I.
Why Study the End Time?
a.
Jesus commands us watch and pray and stay
alert and know the times in which we are living. Jesus and Paul emphasized the ability to know
the signs and live prepared.
i. “When
you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door…this
generation will not pass away until all these things take place (Jesus return) (Matt.
24:33-34)
ii. Paul
was only with the Thessalonians three weeks (Acts 17:2) and taught in length on
Jesus’ return and the antichrist. “Do you not remember that while I was still
with you, I was telling you these things” (2 Thess. 2:5)
iii. Believers
are called to have understanding and instruct others. “For you yourselves know full well that the
day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, ‘Peace and
safety!’ Then destruction will come upon
them
suddenly. But you, brethren, are
not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are sons
of light…let us not sleep as others do.”
(1 Thess. 5:2-5) “The people who
know their God will display strength and take action. Those who have insight among the people will
give understanding to the many.”
(Daniel 11:32-33)
b.
It awakens the Church to urgency and motivates her
to live prepared and it strengthens her confidence in God’s sovereignty by
knowing that He is in control.
c.
It is the most talked about generation (time
period) in the Bible. Over 150 chapters
in the Bible have Jesus return as its theme.
d.
It prepares the Church to intercede and
participate in the coming revival and be victorious (over comers) in
love and power in the most dramatic time in human history.
e.
It awakens love in our hearts for our Bridegroom
King Jesus to return to the earth and establish His reign. We fall more in love with Him!
II.
The Day of the Lord
a.
The “Day of the Lord” as referred to in
scripture speaks of the years, months, and days leading up to the return of
Jesus. The “Day of the Lord” also speaks
of the final hours and minutes when He appears in the sky, coming on a cloud
with His angels and saints.
III.
Watch and Pray
a.
Watch - The
beginning of birth pangs: 12 signs
(Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21)
i. “Jesus…said
to them: “Take heed that no one deceives
you. For many will come in my name,
saying, ‘I am Christ’, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of
wars. See that you are not troubled…the
end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom. And there
will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth
pangs.” (Matt. 24:4-8)
ii. “When
you hear of wars and commotions, do not be
terrified…There will be great earthquakes…famines and
pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great
signs from heaven. Before all
these things, they will persecute you…You will be
betrayed even by parents and relatives and friends…But not a hair of
your head shall be lost. (Luke 21:9-18)
iii. The
Church will look up and lift their heads in encouragement knowing Jesus is
coming soon. “When these things begin to
happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near…Look
at the fig tree, when they are already budding, you see and know for
yourselves that summer is now near. So
you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is
near.” (Luke 21:28-31)
iv. Jesus
rebukes the people for being able to read weather signs while being unable to
interpret the prophetic signs of His first coming. “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the
west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you
say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.
Hypocrites! You can discern the
face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this
time?” (Luke 12:54-56)
b.
Pray
i. The
Spirit is awakening His Bride to establish prayer and worship to grow her into
her identity and authority to be able to stand courageous in the midst of the
most difficult times in human history.
1.
In 1985 there were 20 (24 hours/ day) houses of
prayer found in the world. Today, there
are over 200,000 houses of prayer. The
Spirit is awakening intercession and worship.
God governs the universe in intimate partnership with His people through
intercession. The majesty and mystery of
intercession is seen foremost in Jesus’ relationship with the Father. “He (Jesus) always lives to make intercession
for them.” (Heb. 7:25) “I sought for a man among them who would make
a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I would not
destroy it; but I found no one.” (Ezek.
22:30) “If my people”….(2 Chron. 14:7)
2.
He inhabits the praises of His people. The prayer and worship movement creates an
atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to come and manifest His presence
corporately. While we lift our voices,
meditate in His word, and worship Him, He speaks opens our hearts to His ways. “He (Holy Spirit) will not speak on His own,
but what He hears, He will speak and He will reveal to you what is to
come.” (John 16:13)
3.
Jesus grants authority to His people and they
participate with Jesus in the End Time Events.
“I will grant authority to my two witnesses…these will have power to
shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their
prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them to blood and to
strike the earth with every plague.”
(Rev. 11:3-6)
4.
Jesus is returning to His bride as they sing and
call for Him to return. “The Spirit and
Bride say, ‘Come’.” (Rev. 22:17)
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