Treasured Truth Today, Prophetic Messages, Kenneth Humphries


	Series on “Prophetic Messages”

							Title The Coming of the Lord to the Earth! Europe in Bible Prophecy! The Coming of the Lord to the Air! Prophecy at a Glance!
			Scripture Ref. Zechariah 14 v 3 - 4 Daniel/Revelation 1 Thess 4 v 13 - 18 Revelation 1 v 1 - 3


		The Coming of the Lord to the Earth! Reading Zechariah 14 v 3-4.

	Introduction. One of the clearest scriptures referring to the descent of Christ from heaven to this earth again in person is to be found in Zechariah 14 v 3-4. ”Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south” What a wonderful thought! What comfort and joy such a truth brings! The Lord himself shall stand once more upon this old planet, and we shall see Him as He is, not as He was. He will come to quell wickedness, and subdue every evil force. In the words of scripture he will “make crooked things straight and rough places plain.” In this 14th chapter of Zechariah there is a very clear description of a great battle that is fought outside the city of Jerusalem. The inhabitants of Jerusalem are finding it hard to say the least, the invading force has surrounded them. Jerusalem is taken, the houses rifled, the woman dishonoured, and half the inhabitants taken captive, the little residue a forlorn group, cut off from the city. Suddenly, against the sombre background of this dark forbidding picture there flashes the wonderful announcement, “then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations” The Lord descends to the earth for the relief of the sons of Abraham, the children of the covenant. Extraordinary convulsions add amazing awe to the splendour of His wonderful appearing. The mountains split beneath his feet, the earth quakes and shakes. The destroyers are destroyed; the remnant is relieved, and the one who once died with an inscription written over his head, “This is the king of the Jews” comes to prove it so! Oh, what a moment! And listen! Listen! Beloved, you cannot read such an account without remembering with great clarity the angelic words. ”Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” Acts 1 v 11. Oh! The King is coming, The King is coming I just heard the trumpet sounding and now his face I see Oh! The King is coming The King is coming Praise God He’s coming for me. Oh, I know there are some things to precede his coming to the earth. The return of Christ to the air for the Church! Some events that will take place in Heaven! The judgement seat of Christ! The Marriage Supper of the Lamb! But listen! Listen! We need to understand it’s the King that is coming to earth. You know, there are some wonderful titles given to the Lord Jesus throughout Scripture. He is called the Lamb of God! The Prince of the Kings of the earth! The Good Shepherd! The Great Shepherd! The Chief Shepherd! He’s Lord of Lords and King of Kings! He’s the Alpha and Omega! He’s the Beginning and the End! He’s the Faithful and True Witness! He’s the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls! He’s the Apostle and High Priest of our profession! He’s the Bright and Morning Star! The Lion of the Tribe of Judah! He’s the Son of Righteousness! And we could go on and on! But here’s the point. When you get through this exercise of finding all those titles and placing them in their right order you will discover every title places the Lord Jesus in a different position. And if you get the title, and you get the position, then you will not be far out with your understanding of prophetic scripture. Let me unpack some of those titles for you very quickly! For example the word Saviour! He was born Saviour! “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour” He lived a Saviour! “Of this man’s seed (David) hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus” Acts.13 v 23.

	He died a Saviour! He rose a Saviour! And today, He’s a Prince and a Saviour! And when He comes to the air we are looking for the Saviour! Now not all of his titles can be followed through like that. For example “The Good Shepherd.” Why? Well because we must stop at Calvary. Because “The Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10 v 11. ”The Great Shepherd” you know don’t you that the title “The Great Shepherd” belongs to the resurrection. ”For the God of peace, who brought again from the dead The Great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant” Heb.13 v 20. And when you come from the Good Shepherd and Calvary to the Great Shepherd and the resurrection you move to the Chief Shepherd, and of course that title belongs to His coming to the air. ”When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” 1 Peter 5 v 4.


	And if you can find all His titles and find their place in Prophetic Scripture it will give you the simplest of stepping stones as a pathway to truth. And that truth will become even more precious to you and your theology will become doxology. The reason I believe truth means little or nothing to so many today beloved, is because our theology has lost its doxology. Psalm 119 v 54 “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.” Statutes and Songs! We don’t often put those two together today! The Psalmist says, your Statutes, your Truths, your Word, your Doctrines have been my song as I walk through this waste, howling wilderness of a world. Psalm 137. The reason the children of Israel were down in Babylon and in captivity were because they had lost their song! You see there are titles that belong to His coming to the air and titles that belong to His coming to the earth and we must not confuse them. And that is where I am coming from tonight! Read with me in Luke Ch.1 v 30-33: Seven great Shall’s! 1. “Thou shalt conceive and bring forth a son” His gender known! 2. “And shalt call his name Jesus” His name known! 3. “He shall be great” His personality known! 4. “He shall be called the Son of the Highest” His authority known! And we know those four have all been fulfilled! But there are three more Shall’s in this passage. 5. “And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of His Father David.” Not yet fulfilled! You see David had a Throne, but one day Nebuchadnezzar came and removed the crown from Israel and God said, I will overturn, overturn, until he comes whose right it is and I will give it him. And there has not been a grown head over Israel from that day until now. But it was promised that the Lord God would give Jesus Christ the throne of His Father David. That is of course the earthly throne of Israel. Don’t mix it up with the throne he occupies now! For the throne Jesus Christ sits on just now was never occupied by David, and never will be occupied by any earthly king. 6. “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever.” Not yet fulfilled! He was not reigning over them when they cried, away with Him, away with Him, we have no king but Caesar. They were despising and rejecting him! 7. “And of His Kingdom there shall be no end.” Yet to be fulfilled! Keep in mind, He is the King Eternal! He’s coming back to this earth to take the throne of His Father David, but not only that, He’s coming back as the King of Kings, for every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And Jesus shall reign where’r the sun doeth it’s successive journey’s run! And after all that I want to lift out some of His titles and perhaps that will allow us to see things as we should. A. He Is Called the Stone! Dan.2 v 34-35. That’s the Ferocity of the coming King! The king had a dream; he could not remember what he had dreamed, so Daniel was brought in to help! Ch.2 v 31 is what Daniel told the king. (Give background to and describe image!) You see Jesus Christ is coming to earth as the stone to smash this revived Roman Empire which will come under the control of Satan’s man, at least for a time. Last time He came to earth they crushed a crown of thorns onto his lovely brow; they bowed the knee in mockery, but this time the tables are turned. He will do the crushing; He will smash in pieces the empire of the man of sin. He is coming in great fury and judgement. That’s His ferocity B. He Is Called the Lord! Zech.14 v 1-5. That’s the Deity of the King! v 5 “And the Lord my God shall come and all his saints with him” Notice it’s all His saints coming with Him, and if He is coming with all His saints, it stands to reason He must have first come for them!

	Notice also, it’s “the Lord my God shall come” Zech.14 v 9. ”And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” For those who cannot accept that Jesus Christ is Lord they should read this from Dr. John Phillips of the Exploring Series. John 1 v 1. ”In the beginning was the Word” He is eternally God! ”And the Word was with God” He is equally God! ”And the Word was God” He is essentially God! It’s the Lord my God shall come, revealing to us the Deity that belongs to the King.


