SET3. Signs of The End Times Part 3
Thursday,
2 July 2020
8:15 PM
Signs of The End Times Part 3
I.
Key Signs of The EndTimes
·
Mat 24:3 Now
as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying,
"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your
coming, and of the end of the age?"
Mat 24:4 And
Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
·
Jesus Response to The
question Regarding the Signs of the EndTimes
·
First
Sign: Widespread Upheaval: “Wars and Natural Disasters(vs.6-7)
·
Second
Sign: Widespread Persecution
Christians: “Hated of all men”(vs.9)
·
Third
Sign: Widespread Offences: “Many Offended& Betray”(vs.10)
·
Fourth Sign: Widespread Deception: “Many False Prophets”(vs.11)
·
Fifth Sign: Widespread Lawlessness: “The Love of
Many will Grow Cold”(vs.12)
·
Sixth Sign: Widespread Corruption &
Violence: “As it was
in The Days of Noah”(vs37)
II.
Key Signs of The End Times
(Cont)
1. Seventh Sign: As it was in The Days of Lot
·
Luk 17:28 Likewise
as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought,
they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained
fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in
the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
Lot dwelt in
the City of Sodom. He was daily troubled by the conditions in the city
·
Ezekiel Describes the Root
Sins of the City of Sodom
Eze 16:49 Look,
this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride,
fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the
hand of the poor and needy.
And they were haughty
and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took
them away as I saw fit.
The root heart
condition of Sodom was a pride and haughtiness(arrogance)
Haughtiness…blatantly and disdainfully proud, showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior (MW)
·
Moses Describes God’s
Response to Homosexual Actions
Lev 18:22 "'Do
not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.(NIV)
“Detestable”…..idolatry,
abomination, something disgusting
·
Lot was Daily Deeply
Distressed by the Moral and Sexual
Corruption in the City of Sodom
2Pe 2:7 and
he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct
of the lawless
“distressed”…….to wear down, to be oppressed, to treat
roughly, be in great anguish, exceeding pain.
·
The name of the city is the
root of the word “Sodomy”.. The homosexual action of
anal intercourse between males
·
What were the conditions
that prevailed in the Days of Lot?
Lot received
two angelic visitors to the city. He insisted they spend the night in his home
because of the danger they would face in the city
The men of
Sodom sought to commit homosexual rape against the two angels
The angels
struck the men with blindness and rescued Lot and his family
·
Gen 19:1 The
two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway
of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his
face to the ground.
Gen 19:2 "My
lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can
wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the
morning." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in
the square."
Gen 19:3 But
he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He
prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.
Gen 19:4 Before
they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both
young and old—surrounded the house.
Gen 19:5 They
called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them
out to us so that we can have sex with them."
Gen 19:9 And
they said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to
stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with
you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came
near to break down the door. (NIV)
The Sins of Sodom
(i). Pride
and Arrogance. ………………………………… Self important, despising others
(ii). Self Indulgence………………………………………………….Fulness
of bread, gluttony, idleness
(iii). Cold-hearted…………………………………………………...Lack
of concern for the Poor and Needy
(iv). Brazen Homosexuality…………………………………..…
It was widespread and openly practiced, (vs4)
(v). Aggressive Sexual Violence
……………………….…….The city was lawless (vs.5)
(vi). Intergenerational Sexual Perversion………………Old and Young
given over to sexual sin
(viii). Widespread Resistance to Truth……………………..They
accused Lot of being judgmental, intolerant
·
Paul Describes this
Condition
Rom 1:26 For
this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women
exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
Rom 1:27 Likewise
also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for
one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving
in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
·
The Bible describes 10
different categories of sin that exclude people from inheritance in the Kingdom
1Co 6:9 Do
you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,
nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers
(abusers), nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
“Homosexuals”…..effeminate,
male prostitute, a catamite…boy who is kept for homosexual relations
“Sodomite”…………males
committing anal sexual intercourse
·
Tolerance:
·
What “Tolerance” Used to
Mean
·
Miriam Webster definition:
Sympathy or
indulgence for beliefs and practices differing or conflicting with one’s own
It meant having
respect for differing viewpoints and lifestyles, and treating people with
respect who disagree with us on fundamental concepts or beliefs….(this leads to peace with diversity)
·
Tolerance is simply the willingness to allow
people to express divergent opinions without fear of retaliation. This does not
guarantee acceptance or implementation of such expressions that run contrary to
biblical morality
·
Christ said, “…Love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Mt 5:39-47).
