Session 4
How Do I Prepare For Jesus' Return?
How can we know for sure that we are prepared for the rapture and that we won't be left behind?
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How can we help our children and family members be prepared for the return of Jesus?
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The disciples came to Jesus asking Him when He was going to return and what would be the signs that He is coming.
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37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 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, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:37-39
Keep in mind that Jesus said when He returns , not if He returns.
Believers will not go through the tribulation. Jesus will come and rapture us before those last worst seven years.
He also said it will be like the days of Noah before the flood,
not during the flood,
or after it.
Jesus describes the rapture beginning in verse 40:
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what [a]hour your Lord is coming.43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what [b]hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food[c]in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying [d]his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 24:40-51
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The Way, the Truth, and the Life
14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many[a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:1-3
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When Jesus returns, it will be a "business as usual" atmosphere and God will will rapture (take) one and leave the other.
The one taken will be rescued from judgement!
Matthew 24 and 25 are the chapters that Jesus describes the end times.
In Matthew 24, Jesus explains the signs of the end times.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells two parables and one true story to show us how to prepare for His return.
Based on Matthew 25, Pastor Jimmy gives us
6 words to remember
to help us be prepared for Jesus' return.
The first two words are: Know Jesus
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five werefoolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:1-13
Pastor Jimmy sums it up to be
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Jesus prophesied that when He returns, 1/2 of the church will be false.
The virgins represent the church in the above scripture.
5 foolish virgins - These people are the ones who associate themselves with Jesus and believe they belong to Him. They however, have become very liberal, anti-biblical, and hostile toward the bible.
Pastor Jimmy believes that if Jesus returns now that the 1/2 percentage is present in the church right now!
7 SIGNS THAT YOU ARE A TRUE BELIEVER IN JESUS:
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9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
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Universalism is the main hierocracy in the church today.
Universalism is the thought that everyone will be saved regardless of what they believe. They can be an atheist, a satanist, a buddhist, a muslim, etc.
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
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If you don't believe in the resurrection of Jesus, what you are saying is that you don't believe Jesus' death was the only way to God, the Father.
Remember, Romans 10:9 states two conditions for being saved.
1. You must confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
2. You must believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.
You can accept Jesus as your Savior and be saved right now, by repeating this simple prayer below:
"I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead." Amen.
3. Your life has changed since accepting Christ.
Becoming a Christian, doesn't mean that you are perfect.
It just means there's a change in you for the good!
Pastor Jimmy stated that when he was 19 when he got saved. Before that, he didn't have a conscious. He would say hateful things. He would do awful things, but never feel bad about it. He said he was immoral, rebellious, and had a horrible mouth. Once he was saved, he would say a bad word, become convicted, and feel bad about what he had said. As a result, he stopped cursing and then he said he felt like he had become Mother Teresa. Lol!
Has your life changed for the good since you got saved?
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23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in [a]doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, theybear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, [b]as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
John 10:23-29
Pastor Jimmy stated that he looked at himself in the bathroom mirror the morning after his bachelor's party and realized that he had no respect for himself. He then prayed to Jesus. He vowed that he would serve Him the rest of his life and never turn back. At that instance, Pastor Jimmy said that he heard these words,
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Two weeks later after his marriage, Pastor Jimmy said that the Lord called him into the ministry. He said the Lord spoke to him through a vision.
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If you are a Christian, there should be some sense of God's voice in your life.
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5. You believe you are saved by grace and not by works
or being a good person.
George Barna, a Christian researcher just released a new report on a recent survey about Christians and what they believe.
"Slightly over 1/2 Christian respondents believe someone can obtain salvation by being or doing good. This is a figure that includes 46% of Pentecostals, 44% of mainline Protestants, 41% of Evangelicals, and 70% of Catholics."
Remember Jesus talked about the 1/2 percentage of the church being not saved in Matthew 24:40-41.
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Matthew 24:40-41
According to Barna's current research, 1/2 of Christians believe that they can go to heaven by being good.
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4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:4-9
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6. You receive God's Word.
The Truth Shall Make You Free
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you,whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Abraham’s Seed and Satan’s
37“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have [a]seen with your father.”
John 8:31-38
More from the Barna Survey:
"In addition to the view point that eternal salvation can be earned, survey results show that 58% of Americans believe that no absolute moral truth exists
and that the basis of truth are factors, or sources other than God.
