It's Closer Than You Think

August 31, 2003

Title: It’s Closer Than You Think!

Text: Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand--

Joel 2:1 (NIV)

Introduction

1. This morning, I would plan an ambitious undertaking.

A. I hope to explain the chronology of events from before the beginning of time...

B. Until the eternity following the end of time

C. of course, I will only be able to hit the high points...

D. and I will give more time to the beginning and the end...

E. since most of my preaching is done in the middle...

F. this will give us good balance!

2. And I’ve entitled my sermon this morning, It’s Closer than you Think!

A. Meaning that the events associated with eschatology...

i. The Rapture

ii. Tribulation

iii. Second Coming

iv. and the Millennium

v. are closer to becoming a reality than what you may realize.

B. First of all, let me point out that Jesus says, ""No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" Matt 24:36 (NIV)

i. And I certainly don’t propose any specific dates...

ii. Because, to be honest, we cannot pinpoint the exact day for certain events in ancient Bible history, for example, the creation of Adam.

iii. However, there was a reason for all those genealogies that we always thought were so boring to read.

iv. Through the process of backtracking through the genealogies, we can make some estimates.

v. And looking at the time that end time events will last...

vi. we can come to some interesting (if not specific) "conclusions" or theories, if you prefer.

C. Let me also point out that it is MAN who thinks in terms of TIME.

i. But time doesn’t apply to God...

ii. God is above and beyond the scope of time...

D. And, let me also add a disclaimer here...

i. God hasn’t given me the gift of prophesy....

ii. What I share with you this morning is my opinion...

iii. based on my interpretation of Scripture and my personal study...

iv. Science and Scripture don’t always see eye to eye.

v. And I will tell you up front that my faith is in Scripture NOT science.

vi. On some points, you either have to bend Scripture to explain science...

vii. or bend science to explain Scripture...

viii. And, in my mind, I let science do the bending...

ix. it’s changed enough over the years...(remember, we used to believe the world was flat!)

x. But Scripture remains constant and unchanging.

xi. And it seems that the closer we get to the end time events...

xii. the more science verifies Scripture!

xiii. And one more very important point...God created science too!

xiv. And at some point...all science and Scripture will have to agree, because God created it all!

xv. That may not happen until we get to heaven and have better understanding than we do now...

xvi. but it will happen.

E. But, let me reiterate something that I’ve said before...

i. While it is interesting to study about these types of things...

ii. to me they aren’t worthy of argument or discord...

iii. The foundational, bedrock issue throughout all this...

iv. is NOT WHEN specific events are going to occur...

v. but the most important issue is ARE YOU READY?

vi. ARE YOU READY....TODAY?

vii. Have you invited Jesus into your heart?

viii. That is the most crucial question.

ix. If you haven’t answered that question...

x. then the rest of this pales in importance.

F. It is my hope that by sharing this series of sermons on ESCHATOLOGY

i. that you will give special attention to the importance of your spiritual readiness.

Read Text: Joel 2:1 (NIV)

1. Eternity Before Adam

A. Before the creation of the world, God was there.

i. Before time began, God was there.

B. So what was God "doing" during this time before time.

i. He was having fellowship with His Son. Jesus said, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began" John 17:5 (NIV)

ii. He was creating angels Job 38:7 says, "while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" Which is a description of the response of the angels to His creating the earth. Job 38:7 (NIV)

iii. He was planning His future Kingdom Matthew 25:34 says, "Then the King will say to those on his right, ’Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Matt 25:34 (NIV)

iv. And everything was at peace.