Rapture | The Only 4 signs Left | Strange Things Happening Worldwide

the next major event in biblical prophecy is the rapture of Believers by Jesus Christ Jesus promised that he would return to Earth to take his people to be with him he said let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me in my father's house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there you may be also

John 14: 1-3 is the rapture biblical after his resurrection Jesus ascended to heaven and the disciples witnessed his Ascension and after he had said these things he was lifted up while they were watching and a cloud took him up out of their sight and as they were gazing intently into the sky while he was going then behold two men in white clothing Stood Beside them and they said men of Galilee why do you stand looking into the sky this Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as

you have watched him go into heaven acts 1: 9-11 two points stand out in these Verses first the Jesus who returns to earth the second time is the very same Jesus who lived here on Earth with us and went back to Heaven following his resurrection and second he will return to Earth the same way in like manner as he went back back to heaven the Rapture of the church is the next event on God's prophetic timeline it is one of the Christian Faith's Great Hopes And it is shrouded in mystery when will it happen what

will the experience be like what is the Bible's teaching on the Rapture when the Lord returns descending from Heaven his appearance as well as the rising of his people to meet him in the air will be visible to the entire world an event known as The Rapture the Rapture is perh perhaps the most important prophecy for us to comprehend because it may have a direct impact on our lives this video will explain what the Rapture is and its personal and practical implications Rapture is derived from the Latin translation of first Thessalonians 4:1 17 after that

we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will be with the Lord forever first heart pzo can mean to carry off by force Christ's power will be used to deliver both living and deceased Believers from the final adversary death second Harpo can mean to eagerly claim for oneself Christ paid for us with his blood and he will return to reclaim those who belong to him third arpeo can mean to snatch away speedily the Rapture will take

place in the twinkling of an eye fourth Harpo can also be translated as to save from destruction this interpretation lends support to the idea that the Rapture will deliver the church from the Terrors of the 7-year tribulation period three new testament passages tell us about the Rapture John chap 14: 1-3 1 Corinthians 15: 50-57 1 Thessalonians chap 4: 13-8 Paul's words in first Thessalonians are the most complete and for form the basis for this discussion in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 but we do not want you to be uninformed brothers and sisters about those who are

asleep so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do who have no hope for if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead so also God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus for we say this to you by the word of the Lord that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep for the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet of

God and the dead in Christ will rise first then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord therefore Comfort one another with these words this Revelation was shared by Paul in order to address a practical concern of the Christians in thessalonica they were concerned about the fate of Christians who died before Christ's second coming as well as the Rapture timing whether it had already occurred the Rapture according to Paul will occur in

a moment in the twinkling of an eye 1 Corinthians 15:52 the Lord will call Believers to himself quickly God's people from all ages the disciples the martyrs of the ages your Godly ancestors and many more will rise from their graves at the Rapture each of the three major passages describing the Rapture makes it clear that it is only for believers including innocent children too young to believe anyone who does not accept Jesus as their lord and savior will not be raptured into the Lord's presence but will instead face the horrors of the tribulation Jesus addressed

his disciples who were clearly Believers in John 14: 1-3 he promised to prepare a place for them in his father's house they like Christians now were members of the family of faith I will come again and receive you to myself describes the Rapture or the reunion of Jesus Christ in his faithful followers the Rapture is only for believers only Christ's followers will be taken up into heaven when he returns and he the Lord will send his angels with the great sound of a trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the Four Winds from

one end of Heaven to the other Matthew 24:31 that is not secret note also that this is not talking about the church being caught up rather it refers to those who remain on Earth who are God's chosen ones the fact that various other aspects of Prophecy which are to take place following the Rapture our taking shape today indicates that biblical prophecy may be on the verge of being fulfilled as Believers this should encourage us to look forward to spending eternity with Christ moreover the imminent return of Jesus should motivate us to lead holy lives and

spread the message of Christ to others as Jesus instructed his disciples before departing from Earth go therefore and Make Disciples of all Nations baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you in Matthew chap 28: 19-20 go therefore and Make Disciples of all the Nations help the people to learn of me believe in me and obey my words baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe

everything that I have commanded you and lo I Am With You Always remaining with you perpetually regardless of circumstance and on every occasion even to the End of the Age the complete truth about the return of Christ Revelation 1:7 look he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him even those who pierced him and all peoples on Earth will mourn because of him so shall it be amen the anticipation of Christ's return stands as one of the central themes in Christian theology echoing throughout the pages of scripture from the Old Testament to

the new the promise of a second coming serves as both a Beacon of Hope for believers and a solemn reminder of the impending judgment for those who reject him the foundation of the doctrine of Christ's return lies in the words of Jesus himself in the gospel accounts Jesus unequivocally declares that he will come again in power and glory to judge the living and the dead Matthew 24: 30-31 these teachings are echoed by the apostles who affirm the certainty of his return and urge Believers to be vigilant and prepared 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17 2 Peter 3:

10-13 furthermore the Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of a messiah who would reign in righteousness and establish God's Kingdom on Earth prophecies such as Isaiah 9: 6-7 and Daniel 7: 13-14 paint vivid pictures of a future king who will rule with Justice and peace signs of the times throughout the New Testament Jesus and the apostles provide insights into the signs that will precede his return 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12 now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet him we ask you brothers and sisters not to be

quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a so-called prophetic revelation of a spirit or a message or a letter alleged to be from us to the effect that the day of the Lord has already come let no one in any way deceive or entrap you for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first that is the Great Rebellion the abandonment of the Faith by professed Christians and the man of lawlessness is revealed the son of Destruction the Antichrist the one who is destined to be destroyed who opposes and exalts himself so proudly and so

insolently above every so-called God or object of worship so that he actually enters and takes his seat in the temple of God publicly proclaiming that he himself is God do you not remember that when I was still with you I was telling you these things and you know what restrains him now from being revealed it is so that he will be revealed at his own appointed time for the mystery of lawlessness Rebellion against Divine Authority and the coming reign of lawlessness is already at work but it is restrained only until he who now restrains it

is taken out of the way then the Lawless one the Antichrist will be revealed and the Lord Jesus Will slay him with the breath of his mouth and bring him to an end by the appearance of his coming the coming of the Antichrist the Lawless one is through the activity of Satan attended with great power all kinds of counterfeit Miracles and deceptive signs and false wonders all of them Lies by unlimited seduction to evil and with all the deception of wickedness for those who are perishing because they did not welcome the love of the truth

of the Gospel so as to be saved they were spiritually blind and rejected the truth that would have saved them because of this God will send upon them a misleading influence an activity of error and deception so they will believe the lie in order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe the truth about their sin and the need for salvation through Christ but instead took pleasure in unrighteousness while these signs serve as indicators of the approaching end times Jesus cautions against trying to predict the exact timing of his return emphasizing the

need for Readiness at all times Matthew 24: 36-44 in Matthew 24: 36-44 it says but of that exact day and hour no one knows not even the angels of Heaven nor the son in his Humanity but the father alone for the coming of the son of man the Messiah will be just like like the days of Noah for as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the very day when Noah entered the Ark and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept

them all away so will the coming of the son of man be unexpected Judgment at that time two men will be in the field one will be taken for judgment and one will be left two women will be grinding at the Mill one will be taken for judgment and one will be left so be alert give strict attention be cautious and active in faith for you do not know which day whether near or far your lord is coming but understand this if the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief

was coming he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into therefore you who follow me must also be ready because the son of man is coming at an hour when you do not expect him the hope of Believers for believers the return of Christ is a source of great hope and expectation it represents the culmination of God's Redemptive plan the final victory over sin and death and the establishment of his eternal Kingdom the return of Christ also serves as a motivation for holy living and faithful service

knowing that we will one day give an account of Our Lives before the Judgment seat of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:10 Believers are exhorted to live in a man men are worthy of the Gospel seeking to honor God in all that they do Philippians 1: 27 only be sure to lead your lives in a manner that will be worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit and one Purpose with one mind striving side by

