Russia, China, And US

Last Days Series

Recap: So far

beginning of birth pangs (Mat. 24:28) (Sorrows KJV) wars and rumors, nations against nations, kingdoms, famines, pestilences, natural disasters

Four horsemen of the apocalypse - loosing of the seals,

sings leading into, and throughout the tribulation

wars, plagues, and economic collapse, natural phenomenon

The Rapture

The mark of the beast

The Rapture

The doctrine, or idea that the church, or Christians will escape the earth before the tribulation (Pre-tribulation Premillennialism

Points to keep in mind

this is not what we believe here at City of God

This idea cannot be supported from a biblical standpoint without extra-biblical content

This idea was not taught by the early church, or any church until 1830

There are several primary scriptures that deal with the second coming of Jesus

most prominent are 1 Thes. 4:13-18, Matthew chapter 24, and revelation 19-20

The rapture doctrine pits these passages against each other, creating contradictions which are not there if they are taken at face value

These three passages are unquestionably describing the same events

the angels, the trumpets, the resurrection, the gathering together of the saints, the coming in the air

The first resurrection mentioned in Rev. 20 - must be the same as 1 Thes. 4.16-17

The idea of a rapture would seem to contradict all of the old and new testament teaching about the tribulation time

Daniel - he will make war with the saints and overcome them

Jesus - you will be hated by all nations - they will kill and afflict you...

In the world you will suffer tribulation

Instead, the rapture teaching seems rather to be designed to appeal to our western culture of pleasure, comfort and self serving.

The Mark of The Beast

The Beast is a country, or alliance of countries, and empire - not an individual

There is a 1st beast and a 2nd beast

The heads also represent countries, or empires

1st beast is a seven headed beast, should represent an empire or alliance made of of seven powerful countries or empires- could be more lessor powers included

Likely possibility: Egypt, Syria/Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Greece, Italy, Russia

There is also a 2nd beast

this 2nd beast has all the power of the 1st beast

the 2nd beast has horns as a lamb (Greek word “arnion” (ar-nee-own) - used 30 times new Testament - refers to Jesus except here

This beast is also called the false prophet

Where does China fit in?

Disclaimer: Some of the things I say in these messages may not seem very complimentary toward the USA

Please do not interpret that to be unpatriotic.

Jeremiah was often accused of being on the side of the Babylonians, becasue he told the truth of God

He was not against Israel, he loved his own people enough to tell them the truth. They were going to fall unless they repented, and Babylon was going to overcome them.

The United States has some very big problems with apostasy in my opinion. If we got here on ow own,t hen we don’t need to worry about that. If we got here becasue of God, then we won’t remain here without Him.

China - 5,000 years of rich history

was once one of the most advanced civilizations on earth

amazing history - until the opium wars - 100 years of shame.

1998 - my first thoughts of China from a biblical viewpoint -

Freddy Sun - CLS

My 1st hearing of the underground church

My prophetic conclusion

at the time China economy barely made the top ten int he world at a bout 1 trillion

Today, they are over 14 trillion, and by far the largest measured by PPP

I concluded then, that China would become a dominant financial and military power

that has come to pass

China will likely be the country that brings the 200 million man army to fight against the anti Christ

This does not mean that they are “good”. China is a ruthless nation, and likely will continue to be.

All of the powers of the earth will be in competition for “power” at that time

If Jesus did not return, no flesh would be saved.

What about US

The United States is without a doubt the greatest place on earth to live - even still

This country was founded on Christianity

So many people would like to contradict that - and just as people try to criticism Christians by finding their flaws, or sins, people will point to our past failures

Christians do sin, they do fall short. But the Holy Spirit in them leads them to repentance. So, the Christian cannot continue in his sin.

In the same way, it was our Christians roots that caused us to overcome those shortcomings, and to repent, things like slavery, racial oppression, for example.

Just as God has given China favor because of the prayers of the people, He has given the US so much favor, built us into this great nation

More opportunity here than any country on earth. Freedom, liberty. A place where anyone can achieve greatness

I have been to places where that is not possible

All that we enjoy, we enjoy becasue of Jesus Christ.

But that has been changing - a great deal.

As we have drifted away from God, the favor has began to dry.

the same PPP method of measuring economies, shows our own has not grown as a percent of world share since 1980, and has actually shrunk a great deal as China passed us.

