Transcription
The book of Revelation reveals what the last seven years of the earth will look like. The restraining power of the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth and evil manifests. The kings of the earth will applaud their new world leader, the antichrist.
By this time, believers who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Some will be in church when the trumpet sounds. Some will be asleep. Some will be going about their daily business when they are caught up in the twinkling of an eye.
After this, the tribulation period begins. A bottomless pit is opened. A plague of locusts that torment is released in the Euphrates River. Four angels which were bound are released and they lead an army. But even then people will refuse to repent but they will have anger toward God. Some will love doctrines of demons. Wormwood. A great star strikes the earth. But for many they have traded in the souls. They have taken the mark so that they can buy and sell. The two witnesses will arrive and preach the gospel.
There is a present darkness in the world. And I'll show you why. According to the Bible, Revelation 12 gives us insight about a great war that broke out in heaven. This war had Michael the archangel on one side and Lucifer Satan who was referred to as the dragon on the other side. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.
"Your time in the heavens ends here, Lucifer."
And so we read that Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels and the dragon lost the battle and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. Now when you understand what happens next, it will explain a lot of the evil you see in the world today. Lucifer's heart was corrupted by evil while he was in heaven. Consequently, he managed to corrupt other angels, too.
"Why should we bow forever when we were made to reign?"
Now, because heaven is a place of purity, God would not stand for this. And therefore, when the archangel Michael fought against Lucifer and his angels, here is what we're told in Revelation 12:9.
"So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world. He was cast to the earth and his angels were cast out with him."
So, look at this sequence of events. The devil was cast down to earth. The devil who the Bible describes as saying deceives the whole world was cast to earth and finally his angels were cast out with him.
"I guess it's time to get started."
So make no mistake about it. The devil is on the earth.
"My fellow citizens of the world today we stand at the dawn of a new."
And here is one of the greatest warnings we're given about the devil. Revelation 12:12 says, "Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you having great wrath because he knows that he has a short time."
One pastor said this while describing the devil. Satan is defeated but dangerous. Now I want to highlight and expose the devil's work in three areas: in the past, in the present, and in the future.
Let's begin with the past. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, there is evidence of the devil at work on this earth. Look at the following cases. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent came and corrupted mankind. Have you considered your servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. God allowed Satan to touch Job and pay attention to how Satan attacked Job. He used people, the Sabians and the Calaldanss who were raiders attacked Job and his property. The devil then used the elements as fire fell from heaven and burned up his sheep and all the shepherds. And then we are told that a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and it hit a house where all of his children were gathered and that house collapsed. So through people and through the elements, Satan managed to attack Job.
And then in the New Testament, we read how Christ delivered the two demoniacs and cast those demons into the swine. We read about the young boy in Luke 9 who would suddenly scream and then be thrown down to the ground into convulsions, foaming at the mouth. Then the demon would maul the boy. Jesus rebuked that unclean spirit and healed that boy.
"Your faith has made you well." "Go in peace."
And then before Jesus was crucified in Luke 22:3, we are told that Satan entered Judas. That's a frightening thought. So those are a few cases of how the devil worked in the past.
Now let's look at the future. We stand here today at a pivotal moment in our shared history. In the future, according to the book of Revelation and many other passages of Bible prophecy, the devil will raise up the antichrist, a satanically driven and empowered human. Revelation 13:7-8 says, "Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them, and authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it. everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the lamb who was slain."
Now I want to turn your attention to the present state of the world and society. When you turn on the news, it seems like our society is spiraling out of control. What was once seen as wrong is now right. And what was seen as right is now wrong. Not only that, you hear about life-threatening earthquakes, wars, and all sorts of evil. The world is under so much tension, and it feels like it might implode. For those who preach the gospel, in some parts of the world, Christians are under serious persecution. For those raising up children, there is a massive effort out there that is aimed at indoctrinating children and normalizing everything that is against the Bible. For those who may seek entertainment, worldly entertainment is flooded with immorality, occultic activity, and all manner of evil.