	Titus Ch.2 v 11-14 . Listen! Listen! “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of The Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” And all the time we live here we should be looking for that blessed hope! And what’s the blessed hope? The coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ. That’s to do with his coming to the air! Ah, but there’s another statement in there. ”And the glorious appearing of The Great God and our Saviour.” That’s to do with His coming to the earth! There are two things that should keep us living as close to the Lord as is possible for a saved sinner to live, that is His coming to the air and His coming to the earth. Why? 1 Tim: 1 v 17. ”Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.” Who’s The King Eternal? Jesus! Who’s Immortal? Jesus! Who’s Invisible? Jesus! Who’s The Only Wise God? Jesus! And it’s He who is coming to the air, it’s He who is coming to the earth and when He comes all men and women everywhere shall see Him in all His glorious glory and they shall know then as never before. ‘Tis the Lord, O wondrous story, ‘Tis the Lord the King of Glory! At his feet we humbly fall, crown him, crown Him Lord of all. Read 2 Thess.1 v 3-10. ”We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in His Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe because our testimony among you was believed in that day” It’s the Lord who is coming, make no mistake about it! C. He Is Called the Son of Man! Luke 17 v 26-30. That’s the Humanity of the King! ”As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when The Son of Man is revealed” That is the title He loved on earth and this old world is not going to be allowed to forget that it’s this same Jesus that walked this earth, that was abused and misused while on this earth, and it’s this same world, just as if they had been present at Calvary treated him so shamefully! This world will be reminded that they disregarded Him like a piece of rubbish fit only for the dung heap. For that’s where they took Him, that’s where they crucified Him, that’s where they left Him, outside the city wall, on the rubbish heap. Ah, but the shoe is on the other foot now. Yes, it’s the King who has come, but never forget, He was God manifest in flesh, and His coming will remind them, both the living and the dead as to who He really was.

	D. He Is Called The Faithful And True! Rev.19 v 11. That’s the Fidelity of the King! ”And I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doeth judge and make war.” In Revelation chapter 4 we see a door open in heaven to let John in but here we see all heaven open to let Jesus out. It’s the moment when the saints, the hosts go marching out of heaven not, on this occasion marching in. Rev.1 v 7. ”Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also, which pierced him: and all kindred of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, amen.” Rev. 19 v 12. ”His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns (diadems) and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself”


	In righteousness he doeth judge and all he will have to do when he looks at those peoples and nations is to look at them with those eyes that were as a flame of fire and their evil guilt will be revealed for all to see and none to question! This beloved is a judgement that will be as true as it is possible for any judgement to be. Abraham said many years ago, when pleading for Sodom! ”And Abraham drew near, and said, wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: shall not the judge of all the earth do right” Abraham boldly challenging God to be careful lest he get it wrong! Listen folks when He comes as the faithful and true there will be no mistake; there is a fidelity about the King at His coming! E. He Is Called the Word of God! Rev.19 v 13. That’s the Eternality of the King! ”He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called the Word of God” This is the name whereby his majesty will be manifested, for when he comes to earth again it will be with authority. Jesus Christ was always the Eternal Word John 1 v 1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” A text quoted earlier. But when that word became flesh John 1 v 14. ”And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the father) full of grace and truth” When that Word became flesh His own people would not receive Him. John 1 v 11 “He came unto his own and his own received him not.” And yet it was this very Word who spoke the worlds into being Psalm 33 v 6. As the Eternal Word He was always the expression of God, but at His next appearing on earth He will exercise full authority in expressing the Father’s judicial attitude. As words are a vehicle of expression to the mind and heart of some personality, so Christ, The Word of God, is the only perfect expression of God. Spoken words are not merely a sound; they are wonderfully alive, and this is more true of the Divine Word. Heb.4 v 12. ”For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thought’s and intents of the heart” Here Jesus Christ is both Warrior and Word! F. He Is Called the King of Kings! Rev.19 v 14-16. That’s the Majesty of the King! ”And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” Without doubt this is the majesty of the King! Coming with His armies and coming in final authority. Here we see the mighty captain leading his armies from heaven to earth. These are the soldier saints whom He took to heaven. The plural “armies” suggests more than one company. It is quite possible they include the Old Testament saints, the church saints, the saints of the tribulation. Their clothes indicate that they are all saved people! What an amazing, magnificent army this is! The lamb’s bride will be with him; but on this occasion she is not dressed for a wedding but for war, you see, here the redeemed are a militant force. Doubtless there will be a hosts of angels in that army because our Lord did tell his disciples that the holy angels would be with him when he returned in glory Matt.25 v 31.This mighty event was divinely revealed to Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam. Jude writes v 14-15. ”And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him”

	These armies are not mere symbols; they are real! Christ Jesus is the Lord of hosts, Jehovah-Sabaoth, and the armies of heaven are as real as Christ Himself. And please note he is coming as conqueror! He is the conqueror! He is the only one who engages in the conflict. It is He who smites the nations. The armies merely view the battle and do no more. Most battles are fought by the armies while the general directs from a vantage point. But this general is unique, and listen, listen, He has never lost a battle yet. Praise His Name! John notices his name as he goeth forth to war. King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s! The absolute sovereign and sole ruler of the earth He comes to claim His rightful place forevermore and of His kingdom there shall be no end!


	Luke 19 v 12-27 . As the nobleman who goes into a far country He now returns to establish His kingdom. And at long last, “the government shall be upon his shoulder…of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” Isa. 9 v 6-7. It’s the complete fulfilment of Psalm 2 & 24! G. He Is Called the Sun of Righteousness! Mal. 4 v 2. That’s the Ability of the King! The righteous will be rescued in the coming day of judgement. This “day of the Lord,” foretold by Joel and other prophets, is very clearly highlighted by Malachi: “Behold the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble” Mal.4 v1. Malachi saw that coming day in his vision, but he also saw the coming dawn, after warning of judgement, God said, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” Mal. 4 v 2. And as Dr. John Phillips says: The terrible night of the great tribulation will end and a new day will dawn for God’s people. Jesus will come and once he has performed the radical surgery of Armageddon and the valley of Jehoshaphat, there will be a time of healing. Then the world will become a safe place, as indicated by the pastoral illustration of calves being loosed from their stalls. In this world of sin, the wicked often triumph over the righteous, but in the coming doom there will be a complete reversal. Malachi foresaw the righteous coming into their own. The Lord said to them: “Ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this” Mal. 4 v 3. End quote! Dear friend, please understand, the Lord is returning to this earth in great power and glory, He will make a mark on this planet the like of which this world has never thought of. ‘Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, doeth his successive journey run; His kingdom spread from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more. And from that moment onward, what a wonderful world this will become. Are you not glad you are part of the God plan for this planet? Maybe you have been listening to this message this evening, or by tape in your own home at a later date, maybe you are reading this sermon on the net. You are not part of God’s plan for this planet simply because you have never believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your own and personal Saviour. Then why not take that step just now and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved becoming part of God’s eternal plan for this planet.

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		Europe in Bible Prophecy!

