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October 22, 2012 12:54 pm
Harvest messages are brought to you by harvest partners to receive free email daily devotions or to become a harvest partners, please visit us online@harvest.org Revelation chapter 11 let's are over there if you would please.
Revelation 11. The title of my message is life in a very dark place. Let's pray together. Father, we live in a dark world. We know that you called us to let our light so shine before men, that they would see our good works and glorify our father was in heaven. As we look at the light that will shine during one of the darkest times the ball on this planet. Help us to be inspired to let our light shine wherever you called us to be and be a godly influence of those who are around us. So speak to us from your word, we would pray now in Jesus name, amen. Have you ever gone to see a movie in right in the middle of the film the theater very dark, some joker pulls out his cell phone and starts checking their email or their texting someone and of your notice how bright that screen is in a dark place. I mean, your eye is immediately drawn to it throwing milk duds at the made no don't do that, but the I've never done that. But I in my heart I have my heart area but I did not gonna but it's amazing how far a little light will go when a place is very dark what he refers in Revelation 11 we see two very bright lights that God is given a raise in the darkest time that will ever come upon the face of the earth. I'm thinking of the great tribulation. These two lights also known as the two witnesses will be raised up by God to preach the gospel and to warn the people so amazing things happen, both to them and through them as we will see in a few moments, but this is sort of pickup are we last looked up we are now officially at the midpoint of the book of Revelation were halfway through the book. It's 22 chapters were in Chapter 11 sore right in the middle and a shift in the narrative takes place here in chapter 11 coming back to the movie analogy for a moment. Let's say you're watching that story and often a good film the BS a person you will relate to a character that you can sympathize with identify with and so many are watching the film in your thinking yourself. I wish I could be in this story that I was this were actually happening to me what is suddenly you were taken from your seat in the theater and put in the middle of the film and you became that character released, became one of the characters in the story that's effectively what happens to the apostle John here in Revelation chapter 11, up to this point. He's been reporting what he is seen is there banners on the island of Patmos.
As you recall, and he has a vision of the future were Jesus comes to him and shows them the things that are to come and give them the Revelation, which means the unveiling. So he's observing in these reporting not unlike a news reporter giving us information as it unfolds. But suddenly John goes from being a reporter to becoming a character in the story. He's now a player or participant in the action so as we come to Revelation 11 youthful to get out his measuring stick. In verses one and two and measure the temple bullets read about it.
Revelation 11 verse one that I was given a reed like a measuring rod and the angel stood, saying, rise, and measure the temple the altar of those who worship there but leave out the court which is outside the temple do not measure that that's been given to the Gentiles. They will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months and I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies and if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so no rain falls in the days of their prophecy.
They have power over waters to turn them to blood and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. And when the finish their testimony, the P citizens out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill them and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt were also our Lord was crucified.
There Chapter 11 of Revelation opens with the prophetic focus in the last days on the city of Jerusalem.
Again, we want to emphasize that Jerusalem is and will continue to be a hotspot in the last days scenario and certainly plays a key part in the prophetic puzzle. Ironically, the name Jerusalem means city of peace yet more wars have been fought of her gates and any other city in the entire world from the seeds of David. 1000 BC to the Six-Day War in 1967, Jerusalem, the city appeased his experience 46 sieges and parcel distractions.
Jerusalem has been burned to the ground five times and yet it always rises from the ashes and if Mendocino for wars in the past 25 years, yet according to Scripture, the worst is yet to come. God says Jerusalem will be at the heart of the final conflicts of mankind. Zechariah 12.
On that day when all the nations of the earth are gathered together against her. I will make Jerusalem. God says an immovable rock for all the nations and all who try to move it will injure themselves. Now here's some interesting things that were introduced to. As we open Chapter 11 up the temple is going to be rebuilt well has this happened yet. No. So for this prophecy even to be fulfilled a couple of things have to happen number one. Jerusalem would have to be once again in Jewish hands and of course, this only happened quite recently in 1948, or more specifically in the Six-Day War in 1967. That is one Jerusalem actually fell in the Jewish and again and then Scripture tells us it will be rebuilt. No understand.
The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation run 8095. This means a temple which was standing in Jesus day it already been destroyed. Therefore, the temple, John was speaking up with some time in the future. Christ predicted the temple being wiped out in Matthew 24 he said, I say to you, it will not be one stone left upon another.
