The End is Near?

Thank you for that special music, Chad. Really appreciate that. We had the blessing of being able to hear it twice today. He also sang that earlier this morning. Really appreciate the lyrics as we walk toward the kingdom. We have a choice, don't we? We can choose joy. And certainly with the challenges that we face these days, it is definitely a choice. Sometimes a harder choice to choose joy. But really appreciated it and appreciate you using your talents to praise God and certainly inspire us as well. So thanks, Chad. With all the challenges that are out there in the world, if you've been keeping up with your notifications on your phone or the latest on the newscast, it seems like you can't get away from war. Ukraine is still being bombarded by Russia. That is ongoing. You may have seen in the news this week as well that China is flexing its muscles and shooting missiles all around Taiwan. And that seems to really be heating up and becoming a bigger issue as they're pushing their strength. And then the Middle East isn't left out either.

You notice that the Palestinians and the Israelis are also at it again. Israel is now bombing Gaza in the last day or two. And it really is quite a mess when you look at just about all sections of the world and all these different conflicts continue to go on. And so it may raise questions about, well, how near are we to the end? Is it the end? Well, we know it's the time of the end. That's true. We know the disciples felt 2,000 years ago we're in the end times. But that can mean a lot of different things. When we begin to think about that—I had someone tell me the other day, well, you know, Christ comes as a thief in the night, so you wonder, maybe He'll come next year.

Well, is that possible? Is that the case? When you begin to look at what the Bible says, are there specific prophecies that talk about Christ's impending return? Anything that we could really look at? Or is it just a shooting match? We just don't know anything. Or is it possible, you know, next month you could go outside and see a flash in the sky and here comes Jesus Christ and He's returning? Is that a possibility? Is the end near? Well, let's think about that for a moment. Is the end near? If we start at the end, we may be able to put the whole scenario in context. So when is Christ returning? If it was on a quiz, you'd probably get the answer right. Well, He's returning at the last trumpet. He's returning at that seventh trumpet.

And you'd be right. You'd be right. Revelation 11, verse 15, if you turn there with me, when that seventh angel sounds, it tells us we have gotten to the end of mankind's rule. We've gotten to the end of man's government. We've gotten to the time that Jesus Christ is returning to establish the kingdom of God. What could possibly be better than what Revelation 11, 15 proclaims? And it is beautiful. Notice what it says. It says, the seventh angel sounded.

So here we are, the seventh trumpet. There are loud voices in heaven saying, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. And so here we see Christ certainly will return at that seventh trumpet, that last trumpet. We could turn over a couple of pages if we wanted a little more detail. Revelation 16 talks about the seventh trumpet being broken down into three woes and seven last plagues as well. But we recognize the fact that it's that seventh trumpet at the very end. Christ will return. In fact, there's an interesting section of Scripture that also mirrors that passage. If you hold your place here in Revelation, come with me over to 1 Thessalonians 4. And we can verify by Paul's writings, yes, Christ's return at that last trumpet. 1 Thessalonians 4, and we'll pick it up in verse 16. Now in this section of Scripture, Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians, discussing with them what is the scenario of that time at the end when Christ will return? What happens to those who died in the faith? What happens to those that are still remaining alive? Well, he talks about that here. And we see this connection to Revelation 16 and Revelation 11 as well. So let's notice 1 Thessalonians 4.16. It says, For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. There's that same seventh trumpet. It says, The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. And so the end, as we have described here in 1 Thessalonians 4 and Revelation 11, yes, it culminates in the return of Jesus Christ. But what happens in the meantime? Are there specific prophecies that warn mankind about the coming of Jesus Christ? Or is it just totally unknowable? Is it just like, well, He's coming as a thief, so I guess you just can't figure it out. Is that the case or not? Well, let's take some time to look at that very aspect of the return of Christ. And what I'd like to do this afternoon is actually work in reverse. So we'll start at the end. We started at that last trumpet, at that seventh trumpet. And let's notice a few of the prophecies along the way. Now, we won't get into all kinds of tremendous detail, but we'll do a little thumbnail sketch as we work our way toward this time that we live right now. What is going to happen? What is prophesied in Scripture as we work our way back from that last trumpet? Is it something that we can begin to discern and have a better idea of what's going to happen in this world and what mankind will face? You know, what happens before this last trumpet? Well, if you hold your place, you're still holding it there in Revelation. We're going to go back there in just a moment. I want to begin by looking at something that happens as we get to those trumpets. And Zephaniah is an interesting section of Scripture that talks about the scenario that leads up to Christ's return.

