THEME: "BUY OF ME" - Are you a bankrupt church? Rev 3:18,
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; & anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. "You need to invest with the Lord Jesus Christ. Gold refined in the fire, that you maybe rich, White garment, that you maybe clothed, and Anoint your eyes with Eyesalve, that you may see. KEY VERSES: Mat 24:3, 33&34, "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."
LESSON-2: "THREE SIGNS OF THE END"-The Global signs, signs within the church (religious) & the sign of Israel's restoration (Show the Chart). Is our generation will witness all of these signs? OBJECTIVE: To determine, according to global signs, whether our generation could be the particular one that the Lord Jesus said would be living on earth at His second return.
I. INTRODUCTION:
The Lord and His disciples listed several specific world conditions that would exist during the life- time of a single generation. By examining these signs, we may accurately determine whether ours is the last generation. Why and what is this triangle (Russia, Iran and Turkey)? The driving forces and military strategies. After explaining the triangle, go back to the Bible.
II. TOPICS TO BE DISCUSS:
A. GLOBAL SIGNS.
1. Wars and rumors of wars. After the church is raptured, the condition will be worsen. Presently, we are experiencing the tremors of the prophetic nightmare of the great tribulation (Mat 24:6-7).
a) Technology heightened the threat of global warfare. The average nuclear bomb contains in between 100 to 1,000 times more the explosive force of Hiroshima. At least 25 nations now have nuclear weapons.
b) Nuclear war. The world is falling right in line with the Bible prophesy of a coming major nu- clear war. As more nations obtain this weapon, the threat is much greater.
c) Dangerous men. The lack of control over its use is practically gone. It is now in the hands of the most dangerous men. Yet God allows it. He has a plan and it will not be executed until He is ready for it to be.
d) Mushroom-shaped (Acts 2:19), "And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:"
2. Poverty, famine & pestilence. The news media has visualized the reality of famine in our world. a) World health organization. Estimates that between 300-500M are suffering from malnutrition.
) Famines are caused by two-chief sources. Both of which are distinct signs mentioned by the Lord: Wartime activity & natural phenomena, which includes: drought, floods, irregular wea ther patterns, insect, or pestilences.
3. Earthquakes increase. The present generation has experienced more earthquakes than any other history in every places of the world.
a) Notice the rising figures. The earthquake graph show lists figures, which has kept records for several centuries. It continues to rise daily.
b) Increase in number and magnitude. Almost daily we read of an earthquake somewhere in the world. And they will continue to increase in number and magnitude until the end of the age.
4. Pleasure seeking. Pursuit of pleasure has become America's No. 1 industry.
a) US News and world report. It reveals that an astounding $160B spent on leisure & recreation. Figures on consumer spending on recreation & entertainment listed as follows: Toys-sporting equipment, Netflix/TV/Video, Books/magazines, Gambling, Amusement parks, movies, com- puters, boats/aircraft, live entertainment, sports & other recreation & entertainment.
b) Lover of pleasures (2Tim 3:1-4), "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false.
accusers, inrimarily affecting continent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"
5. Heart failure. Notice this familiar coming on the earth. An exact description of our day (heart di- sease)! The intense pressures of this age has literally caused people's hearts to fail.
a) No. 1 killer! USA alone, half a million people die from heart disease each year.
b) Many die premature. In Europe & Asia, the condition is more acute. Wars, pestilence, famine, treachery & betrayal have bring such fear, many die prematurely.
6. Immorality. In Noah's days of wickedness & immorality, every imagination & thought was con- tinually evil. Lot in Sodom, a city plagued by homosexuality or sodomy.
a) Same sex marriage. Pope Francis has declared support for civil unions for same-sex couples for the first time, according to the Catholic News Agency. American Catholics will approved. b) Plagued the gay community. A new disease primarily affecting the gay community and drug addicts baffled doctors. AIDS has labeled as "Disease of the century." Gov't hide the truth. 7. Knowledge increases (Dan 12:4). Two signs are mentioned here: increase in human knowledge and in travel.
a) Invention of the printing press. The picture changed. Only during the last century, however, have technological advances produced the inventions enjoyed today.
b) Invention of atomic power. Man fought with swords, bows and arrows for 3,500 years before the invention of gun powder. But our generation has developed weapons capable of destroying the entire population of the earth.
c) Invention of aircraft. With the invention of 707 & 727 aircraft, both speed & passenger capa- city of commercial flights have doubled. Prediction: Speed of 2,500-3,500 mph, LA to NY.