It will all be taken down and of course we know.
Looking back in history that NED 70 Titus came in with those Roman forces and slaughtered thousands and thousands of Jews and burn the temple to the ground and mantled it and since that day. There is not been another temple but the Bible's Bible says there will be one. In fact, this temple being rebuilt will be initiated by the Antichrist.
So we believe that the temple be rebuilt, probably in the first half of the tribulation. In the first 3 1/2 years. This is a very significant thing because after the temple is rebuilt and sacrifices are restored and the Jewish people are using that the antichrist commits something described as Jesus is the abomination of desolation. Matthew 24 Jesus said when you see the abomination of desolation woken up by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place that them that are in Judea flee to the mountains and pray that your flight copy on the Sabbath day for then there will be great tribulation, such as the was not since the beginning of time. Whoever will be so these words are clearly addressed to Jews because he says pray it's not on Sabbath day and this would mark the halfway point of the tribulation. The abomination of desolation. We have more detail or in second Thessalonians to four. Speaking of antichrist, and says he opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or his worship, though he is as God sitting on the temple of God is coming is after the working of Satan with all power and pretended miracles, all of them lying wonders okay so the temple will be rebuilt. But here's the problem right now if you look at the skyline of Jerusalem you've ever been there or you seen a photograph of it, you probably saw a large building with a gold dome on it right is that the Jewish Temple know that is not that is called the dome of the rock next to it is another mosque like building and that is called the squaw Mosque in these two buildings are very important to the world of Islam. In fact, the dome of the rock is believed to be the place by Muslims around the world where there prophet Mohammed ascended up to heaven, so it's a very important place. It just so happens that it's on the Temple Mount mediated in the general area were the first and second Temple.
Once existence, of course, the problem is you to rebuild the Temple doesn't mean you're going to have to move the dome of the rock you move the dome of the rock. Juergen may have achieved hard like you've never seen before so this is problematic. At some interesting discoveries have been made in recent years by archaeologists affect Biblical archaeology review revealed that the actual location of Solomon and Herod's Temple or 26 m away from the dome of the rock that study is valid. That means it temple could be rebuilt without disturbing the dome of the rock lesson. I don't know how it's going to happen. I just know it's going to happen and I know the antichrist is going to be the one who initiated therefore any movement toward the rebuilding of the Temple should be of great interest to the student a Bible prophecy. So if you open up your paper and read an article about the temple being rebuilt while when you see these things begin to happen. Look up for your redemption is drawing near.
So here's a very dark time.
Now the abomination of desolation.
This take place. The antichrist is erecting an image of himself and commands people to worship it down.
John God's judgment is falling on the earth.
Things are dark, but God always has his representatives doesn't. We know he is 144,000 Jewish evangelists combing the earth that are under divine protection then of course we know that he's gonna raise up to mighty witnesses that will talk about in a moment, but it just reminds us God always has his people behind the scenes anything of the story of Esther. I love that story because in some ways it reminds you of a fairytale except it's true and Esther was a beautiful Jewish girl that was plucked from obscurity, one a beauty contest became the queen of the kingdom. And then there was a wicked man named Haman that hatched a plot to all of the Jews put to death, and it was the uncle of Esther Mordechai. They came to her and describe the plight of her fellow Jews, and he says, who knows that God is not put you where you are for such a time as this, and it was the Queen to save a nation to use her influence of the king. The plot was averted. The people were saved and then imperfect poetic justice, Haman, the guy who had supplied ended up hanging on the very gallows he erected for others, but she was there, behind the scenes, you can visit hey I want to jeopardize my position. No one will ever find out I'm a Jew I would adjust. You know, be careful and play it safe with no she put everything on the line, and who knows that God is not put you where you are right now for such a time as it you may be the only Christian in your family are the only believer in your neighborhood. The only follower of Jesus Christ in your workplace or in your classroom when you stand up for such a time as this will you use your influence where you can when you can than we think of the story of Nehemiah. He was the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes of Babylon to be a cupbearer meant that you were in close proximity to the king at all times as you would drink what he would drink before he would and if it was poisonous.
Well, that was the end of your job and your life for that matter, but the cupbearer was more than just some of the taste of the king's food and drink.
He would become someone who would be an advisor to the king, someone who would influence the king and that was a very prestigious position you would be in the palace. So you would live in affluence and influence, but Nehemiah lie because there was a Jew and he knew that the walls of Jerusalem had been burned out or line of rubble and he couldn't take it anymore so he used his position.
