Light in a Very Dark Place

Notes: Light in a Very Dark Place
Revelation 11
SPEAKER:
Greg Laurie
SPECIAL GUEST:
Johnnie Moore
WORSHIP TEAM:
Harvest Worship Band
SERIES:
Book of Revelation
Thursday, June 30, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

Johnnie Moore wrote the book Defying ISIS. In 60 or more countries in this world it is dangerous to be a Christian.

ISIS has been a "disruptor" in terms of terrorist groups. They make small terrorist attacks, they aren't complex attacks. They are using technology to recruit and train.

We need to pray for the persecuted church.

Isaiah 54:14 NKJV
[14] In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

Samaritans Purse is a great organization to donate too to help the persecuted church around the world.

Paul was a terrorist on the road to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him.

Romans 16:20 NKJV
[20] And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

This is not the time to shun the Muslim people, it's the time to show them the love of Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:3 NKJV
[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

Johnnie Moore's message was powerful, we need to help our persecuted brothers.

Pastor Greg's message tonight is on Revelation 11.

The Apostle John is now in the story

Revelation 11:1-8 NKJV
[1] Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. [2] But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. [3] And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." [4] These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. [5] 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. [6] These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. [7] When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. [8] And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

This is set in the End Times of Jerusalem. Jerusalem has experienced 46 sieges and burned down 5 times.

Zechariah 12:3 NKJV
[3] And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

1. Jerusalem must be in Jewish hands. 

2. The Temple must be rebuilt.

It has been destroyed since Jesus said it would be in John's lifetime.

Scripture tells us that the Antichrist will help the Jews rebuild their temple and then he will desecrate it.

The Abomination of Desolation.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV
[4] who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

The Dome on the Rock is where people used to think that the original Temple was. Now it is believed that it was actually no less than 26 meters away.

God always has his men in the right place.

Revelation 11:6 NKJV
[6] These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

They are most likely Moses and Elijah.

Elijah is known to call down fire from Heaven. Elijah did not die, he was called up to Heaven.

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV
[12] Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

When you speak God's truth you will be opposed!

Revelation 11:7-8 NKJV
[7] When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. [8] And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

You are indestructible until God is done with you.

Acts 28:3-5 NKJV
[3] But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. [4] So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." [5] But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Revelation 11:9 NKJV
[9] Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.

Revelation 11:10 NKJV
[10] And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

The truth is tormenting to some people.

Ironically this is the only time people "rejoice" during the tribulation period.

Revelation 11:11-13 NKJV
[11] Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. [12] And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. [13] In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

God will always have the last word.

Revelation 11:14-19 NKJV
[14] The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. [15] Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" [16] And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, [17] saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. [18] The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." [19] Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

When Gods will succeeds, Gods people rejoice.

Whatever we have on earth is a replica of what is in Heaven. Heaven is the real thing.

Heaven is likened to a city and a country.

Revelation 11:18 NKJV
[18] The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."

Most of us are not prophets, but all believers are saints.

There are promises made to all saints.

1 Corinthians 3:8 NKJV
[8] Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Getting to Heaven is not based on what I have done for God, it is based on what God has done for us.