The united states has become a breeding ground for false teaching about Christianity.

even the nominal church here has strayed from sound doctrine

the government has no need to persecute our church, we will do it for them

I believe that the US is the nation most likely to be “the 2nd beast”, of the false prophet.

I do not say that out of any animosity toward our country, I love our country,

I say it out of understanding of what the bible prophesies, in light of the times that we are in and the things that we can all observe.

What Should You Do?

Do not fear. Jesus told us not to be troubled -

there are a lot of reasons not to fear

We tend to think of those refusing the mark of the beast as the ones that suffer. But remember, those who do suffer also. Temporary, or eternal.

Too many people put their focus on the temporary trouble of the times, instead of the eternal glory being heralded - look up - your redemption draweth nigh

Death in the tribulation will not be any worse than death today - it isn’t that much different - just more frequent -

If you know Jesus, death is not death

His Kingdom is coming

There is no better time to be alive than right now!

To see the most dramatic, awe-inspiring, glorious, and world changing event in the history of the world!

And what if that day should find you doing what you are supposed to be doing?

Preach The Word!

2 Timothy 4:1–5 NKJV

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

There can be no question that the time Paul speaks of here is upon us.

People, for the most part, are not willing to endure sound doctrine

they would much rather find people who will satisfy their own desires

preachers who will make them feel comfortable (Compare that to Jer.23:14, 21-22) Prophets strengthen the evildoers, that they do not repent, should have caused people to turn from their evil…

People turn their ears from the truth - turned to fables - even preachers

Paul said - Preach The Word! it is more important now than ever -

Reprove - rebuke - Exhort - with all longsuffering, with doctrine -

You can’t give what you don’t have

Be ready - In season - Out of Season -

this means, when it is not welcome

Some people only want to share the gospel with people who have already decided to get saved

they only want to tell people to repent, who have already decided to get saved

If you are one of those people, I want to challenge you - are you even a Christians? How can people be going to hell and you aren’t moved? Shame on you!!1

I have a friend who is a minister -

he believes that we should never confront anyone - just pray for them

he thinks that he best changes people by setting a good example himself - without offending

I love him, but I sometimes think he is a self serving coward, who enjoys the benefits of popularity and fools himself into thinking he is serving Jesus when he has really just become a friend of the world

Speak up Christians! If you are a Christian. God says keep not silent, you that make mention of the Lord! Never hold your peace (Isa. 62:6-7)

If you have been a Christian for very long, and no one has ever been offended becasue of your faith, I pray that you will go back and check yourself. Are you really saved?

Sometimes, people will get offended - In season, out of season. Sometimes, they will repent, other times they will reject you.

Story of the Nehemiah Foundation:

Was a great Christian Ministry - and one I contributed to substantially

they also supported Inside Out. We had a wonderful relationship

They began to be influenced by people who wanted to change their mission and values. Link their outcomes to secular goals - measurable secular indicators

began to put pressure on the ministries that they supported - ministries that had become very dependent on them, to change their values

I resisted. Then I refused. We were rejected.

As they continued to become what I saw as more of a secular organization, I spoke up - usually privately

After they had stopped giving to Inside Out, I had several meetings with their leadership -

I pleaded with them to reconsider

Not becasue we wanted their funding, but becasue we believed that Springfield needed what they were.

This organization had grown to give away almost half a million dollars per year to Christ centered organizations, there was nothing else like them. But they were destroying that (the new leaders). They did not value it.

I warned them that God had blessed and established TNF, and that if they continued, I was sure that in ten years there would not even be a Nehemiah Foundation.

Today, they are considering whether or not they should continue - I wold say to the board today - please do, but go back to the roots. Put Jesus Christ back in the center.

Paul said to be watchful in all things, endure the afflictions

We should be watchful - understand the times

endure - it may cost you something -

And Preach the Word.

People are still getting saved -

Just becasue there are fewer of thtem does not make them of less value

just becasue there are fewer people sharing their faith does not mean that you should not.

Know you GOD

Finally, make sue that you know your God.

put Him first - in everything

He will sustain you. He will protect you. HE will provide for you. If you are HIS

And you will use this providence, to lead others to Him, to do great exploits.

And if you are watching this and you don’t know Him - repent today

don’t wait another day. You are missing out every day, and risking hell every moment

repent today, right now, and come to him. Join us in this wonderful journey toward meeting Him in the air on that day/.