	An often asked question these days as I travel from place to place preaching the prophetic message is, does Europe really have a role in Biblical Prophecy? A question I firmly believe deserves an answer in this enlightened, yet troubled age. The following is an article which comes directly from the publicity machine of the European Union via the Internet. The article is headed ‘Seven key days in the making of Europe.’ The building of a united Europe is undoubtedly one of the greatest historical undertakings of the 20th century. It is a process grounded in the positive values with which our civilisation identifies - the preservation of peace, economic and social progress, respect for the person and the predominance of right over might - and, over the nearly fifty years for which the process has been under way, there have been some moments of crisis but also major successes. Six countries originally rallied to the concept of a united Europe, now there are fifteen, while more than ten others feel drawn towards that ideal and have applied to join the European Union. The 20th century bears tragic scars left by the rise and then the collapse of the totalitarian ideologies. As the third millennium dawns, the movement towards a voluntary union among Europe’s peoples is still only a collective venture inspired by an ideal, which looks beyond the conflicts of the past to a way of working together to shape the future. Today it is clearly the only credible answer to the hazards and opportunities posed by the increasing globalisation or the world economy. Like all other histories, that of the European Union has had its high points, it’s symbolic dates. Seven of them are worth remembering, as they made the Europe we live in today - and they are the keys to the continent, which will be ours tomorrow. 9 May 1950: Europe is born. 25 March 1957: The European Economic Community. 20 July 1963: Yaounde, the beginnings of an international role. 1 January 1973: the first enlargement of the European Community. 7-10 June 1979: the first direct elections to the European Parliament by universal suffrage. 17 February 1986: the signing of the single European Act. 1 November 1993: the European Union. When the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992, came into force on the 1 November 1993, it gave European integration a whole new dimension. The European Community, which was essentially economic in aspiration and content, was transformed into a European Union, which now stands on three pillars. The Community pillar is run according to the traditional institutional procedures and governs the operations of the Commission, Parliament, the Council and the Court of Justice; basically, it involves managing the internal market and the common policies. The other two pillars involve the Member States in areas hitherto regarded as being matters over which the national governments alone had power: on the one hand, foreign and security policy and, on the other, home affairs, covering matters such as immigration and asylum policy, the police and justice. This is an important step forward in that the Member States regard it as being in the interest to co-operate more closely in these areas, thus affirming Europe’s identity in the world and making sure their citizens are better protected against organised crime and drug trafficking. What ordinary people will remember most about the Maastricht Treaty, however, is likely to be the decision which will have the biggest practical impact on their day-to-day lives, the decision to go for economic and monetary union. On January 1 1999, EMU will take in all countries, which satisfy, a certain number of economic criteria designed to guarantee sound financial management and to ensure that the single currency, the Euro, is stable in the years to come. The final, logical stage in the completion of the international market, the introduction of the single currency, is a highly political step, given the personal repercussions for each and every citizen and the economic and social consequences it will have. One might even say that the Euro will come to be the most tangible symbol of the European Union. A currency like the Euro, strong and capable of competing with the great international reserve currencies, will be clear proof of the fact that we all belong to a continent which is uniting and asserting itself. End quote!


	(Pascal Fontaine, professor at the institut d’Etudes Politiques, Paris). By the way, the announcement of an agreement on the name “Euro” was greeted in some quarters with an enthusiasm that bordered on religious heresy. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres raved: “As Peter was the rock on which the church was built. So The Euro is the rock on which the European Union will be built.” End quote! Evidently the formation and functioning of the European Union has now and forever a very prominent place in history, but then age-end federations are a significant indicator of the Saviour’s return. Like Martin Luther King before his death, many world leaders have had a dream. Napoleon Bonaparte, Benito Mussolini, and Sir Winston Churchill, for different reasons and with differing motives, all shared the vision of a United States of Europe. Can we, in this New Millennium see any sign of this dream being fulfilled, or was it simply that, a dream, what we called in our youth, a pipe dream! In the book of Daniel ch.2 v 44 we read. ”In the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.” Could this be the foundation of many a world leaders dream, desiring to be the author and head of such a kingdom? The Word of God has very powerfully prophesied that among the many signs of the last days, a spirit of unrest would be evident. Does it then surprise us, that from one end of the world to the other, especially in this last century, unrest and chaos have been the order of the day? This condition prevails in spite of Herculean efforts of the world’s best diplomats and statesmen. Mr. Ramsey MacDonald, the then British Labour Prime Minister, as early as 1927, gave the Manchester Guardian his impressions of his tour in Italy, Greece, and Turkey: “There is complete unsettlement of Europe. A sense of political insecurity is to be found in every country I visited. Nobody can say what tomorrow will bring forth. In policy, in forms of government, in everything that relates to the life of the State, it is not possible to make a reasonable forecast. Instead of the war making the world safe for democracy, it has in fact, delivered the most shattering blow democracy has received in recent times. There is a general disposition to trust in force and an impatience with the old forms of parliamentary government.” End quote! Mr. MacDonald’s discovery has been fully verified by the awful international conditions which prevailed during the second world war. In such a climate, the dream of Adolf Hitler took shape, believing he might establish an empire or federation of power over which he or his Germany would rule as Emperor. Now, you may well be asking, where did such a dream or idea come from in the first instant and why do so many aspire to such supremacy? Well, I believe it is thoroughly Biblical, it was God’s idea in the first place, in fact it was God, in the book of Daniel who first brought such an idea to the light of day. By the way that hunger for such power is still around. Let me take a moment quickly to outline those federations or indeed as they have been called, powers to be reckoned with, who believe under the correct leadership they could rule our world today and who will make a very serious attempt at doing so. And please remember these are distinct power blocs, which have emerged, in recent time and have indeed been foretold in Scripture. Now while they may not be the powers that will eventually be the final ones, nevertheless they are on the lines indicated by the Word of God. Now I believe most good Prophetic Students of Biblical Prophecy will agree that the map of Bible Prophecy can be sectioned into four, corresponding to the four points of the compass, with Israel as centre. By the way, Israel is still at the centre of world thinking today. Just as these four Gentile World Powers we will think of in a moment did not become World Powers until they had conquered Israel so the World Powers of today attach a very great importance to the conquering of Israel, if only they could take Israel as a prize what power and prestige and standing it would give them in world affairs. So Israel is still pivotal to World Domination, but fear not, God has other ideas for His earthly people praise His name. Now, while I have no desire at all to be dogmatic, it must surely be of interest to the student of Scripture to see the similarities between what has been prophesied and what we have on the horizon at present.

	Power No.1. Russia! This Power is referred to in Scripture as the “King of the North” which is without doubt Russia. She with her satellites, from the Northern Bloc or the Communistic Bloc. By the way, don’t be fooled by the fact that this great Northern Bloc may at this moment appear to be wounded and Communism powerless. Don’t forget her symbol is the “Great Bear” and as we all know there is nothing as dangerous as a wounded bear. Please recall your history of this great country. From being a backward, illiterate land in those early years of the last century, she amazingly awoke from her slumber and developed into a force to be reckoned with in this world, bringing terror to millions of her enemies. And please recall that the rise of Russia, with all its pageantry, literature and music came on the back of the illiterate peasantry to become one of the mightiest world powers of our time. Could such a thing happen again? Yes, without any doubt whatsoever!


	Power No.2. The Arab World! Egypt would dearly like to head up this group, so for many years she has endeavoured to lead the Arab World against God’s earthly people, Israel. The whole Arab World remember, is bound together by, although not all of the same religious persuasion, some kind of religious, to die for fervency. And of course, a mutual hatred of the Jews! Although at this moment of time there seems to be a real movement by, at least some of the Arab World to talk of peace, let me say, it’s a very uneasy peace. The whole continent of Africa is a nest of seething unrest. Strong outside influences are at work. Some years ago we all remember how Colonel Nasser, the then president of Egypt set himself up as a potential president of the United States of Africa! It just did not happen, and at that time it became evident that the Soviets had a major interest in that great continent, and even today, although wounded and somewhat weakened she is still strengthening her ties with Africa. Eventually, that continent will be somehow united by the Arab factor and I believe by Egypt leading the way. The Bible makes that clear and specifically names Libya and Ethiopia (Daniel 11 v 43). Power No. 3. China and the Far East! The Bible speaks of “The Kings of the East”, and in Revelation 9 v16 we are told that an army of two million men will advance on Israel from the East c/f Rev.16 v 12. In recent times the number of China’s army has been released, she has an estimated army of some two million. China also has been building a highway from her own land right through to the Middle East. This road is now at completion point, therefore the way is now open for China to come! Like Russia, she desperately desires to conquer Israel and continually aims at world domination. Already, several East African countries are dependant on China and therefore under her influence. The Chinese Bloc incorporates those she has conquered or annexed such as North Korea, Tibet and some other places. As we are once again, all aware, China has awakened from a long slumber and wants to be taken seriously as a contender for world power, although she is trying to present a more public acceptable face, she is still the same untrustworthy enemy she has always been. All of these mentioned are the leaders and contenders for world dominance! Make absolutely no mistake about it. Power No. 4. The United States of Europe! (Old Roman Empire) Now, what do we know about this Power Bloc? Why is there so much focus on this power base just now? Well, this is the Power Bloc known as the “The Old Roman Empire”. Dr. S. Franklin Logsdon, writing about Europe, says: “The present statehood of Israel is a powerful indication of the ending of the age. The ecumenical movement is another. Perhaps equal to either of these is the European Common Market with its many implications. Sir Winston Churchill coined the phrase, ‘The United States of Europe’. At least, it is an economic community, a breaking down of national barriers, a getting together on certain common bases. The whole idea is to re-shape the face of Europe. This was attempted by Caesar, by Napoleon, and by Hitler, but their means to this end were not subtle or as workable as those proposed by the Common Market. They used ammunition; today’s promoters use bread. And let it be said that the re-shaping of the face of Europe approximates the kingdom to arise out of the Old Roman Empire--the last Gentile power.” End Quote! This Power Bloc is known as the “United States of Europe” it is also known as “The Common Market” it is also known as “The European Economic Community” or E.E.C. for short. The question is, can we find this Power Bloc in Scripture? Yes I believe we can and more than that, I believe this Power bloc is in the ascendancy, it is beginning to show its teeth. If I had been talking to you about these things a few years ago you might well have questioned me and wondered about my sanity! But what has happened in the latter part of the twentieth century? The Berlin Wall has been brought down; the Iron Curtain has crumbled. What do the events that have taken place in Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungry, Poland, and East Germany mean?

	Do these things preface the rise of another power such as the one I have been speaking, But more to the point can we trace any of these things in Scripture or are they really just the figment of some imaginative mind. Well, in the book of Daniel an amazing train of events open up before us that really beg our attention. In this book of Daniel chapters 2 and 7, as well as in the book of Revelation chapter 13, what we call the European Sign is revealed. References are made to this great kingdom I have been speaking off which will have tremendous influence and impact on our whole world.


	Let’s investigate the wonderful Word of God and see if we can make some common sense from all that has been written. I trust you will open your Bible and follow as we look into this wonderful Word of Prophecy. One unidentified European leader is quoted as saying, “The final aim is political union, and when this end is realised, a genius must be found to head it up.” Now, if you are reading with me you will find a very interesting statement in Daniel Chapter 2 v 28-29 and two phrases should stand out in bold print in our minds eye. ”In these latter days” and “And what shall come to pass.” You see, with this amazing king called Nebuchadnezzar mentioned in the book of Daniel commences a period of time called in the Bible “The time of the Gentiles” Luke 21 v 24. That phrase of course is not to be confused with another mentioned in Romans 1 v 25 called “The fullness of the Gentiles”. That phrase is a reference to the completion of the church of Jesus Christ through the salvation of lost souls. When Jesus came he said, “For the son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matt. 18 v 11. The Lord Jesus Christ is building his church by saving the lost, by taking a people through salvation out of this Gentile world. Of course Jews are also being saved but God’s primary task in this age is to take a people out of this Gentile world, a people for His name and one of these days when that wonderful work is complete it will be “The fullness of the Gentiles,” and the Lord Jesus will come to the air and receive His church unto Himself. Now, that briefly is the fullness of the Gentiles 1 Thess. 4 v 16. But what the Lord Jesus is speaking off in Luke 21 v 24 is what is known as the “Times of the Gentiles” which is what we have by way of prophetic truth in Daniel Chapter 2. This is an amazing look into the future from God’s point of view and gives us a wonderful picture of what is yet to come, that is, as I quoted earlier from Daniel 2 v 28-29 we are being shown things that will definitely happen in the latter (or last) days. *1. Examine the development of this image!* The wise men felt suitably embarrassed when it was required of them to reveal both the dream and the interpretation. So eventually when Daniel had heard there was some upset in the king’s palace he was troubled in his heart. On request, the captain of the kings guard brought Daniel before the king and in v 31 we hear Daniel rehearse before the king, not only the dream but the interpretation of that dream. A. Daniel examines the *measure of the image v 31. The word “great” there refers to the measurement of this great image, this was something designed to create an impression on all who would look upon it, causing them indeed to want to bow down and worship it. B. Daniel examines the majesty of the image v 32. These metals shone majestically adding a sense of awe, instilling a sense of fear, the like of it had never been seen before. C. Daniel examines the makeup of the image v 32-33*. The makeup of this image is absolutely amazing. It’s so interesting to notice that it goes from shining gold to dull clay. Gold, silver, brass, iron and then clay feet, reminding us that there is great deterioration to be seen here. Not as many would predict for this life a getting better and better syndrome. There is a deterioration in the value of the metals, there is a deterioration in the weight, the image is top heavy resting on an absolutely worthless foundation. This is surely just the opposite to the teaching of evolution which says man is improving all the while. Evolution says man goes from the muddy slime to shining gold but God says man began in the image of God, the best beginning the human race could have had only to move down the scale to the muck and mire we are wallowing in today. Sure, we have made amazing advancements in the age in which we live. We have been clever enough to send men and machine to the moon and yet it’s not safe for our children to play in the local park or for us to walk in it. The mammals in the sea are safer these days than the baby in a mother’s womb. That’s progress?

	A. Daniel examines the *malignancy of the image v 34-35*. It will have a terminal end. Our reading says, it will be the stone or rock that will be responsible for the terminal end to this great image. What that means is, one day the Lord Jesus will come to this Old World and will smash a final Gentile world that will arise just as the stone smashes the image here. How do I know that? Well listen as Daniel


	*1. Examine the definition of the Image!* What on earth can such an image mean? Well, in the very simplest of terms, the four metals represent four World Empires. The “head of fine gold” represents the Babylonian Empire of which this king Nebuchadnezzar, to whom Daniel was speaking is supreme ruler. Daniel chapter 2 v 38 “You art this head of gold.” This young servant of God called Daniel then told this king that the “breast and arms of silver” was a twin barrelled kingdom that would rise up after Babylon and take control of world affairs called Medo-Persia. Daniel chapter 2 v 39. After which would come the “belly and thighs of brass” representing the Greek Empire, the Greek Empire would rise up and become the third Gentile World Empire. Finally Daniel explains the “legs of iron” representing the fourth Gentile World Empire known as the Roman Empire. What Daniel was saying here of course was prophetic; to us it’s history. Daniel was taking a forward look into what was coming, we take a backward look to what has already happened and we know without a shadow of doubt, what Daniel said has proven correct and of course with these kingdoms began “the times of the Gentiles” Luke 21 v 24. The Babylonian Empire dates from approximately 605 BC to 540 BC. Daniel tells us Nebuchadnezzar was king ch.2 v 38. History records for us that this king married a woman who was a Median Princess named Amythia. He had built for her what we now know as the seventh wonder of the world, ‘the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.’ Herodotus the historian visited those amazing gardens some 100 years later and wrote that in all his life he had not seen more gold nor indeed imagined there could be so much gold, it was pure glitter from beginning to end. But then the prophet Isaiah reminds us, just as Daniel had said, this Empire of Babylon would come to an end Isaiah 14v 4. Step into this history in the making, Medo-Persia dating from approximately 539 BC to 331 BC Daniel 2 v 39 and Daniel 5 v 30-31. Chapter 5 of the book of Daniel reminds us that by this stage in history Belshazzar was now king in Babylon but because of his total disregard for God and flagrant flouting of the laws of God his days were numbered, so at a hot beat drunken party one evening God appeared to this evil king and made it very clear his time on earth was finished. In verse 30-31 we discover that Darius the Median king who represented the Medo-Persian kingdom took control. It’s interesting, that the part of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream referred to as the “breast and arms of silver” and which represented the Medo-Persian kingdom, were actually know for their extensive system of taxation and all taxes had to be paid in silver. Now, the Medo-Persian Empire stretches from Daniel chapter 5 right through to Daniel chapter 8 v 20. At that point in Daniel chapter 8 v 21 we see the Empire represented by the “belly and arms of brass” called Greece which dates from around 332 BC. This amazing, nation was led by a man named Alexander the Great, who conquered the known world of his time. He actually died at Babylon in the prime of life, his vitality exhausted. It was he who wept because there was no more worlds to conquer. As we come in our travels through history and the Bible to the end of the Old Testament we discover that Medo-Persia is still in power and somewhere in that period known in Bible history as the four hundred silent years, Greece and Alexander the Great takes control of world affairs only to be toppled of his throne around 58 BC by the Roman Empire the 4th Gentile World Empire, so when our New Testament opens, it’s Rome who are in control of world affairs, all as predicted by the prophet Daniel.

