Urgency of the Hour: Today's Drama (1 of 5)

Matthew 24:36 (NLT)

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

This is one of the hardest sermons to write for me, because I don’t want to be the scary guy on the street corner holding a sign “THE END IS NEAR”. On the other hand, I have to tell you the truth about what has, is and will occur as signs that the End Times are fast approaching. I won’t be telling any stories today. I will telling you about what the Bible says and what is happening around us.

Did you know that prophecy is 27% of Bible content.

Today we will taking about the coming of the end of days. I believe we are in the end times right now, but I cannot tell if the Second coming of Jesus will be today, tomorrow, next week , next month, this year, next year or even this decade. But I do believe that it will occur sometime soon and very soon.

Let me set the stage for you as to why I believe this.

Setting the Stage:

The Miracle Rebirth of Israeli

The modern-day rebirth of the nation of Israel 74-years ago, on May 14th, 1948. This is such an unprecedented act in world history and is considered an outright ‘miracle’ in the most classic sense of the word. That is, it could only have been achieved by divine intervention.

This is especially true in light of the uniquely dire circumstances under which Israel’s re-emergence among the family of nations took place. The prophet Isaiah alludes to these travails when he asks in Isaiah 66:8:

Isaiah 66:8 NLT

Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born.

Further we read in Psalm 102:16

Psalm 102:16 NLT

For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem. He will appear in his glory.

The rebirth of Israel is a key trigger point within the prophetic timeline: With out this rebirth the remaining prophecies throughout the Bible leading into and in the Book of Revelation cannot come to pass.

Hear now, Jesus tell us about the timing of the end times Matthew 24:34:

Matthew 24:34 NLT

I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.

Thus, if we combine the prophecy of Isaiah, Psalm 102 with Jesus’ own words and the rebirth of Israel we can reasonably conclude that the end times and the Second Coming of Christ sit in the wings of today’s stage.

In Matthew 24:34, Jesus says “this generation shall not pass”, however, if we look at the original Greek the deeper meaning of this refer to the last or end or terminal generation. If we assume that the rebirth of Isreal in 1948 is also the birth of the terminal generation, then we have to ask how long is a generation.

We know from statics that the average human lifespan is 80 or so years and that maximum life span is 120 years. So if we count from 1948 the Second Coming will occur between today and no further out than the year 2068. Since these prophecies when held together tell us essentially that the last person born at the Rebirth in 1948 shall not die before He comes, we can conclude we are indeed in the End of Days.

The thought of this takes my breath away. Does it do that for you? If it does or doesn’t: Let us take a deeper look at what Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 to see what are the signs of the end times.

Signs Will Precede the Rapture:

I personally believe that Matthew 24 is the single most important chapter in the Bible for Christians on end-times’ prophecy. If you don’t know anything else, first go to this chapter, and get to know it inside and out, especially in these days, in these years leading up to the return of Jesus Christ to this earth.

JESUS, WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK?

Matthew 24:3. The disciples had been with Jesus for close to 2½ years and they are getting the idea that He is leaving them, that He is taking off for heaven, and they want to know when He is coming back. They want a little advance notice before Jesus returns, and so they ask Him for two signs, a sign of His coming, and a sign of the end of the age.

THE BIRTH PAINS – THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Matthew 24:4-8. These verses describe the “birth pains.” They take place during the end-times, that time period starting with the regathering of the Jews to Israel and ending with the coming of Christ (Daniel 12:4, 9). There has been much discussion as to when these signs started, or will start, but personally, I believe they have already begun, culminating in the return of the Jews to their homeland which began in the 1948. Let me mention some key points about these birth pains:

1.These verses describe four major events taking place all over the world during the end times. We read about false christs, wars, famines and earthquakes. Mark 13:6-8, Luke 21:8-11a, and Revelation 6:1-8 are all parallel passages to Matthew 24:4-8, confirming and emphasizing the importance of these birth pains. Luke 21 includes plagues and Revelation 6 includes economic distress, meaning that these things will also be occurring in the world during the time of these birth pains.