77% said that right and wrong are determined by factors other than the Bible.
57% said the Bible is not God's authoritative and true Word.
69% said people are basically good."
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The Eternal Word
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:1-4
Christ on a White Horse
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
Revelation 19:11-13
Jesus said to the Jews that the reason they couldn't receive truth
was that His Word had no place in them.
Do you accept God's Word?
Do you have faith in God's Word?
Abraham’s Seed and Satan’s
37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.
John 8:37
7. You love God's family - the Church.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
Obedience by Faith
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [a]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
1 John 4:20-21
"We are all imperfect people, but a true Christian loves God's family.
Do you know Jesus?
This is a heaven or hell thing!"
Pastor Jimmy
REMEMBER.... based on Matthew 25, Pastor Jimmy gives us
6 words to remember
to help us be prepared for Jesus' return.
The first two words were : Know Jesus
The second two words are: Serve Jesus
A talent is an enormous amount of time.
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what isyours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give itto him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30
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Back to the Barna Survey...
"If you look at some of the dominant elements in the American mind and heart today as illuminated by this inventory, most people believe that the purpose of life is feeling good about yourself."
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus taught them a daily prayer. At the end of this prayer (The Lord's Prayer),
Jesus prays:
"Yours is the kingdom (not a kingdom),
the power,
and the glory."
"My prayer to the Lord each day is:
I serve your kingdom,
by your power,
and
for your glory."
Pastor Jimmy
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What's the purpose of your life?
Is it to accumulate money?
Is it to be popular?
Is it to be comfortable?
"I hope all those things for you, but I am saying that at the end of your life, their will be an accountability and Jesus told this story for that purpose."
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [a]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:32-38
"Before representing ourselves, we must represent Jesus in the way
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REMEMBER.... based on Matthew 25, Pastor Jimmy gives us
6 words to remember
to help us be prepared for Jesus' return.
The first two words were : Know Jesus
The second two words were: Serve Jesus
The third two words are : Love People
This entire judgment in the scripture below had to do with how they treated people.
The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the[a]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdomprepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you,in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand,‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer [b]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you,inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-46
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You can not disassociate the way you treat people from your relationship with God.
A Word to Husbands
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7
What 1 Peter 3:7 is saying is that if you mistreat your wife,
don't bother praying because God won't listen.
You can't treat people badly and think
that you are not offending Jesus!
Questions to ask yourself...
Are you a gracious person?
Do you give stuff away that's undeserved?
God is gracious with us.
None of us deserve His love but He gives us His love anyway.
Are you a kind person?
(Kind means being harmless to others).
If you approach a broken and hurting person, are you the safest person he or she is going to be around because you will not say or do anything to hurt them?
Are you a forgiving person?
Do you help people who are vulnerable and in need?
Do you treat people with respect who are different from you spiritually, politically,
ethnically, the opposite sex, etc.?
Does your activity on social media and in private conversations reflect the love and character of Jesus?
Do you love and respect the Jewish people and the nation of Israel?
How could we ever be against the Jews when our Lord is a Jew?
His mother was a Jew and everyone who wrote the Bible was a Jew.
Are you prepared to meet Jesus when He comes?
Do you know Him?
Do you have a personal relationship with Him?
Are you living your life for Him?
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Do you love people?
Do you treat people as Jesus would?
The people in this parable that were sent to hell called Jesus their Lord but they completely disassociated their relationship with Jesus with how they treated people.
We simply can not do that!
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CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, we love you so much!
We are living in a day like Noah where there was violent, immoral people all around living as though there is no tomorrow.
Jesus we want to be a good witness for you.
We want to be faithful to you until you come.
We pray that you would comfort us and give us strength.
We are dedicated to serving you with the talents you have given us.
We are dedicated to loving people with your love until you come.
Holy Spirit fill us up with love, power, and sound mind.
Wherever we go this week, we pray that you would use us to show your love and truth to someone.
We pray this in Jesus' Name,
Amen.
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1. What is the Rapture?
The clearest explanation of the rapture is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Pastor Jimmy explains that when we die our bodies go into the ground and that are spirits are immediately in the presence of Jesus. Those of us who have loved ones who have already died in Jesus (in the faith), will have their spirits, which are in heaven, reunited with their bodies that on the earth at the rapture. Our loved ones will rise first in their glorious, immortal bodies and we who remain, will be caught up in the air with them.
