Greg Laurie - The Future Is Written

February 5, 2026 | 27:29

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

#Future #God'sWill #Plan #Revelation #Prophecy #EndTimes #LastDays #SecondComing #ReturnofChrist #Signs&Wonders #Evil #Sin #GregLaurie

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - The Future Is Written | February 5, 2026

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.335
Greg laurie: it's worth noting that whenever you read what the
00:00:05.239 --> 00:00:08.242
Bible says about our future, there is also an exhortation, or
00:00:08.342 --> 00:00:14.348
Word of encouragement, to us to live a godly life.
00:00:14.448 --> 00:00:18.552
Let me say that again.
00:00:18.686 --> 00:00:19.887
Whenever you read in the bible about the imminent return of
00:00:20.021 --> 00:00:23.591
Jesus, there is always a word to us about living a godly life.
00:00:23.691 --> 00:00:24.759
For example, 2 peter 3:11, "since everything around us is
00:00:28.629 --> 00:00:32.433
Gonna be destroyed, what holy and godly lives should we
00:00:32.433 --> 00:00:37.571
Be living?"
00:00:37.571 --> 00:00:39.740
♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪
00:00:43.110 --> 00:00:50.751
♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪♪
00:00:50.818 --> 00:01:01.028
Greg: okay, let's grab our bibles and turn to james chapter
00:01:05.166 --> 00:01:09.003
5, we're starting a brand new series on the end times, and the
00:01:09.003 --> 00:01:14.608
Title of the message is "the future is written," "the future
00:01:14.608 --> 00:01:21.215
Is written."
00:01:21.215 --> 00:01:22.550
So i travel quite a bit.
00:01:22.550 --> 00:01:24.885
And when you're standing in line getting ready to board the
00:01:24.885 --> 00:01:27.922
Plane, you might say to the person in line next to you, so
00:01:27.922 --> 00:01:31.625
Where are you headed?
00:01:31.625 --> 00:01:33.561
They'll say, oh, i'm going to new york.
00:01:33.561 --> 00:01:35.062
I'm going to detroit.
00:01:35.062 --> 00:01:36.664
I'm going to chicago.
00:01:36.664 --> 00:01:38.532
I'm going to kokomo, oh bermuda, bahama, come on, pretty mama,
00:01:38.532 --> 00:01:45.072
You know.
00:01:45.072 --> 00:01:46.407
So everybody's going somewhere--and that's an obscure
00:01:46.407 --> 00:01:49.310
Reference to an old beach boys song.
00:01:49.310 --> 00:01:51.579
By the way, not one of their best songs, i might add, but
00:01:51.579 --> 00:01:55.116
They had many others i liked much more, but i digress.
00:01:55.116 --> 00:01:59.553
But that's a very important question to answer.
00:01:59.553 --> 00:02:02.389
Where are you going?
00:02:02.389 --> 00:02:05.392
So this is a new series, as i said, called "the future is
00:02:05.392 --> 00:02:09.096
Written," and in this series i want to answer the question, is
00:02:09.096 --> 00:02:12.867
Jesus coming back again?
00:02:12.867 --> 00:02:15.836
And the simple answer is, yes.
00:02:15.836 --> 00:02:18.739
Why do i say that?
00:02:18.739 --> 00:02:20.107
Because jesus said, "i will come again."
00:02:20.107 --> 00:02:24.044
Listen, we are privileged to be closer to the return of jesus in
00:02:24.044 --> 00:02:28.916
Any generation that has ever existed in human history.
00:02:28.916 --> 00:02:34.522
That's absolutely true.
00:02:34.522 --> 00:02:36.490
And you can sense the nearness of his return.
00:02:36.490 --> 00:02:42.129
And often christians will focus on, when will jesus come back?
00:02:42.129 --> 00:02:46.934
When will jesus come?
00:02:46.934 --> 00:02:48.802
And the answer simply is i don't know nor does anyone else.
00:02:48.802 --> 00:02:53.340
Jesus says, no one knows the day or the hour when the son of man
00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:58.245
Will return.
00:02:58.245 --> 00:02:59.613
But yet people come up with these ideas as to they think
00:02:59.613 --> 00:03:03.651
They've cracked the code, and they know when christ will
00:03:03.651 --> 00:03:05.886
Come back.
00:03:05.886 --> 00:03:07.254
But, you know, so people will see signs of the times
00:03:07.254 --> 00:03:10.858
Everywhere, but then at the same time, we can miss the
00:03:10.858 --> 00:03:14.628
Big picture.
00:03:14.628 --> 00:03:15.996
And there really are a lot of the signs of the times pointing
00:03:15.996 --> 00:03:20.167
To the imminent return of jesus, which i'm going to talk about in
00:03:20.167 --> 00:03:23.304
Just a few moments.
00:03:23.304 --> 00:03:24.672
But instead of focusing on the when question, we should focus
00:03:24.672 --> 00:03:28.876
On the what question.
00:03:28.876 --> 00:03:30.778
Instead of saying, when will jesus come, we should be asking
00:03:30.778 --> 00:03:35.249
What should we do as we await the return of the lord?