He leveraged it and I think he enjoyed allowing him to go to rebuild the wall he could've lost his life.
Asking such a thing, but he did what he could do working behind the scenes about that obscure Jewish girl who influenced her nonbelieving master name and to seek out the prophet of Israel Elisha to find the healing for his leprosy just a girl effectively unmade if you will, and she goes to the master name and who was the man he was the general. It was like Gen. MacArthur generalizing our Gen. betray us all rolled into one. He was a famous military figure, but he was a leper. She told him about the prophet and Naaman made the journey to Israel, and indeed was healed. Sometimes got a dozen people in public roles as well, that certainly is the case with these two witnesses now who exactly are there to witness it lets you we can find some chance in this passage describing number six. Their power to shut heaven, so no rain falls in the days of their prophecy, their power over waters to turn them to blood, strike the earth with plagues, as often as they desire.
Think about this stopping rain water and the blood plagues fire from heaven who comes to my Moses and Elijah right now I am almost certain.
Let me restate that I am certain that one of these profits will be a light for a number of reasons. Number one because Malachi, which is the last book of the Old Testament says that God would send Elijah before the great and notable day of the Lord comes the Scripture says Elijah will appear before Christ returns again to the earth of John the Baptist came in the spirit in the power of Elijah, but John was John but Elijah is still coming. I believe one of these witnesses will be Elijah. Of course he was the one who stopped the rain and told King Ahab. It's like the rain would be a but according to my word, and of course the signature miracle of Elijah was calling fire from heaven a great guy to have around for a barbecue.
No seriously, so this is a guy you would not want to check off ever because he could call fire from heaven. You remember him up there and no Carmel with a province of bail trained in fire comes down from heaven and consumes a sacrifice another story about Elijah calling fire down from heaven happens when King Uzziah was injured. Actually, he fell out of bed, but his bed was a very hot and he was wondering if he was going to live. So we call it is false gods in word came to Elijah. Will the wave like the phone it was God told that this is what a husband as I was doing. And Elijah said what is or not a prophet in Israel to consult with what you talking to these false gods as the prophet of the Lord.
So Isaiah several key findings that a captain of 50 soldiers to bring Elijah back was very demanding.
Elijah was up there perched on a hill and Capt. walked up with his 50 troops in it says all men of God. The king says come down very assertive pay it down here. The king ordered you to come like this as well. If I'm a man of God like you say, let fire come down and consume you and your 50 men. Yes, what he was a man of God, fire came down to wipe them all out. Then another captain. The 50 was sent. Would you like to been that guy and he sees Elijah up there in that little hill.
He says all men of God. This is the king's order you come down now I just says if I'm a member got let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your 50 while he was torched as well.
Another captain of 50 was set.
This guy was a little more polite, all men of God, how are you look, don't kill me. I'm just do my job.
Pretty please come down Lord to go lunch without went to see the king. Wellman delivered I'm going to die goodbye walked out. So that's a start. This is a guy that would always speak the truth. This was a guy was not intimidated by any one. This is a guy you would not want to mess with and I believe he will be one of the two witnesses in the tribulation.
Was the second one I believe it's Moses now some thinking that you and I can't rule that out because there's only two people in the Bible that never God in who they are Elijah and Nina.
Elijah was caught up to a chariot in the heaven, and even the Bible says walk with God and was not in the Lord would take walks together every day. One day the Lord said you were closer to my place and yours wanted to come home with me. He started a one sure and ended up on another. So maybe Nick is one of the witnesses, but I think it's Moses and let me make a case for Moses of course it was Moses that brought the plagues upon Pharaoh. It was Moses that turned the Nile River in the blood. When he touched his staff to it and does so there there's many things we could seen it. There's an interesting little story about the body of Moses you know he did die. Of course, but Michael the archangel and the devil got into kind of a dustup over his body and Jude 19 says even the archangel Michael was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare bring a slanderous accusation against them, but said the Lord rebuke you a maybe the devil wanted to desecrate the body of the great man of God. Michael said no you leave the body alone. Interesting little sideline, but maybe it's because God was saving Moses for this special occasion. Also, these guys have worked together before. If you will, Moses and Elijah have made a joint appearance of the came from different time zone. They were there on the Mount of Transfiguration. Remember Jesus shine like the sun on one side was Moses on the other was Elijah representing the law.
