The Last Days Part 2
Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44; Revelation 22:10-11; Romans 16:17-18
Introduction
In my message last week I shared with you what Jesus said about us being ready for His return. He commanded us to be watchful and ready because we do not know the day or the hour of His return. We also had the opportunity to discuss the first sign of the “end times”, that is people being deceived. Jesus warned His disciples about not being deceived when many would come and say they were the Christ. The only way we can be sure of not being deceived is to study and pray through God’s word. This morning we will begin with the second sign, wars and rumors of wars.
I. Wars and Rumors of Wars
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom….” Matthew 24:6-7a
The Greek word for wars means both single events as well as a series of events. Now consider this, in the last 2000 years there have been many wars. Nations and other groups of individuals constantly fought over land, resources and beliefs. There were internal wars within a country; there were “religious” wars such as the crusades and the Protestant/Catholic wars; and a few wars between nations. In the beginning of the 7th verse Jesus says “nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom…” Although some nations have always fought against one another (nations occupying the same land mass), Jesus reference here was taking it to another level. You see, it was the invention of warships and airplanes that has truly made it possible for “all” nations to go to war with each other. A country did not have to worry being attacked if their enemy did not have means to reach them. Today, not only do we have ships and planes that can carry us to war with any nation, we have developed nuclear bombs which can be launched from any country of origin that can totally wipe our large geographies. When Jesus made the statement about wars and rumor of wars, this ability was not even in the wildest dreams of the disciples, but Jesus knew it was coming. Consider these facts of recorded wars (all wars):
• The first 1000 years after Jesus’ resurrection (1 to 999 A.D.) there were 32 wars recorded in history.
• The next 450 years (1000 to 1450 A.D.) there were 70 wars recorded. Did you notice that the number of wars increased as the number of years decreased?
• During the next 350 years (1451 to 1799 A.D.) there were 215 wars (warships were readily available during part of this time.) Again, the years decreased but the wars increased.
• The next 100 years (1800 to 1899 A.D.) there were 193 wars.
• During the next 45 years (1900 to 1944 A.D.) there were 66 wars.
• During the next 45 years (1945 to 1989 A.D.) there were 100 wars.
• The next 12 years (1990 to 2002 A.D.) there were 40 wars.
• Finally, the last 4 years (2003 to present) there were 14 wars.
• Current there are 26 wars being fought.
As you consider what Jesus said about wars and rumors of wars, let me put into perspective what I just shared with you concerning the wars that have and continue to take place. Remember there were 32 wars that took place during the first thousand years after Jesus was resurrected. During the last 1007 years there were 724 wars, an increase of 692 wars. Let me refine this a little more. If you were born in 1960 as I was, during our life time there have been 140 wars, almost five times that of the wars which took place during the first thousand years after Christ’s resurrection. Consider the terms “rumors of wars”. That term means that we will hear more and more about the “potential” for war, i.e. China and Iran developing and testing nuclear weapons. Besides the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel all have nuclear weapons. The world is in a position that given the right circumstance we could have a nuclear war. Now imagine that John, the author of the book of Revelation, witnessed a nuclear war, how would he describe it when he did not know what a nuclear bomb was? Could he have been describing this when he wrote: “…..and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up….” Revelation 8:7 It only takes one nation to start a nuclear war. By the way, just in case you have not been reading the papers, North Korea is currently helping Iran develop nuclear weapons.
Jesus said that when we hear of wars and rumors of wars we should not be afraid because these things must come to pass, but it will not be the end yet. There is one more point that I want you to think about and that is your own personal war. Each one of us is in a battle for our own spiritual growth. Remember what Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12 when he said “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” After he said this he told us to put on the whole armor of God. We must be ready to fight because we are in a war. As his time grows shorter, you better believe that Satan is going to increase his activities. We need to be aware and watchful.
II. Famines and Earthquakes
“….There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” Matthew 24:7b
The Greek word used for “various” carries the meaning that not only will these earthquakes and famines be widespread, but they will also happen in “unusual” areas. Again, let’s examine what has happened to date. I am sure that you have heard of global warming. Some people believe that there is nothing to it while others believe they have proof that we are heading for a major problem. I am in the latter group. Let me tell you why. Jesus said that there will be famines and earthquakes as never before during the last days and we are seeing that now. Global warming will increase the number of famines because it will cause water sources to dry up. For example, it has been documented that 50% of the surface areas of glaciers have decreased since the 19th century. Why should this concern us? These glaciers provide a source of water for many rivers that feed off of them. As the glaciers continue to disappear, those rivers will follow. It is believed that some of the most populated areas on the earth will run out of water as the glaciers are depleted. Why are they disappearing? The answer is simple, as the air continues to get warmer, the glaciers melt. When you look at the number of major famines that have happened since the 5th century, you will again see an increase. Here is the data for major famines since the 5th century:
• In the 5th century there was one.
• In the 14th and 16th century there were two each.
• In the 17th and 18th century there were 3 each.
• In the 19th century there were 12.
• In the 20th century, there were 16.
• So far, in the first 7 years of the 21st century, there have been 4.
