What in the Word is Going On? "The Crude Awakening"

Psalm 83:1-5

Psalm 83:1–5 NIV

1 O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. 2 See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. 3 With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. 4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” 5 With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—

Matthew 24:3–14 NIV

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 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. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 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. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Luke 12:54–56 NIV

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

Introduction:

When I was a kid working on the farm, we used to get sudden storms that would come on. We sometimes do here also. But I would be in the field and the sky would suddenly darken. It would get quiet and you could smell rain coming. You knew in these times that you needed to get in fast as the wind would be on its way as well as a sudden rain shower. It did not take long after your awareness that the storm would hit. The wind would just suddenly whip up fast and blow real heard. I remember we would all be running around picking up floats out of our swimming pool and any lawn chairs out. If we didn’t act fast, the wind would carry them all across the road and down to the river. It would blow real hard for a few minutes and then the rain would come. It never lasted long. Probably the whole episode would last about 15 minutes and then the sun would come back out.

I am sure the farmers around here were alert this past week when the high heat was causing stormy weather in the late afternoons Both rain or fire and be devastating to crops.

In Luke 12, Jesus shows us that it is important that we interpret our present time. This is the subject of our sermon today. Bow your head with me as we open this subject with prayer.

Pray

Video:

All around us are the...

I. Signs of the Times

I have been amazed at how many conversations I have had on this lately. It is true that many of these conversations have been started by me, but I have been amazed at how many times I have said something and people have responded, “Boy that has been on my mind also” or “Our church has been talking about that also”. In past years when I have said I felt we were close to the tribulation, many people have said back to me. Well I think it is around the corner but I think it is a ways out yet. However, many of these same folks, when I bring it up now agree with me. In just five months, we have seen such a drastic change in our nation that it demands our attention.

Jesus taught that we are to...

A. Be alert…Be watchful Luke 12:54-56

Look again at our passage from Luke 12. Jesus said...

Luke 12:54–56 NIV

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

1. Jesus says we are to be alert to the present time (Current events). Luke 12:54-56

That means paying attention to current events. Not just our local or national events, but world events. Why are such events important? For many people these things do not mean anything. They are just stuff that happens that they have no control over and looking at them means nothing other than perhaps causing fear. Others feel the happenings of other nations has nothing to do with them and their life and they do not look beyond their own lives.

It is different for the Christian. We know that there is a plan in play. Hopefully, we all understand that we each have a part to play. We re to be active in sharing our faith and working within our church to minister to each other and others. There are a set of events that must happen that will lead up to the return of Christ and we are to be watching for these events so we can be ready and prepared for what happens.

Not only are we to be alert to the present times, but we see something else.

Look with me again at Matthew 24:32-34

Matthew 24:32–34 NIV

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

2. Jesus make it clear that we are to understand what is happening. Matthew 24:32-34

Jesus says...

"When you see all these things...”. What things? The things the prophets have foretold. This is why Bible study is so important. God has provided clues through the prophets for us to watch for. Just as the Wise men knew from the writings of Daniel to watch for the coming Messiah, so we need to be alert to the words of Daniel and the other prophets. It is true that some things are confusing and difficult to understand, but I believe when the time is right, we will understand them in full. We will recognize those things as they are taking place. But we can not recognize what we have not studied. So we need to be studying our Bibles.

Luke 21:34–36 NASB95

34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

So we need to be alert paying attention to current events with an eye of understanding based on our study of God’s word. If we are doing this, we cannot help to notice that there are many things taking place in our world that are setting the scene for the final conflict that scripture indicates will come. So look with me at what many believe will be...

B. The Center of Conflict - Crude Awakening

When we study scripture, we find that there is a huge battle that is to take place involving Israel. Ultimately, we know the battle is Satan intent on defeating God’s people. However, Satan is a great deceiver. He is not going to go out to the world and say, “I am against God and want to destroy His people.” Too many people would never go for that. No, there is something else that will be the catalyst for that battle.

Last week I shared that this series is based on Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, “What in the World is Going On?” Well he posits that oil will be the center of that conflict. Though many of the details of his book have changed, I believe he could be correct on posing this as the reason for the final conflict. Why? Because the ones who have the oil have the power.

I think you all know what I am talking about when I sing...

"Come listen to a story, 'bout a man named Jed; A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed. Then one day he was shootin at some food, And up through the ground came a-bubblin' crude. Oil that is. Black gold, Texas tea." (Earl Scruggs, "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," (www.easywight.com/balladofjedclampett.htm, accessed 10/1/07.)

Most people know of the poor mountaineer that became instant millionaire in the television show, “Beverly Hillbillies” by discovering oil on his land. Oil is a major subject in world news today even though it has recently taken a back page to the Corona Virus.

At the time that Rev. Dr. David Jeremiah wrote this book. Things looked bleak for the U.S. on this case. We were the number one consumer, but only were number 11 on the list of top countries with the most reserves. We were dependent on the Arabs to supply our need of oil and they were not above using that against us. This has lead to many conflicts.

