Story-Line

Let me say at the outset, that I have never preached a lot on Biblical prophecy and I’m sure not an expert in this area like Dr. Jack Van Impe who can be seen on television constantly; or Hal Lindsey the author of the Christian classic “Late Great Planet Earth” and gifted commentator on the TBN network. God has, truly, blessed these great men with extraordinary talents, gifts, and tremendous biblical prophetic insights from His Holy Word. When I listen to them, they absolutely amaze me with their deep understanding of what God has proclaimed, and how it’s being fulfilled in our world today. When I was in my doctoral program, I was required to read a book by Dr. John Stott called “Between Two Worlds.” And in this wonderful book Dr. Stott was saying that to be effective “preachers of God’s Word” today, that we ought to have a Bible in one hand, and a newspaper in the other, and then with God’s help… bring them both together to make the message relevant to those to whom we’re ministering to today. And ever since I’ve read this tremendous book, I’ve endeavored to embrace this important advice. So, with this in mind, let’s consider the following:

I. A Look at God’s Word.

In II Timothy 3:15 -“ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…having a form of godliness but denying its power.”   Also, consider this powerful warning:

Matthew 24: 4-13 - “ Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name claiming ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many. You will  hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands to the end will be saved.” Of course, other scriptures could be considered as well, but because of our limited space here it wasn’t possible to list them. However, how can anyone that looks at just the two scriptures mentioned above not clearly see that these very things are, indeed, happening today … as never before?!!!

II. A Look at Our World.

Again, as we consider what was mentioned above, is it not crystal clear that we are witnessing these events/warnings taking place right before our very eyes today?!!! Read today’s newspaper; look at your evening newscast; study what’s happening in our culture, society, and throughout the world! There’s world-wide famine going on in the world right now! It’s already catastrophic in proportion! Much of the world’s food supply is already in jeopardy and continues to get worse! Even here in our country, thousands are living in poverty. And, I’m afraid it’s not going to get any better. Look at the energy crisis, and the chaos that it’s already causing. I heard just recently that some “experts” believe that oil will eventually be $200.00 a barrel, which means natural gas to heat our homes will again be going up, and gasoline for our vehicles could rise to $6.00 to $8.00 a gallon! This means, of course, that our economy (which is already in deep trouble), will get even worse and more precarious that it is right now. And, what about all the “home fore-closures” that’s been caused by all the Adjustable Rate loans, and the devastation that this has caused. And, unemployment in Michigan (and other states as well) has been “through the roof!” 
Then what about all the earthquakes that are taking place? As of this writing, 80,000 people in China have died, and the 14 million that  have survived are now homeless. Every day we read about another earthquake happening somewhere. Did you know that there has been frequent tremors in Idaho, California, and even in the Mid-west areas of Missouri and Illinois? And what about all the wars that are going on right now…not only in Iraq and Afghanistan , but Somalia, Ethiopia, and other areas of Africa…just to name a few. Also, in Africa and throughout the world, is the unprecedented AIDS epidemic. So again, take a look at our world; and take a look at God’s Word that has predicted these events, and then we need to take a look at where we are spiritually.

III. A Deep Look Within.

Our Lord has told us that we are “secure” in Him! Praise His Name!  Listen, all hell can be breaking loose around us, (and I believe it already is!),  but He said “My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives!” (John 14:27). We say, “ Gary, I really don’t understand all that’s going on today, it scares me! But God says, that “we can have a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7) ; and that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He, also reminds us in Romans 8:35-39 that “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, or hardship, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels, nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that’s in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Well, hallelujah, I’m about ready to have a shouting spell!!!

And excuse me…I have to quote it…did He not say, in John 14: 1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God believe also in me. 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 to prepare a place for you I will come again to receive you unto myself. So that where I am, you may be with me also.” Again, this is why he said in Matt. 24: 6: 13; “See to it that you are not afraid; and he who stands to the end, shall be saved!” Glory to God!

So, in closing let me ask you, are you saved?  As you look deep within your heart can you say for sure that you’ve confessed your sins and have asked and accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, and to be Lord of your life?  Is He really living in you? Matt.6:33 tells us that we need to “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.” Listen, we need His righteousness in order to get into His Kingdom. This means that before we can get into His Kingdom, His Kingdom has to get into us! Strong suggestion: Read Rev. 3:20, and if you haven’t done so already, ask Jesus into your heart & life. Because once we’ve done this, then there’s really nothing to be worried about at all! He’ll take care of us here, and He’s got a place planned for us later (Mark 10: 29-31). Folks that’s a “win/win“ deal! Don’t you think? Excuse me…DUH!!!