side as if in combat for the faith of the Gospel the day of judgment yet alongside the hope of Christ's return lies the sobering reality of judgment for those who reject him the New Testament portrays the day of Christ's return as a time of Reckoning when every person will stand before him to give an account of their lives Revelation 20 veres 11-15 but when the son of man comes in his glory and majesty and all the angels with him then he will sit on the throne of his glory all the nations will be gathered before

him for judgment and he will separate them from one another as a Shepherd separates his sheep from the goats and he will put the sheep on his right the place of honor and the goats on his left the place of rejection then the king will say to those on his right come you blessed of my father you favored of God appointed to Eternal salvation inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink

I was a stranger and you invited me in I was naked and you clothed me I was sick and you visited me with help and ministering care I was in prison and you came to me ignoring personal danger then the righteous will answer him Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you something to drink and when did we see you as a stranger and invite you in or naked and clothe you and when did we see you sick or in prison and come to you the king will answer

and say to them I assure you and most solemnly say to you to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of mine even the least of them you did it for me then he will say to those on his left leave me you cursed ones and to the Eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels demons for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink I was a stranger and you did not invite me in naked

and you did not clothe me sick and in prison and you did not visit me with help in ministering care then they also in their turn will answer Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you and he will reply to them I assure you and most solemnly say to you to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these my followers you did not do it for me then these unbelieving people I

will go away into Eternal unending punishment but those who are righteous and in right standing with God will go by his remarkable Grace into Eternal unending life Matthew 25: 31-46 while Believers have this assurance of Salvation through faith in Christ those who have rejected him will face Eternal separation from God the return of Christ stands as a central tenant of Christian faith a hope that sustains Believers in times of trial and a warning to those who reject him as we await his coming may we be found faithful living in eager anticipation of the day when

he will make all things new revelation 21:5 in Revelation 21:5 it says and he who sits on the throne said behold I am making all things new also he said right for these words are faithful and true they are accurate Incorruptible and trustworthy exploring the promise of Jesus's Second Coming the promise of Jesus's Second Coming is deeply ingrained within the fabric of Christian faith serving as a Cornerstone of Hope and expectation for believers throughout the ages in the gospel accounts Jesus himself assures his disciples of his eventual return speaking of it with both Clarity and

certainty biblical foundations Jesus's teachings regarding his second coming are found primarily in the synoptic Gospels Matthew Mark and Luke in Matthew 24 and 25 commonly referred to as the all of it discourse Jesus delivers a comprehensive discourse on the signs of his coming and the end of the age he cautions his disciples to be alert and ready for a second coming similarly in Mark 13 and Luke 21 Jesus provides additional details about the signs that will preced his coming emphasizing the need for vigilance and faithfulness he Likens his return to the days of Noah when

people were unaware until the flood came and swept them away urging his disciples to stay awake and be ready for the son of man's sudden appearance the imminent hope throughout the New Testament the imminent hope of Jesus's return permeates the teachings of the Apostles and the writings of the early church the Apostle Paul in his letters to the Thessalonians speaks of the Lord descending from heaven with a shout the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet call of God Gathering his people to him s 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17 he encourages Believers to comfort one another

with the hope of Christ return and to live in Readiness for that day 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-1 likewise the Apostle Peter writes of the coming day of the Lord when the heavens will pass away with a Roar and the elements will be destroyed by fire urging Believers to live lives of Holiness and godliness in anticipation of that day 2 Peter 3: 10-14 says but the day of the Lord will come like a thief and then the heavens will vanish with a mighty and thunderous Roar and the material elements will be destroyed with intense Heat and

the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up since all these things are to be destroyed in this way what kind of people ought you to be in the meantime in holy behavior that is in a pattern of daily life that sets you apart as a Believer and in godliness displaying profound reverence toward our awesome God while you earnestly look for and await the coming of the day of God for on this day the heavens will be destroyed by burning and the material elements will melt with intense heat but in accordance

with his promise we expectantly wait new heavens and a new Earth in which righteousness dwells so beloved since you are looking forward to these things be diligent and make every effort to be found by him at his return spotless and blameless in peace that is inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence having lived a life of obedience to him the Blessed Assurance for believers the promise of Jesus's Second Coming is a source of Blessed assurance and steadfast hope it reminds us that this present age is not all there is that one day

