I'm Gonna Come Get You!

SLIDE: Scripture 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NRSV)

16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.

SLIDE: Welcome Home

SLIDE: Title

Introduction

Over the past few weeks people have been asking me about the times we are in and when will the rapture occur. And then Friday, while listening to Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries, the Holy Spirit lead me to an entirely different topic for today’s message.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 from the New Revised Standard Version:

1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 (NRSV)

1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!

Now depending on the version of the Bible you read from the phrase “peace and security” will read differently; for example the New International Version reads as “peace and safety”. In the Greek the word here translated as security in the NRSV of safety in the NIV is Asphaleia [ as-fal'-i-ah ] is used only two times in the New Testament. First in Acts 5:23

Acts 5:23 (NLT)

23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

Then again in 1 Thessalonians 5:3. In both verses the translation that fits best is that which implies bearing secure from dangers. In Acts 5:23 the guards would not have said a jail cell is safely locked; the guards would have correctly used the word securely. And then in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 : The reference to peace is in regards to being free from war. Thus, securely makes the most sense in conjunction with peace.

You might be thinking: Ok, Pastor Rich; Why should I care? or Why does it matter?

The reason is this: In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 , God is warning us about a specific phrase that will be used commonly used by the leaders as the end times approach.

So, getting the phrase correct is very important. Thus, ‘When they say, “There is peace and security”, is a warning sign of the end times being near.

Well, aren’t you glad nobody is using that phrase?

Oh, yeah ---- listen to this ---

SLIDE: Video — When they say peace and security

SLIDE: Title

Main Teaching

Our word for today is Convergence: According to the Cambridge Dictionary; Convergence is the fact of two or more things, ideas, etc. coming together. So, today we are going to take a look at the myriad of things that are converging together that are the signs of the times and birth pains that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:6-13.

As I look at the End Times countdown clock the time is 30 seconds to midnight. Now God could choose to park it right there for any length of time. But Jesus and Paul wanted us to be sure we not caught off guard or worse yet unprepared for the coming of what is know as “The Day of the Lord”. So, as your Pastor I too do not want you to be caught off guard. Thus, let’s look at some of the things that will increase and converge as we draw near to the Tribulation.

One World Government

The context of the video I just played for you where “peace and security” are being spouted left and right is in the broadest of idea of moving towards a one world government. If fact, the United Nations’ own website states they “can take enforcement measures to maintain or restore international peace and security”.

It is important to note that this concept of a one world government is not new it goes back to the early 1900’s. It has been mentioned with a few different names: the New Age, The Age of Aquarius during the Hippie Era, the New World Order, and most recently as the Great Reset.

You need to understand that you cannot have nationalism and globalism at the same time:

The Romans understood that.

The Babylonians understood that.

The Assyrians understood it.

Napoleon and Hitler understood it

And now the the Globalists understand it.

The current move to a united global community is by world leaders and organizations is foretold in the Bible on both Daniel 7 and Revelation 13.

In a message to the World Government Summit by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Guterres said the following:

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to extend my warm greetings to the World Government Summit as you mark your tenth anniversary.

Over the past decade, you have established a global platform to help shape future governments.

You have brought together thinkers and decision makers from around the world to explore solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

That mission is more vital than ever.

We are confronting a confluence of crises unlike any in our lifetimes.

Conflict is raging… poverty and hunger are rising… divisions are deepening… and the climate emergency keeps worsening.

We have a duty to act.

We must forge a path towards greater cooperation, rooted in solidarity.

We must strengthen global governance...

And we must act at the speed and scale that our fast-moving times demand.

My friends a one world government is being propelled towards us faster and with greater vigor than ever before in history. This one world government will be ushered in to bring “peace and security” to a frightened and chaotic world of lost souls.

We Are Running Out of Time

Many events remind me that the world is running out of time before the last act of a major drama plays out. In other words, the Church Age is winding down. Let me highlight some events from this current year that have convinced me of this.

1) Israel is alone.

