THE END IS NEAR
Part 3
Is Trouble a Fringe Benefit?
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Pastor Brian Matherlee
Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been talking about the end times. Jesus describes the signs of the end in Matthew 24 and as we emphasized last Sunday, he cautioned his disciples to be ready because the times and dates of events could not be determined.
Jesus observed in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble.”
There are different reasons for trouble:
1. Trouble comes because of sin
a. My own sin
b. Caught in the crossfire of someone else’s sin
c. Sinful world is opposed to the people of God.
d. I Peter 4:12-16,
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
2. Trouble comes because of life
a. You live life and trouble comes.
b. A man looked up from his hospital bed and said to his wife, “You’ve always been with me when I have had trouble. When I lost my shirt in a poor investment, you were there. When I had the car accident, you were with me. When I got fired, you were there. I realized that in all these misfortunes, you were there. Now I believe what my friends were saying, that you are a bad luck.
c. Consider the following scenarios about living with women-- "WORDS WOMEN USE." "FINE." This is the word women use to end an argument when they feel they are right and you need to shut up. Never use "fine" to describe how a woman looks——this will cause you to have one of those arguments. "FIVE MINUTES." This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so it’s an even trade. "NOTHING." This means "something," and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with "Fine." "GO AHEAD" (With Raised Eyebrows!). This is a dare, one that will result in a woman getting upset over "Nothing" and will end with the word "Fine." "GO AHEAD" (Normal Eyebrows). This means "I give up" or "do what you want because I don’t care." You will get a "Raised Eyebrow Go Ahead" in just a few minutes, followed by "Nothing" and "Fine" and she will talk to you in about "Five Minutes" when she cools off. "LOUD SIGH." This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment, and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing." "SOFT SIGH." Again, not a word, but a non-verbal statement. "Soft Sighs" mean that she is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe, and she will stay content. "THAT’S OKAY." This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. "That’s Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you back for whatever it is that you have done. "That’s Okay" is often used with the word "Fine" and in conjunction with a "Raised Eyebrow." "GO AHEAD!" At some point in the near future, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble. "PLEASE DO." This is not a statement, it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance with the truth, so be careful and you shouldn’t get a "That’s Okay." "THANKS." A woman is thanking you. Do not faint. Just say you’re welcome. "THANKS A LOT." This is much different from "Thanks." A woman will say, "Thanks A Lot" when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have offended her in some callous way, and will be followed by the "Loud Sigh." Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the "Loud Sigh," as she will only tell you "Nothing."
d. Our bodies wear down, we get feeble, we get sick
3. Trouble comes because of God’s desire to prepare us spiritually.
a. Romans 5:3, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that our suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
b. In Revelation Jesus counsels the church at Laodicea to present herself to be refined by Him because He loves them.
But there is a great trouble coming that I want to speak about today. It is mentioned by name only once (Revelation 7:14) but prophesied in Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21. It is described in detail in Revelation.
Are we in these last days? Throughout the centuries people have proclaimed that we are in the end times. They point to world events and leaders who seem to fit the profile of the Great Tribulation. Pastor Josh and I met a man this week that put things in perspective a bit.
Peter’s story
The Great Tribulation will take place. Many different thoughts surround this time that is like no other. For one thing, it is a specific amount of time. 7 years. And Jesus tells us that it is for the sake of survival that they are cut short.
For us today I want to talk about the things that are clear in the Scripture and what can be a benefit to us.
What will happen during the Great Tribulation?
1. The physical world will be in chaos
a. Hal Lindsey, in his book “Apocalyptic Code”, writes, “Earthquakes have increased in frequency and destructiveness during the 20th Century. Between 1890 and 1950 there were an average of 2 to 4 devastating earthquakes every year in the world. In the Decade of the 50’s there were 9. During the 60’s there were 13; during the 70’s there were 51; during the 80’s there were 86, and from 1990 – 1996 there were more than 150 damaging earthquakes recorded.” According to the National Earthquake information center in Golden, Colorado, 178 earthquakes have taken place around the world during a 7 day period. One seismologist at the Scripps Research Center in La Jolla, California, recently said, “It is almost as though the earth’s plates are gyrating in anticipation of the world’s greatest earthquake.” In the Book of Revelation the Apostle John prophesied that the worst earthquakes to ever be recorded will occur during the Tribulation period.
b. Revelation 16 describes this time:
i. Ruin of the sea
ii. Ruin of the rivers
iii. Intense heat
iv. Physical pain upon those who worship the beast
v. Earthquakes & hailstones
2. The political world will be in chaos
a. When things are chaotic evil people plot their evil schemes. They institute chaos for their purposes. Islamic leaders in Iran especially are seeking to bring about chaotic times because they believe their supreme deliverer will return in time of chaos.
b. It is in this climate that the Antichrist rises to power.
i. David Jeremiah tells us the word antichrist is used 4 times in Scripture, yet the specific one of the End Times is described in the following passages:
1. the prince who is to come (Dan.9:26)
2. a fierce king (Dan. 8:23)
3. a master of intrigue (Dan. 11:21)
4. a despicable man (Dan. 11:21)
5. a worthless shepherd (Zech. 11:16-17)
6. the lawless one (2 Thess. 2:8)
7. the evil man (2 Thess. 2:9)
8. the beast (Rev. 13:1)
c. The Antichrist will be someone who:
i. sways people
ii. Flies under the radar (Daniel 7:8;23-24)
iii. comes from a gentile nation
iv. Speak incredible blasphemy against God.
v. People will literally worship him.
vi. He will appear to have died and returned to life (Rev. 13:3)
vii. He will persecute the saints. During this persecution the church will have hypocrites join to be a hindrance and increase their suffering (Dan. 11:34)
viii. He will force all people to make a choice between commerce on his terms or not eating. (666 of Rev. 13:16-18) This gets much attention. Let’s note two things:
1. It will be subtle and obvious at the same time (It’s a man’s number but you have to have it on your head or hand to buy or sell.)
2. It represents a willingness to operate by the worlds standards and give up trusting God.
ix. He will broker a deal for world peace with Israel
x. He will break the treaty with Israel and begin to persecute the Jews as never before (Dan. 9:28)
3. God will not be in chaos
a. God limits the power of the Antichrist
i. Revelation 13:5 tells us that his authority to blaspheme will be limited to 42 months.
ii. In verse 7 it tells us he was “given power” to war against the saints.
b. God refines the church and saves people.
c. While these are terrible days…for those who love God and live in the power of the Holy Spirit we know God will not abandon us. God will be our Hope and Deliverer.
What do you hope in? You must follow Christ with all or you will not endure until the end. He is our only hope.