Christ will return to establish his kingdom in its fullness and that we will be United with him forever moreover the hope of Jesus his return Spurs us on to faithful living and diligent Service as we eagerly await his coming we are called to be faithful stewards of the gifts and talents entrusted to us to proclaim the gospel to All Nations and to love one another fervently the promise of Jesus's Second Coming is a foundational truth of Christian faith rooted in the teachings of Jesus himself and affirmed throughout the New Testament it is a hope that

sustains Us in times of trial a beacon of light in a dark and uncertain world and a reminder of the Glorious future that awaits all who put their trust in him as we await his return may we be found faithful watching and praying and eagerly anticipating the day when he will come again in power and glory to make all things new understanding the signs of the end times the concept of the end times or the last days occupies a significant place in Christian theology drawing upon various biblical passages that provide insights into the signs that

will precede the culmination of history and the return of Christ while the exact timing of these events remains unknown scripture offers guidance on understanding the signs that will characterize the end times biblical foundations throughout the New Testament Jesus and the apostles provide teachings and warnings regarding the signs of the end times in the all of it discourse Matthew 24 Mark 13 Luke 21 Jesus speaks of Wars rumors of wars famines earthquakes persecution false Messiahs and false prophets as signs that will preced his coming these signs Jesus emphasizes are not the end in themselves but rather

the beginning of birth pains signaling the approach culmination of History similarly the Apostle Paul in his letters to the Thessalonians and Timothy warns of the coming of the man of lawlessness the rebellion and the great apostasy that will precede the day of the Lord 1 Timothy 4: 1-3 says but the Holy Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons misled by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron leaving them incapable

of ethical functioning who forbid marriage and Advocate abstaining from certain kinds of foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe and have a clear knowledge of the truth he also speaks of the moral Decay and spiritual deception that will characterize the last days urging Believers to be vigilent and steadfast in their faith Discerning the signs while the signs of the end times may be alarming and unsettling they also serve as indicators of God's sovereignty and his faithfulness to fulfill his promise promises and purposes rather than instilling fear or anxiety the

signs of the end times should prompt Believers to draw near to God to hold fast to their faith and to live lifestyles of piety and Purity in the hope of the second coming of Christ moreover the signs of the end times remind us of the urgency of the Gospel message and the importance of proclaiming the good news to All Nations as Jesus himself declares and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world world as a testimony to All Nations and then the end will come Matthew 24:14 thus even in the midst

of uncertainty and turmoil Believers are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation sharing the hope of Salvation with the world in desperate need of redemption the hope of Believers ultimately the signs of the end times point to the Glorious hope of Christ's return and the establishment of his kingdom on Earth for believers this hope serves as an anchor for the soul a source of comfort and Assurance in the midst of tribulation and distress as the Apostle John writes in Revelation he who testifies to these things says yes I am coming soon amen come Lord Jesus Revelation

22:20 while the signs of the end times may be sobering and unsettling they also serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and his faithfulness to fulfill his promises as Believers we are called to discern the signs of the times to live lives of faithfulness and obedience and to eagerly anticipate the Glorious return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may we be found faithful watching and praying and ready for his coming preparing for the culmination of history as we contemplate the signs of the end times and anticipate the culmination of history with the return of Christ

it becomes Paramount for believers to prepare themselves spiritually mentally and practically the urgency of the times Demands a proactive response from those who profess faith in Christ spiritual preparation spiritual preparation begins with a deepening of one's relationship with God through prayer worship and the study of scripture in the face of uncertainty and upheaval Believers are called to Anchor their souls in the unchanging truth of God's word and to seek his presence daily this involves is cultivating a heart of repentance humility and dependence on God as well as nurturing the fruit of the spirit love joy

peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control Galatians chapter 5: 22- 23 furthermore spiritual preparation entails Readiness for persecution and tribulation Jesus warned his disciples that they would face opposition and hardship for their faith yet he also Alo assured them of his presence and his victory over the world John 16:33 therefore Believers must be willing to endure suffering for the sake of Christ knowing that their ultimate reward awaits them in the Kingdom of Heaven Matthew 5: 10-2 mental preparation mental preparation involves cultivating a Biblical world view and Discerning the signs of the times with wisdom

and Clarity rather than being swayed by fear Panic or specul Believers are called to approach current events and Global developments with a sober mindedness and a Reliance on God's truth this requires engaging in thoughtful reflection critical thinking and informed dialogue as well as seeking guidance from trusted spiritual leaders and mentors moreover mental preparation involves being aware of the schemes of the enemy and guarding against deception and false teaching in the last days Jesus warned of the rise of false prophets and false Messiah who would deceive many with signs and wonders Matthew 24: 11 and 24

therefore Believers must be rooted in the scriptures and equipped with discernment to recognize and refute falsehood holding fast to the truth of the Gospel practical preparation practical preparation encompasses both individual and communal efforts to meet the physical emotional and relational needs of oneself and others this may include prudent Financial planning emergency preparedness and Community Building initiatives aimed at fostering resilience and solidarity in times of Crisis furthermore practical preparation involves engaging in Acts of compassion Justice and mercy towards those who are marginalized oppressed or suffering Jesus taught that whatever we do for the least of his

brothers and sisters we do for him Matthew 25:40 thus highlighting the importance of active love and service in the kingdom of God as Believers await the culmination of history with the return of Christ they are called to prepare themselves spiritually mentally and practically for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead the significance of Prophecy in Christian faith for the Christian believer prophecy holds profound significance as a source of Hope encouragement and Assurance it serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in the past his sovereignty in the present and his promise of future Glory as the

Apostle Peter writes and we have the word of the prophets made more certain and you will do well to pay attention to it as to a light shining in a dark place until the day Dawns and The Morning Star rises in your hearts second Peter 1: 19 prophecy also plays a vital role in shaping our understanding of eschatology the study of last things it provides insights into the culmination of God's plan for Humanity including the return of Christ the resurrection of the dead and the establishment of God's Kingdom on Earth as such prophecy serves as

a source of comfort and Assurance for believers reminding us that God is actively at work in the world bringing his purposes to fruition the study of Prophecy is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discipline calls us to cultivate a posture of watchfulness and prayer eagerly awaiting the Fulfillment of God's promises while remaining faithful in our daily walk with him in the words of the Apostle Peter we are exhorted to be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray 1 Peter 4:7 the Bible comprising the Old and New Testaments is replete with

prophecies for telling events outcomes and the unfolding of God's Redemptive plan these prophecies serve as Windows into the Divine perspective offering glimpses of Eternity within the confines of human history biblical prophecy is not merely a collection of mystical thoughts rather it is grounded in the character and nature of God himself the scriptures testify to the omniscience omnipotence and faithfulness of God who declares the end from the beginning Isaiah 46:1 says declaring the end and the result from the beginning and from ancient times the things which have not yet been done saying my purpose will be

established and and I will do all that pleases me and fulfills my purpose thus prophecy serves as a testament to the Divine authorship of scripture and The Sovereign rule of God over all creation moreover biblical prophecy operates within the framework of God's covenant relationship with his people throughout history God has revealed his plans and purposes to his chosen servants inviting them to participate in the unfolding drama of redemption from the Covenant with Abraham to the promise of a New Covenant in Christ prophecy underscores the faithfulness of God to fulfill his promises and accomplish his purposes

