Greg Laurie - The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse

February 26, 2026 | 27:29

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

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse | February 26, 2026
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: hi.
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  • I'm greg laurie, and i'm so glad you've joined us because
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  • 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: here's the question.
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  • Is the end really near?
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  • Haven't we heard this for a long time?
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  • Is armageddon actually coming?
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  • Is the antichrist close to appearing?
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  • Are we going to see the apocalypse in our lifetime?
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  • I mean, the very word apocalypse is a powerful word.
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  • It usually means something catastrophic.
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  • If something's really bad, we'll say,
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  • "it's so bad it's apocalyptic."
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  • There is a trend right now, wild theory floating around out
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  • On the internet about a zombie apocalypse, right?
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  • So we use this word a lot, but actually
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  • It's an interesting word.
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  • It's an interchangeable word with the word revelation.
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  • But what does it mean?
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  • That's what i want to talk about.
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  • But before we get to that in revelation chapter 6, here in
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  • Revelation 5 we're going to go back to heaven for a moment
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  • And see what's happening in heaven before the four horsemen
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  • Are unleashed.
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  • So read with me from revelation chapter 5.
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  • Verse 1, john says, "i saw on the right hand of him who sat
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  • On the throne a scroll written inside and on the back,
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  • Sealed with seven seals.
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  • And i saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
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  • 'who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?'
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  • And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth
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  • Was able to open this scroll or look at it."
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  • John writes, "so i wept much, because no one was found worthy
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  • To open and read the scroll or look at it.
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  • But one of the elders said to me, 'do not weep.
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  • Behold, the lion of the tribe of judah, the root of david,
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  • Has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.'
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  • And i looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne
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  • And of the four living creatures, and in the midst
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  • Of the elders stood a lamb as if it had been slain,
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  • Having seven horns and seven eyes,
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  • Which are the seven spirits of god sent out into all the earth.
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  • And then he came and took the scroll out of the right hand
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  • Of him who sat on the throne.
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  • Now when he had taken the scroll, the four living
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  • Creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before
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  • The lamb, each having a harp--"
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  • So we will have harps in heaven, won't we?
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  • "and golden bowls full of incense,
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  • Which are the prayers of the saints.
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  • And they sang a new song, saying, 'you are worthy to take
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  • The scroll, to open its seals; for you were slain, and you've
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  • Redeemed us to god by your blood out of every tribe
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  • And tongue and people and nation.'"
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  • We'll stop there.
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  • So here now john is in heaven.
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  • A mysterious scroll is produced.
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  • It has seven seals on it.
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  • Look at verse 1 of revelation 5 again.
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  • "i saw on the right hand of him that sat on the throne a scroll
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  • Written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals."
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  • Now, we read this and we have no idea what this even means.
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  • So let me explain it contextually and historically
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  • And then apply it for us today.
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  • What is this scroll?
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  • Well, back in those days, important documents were written
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  • Down on paper and rolled up in what we would call a scroll.
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  • This was something that was used back in this day
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  • To record wills, for instance.
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  • The will of the roman emperors, vespasian and caesar augustus,
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  • Were on scrolls sealed with seven seals.
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  • So when you were opening this document, you would open it and
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  • Break one seal, read a portion of it; then break another seal,
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  • Read a little more of it; and break the other seal.
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  • So this was reserved for the most important documents.
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  • This is sort of be like having an encryption key
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  • To a highly-classified document today.
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  • So it was a seven-sealed title deed.
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  • So what was it?
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  • What is this mysterious scroll?
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  • I believe it is a title deed of the earth.
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  • This is what jesus has come to the earth for.
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  • This is why he was born in the manger at bethlehem, this is why
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  • He dies on the cross of calvary, and this is why he rises again
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  • From the dead.
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  • This is his mission; to buy back, to purchase back with
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  • His blood that which was lost way back in the garden of eden.
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  • When our first parents adam and eve sinned there was a curse
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  • That came upon humanity, and we lost paradise
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  • And all of the effects of sin came into the human race.
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  • For instance, if adam and eve had not sinned,
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  • We would have never grown old.
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  • If adam and eve had not sinned, we would never die.
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  • If adam and eve had not sinned, i would have hair right now,
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  • Right?
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  • So the idea is simply this; that we lost something great
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  • In the garden.
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  • Jesus has come to purchase it back again, but there's only
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  • One way it can be done; and that is, if he comes as a lamb
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  • To be slain, if he will die for the sin of the world.
