Enduring the End Time

Brethren, we live in a dangerous world. There's more unrest and less safety than any time in the history of the human race. And for those with eyes to see, there's a gathering storm on the horizon. The situation in France that developed just over a week ago is frightening. And now Belgium and other nations in Europe are beginning to face that possibility they could face similar horrors of terror in their own countries. When will Europe and the USA wake up? It is jihad. Holy war, except it's not really holy at all. It does appear that Europe may be starting to wake up just a bit. There was a big rally or a big demonstration over a million or so people in Paris last Sunday. And we all saw pictures of that on TV, the leaders of nations in Europe, and some from the Middle East even, other parts of the world who were locked arm to arm together against that type of terrorism. We're very familiar in the news with names like ISIS, the Islamic State, Iran, Al Qaeda, Hamas, and now Boko Burah in Nigeria, also Islamic and killing hundreds or thousands, rather, of people. Will terrorism strike our own country is one of those things that we've heard a lot about in the news as well.

You know, think about it. It's almost certain we've had fighters to go over some of our own citizens to be fighting with ISIS and to return. And we've not forbidden them from coming back if they go and fight. We have then ones with experience in terrorism who are citizens of our own country.

In addition to terrorism, we see a growing lawlessness that has to be a concern as well. Things that have happened in our own country that now have people will have the policemen sort of on the defense, and they may be shot down. Some of them have been shot down already. Our social fabric, then, our security is unraveling.

There could also be another financial collapse anytime. And anytime, of course, there could be things like drought, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, things we don't expect. And on top of all of this, and I'll get to this later in the sermon, something is going to develop that is unforeseen by virtually everyone in our country and in the world at large, that is suddenly going to shock the world. It's really going to be a lot bigger than terrorism or any of these other things. It's going to be the biggest thing and have the most impact on the world, and we need to be on the lookout for that. And it could be we could have the groundwork anyway, or some of those things which are going to force it to happen already beginning to unfold right before our eyes. Some of this could even surprise us as God's own people when it begins to happen.

Well, the title of today's sermon is Enduring the End Time. We are approaching that time that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24. And what we're seeing now appears to be the beginning of sorrows, and it's going to get worse until we'll have a time of great tribulation and crisis like this world has never had before.

So the sermon title again, Enduring the End Time, we need a sermon like this in order to deal with the age that we are living in. Let's ask some questions. Does the Bible mention today's terrorism? Well, the word terrorism is not directly found in the Bible, but let me say it does, and we'll see some verses in a moment.

What about jihad, holy war, or in other words, a religious war? Does the Bible have any indication of something like that developing? Would the Bible or does it foretell terrorism possibly striking the United States and Britain? What about ISIS, the Islamic State? Is it mentioned anywhere in the Bible? And what is that coming event that I mentioned that's going to shock the world? We're going to answer these questions, and also at the end we're going to ask ourselves, what can we do to cope with all that is happening, and how can we prepare, and how can we endure the end time? Okay, where does the Bible foretell today's terrorism? You know, it doesn't use the word terrorism, but it does describe conditions like we are having today. Let's turn to Matthew 24 and verse 6, the Olivet Prophecy. Matthew 24 and verse 6, while we're turning there, the Apostle Paul mentioned that at the time of the end, there would be perilous times. And in the things he mentioned, that there would be those who would be brutal. We certainly see brutality on the increase. And that's true even in some of the things happening in our own country, and certainly the beheading of people by ISIS, and then what happened in Paris, just brutal. Innocent people shot down, feeling that they were doing service to their God. So, you know, what an age this is. Matthew 24, Jesus is talking about the sign of his coming and the end of the age. In verse 6, he said, "...you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you're not troubled. All these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes. All these the beginning of sorrows." So, yes, you know, kingdom against kingdom, nation against nation. The word for nation comes from ethnos. Ethnos has to do with ethnicity, that is the racial background also of different peoples. And so we have this sort of thing then prophesied foretold by Jesus Christ. So I think we can say, yes, the Bible describes a time when there would be things like terrorism. Here in Matthew 24, verse 21, it goes on to say that there will be great tribulation. That's what we're heading toward. That's where this terrorism and different wars that are being fought right now.