Turn with me, if you will, over to the minor prophets to Zephaniah chapter 1, verse 14.

So if you get back to the Psalms, that's too far. I'm back to Matthew. That's too far the other way.

And it is before that gigantic book of Haggai, but it's after Micah, so we'll find Zephaniah. There it is. Zephaniah chapter 1, verse 14, describes this time frame, kind of a general term that we could talk about, that time that is just preceding the return of Christ. Zephaniah 1.14, notice what it says here. It says, the great day of the Lord is near. It is near and hastens quickly.

Well, we could probably say that even today. But this is talking about something much more specific than just a general time that refers to now. Notice what it says. It says, that noise of the day of the Lord is bitter. It says, the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers. And so we see a time frame being described here. In fact, it talks about being a day of trumpet, that trumpet day, that time when the trumpets are sounded, and it refers to it as the day of the Lord. So when you think about that term, how many days of the Lord are there? How many does the Bible describe?

One, just one. This is a unique time in all of history. So as we begin to think about what Zephaniah is referring to here, he's referring to those seven trumpets, those seven plagues. That is a part of the seventh seal that Revelation describes. You can look at Revelation chapter 8 and Revelation chapter 9, describe that time frame of the seven trumpets. So those seven trumpets comprise what Zephaniah talks about here, the day of the Lord. And so that begins to kind of frame this time period. Now, if we begin to break it down just a little bit, we talked about the seventh one already. What happens at the seventh trumpet? Well, Christ is going to return. Christ will return. That's the end of mankind's rule. Now, this general period of trumpets is called the day of the Lord. What happens at that seventh seal? Now, remember, we're working our way backwards. So let's step back from that seventh trumpet and break down this day of the Lord, this seventh seal. Well, what happens? What can we look to that's prophesied to occur? Well, let's go back to Revelation for a moment. Revelation 9, verse 12, if you're taking notes, you could write down the sixth trumpet. Before the last trumpet, the seventh trumpet, okay, it makes sense, there would be the sixth trumpet, the sixth trumpet, which here in Revelation 9, 12 also is referred to as the second woe, the second woe. So let's read what it says here. Revelation 9, 12. It says, one woe is passed, behold, still two more woes are coming. And this is the second, the third is at the seventh trump. What happens? Verse 13, the sixth angel sounded, so there's that sixth trumpet. I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, released the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. So the four angels who had been prepared for the hour and the day and the month and the year were released to kill a third of mankind. Now it wasn't the angels themselves. We see verse 16, describe a little further the detail. It says, the number of the army of the horsemen was 200 million. I heard the number of them. And so here this points to a massive offensive. And when you put the various pieces together, it's those eastern forces that are attacking the beast power with a force of 200 million troops. And the result? Well, we see verse 18, by these three plagues, a third of mankind was killed by fire and smoke and the brimstone, which came out of their mouth. And so when we get to the sixth trumpet, we see that this isn't some minor conflict. This is a massive war that brings about the death of billions of people, billions of people, a third of the population. So that is greater than any war mankind has ever participated in. And so we're looking at what must be weapons of mass destruction that are happening at this sixth trumpet. And so this is a monumental event, but it's still a precursor to the return of Christ.

There's still other prophecies that occur before that sixth trumpet. So let's take a step back then, a little bit closer to our time, as we look at the fifth trumpet. And that is right here at the beginning of chapter 9. So if we look at the beginning of chapter 9, verse 1, it describes the fifth angel sounding. So this is the fifth trumpet, also sometimes referred to as the first woe.

And what happens? Well, verse 3, it says, out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth.

