08132013 - Part 3 - Set Your Watch

Grace Place Atlanta COGBF 4700 Mitchell Street Forest Park, GA 30297 Website: atlantacogbf.org Email: info@atlantacogbf.org Phone: (404) 241-6781 Wayne D. Mack, Pastor / Pastor Wayne D. Mack Sermon Notes August 13, 2023 Set Your Watch! Part 3 I Chronicles 12: 23-48 12:1 Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war, 2 armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow. They were of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren. 12:23 Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord: 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 1 A SECOND thing Our Times are Telling Us Is. . Pay Attention to Things the Bible Says are Yet to Come! KNOW what they are! It is our responsibility as Believers to know what the Bible is saying for us to “pay attention” and the things the Bible says are yet to occur. Pay attention means to “Set a Watch” which means to look for the things spoken in God’s Word with continuous, intentional expectant observation. And to do so as a watchman for your own peace and protection. One specific thing the times are telling us to Pay Attention to that is yet to come is the ANTI-CHRIST. In 1 John 2: 18, the Bible tells us to pay serious attention to the Antichrist. Listen to what the Apostle John says: 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 2 I want to emphasize the phrase: even now many antichrists have come. This tells us that the spirit of antichrist has been on the scene and operating in the world since early biblical days and continues till this day to operate. Who is the antichrist? What is the antichrist? For starters, he is one who is to come. He’s not here in person yet. Nevertheless, the spirit of what he is about is here in the earth. Ultimately, he will seek to replace and oppose the true Christ. Very likely he’ll be a political leader who will falsely set up a covenant with Israel and halfway through the covenant period he will break ties. He will also lead the world during the tribulation. In short, he is the person who is against Christ. Something else I want you to take note of about the Antichrist and how God is conditioning the world and setting things in order to receive him. Things like: • A cashless society/one-world currency • Acclimation to “tap” and “chip” commerce; conditioning to accept The Mark of the Beast 666 3 • Societies and cultures that are totally acclimated to a virtual communication (every eye shall see HIM) • Foreign Countries forming strategic alliances: Israel, Europe, Russia, Babylon, America(?), China(?) • A Password frustrated society- a people given to convenience at any cost. • Political unrest. • A time of great delusion. 2 Thes. 2 • Investment tycoons collaborating to buy up commerce, real estate, and communications outlets (like newspapers, cable and TV networks, social media platforms) in order to narrow and control the message to the masses. Little do they know they will be pawns of Satan and mere instruments in the hand of God. • More, More, More Presently, for our interests and observation, we need to know that until the “Person of the Anti-christ” appears on the scene and takes his place after the rapture, our concern with the “antichrist” is to know that the “antichrist” we face refers to a “Spirit of Evil” operating in men and women. These false teachers are hostile and opposed to God. My job and your job is to expose this spirit that is at work throughout the world operating in false teachers, wolves in sheep clothing who spread damning lies. 4 But how do we do it? Here are three/four things among many found in the Bible: Two from the Apostle Paul, one from the Apostle John, and one from our Lord, Jesus the Christ: First Paul’s instructions . . . Ephesians 6: 10 – 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 15 See then that you walk circumspectly [cautiously, vigilantly], not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Here’s John’s 1 John 2:18, let’s set a watch by paying attention. 5 As submissive “Little children . . . knowing that 18 . . . it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 28 And now, little children, abide in Christ, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. Jesus . . . John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 6