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  • And so when it's realized that jesus is the lamb,
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  • Who was slain, who can open the scroll, there's an outbreak
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  • Of praise and worship.
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  • Revelation 5:9, "they sing a new song, saying, 'you're worthy
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  • To take the scroll and to open its seals; for you were slain
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  • And you have redeemed us to god by your blood
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  • Out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation."
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  • Now, this is very important.
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  • Out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
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  • I bring this up because sometimes the question is asked,
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  • What about the person who has never heard the gospel?
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  • Listen to this.
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  • Ultimately, the gospel will be preached in all of the world.
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  • Every tribal will hear.
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  • Every tongue will hear.
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  • Every race will hear.
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  • Yes, even the person living in the middle of the jungle,
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  • As it's sometimes presented, or the person out in
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  • The middle of a desert, they're all going to hear the gospel.
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  • So when we get to heaven, everyone is represented,
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  • From every background.
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  • And i think this is even a celebration of our distinctions,
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  • Of our cultures, of our languages, of our races.
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  • We're altogether at the throne of god.
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  • Now we shift gears to this powerful and ominous chapter,
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  • A key chapter to understanding the book of revelation,
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  • Revelation chapter 6.
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  • Now we're looking at the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
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  • Revelation 6, verse 1, "and now i saw when the lamb opened one
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  • Of the seals, they heard one of the four living creatures
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  • Saying with a voice like thunder, 'come and see.'
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  • And i looked, and behold, a white horse.
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  • And he that sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him,
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  • And he went out conquering and to conquer.
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  • And when he opened the second seal, i heard the second living
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  • Creature say, 'come and see.'
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  • Another horse, fiery red, went out.
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  • And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace
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  • From the earth, and that people should kill one another;
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  • And there was given to him a great sword.
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  • And when he opened the third seal, i heard the third living
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  • Creature say, 'come and see.'
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  • And behold, a black horse,
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  • And he that sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand."
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  • Now notice this is all happening after these things.
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  • That's how revelation 4 began.
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  • After these things.
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  • After what things?
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  • After the things of the church.
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  • We looked at the words of jesus and the seven love letters of
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  • Christ to his church in revelation chapters 2 to 3.
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  • When we come to chapter 4, now we're in heaven and--
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  • Also in chapter 5.
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  • So this is all happening after the church is removed.
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  • This is important because the first horseman of the apocalypse
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  • Is none other than the antichrist.
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  • This is antichrist inaugurating the tribulation period.
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  • Now, some get confused, think maybe this is a reference
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  • To jesus christ becomes-- because he rides a white horse,
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  • And we know the good guy always rides a white horse.
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  • Right?
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  • The old westerns, the good guy had the white hat.
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  • Well, it's true that jesus comes on a white horse,
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  • But this rider is not the same as the description of christ
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  • In revelation 19.
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  • Revelation 19, which is describing jesus returning,
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  • It says, "i saw heaven open and before me was
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  • A white horse whose rider is called faithful and true.
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  • With justice he judges and wages war, and on his head
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  • Are many crowns."
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  • So here comes jesus on air horse one returning to planet earth.
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  • This is different with what we're reading about here
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  • In revelation 6.
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  • This is not jesus christ, this is antichrist masquerading
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  • As the messiah.
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  • Antichrist wears a crown.
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  • In contrast, jesus wears many crowns.
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  • Remember jesus said, "one of the signs of the last days will be
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  • Many will come in my name saying, 'i am christ.'"
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  • So here is antichrist.
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  • Now, the prefix anti can be translated instead of
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  • As well as against.
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  • So you might ask the question, is antichrist as coming
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  • World leader against christ or is he offering himself
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  • Instead of christ?
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  • Answer? both.
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  • And if you contrast the white horse and rider in revelation 19
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  • With the rider here in revelation 6, there's a lot
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  • Of important differences.
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  • The antichrist in what we just read here carries a bow
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  • Without arrows; jesus christ has a mighty sword.
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  • Antichrist wears a victor's crown, singular;
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  • Jesus christ wears many crowns.
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  • Antichrist initiates war; jesus comes with his armies
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  • At the battle of armageddon and ends war.
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  • Antichrist inaugurates the great tribulation period;
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  • Jesus christ ends the great tribulation period.
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  • Now, just as mysterious as the word apocalypse
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  • Is the word antichrist.
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  • Who is this person?
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  • Is it an actual human being?
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  • Answer? yes.
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  • He has many aliases.
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  • In the bible he's called the man of sin, the son of perdition,
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  • The little horn, the wicked one, the prince who is to come,
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  • The one who makes desolate, and of course the beast,
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  • But we pretty much know him as the antichrist.
