Intro
1. Before Jesus left his disciples,
he said he would send the Holy Spirit to be their
Counselor. Then he said, “I have told you
now before it happens, so that when it does
happen you will believe” (Jn 14:20). I believe
God tells us so much about the future
because: (1) he wants us prepared for it;
and (2) he knows our faith will strengthen
when we see prophecy fulfilled. Any prophecy
study should prepare us for the future
and increase our faith.
2. Our flesh wants to be happy,
comfortable; most of us don’t want to consider possibility
of hard times in future. I sure don’t. Yet
I see the future developing and I know what
the conclusion will be: Jesus returning to
earth to set up his kingdom. God’s kingdom is
what human history and future are all about.
[Review end times chart]
Beginning of Birth Pains, typical characteristics
1. great deception
a. primarily religious deception; in Mt 24 Jesus warned of
false messiahs
b. New Age; ecology religion, modern version of ancient goddess
worship,
worshiping earth
as source of all life; global religion
c. Russia’s strategy of deception
i. since 1930s, military strategy based on deception, goal
to conquer world;
strategy: where you are weak, appear strong, where you are strong, fain
weakness; when you are close, make enemy think you are far away; win
concessions through negotiations, then smash enemy with a clenched fist.
ii. Don’t write off Russia and allies. Russia has major military
role in last
days according to scripture.
iii. Building strong civil defense program. Continuing arms build up.
Continuing to build anti-ballistic missile defense system (US is
concerned about violating ABM treaty, but not Russia).
iv. “Collapse” of Soviet Union was a charade, carefully planned and
executed. More dangerous enemy now than during Cold War.
d. American culture fascinated with angels and aliens, paranormal
i. many stories of “angels” and “alien visitors”
ii. they always have a religious message
(1) they are our creators
(2) we are gods
(3) reincarnation
(4) Jesus and others were avators (ascended masters)
(5) all roads lead to God
(6) no hell, no judgment
iii. beings offer power to become like God; same as Garden of Eden
iv. 1 Tim 4:1, deceiving spirits, doctrines of demons
e. deception will be characteristic of BoBP; Mt 24 warns of
deception 3 times!
2. Wars, violence
a. three forces seeking world dominance
i. NWO; UN’s global governance - discussed in detail
ii. Russia, communism - goal hasn’t changed, only outward appearance
iii. Islam
(1) Islam’s symbol used to be crescent, representing Islamic crescent
in Middle East (northern Africa up to Central Asia, including
Israel). When in Israel (Sept, 99) noticed crescents are closed;
host said that represents new Islamic goal of world domination.
(2) Muslim leader Alija Izetbegovic (received King Faysal Award for
his contribution to Islam): “There can be neither peace nor
coexistence between the Islamic faith and the non-Islamic social
and political institutions.” Also: “The Islamic movement must
and can take over political power as soon as it is morally and
numerically so strong that it can not only destroy the existing
non-Islamic power, but also build up a new Islamic one.”
(3) Zech 6:6 and Rev 6:1-2, first of four horsemen/chariots had
white horses; Arabian horse is white, developed by Arabs for use
in desert; Islam is the Arabic religion. Rev 6:1-2 says rider of
white horse had a bow and crown, rode out as if to conquer. I
suggest in part this represents Islamic aggression in these last
days. Zech 6:6 says white horses went toward the west; Islam
considers the west (especially America) the great Satan.
(4) don’t be fooled by Islam’s tame appearance in US; Islam is set
on
conquering the world, especially the US.
b. Wars/violence: China
i. a rising world communist power; arms buildup; building a
navy to
dominate the western Pacific; can be counted on to support Russia
ii. China’s economy growing at annual average 9.7% over past decade,
compared to 2% for most of developed world. China’s twin objectives:
(1) close economic gap with America, (2) maintain political stability at
home. Intelligence Digest: China will overtake the US economically as
world’s largest economy in 37 years
c. Wars/violence: terrorism; increasing concern. US gov’t:
Chemical/biological
terrorist attack
on US almost certain; question of when, not if.
d. Wars/violence: ethnic wars; example: Europe and Asia, result
of Soviet Union
shift
3. Instability: Rudman-Hart Panel
Findings, next 25 years (Pentagon-funded panel of
experts, chaired by two Senators, Democrat
and Republican; reported by Intelligence
Digest)
a. Much of the world will resent and oppose the US
b. American dependency on foreign oil will increase
c. Weapons of mass destruction will proliferate
d. Increased pressure for US to reduce military presence in
Europe and Asia
e. New technologies will divide the world as well as draw it
together; anti-
technology backlash
possible
f. All national borders “will be porous”
g. Traditional bonds between states and their citizens (including
US) can no longer
be taken for
granted
h. Serious and unexpected economic downturns, major disparities
of wealth,
volatile capital
flows
i. Increasing vulnerabilities in global electronic infrastructures
j. Pressure for increased protectionism
Beginning of Birth Pains also characterized by:
1. Famines, earthquakes
2. Fearful events, great signs
from heaven
3. Pestilence, diseases
4. Persecution, martyrs
5. This all precedes the Great
Tribulation! Increasing frequency, severity until the end.
Conclusion
1. Mt 16:2-3. Jesus said people
knew how to interpret appearance of sky to anticipate
weather, then rebukes them for inability to
interpret signs of the times.
a. Jesus clearly intends for us to be aware, be able to interpret
signs of the times
b. Jesus also said the last days would be like days of Noah;
remind you: people
rejected warnings,
so didn’t have a clue what was about to happen until too late.
c. Americans are gorging themselves on materialism, greed;
oblivious to what’s
happening in
world; don’t want to know.
d. But we know what’s coming: 1 Th 4:16-18
i. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a
loud
command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of
God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still
alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore
encourage each other with these words."
e. Maranatha! The Lord is coming!
f. When you see these things happening, don’t be fearful; be
encouraged!
g. The Lord is coming!
2. Questions