Greg Laurie - What Is The Mark Of The Beast?

April 23, 2025 | S25:E97

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

#GregLaurie #Enemy #God'sWill #Revelation #Religion #Plan #inActive #Satan #EndTimes #Tribulation #LastDays #Rapture #Devil #Signs&Wonders #Antichrist #MarkoftheBeast #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #666

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - What Is The Mark Of The Beast? | April 23, 2025

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Greg laurie: hi, i'm greg laurie, and i'm so glad you've
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Joined us, because god's word is full of promises.
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It's alive, it's powerful, and it can change your life.
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So, let's get started.
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♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪
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♪ this is the day, ♪
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♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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Greg: so, i went to the market the other day, and i
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Bought a few groceries; and as i was leaving, they had a nice
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Little flower section.
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And i was looking around at different flowers.
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And i usually get my wife orchids.
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She favors those.
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But then i saw something i rarely see.
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They had tulips.
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In fact, these are the tulips i bought for her.
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And i thought, "wow, those are beautiful."
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So, i paid for them, and they cost a little more than i
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Thought they should, but they were so impressive, i thought,
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"i've gotta give her these tulips."
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And as i'm walking to my car, i'm looking at them, saying,
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"what a marvel of god's creation.
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They're so perfect.
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They almost look fake.
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I can't believe these things."
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So, i get home, and i put them in this little jar here, and i
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Put some water in it, and i wanted to cut the stems,
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You know.
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And so, i get a knife out, and they're not cutting.
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I get a more stronger knife out, still not cutting.
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I thought, "wow, i didn't know tulips had stems that
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Were so tough."
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So, cathe comes home a little later, and i said,
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"i got you some tulips."
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And so, then she went to cut the stems, and she said,
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"greg, these tulips you bought me are fake."
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I bought my wife fake tulips.
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So, i have a real tulip here for comparison.
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But, boy, they do look a lot like the real one.
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So, this is a real tulip here, and this is a fake tulip.
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The white one is real.
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The green one is fake.
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But look how close they are.
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I don't know that you could really tell the difference, if
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You didn't know better.
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Okay, so why are we talking about flowers?
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You're asking. i have no idea.
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I just wanted to tell you that story.
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No, seriously.
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There is coming a world leader on the scene who's going to be,
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For lack of a better description, a fake christ,
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A phony jesus.
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He's called the antichrist.
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Jesus said in the last days there will come those that will
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Say, "i am christ," and that's exactly what this man will do,
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But he's a pretender.
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And we all know his number, don't we?
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It's 666.
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More people probably know that number from the bible than john
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3:16, which says, "for god so loved the world, he gave his
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Only begotten son, and whoever believes in him should not
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Perish, but have everlasting life."
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But we don't know that, but we know 666.
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We get nervous about that number.
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And if it's in your social security number, maybe you want
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To change it.
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If they give you a new phone number, and it has 666, i don't
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Know if i want that number.
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We know that number is connected to evil.
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We know that it points to something ominous
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And indeed it does.
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The bible teaches that there is coming this charismatic world
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Leader, the antichrist, who will introduce a cashless society,
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Requiring everyone to take a mark.
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No one will be able to buy or sell or engage in any kind of
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Commerce without the mark of the beast.
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And by the way, this may be one of the most intriguing issues in
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All of the bible.
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There's been more speculation, more sensationalism, more
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Silliness about this topic than any of the other
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Last days events.
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Now, maybe ten years ago, if i was teaching on this, i would
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Illustrate with some things i read in the news about how close
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We are to this mark, but i don't even need to do that
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Anymore, do i?
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We all know that the tech is pretty much here where we could
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Be identified by a mark.
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We read of microchips being implanted in pets and now in
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Some cases even in humans.
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I just saw a video for a well-known website where they're
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Saying you don't need a wallet anymore.
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You can just can your hand or wave your hand and make
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Your purchase.
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I hear that elon musk, the creator of tesla and spacex, has
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Implanted a little chip into the brain of a chimpanzee.
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And i saw a chimpanzee playing a video game with this
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Artificial intelligence added.
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So, clearly, we can see this tech is already here.
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Think about this.
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The bible predicted this technology that the antichrist
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Will harness and use for evil purposes 2000 years ago.
