Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Afterlife

May 13, 2025 | S25:E114

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

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Afterlife | May 13, 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, ♪
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♪ the day when life begins ♪
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♪ this is the day, ♪
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♪ 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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So, if you're taking notes, here's point number one.
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Truly a question: 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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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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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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Paul writes in colossians that we should set
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Our affection on things above.
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Another translation says, "think heavenly thoughts,"
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Or simply, "think heaven."
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So, it's a good thing to contemplate the afterlife.
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It's an important thing for all of us to do.
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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."
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Greg: i have a question for you.
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If you were arrested for being a christian, would there be enough
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Evidence to convict you?
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Now, when i say evidence, i don't mean by how many bibles
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You own.
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I have a pretty large collection of bibles.
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They're sitting on my desk, and they're all beat up from
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Different decades because i never throw a bible away.
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I do give some away.
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But that's not evidence that i'm a christian, nor is it in how
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Many sermons i preached.
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The evidence is in my life.
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The evidence is in the way that i live.
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It--the evidence is in what i say.
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The bible calls this fruit in keeping with repentance.
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Jesus said, "by their fruits you shall know them."
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You know, you might meet somebody, and they're saying
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They're a christian, but they're doing things that contradict
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That, maybe in the way that they live or life choices they make,
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And you push back a little and you say, "hey, i thought you
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Were a christian.
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Why are you doing thus and so?"
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And they say, "hey man, judge not, lest you be judged," right?
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Well, you could just say, "well, think of me as a fruit
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Inspector."
00:12:23.810 --> 00:12:25.312
By evidence, i mean people should be able to tell you're a
00:12:25.312 --> 00:12:27.748
Christian by the way that you live, not just by what you say.
00:12:27.748 --> 00:12:32.486
So, my word of encouragement to you is let's live the life, and
00:12:32.486 --> 00:12:37.090
That earns us the right to share the truth of the gospel
00:12:37.090 --> 00:12:40.894
Of jesus christ.
00:12:40.894 --> 00:12:42.763
♪ this is the day, ♪
00:12:43.830 --> 00:12:46.600
♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:51.371
Greg: god will preserve us.
00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.807
He will deliver us before this time of tribulation
00:12:53.807 --> 00:12:58.245
That is coming upon the earth.
00:12:58.245 --> 00:13:01.381
And it's interesting to think about the simple fact
00:13:01.381 --> 00:13:04.151
That when we're in heaven, we're gonna know so much more
00:13:04.151 --> 00:13:07.254
Than we know now.
00:13:07.254 --> 00:13:08.588
The bible says we'll continue to learn in heaven.
00:13:08.588 --> 00:13:12.159
But we're told in 1 corinthians 13,
00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:14.161
We will know as we are known.
00:13:14.161 --> 00:13:16.029
So, many mysteries will be revealed to us.
00:13:16.029 --> 00:13:18.832
Many problems will be solved.
00:13:18.832 --> 00:13:21.802
Many questions, if not all, immediately will be answered.
00:13:21.802 --> 00:13:25.806
But then we'll spend the rest of eternity just discovering
00:13:25.806 --> 00:13:29.075
More about the lord, more about his glorious nature
00:13:29.075 --> 00:13:34.581
And his plan, et cetera.
00:13:34.581 --> 00:13:36.817
But in heaven, you're also remembering earth.
00:13:36.817 --> 00:13:41.121
I think sometimes people think
00:13:41.121 --> 00:13:42.789
That we have sort of a brain wipe.
00:13:42.789 --> 00:13:44.558
You remember that movie "men in black"
00:13:44.558 --> 00:13:46.259
And people would see an alien,
00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.395
So they'd do that little thing where they--
00:13:48.395 --> 00:13:50.130
Their memory would be erased?
00:13:50.130 --> 00:13:51.665
And people think their memory will be erased in heaven.