·
He never said compromise the truth. He did say do not compromise the
truth and this world would hate you (Mt 5:11-12).
·
You cannot force people to accept
the truth whether through governmental laws or personal coercion.
·
Today the word “Tolerance” has been replaced widely by “New
Tolerance”
·
What Does The “New Tolerance”
Mean?
·
The “New Tolerance” means
not only respect….but also endorsement and praise
·
Tolerance now means the acceptance of any idea,
belief or goal proposed by anyone
·
It means that it is not enough to tolerate different beliefs,
lifestyles, but I must treat them as having equal value
·
Disagreement now means Intolerance…
This results in
being labelled..Racist,
Homophobic, Islamophobic, Transphobic, Sexist,
Any attempt to
reason, argue, deny or defend yourself is called “Proof of Guilt”
·
Eg. In practice
it is no longer sufficient to tolerate the homosexual lifestyle,
I must endorse and praise it
If I do not
endorse and praise, or
if I question it, or hold another view…I am labeled a Homophobic, a bigot,
intolerant
·
If I speak an opinion that
differs I am accused of “Hate Speech”
·
Hate speech… defined by
Cambridge Dictionary as "public speech that expresses hate or encourages
violence towards a person or group based on something such as race, religion,
sex, or sexual orientation".
Hate Speech has
now been Redefined:
Having and
Expressing a different, usually a Biblical or conservative opinion, from the favored
popular ideology
·
At the core of this New
Tolerance is the rejection of God, and objective standards, and the
belief that all lifestyles, values and beliefs are equally validity
·
Jesus Statement: “I am the Way,
I am the Truth”….would be labeled
“Intolerant”, and “Hate Speech”
·
Isa 5:20 Woe
to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
·
What are The
Characteristics of “The New Tolerance”?
(i). The belief: “ All truth is Relative”…denying
reality of objective truth
(ii).
Intolerance.
“ Rejection of any Alternative or Biblical
perspective.
(iii). Insistence of Conformity … Embrace the
homosexual values, and lifestyle
(iv). Demand for Abandonment of Convictions and
indifference to evil
(v). Fuels Hatred for Christians……… It turns people
and nations
against Biblical Christianity
(vi). Teaches it is wrong to `Criticize
Homosexuals, but it is Ok to bash Christians
·
Gen 19:9 And
they said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to
stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with
you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came
near to break down the door. (NIV)
·
Mat 24:9 "Then
you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be
hated by all nations because of me.
·
Jesus Mentions 8 Common
Activities that Occurred Both in the Days of Noah and the Days of Lot
Luk 17:27 They
ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day
that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:28 Likewise
as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they
sold, they planted, they built;
They were so
immersed in these activities that they failed to recognize what was about to
happen
Materialism and
preoccupation with the cares of life blinded them to eternal realities and they
suffered the consequences
·
Noah was Warned by God of the coming Judgment….and built an Ark
Heb 11:7 By
faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly
fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household,
·
Lot and his wife and two
daughters had to be dragged out of the city
Gen 19:14 So
Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and
said, "Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this
city!" But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.
Gen 19:15 When
the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, "Arise,
take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the
punishment of the city."
Gen 19:16 And
while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and
the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they
brought him out and set him outside the city.
Gen 19:17 So
it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, "Escape
for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape
to the mountains, lest you be destroyed."