00:03:35.249 --> 00:03:40.688
So bible prophecy, eschatology as it's sometimes called, what
00:03:40.688 --> 00:03:45.292
Is it?
00:03:45.292 --> 00:03:46.627
It's simply god revealing history in advance, and the
00:03:46.627 --> 00:03:50.364
Scriptures ooze with the return of christ.
00:03:50.364 --> 00:03:54.368
The new testament contains over 300 references to the return
00:03:54.368 --> 00:03:59.473
Of jesus.
00:03:59.473 --> 00:04:00.808
That's 1 out of every 13 verses.
00:04:00.808 --> 00:04:02.843
Did you know that 27 to 33% of the bible is prophecy, and more
00:04:02.843 --> 00:04:08.349
Than a--10,000 of the 31,000 verses in the bible
00:04:08.349 --> 00:04:12.119
Contain bible prophecy?
00:04:12.119 --> 00:04:14.288
That's no small down payment.
00:04:14.288 --> 00:04:16.890
So when god tells us what's going to happen, it's not as
00:04:16.890 --> 00:04:20.494
Though the lord is somehow going out on a limb and taking
00:04:20.494 --> 00:04:24.765
A chance.
00:04:24.765 --> 00:04:26.133
You see, god is eternal.
00:04:26.133 --> 00:04:28.302
He sees all things.
00:04:28.302 --> 00:04:29.937
He knows all things.
00:04:29.937 --> 00:04:31.272
He sees the past.
00:04:31.272 --> 00:04:32.640
He sees the future.
00:04:32.640 --> 00:04:34.008
It's like a continuum to him.
00:04:34.008 --> 00:04:36.844
So when he tells us something is gonna happen, you can take that
00:04:36.844 --> 00:04:40.614
To the bank.
00:04:40.614 --> 00:04:41.949
That's why this series is called, "the future is written."
00:04:41.949 --> 00:04:46.153
I told you this before, but i figured between my wife cathy
00:04:46.153 --> 00:04:49.690
And i, we have one complete brain.
00:04:49.690 --> 00:04:53.427
Because i'll forget things, she'll remember them.
00:04:53.427 --> 00:04:55.963
She'll forget things, i'll remember them.
00:04:55.963 --> 00:04:58.299
There are times when i'll be telling the story of something
00:04:58.299 --> 00:05:01.168
That just happened to me to a group of people and my wife will
00:05:01.168 --> 00:05:04.305
Interrupt me and say, "that's not the way it happened."
00:05:04.305 --> 00:05:07.741
And i'll say, "you weren't even there."
00:05:07.741 --> 00:05:11.345
She says, "yes, but it's different than the way you told
00:05:11.345 --> 00:05:14.581
Me the first time because the first time you told me this
00:05:14.581 --> 00:05:18.018
Story, you said this, this and this."
00:05:18.018 --> 00:05:21.255
And doggonit, she's right.
00:05:21.255 --> 00:05:22.956
So between the two of us, we have one complete brain.
00:05:22.956 --> 00:05:26.927
So i'm challenged sometimes in remembering all the details of
00:05:26.927 --> 00:05:31.365
Something that happened in the past.
00:05:31.365 --> 00:05:33.901
But god knows all things.
00:05:33.901 --> 00:05:36.370
And when he reveals these things, you know they are
00:05:36.370 --> 00:05:39.606
Something you can bank on.
00:05:39.606 --> 00:05:42.009
Now there are many signs that the bible speaks of that we
00:05:42.009 --> 00:05:45.279
Should be looking for that alert us to the return of christ, such
00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:49.616
As the outbreak of war around the globe, the persecution of
00:05:49.616 --> 00:05:54.121
Christians, the emergence of china as a superpower, the
00:05:54.121 --> 00:05:58.625
Aggressiveness of iran and her repeated threats and attacks
00:05:58.625 --> 00:06:03.764
Against israel.
00:06:03.764 --> 00:06:05.366
I would also say nuclear weapons are more sophisticated today and
00:06:05.366 --> 00:06:09.470
They're small enough to be carried by hand.
00:06:09.470 --> 00:06:12.706
One is called an atomic demolition munition, an adm that
00:06:12.706 --> 00:06:17.277
Fits into a suitcase, a portable nuclear weapon.
00:06:17.277 --> 00:06:21.915
We have the spread of radical islam, terrorism, a resurgence
00:06:21.915 --> 00:06:26.420
Of marxism and communism, and the dramatic rise of
00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:31.158
Anti-semitism, a lot of isms, a lot of things happening before
00:06:31.158 --> 00:06:36.263
Our eyes.
00:06:36.263 --> 00:06:37.631
I would also add the falling away of spiritual leaders and
00:06:37.631 --> 00:06:41.602
Seemingly strong christians from the faith, all signs of the
00:06:41.602 --> 00:06:46.507
Times, the explosion of technology, specifically
00:06:46.507 --> 00:06:50.544
Artificial intelligence, increasing government overreach
00:06:50.544 --> 00:06:55.115
In our lives seeking more control, the dramatic increase
00:06:55.115 --> 00:06:59.753
Of drug use decimating american cities, international financial
00:06:59.753 --> 00:07:06.260
Instability, mass shootings, the disintegration of the family.
