- Well, good morning everyone. It's good to be back with you, I hope you've downloaded the notes, you got your pen ready to go, you're gonna wanna take some notes this morning. I do want to ask that you take your Bibles out and you go to Philippians chapter three verse 17. Philippians chapter three verse 17. Now today we're gonna jump into the Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament, we're gonna go to Matthew chapter 24, we're gonna be over in first Thessalonians, and we are gonna be landing in the end right back in Philippians Chapter three where we start. So get your Bibles ready to go and there will be some other versus that show up on the screen as well. Well, before I pray, I simply want to acknowledge that this is Memorial Day weekend, this is the weekend in which we remember those that have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We also wanna take some time to pray for the safety and protection of those that are in our military right now, continuing to stand up for the freedoms that we have in this country. So let's go before the Lord and pray, and I hope you'll spend some time giving thanks to the Lord throughout this weekend for those who've gone before us. So let's pray. Father in heaven, we're grateful, we're grateful for your grace and forgiveness in our lives. And, Lord, we give you thanks today for those that have sacrificed their lives, so that we might have the freedoms that we do in this country. Lord, we know that that was a very costly sacrifice, and we ask for your healing hand and protection upon those that are serving currently in our armed forces. We ask that you would be with their families, that you would provide peace and protection for them as well. Thank you for this weekend, the weekend that we remember the wonderful freedom that we have and the lives that have been sacrificed for that freedom. And, Lord, now we ask as we open up your word together that you'd give us eyes that would see your truth, minds that could understand your truth, and then hearts willing to obey. It's in Christ's name that we pray. Amen. Well, since you're already in Philippians chapter three verse 17, let me begin to read. He says, brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Now I read through verse one of chapter four because I think it goes with the section we just read. Originally they didn't have chapters and verses and Paul is summarizing everything in the book, and he is saying, look, we need to stand firm in these days and times. And I want you to look at that phrase found in verse 20 when he says that our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await a Savior. We eagerly await the coming of Jesus Christ. And that really is the topic we wanna talk about today, the second coming of Christ, and it really raises the very central question that is being talked about not only within churches, but within communities in our world and I'm sure others are asking it as well. And that is the question, is COVID-19 a sign of the end times? Is it a sign that we are approaching this moment when Christ comes again? And so today here's our topic, are we close to the end? And I thought it would give us a chance to talk about that very question because it is being asked and people are speaking on this subject as to whether or not the COVID-19 crisis is pointing towards the end of the ages and the coming of Christ. I must tell you that I have never been in a more apocalyptic timeframe than I am now, and I'm sure that you've recognized the same thing. I means feels more apocalyptic than anything at least I've ever experienced with shelves empty in stores and the complete shutdown of our economy. We can't really visit with one another, and there's just been so many things take place throughout our world and churches can't meet and people can't even go into hospitals and be with loved ones. And it just has that sense, that eerie sense that this is simply not right. And so the question comes up, is all that we are experiencing right now the end? And then, how do we live in light of it? Well, I think it's important, if we're gonna say, is COVID-19 a sign of the end? We need to define the word 'sign.' Now a sign according to biblical prophecy can be a symbol, it can be an event, it can be an object, it could be a place, it could even be a person whose existence or its existence, and here's the key, indicates something important on God's plan for the future. So when you look at the prophetic definition of the word 'sign' and they're throughout the Bible, its existence indicates that there is something important on God's timeframe. Now the Bible is full of prophetic statements, actually about 27% of the Bible is Bible prophecy. That's one in four verses. And regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ, there is 500 verses. And that means one out of every 25 verses in your Bible speak of the second coming of Jesus Christ. And of all the prophecies that are given throughout the Bible, those that have already been fulfilled have been fulfilled with a 100% accuracy. And that means that the prophecies concerning his second coming are definitely assured. Now when we think of Bible prophecy, we often look at it with the lens of understanding that God gives us these signs, so that we might have hope and we might be prepared for how we should live our lives. And there is one central message that we wanna focus on this morning, and that is even in light of the fact that there are signs indicating that his second coming is on its way and the recorded in Scripture and we wonder if