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Sermon
of 03-15-03
"Obey the Signs or Pay the Fines! #1"
by Dr. David A. Farmer, pastor
Scripture - John 14:14; "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. V: 2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
V: 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
V: 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."
A few weeks back I was over in Little Rock, AR. As many of you know they are under heavy road construction there. They are trying to widen I30 to 6 lanes through the city. While driving I saw a sign that caught my eye. It read; "Obey the signs or pay the fines".
That sparked something in me. A sermon if you please. You know how we pastors are, always looking for sermon titles.
We have taken a short pause in our Nehemiah series today to look at the signs of the 2nd Coming of Jesus. Just what does the Bible say about Jesus 2nd Coming and do we see any of those signs today?
A few weeks back, on a beautiful Sabbath morning, many of us were informed that the Shuttle space ship Colombia was falling to the ground that very moment. It came as a shock. It was one of those worst nightmares imaginable.
The 1st thing I thought of was some terrorist had shot it down. Now we know that was not the case. The shuttle was traveling somewhere around 12 times the speed of sound before it broke through the earth's atmosphere. It was only 16 it was minutes away from touchdown in Florida.
Before the shuttle reached Texas, NASA is now telling us that the instruments on Columbia and those is Houston showed a concern. Lights started going out on the instrument panels. These were signs of a possible problem.
Today we know that that NASA was aware of possible damage to the left wing of Columbia. At 1st the signs didn't seem to be a major crisis. Some NASA officials suggested that a closer look be taken. But there were others, I guess higher up the line of command that remarked that it wasn't necessary. So nothing was really done about it. But some must have felt there was a danger because up to the day before the ship was to land, they were still emailing others that the left wing may have some damage.
Later during the clean up NASA discovered a video of the crew right up to the last minutes. They were laughing and cutting up. None where aware of the danger that lay right before them. But as the seconds clicked by that Saturday morning, NASA started comprehending that Columbia was in trouble. And within minutes, the reports started coming in of a huge fire ball streaking across the blue Texas sky.
Today, our planet earth is spinning through space at some 66,000 miles an hour. And everyday that goes by we see signs in the world that should show us some concern. Signs of a possible problem.
At 1st these signs don't seem to be a major crisis. But as the days roll by, we start comprehending that maybe we are in trouble. And I believe that it's very important to pay close attention to these signs.
Jesus' final message to mankind was a message of signs. A message that speaks to men and women in a society where there is deep trouble. Return with me to Matt. 24:13. Please keep in mind the context to what I believe is the greatest chapter on signs of the end time delivered by the Son of God Himself - Jesus Christ.
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
The disciples came to Jesus privately wanting to know what to look for just before He returns. Obviously they knew He would be leaving them but would return a 2nd time later. So Jesus outlined the signs which would precede His Second Coming.
You need to understand that Jesus intermingles the signs of the destruction of Jerusalem that would come in 70 AD, with the final destruction of the world by fire. Now for the sake of time I'm not going to look much at the destruction of Jerusalem that would come in 70 AD. I want to center on our time on our day, the last days.
Now here is something amazing. When we compare Jesus' prediction in Matthew 24 with the predictions in the book of Revelation, they provide an incredibly exact picture of our day.
When Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24 that in the end there would be:
Signs in the world of religion;
Signs in the world of politics;
Signs in the world of nature;
Signs in the world of social life, He was talking about our time.
Have you noticed that these signs are being played out in the headlines of our daily newspapers? Let's quickly examine each of these signs individually.
1st Signs in the world of religion.
Jesus said: "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many"
(Matthew 24:5) NKJV. Jesus said in the last days many false Christ would come claiming to be Christ and deceive many. Not some, not a few, but many!
Today thousands are searching for meaning and turning to cults. They turn to these false Christ's and false prophets who claim to be prophets and follow them. There is one thing we are certain, these false Christ's will not come with a sign around their necks saying, "We are false Christ's and false prophets." They will simply lead, and those who are looking for a leader will follow.
False religions have increased much in our generation. Books on the occult and astrology are selling in the millions throughout America and the world. Universities offer classes in ESP, psychic readings, and the occult. Many young people who were raised in Christianity have step aside of the truths they were taught and are being drawn to spiritualism and the occult.
It's sad but true, for years Cults have been recruiting those who are searching. 6 Years ago this month, March, 1997, 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult produced a farewell video and took their own lives. They believed that the Hale-Bopp comet had a spacecraft following it and coming to take them to the next level of life. The victims were found with purple cloths over their heads and shoulders. Now here is what is amazingly heartbreaking, in trying to identify the 39 bodies, police set up a toll free number for relatives to call. Within 24 hours, they received calls from over 1500 suffering families' members who had lost contact with their loved ones. For months or even years they had been trying to follow them. And now they were afraid they might have been a part of this cult.
Then there was Jim Jones of the People's Temple. He led nearly 1000 souls to their death in the jungles of Guyana when he convinced them to drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanide.