00:07:06.260 --> 00:07:11.932
How about this, the blatant pushing of immorality on every
00:07:11.932 --> 00:07:16.270
Platform from movies to tv to social media, the redefinition
00:07:16.270 --> 00:07:21.675
Of a man and a woman, including child gender mutilation.
00:07:21.675 --> 00:07:26.580
I would add the aggressive marketing of this evil agenda to
00:07:26.580 --> 00:07:31.385
Young people, in particular, through entertainment,
00:07:31.385 --> 00:07:34.455
Education, social media, et cetera.
00:07:34.455 --> 00:07:37.891
These are signs of the times, and they're exploding around us
00:07:37.891 --> 00:07:43.997
Right now.
00:07:43.997 --> 00:07:45.365
The bible says in the last days, there would be satanically
00:07:45.365 --> 00:07:48.936
Energized times.
00:07:48.936 --> 00:07:50.938
So the devil is clearly in the details of all of this.
00:07:50.938 --> 00:07:55.676
Jesus likened it to labor pains when a woman is about ready to
00:07:55.676 --> 00:08:00.914
Give birth to her child, her labor pains get closer and
00:08:00.914 --> 00:08:05.419
Closer together.
00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:07.154
And as we see these things happening closer and closer
00:08:07.154 --> 00:08:11.058
Together, it says that christ is coming back again.
00:08:11.058 --> 00:08:15.195
So people are so concerned about this and they're so alarmed by
00:08:15.195 --> 00:08:18.765
This and they're so depressed about this that they're stressed
00:08:18.765 --> 00:08:23.470
Like never before.
00:08:23.470 --> 00:08:25.072
Psychologists have even coined a phrase called doomsday anxiety.
00:08:25.072 --> 00:08:31.345
This includes the fear, or worry, about the end of the
00:08:31.345 --> 00:08:34.047
World or life as we know it.
00:08:34.047 --> 00:08:36.350
Symptoms include chronic nightmares, an underlying
00:08:36.350 --> 00:08:39.586
Feeling of fear, an obsession with the news or doom scrolling,
00:08:39.586 --> 00:08:44.558
As they say through social media, even secular
00:08:44.558 --> 00:08:49.029
Futurologists are sounding the alarms as they see conversing
00:08:49.029 --> 00:08:53.667
Lines of danger and instability around the world.
00:08:53.667 --> 00:08:58.305
So having said all this, how should we react?
00:08:58.305 --> 00:09:01.174
Here's what jesus said, "let not your hearts be troubled, neither
00:09:01.174 --> 00:09:05.979
Let them be afraid.
00:09:05.979 --> 00:09:07.781
You believe in god, believe also in me.
00:09:07.781 --> 00:09:10.284
And then he says, "i will come again."
00:09:10.284 --> 00:09:13.954
Jesus said, "when you see these things begin to happen, look up
00:09:13.954 --> 00:09:17.925
Because you know that your redemption is drawing near."
00:09:17.925 --> 00:09:22.129
I think it's really important to study bible prophecy.
00:09:22.129 --> 00:09:27.134
And this is a trend that we see in churches where it's not being
00:09:27.134 --> 00:09:31.438
Talked about as much as we used to talk about it.
00:09:31.438 --> 00:09:35.509
I would say one of the earmarks of the jesus movement was we
00:09:35.509 --> 00:09:39.680
Believe jesus was coming and that fueled us and that
00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:43.917
Motivated us and i think it's something we need to be thinking
00:09:43.917 --> 00:09:47.387
About today.
00:09:47.387 --> 00:09:48.755
Why should we study bible prophecy?
00:09:48.755 --> 00:09:51.658
If you're taking notes, here's point number one, understanding
00:09:51.658 --> 00:09:55.862
Bible prophecy brings hope in a hopeless world.
00:09:55.862 --> 00:10:00.133
Let me say that again,
00:10:00.133 --> 00:10:01.468
Understanding bible prophecy brings hope in a hopeless world.
00:10:01.468 --> 00:10:05.872
Titus 2:13 says, "we're waiting for the blessed hope, the
00:10:05.872 --> 00:10:10.978
Appearing of the glory of god and our great god and savior
00:10:10.978 --> 00:10:14.881
Jesus christ."
00:10:14.881 --> 00:10:16.350
By the way, the word that is used, therefore blessed can be
00:10:16.350 --> 00:10:18.652
Translated happy.
00:10:18.652 --> 00:10:20.320
It actually will bring happiness into your life knowing that
00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:24.224
Christ could come back at any time, not dread, not depression,
00:10:24.224 --> 00:10:29.763
Not sadness, but happiness because it keeps you looking up.
00:10:29.763 --> 00:10:35.335
And you're aware of the fact that this could be the day.
00:10:35.335 --> 00:10:38.939
Martin luther once said, quote, "there are two days on my
00:10:38.939 --> 00:10:42.209
Calendar, this day and that day," end quote.
00:10:42.209 --> 00:10:46.780
And that day that he was referring to was the day of the
00:10:46.780 --> 00:10:50.484
Lord's return.