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  • He's not who you may expect.
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  • He is going to be suave.
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  • He's going to be intelligent, engaging, magnetic,
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  • And charismatic; but it's all a mask hiding who he really is,
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  • The most evil man who ever lived.
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  • If satan were to have a son, this is him.
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  • The only man that i could even compare to the antichrist
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  • Would be judas iscariot.
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  • The bible even tells us that satan entered judas' heart.
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  • But there are over 100 passages in the bible that detail
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  • The origin, nationality, career, character, kingdom,
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  • And the final doom of the antichrist.
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  • Now, sometimes the question is asked, is the antichrist alive
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  • Right now?
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  • No one can say with any certainty.
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  • In a newsweek poll that was done, 19% of americans said
  • 00:12:00.529 --> 00:12:03.699
  • They believe antichrist is on earth right now.
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  • In a us news and world report article, 49% of americans said
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  • They believe that there'll be an antichrist sometime
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  • In the future.
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  • But we don't know.
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  • We don't know if he's alive now, but let me say this.
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  • He could be.
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  • We know that when he emerges on the scene, he'll come
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  • At economically hard times.
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  • He'll do what no other president, prime minister, king,
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  • Or world leader has ever done.
  • 00:12:30.426 --> 00:12:32.628
  • He'll bring economic stability and global peace.
  • 00:12:32.628 --> 00:12:37.333
  • He'll be hailed as the greatest peacemaker that ever lived,
  • 00:12:37.333 --> 00:12:42.037
  • And this is going to be interesting because the bible
  • 00:12:42.037 --> 00:12:44.640
  • Says in daniel 8:25, "through peace he will deceive many."
  • 00:12:44.640 --> 00:12:50.579
  • We all long for global peace.
  • 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:53.415
  • We want there to be no war.
  • 00:12:53.415 --> 00:12:55.785
  • Here comes a man inaugurating the tribulation period
  • 00:12:55.785 --> 00:13:00.022
  • With peaceful solutions, with economic solutions.
  • 00:13:00.022 --> 00:13:04.860
  • We don't even know how evil he is until a little bit later
  • 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:08.130
  • In the tribulation period.
  • 00:13:08.130 --> 00:13:09.698
  • By the way, i think it's completely futile and pointless
  • 00:13:09.698 --> 00:13:12.635
  • To try to figure out who the antichrist is because if you
  • 00:13:12.635 --> 00:13:16.172
  • Figured out who the antichrist is, that means
  • 00:13:16.172 --> 00:13:18.908
  • You miss the rapture.
  • 00:13:18.908 --> 00:13:21.143
  • So don't waste your time.
  • 00:13:21.143 --> 00:13:22.812
  • As i've said before; don't spend your time looking
  • 00:13:22.812 --> 00:13:25.447
  • For antichrist, spend your time looking for jesus christ.
  • 00:13:25.447 --> 00:13:30.085
  • Because the bible says when you see these things begin
  • 00:13:30.085 --> 00:13:33.088
  • To happen look up, for your redemption is drawing near.
  • 00:13:33.088 --> 00:13:39.328
  • So notice also it says in verse 2, his crown is given to him.
  • 00:13:39.328 --> 00:13:44.934
  • This reminds us that even this evil man needs permission
  • 00:13:44.934 --> 00:13:50.239
  • From god to do his evil work.
  • 00:13:50.239 --> 00:13:54.376
  • Remember in the book of job how the angels came to present
  • 00:13:54.376 --> 00:13:57.646
  • Themselves before the lord and satan was among them?
  • 00:13:57.646 --> 00:14:01.517
  • Remember, satan's a fallen angel.
  • 00:14:01.517 --> 00:14:04.420
  • And god was bragging on job saying, "have you considered
  • 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:07.923
  • My servant job, a perfect and upright man, one that fears god
  • 00:14:07.923 --> 00:14:10.626
  • And shuns evil?"
  • 00:14:10.626 --> 00:14:12.461
  • And satan pushes back, says, "why do you think job fears you?
  • 00:14:12.461 --> 00:14:15.898
  • He fears you because you blessed him."
  • 00:14:15.898 --> 00:14:18.000
  • And in effect he says, "let me have a little time with him.
  • 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:20.669
  • Let me have access into his life."
  • 00:14:20.669 --> 00:14:22.705
  • And god gives him a limited permission in the life of job
  • 00:14:22.705 --> 00:14:27.776
  • And a series of calamities befall him.