Who better to do that than Moses, the prophets, who better to do that than Elijah.
Why believe these will be the two ones that God will raise up what will they do for 16 speaks of the days of their prophecy. The prophecy in the New Testament does not necessarily refer to predicting the future, though it could include that it means to speak forth to proclaim or to preach, so the primary objective of the two witnesses is to preach the gospel call people to Christ for the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. And know this when you preach God's truth. You will be opposed. Persecution is going to increase in the last days, and certainly in the tribulation. In second Timothy three 2000 all the live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution so long. Now comes the antichrist will converse seven when they finish their testimony, the peace that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill them and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt were also our Lord was crucified. This is the first reference in Revelation to antichrist as the beast learn a lot more about him in Revelation chapter 13 notice he comes out of the bottomless pit. We already talked about that in Revelation chapter 9. Remember all those creepy demonic creatures that were put in there.
They were actually fallen angels or demons super bad demons put in the special prison the bottomless pit or the abyss there released on the earth and look who else comes crawling out of that pit of hell.
The antichrist, the beast himself. What is he do he makes war against these men that I wanted a notice he can't do anything until the finished their testimony.
Listen, I have good news for you.
You as a Christian, are indestructible until God is done with you.
Think about your indestructible see there is a day appointed for your death and you really have nothing to say about when that day. It means that no matter what weapon is formed against you before that day. It will not prosper as Scripture says, that means that God is good to keep you it is going to protect you just stop worrying about when you're gonna die. You have nothing to say about okay so that's important something God. The Bible says it's appointed unto men once and then comes the judgment is it will does that mean I can eat anything I want, I can eat hamburgers for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Leno listen, I think you should take care of your body you think you should exercise, eat properly and I'm sure that will improve the quality of your life. But ultimately the quantity is up to God. And here's the thing I you're gonna serve the Lord, and even if there's some plot against you. It's not going to succeed if that's not your time. Jesus made a fascinating statement in Mark 16.
It's been misunderstood by some. He said that you will be able to drink deadly poisons and you'll be able to bid by venomous snakes and survive solve some of course of misunderstood this in the of snake handling services that is not the most bizarre thing I've ever bring out the snake should know in their these preachers that will handle rattlesnakes and there was one very well-known preacher that will know well known in the snake handling community if you will, and he had been successful amending in the ribbon.
You know, I don't know if you been bitten before but he had not been killed by the bite of a rattlesnake in one particular occasion, he was bitten he died and this is just insane. This is not what that scripture means that's not trusting the Lord. That's testing the Lord okay but here's what it does me if you were somehow to drink deadly poison. And I was in your time. It wouldn't kill you if you were somehow to be bitten by a venomous snake and was in your time.
That wouldn't kill you either. Case in point, Paul the apostle was shipwrecked on an island. He was warm and it was up by the fire and a little venomous viper better. It is picked it up and threw it in the fire. Everyone was waiting for him to die. Even though I you know why this time is up. Her time is not up to 70 but when your time is up. It's up in Paul's day came and the day of the testimony of these profits comes to a close and I Christ kills and lays their bodies in the street for the whole world to see. Verse nine and those from the peoples, tribes, tons in these insults either dead bodies 3 1/2 days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into the gray. This is no doubt meant to desecrate the dishonor. The deceased in here these bodies are laying in the street now. Some of wondered why would this even happened on I read a commentator from 100 years ago were actually question the statement he actually asked and I quote, how can all the people in the world possibly look at the bodies of these men lying in Jerusalem. We have the question today.
No, because we have modern technology. I mean we've had satellite technology for some time now, but now we have live video streaming and we get information not only on the man we get it in real time. The cameras are there, were taking it in. Everybody has a camera on their cell phone we can get this information right now. Maybe one of the things antichrist will do is have every city in the world wire know some cities are wired not get wireless wherever you go.
You don't have to pay for everyone to be wired. Everyone will have access to the Internet, everyone will have some kind of interval device. I mean right now quite .3 billion people in the world have smart phones and effectively smart phone is a little computer and it does more than many full-blown computers did many years ago and so with access to this information. Everyone's taking it in and the other they are laying in the street of Jerusalem is probably projected on huge screens all around like in Times Square. Big giant HD video screen cameras got a tight Sodom and everybody is just taking it all in and there partying.
