Top 10 Signs We are Living in the Last Days I often, am asked what I think about the condition of the world as it relates to the “last days” and/or the Second Coming of the Lord. Whether you believe He is coming back before, during or after the “tribulation”, ( I personally believe in in Pre -Tribulation rapture)The Bible makes it very clear that there will be specific signs that we are living in the last days. Here is a summary. John 14: 1- 3 Jesus is preparing a place for us and is coming back to get us. Clearing up some confusion about “Jesus will come as a thief in the night! 1 Thes 5:2,4 For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief… 10. Scoffers – 2 Peter 3:3 First, knowing this, that there will come in the last days scoffers walking according to their own lusts Mocking and deriding the ways of God and spiritual things a. They question the promise of Jesus’ return. b. They are ignorant of the Word of God c. Seeking the fulfillment of their lustful desires. Jude 18 “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 9. Perilous times – 2 Timothy 3:1-7 Know this also, that in the last days grievous times will be at hand. For men will be self-lovers, money-lovers, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection (i.e. toward things one would normally expect a person to show love to), unyielding, false accusers, without self-control, savage, despisers of good, traitors, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; even turn away from these. For of these are those who creep into houses and lead captive silly women loaded with sins, led away with different kinds of lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth. Difficult or dangerous times because of the depravity of the human condition without God. Jesus said in Matthew 24 the world has not seen these times before and never will again Luke 21:26 Men will faint from terror and apprehension of what is coming… a. Man giving in to the depravity of his lusts b. Form of Godliness with no power c. Search for knowledge but unable to realize truth 8. Deception of false christs and false prophets. Matthew 24:5,11, 24 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 24 (MSG) Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. Multiple mentions indicate a progressive worsening of this phenomenon. a. Not just the overt cults and heresies – deception in the church – if possible even the elect. b. This also refers to those who operate under deceptive anointings and claim to speak for God but do it all for their own gain! c. Their goal is not the propagation of the Gospel but achieving their own fame. You can have it now – just follow me. Luke 21:9 Don’t follow them 7. Geopolitical Conflict. Matthew 24:6, 7a You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. a. Wars & rumors of war – this MUST take place – its not yet the end – just the beginning of the end! Luke uses the word commotions. Other translations read revolutions, riots, disturbances, uprisings… b. Nation rising up against nation – indication former allies turning on each other c. Kingdom against kingdom – Could this be referring to religious alliances? Estimated somewhere around 180 million people have been killed in one Twentieth Century war atrocity or another — a far larger total than for any other century in human history. Matthew White, Historical Atlas of the Twentieth Century, 2001 6. Natural Disasters – Matthew 24:7b And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places. Famines, Plagues, earthquakes a. Famine – drought – changing weather patterns – note: this is not global warming or cooling – this is a sign of the last days! Don’t buy into the whole environmental deal. Yes we need to be stewards of this world that God gave us to live in but we don’t fear the end as those who have no hope through Christ! b. Pestilence/plagues – literally through pests and/or diseases c. Earthquakes – Isaiah 24:20 Like a drunkard the earth is staggering, staggering! And it rocks to and fro like a tree-hut! And its sins heavy on it; and it shall fall and not rise again. 5. Hatred/persecution of Christians Matthew 24:9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. In a world that preaches tolerance, no single religion has come under more persecution than Christians a. Persecution – for our beliefs – not just because we believe differently. The message of the cross is an offence to sinners because it reflects their need for a Savior. b. Martyrdom – Hand you over for death! Because persecution doesn’t mute the voice of true believers it strengthens it! c. Hatred by ALL nations – You are not safe because you live in a “Christian country” 4. Breakdown in Relationships. Matthew 24:10 And then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another. For all the methods of communication, we are basically a friendless society. a. Offended – become a stumbling block. From Greek – to scandalize – or entice to sin. b. Betrayal – Websters Dictionary 1: to lead astray; 2: to deliver to an enemy by treachery 3: to fail or desert especially in time of need 4 a: to reveal unintentionally b: to disclose in violation of confidence c. Hate one another – hatred among people who are intended to love one another – especially Christians 3. Lawlessness/iniquity abounds causing love to grow cold. Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Breaking of the law is not something done in the shadows anymore – it is about who can manipulate the law. a. Iniquity – Flagrant violation of the law. i.e. lack of self restraint. If it feels good do it. b. It abounds – Not that is hasn’t always been there – it is now growing exponentially. Judges are issuing longer jail sentences for misdemeanors than for child molesters! People don’t know who to trust anymore so they don’t trust anyone! c. Love grows cold – lit. the breath of love expires. A direct result of lawlessness/iniquity – flagrant sin – even families don’t trust each other anymore. Kids taught in public schools to suspect certain types of behavior – that previously were nothing more than family members interacting with each other. 2. Gospel preached to all the world. Matthew 24:14 All during this time, the good news–the Message of the kingdom–will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come. (Message Bible) a. Has to be the gospel of the Kingdom b. For a witness – establishment of ongoing testimony Discipleship was intrinsic to the proclamation of the Gospel among early church leaders! This is why missions is critical – not just crusades! c. Preached to every “ethnos” – tribe or people group 1. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. There has been a constant witness of the work of the Holy Spirit throughout church history since the day of Pentecost. a. Signs and wonders and miracles b. Deliverance c. Ingathering Conclusion Not a lot we can do about the first eight but we can get passionately involved in the last two. The Second Coming of Christ is a motivation force for the believer: a. To keep our hearts blameless, 1 Thessalonians 3:13. b. To live soberly, righteously and godly, Titus 2:12-13. c. To assemble ourselves together in order to exhort one another, Hebrews 10:25. d. To faithful Christian service, rewarded by a crown of glory, 1 Peter 5:4. e. To witness and see souls saved, 1 Thessalonians 2:19. f. To comfort those who have lost a saved loved one, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Please my friends chose Jesus Christ. You can receive Christ right now. Remember that Jesus says, Im standing at the door and Im knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. Would you like to respond to his invitation? Heres how. If you dont know Jesus as your personal Savior just pray this simple pray and you will be saved The precise words you use to commit yourself to God are not important. He knows the intentions of your heart. If you are unsure of what to pray, this might help you put it into words: Jesus, I want to know you. I want you to come into my life. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin so that I could be fully accepted by you. Only you can give me the power to change and become the person you created me to be. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me eternal life with God. I give my life to you. Please do with it as you wish. Amen. If you sincerely asked Jesus into your life just now, then he has come into your life as he promised. You have begun a personal relationship with God. What follows is a lifelong journey of change and growth as you get to know God better through Bible reading, prayer and interaction with other Christians. If you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior today, comment Jesus is Lord to tell people you just accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior OR, to talk to someone on the phone about Jesus Call 1-800-NEED-HIM (1-800-633-3446) To talk to someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Confess that you are a sinner. Ask God for forgiveness. Believe that Jesus Christ took upon Himself the punishment you deserved and died in your place. Accept that sacrifice. Understand that your sins have been forgiven and washed away forever and that you are now a new creature in Him. Then turn from your sin, follow Him, and trust His Holy Spirit to give you the power to do so. Read your Bible regularly to mature in your faith. And find a Bible-believingchurch where you can benefit from good teaching and fellowship with fellow believers. Also Jesus calls us to be baptized to make a public confession of receiving Him as our personal Savior. Please share if you would like. Jesus is coming soon my friends, so please if you wanna live for Jesus do it now!!! If you wanna tell your friends about Jesus then tell them today!!! Jesus is coming to take his children home soon and then tribulation begins... Spread the Gospel!!! Please give your lives to Jesus!! Its either Heaven or Hell... You choose.. If you dont know Jesus as your personal Savior please accept Him today... You may die tomorrow...Dont spend one more second of your life without Him. Pray the prayer above and cry out to Jesus before its to late...
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 07:00:41 +0000
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