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John is on an island in the middle of nowhere, and the lord
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Gives to him what we call the revelation, which is the
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Unveiling of the eternal, the unveiling of the future.
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At this time, there were no computers, or tablets,
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Or smart phones.
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This was the age of spears, and stones, and wood.
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This was incredible that john would have this kind of insight.
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And by the way, that's why you can believe the bible.
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It's the one book that dares to predict the future.
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Not once, not twice, but hundreds of times with
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100% accuracy.
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Okay, so let's read that passage.
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That refers to the mark of the beast.
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Revelation 13, verse 16 says, "he causes all, both small and
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Great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on
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Their right hand or on their foreheads, and no one can buy or
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Sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the
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Number of his name.
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Here is wisdom.
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Let him that has understanding calculate the number of the
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Beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666."
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So, god has predicted the future, hasn't he?
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And by the way, that's not risky for the lord.
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It wouldn't be any more risky for god to predict the future
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Than for you to tell me what you had for dinner last night.
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I hope you can remember what you had.
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And so, when the lord speaks of the future, it's easy.
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Why?
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Because god lives in the eternal realm.
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So, everything is in a continuum to him.
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So, when he says this will happen, he knows it will happen
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Exactly as he says it will.
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I love this passage, isaiah 46, verse 9.
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The lord says, "do not forget the things that i've done
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Through history, for i am god.
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I alone, i am god, and there is no one else like me.
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Only i can tell you what is going to happen
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Before it happens.
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Everything i plan will come to pass, for i do whatever i wish."
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How true is that?
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So, the lord has told us this is coming.
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We know it will, but we don't know when it
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Will happen exactly.
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You know, there's a lot of speculations and i mentioned
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Recently, conspiracy theories that people come up with about
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The antichrist, trying to identify him, which is a bad
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Idea, and it's futile, and trying to figure out what the
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Mark of the beast might be.
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Now because of the coronavirus, we have the vaccines that are
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Available to the public.
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And on more than one occasion, i've read articles about is the
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Vaccine the mark of the beast?
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If you take the vaccine, are you indeed taking the mark
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Of the beast?
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So, i'm going to answer that right now, to the best
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Of my ability.
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The answer is no.
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It is not the mark of the beast.
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No one's going to take the mark of the beast accidentally;
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Because, in fact, as we study scripture, we realize it's not
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Just taking the mark on your right hand or forehead.
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It's a pledge of allegiance to the antichrist himself.
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No one is going to take it by accident.
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And by the way, the antichrist will not be revealed until the
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Rapture of the church.
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So, if you know who the antichrist is and you think you
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Know what the mark of the beast is, congratulations.
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You missed the rapture.
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Now, i'm being factitious, of course, because we don't know.
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So, the point is it's pointless to try to identify antichrist or
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Even the mark that he will use.
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Let me summarize.
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The mark of the beast is future, not past or even present, yet.
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The mark is a visible literal brand of sorts.
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The mark will be given as a sign of devotion to antichrist and as
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A passport to commerce.
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And here's the thing.
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You'll know it when you're getting it.
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There's even an angel that is going to fly through the heavens
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Warning people to not take the mark.
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So, no one's gonna do it, again, by accident.
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So, don't freak out if you go to disneyland and they put a stamp
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On your right hand.
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It's okay.
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You have not taken the mark of the beast.
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But when this mark is employed during the great tribulation
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Period, that lasts for seven years.
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There's gonna be a one world government, a new global economy
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Ruled by one man.
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You'll have a choice during the tribulation period.
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You can either take the mark and worship the antichrist
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Or starve.
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Basically, no mark, no merchandise.
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No seal, no sale.
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One thing is clear.
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We've never been closer to the lord's return than we are at
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This moment.
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Greg: hey, everybody, greg laurie with some
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Thoughts on the devil.
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I know we don't like to talk about him, but it's important to
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Understand our adversary.
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Let me tell you something that might surprise you about satan.
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He is quite orthodox in his beliefs.
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Now, let me explain.
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I'm not suggesting that he's a believer by any stretch of the
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Imagination.
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Actually, he is the great opponent to god.
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But, for instance, the bible says the demons
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Believe and tremble.
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The devil knows and the demons know that god is real.
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The devil is neither agnostic nor atheist.
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Number two, the devil believes that jesus is god; because in
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The temptation in the wilderness, he said to christ,
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"if you're the son of god, turn this rock into
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A piece of bread."