That's where it's leading toward a time of great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time, known or ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the like sake those days will be shortened. So the Bible foretells a time when there would be anger, hatred like never before, leading to great tribulation and man destroying himself. What about terrorism striking the USA and Britain? Anything in the Bible about that? Well, I think we can say that there is. Let's go to Leviticus chapter 26. While we're turning there, we know that Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are those two chapters in the Bible that we often say are the blessing and cursing chapters. Blessings for obedience. And that's what we find here in the first 13 verses. Obedience to God brings blessings and good things. But beginning in verse 14, and let's start reading there. If you do not obey me and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise my statutes, or if your soul abhors my judgments, so that you do not perform all my commandments but break my covenant. Brethren, that's what our nation has been busy doing. And now we're about to have this issue of gay marriage to come before the Supreme Court of our country. To make it legal all over the land is just the way things have been going. It just further degrades the family as God has ordained it to be, and the husband-wife relationship between a man and a woman, who then have children who stay together and raise and bring those children up to be law-abiding, decent citizens in a community and a country. We're losing all of that. No wonder we have so many evils developing in our country. Family life is just further breaking apart all the time, and it's causing the fabric of the country to disintegrate. And it's frightening to see the way this is going. Our sitting president and vice president have been at the forefront of gay marriage, and of course other leaders as well. And one day they will have to answer for that. That is so wrong in God's sight. And so evil. Yeah, we've been busily going along as far as hating and despising God's judgments and His commandments. Then what would be the curses? Verse 16, in the rest of the chapter, I will do this to you. I will even appoint terror. And it's interesting, thus the very first curse that is mentioned. I will appoint terror over you.

So I would say it may not necessarily be talking about the kind of terrorism that we think of in the news today, but it certainly would include that as well. I'll appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever, which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain.

And so you can read on down how God is going to bring all the different punishments and the curses upon us. And in verse 25, I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of my covenant when you are gathered together within your cities.

In verse 31, I will lay your cities waste and bring your sanctuaries to desolation. And in verse 33, scatter you among the nations and draw a sword after you. Well, this just applies to ancient Israel, right? This was given, first of all, to them. When they were at the foot of Mount Sinai, God gave this to Israel. And as the Israelites were wandering around in the wilderness, we come to Deuteronomy. And at the end of that time, God also gave to the Israelites chapter 28 of Deuteronomy about the curses, the same curses that we read about here in Leviticus 26. Is it only talking about ancient Israel? Oh, no, it's talking about modern-day Israel as well. It's an application. And we find that, well, even in many prophecies. Look, for example, in Jeremiah chapter 30. It would be very good to be familiar with the prophecies in Jeremiah 30 and 31.

There are prophecies about a modern-day application of the curses that are mentioned in Leviticus 26 in our time upon modern-day Israel. There's going to be a captivity of Israel at the end of this age. In verse 3, Jeremiah 30, in verse 3, I will bring back from captivity my people Israel and Judah. Oh, there's going to be a captivity, all right.

And it's mentioned down in verse 5, I've heard a voice of trembling and fear and not peace. Why do I see a man like in labor with child, like a woman in labor? All faces turn pale. And verse 7, Alas, for that day is great. So that none is like it. Oh, it's the great tribulation that Jesus referred to. It is the time of Jacob's trouble. So modern-day Israel is going to have a time of trouble. We know that's the United States and Britain and the other tribes of Israel. But, it goes on to say, He will be saved out of it.

Many prophecies show that God will not forget His covenant with Israel, and He will punish and correct, and then He will deliver. And it goes on to say that in verse 8, it will come to pass. I will break His yoke from your neck and burst your bonds. Foreigners shall no more enslave them. But they, the Israelites, who now have been corrected and punished, will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

And you can read on down that God is going to punish and correct, and then He will restore Israel. And chapter 31 goes on to bring out, even make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. So, brethren, is terrorism going to strike the United States? You know, almost...you have to say the answer is going to be yes, sooner or later. But you know, just heard on a newscast this week that we have been lucky.

And I think that may have been in reference to finding this man in Ohio that was going to come to the U.S. Capitol and kill senators and congressmen. And he was caught, and they used the word lucky. But you know, I believe that lucky is not the right word. That God is not going to allow major terrorism to strike our country until it is His time, because it's going to do some damage. And it could begin to bring our nation down, and our economy down. And we'd no longer be able to do a work. Most of the work of the church is done because of our economy in the U.S.