But all of this is happening because if you remember what the Bible says, Revelation 12:12 says, "Therefore, rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
And this may lead you to think that God has forgotten us. It may feel like God has left us to our own struggles. However, the opposite is true. This is all happening because God is getting ready to return. We are living in the last days and God is preparing to come back to save his people and judge his enemies. The truth is that we have been in the last days since the resurrection of Jesus. As you read the New Testament, there are many times the authors speak as if they are currently living in the last days. An example of this can be found in Hebrews 1:1-2, where the Bible states, "Long ago, God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets, and now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his son." God promised everything to the son as an inheritance and through the son he created the universe. The author of Hebrews wrote this somewhere between 60 and 100 AD before Jesus. This was a time when God primarily spoke through prophets. However, in these last days, he speaks through the son Jesus.
This scripture, Hebrews 1:1-2, clearly states that in 60 AD, which is almost 2,000 years ago, we were in the last days. We were in the last days then, and we are in the last days now. God has been waiting to return and fix what is broken ever since Jesus was resurrected from the grave. Almost 2,000 years later, and God is even closer to returning.
Jesus tells us there will be signs of his return in Matthew 24.
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars."
One of the signs of living in the last days according to Jesus is deception. And once again remember that we are told in Revelation 12:9, "The great dragon was cast out. The devil who deceives the world was cast to the earth." The devil is a deceiver. He comes as a sheep when he is really a wolf. He comes as a servant when he is really a destroyer and a thief. This is why there is so much false doctrine in the world today. It's the devil leading people away from God. And the Bible warns us there will be those who claim to be Jesus who claim to lead others to true life. But they are trying to deceive others into following after them. Of course, we find countless religious leaders who claim to lead people to God. However, they do not follow God's word. There are even other non-religious leaders and ideologies who claim to be the way to God. There are the celebrities and wealthy in the world who claim if you follow their ways, you will have true life. However, all of those tactics do not lead to life, but are deceptions straight from the pit of hell.
Another sign of the last days, according to Jesus, will be war and conflict. Jesus says in Matthew 24:6-7, "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet, for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." The past 100 years have been full of bloodshed. In World War II alone, somewhere between 70 and 85 million people were killed. That is around 3% of the population at that time. And in this present day, war is happening all around us. It seems at any moment World War II could happen. Violence and war are bubbling at the seams of our society. Countless signs are pointing us to the fact that we are in the last days and the return of Jesus is imminent. While we do not know the time or the hour of the return of Jesus, we do know that it is rapidly coming.
When he comes, he will judge the living and the dead. Those who have submitted their life to following him will receive a reward, which is life in heaven with the father. However, those who have rejected following the ways of Jesus will be punished with life away from God in hell. The time is coming and will soon be here in which Jesus returns. Are you prepared for the second coming of Jesus? Have you submitted your life to following him? I am not asking you do you believe in God. Even the demons believe in God. They even believe that Jesus is the son of God who came to die for the sins of the world. However, they are not willing to bow the knee and follow after him. So let me ask again. Have you submitted your life to following him? Have you by grace through faith trusted your life over to the father and are now walking out your faith in Jesus? If not, now is the time. You are running out of time. We are living in the last days and Jesus could return at any moment.
In Luke 12, Jesus tells a parable of a servant. The servant's master is gone, and it is the servant's job to wait up for him to arrive. The servant can either wait diligently for his master's return, or he can party, sleep, get drunk while he waits. The one who waits diligently will receive the reward. However, the one who parties and waits will receive a punishment.
"Forgive me, my lord. We must be like the servant waiting diligently for the return of our master into the broken world in which we live. His return is closer than ever in these last days. For those who wait by diligently following the Lord will receive an indescribable reward. However, those who do not will receive judgment and hellfire. Now is the time to wait upon our Lord Jesus in these last days as he comes back."
Before the second coming of Christ, I want to show you just how cold, just how godless, just how sinful people on this earth will become. Now, before we dive in, let this be a warning to you. Pray that you will never become this kind of individual. The first group of people that I want to highlight are those found in Revelation 9. Now, for you to understand just how evil these people are, you need to first understand what has happened in Revelation chapters 8 and 9. Now, for context, the world goes through seven trumpet judgments that take place during the tribulation period after the rapture of the church. Here is a brief summary of each judgment, and you will be shocked to hear how people react after going through all of this.