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But a better translation would be, "since you're the son of
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God--" the devil also believes the bible is the word of god.
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He hates it, he opposes it, but he knows it's true, and he also
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Knows that jesus is coming back again.
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We read in revelation that the devil knows he has a little
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Time, and that is why he is wrecking so much havoc
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In the last days.
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And yes, i believe we're living in the last days.
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So, the devil is active, trying to cause trouble, trying to keep
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People from coming to christ, trying to cause division among
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Christians, and on the list goes.
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If the devil and the demons are so motivated to their dirty work
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As christ is approaching, should we not, as christians, be doing
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As much, if not more?
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Let's apply ourselves.
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Jesus is coming.
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Let's tell someone about him and engage them in a conversation
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About christ.
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Greg: now we shift gears from revelation 13 to revelation 14.
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We go from horrific things happening on planet earth to
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Some amazing things happening up in heaven.
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So, look at your bible again.
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Revelation 14, starting in verse 1, john writes, "then i looked,
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And behold, a lamb standing on mount zion, and with him a
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Hundred and forty-four thousand, having his father's name written
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On their foreheads.
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And i heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters,
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And like the voice of loud thunder.
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And i heard the sound of harpists playing their harps,
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And they sang as it were a new song before the throne, before
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The four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could
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Learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand
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Who were redeemed from the earth.
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These are ones who have not defiled themselves with women,
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For they're virgins.
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They are the ones who follow the lamb wherever he goes.
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They've been redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to god
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And the lamb.
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And in their mouth was found no deceit, and they're without
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Fault before the throne of god."
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So, 144,000.
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Remember them?
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We read about them earlier in the book of revelation, and god
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Had protected them in revelation chapter 7.
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Wherever they went, god watched over them, and they're
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Proclaiming the gospel.
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Who are the 144,000?
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They're jewish people who have put their faith in jesus as
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Their messiah.
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But now we see they're not on earth.
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They're in heaven.
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Notice, it's not 143,999 that made it to heaven.
00:13:12.701 --> 00:13:19.408
No, all 144,000 make it to glory.
00:13:19.408 --> 00:13:24.747
And that reminds us of the statement of jesus in john 18:9,
00:13:24.747 --> 00:13:28.117
"of those whom you have given me, i have not lost one."
00:13:28.117 --> 00:13:32.888
Now, as we wrap this message up, here are four takeaway truths
00:13:32.888 --> 00:13:37.693
About the 144,000 that apply to you.
00:13:37.693 --> 00:13:41.597
Remember, these are mere mortals.
00:13:41.597 --> 00:13:43.999
They're not angelic beings.
00:13:43.999 --> 00:13:46.101
They're not superheroes.
00:13:46.101 --> 00:13:48.270
They're people who've been called by god.
00:13:48.270 --> 00:13:51.240
And these principles that are true of them can also be true of
00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:54.777
Every follower of jesus christ.
00:13:54.777 --> 00:13:57.780
Number one, they have the mark of the father in heaven, not the
00:13:57.780 --> 00:14:02.218
Mark of the antichrist.
00:14:02.218 --> 00:14:04.653
So, all marks are not bad.
00:14:04.653 --> 00:14:06.722
Revelation 14:1, "having his father's name written
00:14:06.722 --> 00:14:10.993
On their foreheads."
00:14:10.993 --> 00:14:13.028
The father's name.
00:14:13.028 --> 00:14:14.430
You know, you have a choice as to who your father will be.
00:14:14.430 --> 00:14:17.533
You can either make god your father, or you can be, as jesus
00:14:17.533 --> 00:14:20.970
Said, "of your father the devil."
00:14:20.970 --> 00:14:23.606
So, we have an id tag on us.
00:14:23.606 --> 00:14:26.308
God can read it, and the devil can read it.
00:14:26.308 --> 00:14:29.912
And when he sees that id tag, he has to back off, because you are
00:14:29.912 --> 00:14:34.283
God's property, and the lord will protect his investment.
00:14:34.283 --> 00:14:38.587
Number two, another thing about the 144,000, they sing
00:14:38.587 --> 00:14:42.191
A new song.
00:14:42.191 --> 00:14:43.592
I love this. they sing a new song.