		When we look into Daniel Chapter 2 v 40 and following this fourth Gentile World Empire, is one of amazing power and authority relentless in its advance, a power that would crush everything in its pathway. Remember it was those same Romans who put the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. It was those same Romans who ruled with such wickedness during the days of the early church. Yes, they were marked by an iron fist rule but we cannot help but notice they had clay feet. In time we find because of inward corruption and internal decay they begin to collapse in on themselves. They were the longest ruling of these four Gentile World Empires, ruling until 476 AD. It’s also interesting to note that Daniel spent more time speaking about this fourth Empire than any of the other three. Now, two stages in this empire are clearly defined, first of all there were two legs, the Eastern and Western empires of Rome which passed into insignificance hundreds of years ago. God had said there would be four Gentile World Empires and no more and Rome is the fourth. I say again it’s interesting to note, Rome was not defeated by another invading army, but simply disintegrated tearing herself apart. But then we have the second stage of this great power bloc, the feet, “part of iron and part of clay” which reveal to us a coming time when there would be a revival of this Roman Empire, only now we are discovering this revived Roman Empire would emerge in ten parts or ten nations Daniel Chapter 2 v 40-44. That I believe is what we have on the world stage at this present period of time in what we know as the ‘Common Market’, ‘United States of Europe’ ‘E.E.C.’ This is exactly as God revealed things to Daniel. A revival of the old Roman Empire!


	*1. Examines of the destiny of the image!* Now, take a deep breath and look at that remarkable statement in v 44, “And in the days of these kings (ten of them?) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Somewhere, a long way from this point in the unfolding of history the old Roman Empire will be revived but in quite a different format, a format in fact that we see today rising with great power and authority known as the Common Market! There were to be four Gentile World Powers and no more. When the fourth had run its course there would a prolonged period of time in history as revealed in Daniel Chapter 2 v 40-41, which would pass by and then these “feet and toes” part iron and part clay would appear as the final power bloc of this image and they would, as a very formidable force, be made up of different kings and kingdoms. It would appear in Daniel Chapter 2 v 40 and v 41 there is a gap or a parenthesis as is often true in Bible prophecy. Sometimes between one verse and another a Bible prophecy will leap hundreds of years. For example when the Lord Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4 v 16-20) and reading from Isaiah chapter 61 He concludes His reading in the middle of the text, but said nothing at all about the rest of the verse. Why? Because there was a gap of centuries between the two statements. Now it’s just the same here. Between Rome’s first appearance as represented by the legs of iron in the book of Daniel and Rome’s appearance as the ten toes of iron and clay as we believe we are seeing today, there has come the church age Colossians chapter 1v26. I believe the gap between the two verses in Daniel chapter2 v 40&41 has narrowed considerably and we are in fact seeing the prophesied revival of the Roman Empire. Mussolini said, “I believe in the resurrection of the Roman Empire.” And he tried often enough to bring it about, but his timing was way off. Churchill said, “I hope to live to see the United States of Europe.” What we have in Daniel chapter 2 is, I am convinced foreshadowed in the European Common Market. The European Common Market came into existence, when what was called the ‘Treaty of Rome’ was signed in 1957. The numbers of members have and will continue to change as the power bloc swings into full working order but that is not the important thing. The thing that is so important for us to grasp and hold firmly to is, at the end times there will be some kind of coalition, some kind of military, political and economic union of European powers that will display for all the world to see the revival of the old Roman Empire and with it that final Gentile World power prophesied in Daniel chapter 2. Is then this “United States of Europe” or “Common Market Community” that ten kingdom alliance headed by the antichrist still future? Yes! Why? Because in the past Rome has not reigned under ten or more heads of state. The Roman Empire was divided into several kingdoms, but no one could agree as to their actual number, and they were not so strong as to keep themselves from self destruction. Secondly, the divisions in the Roman Empire were spread over a time factor of centuries whereas the ten kingdoms represented by the toes exist at one and the same time and form a united confederation, nothing from the past answers that. Thirdly, in Daniel chapter 2 v 45 we are told that the stone, which is Christ, would strike and destroy this great federation but nowhere in history can we find anything comparable. Never in past history did the Lord Jesus Christ strike the nations with destructive force? In fact the officers of this fourth empire crucified the Lord Jesus Christ on a Roman cross. This part of Daniel’s prophecy is yet future but is being fulfilled before our very eyes. Notice, “And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” Daniel chapter 2 v 35. When Jesus Christ returns, he is going to rule over this whole earth. The mountain which Daniel saw filling the universe is the Sovereign Rule and reign of King Jesus. Psalm 72 v 11 puts it like this, “ Yea, all kings shall fall before Him, all nations shall serve Him.” And Jesus shall reign where’re the sun doeth his successive journeys run. In Daniel chapter 7 v 21-27 we read that the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire will prosper for a time period until it please the Lord to step into the situation, returning in power and g`›€ÿÿ

	Then, the Antichrist and his European kingdom will be destroyed. v 26-27 puts it this way, “But the judgement shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” Now I am not one for setting dates, it’s a dangerous practice! Yet we desperately need to understand, the next event in God’s calendar is the Rapture of The church, then comes close on the heels of the Rapture the tribulation period of seven amazing, fearful years in which Antichrist will reign, Israel will be put in the melting pot and God will deal with His earthly people and with the nations who forget God. If what we are seeing on the world scene just now is indeed what God has prophesied, and I for one am without doubt it is so, then we are waiting for the soon return of the Lord for His Church. Are you ready for such an event? How can you be ready? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved! Pray that you family will be saved, your friends and neighbours need saved, the Lord Jesus is coming, don’t let those loved ones go to an awful hell. Marantha! The Lord is coming. Even so come Lord Jesus! Has Europe any place in Bible Prophecy? Absolutely!


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		The Coming Of The Lord To The Air! Reading 1 Thessalonians Ch. 4 v 13-18.
	Introduction: A world of sinners lost and ruined by the fall have no hope of life after death. The philosopher, Socrates tried to prove there could be happiness after death, but he found it very difficult to persuade a pagan world. The believer, that is those born again of the Spirit of God, has great hope within his or her breast. Titus Ch. 2 v 13-14. ”Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people of His own, zealous of good works.” The believers in Thessalonica had such a wonderful hope but suddenly someone had thrown a spanner in the works and upset their belief, they had become confused! Why? Paul had taught them that Jesus was coming back again to take them to heaven. They were saying that Jesus was coming back again to take them to heaven but the confusion arose when some of their friends and family had died before Jesus had returned so they thought, these dear ones had missed the coming again of Jesus. So Paul writes this first letter of Thessalonians to remind them of the true facts of the teaching of the coming again of the Lord Jesus to the air for His church. He writes to restore lost hope. Some would say that “hope” is a silly thing, an unrealistic entity. 19th century U.S. lawyer Robert Ingersoll called hope the “only universal liar,” End quote. A liar which nonetheless unfortunately seems never to lose its reputation. The English poet Lord Byron wrote that hope is “nothing but the paint (or the makeup) on the face of existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of.” End quote! Yet Scripture makes it clear that “hope” is one of the cornerstones of living the Christian life. So Paul sets about to renew their once fastly held hope in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to the air to receive them unto Himself whether alive or in the grave. In fact they really had a three-pronged problem in Thessalonica. Ignorance, sorrow and hopelessness, and Paul must deal with all three. They, like the rest of us needed to learn a vital lesson through all of these bad times. Ignorance looks within for an answer, sorrow looks back for an answer, and hopelessness looks around for an answer. It’s Faith, and only Faith that looks up for an answer to every problem. Wherever there is a problem in the life of a Christian God will always give Faith the task of solving it. So let me give you some great and timeless truths to implant into your heart and mind so that whether it’s a lack of understanding, whether it’s the depths of sorrow, or whether it’s the emptiness of hopelessness you will be able to renew your hope and comfort. 1. We Can Rely With Assurance on His Coming! v 13-14. And the Apostle gives them two very precious evidences that make this an unshakeable truth upon which they can rely. A. He Calls Them to Rely on the Saving Work of the Lord: v 14. ”For ‘if’ or ‘since’ we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Paul says, listen, you can absolutely rely on and have confidence in the saving work of Christ. As he reminded the Corinthian Church in chapter 15 v 3-4. ”For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” Living he loved me, dying he saved me, Buried he carried my sins far away Rising he justified freely forever One day he’s coming, O glorious day.

	During the presidency of Andrew Jackson, George Wilson, a postal clerk, robbed a federal payroll from a train and in the process killed a guard. The court convicted him and sentenced him to hang. Because of public sentiment against capital punishment, however, a movement began to secure a presidential pardon for Wilson (first offence), and eventually Jackson intervened with a pardon. Amazingly, Wilson refused it. Since this had never happened before, the Supreme Court was asked to rule on whether someone could indeed refuse a presidential pardon. Chief Justice John Marshall handed down the court’s decision: “A pardon is a parchment whose only value must be determined by the receiver of the pardon. It has no value apart from that which the receiver gives to it. George Wilson has refused to accept the pardon. We cannot conceive why he would do so, but he has. Therefore, George Wilson must die.” George Wilson, as punishment for his crime, was hanged. Pardon, declared the Supreme Court, must not only be granted, it must be accepted. George Maronge, Jr., Birmingham, Alabama. Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 3.


	That’s the kind of gospel in which we believe said Paul and upon which we can rely. You might well say, well what in the world has that to do with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Well, He died for us, He was buried for us, He rose again for us, He ascended up on high for us and He is coming again for us. Without His coming again for us the gospel would be incomplete. His crucifixion without His Coronation would be incomplete; our justification without our glorification would be incomplete. It would be like East without West, up without down, dark without light. The gospel is incomplete without His coming again! Do you believe that Jesus rose again? Have you received willingly that eternal pardon? Well the proof of His resurrection is a token proof of your resurrection. In the Old Testament they have a ceremony called the offering of First Fruits. What would happen was, the harvest would begin to ripen, they would go out into the fields and take a sheaf of corn, wheat or grain and cut it down, carry it to Jerusalem then lay it on the Altar. Firstly as a token of thanks to God for a good harvest, secondly as a token that all the harvest belonged to God. Anyway, it was, on their part, a celebration. It was called the Offering of First Fruits! Then later when the whole harvest was gathered in they would return to Jerusalem and celebrate the gathering of the full harvest. But that first ripened sheaf was a token of the coming harvest. 1 Cor. 15 v 22-23. ”For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive; but every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” Dear folks, there is going to be a resurrection because Christ is the first fruits, or the token, or proof of that resurrection. The star of hope was that Jesus has taken the sting out of death, in His rising from the dead He took the crown of death’s head and destroyed it. He also took the keys of death, and because He lives all that die in Jesus Christ will live also. With this wonderful truth He comforts their hearts. They can at all times rely on His amazing work of Salvation. B. He Calls Them to Rest on the Sure Word of the Lord! v 15. ”For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep.” Paul is saying, listen, listen; you can rest on the Work of the Lord and the Word of the Lord. This is not supposition, this is not guess work, this is not hearsay, this is not the imagination of human kind, this is the sure Word of the Lord. A clergyman took a seat in a dining car on a train travelling along the Hudson River. Opposite him was an atheist who, seeing his clerical collar, started a discussion. “I see you are a clergyman.” “Yes,” came the reply. “I am a minister of the gospel.” “I suppose you believe the Bible.” The clergyman, orthodox in his views, responded, “I certainly do believe the Bible to be the Word of God.” “But aren’t there things in the Bible you can’t explain?” With humility the minister answered, “Yes, there are places in the Bible too hard for me to understand.” With an air of triumph as though he had cornered the preacher, the atheist asked, “Well, what do you do then?” Unruffled, the clergyman went on eating his dinner--which happened to be Hudson shad, a tasty fish but noted for its bony structure. Looking up, he said, “Sir, I do just the same as when eating this shad. When I come to the bones, I put them to the side of the plate and go on enjoying my lunch. I leave the bones for some fool to choke on. James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 43. And in a day when we have all kinds of prophets, seers, mediums, etc, we should be thankful we do have the sure Word of God. Someone who did not believe in the blessed hope approached one preacher, who had preached a message of the certainty of the Coming of the Lord to the Air. “Man” he said to the preacher, “You can’t get that out of the Bible!” “Your quite right” said the preacher, “it’s in the Bible to stay and you can’t get it out.” We can rely on the certainty of His coming! The primitive church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death or about heaven. The early Christians were looking not for a cleft in the ground called a grave but for a cleavage in the sky called Glory. They were watching not for the undertaker but for the uppertaker. Alexander Maclaren.

	2. We Can Rest With Comfort on His Coming! v 16-18. ”Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.” One of the reasons for preaching this wonderful truth was to bring great comfort to the people of God. There is wonderful comfort in believing and being ready for the coming of the Lord. So Paul paints four wonderful pictures as to the events that should lead to that comfort. A. His Return Will Be Majestic! v 16a. “For the Lord Himself shall descend” You see Jesus Christ is the central figure in this great event! Don’t try to spiritualise it, don’t try to explain it away. Jesus Himself said in John 14 v 1-3. ”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. 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.” It would be that Jesus, who turned the water into wine, fed the five thousand, healed the sick, walked on the water, did many wonderful miracles, who would come. Not this time the little babe of Bethlehem, rather the Bridegroom for His Bride, the Lord for His Church, this coming would have a majesty about it never before seen. On this occasion there would be an eager, excited looking for His return knowing that at that moment when we would see Him we would be like Him and be with Him forever more.


