Welcome to the
Search for Certainty.
00:00:26.59\00:00:28.72
It's good to see
you all here again
00:00:28.76\00:00:30.79
as we continue on this
journey through God's word
00:00:30.83\00:00:34.76
and discovering
how we can be prepared
00:00:34.80\00:00:37.00
for the soon return of Jesus.
00:00:37.03\00:00:39.30
As we are all aware,
00:00:39.33\00:00:40.67
we live in times
of great uncertainty
00:00:40.70\00:00:43.74
but I thank God for His word
00:00:43.77\00:00:45.57
that in His word
we can have certainty.
00:00:45.61\00:00:47.98
We can discover real hope
for the future in His word
00:00:48.01\00:00:50.95
and today's the third
presentation in this series
00:00:50.98\00:00:54.55
as we take a look at
the most important signs
00:00:54.58\00:00:58.15
that Jesus gave us
00:00:58.19\00:00:59.52
that will indeed
usher in His second coming.
00:00:59.55\00:01:02.89
I've entitled this message
00:01:02.92\00:01:04.89
the grand climax
of human history.
00:01:04.93\00:01:09.43
I want to begin by
asking the question
00:01:09.46\00:01:11.17
that many people are asking,
00:01:11.20\00:01:12.93
and that is "how
will this world end?"
00:01:12.97\00:01:16.57
There are a
number of suggestions
00:01:16.60\00:01:18.34
that have been put forward,
00:01:18.37\00:01:19.84
the first one
being global nuclear war.
00:01:19.87\00:01:23.11
And as we discovered in
our previous presentation
00:01:23.14\00:01:25.75
for the first
time in human history
00:01:25.78\00:01:27.28
we have the capability to
actually destroy our world
00:01:27.32\00:01:31.55
many times over
through nuclear means.
00:01:31.59\00:01:34.62
A doomsday asteroid,
00:01:34.66\00:01:36.36
as we know there is many of them
00:01:36.39\00:01:38.13
floating around not
far from planet earth,
00:01:38.16\00:01:40.96
will one of them usher
in the end as we know it,
00:01:41.00\00:01:44.27
a fatal disease.
00:01:44.30\00:01:45.97
Jesus spoke of fatal diseases,
He spoke of pestilences.
00:01:46.00\00:01:49.80
Will it be a fatal disease
00:01:49.84\00:01:51.54
that wipes out
humans on planet earth
00:01:51.57\00:01:55.04
or will it global
warming as many are predicting?
00:01:55.08\00:01:59.41
How will this world end?
00:01:59.45\00:02:01.42
If you speak to Hollywood,
00:02:01.45\00:02:03.95
Hollywood has many ideas
00:02:03.99\00:02:05.32
and they've put out
many movies in recent times,
00:02:05.35\00:02:09.36
end of days movies
including the latest one 2012
00:02:09.39\00:02:15.30
which based on
the Mayan Calendar
00:02:15.33\00:02:18.80
supposedly
predicted the end of the world
00:02:18.83\00:02:21.07
on December 21, 2012.
00:02:21.10\00:02:24.77
How will this world end?
00:02:24.81\00:02:27.31
Today we're not
gonna go to Hollywood,
00:02:27.34\00:02:29.51
today instead as always
00:02:29.54\00:02:31.61
we're going go
to God's Holy Word.
00:02:31.65\00:02:34.55
We're gonna
discover in God's Holy Word,
00:02:34.58\00:02:37.15
how this world will
indeed reach its grand climax.
00:02:37.19\00:02:41.82
But as always before
we open up God's word,
00:02:41.86\00:02:43.83
what do we need to do?
00:02:43.86\00:02:45.39
We need to pray.
00:02:45.43\00:02:46.76
We need to pray
that the same Holy Spirit
00:02:46.80\00:02:48.83
that inspired the
pages of this book
00:02:48.86\00:02:51.53
will inspire us through
the words of Jesus today.
00:02:51.57\00:02:55.20
So let's just do that right now
and pray and ask God to lead.
00:02:55.24\00:02:58.44
Father in Heaven,
00:02:58.47\00:02:59.97
we humbly ask and pray
00:03:00.01\00:03:02.64
that the same Holy
Spirit that inspired
00:03:02.68\00:03:05.18
the writers of the
Bible with Your word,
00:03:05.21\00:03:07.92
Father that that same
Holy Spirit will inspire us.
00:03:07.95\00:03:12.02
Impress upon us
the words of Jesus.
00:03:12.05\00:03:15.19
These beautiful words
that are designed to prepare us
00:03:15.22\00:03:19.39
to be ready for the soon return
00:03:19.43\00:03:22.46
of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
00:03:22.50\00:03:24.73
So as we open Your word,
00:03:24.77\00:03:26.10
open our hearts and our minds
00:03:26.13\00:03:27.47
for we pray this in
Jesus name, amen, amen.
00:03:27.50\00:03:31.51
Once again, I'd like to take
us all to the city of Jerusalem.
00:03:31.54\00:03:36.95
The City of Jerusalem,
00:03:36.98\00:03:38.31
that beautiful
ancient city that...
00:03:38.35\00:03:39.85
I've had the
privilege of going to
00:03:39.88\00:03:41.85
and it was a
wonderful experience.
00:03:41.88\00:03:44.25
The city of Jerusalem
00:03:44.29\00:03:45.82
where Jesus
spent His final hours
00:03:45.85\00:03:49.06
before the crucifixion.
00:03:49.09\00:03:51.16
On one occasion,
Matthew records the words
00:03:51.19\00:03:54.80
that Jesus shared
with His disciples
00:03:54.83\00:03:57.43
and what took place.
00:03:57.47\00:03:58.83
We've been to these words before
00:03:58.87\00:04:00.67
and let's go there again
today as we begin this journey.
00:04:00.70\00:04:04.74
Matthew records,
00:04:04.77\00:04:07.64
"Then Jesus went out and
departed from the temple,
00:04:07.68\00:04:10.51
and His disciples
came up to show Him
00:04:10.55\00:04:13.45
the buildings of the temple."
00:04:13.48\00:04:15.55
Now the temple was a
magnificent building.
00:04:15.58\00:04:19.85
It was the pride of the nation.
00:04:19.89\00:04:22.82
And so the disciples
wanted to cheer Jesus up,
00:04:22.86\00:04:26.76
because if you're
reading the preceding verses
00:04:26.80\00:04:29.23
in Matthew 23,
00:04:29.26\00:04:30.63
Jesus leaves the
temple for the last time
00:04:30.67\00:04:33.00
and He says your house
is left to you desolate.
00:04:33.03\00:04:36.00
He weeps over Jerusalem
00:04:36.04\00:04:38.24
and the people of Jerusalem
00:04:38.27\00:04:40.18
that have rejected their Messiah
00:04:40.21\00:04:42.54
and the destruction that
will come upon Jerusalem.
00:04:42.58\00:04:45.15
And so the disciples
are trying to cheer up Jesus
00:04:45.18\00:04:47.52
and they're saying
look at this temple,
00:04:47.55\00:04:49.15
this magnificent temple.
00:04:49.18\00:04:51.75
Notice in the Book of Mark,
00:04:51.79\00:04:54.12
what Mark records the
disciples sharing with Jesus,
00:04:54.16\00:04:57.53
Teacher, see
what manner of stones
00:04:57.56\00:05:00.23
and what buildings are here!"
00:05:00.26\00:05:01.96
I mean, the temple
was built with stones
00:05:02.00\00:05:06.30
that were up to 60 tons,
00:05:06.33\00:05:09.57
some 90 feet long or I
should say 60 feet long,
00:05:09.60\00:05:15.08
9 feet wide, 9 feet high,
00:05:15.11\00:05:18.11
this was an incredible building
that King Herod have lavished
00:05:18.15\00:05:21.92
with much gold and just
the best resources available
00:05:21.95\00:05:26.65
in the then known world.
00:05:26.69\00:05:28.09
It really was a
beautiful building.
00:05:28.12\00:05:30.13
But notice here what
Jesus says to the disciples.
00:05:30.16\00:05:33.76
In Matthew 24:2-3
and Jesus said to them,
00:05:33.80\00:05:37.13
"Do you not see
all these things?
00:05:37.17\00:05:38.67
That is this temple,
these incredible stones?
00:05:38.70\00:05:42.10
Assuredly, I say to you,
00:05:42.14\00:05:43.71
not one stone shall be
left here upon another,
00:05:43.74\00:05:46.74
that shall not be thrown down."
00:05:46.78\00:05:48.34
Now, as far as the
disciples were concerned
00:05:48.38\00:05:51.35
they equated the
destruction of the temple,
00:05:51.38\00:05:54.45
the pride of the
nation of Israel,
00:05:54.48\00:05:57.79
they associated the
destruction of the temple
00:05:57.82\00:06:00.36
with the second coming of Jesus.
00:06:00.39\00:06:02.69
And so they
thought it would be the one
00:06:02.72\00:06:04.83
and the same event.
00:06:04.86\00:06:06.83
Jesus then in our
previous presentation
00:06:06.86\00:06:09.56
we discovered gave
the disciples signs
00:06:09.60\00:06:13.47
that would bring about
the destruction of Jerusalem,
00:06:13.50\00:06:16.44
or signs that would precede
the destruction of Jerusalem.
00:06:16.47\00:06:19.61
Those same signs
00:06:19.64\00:06:21.18
would not only precede
the destruction of Jerusalem
00:06:21.21\00:06:23.24
but as we've
discovered thus far,
00:06:23.28\00:06:25.15
those same signs
would also precede
00:06:25.18\00:06:27.68
the second coming of Jesus.
00:06:27.72\00:06:31.45
Signs in the religious world,
00:06:31.49\00:06:33.86
signs in the world of politics
00:06:33.89\00:06:37.03
where there would be
wars and rumors of wars,
00:06:37.06\00:06:38.79
earthquakes,
famines, pestilences,
00:06:38.83\00:06:40.80
all these things preceded
00:06:40.83\00:06:43.16
the destruction of
Jerusalem in 70 AD,
00:06:43.20\00:06:46.43
some 40 years after
Jesus shared this prophecy.
00:06:46.47\00:06:50.51
Now, what happened in 70 AD?
00:06:50.54\00:06:53.04
The Roman General Titus,
00:06:53.07\00:06:55.41
he surrounded and
besieged the city of Jerusalem
00:06:55.44\00:07:00.15
and in 70 AD,
00:07:00.18\00:07:03.82
he ultimately was
able to overthrow the city
00:07:03.85\00:07:06.76
and the temple was destroyed.
00:07:06.79\00:07:09.82
Even though Titus
gave clear commands
00:07:09.86\00:07:12.53
that the temple
was not to be touched,
00:07:12.56\00:07:16.50
one of the
soldiers threw in a flame
00:07:16.53\00:07:20.30
and the temple
just went up in smoke.
00:07:20.34\00:07:24.21
Now, it's interesting
that the words of Jesus
00:07:24.24\00:07:26.91
that He shared concerning
00:07:26.94\00:07:28.31
not one stone being left
upon another were fulfilled.