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The Latin word rapio means "caught up" or "snatched."
There will be a generation of people who do not die and are referred to as "we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord."
Pastor Jimmy believes that we are that generation.
Another explanation of the rapture is found in 1 Corinthians 15:50-53.
It has the same context as 1 Thessalonians 4.
Our Final Victory
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a [a]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:50-53
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Jesus explains the rapture in Luke 17:24-37.
24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. 25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came anddestroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his[a]goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two [b]men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.36 [c]Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” 37 And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
Luke 17:24-37
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This is a selective rapture that Jesus is talking about because there 2 raptures.
The first rapture occurs before the tribulation for the church, (all of us who have received Jesus as Savior).
All that matters
is that you know Jesus
because He knows who belongs to Him
and He comes and takes
those who belong to Him.
The others are left behind.
The second rapture happens at the end of the tribulation for people who have gotten saved during the tribulation.
Some people get confused about the two raptures.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many[a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:1-3
Paralambano is a Greek word meaning "to receive unto yourself."
Jesus said in John 14:3 that He will "paralambano" us to Himself.
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
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In John 14:1-3,
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The rapture of the church is Jesus returning to receive us into Himself that where He is, we can also be.
The second rapture at the end of the tribulation is different from the first rapture of the church before the tribulation because it is not a "business a usual atmosphere" before the second rapture occurs as it is before the rapture of the church.
Matthew 24:29-31 explains:
The Coming of the Son of Man
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [a]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24:29-31
The advantage of believing in Jesus now is that you don't have to go through the tribulation!
But there is still good news for unbelievers ...
People that refused Him will still have the opportunity to get saved during the tribulation. If they do receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, at the end of the tribulation, they will join us (the church) and Jesus and will become a part of the body of Christ! They will have been through 7 years of incredible torture and will be raptured because of their belief in Jesus!
2. Why is There a Rapture of the Church?
a. To unite us with Jesus to be married to Him and be with Him forever.
b. to deliver us from the wrath of the tribulation.
15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, [a]the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Revelation 6:16-17
The tribulation is the wrath of the Lamb!
For those of us who know Jesus and have been raptured, we will spend 7 years at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
For those people who reject Jesus, they will go through 7 years of the wrath of the Lamb!
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Believers do not go through the tribulation. He delivers us from the wrath to come!
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
The Day of the Lord
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 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. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
The tribulation is wrath.
God has not appointed us to wrath!
Jesus is going to come and deliver us from the wrath to come!
The Importance of Watching
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with [a]carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may [b]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36
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Jesus said to not go out partying and forget about Him!
He doesn't want the day to catch us unaware because the day will come like a trap on ALL who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
You can't get more inclusive than that --
every single nation, every single person!
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Jesus didn't say pray that you amy endure all these things in verses 36 and 37. He said pray that you maybe counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man.
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"I'm telling you that if you believe in Jesus, you are going to escape the last 7 years on this earth that are called the tribulation!
It's encouraging!"
Pastor Jimmy
Some people say that we are going to go through the tribulation but God will protect us. Scripture does not match this train of thought!
Choose the scripture when you are deciding what to believe and not a man's opinion!
The antichrist is given authority over the saints and to overcome them. (Rev. 13:6-7)
The antichrist beheads believers. (Rev. 20:4)
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every [a]tribe, tongue, and nation.
Revelation 13:6-7
The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4
Daniel is talking about the antichrist in these scriptures...
32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall [a]corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by [b]intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.
Daniel 11:32-35
23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Having fierce [a]features,
Who understands sinister schemes.
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;
He shall destroy [b]fearfully,
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.
Daniel 8:23-24
3. Will Children Go in the Rapture?
Pastor Jimmy gives his opinion concerning this question. He believes that children will absolutely go in the rapture because of the kind nature of God. He states that heaven is full of children. There are no children in hell.
He believes the parents' faith covers the child up to the age 13.
He believes that 13 is the age of accountability based on Jesus' Jewish culture.
Jewish parents consider their thirteen year olds as adults and legally responsible for their own decisions.
Jewish boys who turn 12 or 13, are given a Bar Mitzvah (bar - meaning son) ceremony to celebrate this milestone in their lives.
Jewish girls are given a Bat Mitzvah (bat - meaning daughter).