The first trumpet, according to the Bible, hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown down to earth causing destruction of vegetation and trees. Onethird of the world's trees are burned up in this plague, and all the grass is consumed. For the second trumpet, a great burning mountain is thrown into the sea, resulting in the death of a third of sea creatures and the destruction of ships. A third of the sea turns to blood. A third of the ships sink and a third of ocean life dies. The third trumpet will see a great star falling from the sky and it poisons a third of rivers and springs causing many to die. This star is given the name Wormwood. For the fourth trumpet, the earth will see a third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck, resulting in a third of the day and night being darkened. The fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpets are referred to as the three woes. For the fifth trumpet, something truly terrifying is unleashed. According to the Bible, a bottomless pit is opened, releasing demonic locusts that torment those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The sixth trumpet will be the introduction of four devilish mercenaries. Four angels are released to kill a third of mankind with an army of 200 million horsemen, resulting in great devastation and death.
Now the seventh and final trumpet announces the coming of God's kingdom and the judgment of the nations. The Bible in Revelation 11:19 says, "Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant, and there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peels of thunder, an earthquake, and a severe hail storm."
Now, after all of this, after all of these supernatural and devastating events, you would think people would fall to their knees and call out to God for mercy. But no, that's not what happens. Revelation 9:20-21 says, "The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood. Idols that cannot see or hear or walk. nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality, or their thefts."
How heartless must you be? How cold and sinful must you be to refuse to repent even after a set of extraordinary judgments by God? This is the unfortunate reality of the last days. People will fall away and reject the faith. People will prefer to hear doctrines of demons over the truth of the gospel. People will harden their hearts. Some will begin in Christ but fall away later in life. Others will begin in the world but come to Christ later in life. And this is nothing new. From the very beginning when Jesus had 12 disciples, they all saw the miracles. They all saw people being healed and amazing acts of God. But Judas fell away. The Bible actually says the devil entered his heart. King Saul was an anointed one when he started out, but he lost his way. And the Bible tells us that the spirit of God departed from him and he was tormented by an evil spirit. He started well, but he fell away.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, the Apostle Paul warns the Thessalonian believers about the coming rebellion or apostasy that would precede the day of the Lord.
Now, I would like to give you four illustrations of how someone can fall away and rebel from God. Firstly, there can be a gradual drift. Imagine a ship without an anchor slowly drifting away from its intended course. Apostasy often begins as a gradual drift from prayer, a gradual drift from reading God's word, a gradual drift from walking with god-fearing friends, and opting to spend more time with ungodly people. Hebrews 2:1 warns us and says, "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard so that we do not drift away." Apostasy can start with neglecting our relationship with God. Slipping away from his presence and prioritizing worldly matters over spiritual ones. For a believer who once eagerly attended church and read their Bible daily, if they are not careful, they can gradually find themselves to be less engaged. And if this goes on for too long, they will eventually replace their passion for God with worldly passions and distractions. This can be the beginning of a falling away.
My second point is the fantasy of false teachings. A man once traveled to a foreign country. He was an adventurer, a thrillseker. But in this particular place, the resort that he stayed in was a compound and all tourists were given instructions not to leave the compound under any circumstances. But this man thought, "This is a beautiful country. Every person I've come across is so friendly and welcoming. What's the worst that could happen if I venture out for some sightseeing?" Well, he did so. And in doing so, he was exposed to all manner of danger and found himself as a victim of crime. You see, just because everyone he came across smiled doesn't mean they meant well. And in this day and age, just because someone quotes the Bible or sounds like a Christian, that doesn't mean they are. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns, "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." Apostasy can take root when believers are enticed by false teachings that cater to their desires rather than God's truth.
My third point is a deep internal issue. It is all about complacency or the erosion of convictions. Imagine a fortress with a sturdy wall, but it begins to gradually crumble under the relentless assault of the elements. Apostasy can occur when a believer's convictions are eroded over time, often due to peer pressure, societal norms, a desire to fit in or compromise. Just as Galatians 5:7 warns, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?" Apostasy may happen when we compromise our convictions for the sake of worldly acceptance. When you begin to compromise on God's standards and deem certain things acceptable, even when the word of God says otherwise, this is the beginning of apostasy.