00:07:28.34\00:07:32.35
Because once
the fires died down,
00:07:32.38\00:07:35.48
the soldiers realized that
00:07:35.52\00:07:36.85
there was an
enormous amount of gold
00:07:36.89\00:07:39.55
that had become
imbedded in between the stones
00:07:39.59\00:07:42.82
and in order to
get to that gold,
00:07:42.86\00:07:45.36
what did they do?
00:07:45.39\00:07:46.73
They pulled every stone apart,
and so the words of Jesus,
00:07:46.76\00:07:51.07
not one stone shall
be left upon another
00:07:51.10\00:07:53.27
were fulfilled
to the very letter.
00:07:53.30\00:07:57.34
Now, Jesus gave them warnings.
00:07:57.37\00:07:59.97
Jesus gave an opportunity
00:08:00.01\00:08:01.48
for those that would
heed His word to escape.
00:08:01.51\00:08:04.68
Notice what we find
in Matthew 24:15, 16.
00:08:04.71\00:08:09.35
"Therefore when you see
the 'abomination of desolation'
00:08:09.38\00:08:12.39
spoken of by Daniel the prophet,
00:08:12.42\00:08:14.42
standing in the holy place,
00:08:14.46\00:08:16.22
whoever reads
let him understand,
00:08:16.26\00:08:18.23
Then let those who are in
Judea flee to the mountains."
00:08:18.26\00:08:21.73
Now, what was
Jesus here speaking of
00:08:21.76\00:08:23.67
when He was
speaking of these prophecy
00:08:23.70\00:08:26.23
given in the book
of Daniel concerning
00:08:26.27\00:08:28.04
the abomination of desolation.
00:08:28.07\00:08:30.31
Well, in Daniel 9,
00:08:30.34\00:08:31.87
there is a prophecy concerning
the destruction of Jerusalem.
00:08:31.91\00:08:36.21
We don't have time to get
into that today, but they,
00:08:36.24\00:08:39.05
the Prophet Daniel described
00:08:39.08\00:08:40.95
what would happen at the
end of the nation of Israel
00:08:40.98\00:08:46.52
as far as God's chosen
ambassadors to the world,
00:08:46.55\00:08:50.23
and what would
bring an end to that?
00:08:50.26\00:08:52.49
Now, Jesus here says,
00:08:52.53\00:08:54.20
whoever reads
let him understand,
00:08:54.23\00:08:58.17
let him understand.
00:08:58.20\00:09:00.57
Those who read
the words of Jesus
00:09:00.60\00:09:03.00
understood that
this was a clear sign
00:09:03.04\00:09:05.81
that the destruction
of Jerusalem was imminent.
00:09:05.84\00:09:08.01
In fact, in Luke 21:20,
00:09:08.04\00:09:13.58
notice what Jesus here said,
00:09:13.62\00:09:15.08
"But when you see
Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
00:09:15.12\00:09:18.35
then know that its
desolation is near."
00:09:18.39\00:09:21.99
Before 70 AD,
00:09:22.02\00:09:24.59
the Roman sent their
General Cestius Gallus in 67 AD
00:09:24.63\00:09:29.33
and he surrounded
Jerusalem for the first time.
00:09:29.36\00:09:32.43
However mysteriously his
stories are not quite sure
00:09:32.47\00:09:35.70
what happen but
mysteriously he just drew back.
00:09:35.74\00:09:39.27
As Cestius was on the
verge of overtaking Jerusalem,
00:09:39.31\00:09:42.74
he drew back and the
Jewish army chased him
00:09:42.78\00:09:46.65
and killed many
soldiers of the Romans.
00:09:46.68\00:09:50.62
Now, the Christians
saw that as the sign,
00:09:50.65\00:09:54.12
they saw that as the sign,
00:09:54.16\00:09:55.96
its desolation is near
00:09:55.99\00:09:57.89
and every single Christian
that heeded the words of Jesus,
00:09:57.93\00:10:01.46
they immediately left Jerusalem
00:10:01.50\00:10:03.93
and they went away
to a city called Pella.
00:10:03.97\00:10:07.34
There in modern day Jordan today
00:10:07.37\00:10:09.54
where they escaped
00:10:09.57\00:10:10.91
and where they
were able to live on.
00:10:10.94\00:10:12.51
In 70 AD three years later,
00:10:12.54\00:10:15.11
Titus came and there
was no second chance.
00:10:15.14\00:10:18.08
Did Jesus give the warning?
00:10:18.11\00:10:19.61
He absolutely gave the warning.
00:10:19.65\00:10:21.85
I love this promise
in the Book of Amos 3:7,
00:10:21.88\00:10:25.52
"Surely the Lord God does" what?
00:10:25.55\00:10:27.99
"Nothing, unless He reveals
00:10:28.02\00:10:29.49
His secret to His
servants the prophets."
00:10:29.52\00:10:31.26
This is a wonderful promise
that God gives us in His word.
00:10:31.29\00:10:34.46
God doesn't do
anything of eternal significance
00:10:34.50\00:10:38.13
that affects you and affects me,
00:10:38.17\00:10:40.07
affects this world,
00:10:40.10\00:10:41.44
without Him for
sharing that message
00:10:41.47\00:10:43.84
through His
servants the prophets
00:10:43.87\00:10:45.91
who write it in
this book, the Bible.
00:10:45.94\00:10:49.48
Every single person in Jerusalem
00:10:49.51\00:10:53.18
who heeded the words of Jesus
00:10:53.21\00:10:55.52
that He gave some 40
years before its destruction
00:10:55.55\00:10:58.69
saved their lives.
00:10:58.72\00:11:00.49
Sadly more than a
million Jews lost their lives
00:11:00.52\00:11:04.29
when Jerusalem was overthrown
00:11:04.33\00:11:05.83
but not one Christian
died during that siege.
00:11:05.86\00:11:09.53
Like Jerusalem of old,
00:11:09.56\00:11:11.73
Jesus predicted that
our world before His coming
00:11:11.77\00:11:15.90
would also face a
stupendous crisis.
00:11:15.94\00:11:19.77
Notice these words that
we find in Matthew 24:21-22,
00:11:19.81\00:11:25.35
"for then there
will be great" what?
00:11:25.38\00:11:28.02
" Tribulation,
such as has not been
00:11:28.05\00:11:30.49
since the beginning of
the world until this time,
00:11:30.52\00:11:33.02
no, nor ever shall be.
00:11:33.05\00:11:34.92
And unless those
days were shortened,
00:11:34.96\00:11:37.03
no flesh would be saved,
00:11:37.06\00:11:38.53
but for the elect's sake
those days will be shortened."
00:11:38.56\00:11:42.00
Now, this is a prophecy
concerning the end of time
00:11:42.03\00:11:46.07
as well as a period in
history known as the dark ages.
00:11:46.10\00:11:50.67
Two periods of time,
00:11:50.71\00:11:52.07
one that lasted more
than a thousand years.
00:11:52.11\00:11:55.24
It was the longest period
of persecution and tribulation.
00:11:55.28\00:11:58.81
The other at the end of
time is a short period of time
00:11:58.85\00:12:02.48
but the intensity of
that persecution will be
00:12:02.52\00:12:05.59
like at no other
time in human history.
00:12:05.62\00:12:08.26
So Jesus said there would be
00:12:08.29\00:12:10.03
this great
tribulation at the end of time.
00:12:10.06\00:12:13.60
Now the Book of Daniel
gives us some more insights.
00:12:13.63\00:12:17.33
In Daniel 12:1,
00:12:17.37\00:12:21.07
Daniel wrote these words,
00:12:21.10\00:12:22.87
"At that time Michael,
00:12:22.90\00:12:24.51
and Michael here is
another name for Christ,
00:12:24.54\00:12:27.64
Michael simply
means one who is like God.
00:12:27.68\00:12:31.71
Michael 'O Christ shall stand up
00:12:31.75\00:12:34.02
the great
prince who stands watch
00:12:34.05\00:12:35.88
over the sons of your people,
00:12:35.92\00:12:37.25
and there shall
be a time of trouble
00:12:37.29\00:12:38.99
such as never was
since there was a nation,
00:12:39.02\00:12:41.22
even to that time.
00:12:41.26\00:12:42.76
And at that time your
people shall be delivered,
00:12:42.79\00:12:45.53
every one who is
found written in the book."
00:12:45.56\00:12:47.70
Wow!
00:12:47.73\00:12:49.06
So the Book of Daniel is
describing a time of trouble
00:12:49.10\00:12:53.37
at the end of time
00:12:53.40\00:12:54.74
such as this world
has never experienced.
00:12:54.77\00:12:57.94
Now has this world
seen some time of trouble?
00:12:57.97\00:13:00.91
Absolutely, we have
seen some turbulent times,
00:13:00.94\00:13:03.95
especially in the past century,
World War I, World War II,
00:13:03.98\00:13:06.98
terrible times but
that will not compare
00:13:07.02\00:13:10.25
according to the Book of
Daniel to what is coming.
00:13:10.29\00:13:13.46
Now, here Daniel
speaks of each person
00:13:13.49\00:13:17.79
who is written in
the book is delivered
00:13:17.83\00:13:21.96
at that time of trouble.
00:13:22.00\00:13:23.60
Now what is that book?
00:13:23.63\00:13:25.73
Notice the words that we find
in the Book of Revelation 3:5,
00:13:25.77\00:13:32.31
"He who overcomes shall
be clothed in white garments,
00:13:32.34\00:13:35.21
and I will not blot out his name
00:13:35.24\00:13:36.91
from the book of" what?
00:13:36.95\00:13:38.58
"The book life, but
I will confess his name
00:13:38.61\00:13:40.42
before My father
and before His angels."
00:13:40.45\00:13:42.35
So this book that Daniel
speaks of is the book of life.
00:13:42.38\00:13:47.72
A wonderful book of life.
00:13:47.76\00:13:49.32
You know, the Bible
gives us another name
00:13:49.36\00:13:51.86
for this book of life.
00:13:51.89\00:13:53.36
Notice these words
00:13:53.40\00:13:54.73
that we find in the
Book of Malachi 3:16.
00:13:54.76\00:13:59.10
"Then those who feared
the Lord spoke to one another,
00:13:59.13\00:14:01.47
and the Lord
listened and heard them,
00:14:01.50\00:14:03.37
So a book of" what?"
00:14:03.41\00:14:05.04
"Of remembrance
was written before Him
00:14:05.07\00:14:07.38
for those who fear the Lord
and who meditate on His name."
00:14:07.41\00:14:10.38
So the book of
life is also referred to
00:14:10.41\00:14:12.68
as the book of remembrance.
00:14:12.71\00:14:14.38
Now what's so significant
about the book of remembrance?
00:14:14.42\00:14:18.39
If we go together
to the words of Jesus
00:14:18.42\00:14:21.32
in Matthew 24:37,
00:14:21.36\00:14:23.63
notice what Jesus said,
00:14:23.66\00:14:25.63
"But as the days of Noah were,
00:14:25.66\00:14:27.43
so also will the
coming of the Son of Man be."
00:14:27.46\00:14:30.60
Now, we've already
looked at the days of Noah
00:14:30.63\00:14:33.07
as far as the
social world is concerned
00:14:33.10\00:14:35.40
but now let's take
a look at something
00:14:35.44\00:14:37.31
that we haven't
looked at thus far.