1. The Yom Kippur War 1973

This war united the Arabs’ in a way never before experienced. It resulted in great panic and who can forget the long lines of cars at the gas pumps during this time. I was 12 years old at the time and I still remember the televised news reports showing the cars lined all the way down the streets. I was thankful that living on a farm we did not have to do that. We had gas delivered and placed in a large tank on our property for farm use. I was never so thankful for that. However, we still felt it in our pocketbook as the price of gas quadrupled during that time as the Arab’s used their power to try to control us. You see, the Yom Kippur War was an Arab attack on Israel and they levied their control of the oil market to try to hinder those who would support Israel.

2. The Carter Doctrine 1980

In his State of the Union address on Jan. 23, 1980, President Jimmy Carter announced an important policy change–the US would use whatever was necessary to protect its interest in the Middle East (meaning oil). It was so important that it became known as the Carter Doctrine. In August 1990, Saddam Hussein sent Iraqi troops into Kuwait. President Bush and his defense secretary, Dick Cheney, put the Carter Doctrine into action. George H.W. Bush spoke to the nation and said, "Our country now imports nearly half the oil it consumes and could face a major threat to its economic independence...The sovereign independence of Saudi Arabia is of vital interest to the United States."

3. The Gulf War 1990

While other justifications for the war were given, experts agree that the Gulf War in 1990-91 was the first war in world history almost entirely about oil.

4. Iraq 2013

The war with Iraq, though dated as of 2013 - 2017 has been a constant issue for years. There was activity occuring early in 2000 and continues to be a struggle even today.

Though this war has a lot to do with terrorism, it is not just about terrorism. It is also about oil—oil that is sold to finance the terrorist regime, and oil that is necessary for the West to continue to function economically. This is an ongoing issue.

That battles are far from over, but the circumstances have reversed.

First, the U.S. made a major find of oil in Texas which has increased our known reserves moving us from number 11 on the list of reserves to number 6. Not only that, but we are now the number one producer of oil.

But something even more important has taken place involving Israel and oil. Look with me at...

C. Bible Prophecy, Israel and Oil

When we study the end times, we find Israel is the one the final battle is directed at. If oil is the center of the conflict, why Israel considering their lack of oil history? That brings about a question that many have been researching and a great debate has raged. Is there undiscovered oil in Israel? Many say “yes” and point to scripture as the answer. Look with me at....

1. Does scripture indicate there is oil in Israel?

When Golda Meir was prime minister of Israel, she once quipped that "Moses dragged us for forty years through the desert to bring us to the one place in the Middle East where there was no oil."

But there is a growing belief that there is oil in Israel and some has even more recently been discovered as well as efforts taking place in drilling it. Two major oil companies have been formed to explore oblique references to oil in the Bible. In one of Ezekiel's prophecies, he speaks of a time in the future when Israel would be more prosperous than in her beginning:

Ezekiel 36:11 NIV

11 I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

How could Israel be more prosperous than she was in the days of King Solomon. Solomon was the wealthiest man in all of the world. Yet, God is telling Ezekiel to tell the Jews that they will be wealthier still in the future.

In an article written by Aaron Klein in WorldNet Daily, he asks this question: "Is Israel sitting on an enormous oil reserve mapped out in the Old Testament that, when found, will immediately change the geopolitical structure of the Middle East and confirm the validity of the Bible to people around the world?"

Brown, pointing to the Bible, referred to several biblical passages he is certain indicate where to find petroleum. He stressed that two passages detailing God's blessings to each of Jacob's 12 sons are very specific:

Deuteronomy 33:24 NIV

24 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.

Genesis 49:22 NIV

22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.

Genesis 49:25–26 NIV

25 because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb. 26 Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

"Joseph is a fruitful bough…by a well......blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath…shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown on the head of him..."

The twelve tribes were each given a section of Israel as inheritance, Brown explains: Mapping the tribe's biblical territory shows that Asher's area resembles a giant foot 'dipped' into the top, or 'crown' area of the land of Joseph's son, Manasseh. “The oil is there, where Joseph's head is met by Asher's foot." said Brown.

“In 2003, Brown’s company, Zion Oil and Gas, was granted an extended license that includes 95,800 acres of the area not far from Tel Aviv that Brown believes contains oil (Kibbutz Man’anit).” . . . Imagine if Israel becomes a huge oil producer. There will be no more placating anyone since they have the oil." (http://www.worldntedaily.com/news/article.asp.)

As recently as 2004, the Israeli newspapers have been heralding the discovery of oil in their land. In the past 6 years there have been many articles and videos regarding oil and natural gas finds in Israel. Oil has been declared found in Megiddo and this latest natural gas find called Leviathan promise big things. I was trying to find if the Megiddo site is being actively drilled but was only finding announcements of the discovery. If the Megiddo discovery is true, then this sets things up for the final battle at Megiddo. Oil will be at the center of this final conflict.

Not only are we seeing that scripture may point to a massive amount of oil in Israel, but there are other prophetic scriptures regarding coming alliances that we are seeing fulfilled. Look with me at...

