Wait a second... This isn't HUGH!
Posted on 02/08/2011 12:41:00 PM PST by wmfights
Things are happening in our world that are indeed signs of the end times, said evangelist Greg Laurie.
While this certainly isn't the first time a preacher has made such a statement, the ongoing chaos in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, among other things, has prompted the Southern California preacher to prepare Christians for the last days.
"What every last days believer needs to know" was the name of Laurie's message, preached to thousands at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., and over the internet on Sunday.
"I do believe that these are bona fide signs of the times alerting us to the fact that Christ is coming back again," he said. Like labor pains, the prophetic events that are spelled out in the Bible are happening with greater intensity and more frequently.
Some of the events Laurie listed as signs of the times include: the civil unrest in Egypt, the emergence of China as a military and economic superpower, the diminishing of the United States as a superpower, the growing aggression of Russia and the growing threat of militant Islam.
Another sign of the times – imposters.
"There will be imposters, genuine imitations, fake Christians, posers," he said. "These are people that are pretending to be something they're not – hypocrites in the truest sense of the word. They're putting on a performance."
And they're also invading churches, particularly large ones.
"What are we supposed to be doing as believers living in these last days?" Laurie posed.
Live like you really believe Jesus is coming, he answered.
Just like an officer on the road causes a driver to suddenly be cautious of his or her speed and slow down, the return of Jesus should affect the way Christians live, he illustrated.
"If we really believe Jesus is coming, it should affect our conduct."
Yet many believers are succumbing to Satan's subtle and effective temptations of compromise.
That "little sin" that some try to rationalize, however, works like yeast and permeates every area of one's life, Laurie said, citing parables in the Bible.
"We are to keep our lives pure," he told the congregation, urging them to turn from and repent of any compromises in their life.
To put it in better perspective, he said, "Get right with God or get left behind."
He also urged Christians to, like dragging a net in the water to catch all kinds of fish, bring as many people to Christ as they can.
The end days, he explained, will consist of rapture (where "all true believers" will be called up to heaven), tribulation, the emergence of the antichrist, the battles of Armageddon, the second coming of Christ, the millennium (thousand-year reign of Christ on earth), and then finally heaven and earth becoming one.
"We're going to see the good and the bad ... and the Lord will ultimately have the victory," he asserted.
And they're also invading churches, particularly large ones.
These are people that are pretending to be something they’re not....
Don’t be talking about the POTUS like that.
Know God’s Word, for the days are coming when you will need to know His Word.
Wait a second... This isn't HUGH!
I used to really love that show, but I burnt out on the character’s hatred of God.
—MATTHEW 24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. -—
What that means is that if you are expecting Him, you are wrong.
It IS Hugh, and VEY SERIES to boot! It’ll stune your beeber!
Not exactly agreed. Although we don’t know the hour, we’re supposed to watch so we won’t be caught unaware (same passage). That in itself tells us that we WILL know the season. (Besides, if not, why would Messiah tell us what to be watching for so extensively in that very chapter?) Paul reiterates this by saying that it’s those in darkness for whom the Day of the Lord comes like a thief, not for those who are sons of light (1 Thess 5).
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.Christ will return suddenly without warning and this life as we know it will all be over. We look “for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (2 Peter 3)
Anyone who says they are looking for a future “millennial kingdom” does not know the Scriptures.
Blackadder III
Blackadder IV
It's funny how so many "End Times" buffs concentrate on the "The Great Tribulation"; and all but ignore the fact that the big battle of the "nations in the 4 corners of the earth" occurs after the millennium.
Yes, we may be in the "End Times"; the end times that occur in Revelation 20:7.
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