Look at verse 10 those that dwell in the earth rejoice over them and make Mary and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented them who dwell on the thought of these prophets tormented these people.
They spoke the truth and guess what, when you speak the truth that's going to be torment to some just bursting with pride to me any people want to live a certain way and you see one you know. And yes, even I think the Bible says don't you call me you Puritanical narrowminded, bigoted hatemonger. How dare you say to me, the Bible who are you to judge me. You know you hello, what's that all about the hatred got the rest of you to know why you torment just by being you just by being a follower of Jesus just by believing they think it torments them. You know that's how they described Elijah all Elijah did was tell me to repurchase only because of her idolatry talking to Ray and so the next thing he had seen his ally Jesus. Oh here comes the trouble of Israel. Elijah was in the traveler of Israel, many ways. Asia was they brought it on themselves and this will happen, you know, people will break God's laws and reap the consequences get mad at us because we told him it would happen right so this is what is happening here. They hate these prophets that troubled the know.
It even gets stranger that turned the death of the prophets and the kind about twisted holiday and upside down Christmas there giving gifts to one another, ordering a call this on any of the antichrist initiating and maybe it will be anti-Christmas instead of Christmas. It anti-Christmas happy anti-Christmas we wish you and anti-Christmas we wish you and I think Christmas or maybe the color dead prophets day happy that prophets day got you a little gift a really cool little idol what you think that's what's happening in the rejoicing there partying their singing their dancing.
You can see and hear the province laying in the street and there was jumping around live band playing for the break time, guaranteeing a name they alienated right by the way, I hate that song hate it torments me within the party is over. Look at verse 3:11 and 1/2 days the breath of life from God entered them.
They stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them in a loud voice came from heaven saying to them, purely ascended to heaven in a cloud their enemies saw them in the same hour there was a great earthquake and 1/10 of the city fell. In the earthquake 7000 people were killed and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
For a lot of those people were wondering what the return policy was on the gifts they had bought the great joy of the people turns in the great fear. I mean, they probably have the cameras in for a tight shot and was protected on the giant screen seems like whenever you've seen a horror movie or whatever. And a person who is thought to be a dad comes back to life. That always looks like to watch Elena like this. They do this right.
All right you know it's a minute or so, but I did. They are in turn the music you know so many to be lighted tended to pray. All of a sudden they see their eyes open and then they set up right and then they stand in their feet and then there lifted up to heaven, said Ray, if you break my heart, a Kubrick I don't know if the Knesset hate that song to his Lotta sons. I like those are not to God pressure party. The book of Daniel history of another part of the got crass King Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar who came to believe in the true God of Israel, but his grandson didn't follow in his footsteps. Belshazzar went out of his way one day to mock the God of Israel to have an idea. Let's invite all the Lord in influential people in.
Let's have a big banquet. Let's take those special dental Jews for the worship of God and the devil. Let's filament wind. Let's get drunk. Let's have an orgy let's praise the gods of silver and stone all everyone like that idea there partying away and here's what happened. Daniel five. Suddenly they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king's palace near the lampstand, the king himself solving it is a road in his face turned pale, with bright, his knees, knock together and fear in his legs gave way beneath them. The other party was over, and here's what the writing on the wall said many many tackle you Farson which means you been found in the balances and you've been found lacking or you been waiting in the balances in town like the normally will begin on a scale.
We want to weigh less than we do right on God scales you want to weigh more.
You want more weight. You gotta say Belshazzar you're a lightweight vacuum, then some way.
You have no substance in your life at all the other party was over with these people and they were afraid.
Verse 13 says gave glory to the God of heaven and of the really believing or just technology you know you think medicine was raised from the dead. I know people would believe you really think that none of the story of Lazarus and the rich man who died and went into eternity.
The rich man is no place for God.
Lazarus was a believer and at that time before the death of Jesus and his resurrection, Hades was divided into two compartments, a place of comfort and a place of torment, so the men who believe Lazarus went to the place of comfort in the heart of bosom of Abraham and the nonbelieving ridge vent. Once in the place of torment. So the rich man says this is horrible. I'm going to go back and I have to warn my family about this awful place. Abraham says no, they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear that their entrances know if one were to rise again from the dead. I know they would believe that Abraham says no they they won't believe, even if one rose from the dead. Case in point, this probably is Moses rising from the dead.