“Lingered”….to hesitate,
question, be reluctant, delay, showing unwillingness to take action and
leave
·
Jesus Warnings:
·
(i).
The Example of Lot’s Wife
Luk 17:32 Remember
Lot's wife.
Although she
was dragged almost by force out of the city her heart remained attached to Sodom,
and the lifestyle she had in the city
·
(ii). The Need to Guard your
Heart
Luk 21:34 "But
take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with
carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you
unexpectedly.
For it will
come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
·
(iii). The Need For Spiritual Sensitivity and Prayer
Watch therefore, and pray always
that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come
to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
This offers a
promise of a supernatural escape from the End Time Global turmoil, conditional
upon our personal walk with God today
2. Eighth Sign: The Fig Tree and All the Trees
·
Luk 21:29 Then
He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
When they are
already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now
near.
So you also,
when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
Assuredly, I
say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take
place.
Heaven and
earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
·
“The Fig Tree” refers to the
nation of Israel
“and all the
trees” refers to the other nations of the world
The change in
nations will begin with the fig tree…Israel first and then the other nations
·
Israel Becomes a Nation
In 1948 Israel
came together as a nation……” it began to bud and form leaves”
They became
free of rule by the British, and established their own history culture and
language
In 1967 Israel
took control of Jerusalem.
In 2019
Jerusalem was acknowledged as their Capital
·
The Rise of Nationalism
Across the
globe now the nations are beginning to put forth the leaves of their own
identity
There is an
upsurge of nations wanting to establish their own identity, history and culture
·
"Now learn this
parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and
puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see
all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to
you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take
place. (Mat24:30-32)
Jesus
specifically taught that these are the signs of the EndTimes
and His imminent return
It is near…at
the doors….this generation
3. Ninth Sign: Great Change in the Culture…Selfishness
2Ti 3:1 But
know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
·
“Perilous times”….fierce,
dangerous, reducing strength, hard to bear
·
Widespread Cultural
Conditions:
Lovers of
themselves (narcissistic, self-centered),
Lovers of money
(greed),
Boasters (empty
pretenders)
Proud (appearing
better than others, despising and looking down on others)
Blasphemers (abusive),
Disobedient to
parents, (unable to be persuaded, unwilling to listen)
Unthankful (entitled),
Unholy (defiled),
Unloving (devoid
of natural family affection),
Unforgiving (truce
breakers…unwilling to enter covenant),
Slanderers (malicious
gossips),
Without
self-control,
Brutal (savage,
cruel)
Despisers of
good (and those that are good)
Traitors (treacherous),
Headstrong (rash)
Haughty (arrogant)
Lovers of
pleasure (lust) rather than lovers of God,
Having a form
of godliness (outward appearance but denying its power. And from such people
turn away!
4. Tenth Sign: Cosmic Upheaval and Great Global Fear
Luk 21:25 "And
there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth
distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 men's
hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are
coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luk 21:27 Then
they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
·
Widespread Great Fear: Result of upheavals in nature becoming more frequent
and intense
5. Eleventh Sign:
Increase in Travel and Knowledge
·
Dan 12:4 "But
you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many
shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
·
There is a sealing of the
book of Daniel so it cannot be understood until the End Times
·
In The End Times….. A great
increase of Travel and of Knowledge
·
Knowledge is increasing at
an exponential rate
·
Eg. The time take
for Knowledge to Double
1900-every 100
years; 1945-every 25years; 1980-every 13months, 2020- IBM predicts every 12
hours
6. Twelfth Sign: The Gospel of the Kingdom Preached
·
Mat 24:14 And
this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to
all the nations, and then the end will come.
·
End time revival …….the
Gospel will be preached in all the
world….this is the Key Sign
·
Gospel of the
Kingdom……….The message of the Kingdom of God
·
Gospel of the
Kingdom………..With demonstration of the Supernatural Power of God (1Cor.4:20)
·
2Pe 3:9 The
Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long
suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance.