00:14:37.34\00:14:40.01
I want to share with you
00:14:40.04\00:14:41.38
something that is
absolutely fascinating
00:14:41.41\00:14:44.11
and incredible that I discovered
00:14:44.15\00:14:45.48
only a short time ago.
00:14:45.51\00:14:47.58
Before I do, I want to ask
you to think about archery.
00:14:47.62\00:14:52.75
How many are you
familiar with archery?
00:14:52.79\00:14:54.76
Okay, you all
familiar with darts?
00:14:54.79\00:14:57.43
Where is the greatest
score in archery to be found?
00:14:57.46\00:15:01.80
In the very center, okay.
00:15:01.83\00:15:03.97
In the very
center there you have
00:15:04.00\00:15:06.30
what we call a bull's eye,
00:15:06.33\00:15:07.67
isn't that right?
00:15:07.70\00:15:09.04
We have the bull's eye.
00:15:09.07\00:15:10.41
Now the way the Hebrews wrote
00:15:10.44\00:15:12.91
and the way the
story of Noah is written
00:15:12.94\00:15:15.71
is that the most important part
of the story is guess where,
00:15:15.74\00:15:20.08
in the center, in the
middle, the bull's eye.
00:15:20.12\00:15:23.75
Now I have placed for
you here the story of Noah.
00:15:23.79\00:15:29.26
Okay, the first part,
00:15:29.29\00:15:31.29
the seven days of
waiting for the rain
00:15:31.33\00:15:33.26
corresponds with the
last part of the story,
00:15:33.29\00:15:35.93
seven days of waiting
to send the second bird.
00:15:35.96\00:15:39.23
The second part,
00:15:39.27\00:15:40.60
seven days of
waiting for the flood
00:15:40.64\00:15:42.24
corresponds with the second last
00:15:42.27\00:15:43.87
seven days of waiting
to send the first bird.
00:15:43.91\00:15:46.24
And so on and so forth
00:15:46.27\00:15:47.61
you can see that up
there on the screen.
00:15:47.64\00:15:49.28
Notice what is in the very
centre of the story of Noah.
00:15:49.31\00:15:53.08
Notice the
bull's eye of the story,
00:15:53.11\00:15:54.92
the most important
part of the story is this.
00:15:54.95\00:15:58.15
God remembered Noah.
00:15:58.19\00:16:01.59
Isn't that wonderful?
00:16:01.62\00:16:04.13
We read earlier on that
there is a book of remembrance,
00:16:04.16\00:16:08.20
and the Bible says
that God remembered Noah.
00:16:08.23\00:16:10.90
What did Jesus say, as
it was in the days of Noah,
00:16:10.93\00:16:14.57
so what will be
just before I come,
00:16:14.60\00:16:17.41
so those individuals
who are in my book of life,
00:16:17.44\00:16:20.71
in my book of remembrance,
00:16:20.74\00:16:22.21
they will be safe
and secure just like Noah
00:16:22.24\00:16:24.98
and His family
was safe and secured.
00:16:25.01\00:16:26.48
Isn't that good news?
00:16:26.51\00:16:27.85
That is great news.
00:16:27.88\00:16:29.48
The days of Noah
are not all about
00:16:29.52\00:16:32.15
doom and gloom,
00:16:32.19\00:16:33.52
and lawlessness, and
corruption, and violence,
00:16:33.56\00:16:36.19
and population explosions.
00:16:36.22\00:16:37.99
Yes, that is all
part of the days of Noah.
00:16:38.03\00:16:41.00
But the best thing
about the days of Noah is that
00:16:41.03\00:16:43.77
God remembered Noah,
00:16:43.80\00:16:45.20
and God will remember
you and God will remember me,
00:16:45.23\00:16:48.30
I love what Genesis 6:8 says,
00:16:48.34\00:16:52.64
"But Noah found" what?
00:16:52.67\00:16:54.81
"Grace in the eyes of the Lord."
00:16:54.84\00:16:57.61
Noah found grace in
the eyes of the Lord,
00:16:57.65\00:17:00.55
so how can you, how can I,
00:17:00.58\00:17:02.22
how can we find grace
in the eyes of the Lord?
00:17:02.25\00:17:05.22
How can we just like Noah be
ready for the coming of Jesus?
00:17:05.25\00:17:10.16
Noah and his family,
they were ready for the flood,
00:17:10.19\00:17:12.16
weren't they?
00:17:12.19\00:17:13.53
How can we be ready
for the coming of Jesus?
00:17:13.56\00:17:16.33
Today, we want to take a look
00:17:16.36\00:17:17.70
at the most
important sign of all,
00:17:17.73\00:17:20.67
the one that
has everything to do
00:17:20.70\00:17:22.74
with your preparation and mine.
00:17:22.77\00:17:24.67
The one that will
prepare us to also find grace
00:17:24.71\00:17:28.21
in the eyes of the Lord.
00:17:28.24\00:17:29.58
The one that will prepare us
00:17:29.61\00:17:31.41
then it doesn't
matter the time of trouble
00:17:31.45\00:17:33.42
that we are living in
00:17:33.45\00:17:34.78
that our names will
be firmly found written
00:17:34.82\00:17:37.79
in the Lamb's Book of Life
00:17:37.82\00:17:39.69
as the Book of
Revelation puts it.
00:17:39.72\00:17:41.72
So today we want to take a
look at the most important sign,
00:17:41.76\00:17:45.46
the sign in the religious world.
00:17:45.49\00:17:48.73
We take a look at,
00:17:48.76\00:17:50.10
we've taken a look at
signs in the political world
00:17:50.13\00:17:51.83
and the world of nature
00:17:51.87\00:17:53.23
and we've taken a look
at signs in the social world
00:17:53.27\00:17:56.20
and we have looked at
signs in the economic world.
00:17:56.24\00:17:58.74
But today the
most important sign,
00:17:58.77\00:18:00.91
signs in the religious world.
00:18:00.94\00:18:03.98
Let's go the words of Jesus.
00:18:04.01\00:18:05.41
Once again we've
been there before briefly
00:18:05.45\00:18:07.55
but now we want to
unpack this all important sign,
00:18:07.58\00:18:10.92
a little more carefully.
00:18:10.95\00:18:12.29
Matthew 24:4, 5
00:18:12.32\00:18:14.36
Jesus went on and after
he was asked the question,
00:18:14.39\00:18:17.89
will this bring
the end of the world?
00:18:17.93\00:18:20.80
The destruction of Jerusalem,
notice what Jesus said,
00:18:20.83\00:18:23.90
in Matthew 24:4,
5 and Jesus answered
00:18:23.93\00:18:27.04
and said to them
that is to his disciples.
00:18:27.07\00:18:29.90
"Take heed that no one" what?
00:18:29.94\00:18:31.77
"Deceives you.
00:18:31.81\00:18:33.14
For many will come
in My name, saying,
00:18:33.17\00:18:34.58
"I am the Christ,
'and will deceive many."
00:18:34.61\00:18:36.61
The very first thing
that Jesus says is watch out,
00:18:36.64\00:18:40.12
there will be great deception.
00:18:40.15\00:18:42.12
Not only prior to the
destruction of Jerusalem
00:18:42.15\00:18:45.45
but more importantly
as far as we are concerned
00:18:45.49\00:18:48.49
some 2000 years on
before the coming of Jesus,
00:18:48.52\00:18:52.59
watch out
deception will be something
00:18:52.63\00:18:56.70
that will be everywhere
00:18:56.73\00:18:58.10
and that especially
in the religious world.
00:18:58.13\00:18:59.87
In fact, they were deceived
as we'll discover up here,
00:18:59.90\00:19:01.90
it's not once, not twice
00:19:01.94\00:19:03.27
but some four
times in this chapter.
00:19:03.30\00:19:06.07
"For many will
come in my name saying,
00:19:06.11\00:19:07.88
'I am the Christ, '
and will deceive many."
00:19:07.91\00:19:10.21
Many have claimed to be Christ.
00:19:10.25\00:19:11.71
David Koresh, some
of you are familiar
00:19:11.75\00:19:14.58
with David Koresh in 1993,
00:19:14.62\00:19:17.42
sadly him and his follower
00:19:17.45\00:19:20.39
died in that terrible
tragedy there in Waco.
00:19:20.42\00:19:24.66
Here in Australia,
00:19:24.69\00:19:26.03
we have our own
version of Jesus Christ,
00:19:26.06\00:19:28.96
an individual by
the name of Alan Miller,
00:19:29.00\00:19:31.67
he lives in Queensland there in
00:19:31.70\00:19:33.57
what's considered
to the Bible Belt,
00:19:33.60\00:19:35.57
and his followers
believe that he is Jesus Christ.
00:19:35.60\00:19:39.21
His wife who is Mary Luck
says that she is Mary Magdalene.
00:19:39.24\00:19:45.55
And so there are men and women
that are part of this commune.
00:19:45.58\00:19:49.45
In fact he was on
Current Affair not so,
00:19:49.48\00:19:52.92
well a number of years of ago,
00:19:52.95\00:19:54.29
he was on one of
our news programs
00:19:54.32\00:19:57.36
on television on Current Affair,
00:19:57.39\00:19:58.79
he has his own
website entitled Divine Truth,
00:19:58.83\00:20:03.33
and he has on there
welcome by Jesus and Mary.
00:20:03.37\00:20:08.57
Welcome by Jesus and Mary.
00:20:08.60\00:20:11.21
Now you may be thinking,
00:20:11.24\00:20:12.57
I'm not gonna get caught
up in following a David Koresh
00:20:12.61\00:20:16.41
or in following an Alan Miller,
00:20:16.44\00:20:18.41
and that's true.
00:20:18.45\00:20:19.78
That's true,
00:20:19.81\00:20:21.15
the majority of us
will not get caught up
00:20:21.18\00:20:23.35
in something like that.
00:20:23.39\00:20:25.05
However the
significance of Jesus' words is
00:20:25.09\00:20:27.89
that there will
be many false christs
00:20:27.92\00:20:30.63
at the end of time.
00:20:30.66\00:20:31.99
Now Jesus Himself
said in John 14:6,
00:20:32.03\00:20:34.30
"I am the way and the" what?
00:20:34.33\00:20:36.43
"The truth and the life."
00:20:36.46\00:20:38.27
Anyone, anyone no
matter who they are,
00:20:38.30\00:20:41.17
who is teaching a
different way of salvation,
00:20:41.20\00:20:44.37
is teaching a different way
to heaven is a false christ.
00:20:44.41\00:20:50.11
They are sharing something
00:20:50.15\00:20:52.61
that takes
people away from Christ,
00:20:52.65\00:20:55.95
takes people away from the plans
00:20:55.98\00:20:57.82
that He has for
them in His word.
00:20:57.85\00:21:00.29
Jesus also went
on in Matthew 24:11,
00:21:00.32\00:21:03.32
He said that many
false prophets will rise up
00:21:03.36\00:21:05.63
and deceive many.
00:21:05.66\00:21:07.70
There have been
many false prophets
00:21:07.73\00:21:09.66
down through the centuries.
00:21:09.70\00:21:11.30
One recent false prophet that
predicted the coming of Jesus,
00:21:11.33\00:21:15.70
I mean, 2011 was a gentleman
by the name of Harold Camping.
00:21:15.74\00:21:19.21
How many of you remember
hearing about Harold Camping?