00:13:51.665 --> 00:13:54.267
Because they'll say,
00:13:54.267 --> 00:13:55.602
"well, we can't remember what happened on earth
00:13:55.602 --> 00:13:57.270
Because we'll be so sad."
00:13:57.270 --> 00:13:58.905
That's not true.
00:13:58.905 --> 00:14:00.240
The bible never says that, actually.
00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:02.142
Because the fact is in heaven, you will have perspective.
00:14:02.142 --> 00:14:05.912
Now, do people in heaven know what is going on on earth?
00:14:05.912 --> 00:14:09.549
Immediately, people say, "no, they're oblivious to it."
00:14:09.549 --> 00:14:11.985
I don't know that that's completely true.
00:14:11.985 --> 00:14:14.821
They may know some things that are going on on earth.
00:14:14.821 --> 00:14:18.425
As an example,
00:14:18.425 --> 00:14:19.759
Every time a person comes to christ on earth,
00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:23.096
There's a party in heaven, right?
00:14:23.096 --> 00:14:24.998
Jesus said, "i tell you, there's joy in heaven
00:14:24.998 --> 00:14:27.734
In the presence of the angels
00:14:27.734 --> 00:14:29.269
Over one sinner that comes to repentance."
00:14:29.269 --> 00:14:31.805
So, that shows a direct connection
00:14:31.805 --> 00:14:33.740
Between an earthly event and a heavenly awareness.
00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:37.377
So, we need to expand our thinking about heaven,
00:14:37.377 --> 00:14:40.947
And we have a lot of unbiblical ideas,
00:14:40.947 --> 00:14:44.317
And we're gonna know more than we know now.
00:14:44.317 --> 00:14:46.686
That is for sure,
00:14:46.686 --> 00:14:48.088
And we'll see it with perspective.
00:14:48.088 --> 00:14:50.557
Also, john sees angelic creatures.
00:14:50.557 --> 00:14:53.760
Look at verse 8.
00:14:53.760 --> 00:14:55.128
"four living creatures, each having six wings,
00:14:55.128 --> 00:14:57.931
Were full of eyes around and within.
00:14:57.931 --> 00:14:59.966
And they don't rest day or night, saying:
00:14:59.966 --> 00:15:02.135
'holy, holy, holy lord god almighty
00:15:02.135 --> 00:15:04.838
Who was and is and is to come!'"
00:15:04.838 --> 00:15:07.107
Now, i know this is so hard to visualize.
00:15:07.107 --> 00:15:10.243
If you did a drawing of this,
00:15:10.243 --> 00:15:11.578
It's almost a little scary, right?
00:15:11.578 --> 00:15:13.847
This is symbolic, what john is saying,
00:15:13.847 --> 00:15:15.849
The presence of the eyes just conveys the awareness
00:15:15.849 --> 00:15:20.353
Of the angelic beings.
00:15:20.353 --> 00:15:22.389
The bible tells us there are different rankings of angels.
00:15:22.389 --> 00:15:27.727
It seems to me that at the top of the heap,
00:15:27.727 --> 00:15:30.530
If you will, of the angelic world is michael,
00:15:30.530 --> 00:15:35.035
Who's uniquely identified as the archangel.
00:15:35.035 --> 00:15:39.172
So, he's a high-ranking angel. he plays a singular role.
00:15:39.172 --> 00:15:44.144
Going back to 1 thessalonians 4, "the lord himself will descend
00:15:44.144 --> 00:15:47.580
From heaven with a shout,
00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.915
And with a voice of the archangel."
00:15:48.915 --> 00:15:52.218
So, michael's a part of the great rapture event.
00:15:52.218 --> 00:15:55.588
We read of him elsewhere in scripture.
00:15:55.588 --> 00:15:58.325
But no matter what, know that angels
00:15:58.325 --> 00:16:00.226
Are actively involved in your life.
00:16:00.226 --> 00:16:03.697
Now, here's the big question.