Here in Revelation 11 and people are not believing what about when Lazarus was raised from the dead did everyone believe no they did not back from that point on they started plotting about how they could kill Jesus.
Maybe if that meant if I could do a miracle for my friends. I know they would all believe I could turn their beer in the blood or something. I don't know you know what the Bible says a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign and no sign will be given without of the prophet Jonah. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so Jesus said, will the Son of Man be in the heart of your three days and three nights. In other words, practicing. You want a miracle you want to sign for nonbelieving world. Here it is my death and resurrection from the dead. Here's your message to lost humanity.
Christ died. He rose and he can forgive you of your set. That's the message we have the good about that was the message the prophets gave up with these people, their hearts only got harder and harder.
Revelation 11 closes with the seven trumpet and an amazing glimpse into heaven. Look at verse 15 then the seventh angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven say, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. And the 24 elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, we give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the one who is who was there was a calm because you have taken your great power and rain, the nations were angry, and your wrath is come in the time of the debt that they should be judged, and that you should reward your servants the prophets and the saints are those who fear your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth. Then the temple of God opened in heaven, and the ark of the covenant was seen in his temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. This again reminds us that there is a heavenly audience. All that is happening on her as these events are happening as it is, as the two profits are brought back to life in ascending heaven. A poorly heaven is opened up if you will.
Kind of a glimpse into the other side.
This is in the first time this is happened member when Stephen was being stoned for his faithful witness, and as his life was being taken from him. He said look I see the heavens opening and I see Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Stephen was given a glimpse in the glory that since happening here in Revelation 11. John is describing front of a glimpse you can see right in to heaven.
The believers in heaven represented by the 24 elders are giving thanks to God that his kingdom is about to come on earth as it is in heaven. Verse 15 the kingdoms of this world to become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever for that for right Handel's Messiah, he shall reign forever and ever. That's what I come from that's what it's referring to so here now we have a glimpse into the other side. It's interesting that they see the ark of the covenant.
By the way, this is the original Ark of the covenant. There was an earthly one that no one is found many of search for it, including Indiana Jones and the Nazis got it in their faces melt. That's a movie version somewhere.
Maybe one day they'll discover the ark of the covenant, which once was a physical object that represented the presence of God. But in heaven there is the original Ark of the covenant which brings up a very important point heaven is the real deal, the eternal dwelling place earth is the copy the temporary dwelling place. The best things you have ever seen or felt on this earth but glimpses of glory take the best moments of your life like right now, hearing me preach I'm sure this is not one of them, but seriously, take the best moment may be the day of your wedding or the day that your child was born or maybe a special moment was someone you love one. The sun was setting her the greatest meal you ever had with family and friends or whatever it was just certain moments in our mind that stay there with the campus the past. I wish it could always be that way you know what those are glimpses of glory sort of a taste of what is to come.
Heaven is the original earth is the copy Moses was commanded by God to build the tabernacle of Ted but really it was only a replica of the original one and the ark of the covenant was the same CS Lewis proposed that the hills and valleys of heaven will be to those you know, experience, not as a copy, but as an original, nor as a substitute is that the genuine article, but as a flower to the root or the diamond to the coal so he's given a glimpse into heaven. This is it, how should we react to all of this.
Look at verse 18. You'll reward your servants in the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, small and great lesson. Most of us are not prophets, whatever Christians all of us are saying I am a saint. Everyone in the living saint, here I am noticing Greg.
No, actually I am missing will you perform miracles.
No, that some of the Bible says a saint is a saint simply is another term for a true believer, we change the meaning of the main, but really it just means true believer so you believe in Jesus Christ. How many of you believe in Jesus Christ, you are now saints of God here knowing your essay.
I'm sure I got letters from Catholics on that one.
But it's true.
You don't have to call me St. Gregory once again I happened to see organ to be rewarded.
One day the Bible tells us that when they will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive rewards.
Galatians 69 says don't be worrying while doing, for in due season you will reap if you do not feign first Corinthians creates of the one appliance in the one Waters work together with the same purpose. Bulk will be rewarded for their hard work is he after we die and go to heaven in the rapture before the second coming will be the judgment seat of Christ, also known as the bema seat were believers will receive rewards for their faithfulness to God that this is talking so that should cause us to want to do everything we can for God's glory. As I've often said we can't take it with this, but we can send it on every investment we make of our life. For God's glory will result in an eternal reward, the giving of your time. The use of your The investment of your resources.
