Matthew 24: 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
These are timely scriptures to study and understand. With each passing year the overall readiness and expectation that once filled people about the return of Christ is more absent. Some still believe. Many live with their eyes closed. The more man progresses, the blinder he gets. We don’t have to prove anything. The signs are proving themselves. What’s happening in nature and the universe tells us. People are confused, but all facts still support the Word of God. One group says this; another says something else. Don’t be deceived.
There is really no atheism. A person just chooses not to believe in God. The network and structure of the universe has a pattern, a deliberate design. Instead of believing God man chooses to believe theories. Thereby men try to convince others there is no God. The more he tries to prove it, the greater a fool he becomes. The Bible tells us that the fool has said in his heart there is no God. How foolish not to believe in the very one who gives the breath of life.
Jesus will put an end to all of this with the judgment. Heaven and earth will pass away but God’s Word abides forever. The generation that sees these things won’t pass away. The signs are here. We’ve seen times change. I was saved back in the 70’s. Even then I expected the Lord to come back. Through the years we’ve seen signs fulfilled more and more fully. When Jesus laid out the signs he said for us not to be deceived. What are we seeing: great deception, a great falling away, wickedness as bad as the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah? What was the remedy? The judgment of God.
Men’s hearts fail them for fear. There is great distress in other nations that is now here in America. We want to blame this one and that one. Currently lots of blame is put on Christians. I’m thankful to be labeled a conservative, right wing extremist. There is nothing extreme about living for the Lord. It’s what we’re supposed to do. There’s nothing wrong with us. Rather, there is something right!
Evil is exalted. Christian values are not reflected in society; wicked ones are. Some churches are miniature Babylon’s taking in and allowing anything. The signs are the breakdown of homes. Marriage is defined any way people want. God defines it and anything else is sin. It’s not just about sexual sins. Has knowledge helped? No. People have lost common sense. I’m thankful in the midst of utter iniquity that THE TEACHER still speaks. He tells us when we see these things come to pass that the end is near. The bowl of iniquity is bubbling on the fire of God and it’s about to explode. God is getting ready to come and judgment will fall.
The gospel is being preached. The internet is amazing. Some of it is bad. You can find anything you want, but the gospel is getting out to every country in the world. In some places churches meet in basements and caves. Here we are on top of the hill with the lights on so everyone can see. Thank God we can still do this. We don’t know what laws may be passed in the future. People can still look up here and see us. As a sinner, driving by a church used to convict me. That’s why we keep on going and keep on holding up the Word.
These all happen before he comes. The final sign is his coming. It will be in an instant. Don’t miss it. We live in a time of phones with video capability that can be slowed down to show distinct events clearly. Imagine this. The sound of the trumpet is heard. Jesus, a curse word to many, will come. The one many have mocked and made fun of will be seen. The elect will be called together from the corners of the earth. Angels will come for us. We need to tell television to keep their cameras on the skies. The world wants to be rid of Christians. Well, it’s going to happen. We’ll be caught up together with the Lord.
Are you ready? Make sure you’re watching the signs. Watch yourself. Do your duty to God. Ready or not he is coming.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 