The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And [b]Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Luke 2:41-49
In the above scripture, Jesus had already turned 12. He was not being rebellious when He did not return home with His family about the Passover Feast. He was "about His father's business."
The first role of parents is to lead their children into an understanding of Jesus. Parents need to raise their children an early age to receive Jesus as the Lord of their lives.
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4. When will the rapture occur?
A feast is an appointed festival.
There are 7 feasts of Israel.
There are 4 feasts in the spring and 3 feasts in the fall.
They are "dress rehearsals" prophetically for what is to come.
The 7 feasts are 7 prophetic events of the future that are going to happen.
How do we know that?
John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
The Lamb of God
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29
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Jesus perfectly removed sin from the human race!
Leaven represents sin.
3. Jesus was resurrected
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The Last Enemy Destroyed
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have [a]fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20
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What's next?
3 Fall Feasts
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When the Jews were keeping the feasts
in the Old Testament,
they didn't realize
it was the first advent of Jesus!
It was a dress rehearsal!
The next three feast that will take place are the 2nd advent of Jesus, the return of Jesus!
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16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
51 Behold, I tell you a [a]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
To the Gentile (a westerner), the last trumpet doesn't really mean anything, but a Jewish person knows exactly what it means.
During this two day feast, they would have nine sessions where the priest would blow the shofar eleven times for a total of 99 times.
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2. The other names for the Feast of Trumpets clearly reveal what will happen when it is fulfilled.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
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12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [a]Beginning and theEnd, the First and the Last.”
Revelation 22:12-13
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"I believe the next event that will happen on the earth
will be the Feast of Trumpets, the Rapture.
I don't know which year it will be.
If the first four feasts where literally fulfilled,
don't you think the next one will be also?"
Pastor Jimmy
Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:
Lord Jesus I open my heart to yours and I invite you to come into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. Forgive me of my sins, give me the gift of eternal life, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Give me the power to change and the power to live for you. I give my life to you Jesus.
Amen.
ENDING PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, we want to be ready when you come and we don't know the day or the hour. You have told us so specifically that you are returning. I pray Lord, for your comfort in a world of anxiety and upheaval, and in a world of so much worry and nervousness. You are the Prince of Peace. I pray for peace in our minds, bodies, marriages, and finances. With all the bad news happening in the world, it is such good news to know that you have not left us alone. You are coming to get us. You are at the Father's house and are coming very soon to take us with you forever. I pray your blessings upon your people that you died and rose again to give us. I pray the fullness of that to fall on every man, woman, and child. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.
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Scripture reveals that we are living in the last days. Pastor Jimmy shows us four undeniable prophetic signposts of the last days. This summer, an event occurred that aligned with prophetic scripture concerning the last days.
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During the week of August 15, 2020, Israel made a peace treaty with the United Arab Emirates. It is miraculous that any Arab nation would make a such a treaty with Israel. This means normalized travel, open tourism, travel and commerce, and that each country now has an embassy in each other's country.
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10 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell [a]safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’— 12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ ” ’
Ezekiel 38:11-13
The above scripture reveals that there are a group of nations that absolutely hate Israel and will invade Israel in the last days. These nations include Gog & Magog (modern day Russia), Persia (modern day Iran), Turkey, Libya, and Ethiopia (modern day Sudan). When this invasion occurs, there will be four nations that will rebuke the aligned nations. They are Sheba (Saudi Arabia), Dedan (United Arab Emirates), the merchants of Tarshish (Great Britain), and the United States (young lions).
Pastor Jimmy points out that this recent peace treaty shows us that the Arabian Peninsula is shifting toward Israel.
4 UNDENIABLE PROPHECTIC SIGNPOSTS OF THE LAST DAYS:
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1. Israel becomes a nation again for the second time in one day.
This is a miracle in itself! There has never been a nation that ceased to exist twice and then came back, or was born in one day.
11It shall come to pass in that day
That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time
To recover the remnant of His people who are left,
From Assyria and Egypt,
From Pathros and Cush,
From Elam and Shinar,
From Hamath and the [a]islands of the sea.
12 He will set up a banner for the nations,
And will [b]assemble the outcasts of Israel,
And gather together the dispersed of Judah
From the four [c]corners of the earth.
Isaiah 11:11-12
The Lord sent the Israelites to Babylon into captivity the first time because of their sin. Seventy years later, under the rule King Cyrus, the Lord forgave their sin and allowed them to go back home to rebuild the temple.