00:21:19.24\00:21:21.48
He's passed away now
but he predicted that
00:21:21.51\00:21:24.01
Jesus would come
secretly on May 21, 2011
00:21:24.05\00:21:29.52
and in five months later,
00:21:29.55\00:21:30.89
he would come gloriously.
00:21:30.92\00:21:33.89
Now, a false prophet,
00:21:33.92\00:21:36.79
who is a false
prophet ultimately?
00:21:36.83\00:21:39.03
A prophet is someone
who speaks on behalf of God.
00:21:39.06\00:21:42.90
Someone who claims that
they have truth from God.
00:21:42.93\00:21:46.33
So a false prophet is someone
00:21:46.37\00:21:48.34
who is sharing
something with others
00:21:48.37\00:21:51.11
that is not based
on the word of God.
00:21:51.14\00:21:53.81
For Jesus in
John 17:17 He told us,
00:21:53.84\00:21:57.75
sanctify them by thy word,
00:21:57.78\00:21:59.75
thy word is what? Truth,
00:21:59.78\00:22:01.88
God's word is truth.
00:22:01.92\00:22:04.35
And so anyone that
shares with you anything
00:22:04.39\00:22:08.02
that is not based on God's word,
00:22:08.06\00:22:11.13
they are
ultimately a false prophet.
00:22:11.16\00:22:13.29
Not in the sense
of Harold Camping
00:22:13.33\00:22:16.33
but in the sense that
00:22:16.36\00:22:17.70
they are not
sharing a message from God.
00:22:17.73\00:22:20.27
The margin between
truth and error is minimal.
00:22:20.30\00:22:25.47
That's why
deception is so powerful
00:22:25.51\00:22:27.88
because it's almost like
the real deal but not quite.
00:22:27.91\00:22:31.91
It is so close, yet so far away.
00:22:31.95\00:22:35.35
Let me illustrate.
00:22:35.38\00:22:37.29
Notice this word
up on the screen.
00:22:37.32\00:22:40.42
You probably haven't come
across this word, have you?
00:22:40.46\00:22:43.36
No, it's not a word that
we have in our dictionary.
00:22:43.39\00:22:48.26
Let me break this
word up into three words
00:22:48.30\00:22:50.93
and that might help
or forward I should say.
00:22:50.97\00:22:54.44
God is no where.
00:22:54.47\00:22:57.37
That's how you can
spell this one word,
00:22:57.41\00:22:59.31
God is no where,
00:22:59.34\00:23:00.68
or you can spell
this word like this,
00:23:00.71\00:23:03.14
God is now here.
00:23:03.18\00:23:05.01
Is there a difference
between these two sentences?
00:23:05.05\00:23:09.12
Absolutely, there is
a world of difference.
00:23:09.15\00:23:11.52
What have we done?
00:23:11.55\00:23:12.89
We have just
simply moved one letter.
00:23:12.92\00:23:14.96
We've moved the W
00:23:14.99\00:23:17.66
at the end of N-O
00:23:17.69\00:23:19.39
instead of at
the beginning of here
00:23:19.43\00:23:21.46
and we have a
world of difference.
00:23:21.50\00:23:24.10
That's how deception works.
00:23:24.13\00:23:25.80
Deception is so
close to the original
00:23:25.83\00:23:29.20
but it is deadly dangerous.
00:23:29.24\00:23:31.64
And that's why the
enemy is a deceiver,
00:23:31.67\00:23:33.71
and that's why Jesus said,
00:23:33.74\00:23:35.08
the very first
thing that Jesus said
00:23:35.11\00:23:36.44
when He gave signs of His coming
00:23:36.48\00:23:38.41
and signs of the
destruction of Jerusalem,
00:23:38.45\00:23:39.91
He said, watch out.
00:23:39.95\00:23:41.78
There will be great deception
just before our return.
00:23:41.82\00:23:45.59
Now you may be thinking,
00:23:45.62\00:23:47.02
will it be some
serious signs out there
00:23:47.06\00:23:49.39
warning me of false
prophets and false christs?
00:23:49.42\00:23:52.29
Do I really
have to be concerned?
00:23:52.33\00:23:55.63
Notice what Jesus said in
Matthew 24:24 and onwards,
00:23:55.66\00:23:59.67
"For false christs and
false prophets will rise
00:23:59.70\00:24:01.97
and show great" what?
00:24:02.00\00:24:03.64
"Great signs or great
miracles and wonders to deceive,
00:24:03.67\00:24:07.44
if possible, even
who, the very elect."
00:24:07.48\00:24:10.01
Who are the elect?
00:24:10.05\00:24:11.38
The elect are those
they claim to be Christians.
00:24:11.41\00:24:13.85
Those who claim to
be followers of Christ.
00:24:13.88\00:24:15.58
Those who claim
to read the Bible,
00:24:15.62\00:24:19.22
Jesus says watch out.
00:24:19.25\00:24:20.99
He says look, "I
have told beforehand.
00:24:21.02\00:24:24.83
Therefore if they say to you,
'Look, He is in the desert!'
00:24:24.86\00:24:28.73
do not go away out, or "Look,
00:24:28.76\00:24:30.10
He is in the inner
rooms!' do not believe it."
00:24:30.13\00:24:32.27
Now this statement
of Jesus is astounding,
00:24:32.30\00:24:35.64
why is that?
00:24:35.67\00:24:37.01
You might not have
picked this up before.
00:24:37.04\00:24:38.57
It's astounding because
Jesus moves from false christs,
00:24:38.61\00:24:43.11
plural, to false Christ,
00:24:43.14\00:24:45.88
he, is in the singular.
00:24:45.91\00:24:47.88
What Jesus here is
warning us about is that
00:24:47.92\00:24:51.19
before He comes
there will be someone
00:24:51.22\00:24:53.86
that will seek
to deceive the world
00:24:53.89\00:24:57.03
into believing
that he is the Christ
00:24:57.06\00:25:00.33
who is long
awaited and he has arrived.
00:25:00.36\00:25:03.70
Now who do you
think that might be
00:25:03.73\00:25:05.27
that will want to steal
the attention of God's people
00:25:05.30\00:25:10.71
for himself and claim
that he is the Christ?
00:25:10.74\00:25:14.91
It's Satan, absolutely.
00:25:14.94\00:25:16.95
He is the one,
00:25:16.98\00:25:18.31
he is the one that
wants to deceive the world
00:25:18.35\00:25:21.08
when it matters most.
00:25:21.12\00:25:22.78
Do we have anywhere in scripture
00:25:22.82\00:25:24.75
where we can see more evidence
00:25:24.79\00:25:27.16
for this possibly taking place.
00:25:27.19\00:25:29.32
Notice what the
Apostle Paul writes
00:25:29.36\00:25:32.03
in 2 Corinthians 11:14,
00:25:32.06\00:25:34.73
he writes, "And no wonder!
00:25:34.76\00:25:37.07
For Satan himself
transforms himself
00:25:37.10\00:25:39.73
into an angel of light."
00:25:39.77\00:25:41.70
Satan has the power
to transform himself
00:25:41.74\00:25:45.01
into an angel of light,
00:25:45.04\00:25:46.51
so unless we know God's word,
00:25:46.54\00:25:49.31
unless we are
grounded in God's word,
00:25:49.34\00:25:52.38
even the elect can be deceived.
00:25:52.41\00:25:55.98
Even the elect can be deceived.
00:25:56.02\00:25:58.85
Jesus goes on and He shares
what His coming will look like.
00:25:58.89\00:26:01.82
Notice these
words, Matthew 24:27,
00:26:01.86\00:26:04.76
"For as the
lightning comes from the east
00:26:04.79\00:26:06.80
and flashes to the west,
00:26:06.83\00:26:08.26
so also will the
coming of the Son of Man be."
00:26:08.30\00:26:12.17
This Satan will not
be able to duplicate.
00:26:12.20\00:26:15.47
Satan will not be
able to counterfeit
00:26:15.50\00:26:18.01
this all important sign.
00:26:18.04\00:26:19.87
When Jesus comes, He
will not appear here,
00:26:19.91\00:26:23.11
He will not appear
there to a group available.
00:26:23.14\00:26:25.88
You will not have
to turn on your TV
00:26:25.91\00:26:27.75
to realize that Jesus has come.
00:26:27.78\00:26:29.32
You won't see Him on the news.
00:26:29.35\00:26:31.25
Every eye will see Him,
the Book of Revelation says.
00:26:31.29\00:26:34.89
As lightning comes from the east
00:26:34.92\00:26:36.86
and shines through the west,
00:26:36.89\00:26:38.23
every single
person will be able to see
00:26:38.26\00:26:41.26
the coming of Jesus.
00:26:41.30\00:26:43.26
Extremely important
that we read God's word,
00:26:43.30\00:26:46.20
we study it, we follow it.
00:26:46.23\00:26:48.07
God's word is
absolutely fundamental.
00:26:48.10\00:26:51.47
We must know God's word.
00:26:51.51\00:26:53.71
This is the most
important sign of all.
00:26:53.74\00:26:57.55
It's elementary as they say.
00:26:57.58\00:27:00.65
It's of no use to you
00:27:00.68\00:27:02.92
and to me to
know all these signs
00:27:02.95\00:27:04.45
that we have looked at thus far
00:27:04.49\00:27:06.15
and not know God's word.
00:27:06.19\00:27:08.72
For knowing God's
word is what matters most
00:27:08.76\00:27:11.79
at the end of the
day, and that's why
00:27:11.83\00:27:13.73
this is the most
important sign of all.
00:27:13.76\00:27:16.63
Let me illustrate how important
it is to know God's word.
00:27:16.67\00:27:21.94
Several years ago, two
or three not quite sure,
00:27:21.97\00:27:25.77
my mother and I were
discussing and chatting,
00:27:25.81\00:27:28.41
she lives down near,
00:27:28.44\00:27:31.08
down in Victoria in
a place called Pyalong.
00:27:31.11\00:27:34.25
Has anyone heard of Pyalong?
00:27:34.28\00:27:36.45
No, you haven't,
00:27:36.48\00:27:37.82
no one here heard of Pyalong.
00:27:37.85\00:27:39.29
It's a place near a
town called Kilmore.
00:27:39.32\00:27:42.32
Anyone heard of Kilmore?
00:27:42.36\00:27:43.69
Got a couple of you.
00:27:43.73\00:27:45.06
The rest of you, have
you heard of Melbourne?
00:27:45.09\00:27:46.49
Anyone here heard of Melbourne?
00:27:46.53\00:27:47.86
Okay, it's about an hour
and half away from Melbourne.
00:27:47.90\00:27:51.00
I live on this
beautiful four acre hobby farm.
00:27:51.03\00:27:52.83
But anyway I'm
chatting to my mom,
00:27:52.87\00:27:54.44
we kind of try and
talk as often as we can.
00:27:54.47\00:27:58.04
And she says to
me, Danny, guess what?
00:27:58.07\00:27:59.97
I'm like, what!?
00:28:00.01\00:28:01.34
She goes "You wouldn't believe
00:28:01.38\00:28:03.11
what's taking
place in a little town
00:28:03.14\00:28:05.28
there in Kilmore.