		Our Resurrection Will Be A Miracle! v 16b. “From heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” At His coming there will be a shout! It will be the word of command. What will He say? I don’t know! But this much I do know, all those buried in the sand, in the sea or in the soil will come forth at that amazing shout. And that amazing shout will echo throughout the Kingdom of Satan signalling its end. What a miracle, bodies from all nations, from all ages, from all places, in Christ being brought out of their graves, redeemed and made ready to be reunited for all eternity with their eternal soul. Then will come the voice of the Archangel! Who is the Archangel? Why it’s Michael! Why is Michael involved here? Well, we know from Scripture, Satan is a fallen Angel and Michael is still his superior, and when his voice sounds all the demons of Hell will give way for the children of God. Remember, Satan is still the prince of the power of the air, but on this amazing occasion they will have to step aside as the saints go marching in. No hindrance from Satan on this journey! Next comes the sound of the trumpet. During these days in history trumpets were of greater importance than today, they were sounded for two reasons, worship and warfare! And we need to know, this trumpet will signal the call to eternal worship for all the saints of every tribe and tongue and nation and peoples who are in Christ. This trumpet will single the preparation for the beginning of the greatest warfare of all time, the great day of God’s wrath. Praise God I am not looking for that day of great tribulation, for then I would be looking for the Anti-Christ and not the Christ. What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see! You might well ask, what are we going to be like in that miraculous resurrection? Wonder of wonders, I will be like Jesus! Explain that? If only I could! I only know it’s going to be so and I am getting to a point, I just can’t wait. A. Our Rapture Will Be A Mystery! v 17a. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up.” There are going to be millions of saints alive and on planet earth at this coming, what will happen to them? Now I know the word rapture is not found in Scripture, but then neither is the word trinity, mission, sovereignty, nonetheless, they are all great Bible truths. The word rapture come from the Latin word “rapto” which means to seize or to catch away, or caught up, and the Bible says we are caught up and neither soil, sand, sea or gravity will keep us back. It means to take from one place to another, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, like the metal to the magnet we will be caught away to Christ. Those who share the nature of Jesus will be caught up with him. WILL YOU BE AMONGST THAT GREAT NUMBER? B. Our Reunion Will Be Marvellous! v 17b. ”Together with them” The infant church were worrying about those who had died already, they were gone before the coming. Did that mean they had missed it? Paul says, listen we are going up in the coming together, there will be the most wonderful reunion in the sky. Dr. Robert Lee tells as a boy he lived on a farm. One day on our back porch sitting with mother, I asked her, “what was the happiest day in her life”? She told me, Said Dr. Lee, of one day, grandfather who had gone to war was reported missing, presumed dead. Some months later she and her mother were sitting on that very same porch when mother saw a man come up the river road. She looked and looked and said, “there’s a man who walks just like your father.” She looked again, and with great excitement she ran shouting, “it is your father, it is your father”. She ran and greeted him with hugs and kisses, “what a reunion that was.” She thought for a long moment, then said, “that was the happiest day of my life.” What an eternal homecoming there will be for the saved of earth!

	3. We Should Respond To The Challenge Of His Coming! ”To meet the Lord In The Air.” That word “meet” does not merely mean a casual meeting, it’s the word used for meeting a returning ambassador. When he shall come with trumpet sound O may I then in Him be found Dressed in His righteousness alone Faultless to stand before His throne. You see only His return will fulfil the hope of the saints. Our Heavenly Father is not in the business of giving His people false hope. He knows what we are waiting for. He knows the deepest longing of our hearts and His precious Word gives us every reason to long for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, and He will not disappoint that blessed hope. Paul characterises all Christians as those who “love His appearing” 2 Tim. 4 v 8. Instead of being taken up with the hysteria about current events and newspaper headlines, are you looking beyond the commotion of this world with the wonderful realisation that you could soon meet the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. Do not despair about what is going on around you; rather prepare your heart and soul for that amazing meeting in the air. Look for His coming, long for His coming, fill your soul with expectancy, and watch with eager anticipation. The second coming is not supposed to make us stop what we are doing to wait for the Lord’s return, rather it should cause us with a purifying heart and life to live and work the more earnestly for the master and seek to win the lost for His kingdom. Let us rise to the challenge!


	The only way to wait for the Second Coming is to watch that you do what you should do, so that when he comes is a matter of indifference. It is the attitude of a child, certain that God knows what he is about. When the Lord does come, it will be as natural as breathing. God never does anything hysterical, and he never produces hysterics. Oswald Chambers.

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		Prophecy At A Glance! Reading Rev. Ch.1 v 1-3.

	Introduction: 2 John 7 gives us this very clear reminder! ”For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” He was a weak willed, vacillating figure who stood for nothing but his own self-interest. His positions changed depending on who stood before him. And usually the one who stood before him was his wife, who manipulated him and the government. She was a highly motivated, politically directed feminist who knew how to use her position for personal gain. There was no doubt about that! She was the brains of the duo and as hard as nails. Her ambition was never satisfied. Their greed was finally exposed to the nation through a mismanaged, fraudulent real estate deal. Her fingerprints were on the incriminating government documents. At least one man died because he knew too much. But even then, she was so feared that no one dared ask too many questions. Their names were Ahab and Jezebel. They ruled as King and Queen of Israel almost 3,000 years ago. They wove such a web of witchcraft that the whole nation became corrupt. Government officials lied about one another. People were falsely charged and sentenced. Justice was perverted. Some were even executed! Only a few men of God had the courage to speak up about government persecution of the godly, and they were living in caves, living on bread and water smuggled to them by fellow believers. The prophet Elijah, the only one to publicly challenge Ahab and Jezebel, was so discouraged he begged God to take his life. Any uncanny parallel you may have drawn between this couple and any heads of state alive and well in the past or indeed present day is entirely your own business! The simple yet profound point I want to make as we begin this prophetic message today is, there are many deceivers and many are being deceived. Not least, many dear Christians. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, (which, remember is to be in two stages! His Coming to the Air for the Saints and His Coming to the Earth with his Saints.) is the vital issue of today. More and more people who call themselves Christians are disavowing any exceptions of The Second Coming. For example, liberal theologians long ago gave up their belief in the literal Return of Christ. Some of them simply Spiritualise all the Prophetic Scriptures, claiming the only “Second Coming” of Christ occurs as he is received into individual hearts. Others go even further, treating the Apostles’ Hope of Christ’s return as a myth and a false expectation, essentially rejecting the biblical promise of the second coming and taking their place with the scoffers (2 Peter 3 v 3-4). That kind of error is precisely what we might expect from those who start with such a low view of Scripture, as theological liberals do. But lately even some traditional conservative, professedly “Bible Believing” Christians have attacked the doctrine of Christ’s literal bodily return. A view fast gaining notoriety is hyper-preterism, sometimes called full preterism or “realised eschatology” by its advocates. Hyper-preterists build their whole theology on a misunderstanding of Christ’s words in Matthew 24 v 34. “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place”. They insist that this means that every last detail of Bible Prophecy had to have been completed before the death of those people living at the time he spoke, and actually was fulfilled in A.D.70, during the turmoil and political upheaval that ensued when Jerusalem was sacked by Rome and most of its inhabitants were slaughtered. Now that is highly dangerous doctrine! So I want to start this message on ‘Prophecy at a Glance’ with this affirmation and panoramic view of prophecy which declares my position immediately. Now I have to say I do love this book of ‘The Revelation’ but Satan hates it. Of course, I believe there are two books of the Bible especially hated by the devil, Genesis and Revelation. Easy to see why!

	In Genesis his downfall is announced! In Revelation his downfall is carried out! By the way those two books are a wonderful pair of books to study in tandem, Genesis and Revelation. In Genesis, we have the first heaven and the first earth! In Revelation, the new heaven and the new earth! In Genesis, the first Adam reigning on earth! In Revelation, the last Adam reigning in glory! In Genesis, the night and the seas are created! In Revelation, no more night and no more sea! In Genesis, a bride brought to the first Adam! In Revelation, a bride brought to the last Adam! In Genesis, the tree of life in the Garden of Eden! In Revelation, the tree of life in the New Creation! In Genesis, sin, as it tears into history bringing death and the curse! In Revelation, no more sin, no more curse! In Genesis, sin appears for the first time! In Revelation, sin appears for the last time!


