He's Back - Trouble Lies Ahead
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
1 “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.
2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
Well, He’s Back! Last week we talked about the signs that warn us of the soon coming of Christ to rapture the church, OUR BLESSED HOPE, and bring us out of this world before a period of 7 years of Tribulation.
Well, He’s Back! Last week we talked about the signs that warn us of the soon coming of Christ to rapture the church, OUR BLESSED HOPE, and bring us out of this world before a period of 7 years of Tribulation.
These signs Jesus says are like birth pains...
8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
8 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
Ask any woman in this room and they will tell you that the contractions a day or so before labor are nothing compared to the contractions when the actual exit of a child is taking place!
What we see in our world today pointing the way for Christ to come again is literally nothing compared to the intensity that will take place after He has raptured His church from this world.
Now that Jesus has COME BACK and stolen away HIS BRIDE - the church who are redeemed by His blood and prepared for His Coming...
27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
Let’s look at what it will be like on this earth for those LEFT BEHIND...
(I want to preface my message this morning with the thought - THERE WILL BE PEOPLE SAVED DURING THE TRIBULATION - this is a BIBLICAL fact! In fact, the 144,000 spoken of in Scripture will be 12,000 from every tribe in Israel who receive Christ during this time, but there will also be others who recognize they missed it, and will come to faith in Christ. The reality is it will be way harder for them to serve Christ than it is for believers today. If you cave to the peer pressure of this world NOW, and reject Him now - standing up for Him and as many will, eventually have to be martyred for their faith, how will you die for Him then.) Now is the day of salvation!
2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
REALITY IS --- TROUBLE LIES AHEAD!!!
REALITY IS --- TROUBLE LIES AHEAD!!!
We watched a video this morning of where Jesus breaks the 7 seals and releases judgment upon the earth. The first 6 grow in intensity and are catastrophic, but as they go along the intensity magnifies, and the seventh seal is the release of the 7 trumpet judgments which are far greater in scale.
Let me tell you, that the video does not come near close to the reality and extent of how these judgments play out. The first four seals refer to the horsemen who go out into the four corners of the world, and all corners of the world will deal with their destruction - different destruction in each region. Then starting with the 5th seal we see those saved during the tribulation being killed for their faith. Those who become sealed by God on their foreheads will be protected some from the tribulation in the world, but they will not be saved from being martyred for their faith. The sixth seal is worldwide catastrophe which I believe describes worldwide earthquakes, volcanic eruption and meteor disaster. The seventh seal that releases the 7 trumpets begins with destructions of a third of the earths seas, lands and atmosphere.
I am not here to be a doomsday prophet upon the world. That job has been fulfilled by the writers of the Bible and they have warned us of what is to come. What I want to be is an educator so we are prepared in our hearts, motivated in our spirits to go into the world and proclaim Christ because NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!
I want to focus this morning on three prevailing concepts that will exist after Jesus comes back to rapture His church. (Rapture is where we meet him in the air at the start of the tribulation, Second Coming is at the end of the Tribulation when He will establish His throne on EARTH physically for a 1000 year reign).
1. CHAOS
1. CHAOS
The world will be in utter chaos the day Jesus returns.
22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.
23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people.
24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
15 “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!)
16 “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.
17 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack.
18 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat.
19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days.
20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath.
21 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again.
Matt 24.
Imagine worldwide when millions of believers vanish! Young children before the age of accountability and understanding, spouses, friends, parents, co-workers - will be gone in the twinkling of an eye!
What else will ensue but CHAOS?
People will begin to question everything!
If you look at the Biblical illiteracy of the world today (even in the church), where people have no clue about the Bible and where more have rejected it than accepted it --- there will be a great search for explanation.
Of course, people will very quickly recognize that those vanished are the ones who called themselves Christians - a group that worldwide has become one of the most hated groups of people on earth. People have rejected the truths the church has spoken.
Very likely, the worldwide accepted church - Catholicism - will have more in tact as much of its practices are not based in Scripture but workings and the entrapments of men. This will cause even greater confusion.
In addition to the disasters that will occur when millions of people disappear from behind the wheels of cars, flying planes, helicopters, commanding sea vessels, operating heavy equipment, etc. There will be repercussions in stock markets and governments, etc.
Dictators will cease opportunities to grab power, threats will come against each other, etc.
Perhaps one of the greatest explanations will come from the science fiction realm - now scientific realm that life did exist beyond earth. (having a UN diplomat as ambassador to extra terrestrials is very informative that there is expectation that other life exists in the universe) and this will be the easiest explanation for the disappearance of millions.
Are they victims or were they spies????
This will lead the way to the true UNITED NATIONS and worldwide leader on earth - a one world monetary system, etc.
Chaos will give way to the ANTICHRIST!
He is the first of the 7 seals — his rise to power to control the world!
2. CATASTROPHY
2. CATASTROPHY
Catastrophic Destruction is going to be the order of the day! Destruction from on high, destruction from within the fallen earth’s core, destruction from the governments and people of the world.
Where war will break out worldwide, where power struggles will ensue, where trying to cope with “natural disasters” the effects of CLIMATE CHANGE - etc will ensue - there will be destruction everywhere.
1 As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”
2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.
Rev 6.
Seal 1 - White horse (not the one Christ comes back on, but the Antichrist rising - He rides out to win many battles and gain victory. This is not a peaceful uprising, but a need for peace due to battles and chaos on earth and a call to unite.
