THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD (Part 3)

Weekly Bible Study (20/05/21, 03/06/21) Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement   Topic:     THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD (Part 3)   Text:                                Matt. 24:1-44   INTRODUCTION: Let=s begin by reiterating that the rapture, which is the first phase of His second coming, is the most significant aspect of the end-time events, to a believer.  Consequently, the signs that precede the rapture or the close of the Gentile/Church age (Lk. 21:24), are critical to any believer who does not want to be deceived or taken unawares and thus toy with his soul=s eternal well-being (Matt. 24:4). Thus, we are today continuing with:   THE SIGNS OF THE IMMINENCE OF RAPTURE.  Having already considered: The Signs of False Christs, Prophets and Teachers and The Signs of Wars and Civil Unrest, under this sub-topic, we proceed  to discuss:   (iii) The Signs of Famines, Pestilence and Earthquakes (Matt. 24:7-8; Lk. 21:11).   These signs have continued to be fulfilled.  And not only that, the intensity and frequency of their occurrence have also continued to increase with each passing day/year. There is general down-turn in the world economy with the attendant increase in poverty and starvation level. Every year, the percentage of people that die out of starvation all over the world keeps increasing.   The level of pestilence (any fatal infectious disease that spreads through large number of people) all over the world today had been unequalled in the past.  Time after time, some terrible epidemic will break out across nations.  We heard of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that not-long ago claimed many lives in the far east, particularly China.  The menace of birds-flu is not yet history. Perhaps, the most deadly of all is the Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and its attendant Acquired Immune- Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which is currently ravaging lives particularly in Africa.  Many believe that this is not only a curse due to sin but also a sign of the last days (cp. Deut. 28:20-22, 35; Matt. 24:7-8).   The manner, magnitude and frequency of earthquakes today is such that no Bible believer can afford to be insensitive to.  The Tsunami that swept many Asian countries in Dec. 2004 and the 2011 Tsunami in Japan which are the fall out of earthquake, are still fresh in our memories.  In the recent past, there have been devastating earthquakes in Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, China etc.   (iv)     The Sign of Persecutions (Matt. 24:9-10).   This began almost immediately Christ left, and has continued through the years.  The apparent lack of persecution in some Christian quarters today is a function of  compromise, conformity, coldness and abandonment of the great commission (Matt. 28:19).  Go to those true believers who take the commanded stand against sin, injustice and evil of all kinds, and they will tell you their story of persecutions (cp. Isa. 58:1; Jn. 7:7).  Sometimes, the persecutions are direct from Satan (cons. Job 1:8-12,13-15,17, Rom.1:13, 15:21-22, 1Thess.2:18, 2Tim.3:12).   (v)      The Sign of Abounding Iniquity and Its Effect (Matt. 24:12).   This is perhaps one of the most critical signs of the imminence of rapture.  Evidently, the rate at which evil is increasing is unprecedented.  Aside the level of godlessness, immorality and violence in the world at large, what is more heart-throbbing, is perhaps the manner in which these have ravaged the church today.  For many church goers and preachers, sexual immorality is no more sin (cp. Gal. 5:19; 1Cor. 6:9); divorce/ remarriage is fast becoming normative (cp. Matt. 19:3-10); vehement condemnation of sin and  warning against the danger of  hell fire, are totally absent from many pulpits. What do you say in a situation when Bishops are  champions in the present abominable practice of homosexuality and lesbianism —gay-Bishops?  What do you say of Gospel ministers that use curious powers to perform Amiracles@? (cons. Lk.18:9b cp Jer.2:8,26-28, 5:31, 23:9-11, 13-22, 26:7-11, Mic.3:11).   This is a generation where those who should constitute light have turned into total darkness.  Indeed the midnight is almost here with us.  Beware, lest you be overtaken  (Matt. 25:1-13).   Let us pray.                            Fellowship Song (HSCF: 282)