  • 00:14:27.776 --> 00:14:31.313
  • But just remember the devil always has to ask permission,
  • 00:14:31.313 --> 00:14:35.618
  • And god will not let you be tested above which you are able.
  • 00:14:35.618 --> 00:14:41.123
  • Now we come to horse number two.
  • 00:14:41.123 --> 00:14:43.092
  • We can call him the war horse.
  • 00:14:43.092 --> 00:14:45.394
  • Revelation 6:3, "he opened the second seal.
  • 00:14:45.394 --> 00:14:48.597
  • I heard this second living creature saying, 'come and see.'
  • 00:14:48.597 --> 00:14:51.600
  • Another horse, fiery red, went out.
  • 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.802
  • And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from
  • 00:14:53.802 --> 00:14:57.506
  • The earth and that people should kill one another,
  • 00:14:57.506 --> 00:15:00.209
  • And there was given to him a great sword."
  • 00:15:00.209 --> 00:15:03.946
  • So now antichrist is showing his true colors.
  • 00:15:03.946 --> 00:15:08.484
  • First he comes off like a good guy riding on a white horse,
  • 00:15:08.484 --> 00:15:13.155
  • Wearing a crown, bringing peace, but now we see his real agenda.
  • 00:15:13.155 --> 00:15:19.061
  • A red horse, fiery red, would be a literal translation.
  • 00:15:19.061 --> 00:15:23.399
  • Remember later in revelation 12:3 we read a description of
  • 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:27.870
  • Satan as being a great fiery, red dragon, and that reminds us
  • 00:15:27.870 --> 00:15:34.343
  • That satan is behind the wars and struggles on this planet.
  • 00:15:34.343 --> 00:15:39.915
  • Jesus said of satan he comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
  • 00:15:39.915 --> 00:15:45.120
  • But again, notice the difference between jesus christ
  • 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:48.123
  • And antichrist.
  • 00:15:48.123 --> 00:15:50.159
  • At the coming of jesus christ, we have peace on earth.
  • 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:53.462
  • That was the announcement to the shepherds keeping watch
  • 00:15:53.462 --> 00:15:56.231
  • Over their fox by night.
  • 00:15:56.231 --> 00:15:57.633
  • "glory to god in the highest and peace on earth among men
  • 00:15:57.633 --> 00:16:00.602
  • With whom god is well-pleased."
  • 00:16:00.602 --> 00:16:02.871
  • But antichrist comes along to take peace from the earth.
  • 00:16:02.871 --> 00:16:07.209
  • We read that he has a sword, and the greek word here for sword
  • 00:16:07.209 --> 00:16:12.014
  • Speaks of the short stabbing sword that a roman soldier
  • 00:16:12.014 --> 00:16:16.118
  • Would use in close combat.
  • 00:16:16.118 --> 00:16:18.387
  • It was also used as a weapon by assassins.
  • 00:16:18.387 --> 00:16:21.690
  • It speaks of something that is sudden and unexpected.
  • 00:16:21.690 --> 00:16:24.927
  • Again, he comes first as a man of peace, but actually he's
  • 00:16:24.927 --> 00:16:27.863
  • A man of war and now he's going to bring the misery and havoc.
  • 00:16:27.863 --> 00:16:33.135
  • That is part of his plan.
  • 00:16:33.135 --> 00:16:35.671
  • Following the white horse and the red horse, we have the pale
  • 00:16:35.671 --> 00:16:41.410
  • Horse and the black horse.
  • 00:16:41.410 --> 00:16:43.879
  • Death, plagues, and misery follows.
  • 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:47.049
  • This is the great tribulation period.
  • 00:16:47.049 --> 00:16:50.185
  • The first half of it, the first 3 1/2 years begin peacefully.
  • 00:16:50.185 --> 00:16:54.890
  • The second half of it, antichrist pursues his agenda
  • 00:16:54.890 --> 00:16:59.962
  • And the judgment of god ultimately falls on the planet.
  • 00:16:59.962 --> 00:17:04.266
  • By the way, god takes no pleasure in bringing judgment.
  • 00:17:04.266 --> 00:17:10.205
  • That's why even during the tribulation period,
  • 00:17:10.205 --> 00:17:13.208
  • The lord gives opportunity for people to repent.
  • 00:17:13.208 --> 00:17:17.379
  • We read that he sends his angel in the heavens, preaching
  • 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:21.050
  • The everlasting gospel and warning people to not take
  • 00:17:21.050 --> 00:17:25.654
  • The mark of the beast.