00:28:05.31\00:28:06.88
There is a
circulation of fake $50 bills,
00:28:06.92\00:28:10.75
and I think I have
some counterfeit $50 bills
00:28:10.79\00:28:14.12
and I'm like really,
00:28:14.16\00:28:15.49
I mean nothing
ever happens in Pyalong.
00:28:15.52\00:28:17.93
Okay, nothing ever happened,
00:28:17.96\00:28:19.96
and all of a
sudden there is news,
00:28:20.00\00:28:22.30
and she says this is the story
00:28:22.33\00:28:26.60
and she begin sharing with me,
00:28:26.63\00:28:27.97
she says why don't
you check your $50 bills
00:28:28.00\00:28:30.11
to see you may have a
counterfeit $50 bill as well.
00:28:30.14\00:28:33.24
I'm like, okay, so I
scramble around the house,
00:28:33.27\00:28:35.44
I don't gave
any money like that,
00:28:35.48\00:28:37.41
flooding around in my wallet,
so guess where I have to go?
00:28:37.45\00:28:40.58
I've to go and talk to my wife
00:28:40.62\00:28:41.95
and ask her to give
me money from her wallet,
00:28:41.98\00:28:43.92
isn't that how it goes?
00:28:43.95\00:28:45.29
Well, it goes
like that in my family,
00:28:45.32\00:28:46.89
and anyway she kindly
gave me two $50 notes,
00:28:46.92\00:28:50.66
or several $50 notes,
00:28:50.69\00:28:52.43
and as I'm talking with my mom,
00:28:52.46\00:28:54.66
she says this is a counterfeit
$50 bill if you have this,
00:28:54.70\00:28:59.27
and I'm like what?
00:28:59.30\00:29:00.64
And you can see it
up there on the screen.
00:29:00.67\00:29:03.51
My mom was trying
to share with me that
00:29:03.54\00:29:05.21
that top picture that you see
there of the $50 is counterfeit
00:29:05.24\00:29:09.94
because it doesn't
have the name of the person.
00:29:09.98\00:29:13.68
See that they,
can you all see that?
00:29:13.72\00:29:15.98
Can you see something there?
00:29:16.02\00:29:17.49
Edith Cowan, that
supposedly the original,
00:29:17.52\00:29:21.22
the top one is the fake.
00:29:21.26\00:29:23.73
And I'm like really,
00:29:23.76\00:29:25.09
and she says
there is more Danny.
00:29:25.13\00:29:26.59
And I'm like,
okay, turn to the back,
00:29:26.63\00:29:29.16
so I turn to the back
and she says the original,
00:29:29.20\00:29:33.27
the original one
not only has the name
00:29:33.30\00:29:35.74
at the bottom of the individual
00:29:35.77\00:29:38.01
whose picture
is in the $50 Bill,
00:29:38.04\00:29:39.97
but at the top there
in this corner over here
00:29:40.01\00:29:44.61
you have the governor of
the Reserve Bank of Australia,
00:29:44.65\00:29:50.22
ahead of the
secretary to the treasurer.
00:29:50.25\00:29:55.72
If it has it the
other way around,
00:29:55.76\00:29:57.26
it's a fake, it's a fraud,
00:29:57.29\00:29:58.86
it's a counterfeit
and I'm like really?
00:29:58.89\00:30:01.66
And she says to me really.
00:30:01.70\00:30:03.57
Well, while I'm
chatting to her on the phone,
00:30:03.60\00:30:05.47
I decide that I'm
going to check this out,
00:30:05.50\00:30:08.00
so I decide to go
00:30:08.04\00:30:09.37
to the Reserve Bank
of Australia website
00:30:09.40\00:30:13.14
to check this out,
00:30:13.17\00:30:14.51
to see if this is
really a genuine deal,
00:30:14.54\00:30:18.18
and because she had read
about this in the newspaper
00:30:18.21\00:30:20.75
that there were this $50
00:30:20.78\00:30:23.79
counterfeit notes circulating,
00:30:23.82\00:30:25.95
and there I discovered some
common myths about banknotes.
00:30:25.99\00:30:30.16
Notice these words.
00:30:30.19\00:30:31.53
Banknotes without
the printed name below
00:30:31.56\00:30:33.96
the portrait are counterfeit.
00:30:34.00\00:30:36.16
That is a myth.
00:30:36.20\00:30:37.97
Notice, the fact: A banknote
without the name of the person
00:30:38.00\00:30:41.70
below the portrait is
not necessarily counterfeit.
00:30:41.74\00:30:44.64
Printed names were added
00:30:44.67\00:30:46.01
to Australian
banknotes from 2002.
00:30:46.04\00:30:48.44
This was done to help the
public identify the people
00:30:48.48\00:30:51.31
that our banknotes
feature, and so on and so far.
00:30:51.35\00:30:54.85
Myth: The governor's
signature is always above
00:30:54.88\00:30:58.45
the Secretary to the Treasury's.
00:30:58.49\00:31:00.72
Fact: The order
of the signatures
00:31:00.76\00:31:02.62
on Australian
banknotes was changed in 2002.
00:31:02.66\00:31:06.06
Wow, I said to my mom,
00:31:06.09\00:31:07.96
you don't need
to go to the police
00:31:08.00\00:31:09.36
with your $50 notes.
00:31:09.40\00:31:11.63
You won't end up in
jail, you'll be okay.
00:31:11.67\00:31:15.57
You have the original note.
00:31:15.60\00:31:18.47
Now what made the difference?
00:31:18.51\00:31:19.84
What made the
difference was me checking out
00:31:19.87\00:31:22.68
whether this was true or not
00:31:22.71\00:31:25.38
with the
Australian Reserve Bank.
00:31:25.41\00:31:27.95
And there on the website
you have a number of ways
00:31:27.98\00:31:32.25
that you can spot a
counterfeit banknote.
00:31:32.29\00:31:35.12
And so, today,
00:31:35.16\00:31:36.79
we live in a world where
there is a lot of counterfeit.
00:31:36.83\00:31:39.49
There is a lot of deception.
00:31:39.53\00:31:40.86
How on earth that
00:31:40.90\00:31:42.23
we're gonna know the
genuine from the false.
00:31:42.26\00:31:44.00
There is only
one way my friends,
00:31:44.03\00:31:45.73
only one way and
that is through what?
00:31:45.77\00:31:47.60
The word of God,
00:31:47.64\00:31:48.97
the only way
you'll know the truth
00:31:49.00\00:31:50.91
from the error is
from the word of God.
00:31:50.94\00:31:53.68
There is no other way.
00:31:53.71\00:31:55.24
Notice these words from Jesus
00:31:55.28\00:31:56.85
in John 8:31-32,
00:31:56.88\00:32:00.02
"Then Jesus said to
those Jews who believed in Him,
00:32:00.05\00:32:02.88
"If you abide in My" what?
00:32:02.92\00:32:05.52
"In My word, you
are My disciples indeed.
00:32:05.55\00:32:07.66
And you shall know the truth,
00:32:07.69\00:32:09.22
and the truth
shall make you" what?
00:32:09.26\00:32:10.83
"Free."
00:32:10.86\00:32:12.19
The only way to know the
truth is to abide in God's word.
00:32:12.23\00:32:16.16
And if you and I
abide in God's word,
00:32:16.20\00:32:19.10
I can guarantee you
based on what Jesus has said
00:32:19.13\00:32:22.60
that you will
never ever be deceived.
00:32:22.64\00:32:26.11
Isn't that good news?
00:32:26.14\00:32:27.58
That's wonderful news.
00:32:27.61\00:32:29.11
The elect will not be deceived
00:32:29.14\00:32:30.95
as long as they abide in
the word of Jesus Christ.
00:32:30.98\00:32:37.02
Notice what the Apostle
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:3-4
00:32:37.05\00:32:43.19
concerning the times
00:32:43.22\00:32:44.96
that we would be
living in particular.
00:32:44.99\00:32:47.40
"For the time will come
00:32:47.43\00:32:49.36
when they will not
endure sound doctrine,
00:32:49.40\00:32:51.47
but according to
their own desires,
00:32:51.50\00:32:53.44
because they have itching ears,
00:32:53.47\00:32:55.14
they will heap up
for themselves teachers,
00:32:55.17\00:32:57.41
and they will turn
their ears away from the truth
00:32:57.44\00:33:00.28
and be turned aside to" what?
00:33:00.31\00:33:02.74
The Apostle Paul
says the day is coming,
00:33:02.78\00:33:05.68
the day is coming
and it began in his day
00:33:05.71\00:33:08.85
but as those
labor pains intensified
00:33:08.88\00:33:11.89
as we have
discovered over and over again,
00:33:11.92\00:33:14.22
deception will grow
00:33:14.26\00:33:16.66
and there will be more and
more of God's professed people
00:33:16.69\00:33:21.66
who will turn their
ears away from the truth
00:33:21.70\00:33:25.50
and instead they will
focus on following fables.
00:33:25.53\00:33:30.01
We live in a
Christian world today,
00:33:30.04\00:33:33.48
and I don't want
to share this with you
00:33:33.51\00:33:34.94
but this is the reality.
00:33:34.98\00:33:36.31
We live in a
Christian world today
00:33:36.34\00:33:38.25
where people are
picking and choosing
00:33:38.28\00:33:40.88
what they will believe
00:33:40.92\00:33:42.72
and what they will
follow from God's word.
00:33:42.75\00:33:44.29
Isn't that right?
00:33:44.32\00:33:45.65
That's absolutely right.
00:33:45.69\00:33:47.32
We live in a Christian world
00:33:47.36\00:33:49.66
that has a smorgasbord
attitude towards God's truth.
00:33:49.69\00:33:54.43
You know what it's like
in a smorgasbord, don't you?
00:33:54.46\00:33:56.13
You've been to a
smorgasbord before.
00:33:56.16\00:33:58.10
You can pick and
choose what you want to eat,
00:33:58.13\00:33:59.73
isn't that right?
00:33:59.77\00:34:01.60
You don't want to eat asparagus,
00:34:01.64\00:34:02.97
you don't need
to eat a asparagus.
00:34:03.00\00:34:04.44
You can pick and choose,
00:34:04.47\00:34:05.81
there is an abundance
00:34:05.84\00:34:07.31
to pick and choose,
00:34:07.34\00:34:09.21
that's not how God
wants us to treat His word.
00:34:09.24\00:34:12.08
God wants us to
follow every word
00:34:12.11\00:34:16.38
that proceeds
from the mouth of God.
00:34:16.42\00:34:19.19
That is the only way we
will remain true to God.
00:34:19.22\00:34:22.89
I love this poem
that I come across,
00:34:22.92\00:34:24.86
I'm not quite
sure who the author is
00:34:24.89\00:34:28.13
but it's a beautiful poem that
sums up what my attitude is,
00:34:28.16\00:34:31.97
and I pray that what your
attitude will be to God's word.
00:34:32.00\00:34:35.14
What says the Bible,
The blessed Bible to me,
00:34:35.17\00:34:38.37
The teachings of
men so Often mislead me,
00:34:38.41\00:34:40.98
What says the Bible,
The blessed Bible to me.
00:34:41.01\00:34:44.08
This my only question
be, What says the Bible,
00:34:44.11\00:34:47.45
The blessed Bible to me.
00:34:47.48\00:34:48.82
Amen.
00:34:48.85\00:34:50.19
Isn't that a
wonderful statement?