in the world Jesus also gives us four signs that will occur before he arrives and many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people in the future many deceiving false prophets will arise and Lead many people astray these false prophets claim to be the messengers of God however there are two ways to identify them first their prophecies do not always come true and second their teachings lead people away from the true God it is important to note that false prophets are different from false Messiahs mentioned in verse 5 this confirms that the tribulation is

mostly Jewish in nature false prophets are associated with the nation of Israel whereas the church is threatened by false teachers 2 Peter 2:1 but false prophets also appeared among the people just as there will also be false teachers among you who will secretly introduce destructive heresies even denying the master who bought them bringing Swift destruction upon themselves Matthew 23: 12-13 and because lawlessness is increased most people's love will become cold but the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved with wickedness rampaging human affections will be less and less evident

acts of UNL will be commonplace Matthew 23:14 this God Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations and then the end will come in this period the good news of Christ's return to establish his kingdom on Earth will be proclaimed worldwide serving as a testimony to All Nations this good news is known as the gospel of the Kingdom those who Embrace Christ by faith during the tribulation will enjoy the blessings of his Millennial Reign Matthew 24: 15-36 therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which

was spoken of through Daniel the Prophet standing in the Holy place let the reader understand then those who were in Judea must flee to the mountains whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of of his house and whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak but woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who were nursing babies in those days moreover pray that when you flee it will not be in the winter or on a Sabbath for then there will be a Great

Tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now nor ever will again and if those days had not been cut short no life would have been saved but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short then if anyone says to you behold here is the Christ or he is over here do not believe him for false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders so as Mis lead if possible even the elect behold I have told you in advance so if they

say to you behold he is in the wilderness do not go out or behold he is in the inner rooms do not believe them for just as the lightning comes from the East and flashes as far as the West so will the coming of the son of man be wherever the corpse is there the vultures will gather but immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light and the Stars will fall from the sky and the powers of the heavens will be shaken and then

the sign of the son of man will appear in the sky and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great power and he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet blast and they will gather together his elect from the Four Winds from one end of the sky to the other now learn the parable from the Fig Tree as soon as its branches have become tender and Sprouts its leaves you know that summer is near

so you too when you see all these things recognize that he is near right at the door truly I say to you this generation will not pass away until all these things take place Heaven and Earth will pass away but my words will not pass away but about that day and hour Noah knows not even the angels of Heaven nor the son but the father alone now in that passage he gave four distinct signs of his coming one of the four signs is already there while the other three are not that is why I say

we are in the beginning of the end times so what exactly are these four signs he gave us the first is clearly disasters in the world and he mentions for example Wars famines and earthquakes these are certainly happening but they have been happening for over 2,000 years they are getting more intense According To Jesus the first sign of the end times is the occurrence of Wars rumors of wars earthquakes and famine he warns us not to be deceived as deception is a danger that we must watch out for both inside and outside the church as

we approach the end times in this case it is stated that there will be false christs and false Messiahs who will take advantage of natural disasters to present themselves as saviors there have been known incidents where Pretenders have led people into desert locations only to end in tragedy it is important to note that there are several false saviors who claim to be the promised deliverer from all our troubles the more prob s we Face the more false deliverers will emerge however as Jesus advises us we should not be alarmed or worried when we learn of

new Wars tragedies or famines breaking out he said something astonishing these are painful events but they are not Pains of death they are birth pains so when you read of disasters in the media these are the pains that mean something new is about to be born this should completely change our attitude we know what the world is coming to we should not be alarmed or dismayed not as worried as the world will be about these things disasters in the world are the pain of birth in a new world that is to be born therefore we

are very different we have sympathy for those who are suffering disasters and hopefully we express it in help but in our hearts we are not alarmed we are hopeful we are looking for a new birth of a new world and therefore we are not dismayed or depressed by all the problems in the world in short jesus' advice to us would be not to panic not to be disturbed but even to rejoice and say these are all signs of something new happening the second sign the second sign of his coming is not in the world but