My final example is the neglect of spiritual armor. Imagine a situation where there is a fierce war raging between two sides and there is a soldier who neglects to wear their armor on the battlefield exposing themselves to enemy attacks. In Ephesians 6:10-11, the Bible says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Apostasy can take hold when believers neglect their spiritual armor, leaving themselves vulnerable to the enemy's attacks. A more practical example of this is a Christian who over time becomes relaxed in their prayer life and begins to neglect reading the Bible. This will leave them spiritually exposed and unprepared to withstand the challenges of faith.
However, in these last days that we're talking about, I want to encourage you as a believer, there is no need for us as children of God to live in fear because the Bible tells us in Acts 2:17, "And in the last days it shall be," God declares that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." The Bible says in Titus 2:13, "Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Saints, we have a blessed hope, Jesus Christ. The return of our Lord is the blessed hope we have as his children. And so, don't be disheartened. Don't be discouraged. Don't be discouraged regarding the events of this world, but rather keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.
This world is changing. And for those believers who study Bible prophecy, the stars are beginning to align. But how will the world end? Will the end come as result of an allout nuclear war? Will there be a deadly virus mutation that will wipe out billions? Will the end come at the moment of impact when a giant asteroid from space makes contact with the Earth? These are all theories that have been discussed and debated by scholars, historians, and scientists. But what does the Bible say? What is God's plan regarding the end of this world as we know it? In this video, we'll take a look.
For you to understand the end of the world, you have to go to the very last book in the Bible, the book of Revelation. This book is unlike any other within the pages of the scriptures because it foretells us about God's wrath to come. Supernatural apocalyptic events, extreme changes in the weather, and so much more. So, let's take a look at what's to come according to the book of Revelation.
Earthquakes. It's no secret that earthquake activity has been increasing over the past century. With the intensity of earthquakes steadily increasing on average, some scientists believe there is a very real possibility that the world will experience a super earthquake in the near future. On two occasions in the book of Revelation, we can read the following statements that indicate that the planet will face an earthquake like never before.
"Then the thunder crashed and rolled and lightning flashed and a great earthquake struck, the worst since people were placed on the earth and every island disappeared and all the mountains were leveled." Revelation 16:18 and 20.
"And then we're told, 'In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake 7,000 people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.'" Revelation 11:13.
One school of thought that verifies these biblical prophecies point to the fact that earthquakes are happening more frequently and as we get closer to the end days, they will certainly ramp up in intensity.
The book of Revelation also talks about the seven seals and seven trumpet judgments of God. These are a series of catastrophic events that signal enormous changes for the planet. As each of these judgments are cast onto the earth, they are reminiscent of the 10 plagues to fall on Egypt during the Exodus. Here is a short summary of what these judgments are and how they will affect humanity.
The first sealed judgment is the antichrist being let loose upon the world. The antichrist is depicted as a rider on a white horse. The Bible tells us that he went out conquering and to conquer the world. The second seal judgment is the introduction of conflict over the entire earth. And this is represented by a bright red horse. And the Bible says, "And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth and that people should kill one another. And there was given to him a great sword." This is when the antichrist reveals his true evil nature. For the third sealed judgment, famine breaks out on the earth. And this is the black horse. This will truly be a time of great hardship. The Bible says, "A quart of wheat for a daenarius." When the Apostle John was writing these prophetic visions in the book of Revelation, in those times, a daenarius was one day's wages back. A quart of wheat was just enough food to get by with. So this symbolizes that people will be earning very little and it will be just enough to buy food. For the fourth seal judgment sees the introduction of the pale horse which comes which represents widespread death on earth. The Bible says, "Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth."
For the fifth sealed judgment is unlike the preceding four. At this time, God's people are under intense persecution on the earth. Meanwhile, in heaven, all of the martyed saints cry out to God with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth." But the martyrs are told to wait a little while longer, and they are given a white robe.