00:10:50.484 --> 00:10:51.852
The christian does not need to fear the future because we know
00:10:51.852 --> 00:10:56.189
Who holds it.
00:10:56.189 --> 00:10:57.524
Number two, understanding bible prophecy unravels the mystery
00:10:57.524 --> 00:11:02.829
Of history.
00:11:02.829 --> 00:11:04.464
Because we wonder why is there so much evil in the world.
00:11:04.464 --> 00:11:08.769
Even in the book of revelation chapter 6, verse 10, we have
00:11:08.769 --> 00:11:12.039
Believers who were martyred, who are seen in heaven, "how long,
00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:17.310
Lord, until you avenge our blood on those that dwell on
00:11:17.310 --> 00:11:22.649
The earth?"
00:11:22.649 --> 00:11:23.984
Even they are aware of an injustice.
00:11:23.984 --> 00:11:25.752
The bible tells us these things will be dealt with.
00:11:25.752 --> 00:11:29.222
Thirdly, studying bible prophecy brings sense to our suffering.
00:11:29.222 --> 00:11:34.728
Studying bible prophecy and understanding it brings sense to
00:11:34.728 --> 00:11:38.432
Our suffering.
00:11:38.432 --> 00:11:39.800
What do you say to someone who has suffered great tragedy?
00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:43.270
What do you say to someone who is suffering with a disability?
00:11:43.270 --> 00:11:46.907
What do you say to someone who has lost a loved one?
00:11:46.907 --> 00:11:50.310
What do you say to someone who is weeping from grief?
00:11:50.310 --> 00:11:53.480
You say, this is not god's final plan.
00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:56.483
Because revelation 21:4 says, "he'll wipe every tear from
00:11:56.483 --> 00:12:00.120
Their eyes, and they'll be no more death, nor sorrow, nor
00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:03.123
Crying, nor pain, for those things are gone forever."
00:12:03.123 --> 00:12:07.728
We know that jesus christ is coming back, and he will make
00:12:07.728 --> 00:12:11.631
Every wrong right.
00:12:11.631 --> 00:12:17.270
I'm now gonna take a sip of water.
00:12:19.306 --> 00:12:23.777
I heard about a guy who loved to study the book of
00:12:23.777 --> 00:12:26.012
Revelation, and he had no theological training whatsoever.
00:12:26.012 --> 00:12:30.484
And he was criticized and ridiculed by some friends who
00:12:30.484 --> 00:12:36.089
Were, well, they consider themselves wiser theologians.
00:12:36.089 --> 00:12:40.761
And they said, "you cannot understand the book
00:12:40.761 --> 00:12:43.163
Of revelation."
00:12:43.163 --> 00:12:44.698
They said, "it's an enigma.
00:12:44.698 --> 00:12:46.500
No one can understand it."
00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.901
The man says, "but i do understand the book
00:12:47.901 --> 00:12:51.037
Of revelation."
00:12:51.037 --> 00:12:52.472
They said, "okay, explain it."
00:12:52.472 --> 00:12:53.974
He says, "all right.
00:12:53.974 --> 00:12:55.342
The book of revelation, summed up, says this.
00:12:55.342 --> 00:12:58.678
'we win in the end.'"
00:12:58.678 --> 00:13:00.547
And that's true, we win in the end.
00:13:00.547 --> 00:13:03.316
And speaking of revelation, studying that book, in
00:13:06.453 --> 00:13:09.256
Particular, and bible prophecy, in general, brings a blessing
00:13:09.256 --> 00:13:14.394
To us.
00:13:14.394 --> 00:13:15.762
In revelation 1:3, it says, "blessed is he who reads and
00:13:15.762 --> 00:13:20.834
Those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep the things
00:13:20.834 --> 00:13:24.571
That are written in them for the time is near."
00:13:24.571 --> 00:13:28.775
There's a blessing promised uniquely to the person who
00:13:28.775 --> 00:13:32.779
Studies the book of revelation.
00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:35.649
So the reason we learn about the future is to motivate us to live
00:13:35.649 --> 00:13:39.820
Right in the present.
00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:41.488
What you believe about the end times will affect how you live
00:13:41.488 --> 00:13:45.725
In these times.
00:13:45.725 --> 00:13:47.761
But here's really my point in this message, summed up, is how
00:13:47.761 --> 00:13:54.100
Should this affect us?
00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.468
If i really believe that jesus could come back in any
00:13:55.468 --> 00:13:58.505
Moment--let me take a quick poll, how many of you believe
00:13:58.505 --> 00:14:01.508
Jesus could come back at any moment?
00:14:01.508 --> 00:14:03.710
Raise your hand, okay, if you really--the guy in the hawaiian
00:14:03.710 --> 00:14:06.813
Shirt didn't raise his hand.
00:14:06.813 --> 00:14:08.248
Sir, i'm looking at you still.
00:14:08.248 --> 00:14:11.451
He doesn't know i'm talking to him, okay.
00:14:11.451 --> 00:14:13.386
He's looking somewhere else, what's happening?