Once again the Israelites were sent into captivity a second time in AD 70 as a result of their sin. The Roman General Titus and his troops killed over a million Jews. They captured the rest of the Jewish people and then scattered them all over the world.
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7 “Before she was in labor, she gave birth;
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U.S. President Harry Truman recognized Israel as a nation. As a result, President Truman was met with tremendous opposition. Pastor Jimmy points out that Franklin Roosevelt, who was president and had died prior to this event, would have never recognized Israel as a nation. A Jewish Rabi later told President Truman that God had put Truman in his mother's womb for this very day to recognize Israel as an independent nation!
2. Jerusalem is reunited under Jewish control after 1,900 years.
This is Jesus' prophecy found in Luke 21:20-24:
The Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luke 21:20-24
Remember the Lord had sent Israel into captivity twice because of their sin. The second time occurred AD 70. This time the Jews were exiled for 1,900 years. In 1967, there was a 6 day war. Afterward, Israel took Jerusalem back.
What this means is, that from now until Jesus comes back, Jerusalem will be under Israeli control by God's blessing.
3. The issue of Jerusalem causes the world to unite against Israel.
When Israel regained Jerusalem, the world leaders went crazy, including the United Nations (UN)!
2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of [a]drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.
Zechariah 12:2-3
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The UN has a continual hatred for the nation of Israel. Their Human Rights Counsel from 2006-2016, criticized Israel 68 times, 3 times more than any other nation including the leadership of North Korea and Iran. Of the 97 resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly from 2012-2015, 83 were against Israel.
The UN wants to force Israel to give up east Jerusalem. This is Armageddon and the Second Coming prophesied in Zechariah 14:1-5!
The Day of the Lord
14 Behold, the day of the Lord is coming,
And your [a]spoil will be divided in your midst.
2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses [b]rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south. 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,
For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.
Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the earthquake
In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come,
And all the saints with [c]You.
Zechariah 14:1-5
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To this present time, the United States is continually trying to force Israel to give up east Jerusalem. President Trump's peace plan called the 'Deal of the Century,' calls for the Jewish people to give up east Israel and most of the West Bank.
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We are watching this unfold as the UN absolutely despises Israel and is doing everything they can to try to force them into this two step plan and give up Jerusalem!
4. The land of Israel is divided.
God Judges the Nations
3 “For behold, in those days and at that time,
When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will also gather all nations,
And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
And I will enter into judgment with them there
On account of My people, My heritage Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
They have also divided up My land.
Joel 3:1-2
Joel 3:1-2 is describing Armageddon!
Valley of Jehoshaphat -means Jehovah has judged
The Valley of Jehoshaphat is located between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount.
God states, "They have divided my land" in Joel 2.
The United States has been a part of a 'land for peace deal' with Israel for decades. In 2005, the US physically forced Israel to leave the Gaza Strip and give it to Palestine. The Gaza Strip is on the Mediterrian Sea and has very rich farmland, as well as ports on the sea. Israel has lost billions and billions of dollars a year since the US forced them out in 2005. Seven days later after Israel was forced out, Hurricane Katrina hit the US Gulf Coast. A Jewish Rabi stated publicly that God was judging America for forcing Israel out of the Gaza Strip.
Israel does not belong to any man. Israel belongs to God!
God states in Joel 3:2 that He is coming and that He is entering into judgement with the nations because they are dividing up His land.
These prophetic signposts are before us everyday in the news.
These signposts tell us that we are living in the end times.
So what do they mean?
1. We are the final generation of this age.
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"We need to aware of the times we are living in."
Pastor Jimmy
In Joel 3:1-2, God is speaking in first person through Joel.
In those days - means a season of time
In the same season of time that Israel became a nation in 1948, Armageddon will happen.
Matthew 24:32-34 is end time prophecy.
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Jesus prophesies with Joel. The generation that see the beginning of the end, will see the end.
How long is a generation?
Don't ask a person, ask the Bible this question.
19 [a]And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private [b]interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [c]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19-21
The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalms 90:10
This generation began on May 14, 1948.
Believers will leave before the tribulation begins.
The tribulation lasts 7 years. (483 years + 7 tribulation years = 490 years Daniel prophesied.
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2. We are experiencing the birth pains that will usher in the return of Jesus.