3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!”
4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.
Rev 6.
Seal 2 - Red Horse - WAR AND SLAUGHTER EVERYWHERE — you think we know terrorism now??? Just wait. 1/4 the world will be a battle ground where power struggles will ensue. A nasty battleground that destroys economies, agricultural land, causes food and fuel shortages and suffering worldwide.
5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
Rev 6.
Seal 3 - Black Horse - FAMINE - war always causes famine, and so does pestilence and world economic disasters! The inability for people to have the basic needs of food, fuel for heat/cooling, etc will effect the daily lives of mankind.
7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!”
8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.
Rev 6.7-
Seal 4 - Pale Green Horse - DEATH. People will die - 1/4th the earth’s remaining population will die! All will be effected by death from famine, disease, war, and wild animals --- yes, in their loss of vegetation and habitat animals will begin seeking human flesh for survival.
9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony.
10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?”
11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.
Seal 5 - The world will become SOOOOO angry at God and Christians will be marked as the cause of all this difficulty. Like the plagues of Egypt hardened Pharaoh’s heart, the tribulation will hardened the hearts of mankind in gross disgust for any who identify with Christ and those will be martyred and killed for being faithful to the Lord. Yes, they will be rewarded by Christ in heaven for dying for their faith, but these will be no weak Christians. It is either die for Christ or harden your heart against Him in this world of destruction and judgment.
12 I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood.
13 Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind.
14 The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.
15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.
17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”
Rev 6.
This destruction will be catastrophic on a worldwide level. Nothing will ever be the same again.
Today, Scientist have made us aware of the Pacific Ring of fire, in fact science has climatic predictions that will easily take the blame during the tribulation as a means of saying there is no God!
Devastation and destruction will be everywhere...
Destruction will intensify and deepen when the 7th seal is opened for it will unleash the 7 trumpets...
1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour.
2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.
3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.
4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.
5 Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake.
These trumpets will unleash fire, hail and blood from the heavens destroying one third the earth, then upon the sea destroying a third, then the a third of the world’s water supply will be made bitter, then a third of all celestial lights, suy, moon and stars will be darkened, this before an eagle screeches through the world screaming TERROR, TERROR, TERROR when the fifth trupet comes and the bottomless pit is opened and smoke and locusts are released on the earth torturing people who will long for death across the earth in an apocalyptic plague!
After such suffering the 6th trumpet will release 200 million mounted troops that will kill a third of the earth’s population, and the 7th trumpet will unleash the third terror as announced by the eagle.
3. CONTROL
3. CONTROL
Control will be the order of the day. Control will be used to DECEIVE MANKIND against God!
Let’s face it, we see right now that a society that is not governed by Biblical morality cannot operate with real freedom!
We see in our nation a call for LOSS OF FREEDOM - gun control, speech regulation, more intense laws to hinder freedoms because a people without BIBLICAL MORALITY cannot peacefully co-exist as SIN REIGNS AND DESTROYS.
However, the fear of further destruction, the chaos that will ensue in the world, the devastation that will come will demand that CONTROL COMES FROM A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT to RESTORE ORDER ON EARTH.
In the world’s attempt to deny God, fight against the forces coming against them and preserve life, they will unite under massive control to attempt to restore order!
This is where the ANTICHRIST, THE BEAST, THE WORSHIP and DESECRATION in the TEMPLE will also stem from.
Mankind will be required to take a mark to identify themselves as being from this world!
20-30 years ago this would have seemed preposterous! TODAY it is totally plausible.
IN fact, in my lifetime, we have gone from a cash dependent society, to a debit card society to nearly cashless - my travels to Europe you can have an app on your device that scans your debit card as you go through subway terminals and never even have to pull the plastic out anymore or make a ticket.
We now see the microchip coming into use across Europe and used to open locks, buy food, give medical information, etc. It is no longer being tested, it is in use and it is ready to go!
In this controlled world, no transactions will take place without it.
17 And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.
For years people have said that barcode was the Mark of the beast.
There was a rumor that a central computer occupying three stories of a building in Belgium controlled the European Union — in reality we know that computers don’t need this kind of space to control anything.
The beast and false prophet will be far more terrorizing than that.
Control in this world will be there to silence any talk of Christianity, to hunt down and kill those who find Christ in the Tribulation, to effect the mark of the beast and the ability to live life on a daily basis for basic needs.
The MINDS OF THE WORLD will be controlled by the DECEPTION of the ANTICHRIST. Mankind will be fooled to reject all that is taking place as being God’s judgment in their final rebellion against the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
SO WHAT IS THE TAKE AWAY????
We have talked about Chaos, Catastrophe, and Control that will be over the world starting the day Jesus raptures the church!
What are we to do with that now????
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into.
44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.
46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.
47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’
49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?
50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected,
51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
matt 24.
WE MUST BE FOUND TO BE FAITHFUL SERVANTS IN THE MIDST OF DOING A GOOD JOB WHEN OUR MASTER RETURNS and not slacking off and partying!
Yes, the church is filled with partying - goofing off, and celebrating life without any regard that the delay of Christ’s return is about to be lifted!!!
What will you be found doing when Jesus returns?
Are you active in not just being a Christian, but FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION to REACH THE LOST?
Let’s get off our happy place and start being effective for the Kingdom of God again!
Let’s
16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
REDEEM THE TIME!
JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON!