San Davis
Sermon message for Monday September 3, 2012
The Signs Of The Times Are All Around Us, The Season Of Jesus Return Is Upon Us! Are You Ready?
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus I come before You as humble as I know how, to present this sermon to the brethren. I thank You Lord for another opportunity to minister to the flock through Your inspired words and teaching concerning the End Times. We anxiously await Your return Lord Jesus. Thank You for the grace extended to each of us, to be patient and obedient to do Your will, while we use the extra time to win more souls for the Kingdom. May this message cause excitement to rise in the hearts of Your children, knowing that the signs of the time, serves as a reminder, we are drawing ever so close to Your return. Even as we wait, I pray we lead Holy lives by total and humble submission to doing Your will Lord. Repenting and seeking Your Face with all sincerity. Walking in Love and serving our fellow man. Thank You Lord, I give you praise, honor and glory in Your name I pray. Amen!!
Brethren, the intensity and frequency of tragic world events should rightly concern all of us. Jesus Christ Himself spoke of "the signs of the times." We can all see certain signs that correspond to a crisis-filled, chaotic, close of this age, otherwise called in the Bible "THE TIME OF THE END." Events will unfold soon to destroy the World's way of life as we have known it.
There is a real God, and the Bible speaks for Him. God inspired the words of these prophecies, and they are sure. Even the most seasoned newsmen who have "seen it all" are in awe of the world developments in recent years. All of them realize that something unique in the history of the world is happening today. And what's most stunning about it all is the breath-taking rapidity of these recent developments. The news media is randomly reporting tragic events, explaining their significance in a way that the average man or woman can understand. You need to know that the progression of disturbing news stories is not random and inconsequential. In fact, they foreshadow remarkable key trends and specific events that will change everything you are familiar with.
Why stay in ignorance about the meaning of the events taking place around you? Jesus commands His genuine disciples to watch and to be ready. "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" (Luke 21:36).
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THESE CRUCIAL SIGNS?
Jesus Christ emphasized how important it is to understand the significance of the times in which we live. The religious leaders of His day asked Him to give them a sign from heaven. Jesus used this opportunity to address their question.
He answered and said to them, in (Matthew 16:2-3) “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times."
He again repeats Himself in (Luke 12:54-56) “And he said also to the people, "When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this"
Some 2,000 years ago the vast majority of the people in the land of Israel simply did not even comprehend that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah. They did not understand His mission in life. "He came to His own people, and His own did not receive Him, as so stated in (John 1:11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. As Jesus foretold in advance, they also failed to anticipate the tragedy that would eventually befall Jerusalem. Just thinking about the horrors to be visited on the city caused Jesus to weep.
(Matthew23:37-39) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! "See! Your house is left to you desolate; "for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'
(Luke 19:41-44) Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation." Christ was speaking in part of the Roman siege of A.D. 70, which ended with the horrifying destruction of Jerusalem and its citizens starved, slaughtered or sold into slavery. The Jewish people of His day simply did not realize the significance of events surrounding Christ's first coming.
As it was then, so is our world today. The world fail to grasp the significance of the signs that surrounds them.
Do you know what the most important news story of our generation will be? I mean, the biggest event that will shake the entire earth within this lifetime? Well that will be "THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST". Yes Christ Return! As certain tragic signs increasingly afflict the nations, more and more people will see it for what it is, and come to Jesus. Others in the meanwhile will wax worse and worse. Jesus said, as the time drew nearer for His return, life on earth will worsen to the point that human survival will be at stake! "It will be a time of great distress, such as there has never been before since the beginning of the world, and will never be again. If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive; but for the sake of God's chosen it will be cut short"
(Matthew 24:21-22) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Did you realize that about one fourth of the entire Bible is prophecy and that about 90 percent of all prophecy is for "the end time", yes the time is now. These predicted events are sure. Of course, some people are not interested in Bible prophecy. But they should be, since it will affect their own lives, their families, their jobs and their eternal future. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are three accounts of Christ teaching His disciples what to watch for before He returns. Luke wrote: "So you, likewise, 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 are fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Luke 21:31–33).
Soon, mankind will suffer through the most devastating, bloody war in human history called, in biblical terminology, the "Great Tribulation." "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved alive; but for the elect's sake, yes for the sake of God's repentant, obedient people, those days will be shortened" (Matthew 24:21–22).
THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THINGS ARE FULFILLED!
We are now in that time, when these things are now being revealed. "Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined. God is examining you and I, testing us to see who is willing to obey His Word, but the wicked shall continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand" (Daniel 12:10).
Do you understand that many corrupt nations are headed for a big fall? Do you fully realize that America's national debts are almost out of control and that, proportionately, many countries all over Europe indebtedness are even greater? Can you grasp the full meaning in God's eyes of the spiritual and moral slide of our entire Western civilization?
