Making Sense of the Prophetic Puzzle | Promises of God

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When you subscribe to pastor Craig daily depots. Learn more and sign up@harvest.org today on a new beginning after Greg Laurie shoes were those who given their hearts to Jesus Christ. They know what lies ahead for the future is very bright. You know you further your futures go though. How would you know if you're a Christian, you're going to. Therefore, your future is very bright and know this for sure about to taste a lot of very if you know young couple with a baby you know this for sure they're about to take a lot of pictures if you're a true believer in Jesus Christ.

We know this will spend eternity in God's presence in heaven today on Lori points out that so much more in chapter 9 Daniel chapter 9 of the title of my messages making sense of the prophetic puzzle puzzle or prophecy is the most remarkable in the book of Daniel, not saying a lot because there's some significant prophecies in this book.

I would even say that this is one of the most mind blowing prophecies in all of the Bible.

Why because this prophecy that were going to read in a moment gives us the exact date of the arrival of the Messiah. Now we don't know when the rapture is the second coming will happen seven years after the rapture but the Bible actually predicted the very day that Christ would arrive on the scene and you know the Lord revealed this to Daniel look at Daniel nine verse 25 know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and 62 weeks. This drink will be billed again and the wall, even in troublesome times and after the 62 weeks Messiah will be cut off, but not for himself stop there. I know some of you are scratching your head guessing what what is it even me. Let me read it to you from a modern translation listen, it will be 49 years, says the Lord to Daniel +434 years from the time the command is given the rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah comes. Jerusalem streets and walls will be rebuilt. Despite perilous times. After this period of 483 years, the anointed one for the Messiah will be killed, but not for himself, his kingdom is still unrealized.

So what does this mean what started taken apart and put it back together. God is telling Daniel that the city and walls of Jerusalem will be rebuilt because her in ruin at this time. When did that happen under Nehemiah. Remember, we study the book together in this series we called the rebuilt life so Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king, and so apparently Nehemiah was a very cheerful guy, because one day the king said, hey Nehemiah, why do you look so sad. He was probably one of those guys that is smiling all the time and I love that we Christians are that way, but at this moment in time. He wasn't smiling so the king says what's with the proper Nehemiah goes I'm sad I'm sad for my people that their their cities line in ruins and art exhibits. He says will what you want to do well king I would love to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls again. King says I think that's a good idea to have you gone but I'll tell you what I'll do because I like you so much, the Senate armed escort them and underwrite the whole project.

So the prophetic clock was set in the motion from the moment that King gave the decree to rebuild the city 173,880 days later, Jesus of Nazareth road into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling Bible prophecy to a T. That is amazing to me.

And by the way, when Jesus rode into the city. He was playing this hand, if you will for a large part of his ministry. The Lord sort of flew under the radar and by that I mean he would heal someone in need, say don't tell anybody, because my hour has not yet come right now is our is, he knows exactly what he is doing when he melts a donkey and rides in because the Bible says that the Messiah would come riding a donkey so he was saying to everyone you got right folks. Make no mistake about it, I am your Messiah.

So this is a total fulfillment of Scripture so that people are having a party there waving palm branches or crying out hosanna to the son of David, you know what Jesus is doing is weeping wisely weeping because he knows he's going to be cut off that Daniel said Messiah will arrive and he will be cut off. Jesus knew he was going to die for the sins of the people to give her 26 of Daniel nine. After the 62 weeks Messiah will be cut off, but not for himself. Jesus was coming primarily to die on the cross for the sins of the world. He knew that any new these very people that were crying. Hosanna today and only ours would be crying crucify him and let his blood be on us and on our children later at 33. Most people are saying it is beginning at 33 Jesus Christ said it is finished so that he was finished, but his work was finished the work that God had given them to do to die on the cross for our send out an interesting twist. When this happened, the prophetic clock suddenly stops like in a football game. You know you're almost at the end of the game of the score is tie and they stop it and you know when that clock starts again. You are like two minutes say and then it's over with and so this next play is super significant if like the prophetic clock suddenly stops. It's a time out and it will start ticking again when antichrist is revealed. That brings us to verse 26 the prince who is to come. This is not Jesus. This is antichrist. The prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it will be with the flood and the end of the word desolation's are determined. Underline the word desolation probably why the moment.