2.These events are global events, but they are not necessarily occurring in every sector, in every place, in every city in the world. We read that people “will be hearing of wars…” and “in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.” The words “hearing” and “various places” mean that many people in the world will not personally experience these events, but will hear that they are taking place. At this time in history, with the internet and smart phones, we almost immediately know when some catastrophic event is occurring in some other location. This was not possible 2000 years ago, let alone 100 years ago. It is quite clear that this verse could not have been fulfilled in the distant past, only now in these days with our modern technology.

3.These events are like the “birth pains” of a mother. Birth pains, the labor pains a woman experiences before the birth of her baby, will increase in both intensity and frequency. As we get nearer to the return of Christ, the events described in Matthew 24:4-7 will increase in intensity, by getting stronger and stronger, and will increase in frequency, by getting closer and closer together. As these birth pains continue to happen, I believe Christians especially will be able to sense that Christ’s coming is getting closer and closer, as the writer of Hebrews has told us – “Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25

4.Matthew 24:6 says, “those things (the birth pains) must take place but that is not yet the end.” This word “end” is referring to the end of the age. These terrible disasters will be occurring in different places around the world, and increasingly so, but there is still a ways to go before Christ’s return. we know Christ’s coming is drawing near, but it’s not right away. These birth pains are only the beginning events that will take place and need to take place before the rapture the church.

5.Jesus instructs us to not be frightened. Yes, there will be many events that could make us fearful, but we are to trust God and not be afraid. “Do not fear, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10). Many people react wrongly and worry when “terrifying” things happen. We are God’s children, and Jesus is telling us ahead of time what will be taking place, and therefore, we should not be surprised or scared when these things occur. “Behold, I have told you in advance” (Matthew 24:25). “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

6.There will be death associated with these events. A few verses later, in Matthew 24:28, we read, “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” Revelation 6:8 speaks of this pale horse who had the “name Death; and Hades was following with him.” Psalm 46 is talking about wars and earthquakes, what I believe are some of these end-time events. In verse 10, God tells the believers living on earth at that time, “Be still and know that I am God, and that I will be exalted in the earth.”

There are 22 Rapture verses in the Bible.

There are two verses for us to consider today:

First Revelation 3:10 which clearly defines the timing of the rapture

Revelation 3:10 NLT

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.

Second, Matthew 24:13

Matthew 24:13 NLT

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

This verse and others might at first glance might suggest a Rapture in the middle or the end of the Tribulation period. But as the Bible is a harmony to be taken in total, the Rapture must be taken to occur before the Tribulation. There is some evidence that there may be two Raptures: One before Tribulation and the Second at the end of Tribulation for those who become Believers during the Tribulation and do not take the Mark of the Beast. But that is a topic for another day.

Matthew 24:14. Focuses on Christians really stands out, reminding us that our primary purpose in the end-times is to preach the gospel. We are not to shrink back or be fearful. We are to be strong and courageous, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost. This gospel is to be preached in the whole world, “and then the end will come.” What is this end? It is the “end of the age” spoken of in verse 3 and the “end” referred to in both verses 6 and 13. Matthew 28:19-20 essentially tells us the same thing – “Go make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and lo, I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Christians are to persevere and preach the gospel to the end of this age, and then Jesus Christ will return in the clouds to rapture them and take them to Himself, and then on to heaven.

Signs of the End Times

Matthew 24:23-26. It’s clear that Christ wants us to know what will be taking place in the end-times. He tells us, “Behold, I have told you in advance.” Just think, Christ has told us ahead of time everything we need to know about the end-times. Should we not then want to know all that He wants us to know? In these verses, Jesus also gives warnings to the Jews about false Christs and false prophets. Many of them will be saying that Christ is on earth, that He is out in the desert or in some room, and that the Jews need to come and see Him. But the idea that Jesus comes back and is on land is absolutely false, for Christ is not coming on the ground but is coming in the air, which is just what we read in verse 27.

