The Greatest Prophecy

But the big focal point of Bible prophecy, the most the vast majority of prophecy in God's word, and there's a lot of prophecy, is what's the focal point? Not a geographic focal point. What's what's the focal point? You all know this. Jesus Christ. The vast majority of prophecy in God's word is about Christ's first coming where he came as the son of man.

And like was read today in Luke 4, he started his ministry by saying he's coming to heal. And as we heard Jubilee he healing, right? Complete healing. And then the the second part is what this day is about. When Christ returns in his all his glory. When the son of man returns in all all his glory. Now, I mentioned um I mentioned the son of man there.

Do you remember I can't remember how long ago it was, but I gave a previous message about the title that that Jesus used most often to refer to himself. Does anybody anybody remember that? It was the son of man. That's the term that Christ used most often refer to himself. Now, there's other titles that others used of him a lot.

things like the son of David which also have lots of meaning. I considered a message today the title would have been the son of David right because there was a physical king and we're talking about a spiritual king there's all these connections but I'm not giving that today that might be maybe there'll be a future message but the focus is as I said those two focal focuses and it's central now when I say central God the father is also intimately involved because what did Christ come to fulfill the will of the father.

So we talk about Christ's first coming. I'll just briefly let's go to John one first. John 1. Now the the gospel of John was written um quite a long time after Matthew, Mark, Luke. And aren't you okay I'll speak for myself. I am so happy that John wrote it later when he was able to read Matthew, Mark, Luke because he filled in lots of stuff that hadn't been covered by Matthew, Mark, Luke.

And if you do, if you if you've ever looked, I think a lot of you in here have looked at a harmony of God's word. When you go through that, there's there's vast sections where it's just John, right? where there's not a crossover with Matthew, Mark, Luke because John did not have to repeat everything that Matthew, Mark, and Luke had already covered so well.

But then he gave us so much and this is some of the stuff he gave us. So John 1 starts like this. It says, "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God." Now John purposely recorded this. He was inspired to write this in the beginning. Why did he do that? Because that Straight away that should connect us to where Genesis because Genesis has in the beginning.

So who was in the beginning? Remember it's connected. Okay, hold I'm going to hold my my fingers in John Genesis 1. Who was there in the beginning? Let's go to verse 26. Then God said, the Hebrew word for God here is alohim. It's plural, right? In the beginning was alohim. It's a plural um version of the word word for God. Hebrew word alloim.

So who was there? We understand the one we refer to now as God the father and the word who became Jesus Christ were there, right? And John, right, draws us back to Genesis by saying in the beginning, so we come back to John. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. So they were in unity.

When Christ came to this earth, he came to fulfill what they Aloe had agreed upon. And in Genesis 1, it says, and I just turned back, well, it's easy to find. It's right at the beginning. Genesis 126, right? So, it says it says God said, "Let us plural, right? Plural, let us make man in our plural image." So who was there in the beginning was the word and the word was God and the word was with God.

Right? This is Christ's first coming. So this these connections this plan of salvation, right? And and we know there's other scriptures that say before time began, before the world began. So verse two, in the beginning, so talking about the word, he was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him and without him nothing was made that was made.

Sometimes we throw out these um statements and I know I'm doing little tangents here but who was the creator? Well, the answer is Alohim, right? So, who was the creator? Well, it was God the Father through Jesus Christ. But it says that the Word who became Jesus Christ is the one who made everything.

But it was the will of the father, right? There weren't there was no um it was in unity because they were one. He was in the beginning with God. All things verse three, all things were made through him and without him nothing was ma that was nothing was made that was made. Sorry. And without him nothing was made that was made.

It's good to get all the words in there because otherwise you change the meaning. In him was life, right? We've already heard that, right? What does what does God what does God want to give us? Life. So in who? In the word was life. And the life was the light of men and the light shines in the darkness. And the darkness did not comprehend it.

And again, there's this connection to creation where the lights, right? Light and dark were separated physically in John 1. Now we're starting to talk about spiritual light and darkness. And then verse 14, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth.

So we understand this is Jesus Christ. It's talking about Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one. So today we're going to hear about prophecy, right? His second coming is this this day of trumpets when the Messiah returns as king of kings. So today we're going to hear about prophecy. But what also happens on hol day sermons? Well, we could all say this is doctrine because this is our teaching, right? This is what God's word says.