in the church disasters in the world are the first sign the second is changes in the church just as he divided the first sign into three parts Wars earthquakes and famines he divides the second sign into three parts all of which will occur within the church the first is persecution that we will be hated in every nation the second aspect of the sign would be a significant reduction in the church's size most people's love will grow cold when the whole church is under strain many normal Christians if not all true Christians would leave under the

burdens of universal persecution their love would grow cold it's important to examine ourselves to ensure that we are genuinely in the faith in order to be confident that our love for Christ will not fade away 2 Corinthians 13:5 test yourselves to see if you are ready in the faith examine yourselves or do you not recognize this above yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you unless indeed you fail the test if we truly belong to Christ we can be confident that we possess the love of the spirit that never grows gold therefore we should make every

effort to increase our love Philippians 1: 9-1 and this I pray that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment so that you may discover the things that are excellent that you may be sincere and blameless before the day of Christ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God that's a very depressing sign the big surprise in the third part of the sign is that the gospel will be preached to every racial group the third part of the

sign is that the gospel will be proclaimed a smaller purified Church would have a greater impact on the planet that is exactly what Jesus is implying false prophets can be a source of Deceit in all of this we are aware of the teachings of false prophets when there is no peace they teach peace rather than being a source of challenge their message is one of comfort it's all right it won't happen they'll say all is fine everything is fantastic the church is in good hands that is a false prediction they may be to blame for

the large number of people who would leave the church at that time now jesus' advice is to keep going don't give in to these false prophets whoever perseveres to the end will be saved when that sign occur when all aspects of the church are despised by the world that is Jesus advice to all Christians why should that be the case the answer is that weed and tears grow together and the closer they get to full maturity the more tension there will be between them so it's only natural that Christians will be under a lot of

pressure in the end Christians are social Misfits so there would be hatred this world does not belong to us our citizenship is in the Heavenly Realms we are unique and it is because of our uniqueness that hate can arise since Jesus was so different from everyone else he drew hate against himself John 15 verse 19 if you were of the world it would love you as its own instead the world hates you because you are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world it's not fun to be despised third sign

that takes us to the third sign of the end times which is Jerusalem's distress geographically it will be very limited In this passage Jesus quotes Daniel's prophecy phes and there is a character in Daniel's prophecies who is referred to as the abomination of desolation Daniel mentions it three times what does it all mean what's the big deal it's about a human being a man who establishes himself in the very city of God calls himself God and refuses to accept anyone else's will above his own a Tyrant whose arrival will have Global ramifications but who will

be centered in Jerusalem the city of God the holy place then Jesus says that the fourth sign of his coming will come immediately after that so we shall know when he is coming we shall be ready when that sign comes there will be no danger of false prophets or false Messiahs there will be no deception it will be too quick what will happen is that all natural light will be switched off the sun will go dark the Stars will fall there are many predictions of this all the way through the Bible Isaiah predicts it the

heavens will be rolled up like a carpet all the stars of heaven will be dissolved the skies will be rolled up like a scroll and all their Stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine like foliage from the Fig Tree the natural light will be gone leaving only artificial light to illuminate the Earth what is happening what is going on people may ask this is it Christians will exclaim the sun stars and moon will stop shining right before that happens God turns off the lights of Heaven to prepare for the blaze of light from

the lightning that will mark his return then he comes on the clouds back to planet Earth and we meet him we are not meeting in an Earthly Stadium because there isn't one large enough to accommodate such a large crowd we'll reach him in the air and that will suffice isn't that a fantastic project ECT when you see all these things you know he is at the gates just about to walk through he says then Jesus gives a very simple statement about a fig tree and this is where many Christians have gone astray he says 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 Jesus is explaining that when you observe all these events happening you can be certain that we are there the analogy of the fig tree that Jesus used is not an allegory but a simple comparison drawn from everyday experiences as was often the case with his teaching if you notice the fig tree bearing fruit you know that summer is coming and it will come similarly When You observe these four signs you can

be sure that the season is changing unfortunately some people have misunderstood this analogy to be an allegory for the coming of the son of man will be just like the days of Noah for as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the Ark and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away so will the coming of the son of man be at that time there will be two men in the field one will be taken and