Now we realize that's not literally talking about bugs, but that's talking about warfare, that's symbolic of military equipment that can unleash horrendous damage. And so it says, to them, was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power. Yes, this earth will be stung. Now this case seems to be referring to the political power of the day, the beast power, unleashing its military strength against those that are out of the east, that are troubling that world ruling power. And so we see verse 4, they were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth or any green thing or tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Those people of God, in other words. It says, they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment those others for five months. And so here we see this military strength has to refer to something a little bit different, that it's not harming the grass and the trees, but it must be some chemical warfare or biological weapons against humanity, maybe toxic agents that are used, maybe weapons that are still to be developed, but something that evidently doesn't hurt the green things that are growing, but certainly hurts people. And as we read about that fifth trumpet, obviously that conflict is something that is a worldwide conflict that the beast power, that military monopoly of the strength of the beast is showing its strength around the world in this regard. But that's not the only precursor that we find before Christ returns. Now it's part of the day of the Lord. It's part of those trumpet plagues. But if we step back to chapter 8, we see the fourth trumpet described. So let's notice that if we look to verse 12 of Revelation chapter 8, we see that trumpet described. What happens as a consequence from this fourth angel sounding? Well, verse 12 reminds us, a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, a third of the stars as well, so that a third of them were darkened, a third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. Of course, putting these different passages together, you can't miss the fact we're talking about warfare. I mean, tremendous conflict that's happening around the world. Could it be that the light is being hindered because there's so much debris in the air from bombs and the warfare that's raging throughout the world? We don't know for sure, but could that be why a third of the day and the moon and the stars are darkened?

It seems to possibly point in that direction, but we see how all-encompassing the troubles really are at this particular time. That at this time, it seems like no one could go unaffected by all the cataclysm that's happening that's described by these various trumpet plagues.

Because as we step back one more pace here, if we look at chapter 8 verse 10, Revelation 8 verse 10 describes the third trumpet. It says, the third angel sounded and blew that trumpet, and it says, a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water because it was made bitter.

And of course, that word for wormwood in the Greek literally means bitterness. And so here we find fresh water is poisoned. A third of the waters of the world become poisoned. And so, you speculated, well, is that from nuclear fallout? Is that possibly why the waters have come to that state? I mean, we're not told exactly what happens, but certainly these third of the waters aren't drinkable any longer. And we begin to put that in context. Have we seen anything like this happen yet? We haven't seen that.

We haven't seen this kind of warfare and the kind of destruction that these trumpets and the plagues that follow are talking about. And so let's get closer to where we are today. So we step back to the second trumpet. If we look back to verse 8, here we find the second angel sounded and more destruction.

It says, something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. Now, of course, we have to remember the Apostle John is the one who's describing these various events, this giant star falling from heaven in verse 10. Or here in this case, a giant mountain burning. Well, what is that? Is that literally a mountain burning? Was it literally locusts?

Was it literally squirt? Well, no. John's trying to describe in his experience, in first century terms, what he envisions happening by the only things that he could understand at the time. And so we, though, we can envision this. We can imagine what this great mountain burning with fire could be or what scorpions might be or locusts.

We know military helicopters. We know the equipment that the military has around the world. We know the destruction of the bombs, the nuclear weapons, and the weapons of mass destruction can bring. So we can imagine these things even more clearly than the Apostle John could. And so he says, as a result of the second trumpet, he says, a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the living creatures in the sea died. A third of the ships were destroyed. And so when we look at the news of China bombarding all the area of the sea around Taiwan, we could imagine a massive sea battle.

We can picture that. And here, the second trumpet is certainly describing a huge battle on the oceans. The navies are at war. And we know the capabilities of some of the nuclear submarines and the aircraft carriers and the destruction that they can bring. And so here, we find that second trumpet pointing to the oceans. But if we step back, we also see the land doesn't escape either. So we look to the first trumpet.