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for [a]all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines,[b]pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:3-8
sorrows - means birth pains
Women are experts in birth pains. The worse the pains get, the closer to giving birth.
"I was born in 1953 and I have never seen times like these. I believe we are experiencing intense birth pains which about to give birth to Jesus' return. We are about to see the face of Jesus!"
Pastor Jimmy
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luke 21:25-26
Is there distress of the nations on earth?
perplexity - means no answers.
the sea and the waves roaring - means the unrest of people
fear - means terror
For the world, it means the tribulation is about to occur. For believers, it means the rapture is about to happen.
Pastor Jimmy says that in his 67 years of life, he has never seen this level of deception, wickedness of people, and moral rebellion.
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3. It's time to live for God and stand up for our faith in Jesus!
30 For ships from [a]Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. “So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 And [b]forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices,and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall [c]corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for manydays they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
Daniel 11:30-33
flattery - means if you are against God during the tribulation, the antichrist will love you.
In the middle of the tribulation, many people are going to get saved. The antichrist will kill them with sword, burn them at the stake and persecute them all over the world,
but those who know God will be strong and accomplish great exploits!
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If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, this is your opportunity to make the Lord your Savior. It is the most important decision you will make in eternity!
Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:
Lord Jesus I open my heart to yours and I invite you to come into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. Forgive me of my sins, give me the gift of eternal life, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Give me the power to change and the power to live for you. I give my life to you Jesus.
Amen.
Ending Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus is returning for us, His bride. Please help us make Your Word, the Bible, a priority in our lives. Help us be a light to the darkness around us. We also ask that You help us to be bold and active in seeking out the lost so they may know the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ! Give us an eternal mindset.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Session 1
When Did the End Begin?
Jimmy Evans' goal in this series "Tipping Point" is to give us a basic understanding of the end times, also referred to as Eschatology.
Image from Free- Photos from Pixabay
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According to Pastor Jimmy, 27% to 30% of the Bible is prophecy and most of it is end time prophecy.
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This period of time we are living in now is the most prophesied time of the Bible. God says a lot about this period of time.
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When did the end times begin?
Why does there have to be an end?
Why can't things just go on forever like this?
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End time teaching has been around for 2,500 years!
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The angel Gabriel came to Daniel while he was praying and told Daniel the future. He told him when the end would begin. The children of Israel were in captivity in Babylon because of their sin. While they were in Babylon, Persia defeated Babylon.
The Seventy-Weeks Prophecy
20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, 21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, [a]being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the [b]command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision: 24 “Seventy [c]weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
[d]To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint [e]the Most Holy.
Daniel 9:20-24
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After the 490 years are over, the following are accomplished:
1. finished the transgression.
2. made an end of sin.
3. made reconciliation for inquiry.
4. brought everlasting righteousness.
5. sealed the vision and prophecy.
6. anointed the Most Holy.
3 Different Ages:
Image by anncapictures from Pixabay
1. Age of Grace: During this time current time, any person in the world now can repent and receive Jesus Christ as Lord of his/her life before the tribulation.
Our first comfort as believers is that Christians do not go through the tribulation. We are raptured before the tribulation.
2. Severe Age of Grace: This time happens after the rapture. It is the time of tribulation. People who repent and receive Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives during this time must face the antichrist. Revelation 13:7 states that the antichrist is given power over the saints to overcome them. Revelation 20 states that the antichrist beheads people if they will not worship him and especially if they believe in Jesus Christ.
The antichrist is the most evil man in human history. Millions of people will get saved during the tribulation, but it will be a blood bath because of the antichrist and his hatred for Jesus Christ.
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every [d]tribe, tongue, and nation.
Revelation 13:7
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4
3. The Second Coming: The Severe Age of Grace ends at the Second Coming of Jesus. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb has just occurred. (Rev. 19:1-10)
Heaven Exults over Babylon
After these things I [a]heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to [b]the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” 3 Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both[c] small and great!” 6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 19:1-10
Notice that the believers are with Jesus when is comes! (Rev. 19:14)
Christ on a White Horse
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [f]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a [g]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS. The Beast and His Armies Defeated 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the [h]supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, [i]free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 19:11-21
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Understand that grace is an age that is about to end.
Now if believers aren't going to experience the tribulation, why should we teach on it?
Well, we must understand why we teach the Gospel.
If you love your neighbors, family, and friends then you do not want them to experience the tribulation. We need to praying for them and preaching the Gospel because the tribulation will be the most severe time in human history!