00:14:43.592 --> 00:14:45.995
Do you have a new song in your life?
00:14:45.995 --> 00:14:47.963
Look at revelation 14 again.
00:14:47.963 --> 00:14:50.266
"and i heard the voice of loud thunder and the voice and sound
00:14:50.266 --> 00:14:54.003
Of harpists playing their harps, and they sang, as it were, a new
00:14:54.003 --> 00:14:58.374
Song before the lord."
00:14:58.374 --> 00:15:00.676
Now, a harp is a beautiful instrument, is it not?
00:15:00.676 --> 00:15:04.079
So majestic.
00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:05.748
And, of course, we think of it as heavenly, because we read of
00:15:05.748 --> 00:15:09.285
Harps in heaven.
00:15:09.285 --> 00:15:10.653
But remember, a harp is a stringed instrument.
00:15:10.653 --> 00:15:13.455
So, we could just as easily say they played their electric
00:15:13.455 --> 00:15:16.859
Guitars, or the ukuleles, or their mandolins, or
00:15:16.859 --> 00:15:20.896
Whatever it is.
00:15:20.896 --> 00:15:22.298
But these stringed instruments are being used to bring glory
00:15:22.298 --> 00:15:26.001
And honor to god.
00:15:26.001 --> 00:15:28.370
But listen to this. every believer has a new song.
00:15:28.370 --> 00:15:32.942
Over in psalm 40, verse 2, the psalmist writes, "he lifted me
00:15:32.942 --> 00:15:38.247
Out of a pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire, and he has
00:15:38.247 --> 00:15:42.551
Given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our god.
00:15:42.551 --> 00:15:48.791
Many will see what he has done and be astounded, and many will
00:15:48.791 --> 00:15:51.694
Put their trust in the lord."
00:15:51.694 --> 00:15:54.596
See, when you come to jesus, you're given a new song.
00:15:54.596 --> 00:15:57.733
You have a story to tell because god has lifted you and me
00:15:57.733 --> 00:16:02.805
And all of us out of a pit of despair.
00:16:02.805 --> 00:16:06.375
When's the last time you told someone your story
00:16:06.375 --> 00:16:08.744
Or sang your song?
00:16:08.744 --> 00:16:10.612
Now, i'm not suggesting you have to literally sing to people.
00:16:10.612 --> 00:16:13.782
Jesus came into my life, and he can come into yours, too.
00:16:13.782 --> 00:16:17.052
No, not like that. but the idea is tell your story.
00:16:17.052 --> 00:16:20.255
When's the last time you told your story about what christ has
00:16:20.255 --> 00:16:23.525
Done for you to someone who doesn't know the lord yet.
00:16:23.525 --> 00:16:27.463
It's a beautiful thing.
00:16:27.463 --> 00:16:28.797
Sharing your faith is life-giving.
00:16:28.797 --> 00:16:31.967
It actually replenishes you, as you do so.
00:16:31.967 --> 00:16:36.305
Listen, when you draw people to christ, you yourself
00:16:36.305 --> 00:16:40.376
Will be drawn to christ.
00:16:40.376 --> 00:16:43.245
When we make him known to others, we effectively
00:16:43.245 --> 00:16:45.447
Know him better.
00:16:45.447 --> 00:16:47.549
I can make--on telling my story to someone, and
00:16:47.549 --> 00:16:51.120
I'm remembering all that god has done for me, and it encourages
00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:54.590
Me, as i'm sharing it with them.
00:16:54.590 --> 00:16:57.760
These folks have a new song.
00:16:57.760 --> 00:17:00.963
Number three, the 144,000 are sincere in their faith.
00:17:00.963 --> 00:17:05.901
They're sincere in their faith.
00:17:05.901 --> 00:17:07.469
Look at revelation 14:5.
00:17:07.469 --> 00:17:09.104
"and in their mouth there was no deceit.
00:17:09.104 --> 00:17:11.807
They're without fault before the throne of god."
00:17:11.807 --> 00:17:15.244
This word "deceit" speaks of hypocrisy.
00:17:15.244 --> 00:17:18.747
There's no hypocrisy.
00:17:18.747 --> 00:17:20.883
There's no double standard.
00:17:20.883 --> 00:17:23.786
And sometimes people like to put on an act and appear to be
00:17:23.786 --> 00:17:27.389
Something they are not.