one will be left two women will be grinding at the Mill one will be taken and one will be left therefore be only alert for you do not know which day your lord is coming but be sure of this that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into for this reason you must be ready as well for the son of man is coming at an hour when you do

not think he will who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slave slaves to give them their food at the proper time blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions but if that evil slave says in his heart my master is not coming for a long time and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and eats and drinks with those habitually drunk then the master of that

slave will come at a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know and he will cut him in two and assign himself a place with the Hypocrites in that place there will be weeping and nashing of teeth Matthew 24: 37-51 in the remainder of this sermon Jesus goes on to three parables which are the wise virgins who lamps were still burning when the bridegroom came the foolish bridesmaids whose lamps had gone out and the parable of the wise and foolish virgins they had gone away to try to get

some oil but they had missed the bridegroom's arrival and thus were unable to attend the wedding then he moved on to the parable of the talents in which some people received 10 talents others five five and then someone received one the master left and returned asking now what have you done with the talents I've left with you I've got another 10 the man with 10 said I've got another five the man with five said I haven't done anything about it said the man who had one I buried it because I know you're a hard man

who reaps where he hasn't soen and wants payment from me what a horrible thing to say we look at what Jesus said and what the master said to him after that the final passage is not a parable but rather a straight prediction involving an analogy of sheep and goats he finished that Parable with dividing Nations everybody and telling them why he divided them because those who were on his left hand are those who ignored Christ in Christians in so far as they didn't help the least of these his brothers they were doing it not to

him but to the people on his right he said you saw Christ in my brethren and in as much as you did it to the least of these my brethren you did it to me he is not dividing people into those who did philanthropy and those who didn't the key is the meaning of the word brethren when Christ said Brethren he always meant his own followers go and tell my brethren that I have risen from the dead in the teaching of Jesus Brethren is a key word it means those who follow me he is simply

saying whatever you have done to Christians were not done for them was done to me or for me or not for me their attitude toward Christ is revealed by the latitude to Christians and that is the principle on which they are divided now let us consider all that we have seen in the passage first there is a warning that nobody has God's diary that not even Jesus knew the date of his return Angels didn't know it and no man knew it we should have a healthy ignorance of the date of his return near the time

as watch for the signs we will know gracious and loving father as we gather together in your presence we come seeking understanding and wisdom from your word the Bible we recognize that your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path guiding us through life's journey today we ask for your guidance as we delve into its teachings Lord we thank you for the gift of the Bible a treasure Trove of knowledge and wisdom that reveals your character and your plan for Humanity help us approach it with Open Hearts and Minds ready

to receive the truths you have laid out for us grant us the humility to acknowledge that we may not always comprehend your word fully help us to set aside our preconceptions and biases allowing your Holy Spirit to illuminate the scriptures for us father we pray for clarity and insight as we study your word may its messages resonate deeply within us us Transforming Our Hearts and Minds according to your will help us to discern the deeper meanings behind the stories and teachings recognizing the Timeless truths they contain we ask for discernment to distinguish between cultural context

and eternal principles knowing that while some passages may be specific to a certain time and place the overarching message of Your Love Grace and Redemption remains constant Lord Jesus you are the Living Word and through you all things were created may your spirit guide us as we navigate the complexities of scripture revealing to us the depth of your love and the beauty of your plan for salvation grant us the courage to ask questions and seek answers knowing that you are always ready to reveal yourself to those who earnestly seek you help us to approach your

word with a childlike curiosity eager to learn and grow in our understanding of you Heavenly Father we lift up those who are struggling to understand your word whether they are new Believers or seasoned Saints may your Holy Spirit be their teacher and guide leading them into all truth we pray for those who have been hurt or confused by misrepresentations of scripture heal their wounds and Grant them Clarity and discernment as they seek to reconcile their faith with your word finally Lord we thank you for the community of Believers with whom we can study and learn

may we be source of encouragement and support to one another sharing our insights and Revelations as we journey together in faith in your precious name we pray amen