B. SIGNS WITHIN THE CHURCH (RELIGIOUS).
1. The church age (Rev 1:11). A close look at these seven churches will reveal the time clock of the church age in progress. God selected these 7-churches because there was a truth to be revealed concerning the complete history of the church, to give a complete picture from beginning to end. a) Three division of Rev 1:9, says, "Write the things which thou hast seen (revelation of Jesus), and the things which are, (church age), and the things which shall be hereafter" (things con- cerning great tribulation after the rapture of the church).
b) The second division "and the things which are," Speaks of present things (7-churches), won't end until the 7-periods of the church history have been completed.
c) The proof. This is proven by the 1st verse (Chapter-4), which immediately follows the account of the 7-churches.
c-1) Rev 4:1, says, "Come up hither, & I will shew thee things must be hereafter." The here is after the rapture of the church, which is the completion of the church age.
c-2) Church age. The Lord Jesus addressed the churches starting from Ephesus (first church), Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea (last church).
d) Accurate description of the church world. In 2Tim 3:1to5, Paul gave an accurate description of the church world that would surround us in the last days.
2. Apostasy & worldliness. Numerous surveys in recent years indicate an apostate trend among the clergy of many Protestant denominations. Questioned arises on different seminars across the nat- ion, ministers were ask about basics beliefs, a majority of their responses were negative.
a) A sexual code of ethics. Removing all restrictions & allowing unmarried adults the freedom to live together with the blessing of the church.
b) Sunday services. Numerous congregations have canceled or no Sunday evening services.
3. False Christ & cults. The rise and development of cults & mystic religions have indeed astound- ing. There are some masquerading messiahs roaming the university campuses of our country. At least more than 500 such counterfeits in the state of California alone.
a) The soon-to-be announced Christ. He is a modern man concerned with modern problems: po- litical, economic and social, claims extraordinary spiritual powers.
b) This counterfeit Christ. Has woven his web to appeal to all major world religions, to communicate to all the world via satellite TV networks, claims possess an answer for world peace.
c) Lord Maitreya. Assuming this name, as he claims to be the ultimate leader of all religions. To appeal to Christendom, Maitreya claim to be Christ. For Muslims, he's Imam Mahdi. For Hin- dus, he is Krishna.
d) New age movement. Behind all the promotion to Maitreya is a vast network of this organizat- ion, working under subtle plan of "goodwill for all" & to introduce new world order&religion.
4. Witchcraft. Paul's letter to Timothy, he outlines several tragic changes among many Christians.
a) Doctrine of devils (1Tim 4:1), "now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
b) Astrology & horoscope. A thriving business promote in the magazines feature astrology.
c) Spiritism, receiving messages from the dead. A medium stimulates a trance during a séance, then receives messages from the dead. Floating objects, magical writing, table lifting, ghost. d) Witchcraft. Kid's rebellious spirit
5. Expansion & revival. Not all the signs are negative. Peter quoted passages in Joel referring to the great revival spearheaded by the Jewish nation after the church was gone.
a) Latter outpouring of rain. Because of Israel's rejection of Christ, the church is, & has, & will enjoy a great portion of this great revival. Even now, we're experiencing many of blessings & promises that were given to Israel, that will fulfilled after we have raptured (Rom 11:17-27).
b) Gospel preached worldwide. This will happen after the church has been raptured, when 144k Jews accept the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, and they will go forth to 4-corners of the world preach Messiah is coming (Mat 24:14), and then shall the end come." (also Mrk 13:10)
C. SIGNS OF THE END (ISRAEL).
1. Israel regathered. After explaining the signs that would usher His return, Christ told a parable about the fig tree (Mat 24:32-33), symbolized the nation of Israel.
a) Fig tree. When the fig tree begins to shoot forth with leaves
b) This generation. The Lord said that this generation living at the restoration of the Jewish nation would witness Christ's return (Lke 21:29-31) & (Psa 102:16), Jerusalem's rebuilding.
c) How long is Jewish generation? A generation is forty years (Mat 1:17) & (Psa 95:10). We are that generation who witnessed Israel's restoration.
d) Star of David. Flies gloriously over a nation of miracles. The "scattered bones" have gathered and resurrected to become a thriving, prosperous nation.
e) Transformation of the land. "The wilderness & the solitary place shall be glad for them; & the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose" (Isa 35:1). Israel major export is fruit (Isa 27:6).