00:17:27.389 --> 00:17:29.091
And the technical definition of hypocrite in the bible is the
00:17:29.091 --> 00:17:33.295
Same word that is used for actor, an actor.
00:17:33.295 --> 00:17:36.732
So, who is an actor?
00:17:36.732 --> 00:17:38.133
It's someone that plays a part.
00:17:38.133 --> 00:17:39.668
They learn the lines. they get their makeup on.
00:17:39.668 --> 00:17:42.337
They go to their spot, and they act.
00:17:42.337 --> 00:17:45.707
And that's what some people are doing.
00:17:45.707 --> 00:17:48.077
They're in the church.
00:17:48.077 --> 00:17:49.645
They've got the props, the bible, and they have the
00:17:49.645 --> 00:17:52.581
Verbiage down, but they're actors.
00:17:52.581 --> 00:17:55.717
They're fakers. they're phonies.
00:17:55.717 --> 00:17:58.187
They're not real.
00:17:58.187 --> 00:18:00.155
I think sometimes we misunderstand what hypocrisy is.
00:18:00.155 --> 00:18:03.926
We might see a christian lose their temper and scream, and
00:18:03.926 --> 00:18:06.895
You'll point an accusing finger at them and say,
00:18:06.895 --> 00:18:09.331
"you hypocrite."
00:18:09.331 --> 00:18:10.833
And even the way you say it, it's like, "you hypocrite,"
00:18:10.833 --> 00:18:14.536
Almost like people are enjoying it.
00:18:14.536 --> 00:18:16.105
Hypocrite.
00:18:16.105 --> 00:18:17.506
Now, just because a christian loses their temper, or does
00:18:17.506 --> 00:18:21.643
Something else that's wrong like that, it doesn't mean
00:18:21.643 --> 00:18:24.646
They're a hypocrite.
00:18:24.646 --> 00:18:26.014
It might just mean they're human.
00:18:26.014 --> 00:18:27.716
I'm not excusing it.
00:18:27.716 --> 00:18:29.318
I'm saying we're gonna sin, as christians.
00:18:29.318 --> 00:18:31.854
The bible says if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourself, and
00:18:31.854 --> 00:18:35.057
The truth is not in us.
00:18:35.057 --> 00:18:36.825
But that's not hypocrisy.
00:18:36.825 --> 00:18:38.527
That's just messing up. that's just sinning.
00:18:38.527 --> 00:18:40.796
Hypocrisy is when i put on an act and appear to be pious when
00:18:40.796 --> 00:18:44.933
I'm not really even a follower of jesus at all.
00:18:44.933 --> 00:18:48.670
Listen to this.
00:18:48.670 --> 00:18:50.038
Hypocrites are the ones who find fault in others, but never
00:18:50.038 --> 00:18:53.509
Themselves.
00:18:53.509 --> 00:18:55.110
Let me say that again.
00:18:55.110 --> 00:18:56.478
Hypocrites are the ones who find faults in others,
00:18:56.478 --> 00:19:00.048
Never themselves.
00:19:00.048 --> 00:19:01.450
So, the hypocrites are often the most judgmental, critical people
00:19:01.450 --> 00:19:05.687
Of all.
00:19:05.687 --> 00:19:08.056
The apostle paul feared being a hypocrite
00:19:08.056 --> 00:19:11.627
And being disqualified.
00:19:11.627 --> 00:19:13.595
And he spoke of it in 1 corinthians 9:27 when he said,
00:19:13.595 --> 00:19:18.400
"i discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what
00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:22.971
It should do; otherwise, when i preach to others, i myself would
00:19:22.971 --> 00:19:26.708
Be disqualified."
00:19:26.708 --> 00:19:29.144
We're almost done, one last point.
00:19:29.144 --> 00:19:31.780
The 144,000 follow the lamb wherever he goes.
00:19:31.780 --> 00:19:35.784
Look at verse 4. they follow the lamb.
00:19:35.784 --> 00:19:39.154
We should do that each and every day.
00:19:39.154 --> 00:19:42.558
We've all been called to follow the lamb or follow jesus.
00:19:42.558 --> 00:19:47.229
Jesus said, "if any man come after me, let him deny himself
00:19:47.229 --> 00:19:51.366
And take up the cross and follow me.
