End Times Study (Part 1): Question: What will happen to the Church and to the world as we draw closer to the time of the return of Christ to earth? Now, I will say at the start that what I say here may differ from what you have heard or read in books; however, we as Christians should place our faith in Scripture. Please follow up in the spirit of Acts 17:11. Jesus and the Apostles revealed, not that there will be an explosion of believers, but that there will be a growing apostasy or departure from the faith that will set the stage for the coming of a new world-wide false religion. This religion of the last days will be eventually taken over by and led by the ultimate deceiver, the anti or pseudo-Christ. Why is this topic important for true and sincere Christians to study and understand? Because the increase in apostasy and the initial signs of the religion of the last days, which the Bible predicts must come about, should be taken as a general indication that the return of Christ is near. Biblical Prophecy: Studying Biblical Prophecy is important: Did you know that of the 23,210 verses in the Old Testament, 6,641 are prophetic? Did you know that of the 7,914 verses in the New Testament, 1,711 are prophetic? So, of the Bibles 31,124 verses, 8,352 verses contain prophetic material. That is 27% of the entire Bible! One-half (½) of these prophecies have already come true, but half remain to be fulfilled! Listen: Concerning The 2nd Coming of Jesus: 1,800 verses deal with this topic. In the New Testament, every 25th Bible verse refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Why So Much Prophetic Material? 1). God gives us the answer, first in the Old Testament: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I AM GOD, AND THERE IS NONE LIKE ME, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” Isaiah 46:9-11 (emphasis mine). God tells us He is the Only One and to prove it He would declare what would happen in the future. A Christian SHOULD NOT IGNORE 27% of Biblical prophecy placed in the Bible to prove God is Who He says He is... God Declares the Future so People Would Know Him and Believe In Him... “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: THAT YE MAY KNOW AND BELIEVE ME, AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM HE: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour” Isaiah 43:9-11 (emphasis mine). Why So Much Prophetic Material? 2). God gives us the answer, second in the New Testament: Jesus said, “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, YE MAY BELIEVE THAT I AM HE” John 13:19 (emphasis mine). Listen: “God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM (אהיה אשׁר אהיה): and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM (אהיה) hath sent me unto you” Exodus 3:14. Jesus said, “But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things... And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch” Mark 13:23, 37. What Does Jesus Want Us To Know? In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we are told we should not be ignorant (uninformed) of what happens when we die or what will happen when Christ returns to rescue believers; when He comes to snatch (rapture) them out of this world. We are to encourage each other with this information. “Wherefore comfort (παρακαλέω parakaleō) one another with these words” 1 Thessalonians 4:18. The Holy Spirit is called the παράκλητος paraklētos, the Comforter! See any similarities? When was the last time you heard and was COMFORTED or encouraged with this message? Peter wrote, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:13. My prayer for each of us, Bring us Father into the revelation of Your Son Jesus, and keep us from those who are far removed from Your Truth in Him.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:06:44 +0000
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