This is when that seventh seal is initially opened. Notice what we're told here, verse 7 of Revelation 8. It says, the first angel sounded, so that angel blew its trumpet, and hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. A third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

So here, we find a massive land battle being described, something that's happening on the ground, on the earth. And it not only affects people, but it's also affecting the trees and the grass being all burned up. And it's describing trumpet after trumpet that's fulfilling those prophetic things that not only Christ talked about, but what Isaiah talked about and what we read in Zephaniah. In fact, if we skip back just a little bit, we have some indication of what do we call this timeframe of those trumpets. Look back just a little bit to Revelation 6, 17. Revelation 6, 17.

Certainly, this is a time of tribulation, but we can't be quite that general. To be more specific, we see some insight that's given here in Revelation 6, verse 17. It describes this time of the trumpets, and it says this, verse 17, For the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand? Now, his wrath has come.

Who is that referring to? His wrath. That's God's wrath. That's God's wrath has come, as that seventh seal is open, and those seven trumpets are sounded. And so, as we put various passages together, it becomes pretty clear that that's that time that Zephaniah was talking about. In fact, they're not the only ones. If we look back to Isaiah, chapter 34, verse 8, we see, in a sense, a name come clear for this time. Yes, the great day of his wrath could be a description of the time of the seven trumpets, but Isaiah 34 recounts a memorable name for this time. Isaiah 34, verse 8 also puts a time frame on these events that are going to happen. Notice what Isaiah 34, verse 8. Isaiah is inspired to write about this time of massive destruction leading up to Christ's return. And here's what Isaiah recorded for us. He wrote, for it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, the great day of His wrath, as we read in Revelation, the day of the Lord's vengeance. But then he writes, the year of recompense, or some translations say, retribution for the cause of Zion. And we recognize today we are spiritual Zion. We are the people of God. We are the church of God. We are Zion in that sense. And so God's vengeance, or as Zephaniah said, the day of the Lord. And how long is this time period of the day of the Lord? It's not just one day. Here we find the symbolism behind that idea of the great day of wrath, where Isaiah records for us the year of recompense, the year of recompense. So we find the day of the Lord is a year that leads up to the return of Christ. Yes, it's part of the tribulation, but don't get it confused with that. This is now where God pours out His wrath on mankind. And it's interesting as we compare that to that section of Scripture we read a little bit earlier over in Thessalonians. If you hold your place in, hopefully you kept your spot in Revelation there. We'll come back for that in just a moment. But turn over to 1 Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians, we read about that seventh trumpet as Christ returns. But in chapter 5, the Apostle Paul adds another dimension to the events that are going to occur at this time of the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5, notice verse 1, right at the very beginning of that chapter. As Paul's discussing the return of Christ as we've been thinking about this time of the day of the Lord, notice what he encourages the Thessalonians. He encourages us with these words. Verse 1, 1 Thessalonians 5, he says, But of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them.

So as we look at this section of Scripture, what is that reminding us? Does the day of the Lord come on us as a thief in the night? Sometimes you hear people say, well, it's going to be like a thief in the night. I just can't figure it out. No, that is wrong. That is untrue. Paul makes it very clear. He says, you should know this so clearly and so specifically that I don't even need to tell you. I don't even need to write to you about this. You know perfectly. You understand completely the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. But is that on you? Is that on God's people or is that reference to the world? Well, let's go on. It says, for when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them as travail upon a woman with trial. They shall not escape. So as we look at this, you know, specifically this isn't even talking about the return of Christ. It's narrowing it down and labeling this time frame of the seven trumpets that's called the day of the Lord. And it's showing us we can't miss it. If we're being dealt with by God, if we're committed to God, if we have a close relationship with God, we're going to see these things. And it's not going to come on us as a thief in the night because there's prophecy after prophecy and warning after warning about what's happening.

And so here we see pretty clearly that the day of the Lord is a time period that lasts a year of those seven trumpets that are being fulfilled. And so as we look at what John recorded for us in the book of Revelation when we see what Isaiah wrote, it seems that that time frame of the day of the Lord, God's wrath being poured out on this earth, is a time frame of one year. One year. Out of the three and a half years of tribulation, the last year before Christ's return is the seven trumpets. It's the day of the Lord. In fact, I find it interesting that even the Apostle John, as he begins the book of Revelation, says, I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, on the day of the Lord. He envisions that time frame. In fact, if you look what Paul wrote here, look at verse 5, emphasizing that point. I don't even need to write to you about this. He says, you brethren are not in darkness so that this day should overtake you as a thief.