And so is God just holding us up? And we'll continue to be lucky until God...is God's purpose to no longer protect us. And that time could come...could come sooner, if not just a bit later on. Certainly, many prophecies here in Jeremiah and also in Ezekiel bring out that terrorism will strike, touching blood, and then our nation coming down into a state of national captivity. But will there be all-out holy war? Jihad is ISIS mentioned in the Bible.

Well, you know, maybe indirectly the condition that we're seeing in the Middle East, the Islamic State, and this powerful army now that is developing there, this nation that hates the United States and hates Christianity and has beheaded people. Maybe this whole thing does have a historical background that lends itself to what is developing right now.

And maybe Bible prophecy does have some things to say about it. Let's go back to Genesis 16. This would be probably the correct place to begin as far as getting historical background on this. In Genesis 16, we know the story how Abraham and Sarah could not have children.

So it was agreed upon that Abraham would go into Hagar, and he did, and he had a child by the name of Ishmael. Well, before the child was even born, Sarah chased her away, and she went out into the wilderness. But an angel told her that she should come back and submit herself to Sarah.

And the angel—let's read what the angel told Hagar. This is before Ishmael was born in verse 11. The angel said to Hagar, You are with child, and you shall bear a son, and call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man. This describes the characteristics of Ishmael and his descendants. His hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him. And he will dwell in the presence of all of his brethren. You know, it does kind of help us to see the rather emotional and erratic type of national character of Ishmael.

Not a stable person that is described here. A wild man, his hand against every man, and every man's hand against him. The Arabs today openly say that they descend from Ishmael. When we were over in Jordan, we heard that from one of the people there. Though actually those in Jordan probably come from Amman, Moab and Amman, more than from Ishmael. Be that as it may, many of the people in the Middle East do descend from Ishmael.

Many, many of them. And it sort of explains some of their national characteristics when you read this in Genesis 16. Well, is there any indication then of what we're seeing develop in the Middle East right now? Is there going to be an Islamic State?

There is going to be something, whether it's ISIS or something that will maybe be other than ISIS. We don't know, but let's turn to Psalm 83 and very quickly read something that is actually prophetic and we believe has an application for our time today. Psalm 83 and here we have the enemies of Israel confederating together, creating a confederacy and consulting to destroy Israel. In verse 4, they have said, Come and let us cut them off from being a nation that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.

Of course, today many of the Arab nations would like to cut off the nation Israel, which is actually only the Jews, Judah, but they would also, many of the Arab nations, ISIS, and others would like to cut off America and Britain, who also are Israel. They'd like to, even though they don't realize we are Israel, but they still like to cut us off. That the name of Israel may be remembered no more. They've consulted together with one consent. They form a confederacy. Verse 5, the tents of Edom. We believe that may very likely be Turkey and the Ishmaelites. Oh, that would be the Arabs. Moab and the Hagarites and Gebel and Ammon, we believe, Jordan then, and maybe some of those nations, Amalek and Philistia.

They have joined together in a confederacy that the name of Israel may be no more. We believe at the end time there is going to be a confederation in the Middle East. Let's read about something that indicates that in Daniel, chapter 11. I think we're very familiar, but, you know, it's good to make a direct application of these prophecies to what is making news in the headlines in the world every day.

It's good to understand what is happening, this thing of terrorism and where it's heading, what direction it's going to go, what it's going to cause, what are some of the repercussions or things that will develop from it. In Daniel 11 and verse 40, At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him.

And it's talking about the hymn that refers back to the previous verses. The hymn is the king of the north. The king of the south shall attack him, the king of the north. So this shows that out of the Middle East, at the time of the end, now that's our time today, there's something going to develop, some type of confederation in the Middle East, and there's going to be a leader that's called here the king of the south who will attack the king of the north.

Now, the king of the north has become the ones who took over the northern part there, from Syria, and what was the ancient king of the north. And the Roman Empire actually came in and took over that area. And we believe the king of the north, at the time of the end, is going to be actually out of Europe, is going to be the ten nations that unite together. And here is a prophecy that the king of the north will come storming back against the king of the south. Now, just all the ways that this is going to develop and where the king of the south will come from, Egypt as an ancient times or maybe another nation, is not clear.