00:19:51.366 --> 00:19:54.536
For whoever will seek to save his life will lose it, and if
00:19:54.536 --> 00:19:57.139
You lose your life for my sake, you'll find it."
00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:59.875
I think sometimes people feel, "oh, if i follow jesus, i'm
00:19:59.875 --> 00:20:02.678
Going to give up all my fun, and all of my dreams, and
00:20:02.678 --> 00:20:06.548
Aspirations and just live this miserable life."
00:20:06.548 --> 00:20:10.085
That's the opposite of what is true.
00:20:10.085 --> 00:20:12.321
What did jesus say?
00:20:12.321 --> 00:20:13.989
"deny yourself, take up your cross."
00:20:13.989 --> 00:20:16.391
Yes, but then he said, "but if you seek to save your life,
00:20:16.391 --> 00:20:18.860
You'll lose it.
00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:20.262
But listen, if you lose your life, you'll find it."
00:20:20.262 --> 00:20:22.864
What this means is i say, "god, i want your will above my will.
00:20:22.864 --> 00:20:27.836
I want your plans over my plans," and you'll come to
00:20:27.836 --> 00:20:30.839
Discover god's plans for you are better than your plans for
00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:34.576
Yourself, and you'll see how much he loves you as
00:20:34.576 --> 00:20:38.380
Those plans unfold.
00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:40.716
Listen, following jesus is something we do
00:20:40.716 --> 00:20:43.819
Each and every day.
00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:45.721
He's not sunday jesus.
00:20:45.721 --> 00:20:47.356
He's monday jesus, tuesday jesus, wednesday, thursday,
00:20:47.356 --> 00:20:50.592
Friday, and saturday jesus.
00:20:50.592 --> 00:20:52.928
You followed him each and every day.
00:20:52.928 --> 00:20:55.297
And the phrase that jesus uses to matthew to follow him means,
00:20:55.297 --> 00:20:58.934
"follow with me."
00:20:58.934 --> 00:21:00.369
Or to put it another way, "let's walk together."
00:21:00.369 --> 00:21:03.272
Walking with god, not dragging god where i want god to go, but
00:21:03.272 --> 00:21:08.076
Getting in sync with god, discovering the will of god,
00:21:08.076 --> 00:21:12.481
Seeking to pray according to the will of god, and you can start
00:21:12.481 --> 00:21:16.585
Doing that right now; and when you do, you'll find the life
00:21:16.585 --> 00:21:20.656
You're looking for.
00:21:20.656 --> 00:21:22.124
And listen to this.
00:21:22.124 --> 00:21:23.525
If you know jesus now, he will know you then.
00:21:23.525 --> 00:21:27.696
If you say yes to jesus now, he'll say, "enter into my
00:21:27.696 --> 00:21:32.234
Kingdom then."
00:21:32.234 --> 00:21:33.802
But if you say, "i don't want jesus now," then he'll say,
00:21:33.802 --> 00:21:37.239
"depart from me, i never knew you," then.
00:21:37.239 --> 00:21:40.642
Question, "who are you following?
00:21:40.642 --> 00:21:43.578
Antichrist or jesus christ?
00:21:43.578 --> 00:21:47.516
Immanuel or jezebel?
00:21:47.516 --> 00:21:50.185
God or satan?"
00:21:50.185 --> 00:21:51.787
You say, "well, i'm not following satan, but i'm not
00:21:51.787 --> 00:21:54.690
Following jesus."
00:21:54.690 --> 00:21:56.058
Okay, you're following your father, who is evil, the evil
00:21:56.058 --> 00:22:02.197
One, the devil, if you're not following jesus.
00:22:02.197 --> 00:22:04.433
Listen to this.
00:22:04.433 --> 00:22:05.801
Jesus said, "you're for me or against me."
00:22:05.801 --> 00:22:07.969
I told you i became a christian when i was 17 years old.
00:22:07.969 --> 00:22:11.139
I lived this crazy life with my mother.
00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:13.408
I ended up getting into drugs myself for maybe
00:22:13.408 --> 00:22:16.945
A little over a year.
00:22:16.945 --> 00:22:18.447
I was drinking and partying and doing all these things i never
00:22:18.447 --> 00:22:20.882
Wanted to do, and i was empty, and i was searching.
