Today I want to speak to you about a touchy subject; today we will be dealing with the issue of prophecy about the Lord’s return. But before proceeding I wish to make a clarification. I want it to be very clear that I’m not a prophet, and I definitely don’t know the date of Jesus’ return. I want to make it very clear that with what we are about to explore I'm not saying, or implying, that Jesus’ return or the end of the world as we know will happen soon. I want it to be very clear that the purpose of this preaching is not to scare or frighten anyone, the purpose of this preaching is to make us wake up to the events that are happening around us. Keeping these clarifications in mind I now ask: how many of you have heard the news about the sudden death of birds and fish that occurred recently? This news hasn’t been largely published, and is definitely unknown to many, but nevertheless it happened. For those who are unaware of this news, allow me to make a brief summary of what happened.
On New Year's Eve thousands of birds fell dead from the sky in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kentucky; officials are perplexed as to what caused these birds to drop dead from the sky[1]. But the most interesting part is that it doesn’t stop here. According to reports, millions of dead fish appeared in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland in the U.S., on Tuesday, while the similar mass death of fish, and without explanation, also occurred around the world in Brazil and New Zealand. The news sources reported that 100 tons of dead fish have reached the shores of Brazil's fishing villages since last Thursday. The cause of death is unknown[2]. Something that we must realize is that officials have investigated these deaths, and no one can provide an explanation as to why they happened. Some have said that it was due to changes in climate, others that they were as a result from fireworks, or similar things, but although they have conducted all sorts of tests and autopsies, no one has been able to determine the exact cause of death. Now I ask: are these things happening by chance or by nature? A question to ponder. Let’s now continue our study for today.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 - But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
A great reality is that you don’t have to be a prophet or a Bible scholar to recognize that the Lord's return is imminent with each passing day. Another great truth is that through history there have always been people who claim to know the exact date of the Lord’s return. Throughout history there have been men and women who have used the “…day of the Lord…” to intimidate and manipulate people and many have been misled and even robbed. This is something that has happened because man is fascinated by this date. All of us want to know the exact date of the “…day of the Lord…”, but the reality is that nobody knows or can ever know. This is something that the Lord lets us know quite clearly in Matthew 24:36-37 when we read: “…But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…” Tell the person sitting next to you: don’t be fooled.
How did people act and continued to act in "the days of Noah"? The Lord answers this question in Matthew 24:38-39 when we read: “…For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…” As you can see, the world at the time was acting, not unlike the world today. In other words, everyone was so involved in their daily life that no one was paying attention to God. Unfortunately this is the sad reality for a large portion humanity today; everyone is so busy and preoccupied with their daily life that they don’t pay attention, or are unwilling to submit to God. Why is this happening?
This is something that happens and will continue happening in the world, because of false doctrines and pagan religions that spread through the world like a wildfire in the forest. However, this is not something that should surprise or shock us, as this is something that we have been clearly warned about in 2 Peter 2:1 when we read: “…But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction…” And in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 when we read: “…But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!..”
Lies and pagan religions keep the world from God’s truth, but unfortunately this isn’t something that's confined to the world; it can also be found within the church. I say this because there are many who choose to ignore what the Word of God says and teaches us, by saying: “…Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation…” (2 Peter 3:4). But the reality is that ignoring or choosing to not to pay attention to the Word of God will not stop what He reveals that will happen from happening. What will happen?
Continuing with our study we read: “…But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night…” But what is “the day of the Lord”? When search through the scriptures to find the meaning of “the day of the Lord”, we find that it means the day of trial. This is something that is well stated in Isaiah 13:9-11 where we read: “…Behold, the day of the LORD comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it. 10For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine. 11“I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible…” But now we must ask: what has to happen before this happens? Is there something that gives us a clue as to when this will happen? The answers to these questions are very clear in the words of the Lord as found in Luke 21:9-11 when we read: “…But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven…”
With these verses that I have just read some people may say or think that I'm being a bit of an alarmist; however, did you know that in 2010 it was reported that in Africa there were 17 countries in a state of conflict or war, that in Asia there were 12 countries in a state of conflict or war, that in Europe there were 9 countries in a state of conflict or war, that in the Middle East there are 7 countries in a state of conflict or war, and that America had 4 countries in state of conflict or war[3]. We are talking about a total of 49 countries that are in a state of war or conflict. I don’t know; you may be correct in calling me an alarmist, after all there are only 49 countries in a state of conflict, and there are 195 countries in the world; however, we don’t have to be a genius to realize that we are witnessing the beginning of: “…Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…”
The Lord also says: “…great earthquakes in various places…” Did you know that the NEIC (National Earthquake Information Center) now locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year or approximately 50 per day[4]. Now, not all of them are of devastating magnitude; however, from 2000 until today, 1,457 earthquakes of magnitude six or greater have been recorded. I don’t know, you may be correct in thinking that given the size of the world this is something insignificant and that I am an alarmist.