00:34:50.22\00:34:51.99
Who cares what I think
and with all due respect,
00:34:52.02\00:34:55.22
who cares what you think, amen.
00:34:55.26\00:34:57.99
What God says
that's all that matters,
00:34:58.03\00:35:01.60
for God's word
alone holds water.
00:35:01.63\00:35:05.80
Nothing else in this
world but God's word alone.
00:35:05.83\00:35:10.64
God is inviting us to
spend time in his word.
00:35:10.67\00:35:14.14
God is inviting
us to get to know
00:35:14.18\00:35:16.58
Jesus through His word.
00:35:16.61\00:35:18.48
We discovered the last time
00:35:18.51\00:35:19.95
we were together that Jesus said
00:35:19.98\00:35:22.18
this is eternal life
that they may know Him,
00:35:22.22\00:35:26.32
the only true
God and Jesus Christ
00:35:26.35\00:35:28.16
whom You have sent.
00:35:28.19\00:35:29.72
John 17:3,
00:35:29.76\00:35:31.83
"Eternal life is found
in knowing Jesus Christ.
00:35:31.86\00:35:35.46
It is found in a
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:35:35.50\00:35:38.50
It is found in
spending time with Jesus Christ.
00:35:38.53\00:35:42.10
We need to get our
faces into God's book
00:35:42.14\00:35:45.17
rather than on Facebook,
00:35:45.21\00:35:47.61
if you know what I mean.
00:35:47.64\00:35:48.98
Nothing wrong with Facebook,
00:35:49.01\00:35:50.35
but if Facebook's taking
your eyes away from God's book,
00:35:50.38\00:35:52.98
well, then there is a problem.
00:35:53.01\00:35:55.42
It's time for us to
spend time in God's word.
00:35:55.45\00:35:58.72
And I want to encourage you,
00:35:58.75\00:36:00.52
just wherever you are to
spend more time in this book
00:36:00.56\00:36:04.99
and learn of the wonderful
messages that God has for us.
00:36:05.03\00:36:09.70
Well, we want to go to our...
00:36:09.73\00:36:12.50
to our final,
00:36:12.53\00:36:14.30
and our greatest
sign that will usher
00:36:14.34\00:36:17.94
in the grand
climax of human history.
00:36:17.97\00:36:20.98
This is the most
important sign of all,
00:36:21.01\00:36:23.18
that's part of the
whole religious world signs.
00:36:23.21\00:36:27.52
And notice here
00:36:27.55\00:36:28.88
what Jesus said in Matthew 24:3,
00:36:28.92\00:36:32.49
we read these words.
00:36:32.52\00:36:34.16
"Tell us, when
will these things be?"
00:36:34.19\00:36:37.16
This is the disciple's question.
00:36:37.19\00:36:39.19
"And what will be
the sign of Your coming,
00:36:39.23\00:36:41.76
and of the end of the age?"
00:36:41.80\00:36:43.97
Notice, they ask
00:36:44.00\00:36:45.33
when will
Jerusalem be destroyed.
00:36:45.37\00:36:47.34
And as we have
discovered the disciples believe
00:36:47.37\00:36:50.01
that when Jerusalem or
I should say the temple
00:36:50.04\00:36:52.97
would be destroyed
that's when Jesus would come.
00:36:53.01\00:36:56.64
Notice what Jesus said
00:36:56.68\00:36:58.61
or before we
notice what Jesus said,
00:36:58.65\00:37:02.88
these words are extremely
important for us to remember,
00:37:02.92\00:37:05.59
especially in the
times that we are living in.
00:37:05.62\00:37:07.76
Matthew 24:6,
00:37:07.79\00:37:09.69
"And you will hear of
wars and rumors of wars.
00:37:09.72\00:37:12.59
See that you are not troubled,
00:37:12.63\00:37:14.20
for all these
things must come to pass,
00:37:14.23\00:37:16.26
but the end is" what?
00:37:16.30\00:37:17.63
"Not yet."
00:37:17.67\00:37:19.00
Jesus said, there would
be wars and rumors of wars
00:37:19.03\00:37:21.20
but the end is not
yet, don't be troubled.
00:37:21.24\00:37:23.97
That's not going to be the
end, that won't be the end.
00:37:24.01\00:37:28.01
We have the
potential to destroy this world
00:37:28.04\00:37:30.55
the number of times over,
00:37:30.58\00:37:32.08
but that is not the
final and most important sign
00:37:32.11\00:37:34.82
that we have that capability.
00:37:34.85\00:37:36.18
No, Jesus said there
will be something far greater,
00:37:36.22\00:37:40.19
something far more
important, the greatest
00:37:40.22\00:37:42.79
and the most positive
sign of all follows next.
00:37:42.82\00:37:45.63
Notice what Jesus
said in Matthew 24:14,
00:37:45.66\00:37:48.56
"And this gospel of the
kingdom will be preached
00:37:48.60\00:37:50.87
in all the world as a witness
to all nations, and what?
00:37:50.90\00:37:54.27
Then the end will come."
00:37:54.30\00:37:56.37
Jesus said, you will hear
of wars and rumors of wars,
00:37:56.40\00:37:59.27
there will be pestilences,
there will be earthquakes,
00:37:59.31\00:38:01.68
there will be false christs,
00:38:01.71\00:38:03.71
but the end is not yet.
00:38:03.75\00:38:05.91
But when the gospel
00:38:05.95\00:38:07.28
and that word the
gospel means good news.
00:38:07.32\00:38:09.78
Good news about what?
00:38:09.82\00:38:11.15
Good news that
Jesus is coming back soon.
00:38:11.19\00:38:13.96
Good news that
God is longsuffering,
00:38:13.99\00:38:16.42
not willing that
any should perish
00:38:16.46\00:38:18.16
but that all
should come to repentance.
00:38:18.19\00:38:19.93
Good news that God wants to save
00:38:19.96\00:38:22.40
as many as are
willing to be saved.
00:38:22.43\00:38:24.83
That is the good
news of the gospel,
00:38:24.87\00:38:26.60
and this message of good
news must go to all the world
00:38:26.63\00:38:31.44
as a witness to all the nations
00:38:31.47\00:38:33.41
and then Jesus
says the end will come.
00:38:33.44\00:38:36.64
In the Book of Revelation,
the final book of the Bible,
00:38:36.68\00:38:39.51
John adds to
these words of Christ.
00:38:39.55\00:38:42.45
Notice these words
in Revelation 14:6,
00:38:42.48\00:38:46.25
"Then I saw another angel
flying in the midst of heaven,
00:38:46.29\00:38:49.96
having the everlasting
gospel to preach to those
00:38:49.99\00:38:52.56
who dwell on the
earth-to every nation,
00:38:52.59\00:38:54.76
tribe, tongue and people."
00:38:54.80\00:38:56.97
Here God through his word
in the final book of the Bible
00:38:57.00\00:39:00.60
reveals God's final
message of love to the world
00:39:00.64\00:39:04.21
and it is couched in
these three angels' messages
00:39:04.24\00:39:07.58
that we find
there in the very heart
00:39:07.61\00:39:09.24
of the Book of Revelation.
00:39:09.28\00:39:10.61
Revelation 14,
00:39:10.65\00:39:12.31
it's God final
message of love to the world.
00:39:12.35\00:39:16.02
Now, notice the gospel.
00:39:16.05\00:39:17.75
I want to give you
some interesting facts.
00:39:17.79\00:39:20.52
The Gospel to All the World,
00:39:20.56\00:39:22.12
the full Bible
or part of the Bible
00:39:22.16\00:39:24.19
in the year 1800 was
available in some 70 languages.
00:39:24.23\00:39:30.57
In the year 2016,
3000 or more languages.
00:39:30.60\00:39:36.27
There are some 6 or
7000 languages in the world.
00:39:36.30\00:39:41.18
There're almost 1000 languages
in Papua New Guinea alone
00:39:41.21\00:39:45.61
and God's word,
00:39:45.65\00:39:47.45
the good news of the gospel
00:39:47.48\00:39:49.25
is going
throughout the whole world.
00:39:49.28\00:39:51.85
It's is going through the world,
00:39:51.89\00:39:53.62
through the various forms
of media that we have today.
00:39:53.66\00:39:57.66
People today are discovering
the good news of salvation
00:39:57.69\00:40:00.90
through the written word,
00:40:00.93\00:40:02.56
those who are able to read
00:40:02.60\00:40:03.93
and those who have access
to the Bible are able to have
00:40:03.97\00:40:07.24
the Bible in their own
language or parts of the Bible.
00:40:07.27\00:40:10.97
Today through the
internet, thousands,
00:40:11.01\00:40:14.14
millions upon
millions are discovering
00:40:14.18\00:40:16.34
the good news of the gospel,
00:40:16.38\00:40:17.75
they are hearing
the everlasting gospel,
00:40:17.78\00:40:20.62
they are hearing
those three angels' messages
00:40:20.65\00:40:23.59
there in revelation 14.
00:40:23.62\00:40:25.05
And maybe one day
00:40:25.09\00:40:26.42
we can explore
those messages together.
00:40:26.45\00:40:29.42
God's message of love
is going to all the world.
00:40:29.46\00:40:33.93
Whilst there are
wars and rumors of wars,
00:40:33.96\00:40:36.63
whilst there is conflict,
whilst there are earthquakes,
00:40:36.67\00:40:39.67
whilst there are famines,
00:40:39.70\00:40:41.04
whilst there is
economic and social uncertainty,
00:40:41.07\00:40:43.71
whilst all these
things are going on,
00:40:43.74\00:40:45.81
God's word, the gospel
is going to all the world.
00:40:45.84\00:40:50.05
You see there are
parts of the world
00:40:50.08\00:40:52.61
where I cannot
go and you cannot go
00:40:52.65\00:40:55.15
and share the gospel openly,
00:40:55.18\00:40:57.22
but God has
devised in these last days
00:40:57.25\00:41:00.39
I believe the internet,
00:41:00.42\00:41:02.36
and the internet goes
where humans cannot go,
00:41:02.39\00:41:05.33
it goes everywhere.
00:41:05.36\00:41:06.70
And today, people have
got these little phones,
00:41:06.73\00:41:08.36
haven't they?
00:41:08.40\00:41:09.73
And they've got the
world literally in their hand
00:41:09.76\00:41:13.23
and through those
phones, through laptops,
00:41:13.27\00:41:16.71
through many other means
00:41:16.74\00:41:18.07
they are able to hear
the good news of the gospel,
00:41:18.11\00:41:19.64
through radio.
00:41:19.67\00:41:21.38
All these media have come
on to the scene of history
00:41:21.41\00:41:26.21
just at the right
time in human history.
00:41:26.25\00:41:29.62
In fact, as I was thinking
about this sometime ago,
00:41:29.65\00:41:34.32
the Lord impressed me
with this incredible fact
00:41:34.36\00:41:37.99
that you may
not have considered.
00:41:38.03\00:41:40.06
The reformation when God began
00:41:40.10\00:41:43.67
the final work of sharing
the gospel to all the world
00:41:43.70\00:41:47.70
through Martin Luther
and those that preceded him.
00:41:47.74\00:41:50.24
The reformation was preceded
by the greatest invention
00:41:50.27\00:41:54.41
in human history
up until that point
00:41:54.44\00:41:56.78
when it comes to
media and communication
00:41:56.81\00:41:58.95
and what was that.