LET’S TALK ABOUT TIMING

Matthew 24:32-34. These verses make it clear that God wants us to know the general timing of Christ’s return. “When you see all these things, recognize that He is near.” Christ gives us all this information in Matthew 24 so we can know what will be taking place before His coming. Isn’t this encouraging and exciting?

Matthew 24:36. This states that no Christian can know the day or hour of Christ’s coming, that is, no one can know the exact time of Christ’s return. Jesus Christ has given us these verses in Matthew 24:32-35 so we can know the general time of His coming and the rapture. Therefore, don’t ever believe date setters, those people who wrongly set a date for Christ’s return. And don’t believe people who preach imminence, who say there are no signs or events that need to take place before the coming of Christ, and that Christ can come today, that He can come at any moment.

GOD’S WORD IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST’S 2ND COMING!

Matthew 24:35. Right in the middle of Matthew 24, the most important prophecy passage in the Bible, Jesus gives us this powerful verse, this super-strong statement regarding the absolute truth of God’s prophetic word.  Planted in the middle of all this instruction for believers about the end-times is this emphatic exclamation point from Jesus Christ, telling us that what is written in Matthew 24 is about His coming and the events leading up to it is the absolute, God-given truth. Without question, it will be fulfilled!

WHAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH?

In Matthew 24, this most important prophecy chapter, we have talked about many things that need to occur before the coming of Christ and the resurrection and rapture of the believers. Let me list and comment on each of them:

Wars: It is sad to say, but there are currently ongoing wars or minor conflicts in around three dozen countries, most of them in the Middle East, North West Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, and a major ongoing drug-war in Mexico. Wikipedia lists over 40 ongoing wars and conflicts with over 100 combat deaths just since 2020. The most recent addition being the war in Ukraine.

Rumors of wars. There are wars being rumored in at least another 20+ locals as well.

Famines. Today, the world stands on the brink of unprecedented famines. About 30 million people are experiencing alarming hunger, severe levels of food insecurity and malnutrition in north-eastern Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. 10 million of them are facing emergency and famine conditions. Recently, the Australian government has told it's citizens not to grow their own food. And right now the United States is facing food shortages all across the country (i.e.: Baby Formula & supply chain issues).

Earthquakes. Since 2020, there have 24 quakes of magnitude 7.0 or above, 345 quakes between 6.0 and 7.0, 5,067 quakes between 5.0 and 6.0, 38,160 quakes between 4.0 and 5.0, 116,892 quakes between 3.0 and 4.0, and 255,759 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0. That a total of 416,247 in just 3-years. Some say the last 3-years have been the most earthquake activity ever.

Great apostasy (Falling Away from God). Just in the US: Since 2010, young adults' positive ratings of socialism have hovered near 50%, while the rate has been consistently near 34% for Gen Xers and near 30% for baby boomers/traditionalists. Know that one of the key tenants of socialism is the doing away with Christianity. A majority of teens (61%) say it is not necessary to believe in God to be moral and have good values. Over the past 12-years we are seeing an alarming decrease in Christian religious values and in some cases outright attacks on Christianity.

False prophets. Dr. Rex M. Rogers formerly of Cornerstone University recently said: "Every day, present-day "false prophets" intentionally and effectively attack the core beliefs and values of the Christian Church and American culture. This is a growing existential threat, for Judeo-Christian values no longer provide a "sacred canopy" over American culture. These historic, foundational values are no longer ascendant or respected or even referenced by a vast cross-section of society.”

An unloving world. Just look around and hear all the hate speech around us: In just the past few years just in the US we have had a dramatic increase in riots, “cancel culture”, and heated hate speech involving political and racial differences.

