Swift Creek Baptist Church
Warm Hearted Church with a Heart Warming Message
Sermon notes prepared by Steve Felker, Pastor of Swift Creek Baptist Church; (c) 2000
Intro. Tonight we began the year 2000. It has been over 2000 years since Jesus was born. About 20 years ago as I began to study Bible prophecy, I was one of many who hoped that Jesus would return before the year 2000. It seems obvious to everyone that that has not happened. But Jesus promised that he would return, and as he ascended into heaven, the angels promised in Acts 1:11, "You men of Galilee, why do use stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven." Jesus ascended into heaven bodily and visibly, at least to his disciples, and he will return just as visibly and without any doubt that he has indeed returned.
The apostle Peter warned in second Peter 3:3 that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts and saying "Where is the promise of his coming?" Well, I have good news for those of us who are believers. Even though Jesus has not come yet, I believe the signs of the times indicate that His coming is near. Jesus said that he would come in an hour when you think not. The dawn of the year 2000, in light of that scripture, is actually not a likely time for Jesus come.
But many did expect that the coming of the Lord would take place around the year 2000. One reason is that we have had about 4000 years of recorded biblical history from the time of Adam until the birth of Christ. We have now had 2000 years since the birth of Christ. Revelation 20 indicates that Christ will reign for 1000 years. So, since seven is the perfect number with God, we may rightly suppose that the coming of Christ would take place around the year 2000, especially if the signs of the times point in the same direction. But I want you to think for a minute to what event in the life of Christ was the most significant? Was it the birth of Christ or was it the death of Christ on the cross? Since it was only his death on the cross that he commanded to be memorialized, I believe the answer would be his death that took place around 30 A.D. It would not surprise me if our Lord’s return took place around the time of the 2000th anniversary of his death on the cross. And as I look at the signs of the time, I find it very difficult to believe that the Lord’s coming will be delayed beyond the next 30 years.
Even though we are clearly told that we cannot know the day or the hour of our Lord’s return, the Bible gives us many signs that lead us to believe that our Lord’s coming, in my estimation, is likely to take place within one generation. Paul wrote in 1 Thess. 5:4, "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief." We should not be surprised about His coming. So I’m going to take you through a survey of some key passages which I believe point in this direction.
Let’s look at Genesis Chapter 11 and we will read a few verses about the tower of Babel.
You are familiar with story. After the flood the descendants of Noah settled into the land of Shinar. The story of judgment, destruction and death was still fresh in their minds. They wanted to organize themselves into a city and build an impressive tower. Through evolutionary indoctrination, many people have the idea that mankind has been on a steady course of advancement. But is I understand the Bible, it indicates that the people of the pre-flood world were highly advanced. They were still very advanced shortly after the flood. Now look at v.6 where God says "now nothing that they proposed to do will be withheld from them." Man was created in God’s image, and especially as they pool their talents and abilities together, man is capable of great things. So God confused their language and scattered the people all over the world into many nations.
It is quite clear that God wanted to stop something from happening, considering the rate of advances man was making. Now look what has happened within the past 50 years. Babel has been reversed. No longer is language a barrier between nations. English has become a world language and with computer technology and with the World Wide Web, communication between people in nations is on high speed. Computers can translate documents for you. Daniel the Prophet predicted in chapter 12, verse four that in the last days, "many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase." Scientists from many nations can now quickly and easily share their knowledge, research etc. As a result, look what we have today. Scientists are on the verge of playing God. Animal cloning has already taken place, and human cloning is just around the corner. If God intervened in the Babel of old, how much more would it be necessary for him to intervene in today’s situation in which we are living?
On the other hand, technological advances will do something that God is certainly pleased with. Technology will help speed the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24:14, "and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." In Revelation 7:9, we read of a great multitude in heaven which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues." Through John the prophecy is given that Matthew 24:14 will indeed be fulfilled. Our Lottie Moon emphasis has been "The unfinished task." Indeed there are still many people groups that are yet to the reached. But with the advances that we have spoken of, it is clearly possible that Revelation 7:9 will be fulfilled within the next generation.
Now let’s move to other signs of the times.
Look over to Revelation 9:13-16 (read). We need to compare this with Revelation 16:12ff. Combining these prophecies, we have pictured an army from east of the Euphrates River of 200 million. The entire population in John’s day was probably less than that amount! There is only one nation on earth that could field an army of such magnitude, and that is China, which now boasts a population of one billion people. The ability of China to wage war has been enhanced recently by the illegal acquisition of our technology. Furthermore, they have been enriched through trade with other nations, especially the United States. Have you noticed that so much of what you buy today has been made in China?
One other prophecy relating to this is the fact that, according to Revelation 9:15, one result of the aggression of this army will be one-third of the population of the world being killed. This prophecy could be fulfilled in the date in which we are living, especially with the advance of nuclear war.