00:22:20.882 --> 00:22:24.419
And i came upon this group of christians on my high school
00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:26.788
Campus, who were having a bible study and singing songs about
00:22:26.788 --> 00:22:30.258
The lord, and i sat down close enough to sort of eavesdrop on
00:22:30.258 --> 00:22:33.995
Their conversation, but not so close that my other friends,
00:22:33.995 --> 00:22:38.367
So-called, would think i'd joined up with the jesus freaks.
00:22:38.367 --> 00:22:42.170
And i watched them sing their songs.
00:22:42.170 --> 00:22:45.006
I saw the smiles on their faces.
00:22:45.006 --> 00:22:47.943
I remember thinking, "these poor deluded people, look at them,
00:22:47.943 --> 00:22:50.812
They're nuts."
00:22:50.812 --> 00:22:52.247
But then i tried a new thought on for size, which was,
00:22:52.247 --> 00:22:55.250
"what if they're right?
00:22:55.250 --> 00:22:56.718
What if they've found the truth?"
00:22:56.718 --> 00:22:58.253
I thought, "oh, no, that's not possible."
00:22:58.253 --> 00:23:00.222
I quickly dismissed it, and i returned to it.
00:23:00.222 --> 00:23:02.124
"what if it's all true?"
00:23:02.124 --> 00:23:03.658
And then a guy got up to speak. his name was lonnie.
00:23:03.658 --> 00:23:06.094
I don't remember most of his message, but i remember one
00:23:06.094 --> 00:23:08.363
Statement, when he said, jesus said, "you're for me
00:23:08.363 --> 00:23:12.868
Or you're against me."
00:23:12.868 --> 00:23:14.836
Now, i was not an atheist.
00:23:14.836 --> 00:23:17.272
Whenever i was in trouble, i called on jesus.
00:23:17.272 --> 00:23:20.475
But this was the first time i heard that i was either for or
00:23:20.475 --> 00:23:22.677
Against jesus.
00:23:22.677 --> 00:23:24.112
And i looked at those christians, and i thought,
00:23:24.112 --> 00:23:26.148
"well, i'm not one of them.
00:23:26.148 --> 00:23:28.817
Does that mean i'm against christ?"
00:23:28.817 --> 00:23:31.086
And that was the day i gave my life to jesus.
00:23:31.086 --> 00:23:33.522
Let me close by saying this.
00:23:33.522 --> 00:23:35.157
You are for or against jesus.
00:23:35.157 --> 00:23:37.626
This is an either/or proposition.
00:23:37.626 --> 00:23:39.628
Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart, and you have seen
00:23:42.464 --> 00:23:46.535
Your need for jesus christ.
00:23:46.535 --> 00:23:48.804
Jesus christ is the son of god, who came from heaven
00:23:48.804 --> 00:23:52.741
To this earth.
00:23:52.741 --> 00:23:54.276
He was born in a manger, he died on a cross, he rose again
00:23:54.276 --> 00:23:58.079
From the dead.
00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.514
Why?
00:23:59.514 --> 00:24:01.082
Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you.
00:24:01.082 --> 00:24:03.552
Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
00:24:03.552 --> 00:24:05.720
I don't want to be a religious person.
00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.656
I don't think you want to be one, either.
00:24:07.656 --> 00:24:09.658
I'm talking about relationship with god.
00:24:09.658 --> 00:24:13.228
Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life,
00:24:13.228 --> 00:24:17.566
And he knocks, and he says, if you'll hear his voice and open
00:24:17.566 --> 00:24:20.802
The door, he will come in.
00:24:20.802 --> 00:24:22.771
Question, "have you asked jesus christ to come and live
00:24:22.771 --> 00:24:25.307
Inside of you?"
00:24:25.307 --> 00:24:26.942
You might say, "well, i think so, i'm not sure."
00:24:26.942 --> 00:24:28.477
Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle of the
00:24:28.477 --> 00:24:31.179
Night, do you think you would be aware of it?
00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:34.182
I'm sure you would.
00:24:34.182 --> 00:24:35.951
And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
00:24:35.951 --> 00:24:38.887
You will know.
00:24:38.887 --> 00:24:40.789
And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in, yet.
00:24:40.789 --> 00:24:43.658
He's just a prayer away.
00:24:43.658 --> 00:24:45.560
All you need to do is say, "jesus, i want this relationship
00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:48.597
With you.
