10.561 --> 00:22:14.565
Here's what it means.
00:22:14.565 --> 00:22:15.900
Whatever you're doing in life, whatever your career path
00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:17.935
Or if you're a student or a husband or a wife
00:22:17.935 --> 00:22:20.738
Or a parent or whoever you are,
00:22:20.738 --> 00:22:23.741
Whatever you're doing, do it for the glory of god.
00:22:23.741 --> 00:22:28.312
And if you can't do it for the glory of god,
00:22:28.312 --> 00:22:29.980
Maybe you shouldn't be doing it anymore.
00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:32.783
Jesus taught us in the lord's prayer to pray,
00:22:32.783 --> 00:22:35.986
"hallowed be thy name."
00:22:35.986 --> 00:22:38.022
If you can't write, "hallowed be his name or honored be his name"
00:22:38.022 --> 00:22:41.759
Over what you're doing, then don't do it.
00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:44.462
Do what you can ask god's blessing on,
00:22:44.462 --> 00:22:47.365
And do it for his glory, why?
00:22:47.365 --> 00:22:50.801
Because life is preparation for eternity.
00:22:50.801 --> 00:22:54.905
We were made by god.
00:22:54.905 --> 00:22:56.507
We were made for god.
00:22:56.507 --> 00:22:58.309
And god wants us to practice on earth
00:22:58.309 --> 00:23:00.444
What we will do forever in eternity.
00:23:00.444 --> 00:23:02.980
So, let me close with this. are you ready for the afterlife?
00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:07.551
You cannot escape it. it is there.
00:23:07.551 --> 00:23:11.021
You're gonna get there, if you're a christian,
00:23:11.021 --> 00:23:12.790
By death or by rapture.
00:23:12.790 --> 00:23:14.725
But non-believers are gonna enter
00:23:14.725 --> 00:23:16.394
The afterlife too.
00:23:16.394 --> 00:23:17.728
They, of course, would not go via rapture,
00:23:17.728 --> 00:23:20.097
But they will go via death.
00:23:20.097 --> 00:23:22.767
And life here will end for some sooner than later.
00:23:22.767 --> 00:23:27.471
And we all have an appointment
00:23:27.471 --> 00:23:28.939
With the afterlife.
00:23:28.939 --> 00:23:30.674
I decide, in this life,
00:23:30.674 --> 00:23:33.444
Where i will spend the afterlife.
00:23:33.444 --> 00:23:36.580
Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart,
00:23:40.484 --> 00:23:43.654
And you have seen your need for jesus christ.
00:23:43.654 --> 00:23:47.124
Jesus christ is the son of god, who came from heaven
00:23:47.124 --> 00:23:50.995
To this earth.
00:23:50.995 --> 00:23:52.329
He was born in a manger.
00:23:52.329 --> 00:23:54.398
He died on a cross.
00:23:54.398 --> 00:23:56.033
He rose again from the dead, why?
00:23:56.033 --> 00:23:58.035
Because he loves you,
00:23:58.035 --> 00:23:59.470
And he wants a relationship with you.
00:23:59.470 --> 00:24:01.572
Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
00:24:01.572 --> 00:24:04.108
I don't want to be a religious person,
00:24:04.108 --> 00:24:05.776
I don't think you want to be one either.
00:24:05.776 --> 00:24:07.645
I'm talking about relationship with god.
00:24:07.645 --> 00:24:11.382
Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life
00:24:11.382 --> 00:24:15.219
And he knocks.
00:24:15.219 --> 00:24:16.554
And he says, if you'll hear his voice
00:24:16.554 --> 00:24:18.589
And open the door, he will come in.
00:24:18.589 --> 00:24:20.624
Question, have you asked jesus christ
00:24:20.624 --> 00:24:22.993
To come and live inside of you?
00:24:22.993 --> 00:24:24.662
You might say, "well, i think so.
00:24:24.662 --> 00:24:25.996
I'm not sure."
00:24:25.996 --> 00:24:27.331
Hey, if someone moved into your house
00:24:27.331 --> 00:24:28.699
In the middle of the night,
00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:30.534
Do you think you would be aware of it?
00:24:30.534 --> 00:24:32.069
I'm sure you would.
00:24:32.069 --> 00:24:33.704
And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
00:24:33.704 --> 00:24:36.740
You will know.
00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.075
And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
00:24:38.075 --> 00:24:41.745
He's just a prayer away.
00:24:41.745 --> 00:24:43.447
All you need to do is say,
00:24:43.447 --> 00:24:44.782
"jesus, i want this relationship with you.