00:16:03.697 --> 00:16:05.565
What are we going to be doing in heaven?
00:16:05.565 --> 00:16:08.134
This is important because sometimes
00:16:08.134 --> 00:16:09.869
People think heaven is gonna be boring.
00:16:09.869 --> 00:16:13.440
It's gonna be a drag.
00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:14.841
We're gonna just sit around on fluffy clouds
00:16:14.841 --> 00:16:17.410
And pluck harps and just sleep.
00:16:17.410 --> 00:16:20.513
Now, actually, some people might find that very appealing,
00:16:20.513 --> 00:16:23.650
Like a long nap.
00:16:23.650 --> 00:16:25.085
But we're gonna be doing a lot of things in heaven,
00:16:25.085 --> 00:16:27.220
Starting with worship.
00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.888
We'll be worshiping the lord in heaven.
00:16:28.888 --> 00:16:31.124
Look at verse 10 here in revelation 4.
00:16:31.124 --> 00:16:34.594
"the twenty-four elders fell down
00:16:34.594 --> 00:16:36.896
Before him who sits on the throne,
00:16:36.896 --> 00:16:39.232
And they worship him who lives forever and ever.
00:16:39.232 --> 00:16:41.501
They cast their crowns before him."
00:16:41.501 --> 00:16:43.103
Listen to what they say.
00:16:43.103 --> 00:16:44.604
"you are worthy, o lord,
00:16:44.604 --> 00:16:45.939
To receive glory and honor and power;
00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:48.241
You created all things
00:16:48.241 --> 00:16:50.243
For by your will they exist and were created."
00:16:50.243 --> 00:16:54.147
So, they are giving honor to god,
00:16:54.147 --> 00:16:57.450
And we will be worshiping the lord.
00:16:57.450 --> 00:16:59.419
So, get in the practice now.
00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:02.422
Be a worshiper of the lord because this is something
00:17:02.422 --> 00:17:05.992
We'll be doing a lot of in heaven.
00:17:05.992 --> 00:17:07.427
But we're not gonna just sit around
00:17:07.427 --> 00:17:09.129
And have one long church service.
00:17:09.129 --> 00:17:10.964
I think that's how some people envision it.
00:17:10.964 --> 00:17:12.966
"oh, it's like church on sunday when it goes too long."
00:17:12.966 --> 00:17:15.602
No, no, there'll be worship.
00:17:15.602 --> 00:17:17.704
And you'll see the lord in his glory,
00:17:17.704 --> 00:17:19.572
And you'll want to worship.
00:17:19.572 --> 00:17:21.141
But listen, you'll be doing things as well.
00:17:21.141 --> 00:17:24.210
You'll be busy serving the lord.
00:17:24.210 --> 00:17:27.147
Revelation 22:3 says his servants
00:17:27.147 --> 00:17:29.516
Will serve him, will serve him.
00:17:29.516 --> 00:17:32.552
So, there'll be tasks for us to accomplish.
00:17:32.552 --> 00:17:35.321
Can you imagine the lord saying,
00:17:35.321 --> 00:17:36.656
"would you go do something for me right now?"
00:17:36.656 --> 00:17:39.059
"yes, lord. what can i do?"
00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:41.261
"anything you want."
00:17:41.261 --> 00:17:43.196
We're told in revelation 7:15 that we're gonna be serving him
00:17:43.196 --> 00:17:47.267
Day and night in his temple.
00:17:47.267 --> 00:17:49.636
I mean, i'm looking forward to rest,
00:17:49.636 --> 00:17:52.038
But i can only rest for so long.
00:17:52.038 --> 00:17:54.407
I like to get out and do things,
00:17:54.407 --> 00:17:56.576
And i even like to accomplish things.
00:17:56.576 --> 00:17:59.913
You wonder, "will we be able to accomplish
00:17:59.913 --> 00:18:03.149
Some things in the afterlife
00:18:03.149 --> 00:18:05.518
We were not able to complete in this life?"
