Running To Win 15 Minute Version

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer: Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus, the founder and prompter of our faith.

Dave McAllister: Idolatry, immorality, and brutality. Just three qualities of what will be the final form of man's expression of religion. The one world religion to come will defy the living God at every turn. No wonder all who believe it will suffer in eternal flame. Today, final thoughts about the worship of Antichrist from the Moody Church in Chicago. This is Running to Win with Dr. Erwin Lutzer, whose clear teaching helps us make it across the finish line. Erwin Lutzer is in a series on seven signs of Christ's return. Today, we turn to Revelation chapter 17 as we study sign number four, the rise of one world religion.

Here we find the breathtaking purpose of God.

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer: Well, how does it end? Oh, I've got such good news that this was worth coming to church for. Maybe it's not been worth it till now, but it sure is now. We didn't take time to read it, but in 2 Thessalonians it says regarding Antichrist, the Lord will destroy him with the breath of his mouth. It's gone. Lake of fire forever and ever. By the way, did I read it too quickly for you? Did you notice that the text says that we are going to be with Christ when he comes to destroy Antichrist? Now, I need to I need to make a couple of other comments before I show you that in the Bible.

Three words come to mind that I want to leave with you today, and this comes just from your pastor's heart to you. We're one-on-one. We're sitting in my study and I'm talking with you. First word is discernment, discernment. My dear friends, when Jesus was asked what is going to be the sign of your coming in the book of Matthew chapter 24, he referred to earthquakes and wars and everything, but he talked about false religion two or three times. He said many shall come in my name saying I am Christ, and they will do miracles and signs and wonders and deceive many.

If possible to deceive the very elect. Jesus said that someday people are going to come before me and they're going to say, have we not done miracles in thy name? And in thy name we've cast out demons? In thy name? You say, well, pastor Lutzer, surely any miracle that's done in the name of Jesus is the right one. Listen, in thy name we have cast out demons, and Jesus will say, depart from me, you workers of iniquity. Wow. How close is Satan willing to come to deceive the elect? Those who have apparitions who say Jesus came to me, it could indeed be Satan himself, and they think that they are serving Jesus, but they are so deceived that what they do is iniquity.

Oh, the deception out there. I know someone who attended a faith healing service to get healed, and he came home healed. Isn't that why you go to faith healing services? Isn't that the whole purpose so that your sore leg which he happened to have is healed? But he noticed something. Along with the healing comes this sense of spiritual oppression. Says, huh, this is interesting. So he rebukes the oppression and rebukes the devil and his sore leg comes back. I think of my good friend Reverend McCloud, you know that he's been with us. He's going to be with us again.

One of the most godly men. I mean, I don't know even know how he got into the meeting. Next time he comes, we're going to have to ask him. But here he is. He's part of a lecture group given to doctors, to the medical community. Somebody comes overseas and and shows films on how they can cut somebody open, take out all the organs, rearrange them correctly, put them all back, sew up the skin, and then take a sponge and just go over the skin, and lo and behold, he's healed. Can't even tell where where the surgery, where the incision was.

So McCloud raises his hand during the during the discussion time. I'd like to have had this video taped. And he says Jesus Christ said that except a man be born again, he shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. What do those words mean to you? And the man's voice changed, and a spirit obviously speaking through the man said this is the third time I've visited the earth, and I'm not going to answer your question. End of discussion, end of lecture, end of party. My dear friends, we live in a day and age when if possible they could deceive the very elect.

And oh, you know, you've heard me say it so many times, and the fact that I know I've said it many times shows that I'm still okay, you know. If I say it many times and I don't remember I've said it many times, then your pastor's really got some problems. But I'm not there yet. I'm just on my way. My dear friends, not everything that is miraculous is from God. Not everything that is miraculous is from God. Jeremiah was almost deceived by a prophet who came to him and made a prediction regarding Babylon. And it's in Isaiah, excuse me, Jeremiah 28.

And Jeremiah was almost carried along with this false prophet until the prophet was revealed to be a a shyster and was actually put to death after a matter of months. There's so much deception out there. Don't believe everything that 's miraculous. Don't believe every angel. Don't believe every miracle. Discernment. Secondly, suffering. Listen to this. The further America moves away from the gospel, from the Bible, and accepts the cult of self-absorption, the further that happens, the more tolerant it will be to every imaginable deviancy either in conduct or in doctrine. But the less tolerant it will always be to the true followers of Jesus of necessity.