For the sixth judgment seal has much to do with the elements. And the Bible describes this judgment by saying, "There was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. The sky was rolled up like a scroll and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places."
The final seal judgment is very unique because an incredible thing happens. Heaven is filled with silence for about a half an hour. Many believe that the silence is a marked expression of shock at what is about to be released on the earth with the introduction of the seven trumpet judgments.
The trumpet judgments are very different from the seal judgments. For the trumpet judgments, God will rain down hail and fire upon the earth. Then the Bible describes a great mountain burning with fire is thrown into the sea. Many believe this is to be a meteor. The third trumpet judgment says a great star burning like a torch falls from heaven causing major contamination and this kills many. Then God strikes a third of the sun, a third of the moon and a third of the stars. So they are darkened for the fifth trumpet. The bottomless pit is opened where a huge swarm of locusts are allowed to be released upon the earth. The sixth trumpet is almost beyond human comprehension because four demonic angels are released from the Euphrates River to literally kill onethird of all mankind. The seventh trumpet is unique and unlike the preceding five because the Bible tells us that the seventh angel blew his trumpet and there were loud voices shouting in heaven.
"The world has now become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he will reign forever and ever."
At this time the end is near. However, the last set of judgment to be unleashed on the earth are the seven bold judgments. This is a finality to the seven bold judgments. For the first bowl, horrible sores break out on those with the mark of the beast. The second bowl, everything in the sea dies. The third bowl, all the waters are polluted. For the fourth bowl, the sun burns and scorches people. For the fifth bowl, there is complete darkness over Antichrist's kingdom. The sixth bowl, the Euphrates River dries up. The kings of the east come and the scene is set for the battle of Armageddon. The final seventh bowl produces a great earthquake. Cities of nations fall. A huge hail storm occurs.
While some biblical scholars may believe that God has already begun enacting judgment on the earth, the book of Revelation paints a very clear and frightening picture of what's to come. But what about those who are in Christ? What about those believers who truly obey God's word? What happens to them? Well, I believe you need to look at what Jesus said in Luke 21 when he was teaching about the end of the earth. In verse 36, he says, "Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the son of man." Here Jesus is emphasizing the importance of making sure we always are living correctly as Christians so that we can be counted worthy to escape the terrible fate that is coming. With this verse in mind, I believe that the true believers of Christ have been raptured before God's wrath and judgment is unleashed on this earth.
Look at the faces of these people. These are the faces of people who are filled with anger. They are the faces of people who are drowning in sin but have no desire to repent. These are the faces of people with ice cold hearts and sensitive hearts. We read a lot about Bible prophecy concerning the end times. We know about the strange signs in the sky. We know about wars and rumors of wars. We even know about the great apostasy where many turn away from the faith. But what you're about to hear is the Bible's most serious prophetic warning about the type of people that you will see in the last days.
There's a lot of warnings in the Bible. Warnings concerning how you should be living your life. Warnings about the devil and his strategies. There are warnings about the type of company you should be keeping. But I want to focus on the warnings in 2 Timothy chapter 3. The warnings in this chapter are incredibly powerful because they focus on the culture of today and on society. Second Timothy chapter 3 talks about the last days. And I feel as though the theme of the chapter is captured in the first verse because the Bible says, "But mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days." The Amplified Translation says, "But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times of great stress and trouble will come, difficult days that will be hard to bear."
As you read through the chapter, several things become clear. In the last days, there's a total rejection of God in this world. Anything the word of God stands for will be rejected. There will be a time when people will want to have their ears tickled. They'll want a gospel that gives the blessing but doesn't require repentance. They want a gospel that preaches prosperity, not sacrificial living. And there's a lot of this right now. A lot of people prefer to have their ears tickled instead of receiving the pure gospel that will penetrate the heart and challenge every sinful behavior in your life.
Now, to add to the corruption that will be in the world, second Timothy 3 tells us there'll be a total breakdown of society because people will be treacherous, rash, slanderous, brutal, disobedient to parents, abusive, and without self-control. No rules, no moral absolutes, no restraints of any kind. Everyone will do that which is right in their own eyes. And woe to the person who dares to question anyone's lifestyle choices.