  • 00:17:25.654 --> 00:17:27.089
  • That's why it's so crazy when people get hung up thinking,
  • 00:17:27.089 --> 00:17:30.859
  • "oh, if i take the vaccine for covid-19, is that the mark
  • 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:34.830
  • Of the beast?"
  • 00:17:34.830 --> 00:17:36.165
  • No, it isn't.
  • 00:17:36.165 --> 00:17:38.567
  • 'cause when the beast is here, when antichrist is revealed,
  • 00:17:38.567 --> 00:17:42.337
  • You're going to know it.
  • 00:17:42.337 --> 00:17:44.006
  • You're going to know he's that coming world leader.
  • 00:17:44.006 --> 00:17:46.508
  • And if you're a christian you shouldn't be around to know it
  • 00:17:46.508 --> 00:17:48.977
  • Any way, and i'll tell you why i believe that in just a moment.
  • 00:17:48.977 --> 00:17:52.381
  • So this is not something we have to be worried about.
  • 00:17:52.381 --> 00:17:55.284
  • But the angels are telling us not to take in the mark
  • 00:17:55.284 --> 00:17:58.253
  • Of the beast and proclaiming the gospel, and i call this
  • 00:17:58.253 --> 00:18:01.223
  • An angelic mop-up operation.
  • 00:18:01.223 --> 00:18:03.959
  • The angels will reach the ones we missed, flying through the
  • 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:07.196
  • Heavens proclaiming the gospel.
  • 00:18:07.196 --> 00:18:10.165
  • We also read of two powerful witnesses that will be raised up
  • 00:18:10.165 --> 00:18:14.536
  • In the tribulation period.
  • 00:18:14.536 --> 00:18:17.072
  • They'll perform miracles, calling fire down from heaven,
  • 00:18:17.072 --> 00:18:20.008
  • Stopping the rain.
  • 00:18:20.008 --> 00:18:21.977
  • Some believe these two witnesses may be moses and elijah.
  • 00:18:21.977 --> 00:18:25.914
  • Then we read of another 144,000 people who are called by god
  • 00:18:25.914 --> 00:18:32.888
  • To preach the gospel.
  • 00:18:32.888 --> 00:18:35.023
  • We know that these are jewish people.
  • 00:18:35.023 --> 00:18:37.793
  • No, they're not jehovah's witnesses.
  • 00:18:37.793 --> 00:18:39.728
  • It's very clear that they're from the 12 tribes of israel.
  • 00:18:39.728 --> 00:18:44.066
  • So these are jewish people that have embraced jesus
  • 00:18:44.066 --> 00:18:47.503
  • As their messiah.
  • 00:18:47.503 --> 00:18:48.971
  • So it's like 144,000 kosher billy grahams proclaiming
  • 00:18:48.971 --> 00:18:54.610
  • The gospel.
  • 00:18:54.610 --> 00:18:55.944
  • So you combine that with the angelic message in the heavens,
  • 00:18:55.944 --> 00:18:58.413
  • You combine that with a witness of the two prophets, that we'll
  • 00:18:58.413 --> 00:19:01.950
  • Get into later, and you realize god is going out of his way.
  • 00:19:01.950 --> 00:19:05.988
  • God is bending over backwards to help people to repent
  • 00:19:05.988 --> 00:19:10.392
  • Of their sin so they don't have to face this judgment.
  • 00:19:10.392 --> 00:19:13.896
  • The lord says, "i take no pleasure in the death
  • 00:19:13.896 --> 00:19:17.533
  • Of the wicked."
  • 00:19:17.533 --> 00:19:18.867
  • That's why he sent jesus to die on the cross for our sin.
  • 00:19:18.867 --> 00:19:24.973
  • Antichrist, why has he not been revealed yet?
  • 00:19:24.973 --> 00:19:29.311
  • The only thing holding him back is the presence of the church
  • 00:19:29.311 --> 00:19:34.483
  • On the earth.
  • 00:19:34.483 --> 00:19:35.817
  • Here's a very important verse: 2 thessalonians 2:7.
  • 00:19:35.817 --> 00:19:40.822
  • Says, "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.
  • 00:19:40.822 --> 00:19:44.927
  • Only he who now restraints will do so until he is taken
  • 00:19:44.927 --> 00:19:48.630
  • Out of the way, then the lawless one will be revealed."
  • 00:19:48.630 --> 00:19:52.067
  • That's antichrist.
  • 00:19:52.067 --> 00:19:53.535
  • "whom the lord will consume with a breath of his mouth
  • 00:19:53.535 --> 00:19:56.438
  • And destroy with the brightness of his coming."