And then as we've also heard many times and we've it's been reiterated recently by our pastor, knowing prophecy, knowing our doctrine should cause action in us. What is that? Christian living. So inevitably we have all three. But you know, for the stat record, this is this is prophecy. Okay. So, today we focus on the on the Messiah.

And the title I decided on, I had a few different ones, but I decided to say the greatest prophecy because that's what we talk about on God's holidays. We talk about God's plan of salvation. We talk about the return of the King of Kings bringing complete restoration as we heard this morning. So there's lots of places we could go. Even going to all the places where Christ referred to himself as a son of man in the gospels really paints a picture but I I gave a message like that before.

So today I said prophecies. So let's go to the prophets. Now, there are so many places that we could go in the prophets. We already went to Nahm this morning. We went to Isaiah, right? The major prophets. We could go to just start listing the prophets and yep, we could go there. We could go to the book of Psalms and we could read prophecy about Jesus Christ, about his first coming and his second coming.

Now, there are a couple of um phrases that we'll we'll touch upon and maybe not in depth necessarily, but I'll just put this for the Bible education part. All right. Then we have terms. We already heard one of them this morning. Day of the Lord. So, when that phrase day of the Lord is mentioned, we can usually connect that and say Christ's return.

And the time period of Christ's return and leading up to Christ's return. Another phrase that we find through a lot of the prophets writing is in that day. And once again, usually and I'll put a I'm going to put a provisor there. Usually when it's day of the Lord or in that day, it's referring to Christ's return.

Now I'm putting a provisor there because also we find in the prophets there is also prophecy about the people at the time or their near future. And so sometimes there's overlap and and so if you want to come to me later and say Daniel you know that part you're reading that was really talking about them at the time.

Well there's a good chance I'll say I agree. But majority of the time, that's why I put a proviso because if you find an exception, I'll say that's great. Or maybe there's another day of the Lord, right? Which is a possibility. I shouldn't, you know, it's possibility at, you know, after the millennium, but what we're talking about the vast majority is about the meaning of this day.

So when you see those terms in that day or um the day of the Lord the vast majority of times that's my little proviso. Okay. So where can we go? Well let's go to Zechariah because this was kind of referred to in the first message but we didn't turn there. So let's go there. Zechariah 14. Let's go to this prophet first because what I like about this is this gives very a very specific prophecy of what's going to happen.

I was thinking this is how bad my eyes are. I just I've got a new Bible the way I'm trying out and I was like hold on there's not 14 chapters. Oh, because I was in Zephaniah. Let's turn to Zechariah. And I love this because these are very specific. This is very spe specific, right? It gives a little just a little bit of detail and it's good to know.

And I'm Oh, there's nobody speaking after me. That's good because I think I just started the second bottle of water. Okay. Zechariah 1, sorry, Zechariah 14 and verse one. Look, it says, "Behold, the day of the Lord is coming." We're talk, that's what we're talking about today. The day of the Lord is coming, and your spoils will be divided in your midst.

So, this day of the Lord has some scary stuff, isn't it? We already heard today about your armies are going to come up against Christ and I will gather all the nations. Okay, has that happened ever? all the nations. This has to be future. I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem. Remember that geographic focal point against Jerusalem.

The city shall be taken, the houses rifled, the woman ravished, half the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall be cut off from the city. I don't really want to be living in Jerusalem at this time. I I'm just speaking selfishly. I don't think it'd be a fun place to be. But then notice verse three.

Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as he fights in the day of battle. And in that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which faces east which faces Jerusalem on the east and on the Mount of Olives. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west making a very large valley.

Half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it towards the south. So the earth will be shaking. The Mount of Olives will split. and the returning Christ's feet will touch the Mount of Olives. We know that is going to happen. Mr. L said Christ is coming down. He's not coming down and going back up and coming down and right he's coming down and this says his feet will touch.

Keep that as a memory verse. It's a good one to have. I I've had people come up to me, you know, this is a few years back, but they said, "Oh, where's that verse that talks about, you know, Christ's feet touching?" And I knew straight away where it was. Let's go to the prophets and we'll read some prophecy. Okay, there are so many places I could go, but where I'm going to where I'd like to go now is the book of Joel.