Does it not alarm you that in the first seven years of our present century we have had more famines than in the 900 years between the 5th and 14th centuries? During the 20th century the world averaged 1.6 famines every 10 years. If we stay on our present course, we will average 5.7 famines every 10 years. Evaluate the data for the data does not lie. Let’s examine the major earthquakes, those measuring at least a five on the Richter scale.
• The 200 years between 1556 and 1755 there were 4.
• Between 1800 and 1899 there were 29.
• Between 1900 and 1999 there were 127.
• Between 2000 and today there have been 16.
There have been more major earthquakes in the first seven years of this century than the first 200 years that they were tracked. Do you know that if we keep our current pace we will exceed 225 major earthquakes this century, almost doubling the last century? Should we be concerned over this trend? We should be concerned because everything points to one conclusion, we are getting very close to Christ’s return and it is going to happen whether we like it or are prepared for it or not. Jesus said in verse 8 that these signs are just the beginning.
III. Facing Death in the Name of Christ
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” Matthew 24:9-11
Jesus was speaking directly to His disciples and in this part of His message He spoke directly of their fate as well as what would happen in our life time. Christians have been persecuted since the time of Jesus and what Jesus said to His disciples about their deaths came true. Consider these facts:
• One year after the crucifixion of Jesus, Stephen was stoned to death as Paul (named Saul at the time) looked on. During this time approximately 2000 Christians were killed because of their belief in Christ.
• James, the son of Zebedee, was killed by Herod Agrippa because Herod detested Christian Jews and Philip was scourged, thrown into prison and later crucified.
• Matthew, the tax collector, who wrote the gospel we are reading, was preaching in Ethiopia when he was killed by the sword while James, the brother of Jesus and author of the book of James, was 94 when he was beaten and stoned to death.
• Matthias, who replaced Judas as an apostle, was stoned to death at Jerusalem and then beheaded and Andrew, the brother of Peter, was crucified on a cross, the two ends fixed transversely in the ground (where we get the term St. Andrews Cross).
• Mark was converted by Peter and later wrote Peter’s account of Jesus in the gospel bearing his name. He was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria in front of Serapis, their pagan idol.
• Peter was condemned to death and crucified at Rome. He was crucified upside down because he stated he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Christ.
• When Paul was sentenced to death, his faith was so strong in the face of being killed that the authorities removed him to a private place for the execution so that in his death he would not bring about more converts.
• Jude, the brother of James was crucified at Edessa and Bartholomew was cruelly beaten and crucified in India.
• Thomas was killed by a group of pagan priests in India and Luke, who authored the book bearing his name, is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree by pagan priests in Greece and both Simon and Barnabas were killed.
• John, the beloved disciple and brother of James, was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil and escaped without injury. Afterwards, he was banished to the Isle of Patmos where he wrote the last book of the bible, Revelation. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. (I personally believe Christ delivered him from the burning oil for the purpose of him receiving the prophecy contained within the book Revelation).
As you have heard, the prophecy of Christ came true as it pertained directly to His apostles. But what about today? There have been 165 individual attacks around the world against Christians since February 2, 2001, including what took place on September 11, 2001. Although there are many in America who are not Christians by faith, America is viewed by most of the world as a Christian nation. Our present war is about a lot more than just oil rights and American interests. This war is a precursor to something bigger and worse.
Jesus also said that “many will fall away and deliver up one another and hate one another.” We have witnessed a great falling away from Christianity in favor of other types of religions. People have grown weary of hearing about sin and punishments and are seeking “revelation” from their inner spirit. They are also seeking a religion that allows them to be who they want to be without the “restrictions” of formalized religion. By most estimates, there are 2.1 billion Christians in the world making up 32% of all those who practice some religion. However, Christianity is the only religion that is actually declining with Islam showing the greatest increase in worshippers.
As Jesus is explaining this to His disciples, He reiterates again that there will be false prophets that will arise out of all of this and will deceive many. What will give rise to these false prophets? As we get closer and closer to the end, people will begin to seek guidance, help and answers in world leaders, (both political and/or cultural icons). They will be seeking someone who can unify the world. Let me share with you how bad it is going to get. Jesus said in Matthew 24:22 that “…unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, those days shall be cut short.” If God did not intervene, all life would be destroyed. Things are going to get so bad that worldly leaders will arise with the “answers men are seeking” and they will deceive many.
At this time we have the ability to quickly understand what is happening around the world. Because some of these things may not be happening in Olathe, Kansas, it does not mean it is not happening. Part of our problem in America is that unless something affects us in our small world we ignore it and pretend that everything is fine. September 11, 2001 was a wake up call for America. Now we are moving closer and closer to living in a state of fear, something other parts of the world has always lived in. We now have alerts, based on intelligence information about possible “attacks” against us. We cannot fly freely in the air any longer; your reservations must be made far enough in advance to ensure you can make it through security. Our weather is changing. There have been many records set within the last 12 months. There have been more famines in the first 7 years of this century (2000-2007) than in the 900 years between the 5th and 14th centuries. There have been more earthquakes in the first 7 years of this century than in the first 200 years that they were tracked. Christians are still being persecuted and killed around the world. Are these signs that we should pay attention to?
We will continue next week. May God bless and keep you.