But this would indicate an all-out war between Islam and Christianity. This would indicate that Christianity in Europe is going to wake up at some point, no doubt under the leadership of the Catholic Church and the Pope, and Europe is going to rise up to defend Christianity.

It's going to be here a warfare that involves two major religions of the world, the world's Christianity versus the Islamic religion in the Middle East. And so that is something that's going to be an all-out religious war. Now, the Bible does not directly mention ISIS, but we'll have to wait and see how that fits in. But it certainly does foretell the rise of the king of the south in the Middle East. But before we read the rest of Daniel 11, we may come back to this if we have the time, and we'll try to make the time.

We need to ask that question, what is it that's going to shock the world? And that's going to be far bigger than ISIS, far bigger than the rise of the king of the south and the Islamic religion. Let's go to Revelation 17, just to get right to the hard-and-core of something that is going to develop that's going to be the biggest thing to be watching for.

And even the groundwork could be being laid for that right now by what is happening in Europe. In Revelation 17 and verse 7, The angel said to me, Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and the beast that carries her, who has seven heads and ten horns. We're familiar, I think, with the beast with the seven heads and the ten horns. So let's go back to Revelation 13 and then go back ultimately to Daniel 7. Verse 8, The beast that you saw was...

So here's this beast that was... This is a political system, actually the beast, a military political system. It was and is not ceases to be and yet will ascend, will exist yet again out of the bottomless pit. And then go into, we could say, ultimate perdition or destruction. Well, you notice the same system, actually, the Roman Empire that was to exist at the time of the end. Daniel 2 brings it out. The stone will smite the image at the feet and it will send...

This system will be shattered and it will send it into perdition or destruction. But notice it goes on to say, those who see this develop, see these ten nations unite. And the woman riding upon this system, the church and the beast and the false prophet and the ten nations, those who dwell on the earth will marvel. They will be shocked. The world's not expecting the biggest thing that's going to happen in the immediate future is this, when these ten nations do unite, when Europe really wakes up out of its slumber.

And that system which was and which was not and yet is will come back to be. Once again, the world is going to marvel. That is, those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. And the implication is those in God's church will be able to understand. We need not be shocked. I wonder sometimes, though, if we ourselves know what to be looking for. The biggest thing of all is this system that is going to rise up.

It is going to become the enemy of our nation and really the enemy of many other nations as well. And it's going to influence the world in commercial economic ways and religious ways like no other system ever has in the history of mankind. It's going to be a grand finale of that whole system of political and religious system. Those who dwell on the earth will marvel, those not written in the Book of Life.

When they see the beast that was and is not and yet is, when it comes suddenly back to life again. And then it brings out, here's the mind that has wisdom. It talks about in verse 10, the seven kings, five are fallen, one is, the other is yet to come. That certainly fits very well into when this prophecy came to be understood by the church.

Mr. Armstrong came to understand that one, five had fallen, one that was, was Mussolini and Hitler and the system that existed during the time of World War II. And the other has not yet come, hasn't even to this day quite come yet. When he comes, he must continue a short time.

The beast that was and is not is himself also the eighth and is of the seventh and going into perdition. The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet. They receive authority as one hour as kings with the beast. These have one mind. They'll give their power and authority to the beast. And they'll make war with the lamb and he will overcome them.

So that will be that rock that comes and smites the image at its feet in Daniel, Chapter 2. So, brethren, this is the biggest thing that we should be looking for. And could it be that out of the terrorism that is developing in Europe, that the European nations are going to begin to wake up? And they'll realize that for their existence, if they are to have their freedom of speech. And what if there begins to be more of a religious aspect of this, a religious revival? At some point, there has to be a religious revival in Europe. And it could be the Pope who now is very influential, though, will be the one that will begin to bring about that religious revival. I'll tell you when this suddenly develops, it's going to take the world by surprise.

Revelation 13, we need to be well familiar with Chapter 13. The first ten verses talk about the political aspect of this system that is going to rise, the ten nations. And they are going to be given authority to continue 42 months. It says in verse 5, they'll be given authority. That will be during the Great Tribulation period of time then, maybe slightly before. There will be blasphemy. Verse 7, they will make war with the saints. That will be the martyrdom that is foretold in the fifth seal. Authority given to this system over every tribe, tongue, and nation. They are going to be influential around the world through the Great Power, militarily and commercially, economically. All who dwell on the earth will worship and be involved, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb. Anyone that has an heir, let him hear. He who leads in the captivity shall go in the captivity. A warning that this system then will meet its end. He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Brother, we need to understand then, and we need to have that patience and faith referred to also. Well, verses 11 through 18, the rest of the chapter, refer to the religious aspect of the ten nations, the mother church that is going to play such a dominant role. There will be the performing of great signs and wonders, verse 13, even making fire come down from heaven on the earth and the sight of men. Verse 14, deceiving those who dwell on the earth.