Well, Christ could come as a thief in the night, so who knows when? No. Don't think that way. Don't think that way at all. He says it shouldn't overtake you as a thief. Verse 5, you, in comparison to the world, you're not like the world. You are the sons of light and sons of the day. We have spiritual understanding. We're not of the night or of darkness. And so it begins to show us very clearly that these prophetic warnings that God has given us are things that we can understand so that we're not caught off guard. It won't be like a thief in the night to us. It shouldn't be. We should not be caught unaware by the day of the Lord, let alone by the return of Christ, because they spell it out so very clearly for us through all these prophetic warnings that were given. And the amazing part is it doesn't start there. It doesn't start at the day of the Lord that we're shown events that are prophesied to return. You know, when we step back, we step back from the day of the Lord, what happens before that? Well, we know the day of the Lord is the seven trumpets. That's the seventh seal that's broken, and then those trumpet plagues follow.

Well, before that is a sixth seal, a sixth seal. We read about that back in Revelation. So if you turn back to Revelation 6, here we find a precursor to the day of the Lord, a precursor to that year of recompense. We have something that will occur before God pours out His wrath, before those trumpet plagues begin. And so here we find that described, Revelation 6, 12.

It says, I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth of hair. The moon became like blood. The stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its late figs when it's shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it's rolled up. And every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

And it's interesting, sometimes, you know, you read about these things, people talk about these things. They talk about, well, you know, the blood moons. Better watch out for the blood moons, because Christ is coming. Is that what this is talking about? Is this talking about some eclipse that's going to take place or something like that? You've probably heard those things that get out there in the news and look out and all this kind of... Wait a second. Are you going to miss the sky receding? I mean, that's what's going to be happening. It says the sky is going to be rolled up. Literally like a scroll is wrapped and rolled right up. We should be well aware of that. And what about this passage that says every mountain and island was moved? That sounds like the whole earth is going to be shaking. How are we going to miss that? Well, we shouldn't miss that.

Now, maybe mankind will come up with another explanation. We know that they're totally deceived, but we recognize when the sixth seal occurs. In fact, if we put this together with what Peter talked about at that very first Pentecost, it's kind of interesting that he's going through what is going to bring about the return of Christ. If you remember thinking back to Pentecost not all that long ago, he pointed out the fact that Jesus was the Christ. He was the Messiah. And there are events that were prophesied to happen before He returns. And in fact, in that sermon, if you want to turn there, hold your place in Revelation. Go over to Acts 2, verse 19, because here we find Peter's version, I guess you could say Peter adding details to this sixth seal. Sometimes in your Bible, it may even have little headings on the various seals or trumpets. Oftentimes they'll have heavenly signs written over the sixth seal. And certainly there's going to be heavenly signs falling to earth like figs and these amazing things happen. Also interesting, Revelation talks about the figs are shaken like a mighty wind or from a mighty wind.

Well, we know Pentecost had some things happening that were like a mighty wind as well. And so I wonder if that's what brought this to Peter's mind. Acts 2, 19, he says, I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness. It sounds like what we read in Revelation 6 and the moon into blood. That sounds familiar as well. And what's the timeframe? Well, he tells us, before that great and notable day of the Lord come. What happens before the seven trumpets? What happens before that seventh seal?

Before the great and notable day of the Lord? Well, that sixth seal. That sixth seal. The sky recedes. There's this huge earthquake. And so it should help us not to get worried and concerned about people making weird predictions about blood moons and eclipses and things. This should be very obvious to us as the people of God. This isn't some, well, is the moon red tonight or not? No, this becomes very clear and should be very obvious as we watch these things as they begin to occur.

And so we see before the wrath of God, before the day of the Lord, that heavenly signs happen.