Let's go to the book of Joel. We could go to Hosea and Amos. We could go to Isaiah. We could go to Well, we read that one verse in Zechariah. But let's go to the book of Joel. The book of Joel. So, if you're not sure about that because it's only three chapters, but it's um Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos. It's right in there somewhere.

the book of Joel. Now, if I remember correctly from my minor prophets class, it seems like a couple of lifetimes ago now when I was learning and trying to learn, believe back then, a few decades ago, and I it's still true. If you want a theme for the book of Joel, it would be the day of the Lord or the day of the Lord comes would be a theme for this book.

So let's go to chapter 1 verse 15. So it's talking about some things happening at the time that Joel's writing. But then it there's a switch as well where it goes and talks about future. So verse 15 it says alas for the day for the day of the Lord is at is at hand. It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.

Remember our first speaker today joke with us, right? This day of trumpets was all about nice sweet things, isn't it? Right. This tough stuff that's happening. Let's go to um Oh, this might sound familiar. Verse one of chapter 2. Somebody read that this morning. Blow the trumpet in Zion. Remember, this day of trumpets is connected with trumpets, the ram's horn, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain.

Right? So, this this trumpet is being used to sound an alarm. Right? There's scary stuff happening. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble for the day of the Lord is coming for it is at hand. Let's drop down and I'm not going to read all the verses here in Joel. We'll pick out a few. Verse 11. For the Lord gives voice before his army. For his camp is very great.

For strong is the one who executes his word. For the day of the Lord is great and very trouble. And you notice how this verse ends. Who can endure it? Right? This is a time of trouble that has not happened before. Who can endure it? That's how people will be feeling. Who can endure it? Um, drop down to verse 31. The sun shall be dark turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

Right? So there's there's physical things happening. The earth is shaking. We we we recently had um a message about when the when the earth moves beneath you, right? The earth is moving Right? The sun and moon are being turned dark. The heavens are shaking. The earth shaking. There are people who want to destroy.

All nations will be gathered. Right? This is cataclysmic. And as was pointing out, if this day of the Lord was one day, there's a whole lot happening here. I mean this if if this and if somebody wants to do the argument that's fine but if if you were going to pack all this into one day it's chaos right probably I imagine some of you um watch some of the videos the 25 year memorial of 911 that was chaos that was horrendous that's nothing compared to this right with the Earth is shaking.

The sun and moon are going dark. The heavens are shaking. There's people come. There's enemies coming from everywhere. Okay. Does that does that verse um 31 sound familiar? Does it does that sound familiar to us? Is that is this quoted in the Gospels? Matthew 24. Let's go there. And I'm gonna I'm gonna hold a place. I've got a ribbon here in Joel because I'm coming back.

But Matthew 24, right? And we we have this about the great tribulation is talked about. When will these things happen? When will be the end? The title I have in this Bible above verse 29 says the coming of the son of man. The coming of the son of man. So verse 29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.

The stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Did did we read something very similar in the book of Joel? Then verse 30, then the sign of the son of man will appear in heaven. And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and and they will see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

He's not coming as he did the first time where he put off his glory. He's coming in great glory. Verse 31. And he will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. And as was already read today, 1 Thessalonians 4, they'll be caught up in the air and meet God. Okay, go back to Joel.

I'm so glad I put that ribbon there. Okay, the book of Joel. Let's pick up a few verses in in chapter 3. Chapter 3, verse 14. We'll read verses 14 through about 17 here. So, multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. Don't you find that interesting? In the valley of decision. Right.

These multitudes and multitudes are right now coming to the valley of decision and they have a decision to make. Are you going to continue to fight against God? For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark and the stars will diminish their brightness. The Lord also will roar from Zion. What will that sound like? The Lord roaring from Zion.

What will that sound like? I think it will stop all those multitudes of multitudes in their tracks. The Lord also will roar from Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem. the heavens and the earth will shake. And I believe this is saying directly as a consequence of the Lord roaring, the heavens and earth will shake. But the Lord will be a shelter for his people.