the COVID-19 sign is one of them. Even as we consider all of the massive subjects we're gonna look at briefly this morning, we must remember that there is hope, and that hope is found through Jesus Christ. So as we begin, let's take a look at the major events leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Here is where I wanna begin, and we're not gonna cover everything, but we're gonna cover a few things that I think are absolutely important. And the first one is this, it is the return and rebirth of the nation of Israel. It is the return and rebirth of the nation of Israel. This is nothing short of a modern day miracle. When you look at the founding of the nation of Israel back in 1948, the opposition that they faced immediately, even though they had a ragtag army, God protected them, so that they could become a nation, and how they have emerged and grown over 70 years, it is absolutely an amazing, amazing story. And it's one that I would love to share with you and invite you to join us as we go back to Israel in April of 2021. We'll have some more dates that are coming, but you'll be able to see as we go all of the historical events and also the places where prophecy in the future will be fulfilled. And those dates will be coming out shortly, it's gonna be the last week of April and moving into the first week of May 2021, and we'll have some details for you, but it will ignite your passion for God's word, and especially, especially in light of what we've gone through with COVID-19. I think it's gonna be a fabulous trip, and I think the fact that we've gone through this global crisis will actually enhance it, so you're gonna wanna be a part of that. Well, there is a couple of examples I wanna go to to show you. I have given you a ton of passages, you are only gonna go to a couple. And so here is where I want you to go to the Book of Ezekiel. So go over into the Old Testament, and I want you to find a central passage to this discussion, and it's Ezekiel chapter 37. I'm gonna read for you a story that perhaps has been a part of your growing up time in Sunday school, and often times this story is read to kids in Sunday school classes. And I kind of wanna go through the events that are described here in Ezekiel chapter 37. And there has been songs that have been written about it, but it will illustrate what we're talking about with the return and rebirth of the nation. Ezekiel chapter 37, hopefully you're already there starting in verse one, let me begin to read. He says, the hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, you know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones, "and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, "and you shall live. "And I will lay sinews upon you, "and will cause flesh to come upon you, "and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, "and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord." Now before Ezekiel prophesize, let me give you the setting that was going on here. The nation of Judah is in captivity in Babylon, Ezekiel is a prophet, and God comes to him throughout this book and specifically in this chapter in the verses we read indicated, having him have a vision. And so God comes to him, gives him a vision regarding the future of the nation of Israel, and he tells them that I want you to prophesy regarding what you just saw, this vision of a valley filled with bones. So now look at verse seven. He said, so I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them, but there was no breath in them. And then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; "prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, "Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, "and breathe on these slain, that they may live." So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then he said to me, "Son of man, "these bones are the whole house of Israel. "Behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up, "'and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.' "Therefore prophesy, and say to them, "Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I will open your graves "and raise you from your graves, O my people. "And I will bring you into the land of Israel. "And you shall know that I am the Lord, "and when I open your graves, "and raise you from your graves, O my people." And here it is, "I will put my Spirit within you, "and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. "Then you shall know that I am the Lord; "I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord." Now it's within this passage that you actually see two stages involving the return of the nation or the rebirth of the nation of Israel. God says through Ezekiel in verses one through eight that the nation will come and it will be like and uses this metaphor of bones having skin placed upon them, but you'll notice at the end of verse eight, there is no breath, there is no life there. This describes the return that we're currently seeing to the nation of Israel. However, the reason why there is a second part of this or stage two that happens right before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is because nine through 10 describe how the spirit of God comes within the nation. And he actually interprets the entire vision starting in verse 11 and he talks about how is gathering together the whole house of Israel from the four corners of the earth and then he places his spirit within them. So you have the nation returning as we currently see that was formed in 1948, thousands are emigrating back to the nation. And now eventually