After she was brutally attacked in October of 2023, one would have thought the world would rally to her side. Not so! Not even America is now her ally. The U.S. is withholding weapons and intelligence. The International Criminal Court wanted to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu in May just for defending his country. The European Union, the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the International Court of Justice, have all denounced the Jewish state just for wanting to wipe out Hamas thugs. Zechariah 12:3 is in play. She is isolated and is the world’s burdensome stone.

2) There is a new level of calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

Hamas is celebrated around the world! Christians are persecuted like never before. Islam is glorified, particularly on college campuses. Those who protest abortions are jailed. The White House and U.N. mourned the death of Iran’s President Raisi on May 19. He was known the “Butcher of Tehran.”

3) The world is leaderless.

No longer is he United States a leader in the world. In fact, there is not one global leader to whom the world looks. Governments everywhere operate like the Keystone Kops. World War III could easily erupt as a result. The world is unsure of just who is running the White House. The stage is being set for a Mr. Fix-It, whom the world will celebrate. They just want stability and someone in charge to enforce peace and security.

4) There is a rush to global government.

And strangely, unusual power is being given to the corrupt World Health Organization, who could end up being the leader of the world. They met in May and could use another pandemic to 'unite' the world. The stage was set with Covid. They have targeted 2025 as a possible timeline.

5) Artificial intelligence

AI is being refined to rule the world. The goal is that it will be smarter than mankind. And the Antichrist will need this system to run his global kingdom. Even now, Microsoft Co- Pilot AI demands to be worshipped. Technology has gone too far. The inanimate is god-like.

6) The aberrant is celebrated as normal

Aberrant behavior is becoming the world standard. In the predicted end-time decline of man’s character, we are watching the homosexual and trans movement be hailed, and the lovers of biblical values be persecuted and jailed. The sanctity of life is scoffed at. As predicted, mankind lives for money and power at the expense of everyone and anyone.

7) Too many churches are majoring in minors and furthering unsound doctrine.

There are wolves among the flock. Church members hear about their best life now; about being purpose-driven and about attracting “seekers” to church. Sin is avoided. Eschatology (Bible prophecy) is scoffed at and marginalized. Pulpits are “woke”. Movements such as the New Apostolic reformation are ravaging naive, experience-driven young people and indoctrinating millions of people. End-time apostasy is the new normal in the church.

8) A new way of doing business is waiting in the wings.

It will be cashless. It will be crypto. It will be blockchain so that it tracks your every purchase. It could be in play soon. Life with central bank digital currency (CBDC) will cause life as we know it to dramatically change! I believe as do many others, it will be at the heart of the Anti-Christ's system, but many think it will be implemented sooner.

9) The Days of Noah are here

The violence of the Days of Noah that Jesus referred to in Luke 17:26-27, is upon us. Criminal prosecutions are soaring—in some areas by 5,000%. Cities are ravaged by crime. Entire towns are closing down their business districts due to theft and lawlessness. Society is on the move, re-locating to safe cities and states, just to lead a more normal life, away from the mayhem. Even I did this in my moving to Greenfield. It is as though the entire country is the wild west of the 1880s!

I could list many more markers to watch for, but sermons must be short and to-the-point. I have been watching the so-called signs of the times for a very long time. Nothing compares to the last five to ten years. Events have been stunning and game-changing.

And all of these things I mentioned and more will be on the increase (like birth pains) leading up to an into the 7-Years of Tribulation.

Sharing the gospel should be the first order of business when it comes to being about our Father’s business! Every one of you will leave someone behind who will have to cope with trial and turmoil. Have you warned them? If not, do so today.

Conclusion — Hope

If it helps neutralize the bad news, these things are happening because the stage is being set for the closing act of a global drama. A trumpet will soon sound and the Church will escape this scenario to enjoy the wonder of Heaven.

I want to leave you with hope and despair from Titus 2:13

Titus 2:13 (NLT)

13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

And until that day of revealing we end today as we began with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NRSV)

16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.

SLIDE: Truths for Your Life

You see the hope I leave you with is that Jesus says: I'm Gonna Come Get You!

And He’ll do it before things get to bad. When I don’t know.

But I say resoundingly: Come Lord Jesus, COME!

SLIDE: Prayer