Now look over to Revelation 11:1. There John is instructed to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But when John wrote this, the temple in Jerusalem had already been destroyed. So evidently John sees a time when the temple has been re-built. The first step in rebuilding the temple was the restoration of Israel back to their homeland in 1948. Today, many of the Orthodox Jews are ready to rebuild the temple. They have a plan, they are raising money, and everything is just about ready to go. When I was in Israel, I was approached to make a donation to a new synagogue in Jerusalem. I wondered if they intentionally substituted the word synagogue for temple. Of course the main problem is the location of the mosque on the temple mount that is so sacred to Moslems. I do not know how this problem will be resolved, but I can see how within the next 30 years something will happen to make the rebuilding of the temple possible. It is even possible that the peace treaty that is being negotiated could pave the way toward the rebuilding of the temple. By the way, keep an eye on the news. Daniel 9 predicts that the antichrist will negotiate a peace treaty with Isreal, and it will be signed approximately 7 years before the return of our Lord to rule and to reign.
With the new millennium, you can be sure that there will be more and more calls for a new world order. The old ways must be replaced by a new ways. There are 3 aspects of the new world order that is found in prophecy. First, there will be the new world order:
A. Politically - In Revelation 13 we read of the rise of the anti-Christ. He would have such power and ability that the whole world will consider him a savior. V.7 specifically says that ultimately he will gain power and authority over every tribe, tongue, and nation. With the United Nations gaining more and more power, with the rise in power of the world court, the stage is set for the anti-Christ. There are forces at work in Congress to give away our own national sovereignty to the United Nations.
B. Religiously – In Revelation 17 we read of the great Harlot. The Old Testament uses such language to describe those who depart from the true God, and commit spiritual harlotry. So I believe she represents religion of last days. In verse 9 we see that the woman sits upon a beast of seven heads, which represents a city of 7 hills or mountains. It sure sounds like Rome to me. There is an ongoing effort among Catholic and many main line Protestant churches to come together as one "so-called" people of God. V.15 shows that this final world religion will spread throughout the whole world. The tragic thing is that this one world religious organization will make war against the true saints of God (v.6). False religion has always been antagonistic toward the true.
C. Economically – The final world order is called Babylon several times in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 18:3 it says that the merchants of the earth will become rich through the economic system of this new world order. In v.9 we see that not only the merchants will benefit economically but also the political leaders of the world will be enriched as well. But the day is coming when all of the economic prosperity that we are witnessing today will come crashing down through the judgment of God according to chapter 18.
As we look at other prophecy’s in the book of Revelation, we can easily see that many could only be fulfilled in such a day as ours. Consider the following examples:
A. Revelation 11:9 – In the context we see that God will raise up two great prophets. When their work is complete, God will allow the anti-Christ to kill them. Notice that v.9 says that people from all over the world will see their bodies for three and half days. That could only happen in a day like ours where we have satellite television, and we also are able to broadcast live pictures over the Internet, as no doubt you have heard.
B. Revelation 13: 17 – The day is coming when no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast, that is, a certain mark or number assigned by the anti-Christ. Cash alone will not be enough. In fact, in order for such a system to work, commercial transactions would have to require something like the credit card with some other means of identification. The technology for this prophecy to be fulfilled is already with us. A tiny computer chip can be implanted under the skin of a persons hand. This would not only identify the person as an authorized purchaser, but the amount of the transaction could be automatically deducted from their account. Also did you hear recently that they will make drink machines that do not require cash? All you will need to do in the future is use your cell phone to call a certain number, and through your phone you will select your drink and the cost will be deducted from your account. Folks, the signs of the times are everywhere. Our Lord’s return may seem slow in coming, but it is sure in coming.
Conclusion: I want to conclude this message by a sharing with you some additional quotations from the Lord Jesus. In chapter 16: 15 Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Do you have the garments of righteousness? Do you have the garment of salvation? If Jesus were to come today would you be ready or would you shrink in shame? If you do not know for sure that Jesus is your Savior, I hope you will pray and receive Christ. Don’t enter the year 2000 without knowing for sure that Jesus is your Savior. We are entering a new century of fear and uncertainty. Only God’s people are ready. Now look over to Revelation 22:7, "Behold I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." Don’t forget what you heard tonight. Keep it in your heart and mind. Keep looking for the signs of our Lord’s return. Live everyday in light of his coming, keeping your lives pure, clean, and ready to meet Jesus. Now look down to v. 12. "And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work." When Jesus comes again, will He have a reward for you? Are you serving him? Are you leading others to Christ? Are you helping to build up this church? And finally, look at v. 13, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, the first and the last." According to several passages in the New Testament, it was through Jesus that God the Father created the world. He was in our world’s beginning. And Jesus will be there at the end of our world. So much of what so many people live for is going up in smoke. Only what is done for Jesus will last. Only those who believe in Jesus will still be living and joyful when Jesus comes. As we enter a new millennium, are you ready?
(Sources: Online Bible 8.0 ). To find out how to order more of Pastor
Felker's sermon notes or cassette tapes of his messages, please write to SFelker2@aol.com.
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