Now, it's interesting as we step back. Revelation 6.9 describes the fifth seal, the fifth seal of Revelation, which was also described by Christ. Instead of going to Revelation, I'm going to turn over to Matthew 24 and look at part of what Christ prophesied about this sixth and fifth seal. As he talked about these things, as he was asked about the time of the end and his return, he also went through a scenario with the disciples at that time. And in Matthew 24 verse 9, he describes what Revelation 6 talks about, the fifth seal.

And we see some insight as he, I guess you could say he more or less names this time. He names this time. Let's notice it. Matthew 24 verse 9, Christ says, you'll be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

So we see this fifth seal has a sense that we as God's people are going to be under the gun. We're going to be persecuted. And of course, if we're not buying into the beast and its authority, we can't buy and sell because we're God's people. It's going to be obvious as commandment keepers, as following God's will. Yeah, we are going to be set apart from the rest of the world. And he says there's going to be persecution. Some will be martyred. No doubt about that. Christ predicted that as part of this fifth seal. And then he names it a little later. Look at verse 21. Verse 21, Christ says, then there will be great tribulation, such as not been since the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be. And so this time frame of the fifth seal is also known as the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation. And this is separate from God's wrath. This is the time of Satan's wrath. Satan is going to try to do everything he possibly can to persecute God's people, to do away with God's plan. If he can undermine God's people, if he can undermine the church, if he can kill the church, then he thinks he can succeed in overcoming God. And so this is the time of Satan's wrath. In fact, Luke 21 also describes the same message that Christ gave. The Olivet prophecy, Matthew 24, Luke 21. We find a couple of extra details here, which I think is telling as well. Take a look at Luke 21, 22. Here's Christ giving that same scenario, talking about the Great Tribulation, talking about this time of the fifth seal, talking about this time of persecution. But he adds something a little bit different that we didn't see in Matthew. So let's just pick this up and recognize something I think that becomes important at this time. Luke 21, verse 22. It says, these be the days of vengeance, not God's vengeance, but Satan is out to get mankind. He says that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe to them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days, for there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people, upon this people. And Christ was pretty specific here. He didn't say wrath everywhere upon the entire world at this particular time. It doesn't seem to be saying, oh boy, it's going to be different in every place, in every section of the world. It seems like this isn't referring to people in Russia or Mexico or Brazil or those types of things. If we read this whole section of Scripture, it points to Judea. Woe to those in Judea. Judea, and he gives some special instructions for those. And so it's necessary for them to get out. Why would it be important to get out of that area of the world? Why would it be important to get away from Jerusalem? Why would that be the case? Well, when we recognize Scripture, we see that this timeframe is also unique. This time of Satan's wrath for two and a half years, he's going to try this world before the day of the Lord. And so when we recognize this, we begin to see that there is a reason to get out of Jerusalem because this tribulation is occurring. And the people there, especially God's people, better get out. Better get out. Why? Because there's going to be worldwide conflict that's focused on Jerusalem. Focused on Jerusalem. In fact, we see that come a little clearer, maybe another facet that's revealed if we turn over to Jeremiah. Jeremiah also has another name for this time period. So take a look at Jeremiah chapter 30. We'll go to verse 7. Jeremiah has quite a comprehensive listing of different things that are going to be happening.

And he zeros in on another facet that comes into play during this fifth seal, during this time of the Great Tribulation. And it kind of focuses on this people as well. So let's notice what Jeremiah had to say as God inspired him as he refers to this time of the Great Tribulation.

Let's see. Jeremiah 30 verse 7. Jeremiah records for us, "'Alas, for that day is great.'" It's the time of the Great Tribulation. It says, "'None is like it.'" Well, that sounds exactly like what Christ talked about. But then he says, "'It is even the time of Jacob's trouble.'" Jacob's trouble. "'But he'll be saved out of it.'" So we can begin to draw some connections here. We can connect the fifth seal to the Great Tribulation to Jacob's trouble. They're all one in the same. They're all one in the same. And so it is this unique time period that he says, it's Jacob's trouble.