See, see this contrast, right? The vast majority, it sounds like, are going to be like, "What was that?" Right? The heavens and earth shaking. But the same Lord will be a shelter to his people and the strength of the children of Israel. So you shall know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain.

Then Jerusalem shall be holy. Jerusalem is not holy today, but they will be in the future. As has already been said, right? There's multitudes of multitudes coming to the valley of decision, the valley of Jehoshaphat. They're coming here. What are they coming? Well, they've come out first to fight against Jerusalem. And now now they're saying, "Oh, okay.

Let's now fight against the returning Messiah in the midst of this destruction." And there's many, many more verses we could be reading, right? It's scary stuff. I do not want to be caught up as a physical human being at this time. I'm just saying to you, I don't want any of you to to be caught up in the midst of this as a physical human being.

As we also heard, this is a time of judgment. So let's go back to um the beginning of chapter 3, the first couple of verses here in chapter 3. For behold, in those days and at that time when I bring back the captives of Judah in Jerusalem, so there's going to be a physical gathering of people as well, I will also gather all nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.

and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of my people, my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, they have also divided up my land. So, there's going to be a time of judgment that is pictured on this day. Now, in the midst of all this happening, right, and you could say it's almost I mean I you couldn't make a some have attempted to do, you know, end time type movies and stuff.

They they cannot picture this on a movie screen. Amidst all this, right, nations are coming to fight. The earth is shaking. The heavens are shaking. The sun and moon are going dark. the things we rely on are gonna right they're not going to give out a flight. All this is happening in the midst of all this. There's judgment.

There's also in the midst of this time a call to repentance. In the midst of all this, there's still a call to repentance. That's why I I found it interesting when it said they come to the valley of decision. Now, it seems this is above my pay grade, but it seems that most people are still not going to repent at this time, but there's still a call to repentance.

What are we talking about? We're talking about God's plan of salvation is the same for all. What's the formula? The formula is the same. We have to see that we are sinners, right? We have to see that we've been rebelling against God. If you're coming up to fight against the returning Messiah, I'd say you're rebelling against the Lord.

We have to What does that mean? We have to repent. We have to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to cover our sins. And then we can be reconciled with God. receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit that was processed for us. That is what God would like for all mankind. So in the midst of this this chaos there still let's go to Joel 2 back to Joel 2 verse 10. Let's let's start there.

Verse 10 of Joel 2. So we could say when the when the earth moves under your feet, right? Verse 10. The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon grow dark, the stars diminish their brightness. Then the Lord gives voice beforehand's army. For his camp is very great.

For strong is the one who executes his word. For the day of the Lord is great and very ter terrible. And then it's like this question put there. Who can endure it? And the answer, let's continue in verse 11. Now therefore, so who can endure it? Now therefore, says the Lord, turn with me to me with all your heart. In the midst of this, there's still this chance for people to come to a time of repentance with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.

Right? What's the feast day that follows right after trumpets? The next one, atonement, right? The one time of year where we have a commanded fast, right? with with fasting, with mourning, with weeping, with mourning. So rend your heart and not your garments, right? What does God want? God was not does not want just an outward show, right? Not just renting your garments, but your heart.

He wants repentance to the heart, just like we repented, and we continue to repent when we mess up. I'll put my hand up for everybody. I've messed up this year. Nobody else has put their hand up because we're all we're in this together. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful.

Right? This is the same God who roars from Zion. He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. So this is qualities of the Lord, the returning Messiah. And he relents from doing harm. And then I love the way this is worded, right? Joel was inspired to record it this way. Who knows if he will turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God.

Now, is this possible that people could repent? Well, the book of Jonah is a great example, isn't it? Nineveh was to be wiped out and their judgment was postponed for a time. Why? because they the whole the whole city repented. It's possible. Now, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen, but there's in the midst of all this, there's a call to repentance.

Why? Because this is God's plan of salvation. What he wants for all mankind. God's plan for salvation is the same for all. Now, the book of Joel also talks about the Holy Spirit being poured out. Oh, is that another component to what's needed to change hearts and minds? Uh let's go to to verses 28 and 29 of chapter 2.

And it shall come to pass afterward. It shall come to pass afterward. So it doesn't say how long afterward. It doesn't say exactly where, but it says that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophecy prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions.