The preaching of the gospel. One of the signs prior to Jesus’ return would be that this gospel, the one Jesus’ brought (Mark 1:15), would be preached to all nations, and then the end would come (His return to judge the world). Haven’t most nations now been penetrated by the gospel? That doesn’t mean all people in these nations have heard the gospel, but the gospel has now gone into all nations when you think about the reach that radio has had, as well as satellites, the Internet (where available), or other wireless devices. Add to these the work of missionaries and Bible tracts that have been distributed worldwide, so on the surface at least, it appears that all nations have been reached. Again, all nations do not mean all people in all nations, since that is logistically impossible. That doesn’t really matter though because all of us have no excuse, wherever we live (Rom 1:18-21). Jesus tells us when the end of the age will come in Matthew 24:14 where He says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Has that happened? If not, it is so very, very close that you can almost taste it.

Pestilence. Between 1980 and 2019 studies showed that deaths from all forms of infectious decease had a relativity steady decline. Then COVID-19 hit the world in late 2019, with world wide deaths to date being in excess of 6.2 Million. This represents a marked increase of infectious decease deaths of 58% and climbing. And some believe these figures are grossly underestimated by 6-7 Million or more, making for possible total in excess of 12 million. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a list of possible pandemic outbreaks of various infectious deceases around the world, that is currently no less than 10 pages long. The one that seems to be of greatest concern is Monkey Pox. The WHO is warning that a lock down may be needed to stop the spread of this Small Pox like decease.

Financial Crises. Every one you see the impact of these in your own pocket book. We have soaring inflation across the board. Many experts are predicting we are entering a period of prolonged stagflation which is defined as persistent high inflation combined with high unemployment and stagnant demand in a country's economy that may last 10-years or longer. And not to mention run away gas prices, which the experts say will be over $6 per gallon by August of this year. Many people are already making tough choices about what to pay on bills and still be able to purchase food for themselves and/or their families.

Increasing lawlessness. You don’t have to look far to find increasing crime and violence now days. According to SafeHome.org Research Published: Jan 19, 2022

· On average, violent crime has climbed by 12 percent in U.S. cities, while property crime has declined by 33 percent since 2010. Robbery rates fell in the average U.S. city by 23 percent, while murder, rape, and aggravated assault all climbed by 25 percent or more.

· Motor vehicle theft was the only type of property crime to rise in the average city over the past decade, increasing by 48 percent.

· Out of America’s largest metropolises, Detroit led the nation in both murder and rape in 2020. Seattle had the most reported burglaries, and Memphis, Tennessee had the most larceny-theft incidents.

· Out of all cities with smaller populations (between 100,000 and 249,999 people), two Louisiana cities had the highest murder rates: Baton Rouge and Shreveport. Two similarly-sized California cities, Richmond and Hayward, topped the list for motor vehicle theft.

· The murder rate in small cities (those with population levels between 100,000 and 249,999), climbed by more than 80 percent on average between 2010 and 2020.

This great prophecy chapter (Matthew 24) makes it crystal clear that all these things will take place before the rapture and resurrection of the believers. Can you see how Matthew 24 is the most instructive chapter in the whole Bible on end times’ prophecy for the Christian?

TAKE HEED TO WHAT IS WRITTEN IN MATTHEW 24

Dear Christian, do not ignore this chapter. Do not take it lightly. This is most serious and most sobering and most important, especially at this time in history. We are talking about the most difficult and challenging days ever for Christians who are living on this earth. This is critically needed information from Christ to you about the end times, for this will help you to be the overcomer God wants you to be. I encourage you to read it, reread it, and read it again. Study it, think about it, and pray over it, being convinced that it will all take place. Jesus Christ is not lying. He is telling you the truth, the truth about the end-times that you need to know and believe.

As the time gets closer, you may be part of that last generation of Christians on this earth that sees every one of these verses come true just like Jesus said. If you are not part of that last generation, then it may be your children, or your grandchildren, or friends or fellow church members. It is your duty and responsibility to tell them what this chapter is all about. Then one day not long from now, Jesus Christ will come back, and will lovingly, powerfully, quickly, and gloriously take all the believers who are on this earth to be with Him, and to be with Him forever and ever and ever. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20

So believer, if you are in fear or worry of what is to come heed these words of our Lord:

Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.

I will be honored throughout the world.”