And it's that time ultimately when those that are in the environs of Jerusalem better watch out. That's what Christ said. And in fact, if we turn back to Revelation, if you still held your place there, look at Revelation 12, 12. Revelation is describing this time frame, this time of Great Tribulation. This time when Satan is angry with humanity, angry at God, wants to destroy God's church. Revelation 12, 12 describes that time frame of the fifth seal. And notice what it says.

It says, "'Therefore rejoice, O heavens, you who dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea.'" Yeah, lots of bad things are going to be happening on earth. Why?

"'The devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.'" So this time of the fifth seal, the time of the Great Tribulation, is Satan's wrath against mankind and against God. And it's just that time when Jerusalem, the environs that Christ talked about, those that are in Judea flee, those people need to flee. Why?

Because the armies are coming. The armies are coming. And we see that. That's another step back as we work our way backward. Look at Revelation 11. Revelation 11 verse 1 describes what is on the horizon. What is leading up to that time when Christ says to flee? And John was inspired to write this. He had this vision. He says, "'I was given a reed like a measuring rod, and the angel stood saying, Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those that worship there.'" So, it seems to be describing the people of God. God's Church seems to be a part of that. But then he says, verse 2, "'Leave out the court which is outside of the temple.'" Outside of the temple. You know, we had those that are God's people and those that are not. He says, "'Don't measure it.'" Why? "'For it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months.'" For 42 months. So, we see massive armies around the holy city, around Jerusalem. And so, as John is inspired to kind of assess what's going on here, he's inspired to record for us Jerusalem is going to be occupied all the way up to the time of Christ. He says, it's going to be 42 months. How long is 42 months? Well, you add it up, it's three and a half years.

Three and a half years. And here God is inspiring John to recognize the fact this is not what's supposed to happen. This is not the way. The holy city should be holy, filled with God's people, filled with His presence. But this unnatural state of the Gentiles, those that are ungodly, have nothing to do with God, will occupy and tread down this city for three and a half years. This time of tribulation is going to last that long. Two and a half years of Satan's wrath, a year of the Day of the Lord as well. And so, when we recognize this, we could call this the time of the Gentiles, this three and a half year period that they're compassed with armies all around. And so, it's amazing when you begin to put all these different prophecies together. They're pretty specific. These are specific events and actually specific periods of time that are also involved in all of these things that all have to take place before the return of Christ.

In fact, we see another monumental event right here in chapter 11. If you look at verse 3, we're told about two witnesses, two witnesses that prophesied says 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth. And what does God call them? He calls them my witnesses. These are God's witnesses. These are two individuals that give the testimony of God. They preach the gospel of the kingdom, the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. And once again, very specific, very clear amount of time. We have 1,260 days, which is actually the same as 42 months, which is actually the same as three and a half years. So, we have that same time period. And so, evidently, the time of the Gentiles, the time of the two witnesses all coincide together. In fact, it even tells us what they're going to be doing. It says, And obviously, we realize this hasn't happened. This hasn't happened. All of this takes place.

And ultimately, it says they're overcome by the beast of the bottomless pit that comes out and they are killed, but resurrected, resurrected as well. And so, you wonder, how could this happen without us knowing about it? Well, it can't. I mean, if we're right with God, we're going to know.

We're going to recognize. Now, the world, they could be fooled. I mean, do they see, I mean, before this even, we're told about the four horsemen. And we recognize they're already riding. The horsemen of false religion is riding. It's everywhere. The horsemen of war, certainly there's war in our world today. Famine, pestilence, yes, we've been suffering with these things. And we know it's just gaining more momentum. You know, these horsemen are riding and they're getting closer and closer and bigger and bigger. And it's interesting as we consider these things, and we recognize these events have to occur. I think there's something that we have to take as, I think, so encouraging in all of this. I mean, it's a lot of gloom and doom. It can always be overwhelming. You wonder, how in the world can we possibly survive all of these things?

But I think when we look at what Christ emphasized, it can give us a whole different perspective and can help us to face what does lie ahead. If you go back to Matthew 24, back to that part of the Olivet prophecy, I want to pick it up in verse 42. Because it's almost surprising as you consider all these things that are going to happen, you wonder, how can the world miss it? Wouldn't any of them turn to the Bible and say, hey, wait, I think that's that event in the Bible? But evidently not. I mean, we were told it's not to come on us as a thief, but the world's going to come up with some other idea of why these things are happening.