00:18:05.518 --> 00:18:09.389
You know, we all have dreams and aspirations,
00:18:09.389 --> 00:18:12.759
Things we wished we could have done
00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:15.128
Or maybe our dreams were shattered.
00:18:15.128 --> 00:18:17.864
And i think sometimes people act as though everything
00:18:17.864 --> 00:18:21.668
That can be done must be done in this life.
00:18:21.668 --> 00:18:24.237
And if it's not done in this life, then that's it.
00:18:24.237 --> 00:18:27.040
There's no other chances.
00:18:27.040 --> 00:18:28.842
Now, i think it is important to do what we can
00:18:28.842 --> 00:18:31.511
With our life on earth.
00:18:31.511 --> 00:18:33.246
We certainly don't want to waste our life.
00:18:33.246 --> 00:18:36.583
It was corrie ten boom who wrote,
00:18:36.583 --> 00:18:38.251
"a life is not measured by its duration
00:18:38.251 --> 00:18:41.521
But by its donation."
00:18:41.521 --> 00:18:43.723
We all want to make a donation with our life.
00:18:43.723 --> 00:18:46.526
But what if a life was cut short through disease or a disability,
00:18:46.526 --> 00:18:52.132
Or that life was shorter than we hoped it would be
00:18:52.132 --> 00:18:55.135
Because they died as a young man or a young woman?
00:18:55.135 --> 00:18:58.605
They had no control over those circumstances.
00:18:58.605 --> 00:19:01.541
That doesn't seem fair.
00:19:01.541 --> 00:19:03.710
So, do they just lose and that's it?
00:19:03.710 --> 00:19:05.445
"too bad, you died younger
00:19:05.445 --> 00:19:07.280
And that's the way it goes for you."
00:19:07.280 --> 00:19:10.016
And then you see other people living long lives--
00:19:10.016 --> 00:19:13.186
Sometimes, honestly, long, wicked lives,
00:19:13.186 --> 00:19:17.290
Long, wasteful lives.
00:19:17.290 --> 00:19:19.459
And then you see someone that had so much promise
00:19:19.459 --> 00:19:22.028
And so much potential.
00:19:22.028 --> 00:19:24.130
I think of my own son, age 33,
00:19:24.130 --> 00:19:26.332
Just such a wonderful young man,
00:19:26.332 --> 00:19:28.801
So full of talent and vision and plans for his future.
00:19:28.801 --> 00:19:34.674
And he was taken to be with the lord at 33.
00:19:34.674 --> 00:19:37.744
But why do we think everything that can be accomplished
00:19:37.744 --> 00:19:40.713
Can only be accomplished on earth?
00:19:40.713 --> 00:19:42.882
There are things that we will do in the afterlife as well.
00:19:42.882 --> 00:19:47.220
And now as we close this message,
00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:49.322
The elders give us an insight as to why we exist.
00:19:49.322 --> 00:19:53.393
'cause this is a question that is often asked,
00:19:53.393 --> 00:19:55.828
"why am i here on earth?
00:19:55.828 --> 00:19:58.298
What is the meaning of life?
00:19:58.298 --> 00:20:00.366
Why was i placed here?"
00:20:00.366 --> 00:20:01.801
These elders in heaven tell us why we are here on earth.
00:20:01.801 --> 00:20:07.207
Let's go back to revelation 4, verse 11.
00:20:07.207 --> 00:20:11.277
They say, "you are worthy, o lord to receive glory,
00:20:11.277 --> 00:20:13.980
Honor, and power; you created everything
00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:16.583
And it's for your pleasure
00:20:16.583 --> 00:20:18.585
That they exist and were created."
00:20:18.585 --> 00:20:21.854
Why do i exist? why do you exist?
00:20:21.854 --> 00:20:24.657
Why was they put here? here's the answer.