Desolation's are determined and he will confirm a covenant with many for one week seven. The seven in this case seven years, but in the middle of the week will bring an end of the sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate the prince is the antichrist will inaugurate a seven year tribulation. Bill initially emerge on the scene is a man of peace will be charismatic, brilliant Satanic Superman, but in reality the devils son. Antichrist will help the Jewish people rebuild their temple, which would be the third Temple.

By the way there's no Jewish temple in Jerusalem today. When you see a photograph of Jerusalem. You usually notice that large goldtone right that's called the dome of the rock that's an Islamic shrine to Mohammed. That is not the Jewish temple the Jewish temple is not been rebuilt, but the dome of the rock is it's called is built on what is also known as the Temple Mount, which is the area that the original Jewish temple of first built by Solomon and rebuild by King Herod and then later destroyed by Titus in his Roman legions of that will be rebuilt again. So when the antichrist builds the temple for the Jewish people. Some will hail him as Messiah because they believe Messiah will rebuild the temple. I talked to a Jewish person.

The number of years ago in Israel and I said what you think Messiah will look like. He said he'll be a man who be a great world leader and he will rebuild our temple is a quote you just describe the antichrist. He said: what you like to be our Messiah set a right to me what he will be antichrist. Remember the prefix anti-doesn't just mean against it also means instead of Zoe's an imitation of Christ. But then after the temple is rebuild. That is when the abomination of desolation takes place broken up by Jesus in Matthew 24 and what we call the all of it discourse which he does a flyover of end times of been pretty says when you see the abomination of desolation. Then it says let the reader understand. So God clearly wants us to understand what this is all about. The antichrist will erect an image in the temple and committed everyone to worship, disembark the halfway point of the tribulation for the remaining 3 1/2 years. Antichrist will make everyone take his mark in the buyer. So without it. He'll persecute Jewish people you will persecute Christians and you will ultimately be destroyed along with this forces in the battle of Armageddon that that's all going to come in the future, so I know some of you are thinking.

While this is like depression, so let's get the big picture and uphold the camera back. What should we be looking for. Antichrist is antichrist forget that the never figured out, the Bible does not say look for antichrist tells you to look for Jesus Christ. That's our focus should read more will have the second half of this message in just a moment. Hearing about listeners whose families are impacted because of the Ministry of harvest is so encouraging for anger, Harry 25 years every morning and the guy down here family planning planning. What a great story of how Pastor Greg's teachings from God's word made an impact on this family if you like to listen to Pastor Greg's podcast. You can do that through Google, Apple, or spot a fine or just go to harvest.org that's harvest.org now. Pastor Greg continues his message called making sense of the prophetic puzzle. So we talked about the future of the world. Let me just talk for a moment about your personal future persistent couple of things to know about your personal future.

First of all let me say your future is very bright in the how do you know you know you live my life altogether step further. Your future is going to be better than your past, how would you know if you love my best know I have not will. How would you know what my future is because of what the Bible says and here's what I know about you, no matter what is in your future. If you're a Christian, you're going to heaven. Therefore, your future is very bright. It's a form of escapism. Is it hallelujah give me out of here. I think those are the most heavenly minded of the latest earthly good loose paraphrase of CS Lewis. Those that think the most about the next world do the most for this one gives us an eternal perspective as we live our lives, so your future is right number to your future is good and why do I say that because the Bible says Romans 828 we know that all things are working together for good to those that love God and are the called according to his purpose.