we'll move into a time, which we'll describe in just a few moments where it's gonna be hell on earth, and as a result of all of these incredible apocalyptic future events that are gonna take place. The nation of Israel through all of that is going to turn finally to Jesus Christ recognizing him as Messiah and Lord, the remnant that is still here, we'll turn and trust in Christ, and that's when his spirit will empower them, and they will become the people that God has always intended. Now another section to go to, which proves it again is just stay in that same chapter, Ezekiel chapter 37 and look at verse 21. You'll see the same pattern as you will in all the other passages that I've listed here. He says, then say to them, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. That's happening right now, that stage one of their return. Now look at verse 22, and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions, but I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. In other words, once again, and it's confirmed over and over again, they return to the land, they will go through this incredible period that we're gonna talk about in just a minute, and then right before the second coming of Christ, they'll acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Savior and Messiah, and that's when it says here that they shall be my people and I will be their God. So they're returning on belief, and then when Christ comes again, the remnant that's still alive we'll turn to him as Savior and Lord. There's one more passage I want you to see here, it's Jeremiah 23 three and four. It says this, then I will gather the remnant of my flock, as I just mentioned, out of all the countries where I've driven them and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. Boy, we see that going on right now in the nation of Israel and you'll see it if you join us. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more. This is speaking of when they turn back to Jesus as Messiah right before his coming when they see them in the clouds coming back to earth. Nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord. Well, what's another major event? Well, it's the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ. Now I'm gonna ask that you go to first Thessalonians from where you are, go back to the New Testament, you'll go past the book of Philippians, and I want you to locate first Thessalonians and then I want you to find chapter four and locate verse 13. Let's begin to talk about this thing called the rapture of the church. Now Paul is addressing individuals who are asking questions about the end times and they're wondering what is going on. So he begins to fill in the gaps, and he says in verse 13, But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethrens, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. We have hope. Is it for since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Why? Because if you die here on this planet before this event takes place he's gonna describe, you're going in the presence of the Lord. For this we will declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, those of us that still remain who are left until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up. There it is. Caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words. He is describing the rapture of the church. He uses the word 'caught up.' And what he's simply saying is this that those who die going to the presence of the Lord, and when this event takes place, Jesus will come in the clouds, he will not set foot on the earth, the church will be raptured up to join him, and all of our bodies, both the dead and those that are alive will be transformed into our resurrected bodies and we will be with the Lord, Jesus Christ. This is the next imminent event that will take place in the timeline of God's prophetic timeline for us. Now once this rapture takes place, there is another event though that coincides with it that I want you to see real quickly here. If you go now to second Thessalonians chapter two, just turn to the right briefly, and I want you locate verse one. I now want to describe another event that happens that coincides with the rapture of the church. He says, now concerning, in verse one of chapter two, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together in him, that's the rapture we just spoke of, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Now he is gonna explain this day of the Lord, this time of judgment, but it is after the rapture takes place. Verse three, let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. We'll talk about him in just a minute, but just so you know and you're not lost in everything we're covering here, that's the Antichrist. He calls him the son of destruction who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called God or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God. Well, that indicates that there is gonna be another temple that's rebuilt on the Temple Mount. We'll come back to this guy in just a moment, but he goes into this new temple, he sets himself up as God, proclaiming himself to be God. He says in verse five, do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him. That's the force I want you to, or the couple of words I want you to circle. There is a restraining force. What is restraining him now, so that he may be revealed in his time. So we'll stop there for a second. So coinciding with the rapture of the church, verse one, and what we just read, there is going to be the restraining force that is holding back this evil