00:20:24.657 --> 00:20:27.760
I exist and i was created
00:20:27.760 --> 00:20:29.696
To bring glory and pleasure to god.
00:20:29.696 --> 00:20:34.400
I was not created to bring glory and pleasure to myself.
00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:39.639
But there are people that dedicate their entire life
00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:42.208
To the pursuit of pleasure.
00:20:42.208 --> 00:20:44.944
The bible even tells us in the last days,
00:20:44.944 --> 00:20:47.413
People would be lovers of pleasure
00:20:47.413 --> 00:20:49.582
Rather than lovers of god.
00:20:49.582 --> 00:20:52.252
In 1 timothy 5:6, we're told,
00:20:52.252 --> 00:20:55.588
"she that lives for pleasure is dead while she lives."
00:20:55.588 --> 00:21:00.627
Listen to this.
00:21:00.627 --> 00:21:01.961
Living for pleasure is one of the most unpleasurable things
00:21:01.961 --> 00:21:05.331
You can do.
00:21:05.331 --> 00:21:06.666
It's been said the best cure for hedonism
00:21:06.666 --> 00:21:09.569
Is an attempt to practice it.
00:21:09.569 --> 00:21:12.071
Just go for it.
00:21:12.071 --> 00:21:13.673
You're saying, "so, greg, are you saying
00:21:13.673 --> 00:21:15.008
That we can't experience pleasure as christians?"
00:21:15.008 --> 00:21:17.176
No. i'm saying don't live for it.
00:21:17.176 --> 00:21:19.979
Don't make that the pursuit of your life, because if you do,
00:21:19.979 --> 00:21:22.782
You'll never find it.
00:21:22.782 --> 00:21:24.117
However, the bible says,
00:21:24.117 --> 00:21:25.652
In his presence there is fullness of joy.
00:21:25.652 --> 00:21:28.254
And on his right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.
00:21:28.254 --> 00:21:32.692
Jesus said in john 10:10,
00:21:32.692 --> 00:21:34.360
"i have come that you might have life
00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:36.863
And that more abundantly."
00:21:36.863 --> 00:21:39.399
So, oh yes, you can experience pleasure,
00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:42.969
But you experience it not by living for pleasure
00:21:42.969 --> 00:21:45.538
But by living for god.
00:21:45.538 --> 00:21:48.341
If i understand
00:21:48.341 --> 00:21:49.676
That the ultimate goal of my life
00:21:49.676 --> 00:21:51.477
Is bringing glory to god, it changes everything.
00:21:51.477 --> 00:21:54.480
Here's the bottom line.
00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.815
When you seek to fulfill
00:21:55.815 --> 00:21:57.150
The purpose you were created for,
00:21:57.150 --> 00:21:58.885
Which is to know, glorify, and worship god,
00:21:58.885 --> 00:22:01.821
You will find the happiness you've been seeking in life.
00:22:01.821 --> 00:22:05.725
You won't find the happiness you want in life by seeking it.
00:22:05.725 --> 00:22:09.696
You'll find the happiness you want in life by seeking him
00:22:09.696 --> 00:22:13.099
Because the bible says,
00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:15.134
"happy are the people whose god is the lord."
00:22:15.134 --> 00:22:18.571
Yes, god created you for his own glory.
00:22:18.571 --> 00:22:22.308
Isaiah 43:7, the lord says,
00:22:22.308 --> 00:22:25.945
"everyone that i've created, i've created for my glory."
00:22:25.945 --> 00:22:30.850
Then 1 corinthians 10:31, paul says,
00:22:30.850 --> 00:22:33.353
"whatever you do, do it for the glory of god."
00:22:33.353 --> 00:22:37.357
Here's what it means.
00:22:37.357 --> 00:22:38.691
Whatever you're doing in life, whatever your career path
00:22:38.691 --> 00:22:40.727
Or if you're a student or a husband or a wife
00:22:40.727 --> 00:22:43.529
Or a parent or whoever you are,
00:22:43.529 --> 00:22:46.532
Whatever you're doing, do it for the glory of god.