And Jesus said, you know, that's okay. He said they hated me, they'll also hate you. I guess I'm asking those of you who work in offices and factories and hospitals and all the rest, be willing to witness for Christ and to take a little bit of flak because you belong to Jesus. Accept it. You say, well, does that mean then that what we should do is just oh, pity ourselves, you know, us poor Christians? You know, the press is against us. They always distort everything that we say and and the law is against us and they want to cut this out and the poor people.

No. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. My dear friend, as the news begins to get tighter and our options become less evident, we rejoice. We rejoice. We rejoice. Let's take a little flak for Jesus. Number three, anticipation. That's the third word. C. S. Lewis says that if you're planning to get married, you have to understand that Jesus may come before the wedding. And he may in terms of the rapture.

You know, today we're talking about the return of Christ in terms of the glorious appearing and all this Antichrist, but he may come. And he says therefore it is much more important for you to be ready to welcome Christ and his return than it is for your marriage plans. Well, that's interesting. Isn't that the way it should be? Paul says there is a crown of righteousness that is given to me and not to me only, but also to all those who love his appearing. You do love his appearing, don't you? You say, oh no, you know, I'm so young.

I still want to prove my ability to be in business. I want to make sure that I finish college. I want to get married and all that. No, no, no, no, no, no. You love his appearing. And then if he lets you do the other things, that 's fine, but you want his appearing first. Little girl was taken to the top of a skyscraper, and as they were passing about the 60th floor, she said, Mommy, does Jesus know we're coming? Well, we don't know. I'm sure he knows how far we're going to get, but the real issue is do we know that he's coming?

And I promised you a text, didn't I? I read it to you a moment ago. This is Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and with him will be his called and chosen and faithful followers. That is us, folks, in glorified bodies by then with Jesus taking part in the battle and enjoying the victory. Wow, what a prospect. Those of you who live in little towns, you know that sometimes those little towns don't have a lot of communication.

I know because I was born near one where the train came into town once a day. There's a story that 's a true story about a man and his dog. You know that dogs really do bond to people. I've noticed that people bond to cats, cats never bond to people. Now, you cat lovers, no email, please. No faxes, no no letters. I've got more mail than I can possibly read, so so just just accept that. I'm just telling you the truth. Don't comment on it. But there is something about dogs that really bond with their masters.

This dog's master died and was put into a coffin, and the coffin was shipped away on the train. And according to friends, until the day that dog died, he met the train at the station every single day. Maybe today my master's coming back. Maybe today he's coming back. Oh, that we may be ready. Let's pray. Father, we're reminded of the words of scripture in light of the fact that these things shall all be destroyed. In light of your coming, what manner of people are we to be in all godliness and holiness of the truth. And we pray today, Father, for those whose lives are so so misdirected either because they've never received Christ as Savior or believers who've wandered into every false path and sin imaginable.

Bring your people back today, Father. Some are too weak to come back. Some don't understand the value of the blood of Christ, so they don't think they can come back because they've sinned so much. Bring them, Lord. Show them the beauty of Jesus, and may they come. Oh, Father, the work that you've begun, don't let us go until it's finished. Jesus name. Amen. Well, my friend, this is Pastor Lutzer. Would you be encouraged if I were to tell you that the message that you have just heard will be heard in 50 different countries in seven different languages.

We hear it Running to Win are deeply committed to the exaltation of Jesus Christ, helping people to understand why he alone is able to bring us to the Father and he alone is the one who is able to perfect us because of his righteousness that leads us all the way to eternity. Would you consider helping us as we get this message out to millions of people? Would you consider and pray about the possibility of becoming what we call an endurance partner? Endurance partners are people who remember us monthly with their gifts and of course with their prayers.

Here's how you can find out more info. You go to offer rtw.com or you can call us at 1-800-215-5001. Let me suggest that right now you go to offer rtw.com When you're there, click on the Endurance Partner button. Discover what it means to become a part of the Running to Win family.

Dave McAllister: That was Erwin Lutzer concluding The Rise of One World Religion, the fourth sign in his series Seven Signs of Christ's Return. Next time, we turn to sign number five, a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Running to Win is all about helping you find God's road map for your race of life. For the believer, the return of Christ is our great hope. Our current series Seven Signs of Christ's Return will be sent on CD as our gift when you give a gift of any amount to support Running to Win. Just call us at 1-800-215-5001. That's 1-800-215-5001. Online, go to offer rtw.com.

That's offer rtw.com or write to us at Running to Win, Moody Church, 1635 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60614. Ask about seven signs of Christ's return. This is Dave McAllister. Running to Win comes to you as a ministry of the Moody Church.