2. A city regained. Jerusalem, more than any other city of the world, will play prominent role in the end-time events. The city itself is yet another sign-post of Christ return.
a) Greatest fulfillment of prophesy. In Lke 21:24, "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." The recovery of Old Jerusalem in June 1967, shows our generation has witnessed it. b) Bitter sweet. The triumphant return to the Holy City has been bitter sweet, as their neighbors have never rejoiced over their restoration to their homeland.
3. Conflict of the nations. Christ predicted that the Jewish people would recapture Jerusalem, then added that hatred for the chosen nation would be revived to new extremes. Gentiles would exalt themselves over the Jews & seek their destruction.
a) Adolf Hitler. He is determined to exterminate the Jewish race. Although he is unsuccessful, he initiated a new revival of hatred for the Jews.
b) Israel and her enemies. (Zec 12:2-3), "..., a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone for all people." Headed by Russia, a group of nations are destined to war against this tiny nation (Eze 38:1-6, 15-16). See also the triangle formed by Russia with turkey & Iran.
c) Gog and Magog. Three distinct signs give positive identification: Ancestral tribal names, Anti-religious character and Geographic location (Eze 38:2-3). The tribal names pinpoint Russia.
d) Russia's atheistic philosophy. God said, "Behold, I am against thee, O Gog." Seldom does our merciful God exhibit a judgmental attitude. God is against Russia being against Him.
e) Russia's cruelty. Russia's cruel mistreatment of the Jews is second only to Adolf Hitler.
f) Geographical clue. This antagonistic nation is clear pinpoint a warring army "out of the north parts" (Eze 38:15). The vast territory northward to be occupied by Russia.
g) Russia's allies named. In this mighty conflict, Ezekiel named Russia's allied forces. In Eze 38 :5-6, "Persia, Ethiopia, & Libya with them; all of them with shield & helmet: Gomer, & his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, & all his bands: & many people with thee." Hereunder scriptural explanation:
g-1) Persia. Is the modern Iran. An enormous army could cross Iran terrain much easier. g-
2) Ethiopia. Is derived from Cush, the first son of Ham. Cush's descendants migrated across the Red Sea to area at south of Egypt. Dan 11:40, black people of Africa, king of south. g-
3) Gomer. Gomer's descendants settled north of the black sea, extending southward & west- ward to Europe. The Hebrew designates this area as Germany.
g-4) Gomer's bands. Represent areas bordering Germany-Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria & Yugoslavia. Near to Russia, influenced by her for so many years.
g-5) Togarmah and his bands. Finally, these nations includes modern Turkey, Armenia, and south Russia.
h) Russia's attack Israel. Why would Russia and her allies wish to attack Israel? Certainly the largest country in the world would not need Israel's land surface.
h-1) What compelled Russia? This mighty nation to single out a small country of 3M to 4M people, is because of greed (Eze 38:13), "Art thou come to take a spoil? Hast thou ga- thered thy company to take a prey? To carry away silver & gold, to take away cattle & goods, to take a great spoil?"
h-2) Israel a wealthy nation. She is destined to become a very wealthy nation. She is without doubt the economic marvel of the world. The middle east contains 2/3 of world's oil.
g-3) Dead sea. Its minerals are estimated to be worth more than one quadrillion dollars. g-
4) Final reason. Israel is the land bridge to three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. 4. Blood sacrifices restored. Christ's discourse also predicted that after Israel had been regathered, a temple would be rebuilt with a Holy Place & the Mosaic system of blood sacrifice resumed. a) New God. Paul indicated a new temple would be adorned with "new God."
In 2The 2:4, "Who opposeth & exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
b) Third temple. Even at this present time, Israel has the cornerstone ready to be laid in the rebui- lding of the temple, the first temple was destroyed by Babylon king Nebuchanezzar, while the second temple was destroy by the Romans led by Gen Titus.
c) Abomination of desolation. The rebuilding of the third temple is intended for the blood sacrifice can begin. There are great numbers of Orthodox Jews who anticipate the reinstituting of animal sacrifice in the near future. Thousands of Levites have been trained as high priests.
III. CONCLUSION:
The three signs of the end shows that we are the generation living in Christ' return. Israel has been re-gathered and restored as a nation. But she has come in unbelief, still rejecting her true Messiah. Surrounded by enemy nations, she is groping for solutions to her problem. Many Jewish still long for Messiah to come. Thus the setting is complete for the man of sin, impersonating the true Christ, to become the abomination who will bring desolation to the Jewish nation.
"To God Be The Glory" - "Praise The Lord"