00:41:58.98\00:42:00.32
It was the invention
of the Gutenberg press
00:42:00.35\00:42:03.62
or the printing
press, isn't that right?
00:42:03.65\00:42:05.99
So in order to
springboard the reformation,
00:42:06.02\00:42:09.86
God enabled the
printing press to be invented.
00:42:09.89\00:42:14.56
We're now at the other end
00:42:14.60\00:42:16.77
of the
fulfillment of the reformation
00:42:16.80\00:42:18.70
when God's final message of love
00:42:18.73\00:42:20.64
is to go to all the world.
00:42:20.67\00:42:22.07
When God's final message of
truth is to go all the world
00:42:22.10\00:42:24.81
and what has God in His wisdom
00:42:24.84\00:42:27.08
allowed humans to invent
the internet, the internet.
00:42:27.11\00:42:32.65
From the printing
press to the internet
00:42:32.68\00:42:35.22
could it be that this will usher
00:42:35.25\00:42:37.92
in the coming of Jesus.
00:42:37.95\00:42:39.55
This mode of information,
00:42:39.59\00:42:43.32
availability to the masses
00:42:43.36\00:42:46.33
as the Holy
Spirit uses this medium
00:42:46.36\00:42:49.73
for the glory of God.
00:42:49.76\00:42:51.97
I had the opportunity of
going to Papua New Guinea,
00:42:52.00\00:42:54.47
a couple of years ago there
00:42:54.50\00:42:56.00
and had the
privilege of being involved
00:42:56.04\00:42:58.77
in this building program
where we built our clinic,
00:42:58.81\00:43:02.81
a medical clinic
for a group of people
00:43:02.84\00:43:05.61
that are as isolated
as you could imagine.
00:43:05.65\00:43:09.68
I mean, I have never ever been
00:43:09.72\00:43:11.92
to such an
isolated place in my life.
00:43:11.95\00:43:15.39
The particular
village was called Tumobil
00:43:15.42\00:43:18.13
and it's on the border
00:43:18.16\00:43:19.49
of Indonesia and
Papua New Guinea.
00:43:19.53\00:43:22.33
And there is only one
way you can really get to...
00:43:22.36\00:43:25.17
While there is two ways that
you can get to this village.
00:43:25.20\00:43:27.77
One is by plane,
00:43:27.80\00:43:29.40
and the other one is by walking.
00:43:29.44\00:43:32.27
This village had no electricity,
00:43:32.31\00:43:36.11
had certainly no internet,
00:43:36.14\00:43:37.88
had no phones and
you were really isolated.
00:43:37.91\00:43:41.22
It was like going
back in time hundreds,
00:43:41.25\00:43:44.19
if not thousands of years.
00:43:44.22\00:43:45.55
People lived in a
very primitive way,
00:43:45.59\00:43:47.79
beautiful people, lovely people
00:43:47.82\00:43:50.09
but they are
living out there down.
00:43:50.13\00:43:51.49
While I was there I conducted
a program such as this,
00:43:51.53\00:43:55.66
and at the end of the
program we gave individuals
00:43:55.70\00:43:59.93
who wanted to share
the good news of the gospel
00:43:59.97\00:44:01.90
with people in their villages.
00:44:01.94\00:44:03.27
We gave them what
is called the Godpod.
00:44:03.30\00:44:06.17
Have you heard of an iPod?
00:44:06.21\00:44:07.68
Yeah, we've all heard of an iPod
00:44:07.71\00:44:09.54
but this is a Godpod.
00:44:09.58\00:44:10.91
Now, what's a Godpod?
00:44:10.95\00:44:12.55
A Godpod as you can
see up there on the screen,
00:44:12.58\00:44:15.35
Godpod is this
solar powered ODI device
00:44:15.38\00:44:20.09
just like an iPod,
powered by the sun.
00:44:20.12\00:44:22.19
They've got plenty of the
sun there in Papua New Guinea
00:44:22.22\00:44:24.93
in all the
villages and on this Godpod
00:44:24.96\00:44:29.13
is the word of
God in its entirety
00:44:29.16\00:44:32.10
in the pigeon English language.
00:44:32.13\00:44:34.44
Now why is that so important?
00:44:34.47\00:44:36.07
Because at least 50
percent of the population
00:44:36.10\00:44:38.97
of Papua New Guinea
cannot read or write.
00:44:39.01\00:44:41.48
They are illiterate,
00:44:41.51\00:44:42.84
so there is no point
in giving them a Bible,
00:44:42.88\00:44:45.15
because the majority of them
00:44:45.18\00:44:46.51
just cannot read the
Bible, they don't understand.
00:44:46.55\00:44:49.05
It was kind of
really fascinating for me.
00:44:49.08\00:44:51.45
I went to the
school there in the village
00:44:51.49\00:44:54.59
and amongst...
00:44:54.62\00:44:56.52
You go to the...
00:44:56.56\00:44:57.96
You see, you see
with grade threes
00:44:57.99\00:44:59.76
and the grade fours,
00:44:59.79\00:45:01.13
and in grade three
there are children that are 10
00:45:01.16\00:45:04.70
and there are
children that are 18.
00:45:04.73\00:45:06.57
And they're all in grade three
00:45:06.60\00:45:08.10
because they kind of get
to school at different times
00:45:08.14\00:45:10.81
just when you can make it,
when you have the opportunity.
00:45:10.84\00:45:13.51
And so we gave these individuals
00:45:13.54\00:45:16.08
the Bible in their own language.
00:45:16.11\00:45:18.95
Well not quite.
00:45:18.98\00:45:20.32
Pigeon English is
kind of a standard language
00:45:20.35\00:45:22.42
for Papua New
Guinea, as I pointed out,
00:45:22.45\00:45:24.25
they have up to a
thousand different languages
00:45:24.29\00:45:27.96
throughout Papua New Guinea,
00:45:27.99\00:45:30.19
and we gave them this Godpod.
00:45:30.23\00:45:32.76
And as I was giving this
Godpod to these individuals,
00:45:32.79\00:45:36.10
I was realizing
that we are literally
00:45:36.13\00:45:38.77
fulfilling the words of Jesus
and this gospel of the kingdom
00:45:38.80\00:45:42.94
where we preached in
head out to the world,
00:45:42.97\00:45:44.61
in all the world.
00:45:44.64\00:45:45.97
Does that include the
people of Papua New Guinea?
00:45:46.01\00:45:48.38
The people who
cannot read and write,
00:45:48.41\00:45:49.98
the people who
don't have the internet,
00:45:50.01\00:45:51.58
the people who
don't have radio access,
00:45:51.61\00:45:53.65
the people that
don't have televisions
00:45:53.68\00:45:56.58
and they are all
heap happier than we are,
00:45:56.62\00:45:58.75
let me tell you that.
00:45:58.79\00:46:01.52
God wants the message of
the gospel to go to them.
00:46:01.56\00:46:05.26
And so through the Godpods,
00:46:05.29\00:46:08.06
God has made an opportunity
00:46:08.10\00:46:10.83
for them to hear the
good news of the gospel.
00:46:10.87\00:46:15.04
What will be the sign that
00:46:15.07\00:46:17.64
the gospel has been
preached in all the world
00:46:17.67\00:46:20.44
and Jesus is on His way?
00:46:20.48\00:46:22.61
You remember the
question of the disciples,
00:46:22.64\00:46:26.98
what will be the
sign of Your what?
00:46:27.02\00:46:29.98
Of Your coming and
of the end of the age.
00:46:30.02\00:46:33.49
The preaching of the gospel
will be followed by the sign.
00:46:33.52\00:46:38.39
Notice what the Bible
says, Matthew 24:30-31,
00:46:38.43\00:46:41.70
these are Jesus words,
00:46:41.73\00:46:43.40
"Then the sign of the Son of Man
00:46:43.43\00:46:45.10
will appear in heaven,
00:46:45.13\00:46:46.47
and then all the tribes
of the earth will do what?
00:46:46.50\00:46:49.10
They will mourn,
00:46:49.14\00:46:50.47
and they will see the Son of Man
00:46:50.51\00:46:51.94
coming on the clouds of heaven
with power and great glory.
00:46:51.97\00:46:55.38
And He will send His angels
00:46:55.41\00:46:57.38
with a great sound of a trumpet,
00:46:57.41\00:46:59.08
and they will
gather together His what?
00:46:59.11\00:47:01.32
His elect from the four winds,
00:47:01.35\00:47:03.62
from one end of
heaven to the other."
00:47:03.65\00:47:07.09
As we go to our next scripture,
00:47:07.12\00:47:10.09
we discover in
Revelation what takes place.
00:47:10.13\00:47:14.76
In Revelation
here we have the words,
00:47:14.80\00:47:18.17
very sad words of one
group of people who will mourn.
00:47:18.20\00:47:23.61
These are not the elect,
these are the ones that mourn.
00:47:23.64\00:47:27.31
Notice what the Bible says,
00:47:27.34\00:47:28.94
"Then the sky
receded as a scroll
00:47:28.98\00:47:31.05
when it is rolled up,
00:47:31.08\00:47:32.41
and every mountain and island
was moved out of its place."
00:47:32.45\00:47:36.05
This is the
final great earthquake
00:47:36.08\00:47:39.85
that will come
completely destroy this world
00:47:39.89\00:47:42.96
as we know it.
00:47:42.99\00:47:44.33
An earthquake such as
the world has never witnessed
00:47:44.36\00:47:46.70
before the Bible says.
00:47:46.73\00:47:48.33
"And the kings of
the earth, the great men,
00:47:48.36\00:47:50.17
the rich men, the commanders,
00:47:50.20\00:47:51.53
the mighty men,
00:47:51.57\00:47:52.90
every slave and every free
man hid themselves in the caves
00:47:52.93\00:47:56.20
and in the rocks
of the mountains,
00:47:56.24\00:47:58.04
and said to the
mountains and the rocks,
00:47:58.07\00:48:00.38
'Fall on us and hide
us from the face of Him
00:48:00.41\00:48:03.04
who sits on the throne and
from the wrath of the Lamb!
00:48:03.08\00:48:05.81
For the great day
of His wrath has come,
00:48:05.85\00:48:07.88
and who is able to stand?"
00:48:07.92\00:48:11.32
They see Jesus coming
in the clouds of glory.
00:48:11.35\00:48:14.16
They see the
sign of the Son of Man
00:48:14.19\00:48:16.26
appearing with all
the angels of heaven.
00:48:16.29\00:48:20.00
And instead of welcoming Jesus,
00:48:20.03\00:48:23.50
this greatest
event in human history,
00:48:23.53\00:48:26.10
instead they cried to the rocks
00:48:26.13\00:48:28.70
and to the
mountains to fall on them
00:48:28.74\00:48:30.97
and to hide them
from the Son of Man.
00:48:31.01\00:48:33.68
What sad words,
what words of tragedy,
00:48:33.71\00:48:37.28
and they cried it out,
00:48:37.31\00:48:39.38
who is able to stand.
00:48:39.41\00:48:41.65
Will God have a people
00:48:41.68\00:48:43.42
who are able to
stand at the end of time?