As a follower of Jesus, you should pay close attention to His instruction for you: "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" (Luke 21:36).
The signs of the times are visible all around us just as Jesus said they would be prior to His return.
DELIBERATE DECEPTION BY MEN OF GOD'S WORD!
Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divination, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds." (Jeremiah 14:14)
RISE OF FALSE CHRISTS!
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24).
INCREASE IN WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS!
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6–7).
FAMINES, PESTILENCE & EARTHQUAKES!
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11)
DISCRIMINATION AND HATRED AGAINST CHRISTIANS!
Paul warned the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:29, "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock."
BACKSLIDING, TURNING FROM THE FAITH, BETRAYAL!
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)
HATRED OF CHRISTIANITY AND CHRISTIANS FIGHTING AGAINST CHRISTIANS!
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues....But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."( Matthew 10:16-20) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:10-12)
LAWLESSNESS ABOUNDING!
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:24-32)
LOVE AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS GROWS COLD!
I believe the timing of this prophecy is during the Tribulation but we know that the conditions of increased sinfulness and decreased love has reached painful proportions just prior to the Tribulation as birth pangs, and thus the resulting conditions of cold-heartedness will increase also. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)
THE RISE OF AN AGGRESSIVE, FUNDAMENTALIST ISLAMIC POWER!
"At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him, a power located north from the king of the South; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.… He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels [will be at his feet or footsteps]" (Daniel 11:40, 42–43).
AN ASCENDANT EUROPEAN UNION SEEKS GLOBAL PRIMACY!
The seven heads represent seven distinct revivals of this evil empire over a long period of time. The ten horns represent the ten leaders (kings) of the constituent nations which will make up this ungodly federation that will, first of all, fight against God's saints. "And it was granted to him [the leader of the ungodly empire] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (Revelation 13:7). These ten leaders will also fight against Christ Himself at His return! "And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:12–14).
A GREAT FALSE RELIGIOUS LEADER!
A great false religious leader will rise up before Christ returns to this earth. The Apostle Paul, in a letter concerning the Second Coming of Christ, wrote: "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him…" (2 Thessalonians 2:1). He then cautioned God's people "not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come". Some were even writing letters purporting to be from Paul. "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition or son of destruction".
WHEN FAITH AGAIN BECOMES A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH!
God's people will be persecuted at the time of the end, just as the early Christians faced vicious attacks. "If the world hates you," Jesus told the disciples, and this certainly applies to us, His disciples today. "you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:18–19). This present society around us will become increasingly hostile to God's people and the moral standards they live by! The political, business, media, cultural and religious elites will feel condemned by the true Church of God which will not compromise with God's Word. God's Church will be politically incorrect. This world will feel guilty.
THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD TURNS AGAINST ISRAEL!
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near" (Luke 21:20). Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city" (Zechariah 14:1–2). "For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. They have cast lots for My people, have given a boy in exchange [as payment] for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink" (Joel 3:1–3)
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS!
Through his sins, man has cut himself off from God . Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44). This is the only way one can come to God. God's Church is proclaiming the Gospel, witnessing to humanity so that those who are willing can seek Him. Whoever has their mind opened by God can understand. You are reading part of God's "witness" right now! (Isaiah 59:1–2). How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14) He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. (Ephesians 2:17) “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24;14)
HEAVENLY SIGNS AND THE DAY OF THE LORD
Here are incredible parts of a crescendo leading up to Christ's return. Almost like a vast fireworks display in the evening sky, we will literally see the transition from the Great Tribulation to intensified punishments directly from God on any who are still unrepentant in defiant rebellion against their Creator. "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" "I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind" (Revelation 6:12–13).
As we draw close to the end of this message, let us reflect on the basis of the sermon. All true Christians should enthusiastically anticipate Jesus return to Rapture the Church. After all, Christ Himself instructed us to pray to the Father "Your kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.And certainly a part of the work of His servants includes warning the nations of this world about the tragic events that must occur before Christ's return to this suffering planet (Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Clearly a prophetic message remains a vital part of the Church's mission to the world.
Yet as crucial as prophecy is, our personal spiritual preparation is far more important than just understanding the significance of prophetic events alone. (Luke 21:34-35) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth…When we really understand its purpose, prophecy constitutes a divine call to true repentance. As God tells us in (Ezekiel 33:11) Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live"
Brethren, as we contemplate the signs of the times we see all around us, let us be diligent to heed Jesus Christ's warning in (Luke 21:36) “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. "Be on the alert, praying at all times for strength to pass safely through all that is coming and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man."
Please allow this sermon to serve as a gracious reminder that the same Jesus as He ascended, He will descend again!! I will close with a most inspiring song reminder! People Get Ready, Jesus is coming! This is The Rhythm Of The Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah!
Much love to each of you my precious brothers and sisters. Shalom, Shalom and God bless!
Your sister in the Lord, Sis San :)
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