00:14:13.386 --> 00:14:15.121
All right, that's okay.
00:14:15.121 --> 00:14:16.957
Maybe you don't believe it.
00:14:16.957 --> 00:14:18.291
Maybe you will believe it by the time this message is over, but
00:14:18.291 --> 00:14:21.361
Here's my point.
00:14:21.361 --> 00:14:22.696
If you believe it, it should affect you in the way that
00:14:22.696 --> 00:14:26.533
You live.
00:14:26.533 --> 00:14:27.901
It's worth noting that whenever you read what the bible says
00:14:27.901 --> 00:14:31.171
About our future, there is also an exhortation, or word of
00:14:31.171 --> 00:14:36.776
Encouragement, to us to live a godly life.
00:14:36.776 --> 00:14:40.680
Let me say that again.
00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:42.015
Whenever you read in the bible about the imminent return of
00:14:42.015 --> 00:14:45.752
Jesus, there is always a word to us about living a godly life.
00:14:45.752 --> 00:14:50.824
Example, 2 peter 3:11, "since everything around us is gonna be
00:14:50.824 --> 00:14:54.995
Destroyed, what holy and godly lives should we be living?"
00:14:54.995 --> 00:15:00.934
So it's important that we apply these things.
00:15:00.934 --> 00:15:03.837
So some people say, well, bible prophecy is so hard
00:15:03.837 --> 00:15:07.240
To understand.
00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.608
Well, i don't think that's necessarily true.
00:15:08.608 --> 00:15:11.211
The very word "revelation" means the unveiling, the unveiling.
00:15:11.211 --> 00:15:15.949
It is not god's desire to conceal, but to reveal.
00:15:15.949 --> 00:15:21.922
And bible prophecy is not given to scare us, but to prepare us,
00:15:21.922 --> 00:15:28.028
So we will be ready to meet the lord.
00:15:28.028 --> 00:15:30.664
It's interesting that paul writing of the rapture said,
00:15:30.664 --> 00:15:34.067
"brothers, i don't want you to be ignorant."
00:15:34.067 --> 00:15:37.270
When jesus is talking about something called the abomination
00:15:37.270 --> 00:15:40.440
Of desolation in matthew 24, this little detail is added, let
00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:45.612
The reader understand.
00:15:45.612 --> 00:15:47.814
So god wants us to understand these things.
00:15:47.814 --> 00:15:50.083
It matters, it's important.
00:15:50.083 --> 00:15:52.352
And, of course, john tells us if we have this hope, it will
00:15:52.352 --> 00:15:56.790
Purify us even as he is pure.
00:15:56.790 --> 00:16:00.961
Your life should be affected by what you believe, but i think a
00:16:00.961 --> 00:16:04.331
Lot of us just miss it all together.
00:16:04.331 --> 00:16:07.334
And if it isn't affecting you in the way that you live, then
00:16:07.334 --> 00:16:10.070
You've missed the point.
00:16:10.070 --> 00:16:11.404
Reminds me of an old farmer, and his name was jeb.
00:16:11.404 --> 00:16:15.742
And he had an amazing dog.
00:16:15.742 --> 00:16:17.444
His dog walked on water, true story.
00:16:17.444 --> 00:16:23.149
And he wanted to impress his neighbor named clem, who wasn't
00:16:23.149 --> 00:16:27.087
Impressed by anything.
00:16:27.087 --> 00:16:28.989
So they went out duck hunting.
00:16:28.989 --> 00:16:31.191
So here's jeb with this dog that walks on water and clem,
00:16:31.191 --> 00:16:34.361
And they're firing off some shots.
00:16:34.361 --> 00:16:36.496
And a bird falls into the middle of the lake, and the dog of
00:16:36.496 --> 00:16:40.500
Clem goes running out--or jeb, jeb, let's keep the names
00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:43.803
Right, jeb, jeb, jeb's dog goes running across the top of
00:16:43.803 --> 00:16:48.008
The water, picks up the duck, runs back again across the top
00:16:48.008 --> 00:16:52.379
Of the water, drops the duck at the feet of the two farmers.
00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:56.983
And then jeb turns to clem and says, "what do you think
00:16:56.983 --> 00:16:59.185
About that?"
00:16:59.185 --> 00:17:00.553
Clem kind of kicks the dirt a little bit and says, "i don't
00:17:00.553 --> 00:17:03.490
Think your dog knows how to swim."
00:17:03.490 --> 00:17:08.361
Talk about missing the point.
00:17:08.361 --> 00:17:11.331
So if i study bible prophecy, and it doesn't affect me in the
00:17:11.331 --> 00:17:15.101
Way that i live, i have missed the point.
00:17:15.101 --> 00:17:19.239
All right, so let's talk about how it should affect us here in
00:17:19.239 --> 00:17:22.942
James chapter 5, verses 7 to 11, we read the words from scripture
00:17:22.942 --> 00:17:29.783
On how we are to live as we await the lord's return.
00:17:29.783 --> 00:17:34.220
"dear brothers and sisters," james writes, "be patient as you
00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:38.324
Wait for the lord's return.