presence that is always there that will finally show up in the personified person of the Antichrist. This restraining force will be removed. The question you have to ask yourself is, what is the restraining force? Well, the restraining force is not the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit will actually be present during this awful period of time called the tribulation period, which we'll mention in just a minute because people will get saved during this period of time. However, it is the Holy Spirit working through the church right now, and the church is that this force that is restraining him from coming forward. Practically I just want you to think about it this way. What is the single group of individuals that continually, continually holds our culture accountable? What's the group that stands for the pro-life movement? What's the group that stands for morality around the globe and definitely in this country? Battle after battle after battle is being phased right now in the midst of our culture, and the group that is on the front lines is the church of Jesus Christ, the true church. They believe in the gospel and they're trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord, but they really are the force that stands for truth and morality in our country. And when that force is removed, all hell will break loose. And that's where we turn our attention to the road signs of the tribulation because those events take place just prior to the tribulation period. Now I want you to go to Matthew chapter 24, so go left from where you are, and we'll eventually come back to Philippians, but I want you to go to Matthew chapter 24 because Jesus begins to talk about this period of time and the events that are found in this period are in Matthew chapter 24 and 25. So look there with me. In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus is asked a question by the disciples, and then he begins to unfold the signs that are in the midst of what is called the tribulation time. Now this is referred to as the Olivet discourse because Jesus was on the Mount of Olives when he was describing it, but look at verse one of chapter 24. Jesus left the temple and was going away, and when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? "Truly, I say to you, "there will not be left here one stone upon another "that will not be thrown down." Now Jesus is talking about the destruction of the temple. We know that the destruction of Herod's Temple happened in fulfillment of this prophecy that was given in AD 70 under the Roman ruler, Titus. We'll now look at verse three because this causes some questions to come up in the minds of the disciples when Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple. He says in verse three, 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? There's really three questions there. When are the events of the temple gonna take place? And then what's the sign of your coming? They're speaking of the second coming, and of the end of the age. Verse four, and Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. "For many will come in my name, "saying, 'I am the Christ,' they will lead many astray. "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. "See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, "but the end is not yet. "For nation will rise against nation, "and kingdom against kingdom, "and there will be famines "and earthquakes in various places. "All these are but the beginning of birth pains. "And then they will deliver you up to tribulation "and put you to death, "and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. "And then many will fall away "and betray one another and hate one another. "And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. "And because lawlessness will be increased, "the love of many will grow cold. "But the one who endures to the end will be saved. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed "throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, "and then the end will come." Now verse 15, so when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place, let the reader understand. This individual, this abomination of desolation is an individual, it's spoken of in Daniel chapter nine verses 24 through 27. This is the individual I was referring to earlier that we saw over in second Thessalonians chapter two, this lawless individual, and he's gonnaa show up in the middle of this tribulation period, this time of incredible events that Jesus describes here. Now it's important to understand this. The events that Jesus describes in Matthew chapter 24 and 25 take place during a seven-year tribulation period. Where did we get the seven years from? Well, we get the reference from a couple of places, primarily Daniel chapter 24 versus 24 to 27, you can look through on your own. And Daniel talks about this 70th week and he is not referring to a week, he is actually referring to seven years. One day in that 70th week equals one year. We know that by the clues that are given in the passage. Daniel is talking to God and asking for him to tell him, what are the years of the nation's history? He's talking about years here. And so 70th week in Daniel chapter nine equals seven years. It's also referred to in Revelation chapter 11 verses two and three and a couple of other spots as well. So it's a seven-year time period. Now when does it begin? Well, that begins when this man who is behind the abomination of desolation. Again, it's mentioned in the prophet Daniel and the one we referred to earlier in second Thessalonians chapter two