  • 00:19:56.438 --> 00:20:01.343
  • Who is the one that is now restraining?
  • 00:20:01.343 --> 00:20:03.779
  • Sometimes people say, "well, it's the holy spirit
  • 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:06.949
  • Who's restraining.
  • 00:20:06.949 --> 00:20:08.617
  • And when the holy spirit is removed from the earth,
  • 00:20:08.617 --> 00:20:11.119
  • Then antichrist will be revealed."
  • 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:13.021
  • But the holy spirit is not going to be removed from the earth,
  • 00:20:13.021 --> 00:20:16.425
  • And the reason for that is people are coming to christ
  • 00:20:16.425 --> 00:20:19.494
  • During this tribulation period.
  • 00:20:19.494 --> 00:20:21.530
  • In fact, some of the greatest spiritual awakenings and
  • 00:20:21.530 --> 00:20:23.932
  • Revivals are going to happen during the tribulation period,
  • 00:20:23.932 --> 00:20:28.237
  • And the bible is clear in pointing out that no one
  • 00:20:28.237 --> 00:20:30.339
  • Can come to christ unless the holy spirit draws him.
  • 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:33.775
  • Right?
  • 00:20:33.775 --> 00:20:35.210
  • So it's not the holy spirit that's taken from the earth,
  • 00:20:35.210 --> 00:20:37.579
  • It's the holy spirit working through the church.
  • 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:40.649
  • He who now restraints speaks of this spirit working
  • 00:20:40.649 --> 00:20:44.152
  • Through you and me.
  • 00:20:44.152 --> 00:20:46.788
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:20:46.788 --> 00:20:48.290
  • The reason things aren't worse right now is because believers,
  • 00:20:48.290 --> 00:20:53.028
  • Followers of jesus are the restraining force on the planet
  • 00:20:53.028 --> 00:20:57.799
  • Keeping things at bay.
  • 00:20:57.799 --> 00:21:00.569
  • I mean, imagine how bad it will get when we're caught up
  • 00:21:00.569 --> 00:21:04.439
  • Suddenly and thousands, even millions, of christians
  • 00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:07.843
  • Disappear, how all hell could break loose, no more restraints,
  • 00:21:07.843 --> 00:21:12.414
  • No more people pushing back, no more people protesting it.
  • 00:21:12.414 --> 00:21:17.085
  • "we can just do whatever we want," non-believers will think,
  • 00:21:17.085 --> 00:21:20.455
  • And they will.
  • 00:21:20.455 --> 00:21:22.624
  • So what are we to do in the light of this teaching of the
  • 00:21:22.624 --> 00:21:26.261
  • Imminent return of the lord?
  • 00:21:26.261 --> 00:21:28.297
  • Hey, jesus told us we're to be both salt and light
  • 00:21:28.297 --> 00:21:31.600
  • In our world.
  • 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:33.302
  • Salt and light.
  • 00:21:33.302 --> 00:21:35.070
  • He says, "you're the salt of the earth.
  • 00:21:35.070 --> 00:21:36.905
  • You're the light of the world."
  • 00:21:36.905 --> 00:21:38.373
  • So what does that mean?
  • 00:21:38.373 --> 00:21:39.708
  • Well, salt back in the 1st century was used
  • 00:21:39.708 --> 00:21:42.244
  • As a preservative.
  • 00:21:42.244 --> 00:21:44.246
  • They didn't have refrigerators like we have today,
  • 00:21:44.246 --> 00:21:46.615
  • So they would rub salt in their meat and it would last longer.
  • 00:21:46.615 --> 00:21:51.253
  • Our modern equivalent would be something like beef jerky,
  • 00:21:51.253 --> 00:21:53.689
  • Right?
  • 00:21:53.689 --> 00:21:55.023
  • So we're a restraining force.
  • 00:21:55.023 --> 00:21:56.591
  • You know, we go and we permeate, we make a difference.
  • 00:21:56.591 --> 00:21:59.328
  • But another thing that salt does is it stimulates thirst.
  • 00:21:59.328 --> 00:22:03.398
  • And i think when you're walking with jesus as you ought to,
  • 00:22:03.398 --> 00:22:05.734
  • You will stimulate in others a thirst for god.
  • 00:22:05.734 --> 00:22:10.072
  • When they're around you, they'll see something in you
  • 00:22:10.072 --> 00:22:12.074
  • That they want.
  • 00:22:12.074 --> 00:22:13.875
  • Why is it that stolen food always tastes better?