Daniel's Prophecy:
25 “Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The [a]street shall be built again, and the [b]wall,
Even in troublesome times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall [c]be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a [d]covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the [e]desolate.”
Daniel 9:25-27
From the time there is a decree to go back and restore Jerusalem until Jesus comes back is 7 weeks + 62 weeks.
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62 weeks = 432 years
7 sevens + 62 weeks + 483 prophetic years. (This is the time from when the decree goes out to go back and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince is cut off but not for Himself).
Did that really happen?
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Sir Henry Rawlinson found the historical records in the Shushan Palace confirming this decree made by Artaxerxes Longimanus on March 14, 445 BC written about in
Nehemiah 2.
It is documented in other places as well.
In Daniel 9:26, "the Messiah cut off, but not for Himself" means to be killed but interestingly enough it also means to make a covenant but not for Himself.
It's 483 prophetic years from the time the Jewish people go back to rebuild Jerusalem until Jesus dies on the cross, but not for Himself.
Did that really happen?
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The book of Daniel was in circulation hundreds of years before this happened.
Prophecy is measurable and specific!
According to Daniel 9:26, the people of the prince, the antichrist who are in the future are going to come and destroy (Messiah is cut off) Jerusalem and the sanctuary.
Luke 21 Prophecy
Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was [c]adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
Luke 21:5-6
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AD 70, the Roman General Titus, who later became emperor, came with a Roman army and destroyed Jerusalem. They tore every stone of the temple and the Temple Mount, and killed over a million Jews. They led the rest of the Jews captive and scattered them all over the world. This is another prophecy of Gabriel and Jesus that has been exactly fulfilled.
So who is the antichrist?
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'The Apostle John is the only one who used the term antichrist. One of the names for the antichrist used three times in the Old Testament is 'the Assyrian' in the books of Micah and Isaiah. The Assyrian empire included Syria. The antichrist could be a Muslim. He could come out of the old Roman empire in Europe or the Roman empire in the Middle East or Africa. He will come out of the revived Roman empire. This includes the Middle East and northern Africa.
Daniel 9:27 is talking about the antichrist.
27 Then he shall confirm a [a]covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the [b]desolate.”
There are 7 years missing. Remember there are 490 years, but we have 483 prophetic years. The tribulation begins when the antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel. He doesn't necessarily make the covenant, but he confirms a treaty with Israel for 7 years.
In the middle of the 7 years is the 'abomination of desolation'. The detail of it is in
2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 from the Apostle Paul. It is the clearest description.
The Great Apostasy
2 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-8
We are seeing the apostasy, the falling away, in our world right now.
The man of sin, the son of perdition is the antichrist.
The Apostle Paul is talking about the return of Jesus. He tells the believers not to be troubled.
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A Bad Day in History...
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This year (2020) on August 9th, over 1000 Jews were able to go on the Temple Mount uncontested for a prayer session. This was the first time since 1967 that the Jewish flag was raised on the Temple Mount. This is unheard of! The Muslim and the Israeli police have kept the Jewish people off the Temple Mount since 1967 when they took it back. This is an unprecedented time! We are seeing activity on the Temple Mount and the Jewish people are ready to rebuild the temple. According to what Jesus said in Matthew 24:15, the temple has to be rebuilt for the 'abomination of desolation' to occur.
The Great Tribulation
15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),
16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.
18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the [c]elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:15-22
As you can see, we get the term tribulation from Jesus (Matthew 24:21).
The tribulation comes in two parts. We know this from books of Daniel and Revelation.
There will be a seven year covenant, but in the middle, (three and one half years) the 'abomination of desolation' will occur.
Will believers experience the tribulation?
According to Jesus' words in Luke 17:24-37, the answer is no!
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24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. 25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came anddestroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his[a]goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two [b]men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.36 [c]Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” 37 And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
Luke 17:24-37
More evidence to support believers not experiencing the tribulation:
Revelation 6 - The rider from the pale horse kills 1/4 of mankind.
Revelation 9 - Three plagues kill 1/3 of mankind.
Revelation 16 - Judgements occur including all sea life dying.
Jimmy Evans declares that is hard to imagine a "business as usual atmosphere" with such death and destruction occurring.
According to Pastor Jimmy, the next major event that is going to happen in our lives is the rapture of the church!"
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