signs a false peace agreement with the nation of Israel. He is a world ruler. And it's false peace because three and half years into it, he breaks it. And then according to verse 15, he abominates the new temple that's going to be built, there's gonna be a third temple. As a matter of fact, the Jewish people have already started developing and they already have the implements, they're gonna use for this third temple. And three and a half years into this seven-year tribulation period, the Antichrist is actually going to set himself up as God in the temple and he causes a desolation. So the temple that Jesus is referring to here in Matthew 24 one and two, Herod's Temple is destroyed, and then the third temple experiences this abomination of desolation when this guy sets himself up as God. Now the events that Jesus describes here in chapter 24, the deception of these false Christ that are mentioned, there is actually eight different signs here. There's disputes and warfare, there is devastation throughout the entire world. At the end of verse seven, he speaks of famines and earthquakes in various places. Now the parallel account to this by the way is Luke chapter 21. And in Luke chapter 21, Luke adds details that Matthew didn't include. That's why it's called a synoptic gospel, we get the fullest picture of the life of Christ when we compare Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but Matthew, Mark and Luke have parallel accounts, that's why we call them synoptic gospels. And in Luke chapter 21, it parallels this. And when you get to Luke chapter 21 verse 11, Luke is including other kinds of details, and he actually says that there are famines and earthquakes and pestilence or pandemics, which is the reason why people are asking, is the pandemic of COVID-19 a sign that we are approaching the second coming of Jesus Christ? And he describes other events as well. Now if we go through the list, just mentioning them briefly, there is deliverance of believers to tribulation, there is false prophets leading people astray, and eventually the gospel is declared to the nations during the seven-year period of time. We see technology today that would allow us to do that like we've never seen before, the rise of the Antichrist who signs this false peace agreement, and then desecrates the temple itself. And then by the time we get to the end of chapter 24, right around verse 30, he actually begins to talk about the sign of the coming of Jesus Christ and the sign that would indicate that Christ is coming to this earth. Now Matthew also gives the illustration of a fig tree in verse 32, which describes how the generation that's gonna see these incredible events will actually, if they're still alive, it's that generation that will see the coming of Christ. Why? Because it's seven-year time period. And once it begins, the events that Jesus describe happen rapid fire, and they grow in intensity, they're like birth pains, he says in verse eight, and it's like dominoes. If you've ever played dominoes, once you line them all up, if you hit the first one, they all start falling over. Now it's interesting that the rapture is not mentioned here. Why? Because the rapture happens prior to Matthew 24. And so, then we ask the question, well, if the rapture happens and we're not here as the church of Jesus Christ, then why should I be concerned about these signs? Well, it's because of this very reason. Future signs cast their shadow before them. And these things or these signs that Jesus mentions here in Matthew chapter 24, while they're gonna come in full form here in the tribulation period, we are beginning to see some of the birth pains that Jesus talks about in verse eight beginning to take place. He says that these signs that are taking place are now beginning, they will be in full form in the tribulation, but because they cast their shadow before them, they will begin and start in some way, shape or form even before we get there. We have a clue in verse eight, he says that these are like birth pains. Well, for those of you that are familiar with it, birth pains come in contractions and then intensity, and then they subside, but then they keep growing until the birth of the child. And these events that are going to take place spillover, so to speak prior to the rapture, I believe, so that there is a subtle sign that we're getting closer and closer and closer as they begin grow in intensity, then the rapture happens, and then they really become evident during the tribulation period. Now, one of the former professors at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. John Walvoord gives this illustration which helps us. When we move into the fall, we begin to see evidence in our stores that Christmas is coming, all the decorations start coming out, but the one holiday that often times is forgotten is the holiday of Thanksgiving, there is just not a whole lot of decorations. However, we know that by the decorations in the fall that starts showing up that Christmas is on its way, we assume, hey, wait a minute, Thanksgiving is just prior to Christmas. Well, it's kind of like that regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ. It's like the advertisements and all the decorations are showing up around is that the second coming is on its way, and things are building and growing in intensity, but Thanksgiving is like the rapture. That's going to come for the church because God has not destined us to wrath. Now the big question though that we have to ask ourselves is, are these signs that are mentioned here a sign of the rapture? I'd