It's all laid out for yourself treasure in heaven and being faithful to the Lord God is given you a calling he wanted to be faithful to the very end. Yes, there is a reward of judgment seat for Christians, but there's also a judgment seat for nonbelievers. That's not so pleasant because when the nonbeliever dies they face it. Now I mentioned earlier that story and Luke 16 were two people.Hades still exist today, but that place of comfort that Lazarus was in that's been shut down and want to believer dies they go straight to heaven to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. But that torment section of Hades is still open for business lesson when a nonbeliever dies they go to Haiti. They go to this place and then ultimately here's what happens. According to Revelation 20 verse 11. I saw a great white throne him that sonic from whose face the earth and heaven fled away.
There was found no place for them. I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and the books were open and another book was opened, which is the book of life lesson the sea gave up the dead that were in them. Death and Hades delivered up the dead that were in them and they were judged according to their words and death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Anyone not found written in the book of life was cast in the lake of fire.
So this is the final judgment. You don't want to end up in this place and once you die you rejected Christ.
There is no changing your eternal destination.
Interestingly, after these judgments of God fall here in Revelation, we read that the people are angry about it there upset that God would do such a thing, which I find very interesting. Verse 18 the nations were angry, which means a deep-seated hostility. What's wrong with these people, God's power is on display. People are being raised from the dead. Earthquakes are coming. This is God working people believe, but you know what I found people generally die as they've lived. If you rejected God for your whole life. Your heart just gets harder and harder when back to Moses. He did all those miracles for Pharaoh and what we read Pharaoh hardened his heart Pharaoh hardened his heart Pharaoh hardened his heart, King Ahab he saw Elijah do his great miracles he rejected it. All is well. This is why if there is any movement in your heart, your senior need for God. You want to act in that folks at the things I've been sharing with you today.
These are not fairytales. These are not minutes. This is skewed history that will unfold in the future, and I believe before any of this will start the Lord; all true believers to meet him in heaven. But even if that doesn't happen in our lifetime we know death is coming and if you put your faith in Christ.
When the appointed day arrives in your life you can have confidence you will go to heaven so you don't have to sweat it. But listen, if you don't have faith in Christ. You should be more than sweating it. You should be thinking about it and doing something to change it because according to Scripture you go to Hades or hell, and ultimately in the lake of fire. This is not what God wants. That's what he gives chance after chance to believe that's what he raises up to powerful witnesses in the tribulation.
The hundred and 44,000 of evangelism. Many will believe in that time, but now is your time to get right with God.
And if you've never put your faith in Christ do it right now as we close in prayer the top of our heads. If you would. Father, we thank you for your word today, we know it's true. I pray for any listening or watching who may not yet know you, Lord, help them to come to you now and be forgiven of their sin, we would ask in Jesus name or heads of God and riser close and were praying, if you would like Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin. If you would like to know that you will go to heaven when you die if you would like to have the confidence that you'll be ready to meet the Lord when he comes for his church were ever you're sitting wherever you are, would you just lift your hand up right now. Let me pray for you to slip your hand above. Pray for you today. You want Christ to come in your life.
God bless you, bless you up in the balcony you outside in the amphitheater. Raise your hand you in the court building slipped her hand up you and harvest orange crest Orange County literature again. I know I can see you but that doesn't matter.
The Lord sees you want to believe in Jesus. Right now, lift your hand up when we pray for you. God bless all of you, and ask if you raise your hand. I want you to stand your feet nominally join a prayer of commitment right now to stand your feet all of you the razor again. Even if you did not put you want Christ to come in your life you want your sins forgiven the day you want to get right with God. Stand your feet were of your goblet. You guys were standing. Stand up, stand up up there in the balcony user watching the video screen.
Stand your feet right now wherever you are, stand in a lead you in the simple prayer of commitment. One final moment for going to stand stand now.
Anybody else bless you, but you guys up there. God bless all of anybody else stand now.
I got bless you and you bless you you that are sending.
I want you to pray this prayer out loud after me again as I pray pray this out loud after me. Pray now with me Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner but you died on the cross and shed your blood for every sin I have ever committed. I repent of my sin. I ask you to come in the my line be my Savior and Lord and my God and my friend. I choose to follow you, Jesus. From this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and forgiving me in Jesus name I pray, amen. God bless all of you pray that prayer