	But today, I want to draw your attention, first of all to------- 1. There is a Person Central to this Prophecy! V 1. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” You see the entire Bible is a Revelation of Jesus Christ, cut into the bible in any part of it and it will bleed Jesus Christ! He is the one who takes centre stage in all of God’s plans. Please note this title is singular, not plural! It’s not the Revelation’s of Jesus Christ but the Revelation of Jesus Christ. That word “Revelation” in the Greek is the word “apokalupsis” from which we get our word “apocalypse” and it conveys the idea of an appearing, a manifestation, a coming, an unveiling! Like the statue, being unveiled, revealed, why, every eye should be fixed upon that unveiling, upon the revealing! And this book is the revealing, the unveiling of Jesus Christ to the world in all His Wonder, Majesty and Glory. Whereas before his glory was hidden, now it is being revealed. Listen to Paul as he writes to Timothy. 1 Tim. 6 v 15-16. ”Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; who only hath immorality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” That’s the way Jesus is coming to this earth the second time! First time he came to this earth he came to a crucifixion! Next time he comes to this earth he is coming to a coronation! First time he came to a tree! Next time he comes to a throne! First time he came to redeem! Next time he comes to reign! First time he came as a servant! Next time he comes as a sovereign! Without doubt, he is ‘the person central to prophecy!’ 2. There is a Purpose Clear in this Prophecy! v 1. ”To show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Now, the word servant here means “duloy” “bondslave!” That is a slave chosen by the master and who wants nothing else but to serve his master, he will not, he will not go out free! That’s why every Christian is Christ’s “duloy” “bondslave.” Now, who was this book written to and for? Why, the bondslaves of Jesus Christ. And dear friend, unless you are connected to Jesus Christ that way, you will have great difficulty in understanding all it means and says. There are two things that display for us the clear purpose of prophecy! A. This Prophecy has Sureness about it! “Must come to pass” v 1. About 100 to 165A.D. There was a brilliant philosopher whose name was Justin. He was not a Christian believer, but he began to study the Bible and especially bible prophecy. As he did his intelligent mind became convinced that the Bible was the Inspired Word of God and came to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. So much so, eventually he died for his faith, and from that time on was known as Justin Martyr. I quote his own words! ”To declare a thing shall come to pass, long before it is in being, and then to bring that declaration to pass, this or nothing is the work of God.” End quote! There is sureness about prophecy because it comes from God and it comes to pass just exactly as God predicts! B. This Prophecy has Nearness about it! “Must shortly come to pass” v 1. The “shortly” does not mean that it is going to come to pass in the next few minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even years. What it does mean is, that it could come to pass any moment! That being the case we should get ready and stay ready. And I say this dear friends, because of this one factor, Jesus has put his signature on all of this. v 1. ”And he sent and signified it by an angel unto his servant, John.” Jesus sent an angel to sign on his behalf that all John would say would be absolutely true. Jesus is saying, listen, listen, I want to show you things which “must shortly come to pass” be ready, whatever time they may happen, be ready, be ready, be ready! The Purpose clear in prophecy is to prompt us the be ready!

	3. There is a Promise of Comfort in this Prophecy! v 2-3. Who bear record (or witness) of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.” What is the promise of comfort in the prophecy? Well, we have something called the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ! It’s not the word of men. It’s not the testimony of men! It’s the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Therefore, blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it” v 3. There is the promise of blessing here if we read and heed! God makes a promise; faith believes it, hope anticipates it, patience quietly awaits it. God’s promises are, virtually, obligations that he imposes upon himself. By the way, you can never break God’s promises by leaning on them!


	You see many a time we hear The Word and don’t heed it! You may say something to your child, and you know the sound waves are passing through the auditory canal, but you say to that child, did you hear me? And what you are saying is, did it register so that you will heed it. You see ‘Prophetic Doctrine’ and ‘Practical Duty’ are twin truths, inseparable. We are to read and heed and if you do, then the promised blessing kicks in! And here is where the comfort comes from! Rom.15 v 4. ”For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” That simply means, there is comfort in the Scriptures, why? Because they are the true, pure, Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. And because of that you cannot and will not be guided wrong but will be blessed through! Which means, all that God and Jesus says can be trusted and all those who refuse to believe them will know nothing of this comfort but in fact will forever be without comfort. Hear and heed His Word believer and know the blessing of His promises to you! Hear and heed his word unbeliever and have the comfort of knowing sins forgiven, the joy of a home in heaven, the wonder of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ and then to be with him forever! 4. There is a Performance that is Certain in this Prophecy! v 3. ”The time is at hand.” That phrase simply means, what has been prophesied will come, without the slightest doubt, it will happen as he has said. The clock is set and cannot be changed. The seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years are moving every rapidly toward the one goal, the complete fulfilment of Scripture. A loving personality dominates the bible, walking among the trees of the garden and breathing fragrance over every scene. Always a living person is present, speaking, pleading, loving, working, and manifesting himself whenever and wherever his people have the receptivity necessary to receive the manifestation. A. W. Tozer. There is, beloved, a time when the completion will come, the signs of the time are everywhere! Take heed! A. Israel’s Return to the Land! Became a nation again 14th May 1948! It’s the budding of the fig tree: Matt: 24 v 32: Dr. John Walvoord who was chancellor of Dallas theological seminary for many years and a prolific writer, said, “Israel’s re-establishment in the ancient land, as was prophesied for the end of the age, is God’s principle sign of the approaching advent of Christ.” End quote! We have seen this happen in our life time! B. Russia’s Rising to Prominence! There seems to be some misapprehension that Russia is without power these days, but remember there is nothing so dangerous as a wounded bear. And that is now and has always been her sign and symbol, the great bear! C. The Resurgence of Occult Practices! 1 Tim. 4 v 1. Up until a few years ago it was thought prudent to keep this kind of practice underground! Not any more. From the leaders of our land down these days, thousands in places of power and prestige are ordering their lives under the direction of some occultist or other! In many cases it’s the occultist who are running the country or at least have a powerful influence in it.

		The Reminders from Nature! Earthquakes, hurricanes, pestilence, famine, floods. Matt. 24. Have we not seen some amazing happenings throughout the year 2000 and now into the beginning of the year 2001 as we struggle with nature throwing much at us we did not expect for this time of year. The outbreak of this awful foot-and-mouth disease that is devastating our dear farming folks. All around us the voice of God is speaking calling our world to hear His Word, heed His voice and call upon His name. The Bible reminds us, “Righteousness exalts a nation.” Prov.14 v 34. Folks, we need a good foundation, his name is Jesus! You need to read and heed what God is saying and do something about it! Lawrence Christon sees [an] end-of-the-decade mean mood in films like the war of the roses and do the right thing. He uses media as his main medium. “The technology of our age of miracles and wonders included the CD, PC, microwave oven, computer workplace, fax, cellular phone, aerodynamic auto design, computerized ticket sales, satellite communications, the handheld videotape recorder, the panther movie camera, colorization, the lithium-based battery, ethanol and the mavica camera.” Then, ... “all these modes of communication with so little to communicate.” Christianity today, vol. 34, no. 9. The man of pseudo-faith (false or spurious) will fight for his verbal creed but refuse flatly to allow himself to get in a predicament where his future must depend upon that creed being true. He always provides himself with secondary ways of escape; so that he will have a way out if the roof caves in on what he believes. What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know that they must do at that last day. A.W. Tozer, quoted by John Maxwell in “God’s truest test,” preaching today, tape No. 156.


	Dear people the time is indeed at hand, let us not therefore be weary with well doing but be alert and alive to the precious truths of God and hear and heed them continually that in this dark age we might truly be the light of the world. I hope that the day is near at hand when the advent of the great God will appear, for all things everywhere are boiling, burning, moving, falling, sinking, groaning. Martin Luther (1483-1546)

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