answer that, I've already done so, it's no. Well, but are they a sign of the second coming of Jesus Christ? Absolutely, they are a sign of the second coming of Jesus Christ, but is COVID-19 the sign of his second coming? Well, I'd have to say no. And the reason for that is simply this, it doesn't match up with all of the other signs that are found here that are growing in intensity. Now is COVID-19 an indication that we might be getting closer? Yeah, that's possible, but COVID-19 does not fit all of the other signs that are found here. We've had global pandemics before famines, pestilence, but even though those are fairly obvious of the second coming of Jesus Christ. COVID-19, well, it might be an indication we're getting closer, I don't believe is the sign that's found here in the tribulation period because the rapture hasn't happened first, but again it's like birth pains, things are growing, and we're getting an indication, even our world today that we're moving closer and closer. I mean, there are things that are lining up in ways that we've just never seen before, and I think it's the beginning of the birth pains. While COVID-19 is not a sign that we are in the tribulation period, it certainly gives indication that you could easily have a situation where someone could come forward in the midst of a global crisis, become a world leader, sign a peace treaty with Israel, which is being sought after right now. These are current events, I'm just taking it from the headlines, and begin to rapid fire move us towards the second coming of Christ. So in light of all of that, the fact that much of Ezekiel 36 and 37 have already been fulfilled, we see an alignment between Russia and ancient Persia, Iran and Turkey, we see them beginning to work together. We see opposition worldwide against the nation of Israel. Once the rapture happens, the church is removed, you can see where they're going to attack Israel at an even greater intensity. And so in light of all of that, in light of the fact that, well, COVID-19 might not be the sign we are in the tribulation that is spoken of here. I think we need to ask this question, and that is, how do we live in light of the second coming of Jesus Christ? I mean, these events should shake us up, these events should cause us to rapid fire move in a direction of turning our hearts to Jesus Christ. We need to turn and we need to trust. We need to look back to God, and that's often times what happens. Prophecy gives us hope, prophecy points towards the second coming of Christ, but it also shake us up. When we begin to consider that these events that we are experiencing today are God's way, especially when it comes to pandemics and plagues, of shaking our world, so that we can grow in a deeper relationship with him and not become bitter. And that happens when we give our lives to Christ as Savior and Lord. Look at Jeremiah 18 seven and eight, he says, if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, and will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. He says, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do it, if they turn and repent. Why is that the case? Well, it's because God doesn't desire that anyone should perish. First Timothy two, four says, who desires? God he's speaking of, all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He says, look, if you're willing to repent and turn to him, he will save you. That's why I love probably the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. God loves us. Why? Because he knew we were stuck in our sin, and he provided a redeemer, Jesus Christ, and whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. So if you're listening today and you're wondering about the signs of the times and you're asking that question, is COVID-19 a sign that we are approaching the end? Well, I don't believe it's the sign that points that Jesus Christ is going to land here on earth in his second coming. I believe there's things that happen before that, but I will tell you this, you need to get your heart in order. The rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ could happen at any moment. Nothing needs to happen before that event takes place. And I hope you're a part of it. And the way you become a part of it is by entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith. And that happens when you acknowledge your sin, and say, God, I'm a sinner, and you turn to Jesus Christ believing he died in the cross for your sin and rose from the grave, ask him to save you and tell him you wanna follow him as the leader of your life. Well, next, we need to know the truth and be careful of false deception. Now that's where we land back in the book of Philippians. Paul is speaking to believers, but he begins in verse 17 of chapter three describing the false teachers that are there. It just raises the issue that there are false teachers that are out there and they're gonna continue to grow in intensity. Matthew 24 says that hearts will grow cold, Paul brings up in second Timothy chapter three verses one through three, there is gonna be a growing apostasy, people would begin to move from the truth. We must stand on the truth of God's word, focus on the essentials of the good news of Jesus Christ, set aside those things that we might have some minor disagreements on and understand our faith and be able to defend our faith. Now let me just give you one little caveat of the thought right here and now. I've explained to you the view that I believe is best regarding where the rapture happens. There are others that disagree with me on