THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD (Part 2)

Weekly Bible Study (06/05/21, 13/05/21, 20/05/21) Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement   Topic:    THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD (Part 2)   Text:                                       Matt. 24:1-44   When Christ was posed the question as to the time of the destruction of the temple, and the signs of His coming and of the end of the world (Matt. 24:3), He began His response with ATake heed that no man deceive you @ (Matt. 24:4).  Rapture, which is the first phase of His second coming, is the most significant aspect of the end time event, to a believer.  The signs of the imminence of  rapture or the close of the Gentile /Church age (Lk. 21:24), is critical to any believer who does not want to be deceived or taken unawares and thus gamble with his eternal well-being, seeing that  day would overtake men like the deluge of the days of Noah and like the thief in the night (cp. Matt. 24:4, 36-43; 1Thess. 5:2-4).  Unfortunately, many a believer today, oblivious of the signs of these days and their import, have been badly swerved and deceived.  Thus, the love of many has waxed cold ; a lot have departed from the real thing,  while many others have completely fallen away (cp. Matt. 24:12; 2Thess. 2:3; 1Tim. 4:1).  Having considered, in brief in the introductory part last week, what  rapture is all about, let=s now proceed to take a look at : THE SIGNS OF THE IMMINENCE OF RAPTURE   In this, we will consider, albeit in  brief The Signs Of: False Christs,  Prophets and Teachers (Matt. 24:5, 11); Wars and Civil Unrest (Matt. 24:6-7; Lk. 21:10); Famines, Pestilence and Earthquakes (Matt. 24:7-8; Lk. 21:11); Persecutions (Matt. 24:9, 10; Lk. 21:12-19); Abounding Iniquity and its Effect (Matt. 24:12); Increase in Gospel Mission Activities  (Matt. 24:14); The State of the Temple of Jerusalem (Lk. 21:24); Departures From the Faith and Falling Away; Weather and Climatic  Changes and Increase in Knowledge.  

1.  The Signs Of False Christs, Prophets and Teachers (Matt. 24:5, 11)  This sign has long been and continues to be fulfilled.  It is no news that both in the past and in the present, many have claimed to be Jesus, others have claimed to be the Messiah (the Christ).  While some claim to be the Father, others have claimed to be the Holy Spirit, in this generation.

  Perhaps the most subtle and most dangerous is the preponderance of false prophets and teachers in the present day (Matt. 24:11).  Most people that purport to be Christians today have already been unwittingly deceived by these (cp. 1Tim. 4:1-3; 6:3-5; 2Pet. 2:1-3).  While they fail to tell them the wholesome truth, the doctrine according to godliness, they tend to make themselves credible through deceptive and lying wonders.  Ironically and unfortunately, that is what the people want (cp. Jer. 5:31; 2Tim. 4:3).  Indeed, anyone who considers the level of deception going on these days, will have no doubt about the fact that the midnight is already here with us (cp. Matt. 25:5-6).  

1. The Signs Of Wars and Civil Unrest (Matt. 24:6-7; Lk. 21:10). This has been there, and continues to increase with every passing day, as the day draws nearer.  There is no time you tune in for world news and you will not hear of wars, political unrest or civil strives either within nations or across nations.  What do you say of the rate of carnage and blood-bath, particularly in such a country like where we find ourselves?

  Surely, all these have their disorienting and destabilising effects on those who ought to be conscious of the imminent return of the Lord.  What are happening, described as the beginning of sorrows (Matt. 24:8), are about to climax in the coming of the Lord. Let no man be taken unawares.  (To be continued).   Rise and let us pray.   (HSCF 281)