#199 (Wed) You Asked For It# 2

Are we living in the end times?

Acts 1:7 “And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”

Mark 13:32-33  “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

Ten Common Questions About The End Times

1. What Does Eschatology Mean?
Eschatology comes from two greek words eschatos:— last and logos:— subject matter or teaching. The study of last things that are prophesied in the Bible.

2. What Do The Seals, Trumpets and Bowls Symbolize?
They represent three stages of a series of events foretold in Revelation. Some commentators believe that the seals , trumpets and bowls are successive and progressive events, with one set kicking off the next. Others believe that these symbols refer to a set of events that occur at the same time.

FUTURISTS — teach that the seal, trumpets and bowls are the key events that will transpire in the tribulation period prior to Jesus’ second coming.
PRETERISTS — believe that these events were carried out at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
HISTORISTS — hold that these events are being carried out progressively throughout the church age.
IDEALISTS — teach that the seals, trumpets and bowls are all allegories of the natural disasters and social evils that have existed throughout human history.

3. What Is The Great Tribulation?
A short period of intense persecution of God’s people living on the earth.

FUTURISTS — Before the return of Christ.
PRETERISTS — At destruction of Jerusalem 70AD.
HISTORISTS — All the plight of the Jews since the 1st century.
IDEALISTS — Suffering of all believers throughout history.

4. What Is The Rapture?
The Bible never uses the word rapture. (1Thessalonians 4:17) Held by FUTURISTS. Theories of PRE, MID, and POST. High church denominations do not believe in the rapture nor most reformed theologians. It is not a theory that was taught by any of the church fathers and did not gain acceptance until the early 1900’s.

5. Who Are The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse?
The ultimate bearers of bad news and implementers of nasty events. Released when the lamb opens the four seals in Revelation 6. Various interpretations.

First — White Horse — rides out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
Second — Red Horse — rides out with power to make war.
Third — Black Horse — Carries scales denoting scarcity of food and goods.
Fourth — Pale Horse — His rider is death. Given power to kill over 25% of the world.

6. Who Is The Antichrist?
A term that never appears in Revelation. Often referred to as the archenemy of Jesus and the ultimate false prophet.

FUTURISTS — The beast form the sea in Revelation 13. Some the first Horseman.
PRETERIST — Nero
HISTORISTS — Roman papacy.
IDEALISTS — Symbolic of evil socio-political system.

7. What Is The Mark Of The Beast? (666)
Literal interpretations understand the mark to be way in which the false prophet will control the economic system.

FUTURISTS — A way of controlling the economic system in the world during the tribulation.
PRETERISTS — A symbolizes the economic pressure placed on Christians in the first century … associated with Nero.
HISTORISTS — Roman Catholic church and worship in Latin.
IDEALISTS — A figurative symbol of false religion.

8. What Is The Significance Of The Term Babylon?
An organized entity that defies God.
FUTURISTS — Political system that arises in the last days.
PRETERIST — Some say Jerusalem and some say Rome.
HISTORISTS — Catholic Church
IDEALISTS — Figurative of human society organizing against God.

9. What Is The Millennium?
1000 year period that John talks about in Revelation 20:1-6.
Premillennialism — 1000 years after Jesus’ return
Amillennialism — Figurative term between His advent and his return. Reign through the church spiritually.
Postmillennialism — Church age. Jesus returns after satans forces are completely stomped out.

10. What Is The Lake Of Fire?
Final destination of everything evil. Not where they operate from now.
— Literal burning lake that represents eternal torture.
— Spiritual torture of being forever separated from God.
— Place where life ends and people cease to exist.

This We Are Convinced Of: JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!!!

Before the King of Glory comes the manifest Glory of the King will fill all the earth.

Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.”

Isaiah 40:5 “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 2:2 “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.”

Micah 4:1 “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it.”

Prophecies of the second coming out number those of the incarnation 8-1. 1845
260 chapters in the New Testament and the second coming is mentioned 318x’s. 1 in 30 verses.
Acts 1:11 “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Revelation 22:7  “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
How Will He Come?

A. In Person
Acts 1:11 “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

B. Publicly In Power And Glory
Matthew 24:30-31 “…and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

C. Suddenly
Matthew 24:44 “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

When Will He Come?

A. No One Knows
1Thess. 5:1-4 “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. … But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”

B. A Long Time
Matthew 25:19 “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”

C. Not Until:
1. Decay Of World Systems
2. His Kingdom Has Influence
Haggai 2:6-9 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.  ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.  ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

D. Observe The Signs
Mt. 24:37-39 “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, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” WHAT SIGNS?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

What Should I Do Now?

Be A Faithful Servant, Witness and Colaborer

Luke 19:13 “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

1 John 3:1-3 “…when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

2 Peter 3:11-12 “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” 

Revelation 22:17,20 “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.…He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the right view of the end times? Why?

2. Is Jesus coming back? When and How?

3. Have you ever argued with someone about end times stuff?

4. Should we have an understanding of the end times?

5. Does your view of the end times affect how you live today? Explain your answer.

6. What will be happening before Jesus returns?

7. What will it be like for believers before Jesus returns? How should believers respond?

8. Should people who make money on books which include false predictions send all their profits to Impact Church?

9. These may or may not be the last moments before Jesus return. They are your last days. What should we be doing with our last days?