III.
Doom and Gloom or Greatest Hour?
1.
What do You See?
·
The condition of your heart
will determine your perspective, how you see the signs of the End Times
(i). You can see it through the Eyes of Unbelief and
Fear………….impending judgment and catastrophe
So many so
called prophetic voices proclaim impending judgments that do not come to pass
(ii). You can
see it through the Eyes of Faith and Hope…..………..our
greatest opportunity
·
You will see Doom and
Gloom…..or Our Greatest Hour
2. Do you See
Giants or Bread?
Num 14:6 But
Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh,
who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes;
Num 14:7 and
they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The
land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.
Num 14:8 If
the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to
us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.'
Num 14:9 Only
do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they
are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD
is with us. Do not fear them."
Num 14:10 And
all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the LORD
appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel.
·
God brought them out of
Egypt to bring them into a Promised Land, a Divine Destiny
·
Twelve spies searched the
land and brought fruit (of the age to come) Grapes, pomegranates and figs
·
They also brought back a report…how they saw the
land…thorough Eyes of Unbelief or Eyes of Faith
·
(i). Ten Spies….Saw Giants
“There are Giants, we were like
grasshoppers”….a report of Unbelief and Fear
The People
Listened:
The people all
clicked: “Like”, and “Repost”
The people all
Posted: “Massive Leadership Failure, Leadership Change being decided
”
Then the People
cried , wept, rejected Moses, and decided to select
new leader and return to Egypt
·
(ii). Joshua and Caleb:….Saw Bread
“The Land is good, The Lord is with us, and
The Giants are our Bread
The People
Reacted: “Stone them”
The People all
clicked: “Unlike”, “Unfriend”
The People
posted “Fake News” and “ Giants lives Matter too”
·
(iii). God’s Response:
Num 14:23 they
certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor
shall any of those who rejected Me see it.
Num 14:24 But
My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed
Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants
shall inherit it.
·
God Judged and Decreed
·
God clicked : “Joshua
Like”, “Caleb Like”, and posted “Joshua, Caleb and descendants just won Lotto”
·
God posted:
“Plan still on, Same Leadership , New Team”,
·
God Decreed:“All
the earth shall be filled with the Glory of the Lord”(vs.21)
3. Darkness or
Glory?
Isa 60:1 Arise,
shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
Isa 60:2 For
behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And
deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His
glory will be seen upon you.
Isa 60:3 The
Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
·
What is your heart focussed upon?
·
Unbelief and Fear?......
“Darkness everywhere”
·
Faith and Hope?.......... “
The Glory of God is Here”
IV.
We Must Actively Prepare for Jesus Return!
1.
Jesus will return in great
Glory and Power and Majesty
Luk 21:27 Then
they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Mat 16:27 For
the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then
He will reward each according to his works.
2. We Must
Personally Prepare for the Second Coming of The Lord
·
Three times in Mark 13
Jesus commands us to Watch
·
Mar 13:32 "But
of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,
but only the Father.
Mar 13:33 Take
heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
·
Mar 13:35 Watch
therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is
coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the
morning—
Mar 13:36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
Mar 13:37 And
what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
“Watch”…..To arouse from
a condition of spiritual slumber, to stay spiritual awake and prepared
Watching is
always connected to a vibrant strong prayer life and sensitivity to the Holy
Spirit
3. How Can We
Prepare for Jesus Return?
(That is
Another Message: 8 Ways to Prepare for The Coming of jesus)
V.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. What did the Holy
Spirit speak to you about during this message?
2. What areas of
your life were challenged in this study
3. What changes do
you need to make?
4. How vibrant is
your personal prayer life?
5. What issues in
the culture mentioned in 2Tim.3 are relevant to you?
6. How well can
you describe the Gospel of The Kingdom?
7. Where do you
need to grow in ministering the power of the Kingdom?
What action
steps will you take