00:22:46.532 --> 00:22:51.104
And if you can't do it for the glory of god,
00:22:51.104 --> 00:22:52.772
Maybe you shouldn't be doing it anymore.
00:22:52.772 --> 00:22:55.575
Jesus taught us in the lord's prayer to pray,
00:22:55.575 --> 00:22:58.778
"hallowed be thy name."
00:22:58.778 --> 00:23:00.813
If you can't write, "hallowed be his name or honored be his name"
00:23:00.813 --> 00:23:04.550
Over what you're doing, then don't do it.
00:23:04.550 --> 00:23:07.253
Do what you can ask god's blessing on,
00:23:07.253 --> 00:23:10.156
And do it for his glory, why?
00:23:10.156 --> 00:23:13.593
Because life is preparation for eternity.
00:23:13.593 --> 00:23:17.697
We were made by god.
00:23:17.697 --> 00:23:19.298
We were made for god.
00:23:19.298 --> 00:23:21.100
And god wants us to practice on earth
00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:23.236
What we will do forever in eternity.
00:23:23.236 --> 00:23:25.772
So, let me close with this. are you ready for the afterlife?
00:23:25.772 --> 00:23:30.343
You cannot escape it. it is there.
00:23:30.343 --> 00:23:33.813
You're gonna get there, if you're a christian,
00:23:33.813 --> 00:23:35.581
By death or by rapture.
00:23:35.581 --> 00:23:37.517
But non-believers are gonna enter
00:23:37.517 --> 00:23:39.185
The afterlife too.
00:23:39.185 --> 00:23:40.520
They, of course, would not go via rapture,
00:23:40.520 --> 00:23:42.889
But they will go via death.
00:23:42.889 --> 00:23:45.558
And life here will end for some sooner than later.
00:23:45.558 --> 00:23:50.263
And we all have an appointment
00:23:50.263 --> 00:23:51.731
With the afterlife.
00:23:51.731 --> 00:23:53.466
I decide, in this life,
00:23:53.466 --> 00:23:56.235
Where i will spend the afterlife.
00:23:56.235 --> 00:23:58.771
Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart,
00:24:01.207 --> 00:24:04.377
And you have seen your need for jesus christ.
00:24:04.377 --> 00:24:07.847
Jesus christ is the son of god, who came from heaven
00:24:07.847 --> 00:24:11.717
To this earth.
00:24:11.717 --> 00:24:13.052
He was born in a manger.
00:24:13.052 --> 00:24:15.121
He died on a cross.
00:24:15.121 --> 00:24:16.756
He rose again from the dead, why?
00:24:16.756 --> 00:24:18.758
Because he loves you,
00:24:18.758 --> 00:24:20.193
And he wants a relationship with you.
00:24:20.193 --> 00:24:22.295
Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
00:24:22.295 --> 00:24:24.831
I don't want to be a religious person,
00:24:24.831 --> 00:24:26.499
I don't think you want to be one either.
00:24:26.499 --> 00:24:28.367
I'm talking about relationship with god.
00:24:28.367 --> 00:24:32.104
Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life
00:24:32.104 --> 00:24:35.942
And he knocks.
00:24:35.942 --> 00:24:37.276
And he says, if you'll hear his voice
00:24:37.276 --> 00:24:39.312
And open the door, he will come in.
00:24:39.312 --> 00:24:41.347
Question, have you asked jesus christ
00:24:41.347 --> 00:24:43.716
To come and live inside of you?
00:24:43.716 --> 00:24:45.384
You might say, "well, i think so.
00:24:45.384 --> 00:24:46.719
I'm not sure."
00:24:46.719 --> 00:24:48.054
Hey, if someone moved into your house
00:24:48.054 --> 00:24:49.422
In the middle of the night,
00:24:49.422 --> 00:24:51.257
Do you think you would be aware of it?