And maybe they can't understand. Maybe seeing is not believing, because they're going to be fools. We know Satan deceives the whole world. He is the great counterfeiter. So he certainly is going to be at work during that time deceiving the entire world. And they may just think, well, it's just the natural consequences of humans and human governments. Sure, one man may see a missile falling from the skies and attribute it to fulfilled prophecy, and another will say, well, it's just another battle going on. Yeah, that may be the case. But this deception of Satan and all these cataclysmic events should leave us with no doubt whether prophecy is being fulfilled or not. And in all of these things, we understand that Christ is our hope. We have the hope of the resurrection. And after discussing his information that he gives us about this time in Matthew 24, notice what he emphasizes.

If you look at verse 42, Matthew 24, after going through a quick sketch of these things, here's what Christ said. He says, Okay, it shouldn't be like a thief in the night for us because there's all kinds of things that are going to be obvious if we're close to God. Now, Christ did say, you don't know the hour.

Now, I've often wondered, well, why an hour? Why would He use that term? Well, what is He emphasizing here? Be spiritually prepared. Be ready spiritually. God's given us His Holy Spirit. We have the power over sin. We can be ready. We can be close to God the Father and Jesus Christ. He can be living His life in us and through us right now. And that's such a powerful thing, an amazing thing, an encouraging thing. But we can't wait till the last hour.

Can you build holy character in an hour? No. You don't know the hour. You don't know the hour. You're not going to be able to put together your spirituality at the last, oh wow, I see this, but I want to get things to—no. He says, that's not the way it works. You don't know the hour, so now's the time to be ready. Now's the time. Judgment's now in the Church of God. We have our life right now to be ready. And even though we may not know the hour, I think we can see it coming, can't we? We should be able to see it coming. Even though we can't get ready in an hour, we can get ready now. And we've seen other precursors that are pushing the world in this direction. You know, and whether we look at Taiwan, or we look at Ukraine, or we look at the Middle East, yes, these things are pushing us to that very time that Christ was predicting. But it wasn't so that we could figure out exactly when it's going to come. That wasn't the purpose, that we could decipher the date where we see these things coming. We're going to know we're getting closer. What's the purpose? It's the meaning behind these things. The spiritual intent here is that we recognize this time of trouble is just ahead of us, so now's our time. Now is the time to become spiritually ready, to be close to God, to develop an ever-closer relationship with God. And the great part is, yes, God wants us to know it's coming, and He's giving us the power through His Spirit to be ready. In fact, if you read this particular verse, verse 43 in the Living Bible, I like the way it's worded here. It says, just as a man can prevent trouble from thieves by keeping watch for them, so you can avoid trouble by always being ready. And Christ is talking about being spiritually prepared, being spiritually ready, continuing to grow in grace and knowledge, coming to a deeper relationship with God. In fact, as we look at what He emphasized here, He even concludes this section by emphasizing that very fact. Look at verse 45. He says, well, who is then a faithful and wise servant whom his master made ruler over his household to give them food in due season?

What's the answer? Who is faithful and wise? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Now, he just didn't try to kick it in at the last hour. He's been doing it all along. He's responded to God's call. She's developed that relationship with God and recognizes now's the time. Now's the time! God's given us His Spirit so that we can accomplish His will in our life. And that is the good news. We have the plan of God to look forward to. So, if we think about that very question, is the end near? Well, yeah, it's nearer than ever before. Yeah, that's true. But Jesus is not returning this year. Not going to return next year. A lot of things got to happen. So, what does that mean? We just sit back and not worry? No, it's reminding us. These things, exactly when they occur, it's really irrelevant when you really get down to it.

Because what's the time frame that we can work with? Now. Now. Today is all we have. Today is all we have. Now is that time. And God's prepared us and given us the tools that we need to succeed. He's living His life in us. So, let's be spiritually ready today because we may not have tomorrow. So, let's be prepared for the return of Christ.