And also on my servants and on my maidervants. I will pour out my spirit in those days. says that there's a future time when God wants to pour out his Holy Spirit on people that ren their hearts that fully repent. So again, there's a call for repentance. It talks about the Holy Spirit being poured out, right? This is all prophecy about future events to come.

Now, these verses we just read in Joel, are they quoted anywhere in the New Testament? Well, a couple of places. I'll touch on something that Mr. L said. Acts two quotes from the book of Joel. But hold on, Mr. Portius. Acts two is Pentecost. How can how can he be quoting from the book of Joel which is talking about the day of the Lord? How can he be quoting about the Holy Spirit being poured out? Well, I'm going to give the same explanation pretty much that Mr.

LS did because Acts two is the beginning of making this possible for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all mankind. So there's a partial fulfillment that happens in Acts two making it possible for what is talked about in the fullness in Joel where he wants to pour out his Holy Spirit on all. But you have to have Pentecost first to made it possible.

So Peter gets up and gives this inspiring sermon. And we know it's inspiring because thousands end up being baptized as a result of the inspiration that Peter was given to preach at the day of Pentecost. Now there's a lot of other inspiration happening as well, right? There's tongues of fire. There's people speaking and everybody can hear what they're saying even though they're speaking in a language that is totally foreign to them. Right? There's miracles happening.

So most of us can't speak with that sort of mira miraculous inspiration happening as well. But Peter did. So in Acts 2, we see verse 36. Let's let's jump in at verse 36. It says, "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ." Right? What's a what's the central focus? As I said, majority of prophecy in God's word, Jesus Christ.

and in fulfilling the will of the father. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. And Peter made it very personal to those listening, just like it's very personal to us. Now, when they had heard this, they were cut to the heart.

Does that sound familiar? They rent their heart and not their garments. They were cut to the heart and said to the to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" And I realized I didn't start where I wanted to. So, you know what's going to happen. Let's go back. My apologies.

Let's go to verse 16. I got excited and jumped ahead because what what led up to this verse 16. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. And it shall come to pass in the last days, said says God, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. So was all was this God's spirit poured out on all flesh on this day of Pentecost? It was poured out on all the believers at this time.

It was poured out then upon those who repented and were baptized. But just like the example in John nine that was used this morning, not everybody was healed of blindness, but making it possible for was. He says, "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions. Your old men shall dream dreams.

And on my servants and men's servants, maid servants, I will pour out my spirit in those days. And they shall prophecy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath, blood and fire and vapor and smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. And we understand what that means to call on the name of the Lord. It's not just saying I did this in your name. It means that you are fully committed to living God's way. Fully committed to living God's way. And then I'm going to read from verse 36 and I'll read through verse 39 this time.

Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. And when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, repent and everything that comes with what repentance means. We understand that.

Let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. When you're baptized, you are saying, "I submit myself to the authority of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." And then I love here because this vers verse 39 is some prophecy again because it says for the promise is to you.

I'll put my hand up for everybody again. This promise of the Holy Spirit is for me because I need it. This prophecy, this promise of the Holy Spirit is to your children. And those of us who are blessed with children, we know that they it's made available to them, but they still have to make a decision at some time.

And some of them right now haven't made the decision to repent. Just like those multitudes of people hadn't made a decision that have been talked about in in Joel. And but you notice what it says also. And to all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call. How many How many is that that the Lord our God will call? Well, once again, it's above my pay grade. I can't give you that number.

How many are far off? I would say those who are coming up in the book of Joel to fight against the returning Messiah are far off. But what's God's plan of salvation? It says as many as the Lord our God will call. And God knows the right timing for calling people to give them the best chance possible to choose to live God's way.

What is this talking about? God's plan of salvation, the greatest prophecy of God's word. And we understand this. you would just kneel down and say, "God, you've opened up my eyes. My neighbor doesn't understand this. He's a really good guy." Do you ever pray and say, "God, when you open my neighbor's eyes, I think it's going to be really easy for them.