Now there are things that happen in life that are inexplicable bad things happen to good people that things happen to godly people and I can explain it.

I've had bad things happen to me and many of you have had bad things happen to you and I look years later at them and I still say that's a bad thing that happened I don't know why that happened but yet God promises you work all things together for good.

He doesn't say he'll necessarily make a bad thing.

Good buddy says good will come. Maybe, despite the bad thing and I think you will be get to heaven it will all be sorted out and I suggest to you when were in heaven. We may look back on earth and by the way, you will have memory in heaven. Sometimes it will soon heaven, you will remember nothing about article. I don't know why he would say that many verses that would apply that will have recollection of life on earth, and even have more knowledge in me will get to know more in heaven outlasts right so I think I can look back on my life and earth and actually say that thing that I thought was a bad thing actually was a really good thing because of what it produces. Let me illustrate.

I five grandchildren four granddaughters and are they like dolls that pretty much, mostly over the dolls now, but they like culture while they would break dolls that happen should know.

So I would buy extras a few extras put away so my granddaughter would come in as she did want to give you pop up the dolls head came off and there before me is a headless doll she's holding the head of the body by I can fix its entrance through the dolls hand on you know and it's not going on.

I kick it they had to go back. I said it's okay for gave it all got it's okay will be okay.

Trust me, you actually I do understand it's going to be okay. Look at this I give him a brand-new daughter like suddenly it's okay they don't even want the decapitated doll. Now go to the floor run over the brand-new doll right so here we are in this life.why did you let this happen. God says it'll be okay no it's not okay God you don't know what you know, I know what I'm doing know you don't understand.

Actually, I do understand can be okay. You'll see that one day I get to heaven and they look back and is now Lord, I understand why that happened. Now, Lord, I realize why this thing took place in my life. Paul had a thorn in the flesh was a phrase he used. Actually, it could be translated stake in the flesh so so bad.

It was physical.

We don't know what I was but three times. He said Lord would you remove this thorn, this affliction, and God said in response. My grace is sufficient for you to Paul then goes on to say in second Corinthians. I'm glad to boast about my weaknesses, so the power of Christ can work through me. Take pleasure in my weaknesses in the insult and the hardships and the persecutions and the troubles that I suffer for Christ.

For when I am weak, then I am strong. What are you nuts no is a heavenly perspective.

Youngest up is hard, but I rejoice in it because when I'm weak I'm strong so your future is bright. Your future is good and your future will be provided for Jesus said in Matthew 633 seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. What are these things the context from the sermon on the Mount Lord says what you're going to eat what you're going to drink what you gonna wear I'll elaborate a little more aware, you gonna live what you're going to drive. We are going to marry all the needs of life. He says I'll take care of that if you put me first and seek me first. The Bible is filled with the promises of God. There are thousands of promises in this book to the follower of Jesus Christ and to give many cases we haven't taken hold of them. The like gift cards. The people ever give you gift cards. Let me ask you question how many of you have ever received a gift card recipient take how many of you will never given a gift card recipient how many of you, your church, you answer honestly how many of you have ever regifted a gift card reserve. I've done it to. Just I have a drawer that I throw gift cards and I like what is this liver donates I donate there is a really a liver go to some googling away like that. No, but you know I got your gift cards or places I never will go to so I put them in a drawer there unredeemed gift cards in the side because someone spent money on that. That card has value, but if it's unredeemed, I'll never know that value and God is given us promises and were like people that don't redeem gift card here.

The promises of God take hold of them.

So let's go back to this earlier statement of Daniel and conclude verse 26 he will be cut off, but not for himself. That's why Jesus came to be cut off because were cut off from God by our sin sums it will. Jesus came to be the greatest moral teacher of all time will trust me he does that a lot more will he came to perform miracles.

Yes, he did perform many amazing miracles, but the primary reason Jesus Christ was born in a manger in Bethlehem and then lived the perfect life and then died on the cross was so we could be forgiven of our sin. Jesus said the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost is that I have come to give my life as a ransom for many.

