“Are We In the Endtimes or Not?” - Hot Topics 2004
Revelation 22:6-21(verses taken from NKJV unless noted)
Wakelee Church ~ August 29, 2004
Theme: As Christians, there are things we can’t know about the endtimes, things we do know about the endtimes,and ways to apply both to our lives.
I. Things we can’t know….
The date…(Matthew 24:44)
The identity of the Antichrist…(the Bible doesn’t say)
The specific details…(the Bible doesn’t say)
II. Things we do know…
Christ will return for his own and take them into the air…(I Thessalonians 4:16-17)
The Antichrist will rise to power…(Revelation 6:2, 9-11, 7:9-17, 13:1-10, 14, 18, 19:20, Daniel 7:7-28, 8:23-25, 9:26-27, 11:16, 36-38, II Thessalonians 2:3-4)
The Earth will experience tribulation (Isaiah 13:6-11, Matthew 24, Revelation 6-16, Jeremiah 30:7)
Christ will return to the earth to do battle with the Antichrist and judge those who survived the tribulation [sheep (“Bema” judgment- Romans 14:10,12, 2 Corinthians 5:10) vs. goats]… (Revelation 19:11-21, 16:12-16, Daniel 11:44-45, Zechariah 12:6-9, 14:1-9, 12, 15, 14:13, Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 20:33-44)
Christ will rule in peace for 1,000 years…(Rev. 20:4-6).
Christ will judge finally the unbelievers…”The Great White Throne”…and a new world will be created.(Revelation 20:11-15, 21-22)
III. Applying what we can’t and what we do know to our lives…
1- If we believe that Christ will come again on his terms, we become more watchful, motivating us to be ready at any time, not just when we expect it the most.
2- If we believe that there will be some judgment for everyone, then we will want to live our lives more deliberately, ethically and morally.
3- If we believe that belief in Christ is what will make the difference, then we will want to accept Christ for ourselves and share that grace-filled option with others.
4- If we believe that Christ will come again to set all things right, then we know that our job is to begin the process before He gets here…to foster unity in the Spirit... everlasting peace in the hearts…grace in our relationships.
5- If we truly believe in the endtimes, then we no longer put our trust in humanity, but we put our trust in a God who has said that even when evidence seems to the contrary, God is sovereign…he alone rules…he alone is the King of kings and Lord of lords…he alone has the answers.
6- If we believe in God…the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of his creation…and in the endtimes scenario presented in the Bible, then we have no choice but to nurture one another along in the faith, reach out and show God’s love and ultimate plans with those who are lost, and witness to our faith in word and in deed.
IV. Conclusion - How do we want to be found???
Sources: “What You Need To Know About Bible Prophecy…” by Max Anders (Thomas Nelson Publishers)” and “What Can We Know About the Endtimes” editted by David Sper (Radio Bible Class Ministries)
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any comments regarding this sermon, please feel free to contact me at gb@clergy.net.