00:24:48.597 --> 00:24:49.931
I want you to forgive me of my sin.
00:24:49.931 --> 00:24:51.733
I want to go to heaven when i die."
00:24:51.733 --> 00:24:53.835
Would you like to do that?
00:24:53.835 --> 00:24:55.237
Would you like christ to come into your life?
00:24:55.237 --> 00:24:57.572
If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
00:24:57.572 --> 00:25:01.009
You could pray it out loud, or you could pray it in the
00:25:01.009 --> 00:25:03.278
Quietness of your heart, but this is a prayer where you're
00:25:03.278 --> 00:25:06.515
Asking jesus christ to be your savior and lord.
00:25:06.515 --> 00:25:09.885
Pray this with me now.
00:25:09.885 --> 00:25:11.486
"lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner, but i know that you're
00:25:11.486 --> 00:25:15.657
The savior, who died on the cross for my sin and rose again
00:25:15.657 --> 00:25:19.895
From the dead.
00:25:19.895 --> 00:25:21.296
Now come into my life.
00:25:21.296 --> 00:25:23.798
I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
00:25:23.798 --> 00:25:28.603
Thank you for hearing this prayer
00:25:28.603 --> 00:25:30.539
And answering this prayer.
00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:32.541
In jesus' name, amen."
00:25:32.541 --> 00:25:35.210
Did you just pray that prayer with me?
00:25:35.210 --> 00:25:37.445
If so, i want you to know, on the authority of scripture, that
00:25:37.445 --> 00:25:40.248
Christ himself has come to live inside of you, and i would love
00:25:40.248 --> 00:25:44.052
To send to you, at no charge, something called
00:25:44.052 --> 00:25:47.355
"the new believer's bible."
00:25:47.355 --> 00:25:49.024
It's a very friendly translation of the new testament you'll find
00:25:49.024 --> 00:25:52.360
Very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of notes
00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:56.164
That i wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you've
00:25:56.164 --> 00:25:59.467
Just made to follow jesus.
00:25:59.467 --> 00:26:01.469
Let me send that to you at no charge, and let me be the first
00:26:01.469 --> 00:26:04.806
To say to you, "congratulations and welcome
00:26:04.806 --> 00:26:08.677
To the family of god."
00:26:08.677 --> 00:26:11.413
Male announcer: explore the life and legacy of one
00:26:11.479 --> 00:26:13.882
Of the bible's most captivating
00:26:13.882 --> 00:26:15.717
And relatable people, king david.
00:26:15.717 --> 00:26:18.620
From shepherd to warrior king, david's journey is marked
00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:22.057
By incredible triumphs, heartbreaking failures,
00:26:22.057 --> 00:26:25.093
And a relentless pursuit of god's heart.
00:26:25.093 --> 00:26:27.896
For a limited time, you can receive "house of david:
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30 days with the man after god's own heart"
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With your gift of any amount to harvest ministries.
00:26:33.702 --> 00:26:36.671
This brand new devotional is the official companion piece
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To the new series on amazon prime,
00:26:40.208 --> 00:26:42.544
Exploring timeless lessons from david's life.
00:26:42.544 --> 00:26:45.447
It reveals how his story can inspire
00:26:45.447 --> 00:26:47.649
And guide your walk with god
00:26:47.649 --> 00:26:50.118
David's story reminds us that god uses imperfect people
00:26:50.118 --> 00:26:53.688
To do extraordinary things.
00:26:53.688 --> 00:26:56.024
Support the work of harvest ministries
00:26:56.024 --> 00:26:58.226
And request your copy of "house of david" today.
00:26:58.226 --> 00:27:01.663
Female announcer: jesus says that where two or three are
00:27:03.498 --> 00:27:05.900
Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them.
00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:10.338
We are all different.
00:27:10.338 --> 00:27:11.706
We have different interests, different personalities,
00:27:11.706 --> 00:27:14.843
Different upbringings, and different ways we do life,
00:27:14.843 --> 00:27:18.780
But here, we have a deep connection,
00:27:18.780 --> 00:27:22.317
And you are welcome here.
00:27:22.317 --> 00:27:26.421
This is harvest.
00:27:26.421 --> 00:27:26.421

Greg Laurie - What Is The Mark Of The Beast?

April 23, 2025 | S25:E97

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