this issue. Some place it in the middle of the tribulation period, some place it after the middle, and then some place it right before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Some of those issues we consider in our denomination the Evangelical Free Church a secondary minor issue. While I've given to you what I believe Scripture clearly teaches regarding the rapture of the church, it's our great hope. We do understand that within evangelical Christianity, there are some differences of opinion, and that's why I love our denomination because while I'm able to communicate to you what I believe Scripture clearly teaches, I do know that there are others who love Jesus Christ, who disagree with me. And you know what, we agree to disagree, and whenever we speak to one another, we speak with love. We welcome you to be a part of Rockpoint Church, but I also want you to know what I believe the Scriptures clearly teach on this incredible issue and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Well, here is another reminder, get your life ready for his imminent return. You need to be ready. Nothing is going to happen before the rapture that hasn't already happened, and therefore we need to be ready. Paul says that our citizenship is in heaven, just like a Roman citizen would have rights and responsibilities, we have rights and responsibilities as a follower of Jesus Christ. We know our salvation is secure, therefore, Paul has already stated in his book, we need to live a life that is befitting of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And then in verse one of chapter four to stand firm in the midst of everything that we've talked about. We also must understand that in first John 3:3, we need to have everyone who is anticipating the coming of Jesus Christ, and everyone who thus hopes in him, John tells purifies himself as he is pure. In other words, get your life ready for his imminent return, live with a sober mind focusing on the coming of Jesus Christ. And remember, we win. That's the whole point of what Paul is after here. We await, it's sure, and it's with eager anticipation, that's what is behind verse 20. The past prophetic events in our Bible have been fulfilled with 100% accuracy, and so we know that his second coming is sure. And remember, remember, he wins. And here's another one that flows right out of it that I think summarizes everything that we've talked about, do not live in fear. Jesus said in John chapter 14, he said, don't let your hearts be troubled. And by the time we get into Matthew chapter five where Jesus is talking about how we should live as a genuine follower. He says in Matthew chapter five, and then moves into chapter six verse 25 where he says, don't let your hearts get so anxious, trust in me. God knows what he is about, seek first my kingdom, even in the midst of, of what we go through. Realize that we win, that's our great hope of knowing that Christ is coming again for us, and his grace is sufficient to help us live this life. And, therefore, as we anticipate his coming, we don't live in fear. In Psalm 46 one through three, he says this, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. He is our refuge and our strength. And then in verse 10, same chapter, he says, "Be still, and know that I am God. "I will be exalted among the nations, "I will be exalted in the earth!" Here's my closing remarks on this massive subject that you've been so patient in allowing me to rapid fire move us through. And answering the question, is COVID-19 a sign that we are approaching the second coming of Jesus Christ? Well, I have to say no because it doesn't fit the description of the signs that are described in Matthew chapter 24. However, it's the beginning of the birth pains. I believe these things are gonna grow in intensity. And it means that those events in Matthew 24 cast a shadow on everything before it. However, here is what I want you to grasp as we enter a time together, seize the moment. Make sure that you realize that God is once again putting the globe in his hands and shaking all of us, and causing us to ask this central question, how is your relationship with him? Maybe you don't know him as Savior and Lord. Well, that happens when you are finally willing to confess your sin and say, God, I am a sinner, and then turn to Jesus Christ as Lord, as God, and as the one who paid the price for your sin, and put your whole trust in him. Just simply say, God, I am a sinner, and I believe I deserve to be punished because of it, but what I believe Jesus died for my sin and rose from the grave. I put my trust in you as my Savior and the Lord of my life, help me to follow you. If you pray that prayer, God will transform you, change you, and then you can be a part of all of these events that are gonna take place called the rapture of the church and join us in heaven with God forever. And for those of us that have made that choice, I wanna ask you, will you continue to share? For those that do keep sharing Jesus Christ to our world. I love the phrase that Josh McDowell whom many of you know, puts on the bottom of every one of his letters, and he says this, until the whole world knows. Well, let's keep sharing Jesus Christ until the whole world knows. Let's pray. Father, thank you for what you have communicated to us. And, Lord, as we move into our world in the midst of this crisis as we anticipate getting back together again, may we never lose the lessons we've learned, that we need to trust you as Savior, and we need to share you with those who need hope. It's in Christ we pray. Amen.