#3 Signs of second coming in the church.
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Are expecting the IMMINENT RETURN OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST? 1. In the church. 2. In Israel. 3. In nature. 4. In world politics. 5. In society. 6. In technology. 7. In Biblical prophecies.
We are in part 3 of signs in the church. Previously in part one signs in the church we studied. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Joel 2:28). Then we considered Matthew 24:10 easily offended, betrayal, holy hatred. Then John 4:48 the seeking of signs. Then Matthew 24: 23-26 running here and there to find miracles. Then 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 the great falling away. We closed that with the devaluation of church attendance. Hebrews 10:25.
Then in lesson #2 we considered NADIR ( NAY-deer) the greatest point of adversity and despair (Genesis 6:3-5), As in the days of Noah ((Matthew 24:27), Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:4-8, Ezekiel 16:49), Fear, worry and panic (Luke 21:26), Famine of the word of God (Amos 8:11) .
THERE IS A RUN AWAY SPIRIT ALOFT IN THE CHURCH… WE MUST LEARN STICKABILITY!
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Problems, trials, testing, are neither good or bad. They are neutral. It is what you do in bad seasons that will reveal your real nature. If you fall to pieces in a crisis you are weaker than you thought. Go back to the drawing board. PASS OR FAIL?
Quitting is a way of revealing who we really are. They quit, but they were never really with us. If people were really with you they will stick with you.., Be loyal to the end. We will show our true colors, showed they never did belong.
THERE IS ONE EXCEPTION, SOMETIMES THE LESSON IS WE HAVE TO LEARN TO WALK THIS LONESOME VALLEY BY FAITH, BY OURSELF.
WE HAVE NO OTHER PLACE TO GO?
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
MANY IN THE CHURCH ARE NOT EXPECTING ETERNITY AND THEY LIVE FOR MATERIALISM. HEAR THE CRY, THIS STUFF IS OLD AND OUT DATED… WE HAVE HEARD THAT BEFORE.
2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.
JUNK FOOD ADDICTS? ACCEPTING FALSE DOCTRINE AND FALSE PROPHESIES.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
You're going to find that people that have been fed sugar, caffeine and energy drinks have little desire for a well balanced meal of the 4 food groups. We are facing times when people will have no stomach for solid, well balanced teaching. They will love to fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. When you fall in love with the false the real word of God has little appeal... Many church members will turn their backs on truth and chase good feelings. Do we desire to listen to the Truth and or will we love superstitions and fables? Then turn to myths.
Can we hear the radio and TV preachers asking for $1,000 for super spiritual snake oil. Then your family will quit drugs? Are we accumulating preachers and teachers that live in mansions and fly private jets? We desire teaching that suits the demands of the flesh. Let us tickle the desires of our own fancies?
SEEMS THERE WILL BE LITTLE CONCERN FOR THE LOST SOULS HEADED TOWARD HELL? WHAT ABOUT MISSIONS? THERE WILL BE LITTLE CONCERN FOR ETERNAL VALUES ---
THERE IS A LOSS OF PASSION AND ZEAL --- COLDNESS, APATHY AND I DON’T CARE…
As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, disobedient of parents. They will be crude, very coarse and opinionated.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
PLEASURE AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE THE GOALS… THERE WILL THRIVE A CIRCUS ATMOSPHERE IN THE CHURCH…
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
ARE WE READY AND PREPARED FOR THE TRUMPET SOUND? MANY MAKE CLAIMS OF KNOWING THE DAY AND THE HOUR OF THE SECOND COMING… THIS IS A FALSE CONCLUSION.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would.
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
PERILOUS, FULL OF DANGER, HIGH RISK, EXPOSED TO RUIN AND DISASTER, SERIOUS-IMMEDIATE DANGER, SETBACK, THREATENING OUR FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL BEING… DANGER
Remember the series LOST IN SPACE… there was a ROBOT, SERIES 1A-1998 MODEL B-9 CLASS RODNEY YM-3. HE WAS JUST CALLED ROBOT… HE WOULD CRY DANGER, DANGER… THE ROBOT WAS A LOYAL SIDEKICK OF THE SMITH FAMILY… THE ROBOT WOULD WARN THEM OF ANY APPROACHING DANGER … “DANGER, WILL ROBINSON” BECAME A NATIONAL CATCHPHRASE.
WE LIVE IN AN ERA OF HARD DIFFICULT DAYS… DISEASES, VIRUS, WARS, RUMORS OF WARS, EARTHQUAKES, RACIAL TENSIONS, UNSTABLE GOVERNMENTS.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Many think being a Christian is a rose garden. Don’t be stubborn and stupid, we are walking in hard difficult days. Be ready. Jesus promised to be with us. We are not orphans. But in the midst of perilous times we walk by faith not in fear. THESE THINGS SHALL PASS. FEAR WILL DEFEAT FAITH. KNOW THIS FAITH WILL ALWAYS DEFEAT FEAR.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Wish we would all be ready: JESUS IS COMING BACK…