The Lord also says: “…famines and pestilences…” The World Health Organization estimates that a third of the world suffers from hunger. Since we entered this place approximately 200 people have died of hunger around the world. More than four million people will die of hunger during the year[5]. I don’t know, you may be right in thinking that this is insignificant and that I’m an alarmist, since we are only speaking about a third of the world.
What about pestilence, (a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating)? According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2009 some 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS[6].
We should also know that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that about 2, 500 to 6,000 people died due to the H1N1 virus in the United States between April and October 2009[7]. The World Health Organization estimated that 11,516 people worldwide died from the H1N1 virus since the pandemic began in April 2009[8]; this is what was reported in December 2009, unfortunately I couldn’t find more recent figures. So I don’t know, you may be correct in saying and thinking that I'm an alarmist and that these diseases have only killed a tiny portion of people in the world. But keep in mind that I only covered two diseases, and that there are a large number of infectious diseases that have killed and continue killing countless people around the globe.
The Lord also tells us: “…there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven…” (“Fearful sights”; from the Greek word: “phobçtron” which means: that which strikes terror, a terror[9]. Now I ask: is the world living captive by terror? I would say that to answer this question all we have to do is to pay attention to the international news. But if this is not enough, then you should know that according to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), headquartered at the University of Maryland, there is a growth of terrorist organizations worldwide, (on average 41 new organizations per year since 2000). The number of organizations has increased each year since 2004[9]. I don’t know, you may be correct in thinking that this is insignificant and that I’m an alarmist, as in this country we haven’t experienced a terrorist attack since September 11, 2001; however, around the world hundreds of innocent people die due to terrorist attacks. There are thousands of people worldwide that live captive by terror, so just because it’s not happening here it doesn’t mean that it’s not happening. What about the “... great signs from heaven ...?” Thank God, that until today the world has not experienced a celestial catastrophe, in other words, our planet hasn’t been struck by a comet or asteroid, but just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean that it will not happen in the future. Nor can we ignore what happened recently with the birds and fishes as I explained at the beginning of the service.
Continuing with our study we read: “…For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape…” I don’t know how many of you are aware of what our political leaders say, but something that I’m sure that everyone has heard mentioned is the term “New World Order.” This term has been used by a number of political leaders around the world, and is something that they are seeking to establish. This system of government is welcomed by many, and there is a large group of people working to establish it because it will supposedly bring “…peace and safety…” to the world. After all, common sense tells us that if we all lived under one government, one monetary system, and we were one nation, then there would be no wars, conflicts, hunger and so on. But now we must ask: will politicians be able to establish this global system?
The answer to our question is well reflected in Daniel 8:23-25 when we read: “…And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. 24His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. 25“Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means…” The world will see this leader as the savior; the world will see how him as the ruler that will solve all the ills of the world; however, we will recognize him for what he is, we will recognize him as the Antichrist. But perhaps I may be wrong, you may be correct in thinking that I'm an alarmist because after all, something very drastic has to happen before the world will accept a one world leader. What has to happen before people will accept a one world leader? Perhaps something like the collapse of national and international institutions, or maybe an international economic crisis that will push nations into bankruptcy. Could this happen today? The reality is that this can happen and is already happening in the world today. There are more than thirty countries around the world that are on the verge of bankruptcy, and among these countries we also find the United States of America. Why I have I told you all of these things?
Continuing with our study and to conclude we read: “…But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober…” The reason I have told you these things is not because I want to alarm or scare anyone. As I said at the beginning, and I repeat, I’M NOT A PROPHET! I don’t know the exact day of our Lord’s return, but I have been called to awaken you.
We can’t fall asleep thinking that all is well, and that we have all the time in the world to behave in a way that pleases God. We can’t fall asleep thinking that we have all time in the world to fulfill the mission that God has given us. And that’s why in the verses that we are studying today we are told: “…let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober…” Tell the person sitting next to you: the alarm clock is ringing.
So wake up, and arise because “…the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night…” Don’t let that day come and find you asleep; when it comes be ready to come face to face with your Savior.
[1] Los Angeles Times – Greenspace – January 4, 2011
[2] Dead Birds Fall From Sky In Sweden, Millions Of Dead Fish Found In Maryland, Brazil, New Zealand -
The Huffington Post - Travis Walter Donovan – January 5, 2011
[3] http://www.warsintheworld.com/?page=static1258254223
[4] http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/eqstats.php
[5] http://library.thinkquest.org/C002291/high/present/stats.htm
[6] http://www.unaids.org/globalreport/Global_report.htm
[7] http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/estimates_2009_h1n1.htm
[8] http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581065,00.html
[9] Blue Letter Bible Lexicon
[10] http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/