And verse 16, causing all rich and poor, small and great, to receive a mark on their right hand and their foreheads, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name. So the mark of the beast. So this system is going to be powerful. There will never have been anything quite like this. And no one will be able to do commerce and business unless they go along with the false religion of this great system, a political, military, and religious system. I tell you what, something is developing, and when you get people in a religious fervor, look at what happens in the case of ISIS and the terrorism that is going on. And what is going to happen when there is the same type of religious fervor on the part of religion in Europe? And there's going to be modern-day crusades that will go on. And I don't think we will take the time to go back to—well, we can go quickly back to Daniel 11, because it all ties in together, and we need to see how it does tie in. In Daniel 11, it shows how there's going to be a crusade, and no doubt it will be under the guise of saving the world and saving Christianity that the King of the North is going to come charging down into the Middle East. And we'll set up the abomination of desolation, and we'll set up his headquarters in Jerusalem. In verse 40 again, at the time of the end, the King of the South will attack—the King James Version says, push—the King of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind. So those ten nations come charging down with all their military weaponry. They shall enter the glorious land, and many countries will be overthrown. So those Arab nations are not going to be able to stand up against the Europeans.

But these will escape. Even Moab and prominent people of Amman might be because they're allied with the Europeans already. He will stretch his hand against the land of Egypt, and against the countries in Egypt will not escape. Libyans and Ethiopians, that is, heels.

Verse 44, news from the east and the north, we come on down to where Russia and China and nations from the Orient begin to not like what they see. Verse 45, he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain in Jerusalem. And again, the abomination of desolation having been set up.

He will come to his end, and none will help him. The king of the north, the beast, power, the beast himself, will be actually destroyed by Christ at his coming. So we need to see how all of this then does tie in together. There will be a new world power that is going to rise, and it will be in a time of crisis and trouble. Could this even now be leading up to it? Or is it very preliminary? It could be very preliminary, but we need to keep watching. And when this system rises, it will quickly become the enemy of the United States and Britain, and will be used by God to actually punish modern-day Israel. Isaiah 10 ties in that Assyria doesn't think to destroy, but God has put it in his heart to punish Israel. So the ten nations will be used of God to do that. So, brethren, we are living in dangerous times. I just wanted to bring out a few of these things and stress that we know what to be looking for in the days ahead. Some questions I'd like for us to think about as we come toward the latter part of the sermon is, how can we prepare and how can we cope with the danger all around? What if when God does allow terror to strike, what if that plot against the Congress had gone through? I tell you what, we could have paralyzing things to happen in our country, or maybe some type of internet hacking that goes on to bring down our internet system, internet or terrorism. What would happen? Or our electrical grid, if that were brought down? I tell you what, frightening things could happen quickly. Are we prepared? Again, the sermon title, Enduring the End Time, it's not going to be an easy time. Some may want to not think about this, bury their heads in the sand. Other people in our country seek their own physical solution. They call them the survivalists, so they store food and weapons to protect their food and themselves. Certainly, all of us are vulnerable to disruptions in the world. We're not as self-sufficient as we might think. We're at the mercy of electricity, water, food, the internet. What if any or all of these were suddenly stopped? What would we do? Only 4% of Americans live on farms. I'm not sure those 4% are self-sufficient.

They grow huge crops that they market, but would they be able to survive themselves? 96% don't live on the farm. They're dependent upon distribution and service systems for day-to-day life. But the churches strive to help us to understand the meaning of our times and how to deal with them.

What should we be doing? Should we begin saving up food and water, and maybe for 3 1⁄2 years, be able to save ourselves? Well, remember, in 1999, there was the Millennium Bug. It was feared that when the Millennium 2000 came around, that there would be a crash of computers all around the world, sending the world into a tailspin. Well, we know that didn't happen, but the church did recommend whatever may happen, that or other catastrophes, it's good to be prepared for a few weeks, maybe a month or two.