00:24:51.257 --> 00:24:52.792
I'm sure you would.
00:24:52.792 --> 00:24:54.427
And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
00:24:54.427 --> 00:24:57.463
You will know.
00:24:57.463 --> 00:24:58.798
And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
00:24:58.798 --> 00:25:02.468
He's just a prayer away.
00:25:02.468 --> 00:25:04.170
All you need to do is say,
00:25:04.170 --> 00:25:05.505
"jesus, i want this relationship with you.
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I want you to forgive me of my sin.
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I want to go to heaven when i die."
00:25:10.510 --> 00:25:12.612
Would you like to do that?
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Would you like christ to come into your life?
00:25:14.013 --> 00:25:16.616
If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
00:25:16.616 --> 00:25:19.685
You can pray it out loud or you can pray it
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In the quietness of your heart.
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But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ
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To be your savior and lord.
00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:28.828
Pray this with me now.
00:25:28.828 --> 00:25:30.162
"lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
00:25:30.162 --> 00:25:33.666
But i know that you're the savior,
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Who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead.
00:25:36.269 --> 00:25:39.872
Now come into my life.
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I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
00:25:42.608 --> 00:25:47.079
Thank you for hearing this prayer
00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:49.115
And answering this prayer, in jesus's name, amen."
00:25:49.115 --> 00:25:53.819
Did you just pray that prayer with me?
00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:56.122
If so, i want you to know, in the authority of scripture,
00:25:56.122 --> 00:25:58.858
That christ himself has come to live inside of you.
00:25:58.858 --> 00:26:02.328
And i would love to send to you at no charge something called
00:26:02.328 --> 00:26:05.998
The new believer's bible.
00:26:05.998 --> 00:26:07.934
It's a very friendly translation of the new testament
00:26:07.934 --> 00:26:10.770
You'll find very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of
00:26:10.770 --> 00:26:14.840
Notes that i wrote that will encourage you in this commitment
00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:18.277
You've just made to follow jesus.
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Let me send that to you at no charge.
00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:22.882
And let me be the first to say to you, congratulations,
00:26:22.882 --> 00:26:26.919
And welcome to the family of god.
00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:29.121
Greg: you know, the bible says: "a good person
00:26:30.823 --> 00:26:33.826
Leaves an inheritance for their children's children."
00:26:33.826 --> 00:26:37.763
God encourages all of us as christians to manage
00:26:37.763 --> 00:26:41.434
Our money well so we can be a blessing to our families
00:26:41.434 --> 00:26:45.237
And to others.
00:26:45.237 --> 00:26:46.572
Harvest has a special gift for you today, an opportunity
00:26:46.572 --> 00:26:50.309
To set up a will or a living trust completely free of charge.
00:26:50.309 --> 00:26:55.715
Here's how you can learn more.
00:26:55.715 --> 00:26:57.783
Greg: i'm excited to announce that here at harvest
00:26:57.850 --> 00:27:00.186
We partnered with our friends at freewill.
00:27:00.186 --> 00:27:03.689
Freewill is an easy to use estate planning tool
00:27:03.689 --> 00:27:06.492
That allows you to make planned gifts to organizations
00:27:06.492 --> 00:27:09.695
Of your choice.
00:27:09.695 --> 00:27:11.163
It's a creative opportunity to support the work we're doing
00:27:11.163 --> 00:27:14.400
Here at harvest ministries.
00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:16.102
So as you make your plans, i hope you'll consider
00:27:16.102 --> 00:27:18.971
Investing in this ministry so we can continue
00:27:18.971 --> 00:27:22.008
To preach the gospel and teach the word of god
00:27:22.008 --> 00:27:24.644
For years to come.
00:27:24.644 --> 00:27:25.978
You can learn more at freewill.com/harvest.
00:27:25.978 --> 00:27:25.978

Greg Laurie - Afterlife

May 13, 2025 | S25:E114

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