How many of you remember David Koresh? He led his followers to a fiery death in Waco, Texas in the early 90's. Not too long ago we had the Swiss cults whose members burned themselves to death. We had the Japanese cult who planned a nerve gas attack on Japanese subways.
Friends these are only a few examples of cults. Cults are everywhere who proclaims they have messages from God. But this is nothing more than Satan seeking to control their minds.
The Bible predicts that there would also be a mighty false revival just before the coming of Jesus. I'll save that for another sermon. But I will say this. I believe much of what is happening in many churches today in the name of Jesus, is nothing more than a false out pouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible also says that there will be increased interest in astrology and communication with the dead. Did you know that over two thousand newspapers in the United States alone carry astrology columns daily? Psychics and palm readers are commonplace in many cities. The last time Kathy and I were in Branson, MO, I was surprise to see one on the main street through town. Now you have the 1900, "psychics are us" numbers. A person is only a click away from finding thousands psychics on the internet.
The bottom line is this, when Jesus said there would be signs in the world of religion just before He returns, He knew what He was talking about.
Next Jesus said there would be signs in the world of politics before He retuned. Verses 6 and 7 of Matthew 24 say;
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. . . . For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."
How many wars can you remember took place just in the last century? We had World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Arab Israeli Wars, the war in Bosnia. Then there was the Gulf War, Kosovo, southern and northern Ireland, and many others. Now we have the war that is about to begin again in Iraq. Friends, the list goes on and on.
I found one source that estimates 180 million people have been killed in the 20th century. This is a far greater total than from any other century in human history.
Indeed, Jesus was right when He said; "There would be wars and rumors of wars, nation would rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom."
Also speaking of our time was the Apostle Paul when he declared in 1 Thessalonians 5:3;
"For when they will say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them. . . . And they shall not escape"
Have you noticed how easily broken peace treaties are these days? Peace treaties fail because they are based on feeble human promises. Let me ask you something. Do you think we have a greater stability in the world today since the end of the Soviet Union? Actually, there's less. It's been more than 12 years since the Soviet Union collapsed. And during those years the economic conditions of Russia has continued to collapse as well. Kathy and I saw it first hand in 1993 and 1994.
As a result, many of the Atomic Scientist has not been paid. These people are angry, hungry and feel betrayed. According to our United States Energy Secretary, we know that terrorists have come to Russia seeking to buy plutonium to make nuclear bombs. Look at what we now know about North Korea and Iraq nuclear weapons. Where did they get the plutonium? Only God and they know. If you and I did not have total trust and the hope that Jesus will come again soon, these would be scary times.
Notice what Revelation adds: "The nations were angry and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged. And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints. And those who fear Your name, small and great. And should destroy those who destroy the earth" (Revelation 11:18).
Jesus said He would return when the human race has the capacity, the ability to destroy itself. Since 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, we have had that power and ability. The Bible also says in Luke 21:26; "Men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken."
Friends, we do not have to be afraid. Because the world will not be destroyed in a nuclear holocaust. What we see around us is nothing more than signs that Jesus is coming. We need not be concern with what is happening here on this earth right now. We need to be concern with what is happening in Heaven right now. Listen to Daniel 7:9-10;
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
V:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
V:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
V:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened."
This is what we must be concern with! Judgment has started. Listen to Revelation 14:6-7; This is known as the Three Angles messages. Listen to the 1st Angels message.
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
V:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." God's judgment "has come"! It is here it has started! Where will you stand if Jesus should return today? What will He find you doing?
To end I want to tell you a true story that took place in my office this past week. Larry Harrison gave me permission to relate this experience with you. Larry asked if he could speak to me about something he was concerned about. I invited him into my office and this is what he asked.
He said, "Pastor, on Sabbath we have a good amount of people each week. But on Wednesday evening during Prayer Meeting, we have so very few." He said, "If it wasn't for the new members you wouldn't have very many at all. Don't the members know that Jesus is about to come?"
Now place yourself in my shoes for a moment. One year ago we were preaching that Jesus is coming soon. Over 24 people from our series listened and believed what we were saying the Bible teaches. Now they see that we must not believe it ourselves after all. Because if we believed it, then you would think we would be in church each weeks Prayer Meetings and other church functions.
If you wonder what I said, I told Larry what the Bible calls His last day church, it comes from Revelation 3:14-17;
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; V:15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. V:16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
V:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:"
It says God's last day church will be Laodicean, lukewarm, and God will spit His lukewarm church out of His mouth. Is that what you want? To be spit out of God's mouth because you are asleep.
Friends, what excuse do you give God for not coming attending Prayer Meeting, vespers and the other church events? As I said a few mouths back, I don't need to hear your excuse. Save them for God. But remember, excuses will not save you or me.
Next week we will take up where we are leaving off in Matthew 24. We will continue looking at the Signs in the World of Jesus coming. I pray you will really take a look at your life between now and then and see where you stand.
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