2. Oil and the Emergence of Prophetic Alliances.

Ezekiel the prophet prophesied a time in the future when Russia would attack Israel....The prophet described a coalition of nations that would join with Russia against Israel.

Ezekiel 38:5 NIV

5 Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets,

We will spend more time studying this passage in future messages, but please note that until March 21, 1935, Persia was the official name of the country we now call Iran. Get this: Not one time in the last 2,500 years has Russia had a military alliance with Persia/Iran. Today, Russia and Iran have formed a military alliance that continues to be strengthened by the political situation in our world. Russia recently signed a $1 billion deal to sell missiles and other weaponry to Iran. Over 1,000 Iranian nuclear scientists have been trained in Russia by senior Russian scientists. Here is an end-time alliance that was prophesied 2,500 years ago and in the last five years has become a reality. The stage is being set!

Conclusion:

As you can see, it is important that we be aware of the current events and study the Bible so we can understand what is happening in the world arena. But is that all we do? Are we helpless and just watch things play out? How shall we live in such times?

1. Do not be fearful or anxious (John 14:1; Matthew 6:25-34)

In John 14:1 Jesus said,

John 14:1 NIV

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

If we trust in God and Jesus, we should not be anxious or fearful. We trust God through these times the same as we do any other day. We never know what is going to happen in any day. We may lose a loved one, we may have a car accident, we may have our house broken into. Hopefully we are not fearing such things. We trust God to see us through whatever happens. This is no different.

Matthew 6:25–26 NIV

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Yes, we are keeping an eye on things, but we know God has it all under control. The fact that we have His word showing us what will take place should give us courage to know that He has it under control.

2. Pray and Fast (Phil 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7)

Philippians 4:6 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

The people of the Bible fasted whenever they were facing difficult situations. Jesus fasted prior to beginning His years of ministry. We have never been taught to fast like this, but I believe in the days ahead, we will need to start learning to fast. We need to study it and begin applying it. We need to be cautious and do it in a healthy way. It can be dangerous when done wrong, but it is important for the days ahead.

These two things set the stage for the final three things.

3. Keep On Waiting (James 5:7-8; Matthew 24:36)

James 5:7–8 NIV

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Matthew 24:36 NIV

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

We recognize the season is here, but like the farmer we wait patiently for the final harvest. We do not know how long the season is, so we wait. But we do not just sit back and twiddle our thumbs. No we...

4. Keep on Working (John 9:4; Matt 24:46)

It is sad to look at the past and find that there were people who were determined it was time. They gave up all they owned certain that it was time and they would be ready by selling everything. All they accomplished was their own financial ruin. God calls us to continue to work until the very moment when He calls us. What did Jesus say?

John 9:4 NIV

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

Jesus did not take the night of Passover off saying, “tomorrow morning I will be arrested so there is no more I can do!” No! Jesus continued to teach his disciples and spent the night in prayer instead of rest. He worked right up until He was prevented from doing anything further.

In one of Jesus parables He said,

Matthew 24:46 NIV

46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

In Matthew 24 when Jesus describes the rapture, what are the people doing? One is working in the field, the other is grinding. They are doing their daily work like they would any other day.

I recently heard that the Essenes’ believed in the first coming of the Messiah. Like the Wisemen, they had pinpointed from prophecy the date of His arrival. However, their response was to go into hiding with scripture and wait. In doing so, they missed the grand entrance. If they had been testifying and telling others, perhaps they would have witnessed it for themselves. But instead, they dropped their routine and went in hiding waiting…

We do not want to be like the Essenes. We want to be busy doing the work of the kingdom when Christ returns. We all have family members, and friends we want to share in this grand event. We must be working and living our lives looking for opportunities to share. I told someone this week, as events in the U.S. play out, I think our family and friends will be full of questions. I hope that these sermons and hopefully some discussions in the near future will equip us to answer those questions and lead these precious loved ones to God before the rapture, before the final day.

But even as we work we also need to...

5. Keep On Watching (Luke 21:28)

Luke 21:28 NIV

28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Vance Havner wrote: "We are not just looking for something to happen; we are looking for Someone to come! And when these things begin to come to pass, we are not to drop our heads in discouragement or shake our heads in despair, but we are to lift our heads in delight."

Have you ever heard a loud noise in the middle of the night and awake wondering if it was the trumpet of God’s return? I have. In fact, just recently. I do not know what the noise was but my initial thought coming out of sleep was, “Is this it?” I was excited. Was I disappointed afterwards? No, because I have loved ones I hope to influence for God yet.

A friend and I were talking this week and we discussed that it is a double-edged sword. We are ready and will be glad to see Jesus, but we are also concerned for our loved ones and what they are facing. I assured her that God loves our loved ones as much, probably even more as His love is a perfect love, than we and He is working to give the every chance. One of my hopes is that the horrific things that are happening in the U.S. today will wake them up. That it will soften their hearts to the truth and give us open doors to lead them to Christ.

Lets face it. The things I am talking about are not new. They way we are to live today is the way we have always been supposed to live. Alert…Praying and Fasting...Waiting…Working…Watching...

Bow your heads with me.