00:17:38.324 --> 00:17:40.260
Consider the farmers who patiently wait for rains in the
00:17:40.260 --> 00:17:44.064
Fall, and in the spring, they eagerly look for the viable
00:17:44.064 --> 00:17:47.333
Harvest to reap.
00:17:47.333 --> 00:17:48.735
You, too, must be patient.
00:17:48.735 --> 00:17:51.004
Take courage, for the coming of the lord is near.
00:17:51.004 --> 00:17:54.441
Don't crumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you'll
00:17:54.441 --> 00:17:57.510
Be judged.
00:17:57.510 --> 00:17:58.845
For look, the judge is standing at the door.
00:17:58.845 --> 00:18:01.881
For examples of patience and sufferings, dear brothers and
00:18:01.881 --> 00:18:05.785
Sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of
00:18:05.785 --> 00:18:09.622
The lord.
00:18:09.622 --> 00:18:10.957
We give great honor to those who endure such suffering.
00:18:10.957 --> 00:18:13.560
For instance, you know all about job, a man of great endurance.
00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:17.063
You can see how the lord was kind to him in the end, for the
00:18:17.063 --> 00:18:19.966
Lord is full of tenderness and mercy."
00:18:19.966 --> 00:18:22.735
We'll stop there.
00:18:22.735 --> 00:18:24.104
So what are the takeaway truths from this text?
00:18:24.104 --> 00:18:27.240
How should we live in the light of the fact that christ could
00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:30.076
Come back at any moment?
00:18:30.076 --> 00:18:31.878
First of all, we need to be patient.
00:18:31.878 --> 00:18:34.781
Verse 7, "be patient, dear brothers and sisters, be patient
00:18:34.781 --> 00:18:40.386
As you wait for the lord's return."
00:18:40.386 --> 00:18:43.456
The word used here for patience is not speaking of a passive
00:18:43.456 --> 00:18:47.127
Resignation, but rather a patient expectant waiting for
00:18:47.127 --> 00:18:52.665
The lord.
00:18:52.665 --> 00:18:54.033
In other words, an excitement, living in a state of readiness.
00:18:54.033 --> 00:18:58.605
Maybe you're gonna take a trip to someplace wonderful.
00:18:58.605 --> 00:19:01.407
It's your vacation.
00:19:01.407 --> 00:19:02.742
You have your bags packed.
00:19:02.742 --> 00:19:04.244
You can't wait to get up in the morning.
00:19:04.244 --> 00:19:06.412
Or think about the way you used to feel when you were
00:19:06.412 --> 00:19:09.816
A kid on christmas morning.
00:19:09.816 --> 00:19:12.285
You wanted your parents to wake up so you can
00:19:12.285 --> 00:19:14.954
Open up the presents under the tree.
00:19:14.954 --> 00:19:17.357
This is how the christian should be acting and feeling
00:19:17.357 --> 00:19:20.994
As they await the lord's return.
00:19:20.994 --> 00:19:23.429
The word patient means be ready, be excited.
00:19:23.429 --> 00:19:27.200
Some of us are just biding our time.
00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:30.170
Others are even spiritually asleep.
00:19:30.170 --> 00:19:33.506
Speaking to this mentality, paul writes in romans 13, "listen,
00:19:33.506 --> 00:19:38.778
Understanding the present time, the hour has come.
00:19:38.778 --> 00:19:42.015
It's time for you to wake up from your slumber because your
00:19:42.015 --> 00:19:45.185
Salvation is nearer than when you first believed.
00:19:45.185 --> 00:19:48.321
The night is nearly over.
00:19:48.321 --> 00:19:50.023
The day is almost here."
00:19:50.023 --> 00:19:51.658
But then he goes on, and he gets specific, and he says in romans
00:19:51.658 --> 00:19:55.328
13:12, "so in light of this, put aside the deeds of darkness.
00:19:55.328 --> 00:20:01.267
Put on the armor of light.
00:20:01.267 --> 00:20:02.735
Let's behave decently as in the daytime, not in orgies and
00:20:02.735 --> 00:20:06.539
Drunkenness, not in sexual immorality or debauchery or in
00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:11.311
Dissension and jealousy."
00:20:11.311 --> 00:20:13.246
So we need to be waiting.
00:20:13.246 --> 00:20:15.648
And he compares us to farmers.
00:20:15.648 --> 00:20:18.284
Now, i'm not really much of a farmer or a gardener, but some
00:20:18.284 --> 00:20:21.955
Of you may be, and you know what it's like to plant a crop
00:20:21.955 --> 00:20:25.091
And wait.
00:20:25.091 --> 00:20:26.426
You know what it's like to plant a seed and water it and wait for
00:20:26.426 --> 00:20:29.929
It to grow into a healthy plant.
00:20:29.929 --> 00:20:32.432
It takes patience to do that sort of thing.
00:20:32.432 --> 00:20:35.034
And we're in a culture, we don't like to wait for anything.
00:20:35.034 --> 00:20:38.871
You know, you get it so quickly--you know, microwave
00:20:38.871 --> 00:20:42.909
Seems slow to me now, you know, just, like really?
00:20:42.909 --> 00:20:46.479
Two minutes and 30 seconds i have to wait?