" And for whatever reason, God has said, "I am giving you the greatest prophecy of God's word. I set it out in the holy day plan of salvation, the greatest prophecy. I could go back and read more from the prophets. As I said, we could go and some of them are really, really encouraging. But I'm going to maybe go to the um Christian living aspect because knowing prophecy causes what? It should cause us to act.

I could say, what does all this mean for us? Knowing prophecy, knowing the doctrine, the teaching should cause action at us, which is Christian living. Mr. Lox went to First Thessalonians 4. So, let's go to First Thessalonians 5. Let's go to First Thessalonians 5 because I don't know if you realize this, but chapter 5 follows on from chapter 4.

Isn't it amazing how that works? The title in my Bible at the top of chapter 5 is the day of the Lord. And you notice how it starts. It says, "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you." H do you think the the church at Thessalonia and then the others that read this other churches and that we get to read it now? Do you think maybe they thought the same as us? Oh, but I I just want to know the detail. Let me know.

Can can I oh if only I can know the exact timing that would help me a lot. H do you think there was similar thinking at the time Paul was writing as there is today while this was inspired to be recorded for us. It says, "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to write that I should write to you, for you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night.

" Remember, I think one of the recent did you knows highlighted the wise and the foolish virgins. Remember, they're all sleeping. And what was brought out in that? Did you know? Being spiritually prepared. Being spiritually prepared. Verse three. For when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.

And and and I know that things can be quite calm near the end of a pregnancy. And then all of a sudden, okay, we're off. And then my wife says to me, you know how we prepared that that go bag? It's back of the house, isn't it? Yeah, but we prepared. It's okay. Right. This analogy is on purpose because most of us understand this as labor pains upon a pregnant woman and they shall not escape.

Right? The pregnancy is coming. But you brethren are not in darkness. Remember there's all these verses and we didn't go to those today but light and darkness right the word came as the light or there's all these it says light and dark so that you are not darkness so that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day.

We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as others do. Right? Remember the wise and the foolish virgins, they all slept, but not don't sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For in the for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober.

And now it says it says some things we are to do. Some people love these sort of lists. Okay, I got to work on that. I got to work on that. But it says, "Putting on the breastplate of faith and love." Now, I find it interesting that it says, "Put on the breastplate of faith and love.

" It pairs faith and love together because you want to have faith with love. Remember 1 Corinthians 13, right? You can have all these gifts. You could know all prophecy. You can owe all. But if you don't have love, if you haven't made a conscious choice to ask God to give you him to give us his love, then the faith by itself is not enough. But it says faith and love.

What does Right. It says the breastplate of faith. What does the breastplate protect? A physical breastplate protects what? Your heart. The major organs, right? If the breastplate goes down, the stuff for physical life. And what does the next thing it say here. And as a helmet, the hope of salvation. The hope of salvation.

Remember, if anybody asks you about the hope that lies within you, what are they asking you about? The hope of salvation. What does a physical helmet protect? your brains, your head, protects your vision. It keeps your thinking straight. The hope of salvation, the greatest prophecy in God's word, God's plan of salvation, keeps our thinking straight.

Where are we to put all this truth, all this understanding? It's to it's to be on our heart and minds. How do you put on the breastplate of faith and love? How do you put on the breastplate of the hope of salvation? Well, we know how to put on physical ones, right? and was like, "If you're like me, I hope they got the right size.

" And you don't, you can tell me. Yeah, Daniel, I understand that because some would say you've got a big head, right? We can joke about these things, but we're talking about not physical, but spiritual, the hope of salvation, spiritual, the breastplate of faith and love. These are spiritual.

So just like you have to make a conscious decision to put on clothing like we got dressed to come to God's feast day today. You have to make a physical decision which becomes a emotional and spiritual decision to go to God and say I cannot put this on by myself. I need your help because this is spiritual armor. This is spiritual. Okay.

So, where do I finish here? It says verse eight, but let us let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wroth, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Right. And this is another truth right here.

For who died for us that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Therefore, and then verse 11 says, therefore, comfort each other and edify one another just as you also are doing. I don't you love that encouragement. So the church at Thessalonia were comforting each other and edifying each other. The church of Tacoma comforts and edifies each other.