It's not a bad idea. There could be hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages. It's good to be able to survive for a short time. But we don't recommend that you store things up for long periods of time. If you did and other people in your community were out of things, would you not want to share with them and say, well, let's go as long as we can? Would you just want to save your own hide?

That's just a wrong way of looking at things. So, preparing for a short time is always a good idea. But how should we prepare? What's our major preparation? Our major preparation is spiritual, to be close to God and walking with Him, making God real as we're studying in our youth lessons, and being a living sacrifice. Let's just read a few verses. This is the preparation we need, and I want to underscore. Romans 12 and verse 1. What are we doing with our lives? Are we striving to be a living sacrifice every day of our life?

That's what really matters. That's the preparation that we need to be making. Romans 12 and verse 1. I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. So is our life a living sacrifice?

And we say, God, I'm yours. Use me as you see fit. Are we vigilant in conducting our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, coming out of the world? Look at verse 2 here. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That's what we should be busy doing, being transformed, changing, growing, overcoming, having our mind renewed. What about our priorities? Do we strive to assure that our priorities are seeking God's kingdom first, as Jesus said? Really? Praying for God's kingdom.

And I would say, having a real sorrow. Don't we have a sorrow? Look at the French nation this past week. They have been in a state of national mourning. Of course, if something like that is allowed to happen in our country, we would have the same thing. Just after 9-11. So we pray for God's kingdom when there won't be that kind of thing going on. Let's turn to Luke 21 in verse 36. And here's some admonition that Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount.

And that is to, he said, to watch. Luke 21 in verse 36. And to watch here means to be alert. Be watchful of what is going on in the world. And also be watchful of our own spiritual state. We're watching our own attitudes, our own lives, and the way that we are living our life so that it is in a manner that is pleasing to God. Well, he went on to say, watch therefore and pray always. Do we pray every day? And even during the day, have hundreds of prayers asking God to help us.

You know, we should constantly, I believe in the world today, be saying, Abba, Father, Father, Father. And ask God to be with us and to be with mankind by sending his kingdom sooner because of all the suffering that is going on. So watch therefore and pray always that you may be a county worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man. That's what we need to be busy doing. Not necessarily that we're going to escape, you know, with our physical lives.

We don't know. And there may be strong Christians who will be martyred at the end of the age. We have no guarantee. God has allowed other strong Christians to be martyred, and he could allow others at the end of this age. So we're not just trying to save our own skin. We know that God can do that if it's his will. He can save us. He can nourish us. As one passage in Revelation 12 indicates, a thousand may fall in our right hand and left hand, but God can deliver us from it all.

So Psalm 91, he can send ravens once again to deliver food like he did for Elijah. So we know that God will provide and watch over us according to his will. What should we be doing then? Watching and praying, trusting God. Verse 28 here, Luke 21 verse 28, when you see these things begin to happen, and yet to almost think, well, we are beginning to see them. When you see these things begin to happen, what? Look up. Look up to God. Lift up your heads. Just focus on God and his purpose and his kingdom more than ever, because your redemption draws near. The kingdom of God is near. This is the kind of preparation that we need. Are we changing our lives to live as Jesus lived? We're changing it more and more, keeping God's commandments. Is our faith strong? Jesus indicated it might not be for everyone. Let's turn to Luke 18 and verse 8. Is our faith strong? Can it endure? Enduring the end time is going to require a strong faith. Luke chapter 18 and verse 8, I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?

You know, there's a question, isn't it? That's a question. And the answer has to be answered individually. Jesus didn't give the answer. He did not indicate that no one is going to have faith, but he did indicate that perhaps some may not. They may not have the strong faith they need to endure at the end time. So you and I have to answer that question individually. Will he find a strong faith in us? A faith that will carry us through all the troubles no matter what they might be. We might not know, you know, where the next meal is going to come from. We may not know how we will be delivered out of certain problems that develop. We'll have to have a strong faith. So, Brother Inar, we need to think about these things. And as Mr. Kubik wrote in his letter that he sent to all of the readers of the Good News magazine, are you going to be ready for the day of Jesus Christ's return, or will you scramble to be right with God at the last minute? He mentioned that in his letter. Will you scramble to be right with God in the last minute? And he went on to say, don't make that mistake. Don't scramble to be right with God at the last minute. I think that would work out, would not work out anyway, because we'd be like the five foolish virgins, and we find the door closed when we came back. Let's turn to a few verses in Matthew 24, and then we'll turn to one other passage before, as we wind down. Matthew chapter 24, and in verse 13, again, this is the Olivet prophecy.