Now verse 5 says that people will have a form of godliness but denying its power have nothing to do with such people. This is the age of religious rebels. Men and women who have the outward appearance of godliness but deep down in their hearts are full of sin and deceit. Religious rebels will ask all the right questions but watch their actions because they will follow all of the wrong answers. Religious rebels may go as far as quoting scripture, but their hearts will be far from God and even further from his word.
When you read 2 Timothy 3, go through the list of how people in society will be. The Bible tells you people will be lovers of self, meaning they'll be narcissistic and self-focused. And this is obviously against the command to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. People will be lovers of money, impelled by greed. How much of this do we see in this day and age? How much greed is there in this world? Yet, the word of God tells us to be free from the love of money. As you go further and further down the list, you'll find that people are described as unloving, boastful and arrogant.
So, as Christians, I want you to answer the following questions. As an individual, are you standing firm in a pagan world? Will you let society control how you'll act or how you'll live your life? Will you follow the crowd and the majority as they love themselves more than they love God? Be careful that you're not found with the characteristics named in second Timothy 3. Be careful that unbelieving and unfaithful and uncaring people don't change you. Beware of the false prophets and false doctrines and false teachers because they will try and poison your thinking and dismantle your faith. In these last days, make sure that you're ready for his return. And do not be like the world, but let the world see Christ through you.
The behavior of this world does not surprise God. The standards and immorality of this world does not catch God by surprise. And let me tell you this, it shouldn't surprise us as the church of Christ either. And so for the Christian who's listening, what are you to do? How will you survive the conditions described in 2 Timothy 3? Well, the chapter ends in verse 16 and 17 saying this. "All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." The truth of the word of God can save you, forgive you, justify you, sanctify you, purify you, transform you, regenerate you, and one day it will take you all the way home to heaven for all eternity. Everything we need to know about life with God can be found in the pages of the Bible. If we had needed to know anything else, God would have told us. The Bible is complete as it stands. A finished product that will produce in us a new life, a godly life, a growing life, a fruitful life, a loving life, a Christlike life, eternal life, the very life of God himself.
Now the Bible says in Revelation 3:2-3, "Wake up. Strengthen what remains and is about to die. For I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard. Hold it fast and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." The Bible is calling us to wake up. The Lord wants us to wake up to the fact that there is a heaven and a hell. There is a day of judgment.
If someone's driving down the road and they doze off or their attention wanders, they could very well miss some of the road signs telling them where to go. Well, God has given us, his children, many signs to watch out for. The word of God is filled with signs to let us know that time is wrapping up. This world will not last forever. However, until that day comes, the Lord has provided us with road signs to warn us that the time is near. He has provided us with clear signs so that we should know the end is near.
The Bible tells us that people will pop up claiming to be the Christ or to be the Messiah, but it warns us not to listen. In other words, when Jesus returns, we won't have to go around telling each other about it because everyone will know. When the Lord returns, there's no need for anyone to make a video and announce it. We'll all see him in the clouds and all his glory and majesty. Luke 21:9 says, "But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified, for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." The wise among us will be watchful. They'll see the signs of the times before they study God's word. But the foolish, the foolish will fall asleep. They'll miss the signs because of a lack of knowledge. That's why it's incredibly important for us to take heed of God's word, take heed of the biblical warnings we've been given.
Have you ever come across a passage of scripture that tells you to pay special attention? Well, one such passage is found in Mark 13:28-33. And as I read this passage, I want you to visualize the imagery that's being painted right here in the word of God, which says, "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. 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. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard. Stay alert."
Now, when the word of God tells us to take heed, it's telling us to pay special attention. It's telling us to pay careful consideration regarding what's being said, especially when it comes to the return of Jesus. And how does one take heed, you may ask? Well, the Bible says, "Take heed, watch, and pray." Well, let me ask you a question. Are you watching? Are you praying? Are you observing what the Bible says concerning the signs of his coming? Are you praying for discernment or for the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes? When it comes to these days that we're living in, I believe that the word of God is continuously telling us to take heed, that we're not living in sin because there will be a day of judgment. I believe we are to take heed and make sure that we seek first the kingdom of God. And more importantly, because of the day and age we live in, I believe the Bible is telling us to take heed because in the last days, perilous times shall come. The word perilous means full of danger or full of risk. Danger when it comes to our health as a human, danger or risk when it comes to the economy or nature itself. But that's not all. We're to take heed when we notice that men are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unthankful, unholy. And we can only see that society is in this state if we are watching and praying.