Why because were separated by God. Let's say we all decided to jump to the moon, let's jump to the moon and I said I'll go first. I get all my energy and I jumped up maybe 3 feet.

That's the size I could go and you come along and you jump maybe 4 feet and then Olympic pool vaulter comes along and maybe gets up 20 feet and then I guy with the rocket pack he comes along and he gets up a thousand feet, then power goes out. It's not a good ending for him. Okay so here's the question that the guy in the rocket pack go higher than I went. Yes, the guy in the rocket pack get any closer to touching the moon. No, so that's us all live a good life will be a moral person. Granted, some may be more moral than others. Some may sin more than others, but we all fall short. Despite our best efforts we don't even get close to reaching heaven or meeting the righteous standards of God, so God loved us so much. He said that I'll take care of this for you and he sent his son to this earth to be cut off and that's what Jesus did. He went to the cross and he was cut off so we could have a relationship with him so I would like to close in prayer and extend an opportunity for any of you are not sure if your sin is forgiven. You're not certain that you would go to heaven if you were to die, you don't know if you're ready for the Lord's return what you want to be.

I want you all to respond to this invitation that I will extend now as we pray together and then you will become a child of God and he will forgive you of all of your sin atop our heads everybody praying please father, thank you for your word to us. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for us to be cut off for us and then to rise again three days later.

Now, Lord, I pray for every person here who does not know you. Help them to see their need for you help them to come to you and help them to believe in you is very moment in Jesus name from Pastor Greg Laurie and if you want to follow through and accept the Lord sacrifice for your sins. Pastor Greg will help you do that before today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes with us their entire contemporary music very clear to run and you had everything else across the world of that's a little snippet from a special resource that we want to send you for this month for your gift of any size is called the Jesus music. We have seen in the theaters. You may have seen it on a streaming platform so this documentary film the Jesus music tells a story of how this contemporary Christian music that is so much a part of our lives today started how it started out of his spiritual awakening. How young people have their lives change and wanted to speak to their culture and it still alive and well today. There's contemporary Christian music stations all around the world and concerts that are being done all the time. It's fantastic, but it had a very credible beginning.

We want to tell you that story you're going to be moved by this, you're gonna laugh. You might even get a tear in your eye but you're gonna love to hear the history of this music that is so much a part of the landscape today so it's called the Jesus music organist send it to you on DVD and Blu-ray and also send you a downloadable code so you could put it on your tablet or your phone or watch it on your computer, it's yours to keep, and enjoy.

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Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org Pastor Greg you spoke today about having a relationship with the Lord. Yeah, someone can enter into that kind of relationship with God right now yeah they really can. That's the amazing thing. I think people are surprised that it doesn't take years to become a Christian. It doesn't take months.

It doesn't take weeks.

It doesn't take days, it doesn't even take ours you can believe on the spot and I would like to lead you in a prayer where you can ask for his forgiveness. A prayer where you can receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord. So if you want Christ to come in your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want a second chance in life. If you want to go to heaven when you die, stop what you're doing and pray after me these words Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I'm sorry for my sin and I turn from it now and I choose to follow you from this moment forward as Savior and Lord is God and friend. Thank you for loving me and calling me and for giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen. A man lesson. If you have just prayed those words with pastor Greg. The Lord is heard you and forgiven you of your sin. The Bible tells us Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and would like to send you some materials to help you begin to live this new life we call it our new believers growth packet just ask for it and will send it to you free of any charge if you prayed for the first time today with pastor Greg. Call us anytime 24 seven at 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and click on know God ever been puzzled by a prayer that it seems God never answers got here.

It did he ignore it. Some insight next time pastor Greg presents a message called why our prayers are not answered. Join us here on the new beginning*Bible Greg Laurie new beginning as a podcast, made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God if this show has impacted your life.

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