  • 00:22:13.875 --> 00:22:17.045
  • You ever notice that?
  • 00:22:17.045 --> 00:22:18.613
  • You're in a restaurant, somebody orders a burger and fries,
  • 00:22:18.613 --> 00:22:21.149
  • And you say, "i'll just have a salad."
  • 00:22:21.149 --> 00:22:23.352
  • You know, and you're eating your little salad, and then you say,
  • 00:22:23.352 --> 00:22:25.787
  • "can i have one of your fries?"
  • 00:22:25.787 --> 00:22:27.356
  • And they say yes.
  • 00:22:27.356 --> 00:22:28.690
  • And then that fry turns out to be the greatest french fry
  • 00:22:28.690 --> 00:22:31.026
  • You've ever eaten in your life.
  • 00:22:31.026 --> 00:22:33.195
  • It--there's something about watching someone enjoy a meal
  • 00:22:33.195 --> 00:22:36.231
  • That makes you want to have the same meal, and there's something
  • 00:22:36.231 --> 00:22:39.101
  • About watching a christian walk with god that makes
  • 00:22:39.101 --> 00:22:42.037
  • A non-believer say, "i want what you have."
  • 00:22:42.037 --> 00:22:45.273
  • Case in point, remember when paul and silas were thrown into
  • 00:22:45.273 --> 00:22:48.110
  • Prison for preaching the gospel?
  • 00:22:48.110 --> 00:22:51.146
  • Their backs are ripped open with a roman whip, their feet,
  • 00:22:51.146 --> 00:22:55.283
  • Their legs were fastened in stocks in a dungeon, and we read
  • 00:22:55.283 --> 00:23:00.021
  • At midnight paul and silas began to sing praises to god.
  • 00:23:00.021 --> 00:23:04.526
  • Not long after that, an earthquake came
  • 00:23:04.526 --> 00:23:06.862
  • And the roman jailer thought he was in big trouble
  • 00:23:06.862 --> 00:23:10.165
  • Because all of his prisoners would escape.
  • 00:23:10.165 --> 00:23:12.634
  • But they didn't run away, and paul said, "we're still here.
  • 00:23:12.634 --> 00:23:16.071
  • Don't harm yourself."
  • 00:23:16.071 --> 00:23:17.839
  • And that man, that hardened roman jailer said, "sirs,
  • 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:21.743
  • What must i do to be saved?"
  • 00:23:21.743 --> 00:23:23.845
  • He saw something in paul and silas that he wanted so badly,
  • 00:23:23.845 --> 00:23:27.849
  • And i just pray that you and i could be like that.
  • 00:23:27.849 --> 00:23:30.585
  • We could be salt in our culture, we could be light in our culture
  • 00:23:30.585 --> 00:23:34.389
  • And draw people to christ.
  • 00:23:34.389 --> 00:23:41.096
  • Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart and you have seen
  • 00:23:45.233 --> 00:23:49.204
  • Your need for jesus christ.
  • 00:23:49.204 --> 00:23:52.007
  • Jesus christ is the son of god who came from heaven
  • 00:23:52.007 --> 00:23:56.077
  • To this earth.
  • 00:23:56.077 --> 00:23:57.412
  • He was born in a manger.
  • 00:23:57.412 --> 00:23:59.514
  • He died in a cross.
  • 00:23:59.514 --> 00:24:01.082
  • He rose again from the dead.
  • 00:24:01.082 --> 00:24:02.484
  • Why?
  • 00:24:02.484 --> 00:24:03.819
  • Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you.
  • 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:06.655
  • Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
  • 00:24:06.655 --> 00:24:08.723
  • I don't want to be a religious person.
  • 00:24:08.723 --> 00:24:10.725
  • I don't think you want to be one either.
  • 00:24:10.725 --> 00:24:12.627
  • I'm talking about relationship with god.
  • 00:24:12.627 --> 00:24:16.064
  • Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life
  • 00:24:16.064 --> 00:24:20.635
  • And he knocks, and he says if you'll hear his voice and open
  • 00:24:20.635 --> 00:24:23.738
  • The door he will come in.
  • 00:24:23.738 --> 00:24:25.674
  • Question, have you asked jesus christ to come and live
  • 00:24:25.674 --> 00:24:28.677
  • Inside of you?
  • 00:24:28.677 --> 00:24:30.011
  • You might say, "well, i think so.
  • 00:24:30.011 --> 00:24:31.346
  • I'm not sure."
  • 00:24:31.346 --> 00:24:32.681
  • Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle
  • 00:24:32.681 --> 00:24:34.249
  • Of the night, do you think you would be aware of it?