00:20:46.479 --> 00:20:50.483
That's so much time.
00:20:50.483 --> 00:20:52.118
And everything comes so fast.
00:20:52.118 --> 00:20:54.020
You wanna buy something, you don't have to drive down to the
00:20:54.020 --> 00:20:57.123
Mall, find a parking space, and see if they even have it
00:20:57.123 --> 00:21:00.326
In stock.
00:21:00.326 --> 00:21:01.661
You just go to amazon prime and you might even get
00:21:01.661 --> 00:21:04.030
Same day delivery.
00:21:04.030 --> 00:21:05.531
Hungry, call uber eats.
00:21:05.531 --> 00:21:08.001
You wanna hear that song, you can download it immediately.
00:21:08.001 --> 00:21:11.704
So we take the same mentality and we're saying, why is jesus
00:21:11.704 --> 00:21:15.208
Not coming back right now?
00:21:15.208 --> 00:21:17.143
He'll come back at the appointed moment.
00:21:17.143 --> 00:21:20.813
The bible says in galatians, "when the time was just right,
00:21:20.813 --> 00:21:25.151
God sent forth his son born of a woman, made under the law, to
00:21:25.151 --> 00:21:29.255
Redeem those that are under the law that we might receive the
00:21:29.255 --> 00:21:32.759
Adoption of sons whereby we cry abba father."
00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:36.763
When the time is just right.
00:21:36.763 --> 00:21:38.798
When the time was just right, jesus was born in the manger
00:21:38.798 --> 00:21:43.303
Of bethlehem.
00:21:43.303 --> 00:21:44.671
It was an appointed time.
00:21:44.671 --> 00:21:46.472
And when the time is just right, christ will return again.
00:21:46.472 --> 00:21:51.911
We don't make that time come sooner nor do we postpone it
00:21:51.911 --> 00:21:57.250
Until later.
00:21:57.250 --> 00:21:58.584
It's an appointed time that god has determined and god
00:21:58.584 --> 00:22:01.988
Has established.
00:22:01.988 --> 00:22:03.323
But i think there is a reason that jesus has not come back.
00:22:03.323 --> 00:22:06.959
And that reason is simply this.
00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:08.961
He's waiting for more people to believe.
00:22:08.961 --> 00:22:12.432
It's as simple as that.
00:22:12.432 --> 00:22:13.766
He's waiting for more people to believe.
00:22:13.766 --> 00:22:16.569
Because 2 peter 3:9 says, "the lord is not slow in keeping his
00:22:16.569 --> 00:22:20.306
Promise," as some men count slowness, it said, "he's patient
00:22:20.306 --> 00:22:23.776
With you, not wanting any to perish, but he wants everyone to
00:22:23.776 --> 00:22:28.081
Come to repentance."
00:22:28.081 --> 00:22:30.083
Jesus is saying, "i want more souls to be saved."
00:22:30.083 --> 00:22:33.086
We say, lord, come back.
00:22:33.086 --> 00:22:35.388
Don't you see how evil this world is?
00:22:35.388 --> 00:22:37.924
How corrupt things have become?
00:22:37.924 --> 00:22:39.559
How dark things are?
00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.893
Why don't you come back?
00:22:40.893 --> 00:22:42.261
Jesus says, "i want a few more souls to be saved."
00:22:42.261 --> 00:22:46.432
I rewatched a film that i'd seen some years ago called
00:22:46.432 --> 00:22:50.536
"hacksaw ridge," directed by mel gibson.
00:22:50.536 --> 00:22:54.574
And it's based on the true story of a man named desmond doss,
00:22:54.574 --> 00:22:59.112
Who served our nation in world war ii.
00:22:59.112 --> 00:23:01.881
Now, desmond was a strong believer.
00:23:01.881 --> 00:23:04.517
He had faith in christ, and he did not feel it was right for
00:23:04.517 --> 00:23:08.454
Him to carry or use a weapon.
00:23:08.454 --> 00:23:11.357
He wanted to serve instead as a medic.
00:23:11.357 --> 00:23:14.227
And so when they were going through basic training, a lot of
00:23:14.227 --> 00:23:17.263
His fellow soldiers mocked him.
00:23:17.263 --> 00:23:19.232
They called him a coward because he wouldn't pick up a gun.
00:23:19.232 --> 00:23:22.802
But he got through the system and was made a medic.
00:23:22.802 --> 00:23:25.605
And they went to battle, and they were at a place called
00:23:25.605 --> 00:23:28.474
Hacksaw ridge where they were fighting the forces of japan.
00:23:28.474 --> 00:23:32.712
And all of a sudden they realized that desmond doss was
00:23:32.712 --> 00:23:36.549
The most courageous among them.
00:23:36.549 --> 00:23:38.851
And after they had--his group had already left that ridge, he
00:23:38.851 --> 00:23:43.656
Kept going back up and saving life after life.
00:23:43.656 --> 00:23:47.627
All in all, he saved 75 men, and he was given the medal of honor
00:23:47.627 --> 00:23:51.998
By president truman.