00:48:43.45\00:48:45.75
Will God have a people
00:48:45.79\00:48:47.76
who have their names written
in the Lamb's Book of Life?
00:48:47.79\00:48:51.13
Absolutely.
00:48:51.16\00:48:52.76
Notice what the
Bible goes on and says,
00:48:52.79\00:48:55.20
it describes the
second group of people,
00:48:55.23\00:48:57.07
the elect as Jesus
referred to them in Isaiah 25:9,
00:48:57.10\00:49:04.04
notice these words,
00:49:04.07\00:49:05.44
"And it will be
said in that day:
00:49:05.47\00:49:07.38
speaking of the second of Jesus.
00:49:07.41\00:49:09.34
Behold, this is our
God, we have waited for Him,
00:49:09.38\00:49:12.91
and He will save us.
00:49:12.95\00:49:14.28
This is the Lord,
We have waited for Him,
00:49:14.32\00:49:16.65
and we will be glad and
rejoice in His salvation."
00:49:16.69\00:49:20.32
Isn't that a wonderful promise?
00:49:20.36\00:49:22.99
There will be
one group who mourn
00:49:23.02\00:49:25.59
and who ask for the
rocks to fall on them
00:49:25.63\00:49:28.23
when they see Jesus coming,
00:49:28.26\00:49:29.60
and yet there will be
another group altogether
00:49:29.63\00:49:32.07
who will cry out,
behold this is our God.
00:49:32.10\00:49:35.50
We have waited for
Him, it's been a long wait,
00:49:35.54\00:49:40.24
but He has promised,
00:49:40.28\00:49:41.91
He will come back again
and now we will receive Him.
00:49:41.94\00:49:47.55
Oh, what a day that will be.
00:49:47.58\00:49:49.98
Oh, what a day of
rejoicing that will be.
00:49:50.02\00:49:53.36
We will be glad and
rejoice in His salvation.
00:49:53.39\00:49:59.26
What a day that will be.
00:49:59.29\00:50:01.66
I say long for
that day, how about you?
00:50:01.70\00:50:04.60
I say long for that day,
I've had enough of the sin,
00:50:04.63\00:50:09.17
and the suffering, and
the sorrow of this world.
00:50:09.20\00:50:11.57
I've had enough of the
death, and the destruction,
00:50:11.61\00:50:14.51
and the disease of this world.
00:50:14.54\00:50:16.54
Enough, so how much longer,
00:50:16.58\00:50:19.91
how much longer
before God's people cry out,
00:50:19.95\00:50:24.25
behold this is our God,
00:50:24.29\00:50:26.55
we have waited for Him
and He will now save us.
00:50:26.59\00:50:29.56
How long before we
rejoice and are glad.
00:50:29.59\00:50:35.46
I want to finish off
about sharing with you
00:50:35.50\00:50:38.10
the question that my
two precious daughters
00:50:38.13\00:50:40.44
would ask me every time,
00:50:40.47\00:50:43.41
every time without fail.
00:50:43.44\00:50:46.07
As we would leave on
one of our long trips
00:50:46.11\00:50:49.54
they would ask a question,
00:50:49.58\00:50:51.61
three minutes into the journey,
00:50:51.65\00:50:53.05
does anyone want to guess
what that question might be?
00:50:53.08\00:50:56.65
Are we there yet?
00:50:56.69\00:50:58.92
Are we there yet?
00:50:58.95\00:51:01.26
They're my two precious
girls Gamily and Genevieve
00:51:01.29\00:51:04.66
when they were young.
00:51:04.69\00:51:06.19
Now they 17 and 20 almost.
00:51:06.23\00:51:10.67
And as I think
about their question,
00:51:10.70\00:51:13.17
are we there yet?
00:51:13.20\00:51:15.77
I can just hear God
00:51:15.80\00:51:18.14
hearing the question
of His precious children,
00:51:18.17\00:51:21.28
riding in the back of
this car called planet earth
00:51:21.31\00:51:26.78
that is falling
apart that it seems,
00:51:26.82\00:51:29.92
and God is hearing
the cry of His children.
00:51:29.95\00:51:33.49
He is hearing your cry
00:51:33.52\00:51:34.96
when you're going
through suffering and pain.
00:51:34.99\00:51:37.23
When you have a
terminal illness,
00:51:37.26\00:51:41.06
when your family
is falling apart,
00:51:41.10\00:51:43.77
when you are wondering
00:51:43.80\00:51:45.13
how you're gonna
put bread on the table,
00:51:45.17\00:51:47.24
Jesus says, I hear your cry,
00:51:47.27\00:51:49.57
Jesus says I hear your cry.
00:51:49.60\00:51:51.67
Are we there yet
Jesus, how much longer?
00:51:51.71\00:51:55.24
He says, I'm coming back soon.
00:51:55.28\00:51:57.11
I'm coming back soon, real soon.
00:51:57.15\00:52:00.72
I want to finish off
with this beautiful promise.
00:52:00.75\00:52:03.08
His beautiful promise
00:52:03.12\00:52:04.45
from the Book
00:52:04.49\00:52:07.89
where God says,
00:52:07.92\00:52:09.32
"For I know the thoughts
that I think toward you,
00:52:09.36\00:52:11.69
says the Lord,
00:52:11.73\00:52:13.06
thoughts of
peace and not of evil,
00:52:13.09\00:52:14.96
to give you a future and" what?
00:52:15.00\00:52:17.20
"And a hope."
00:52:17.23\00:52:19.03
That's God's plan
for you my friend.
00:52:19.07\00:52:21.50
That's God's plan for me,
00:52:21.54\00:52:22.87
that's God's plan for all of us.
00:52:22.90\00:52:25.27
God's plans for you and for me
00:52:25.31\00:52:28.24
and to give us a
future and a hope,
00:52:28.28\00:52:31.21
that's why the second coming
is called the blessed hope.
00:52:31.25\00:52:35.92
The blessed
hope of the appearing
00:52:35.95\00:52:38.32
of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
00:52:38.35\00:52:41.29
What other hope
does this world offer?
00:52:41.32\00:52:44.59
There is no
other hope, is there?
00:52:44.63\00:52:47.13
The search for certainty,
00:52:47.16\00:52:49.03
it begins and ends
00:52:49.06\00:52:51.00
with the blessed
hope of Jesus Christ.
00:52:51.03\00:52:54.44
There is no other hope.
00:52:54.47\00:52:56.74
I pray for my government leaders
00:52:56.77\00:52:59.21
and I pray that
you too will pray
00:52:59.24\00:53:00.94
for our government leaders
00:53:00.98\00:53:02.44
that God will give them wisdom
00:53:02.48\00:53:04.35
in these turbulent
and difficult times
00:53:04.38\00:53:08.38
that we live in.
00:53:08.42\00:53:10.22
Time such as we have
never lived in before
00:53:10.25\00:53:13.32
where there are
more and more challenges
00:53:13.36\00:53:16.12
that our political
leaders are facing.
00:53:16.16\00:53:18.56
Yes, we need to pray for them.
00:53:18.59\00:53:20.40
Absolutely pray for
them, pray for them.
00:53:20.43\00:53:22.46
Everyday pray for them.
00:53:22.50\00:53:23.83
The Bible encourages us to
pray for our political leaders,
00:53:23.87\00:53:27.30
that God will give them
wisdom and understanding,
00:53:27.34\00:53:29.80
but the reality of
the situation is that
00:53:29.84\00:53:32.57
try as they might,
there is no human solution,
00:53:32.61\00:53:37.68
there is no human solution.
00:53:37.71\00:53:39.75
The only true
solution is Jesus Christ
00:53:39.78\00:53:45.39
and His second coming.
00:53:45.42\00:53:48.12
I want to be ready for that day,
00:53:48.16\00:53:49.92
how about you?
00:53:49.96\00:53:51.29
Today Jesus is inviting you,
00:53:51.33\00:53:53.40
today Jesus is inviting me.
00:53:53.43\00:53:55.93
He has open
hands, He has open hands.
00:53:55.96\00:54:00.57
Those nail scarred
open hands are inviting you,
00:54:00.60\00:54:03.87
are inviting me to come to Him.
00:54:03.91\00:54:06.91
He said in Matthew 11,
00:54:06.94\00:54:10.45
He says, come unto me,
00:54:10.48\00:54:13.95
all you who labor
and are heavy-laden
00:54:13.98\00:54:15.88
and I will give you rest.
00:54:15.92\00:54:17.35
Come says Jesus, come.
00:54:17.39\00:54:20.32
The good news of
salvation, it's free, it's free.
00:54:20.36\00:54:25.39
As Noah found grace
in the eyes of the Lord,
00:54:25.43\00:54:28.53
so to you and I can find
grace in the eyes of the Lord.
00:54:28.56\00:54:33.94
As God remembered Noah,
00:54:33.97\00:54:35.67
God will remember
you too my friend.
00:54:35.70\00:54:38.67
God will remember you too.
00:54:38.71\00:54:40.54
It's time for us to
come into those arms
00:54:40.58\00:54:45.51
that are stretched out wide.
00:54:45.55\00:54:47.75
It's time for us to come.
00:54:47.78\00:54:49.38
If you want to join me today
00:54:49.42\00:54:52.42
in coming into
the arms of Jesus,
00:54:52.45\00:54:54.82
in responding to
this invitation to come.
00:54:54.86\00:54:58.29
Why don't you
just raise your hand
00:54:58.33\00:54:59.79
and I want to pray with you.
00:54:59.83\00:55:01.16
Father in heaven,
00:55:01.20\00:55:02.53
we thank You for the
beautiful message of the gospel.
00:55:02.56\00:55:05.70
Oh Father, we have
looked at all the turmoil
00:55:05.73\00:55:09.84
and all the
trouble that Jesus promised
00:55:09.87\00:55:13.34
would be part and
parcel of living on the sin,
00:55:13.38\00:55:16.01
sick planet immediately
prior to the coming of Jesus.
00:55:16.04\00:55:20.12
Oh, these days of uncertainty,
we have looked that all up,
00:55:20.15\00:55:23.18
but how Father,
00:55:23.22\00:55:25.35
we have looked at
the most beautiful,
00:55:25.39\00:55:28.62
the most encouraging,
00:55:28.66\00:55:30.23
the most hope
filled sign of all,
00:55:30.26\00:55:33.06
that of the preaching of
the gospel to all the world
00:55:33.09\00:55:36.26
that would usher in
the coming of Jesus.
00:55:36.30\00:55:38.50
Our Lord, it's my prayer
00:55:38.53\00:55:39.90
that each and every person here
00:55:39.93\00:55:41.94
and many besides
those who are watching,
00:55:41.97\00:55:44.04
wherever they maybe,
00:55:44.07\00:55:45.44
oh Lord that each one respond
00:55:45.47\00:55:48.58
to the
invitation of Jesus to come,
00:55:48.61\00:55:51.35
come, come.
00:55:51.38\00:55:53.25
Oh, bless us Lord, I pray.
00:55:53.28\00:55:55.05
Keep us close to Jesus.
00:55:55.08\00:55:56.42
Keep us looking up
00:55:56.45\00:55:57.89
for our redemption
is indeed drawing nigh,
00:55:57.92\00:56:00.86
and we pray this
in Jesus' name, amen.
00:56:00.89\00:56:03.29