  • 00:24:34.249 --> 00:24:37.252
  • I'm sure you would.
  • 00:24:37.252 --> 00:24:38.854
  • And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
  • 00:24:38.854 --> 00:24:41.857
  • You will know.
  • 00:24:41.857 --> 00:24:43.191
  • And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
  • 00:24:43.191 --> 00:24:46.628
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:24:46.628 --> 00:24:48.563
  • All you need to do is say, "jesus, i want this relationship
  • 00:24:48.563 --> 00:24:51.700
  • With you.
  • 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:53.034
  • I want you to forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:24:53.034 --> 00:24:54.703
  • I want to go to heaven when i die."
  • 00:24:54.703 --> 00:24:56.905
  • Would you like to do that?
  • 00:24:56.905 --> 00:24:58.306
  • Would you like christ to come into your life?
  • 00:24:58.306 --> 00:25:00.909
  • If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
  • 00:25:00.909 --> 00:25:03.912
  • You can pray it out loud or you can pray it in the quietness of
  • 00:25:03.912 --> 00:25:07.349
  • Your heart, but this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ
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  • To be your savior and lord.
  • 00:25:10.886 --> 00:25:13.221
  • Pray this with me now: "lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
  • 00:25:13.221 --> 00:25:17.759
  • But i know that you're the savior who died on the cross
  • 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:21.730
  • For my sin and rose again from the dead.
  • 00:25:21.730 --> 00:25:24.432
  • Now come into my life.
  • 00:25:24.432 --> 00:25:26.868
  • I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
  • 00:25:26.868 --> 00:25:31.072
  • Thank you for hearing this prayer
  • 00:25:31.072 --> 00:25:33.275
  • And answering this prayer.
  • 00:25:33.275 --> 00:25:35.410
  • In jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:25:35.410 --> 00:25:38.179
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:25:38.179 --> 00:25:40.415
  • If so, i want you to know in the authority of scripture
  • 00:25:40.415 --> 00:25:43.218
  • That christ himself has come to live inside of you.
  • 00:25:43.218 --> 00:25:46.588
  • And let me be the first to say to you congratulations and
  • 00:25:46.588 --> 00:25:50.825
  • Welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:25:50.825 --> 00:25:54.629
  • Greg: you know, we say to a new believer, "start reading the
  • 00:25:58.800 --> 00:26:02.337
  • Bible," but they don't know where to start, do they?
  • 00:26:02.337 --> 00:26:05.407
  • So, we have a special edition of the bible called
  • 00:26:05.407 --> 00:26:09.311
  • The new believer's bible.
  • 00:26:09.311 --> 00:26:11.279
  • I wrote thousands of notes for it, and i sort of see it as what
  • 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:15.917
  • I would do if i was sitting down with a person over a cup of
  • 00:26:15.917 --> 00:26:18.987
  • Coffee and explaining the basics of the christian life to them.
  • 00:26:18.987 --> 00:26:23.825
  • There's over 10 million copies of this bible in print, but
  • 00:26:23.825 --> 00:26:27.596
  • Here's the exciting news:
  • 00:26:27.596 --> 00:26:29.564
  • We have personally given out 700,000 of these at no charge to
  • 00:26:29.564 --> 00:26:34.769
  • People to help them in their spiritual journey.
  • 00:26:34.769 --> 00:26:38.740
  • So we need your help to keep doing this.
  • 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:41.676
  • So, let's invest in the spiritual future of people that
  • 00:26:41.676 --> 00:26:45.680
  • Are going to come to christ, who will get a copy of
  • 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:48.550
  • The new believer's bible for themselves.
  • 00:26:48.550 --> 00:26:50.885
  • Thank you for your financial support.
  • 00:26:50.885 --> 00:26:52.921
  • Together we can change lives.
  • 00:26:52.921 --> 00:26:56.391
  • Female announcer: jesus says that where two or three are
  • 00:27:00.495 --> 00:27:02.897
  • Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them.
  • 00:27:02.897 --> 00:27:07.335
  • We are all different.
  • 00:27:07.335 --> 00:27:08.703
  • We have different interests, different personalities,
  • 00:27:08.703 --> 00:27:11.840
  • Different upbringings, and different ways we do life,
  • 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:15.777
  • But here, we have a deep connection,
  • 00:27:15.777 --> 00:27:19.314
  • And you are welcome here.
  • 00:27:19.314 --> 00:27:23.418
  • This is harvest.
  • 00:27:23.418 --> 00:27:27.122