00:23:51.998 --> 00:23:53.900
And one of the beautiful scenes in the film is it shows desmond
00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:57.703
Doss crawling on the ground, fire going over his head, and
00:23:57.703 --> 00:24:02.408
He's saying one more, lord.
00:24:02.408 --> 00:24:04.243
I wanna save one more.
00:24:04.243 --> 00:24:05.978
And he went back for another, and he went back for another.
00:24:05.978 --> 00:24:09.382
And i thought, that's how we ought to be.
00:24:09.382 --> 00:24:11.617
One more, lord, one more, lord.
00:24:11.617 --> 00:24:17.623
I don't save people.
00:24:17.623 --> 00:24:19.692
You don't save people.
00:24:19.692 --> 00:24:21.494
God does the saving.
00:24:21.494 --> 00:24:23.196
We do the sowing.
00:24:23.196 --> 00:24:24.764
We do the watering.
00:24:24.764 --> 00:24:26.332
And, occasionally, we do the reaping.
00:24:26.332 --> 00:24:29.402
Now, maybe there's some of us who the lord has not called to
00:24:29.402 --> 00:24:32.972
Bring a lot of people into the kingdom, but in that final day,
00:24:32.972 --> 00:24:37.210
You're not gonna be judged on success, but on faithfulness.
00:24:37.210 --> 00:24:41.481
Jesus does not say, well done, good, and successful servant.
00:24:41.481 --> 00:24:45.918
You had more than anybody else, you win.
00:24:45.918 --> 00:24:48.855
It's not about that, it's faithfulness.
00:24:48.855 --> 00:24:51.357
Were you faithful to god and what he said before you?
00:24:51.357 --> 00:24:56.496
That's really the issue.
00:24:56.496 --> 00:24:58.197
That's what the judgment seat is all about.
00:24:58.197 --> 00:25:01.200
But you never know, you know, because that one you have
00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:05.071
Reached may then reach one more, who maybe in 30 years reaches
00:25:05.071 --> 00:25:10.943
One more.
00:25:10.943 --> 00:25:12.311
And down the road they reach this one person that goes and
00:25:12.311 --> 00:25:15.314
Changes the world, and you can literally trace the salvation of
00:25:15.314 --> 00:25:20.453
That person back a couple of generations to the initial seed
00:25:20.453 --> 00:25:25.191
That you sowed.
00:25:25.191 --> 00:25:32.565
Greg: there are so many things to be worried about right now,
00:25:36.802 --> 00:25:39.105
Aren't there?
00:25:39.105 --> 00:25:40.439
The worrying about terrorism, worry about your personal
00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:43.276
Safety, violent crime, the economy, the list goes on.
00:25:43.276 --> 00:25:47.213
Here's what the bible says, "don't worry about anything.
00:25:47.213 --> 00:25:50.950
Pray about everything.
00:25:50.950 --> 00:25:53.252
Turn your panic into prayer.
00:25:53.252 --> 00:25:56.322
Jesus said, "come unto me, all of you that are laboring and are
00:25:56.322 --> 00:25:59.492
Heavy laden, i will give you rest."
00:25:59.492 --> 00:26:02.061
Give your burdens, give your problems over to god and let him
00:26:02.061 --> 00:26:06.566
Give you his peace in your heart.
00:26:06.566 --> 00:26:10.836
Let me send to you, at no charge, what i call a
00:26:10.836 --> 00:26:14.040
"new believer's bible" to help you grow in a relationship with
00:26:14.040 --> 00:26:19.045
God and learn how to turn your panic into prayer
00:26:19.045 --> 00:26:22.949
And your worry into worship.
00:26:22.949 --> 00:26:26.919
Greg: you know, when you say to a new believer, "start reading
00:26:31.123 --> 00:26:34.360
The bible," but they don't know where to start, do they?
00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:37.697
So, we have a special edition of the bible
00:26:37.697 --> 00:26:41.334
Called the new believer's bible.
00:26:41.334 --> 00:26:43.502
I wrote thousands of notes for it, and i sort of see it as what
00:26:43.502 --> 00:26:48.207
I would do if i was sitting down with a person over a cup of
00:26:48.207 --> 00:26:51.177
Coffee and explaining the basics of the christian life to them.
00:26:51.177 --> 00:26:56.215
There's over 10 million copies of this bible in print, but
00:26:56.215 --> 00:26:59.952
Here's the exciting news.
00:26:59.952 --> 00:27:01.887
We have personally given out 700,000 of these at no charge to
00:27:01.887 --> 00:27:06.993
People to help them in their spiritual journey.
00:27:06.993 --> 00:27:11.030
So, we need your help to keep doing this, so let's invest in
00:27:11.030 --> 00:27:15.635
The spiritual future of people that are going to come to christ
00:27:15.635 --> 00:27:19.405
Who will get a copy of the new believer's bible for themself.
00:27:19.405 --> 00:27:23.342
Thank you for your financial support.
00:27:23.342 --> 00:27:25.378
Together, we can change lives.
00:27:25.378 --> 00:27:28.080

Greg Laurie - The Future Is Written

February 5, 2026 | 27:29

Closed captions

Share