sf804 - PROPHECY IN PANORAMA (Matthew 24 5-8)

Matthew 24:5-8

Introduction

Prophecy is Important

1/4 of the books in the Bible are prophetic in nature.

1/5 of the content of Scripture was predictive at the time of its writing.

"I do not believe that one can have a full-orbed view of the Bible or be a well-rounded student of Scripture without a knowledge of prophecy." J. Vernon McGee

Prophecy is Intriguing

Lack of balance among students of prophecy.

Wide spread growth of fortune-tellers and mediums.

Two Great Books of Prophecy

Daniel - focuses on the Gentiles

Revelation - focuses on the nation of Israel

God’s Overall Scheme

1A. The Law (Exodus 19-31)

1B. The purpose of the law

Ø To reveal man's sinfulness

Ø To expose sin’s awfulness

Ø To reveal God’s holiness

Ø To restrain man’s waywardness

Ø To regulate society’s lawlessness

2B. Israel's failure in keeping the law

Ø Led to the division into two kingdoms (931 BC)

Ø Israel overthrown by Assyria (722 BC)

Ø Judah destroyed by Babylon (605 BC)

Ø Deliverance (530 BC)

Ø 400 years of Silence

Ø Birth announcements of John and Jesus

2A. The Church

Not foreseen by the OT saints.

Revealed primarily by Paul (Ephesians 2:3-11)

Initiated in power at Pentecost (Acts 2)

Everyone who accepts Christ becomes part of God's family - same as Israel. (Gal. 3:28-29; Ephesians 3:6)

3A. The Rapture

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:50-52 NKJV) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

4A. The Great Tribulation

The Beast - Dominant political leader (Revelation 13:1-8)

The False Prophet - Religious leader/right hand man (Rev 13:11-17) [Also called "the beast"]

This will be a time of Judgement on sin.

Those who trust Christ will suffer extreme persecution.

The Great Tribulation will last seven years and will end with the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 6-18)

5A. The Second Coming (Advent) (Revelation 19)

When the armies of the world gather for the Battle of Armageddon

Jesus will descend from Heaven (11)

His saints will accompany Him (14)

He will conquer the Beast and the false Prophet (20)

Then He will destroy those who sided with the Beast (21)

He will bind Satan for a thousand years (20:1-3)

6A. The Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20)

Only believers will enter this perfect environment

Satan will be freed and will deceive some of those born during this time. (7-9)

The Lord will destroy these unbelievers and cast Satan into the Lake of Fire (9b-10)

The Great White Throne Judgement (11-15)

7A. The New Creation (Revelation 21)

God will create a new universe (1)

(2 Peter 3:13 NKJV) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

God will remove all pain and sorrow (4)

APPLICATION

Prophecy is important to every Christian.

The same God who revealed the future to the authors of the Bible is at work today in our lives.

Only those who trust Christ can take hope in the message of prophecy.

The rapture will find you ready or ruined.

(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 NKJV) The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, {10} and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. {11} And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, {12} that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Prophecy in Panorama
Sunday, January 3, 1999 – Matthew 24:5-8

1A. The Law (Exodus 19-31)

1B. The _________________ of the law

2B. Israel's failure in keeping the _________________

2A. The Church

Not foreseen by the OT saints.

Revealed primarily by ____________ (Eph. 2:3-11)

Initiated in ______________ at Pentecost (Acts 2)

Everyone who accepts Christ becomes part of God's family - same as Israel. (Gal. 3:28-29; Eph 3:6)

3A. The __________________

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

4A. The _________________ Tribulation

The Beast - Dominant political leader (Revelation 13:1-8)

The _____________ Prophet - Religious leader/right hand man (Rev 13:11-17) [Also called "the beast"]

This will be a time of Judgement on ______________.

Those who trust Christ will suffer extreme persecution.

Last ___________ years and will end with the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 6-18)