Another instance where the Bible tells us to take heed is in Matthew 24:4, which says, "And Jesus answered and said to them, take heed that no one deceives you." Once again, you and I are being told to take heed. Be careful that no one deceives you. This means there will come a time when there will be a prevalence of deception. But once again, how do we guard ourselves? Through watching and praying. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. Pray for God to guide you into all truth.
The world is being awakened. Strange things are happening worldwide and they are all in line with biblical prophecy. The things that are happening in this world fall in line with what the Bible tells us will happen in the last days. For example, one translation for Luke 21:25-28 says, "And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth, the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth. For the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the son of man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up for your salvation is near."
Aren't we seeing strange things happening? Extraordinary weather phenomenons in certain parts of the world. Roaring seas and strange tides can be seen, and this is exactly what the Bible speaks of. How many times have news headlines mentioned World War II? How many times have we heard of nations at war and rumors of war? If you are to listen carefully, if you are to look carefully, you will notice that things are changing. The tide is shifting and there is a spiritual awakening happening. Some are drawing closer and closer to the darkness of this world. And there is a moral collapse in society today. Life is no longer valued. People's hearts are growing colder by the day. People are being consumed by the lusts of this world. There is a seduction of sin. There is popularity and prosperity for those who teach demonic doctrines. And the Bible warns us. It warns us and says, "Woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you." He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short.
The devil is certainly aggressive in the last days. But let me tell you this. As aggressive as the enemy is, as sinful as the world is becoming, many are turning to Christ because they are in need of hope. Many are turning to Christ because no one else can carry their burdens. In the last days, many are turning to God because they need divine love, divine protection, and true peace. And there are those who are already in Christ and are falling deeper and deeper in love with him.
I want you to pay attention to what the prophecy in Acts 2:17 says. In the last days, God says, "I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams." This is no longer just a verse, but a reality. Indeed, the devil is aggressive in his tactics and deception in today's world. But God is pouring out his spirit. The last days will be the worst of time and the best of times. Terrible times will come. But for the believer, for the one who puts their hope in Christ, they will be in the storm but won't be affected by the storm. They will be in the fire but will not be burned. Yes, God is pouring out his spirit on all people. But only those who are willing, only those who hearken their hearts to the call of Christ to receive it. Those who are in Christ are burning with a holy passion. But as many as there are who are receiving the Holy Spirit, there are also many whose love has grown cold. There are those who have become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. There are those who have become lovers of money more than lovers of God.
There is indeed a great wickedness in some corners of this world. Idolatry is there. Witchcraft is there. Sexual immorality is rampant. And there is also a hatred between man. There is an absence of love for one another. And saints, if you open your eyes, if you ask the Holy Spirit for discernment, you will be awakened to the reality that God is indeed pouring out his spirit. But the devil is also pushing overdrive to deceive and derail the faith of many. Now my prayer is that you would be in the category of those who receive the spirit of God as Acts 2:17 declares. Let's be people who are aware of the times.
Look at the range of violence in today's world. 2 Timothy 3:3. When talking about the impending second coming of the Lord, the Bible describes people by saying, "Without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good." Notice how the Bible says brutal. Open your eyes, people of God. Luke 21:11 says, "There will be earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven." We are indeed living in a time when nature is showing great signs and wonders. There are most definitely pestilences that we are living through. But I say all of this not so that you should be filled with fear, but so that you would listen. So that you would be vigilant, so that you would be aware. The Bible is true. The Bible is living.
In the last days, God says, "I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams." So I encourage you to have a desire to receive the spirit of the Lord. Have a desire to be in that group that has a divine encounter with God. Be on fire for Jesus Christ. Live right. Live boldly. Live and walk by faith, not by sight.