00:24:44.782 --> 00:24:47.651
I want you to forgive me of my sin.
00:24:47.651 --> 00:24:49.787
I want to go to heaven when i die."
00:24:49.787 --> 00:24:51.889
Would you like to do that?
00:24:51.889 --> 00:24:53.290
Would you like christ to come into your life?
00:24:53.290 --> 00:24:55.893
If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
00:24:55.893 --> 00:24:58.963
You can pray it out loud or you can pray it
00:24:58.963 --> 00:25:01.398
In the quietness of your heart.
00:25:01.398 --> 00:25:03.534
But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ
00:25:03.534 --> 00:25:06.337
To be your savior and lord.
00:25:06.337 --> 00:25:08.105
Pray this with me now.
00:25:08.105 --> 00:25:09.440
"lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:12.943
But i know that you're the savior,
00:25:12.943 --> 00:25:15.546
Who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead.
00:25:15.546 --> 00:25:19.149
Now come into my life.
00:25:19.149 --> 00:25:21.886
I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
00:25:21.886 --> 00:25:26.357
Thank you for hearing this prayer
00:25:26.357 --> 00:25:28.392
And answering this prayer, in jesus's name, amen."
00:25:28.392 --> 00:25:33.097
Did you just pray that prayer with me?
00:25:33.097 --> 00:25:35.399
If so, i want you to know, in the authority of scripture,
00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:38.135
That christ himself has come to live inside of you.
00:25:38.135 --> 00:25:41.505
And i would love to send to you, at no charge,
00:25:41.505 --> 00:25:44.608
Something called "the new believer's bible."
00:25:44.608 --> 00:25:47.244
It's a very friendly translation of the new testament
00:25:47.244 --> 00:25:50.080
You'll find very understandable.
00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:52.316
And it's filled with hundreds of notes that i wrote
00:25:52.316 --> 00:25:55.452
That will encourage you in this commitment
00:25:55.452 --> 00:25:57.421
You've just made to follow jesus.
00:25:57.421 --> 00:25:59.690
Let me send that to you at no charge.
00:25:59.690 --> 00:26:02.159
And let me be the first to say to you, congratulations,
00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:06.130
And welcome to the family of god.
00:26:06.130 --> 00:26:08.499
Male announcer: explore the life and legacy of one
00:26:08.566 --> 00:26:10.868
Of the bible's most captivating
00:26:10.868 --> 00:26:12.903
And relatable people, king david.
00:26:12.903 --> 00:26:15.806
From shepherd to warrior king, david's journey is marked
00:26:15.806 --> 00:26:19.109
By incredible triumphs, heartbreaking failures,
00:26:19.109 --> 00:26:22.179
And a relentless pursuit of god's heart.
00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:24.848
This brand new devotional is the official companion piece
00:26:24.848 --> 00:26:28.285
To the new series on amazon prime,
00:26:28.285 --> 00:26:30.821
Exploring timeless lessons from david's life.
00:26:30.821 --> 00:26:33.791
It reveals how his story can inspire
00:26:33.791 --> 00:26:36.026
And guide your walk with god
00:26:36.026 --> 00:26:38.162
David's story reminds us that god uses imperfect people
00:26:38.162 --> 00:26:41.699
To do extraordinary things.
00:26:41.699 --> 00:26:44.101
Support the work of harvest ministries
00:26:44.101 --> 00:26:46.537
And request your copy of "house of david" today
00:26:46.537 --> 00:26:49.974
At harvest.org/give.
00:26:49.974 --> 00:26:53.410
Step into david's story and discover how his faith
00:26:53.410 --> 00:26:56.981
Can strengthen yours.
00:26:56.981 --> 00:26:58.349
Female announcer: jesus says that where two or three are
00:27:01.151 --> 00:27:03.554
Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them.
00:27:03.554 --> 00:27:07.992
We are all different.
00:27:07.992 --> 00:27:09.360
We have different interests, different personalities,
00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:12.496
Different upbringings, and different ways we do life,
00:27:12.496 --> 00:27:16.433
But here, we have a deep connection,
00:27:16.433 --> 00:27:19.970
And you are welcome here.
00:27:19.970 --> 00:27:24.074
This is harvest.
00:27:24.074 --> 00:27:29.613

Greg Laurie - Afterlife

April 8, 2025 | S25:E84

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