Matthew 24, in verse 13, Jesus said, He who endures to the end shall be saved. And that's what the sermon title is, Enduring the End Time. Enduring the End Time. And the end here may be not the coming of Christ, it may be at the end of our lives. We have no guarantee that we're going to live until Christ returns. He that endures to the end of his life, before the coming of Christ will be saved. And verse 42, Jesus then admonished us, Watch therefore, for you do not know what our Your Lord is coming.

We need to be watchful. And verse 44, therefore, you also be ready. There's a constant state of readiness that we need to be in. We need to be right with God all the time, don't we? Not scramble to be right when events begin to unfold and get very bad at the time of the end. That'd be too late. Be ready, continuously ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.

And how can we be ready? Think verses 45 and 46 tell us, Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom His Lord made ruler over His household to give them food in due season?

And the answer is verse 46. Blessed is that servant whom His Master, when He comes, will find so doing. So we've got to remain or continue so doing the work of God. What does it mean, so doing? Well, I think it means in our own personal life, growing, overcoming, being a living sacrifice, being close to God, walking with God. But it also means to have our hearts in the work of God. Mr. Holiday recently wrote about that, that we need to have our hearts in the work of God.

The preaching of the Gospel is a whole church effort, he wrote. And it's not just Mr. Petty and MacNeilley and Myers doing the Beyond Today program, it's a whole church effort.

And we need to take an interest in it and be praying for it. Do we still eagerly anticipate news of the work and what God is doing, he wrote. Do we pray that God will miraculously open doors before the work to take this Gospel to all the world? And he ends the letter by saying, we're like Gideon's army of 300. And the reason God narrowed it down to 300 is so that Israel would not claim glory for itself.

We're a little flocked, but God is doing an amazing work through us. He doesn't need huge numbers, but we need to keep our faith strong. And we need to keep doing that work. So doing is growing and overcoming, number one, and also is doing God's work of preaching the Gospel to the world. In conclusion, let's turn to 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, and read the first 11 verses.

We'll conclude with these 11 verses in just a comment or two. 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5 and Verse 1, Now concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. In a way, you have no need for some of the things I brought up in the sermon today. You're aware of them, these prophecies about what to look for. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord, and those events then leading up to the day of the Lord, comes as a thief in the night, suddenly, unexpectedly.

That's how a thief comes. When they say, peace and safety, watch out. Then sudden destruction comes upon them. As labor pains upon a pregnant woman, they shall not escape. It's going to come quickly and suddenly. We need to be alert then, don't we? But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day should overtake you as a thief. You're all sons of light and sons of the day.

We are not of the night or the darkness. Let us not sleep as others, but watch. And be sober. Those who sleep sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night. Let us who are of the day be sober. Putting on the breastplate of faith, we need a lot of that. And love. And as a helmet, what is that helmet?

The helmet is the most important of all, of the armor. It protects the head. And what is the helmet? Well, it's the hope of salvation. It's the hope of God's kingdom. It's the gospel. The gospel is our hope, the kingdom of God, the hope of salvation. That's the message we preach to the world, the gospel of hope of God's kingdom. And it goes on to say, God did not appoint us to wrath. He wants us to endure the end time, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.

So whether we wake or sleep, we're not so concerned about this physical life. Whether we live or die, we could say, we should live together with Him. That is, live together forever, eternally, as a spirit being with Christ and with our Father. And finally, verse 11 just says it wraps it up so nicely, wraps up this sermon very nicely also. Therefore, comfort. And the margin has encourage. Brethren, let's do that.

Let's encourage what we all want to endure the end time. So let's comfort, let's encourage each other. And then it goes on to say, edify each other, build up each other any way we can, just as you also are doing.

Let's bolster, let's exhort. And Hebrews 10, 25, don't turn to that, but it says that we are to exhort or encourage one another so much the more as we see the day approaching. So much the more. That's how we can do it even better. Let's encourage and edify one another so much the more as we see the day approaching, because we do see it approaching. And so let's help one another to endure the end time.