Keep doing it is what Paul said. Therefore, comfort each other. Now, a wise person reminded me recently that you really shouldn't read Matthew 24 and stop. It's really better to continue reading into Matthew 25. Sometimes you can read Matthew 24 because it's talking about the great tribulation and all this happening and it's like, oh, okay, okay, you probably wouldn't react like that. That's just me.

But there's some scary stuff in there. I read a short about, but a wise person reminded me that's really good to read to continue into Matthew 25. So, let's go back to Matthew 24. So, we read the verses, you know, verse 29 through 31, right? And as I said, the title there for me in my Bible says the coming of the son of man.

Then we have the parable of the fig tree and then it's emphasized that no one knows the day or the hour. That was also mentioned at the start of 1 Thessalonians 5. That's why Paul could write that. I have no need to tell you about this because you and he didn't say it there but it could he could have he could have said because you read the Gospel of Matthew, right? You've read these things.

I mean Christ even said no one knows the time when he was on earth. No one knows the time but that is given to that is for the father. Then we have the faithful and the evil servant right at the end of chapter 5. All right. And then as as as the way Matthew wrote the gospel of Matthew, he would compile sayings of Christ.

So we often have groupings of parables or sayings that Christ gave. So then it continues in chapter 5. We have the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. We have the parable of the talents, things that we are to be doing. And then chapter 25 finishes with the son of man will judge the nations. What's this day about? One of the aspects is judgment.

And the nations are gathered and they're separated into sheep and goats. They're separated into sheep and goats. Now, if we for some reason ended up still being physical at this time, the category that we'd want to be in is the sheep. What does it say? Verse 31. When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Now, we're going to read these next verses. Some of you are very aware what's get said, but what's the what's the criteria to to being on on the right hand? on the right hand.

Does it list here? There's many things that we should be doing that aren't listed. Should we be keeping God's Sabbath holy? Yes. Should we be meeting on God's holy days? Yes. Should we be avoiding unclean food? Yes. Right. There's there's many things that we know that we are to be doing. But what's the criteria listed here? I find it interesting that it said put on the salva the breastplate of faith and love in first Thessalonians 5 because what does it say? What's the criteria? And then also what's the criteria for being put in the goat

category? Right? Goats are kn So sheep are known for being more that they will follow. Goats are known more for butting and pushing against. So verse 33, he will set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his. Then the king will say to those on his right hand, "Come you blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

" Who would like those words said to them? I would right I'm putting my hand up and it says from the foundation of the world for I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me.

I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him saying,"Lord, when did we see you hungry? When did we feed you or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?" You notice they're asking this.

Why are they asking? because this is a part of who they are. This is part of the way they live. And the king will answer and say to them, assuredly I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. This could be a lawyer type question. Um, who's the least of these, my brethren? It's a little bit like the good Samaritan story.

Who Who's my neighbor? What a shocker when Christ answered and saying and said, "Who was who was the one that was neighborly?" And he used the example of a Samaritan. What? Not even an Israelite. Now, should we take care of each other? Galatians 6:10. Do good to all men, especially to the household of God. But it says, "Do good to all men.

" The least of these, my brethren. Is that someone who's a far off? I don't know. Is that someone who next week might show up at services? I don't know. Is it someone who you might plant a seed today and when they come up at a time of judgment in the future, they'll be saved. I I'm not going to pick on him.

Maybe I just say, "Ah, that guy Daniel was He wasn't too bad." Yeah. Okay. I want to listen. I've been rebelling against God my whole life. And what do and that and and as those people in Acts, what should I do? Repent. This is God's plan of salvation. The greatest prophecy in God's word is about how God has a plan of salvation for all mankind.

And we we have the privilege of understanding that we need to be here on this day of trumpets, this day of blowing of the trumpets when the Messiah will return. the anointed one, the Christ, when the son of man will come in all his glory. This is going to happen. This is the greatest prophecy in God's word. And the king, verse 40, will answer and say to them, assuredly I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.

I love this congregation, how we take care of each other, because sometimes we can be the least of the brethren, even when we've been around the church a long time. because we're weak and frail. Sometimes it can be a brand new person that's coming in. Sometimes it can be someone who's at a, if I can say this, a valley of decision.

Then he will also say to those, and we don't want to end up as the goats. Then he will also say to those on the left hand, "Depart from me, you cursed into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry and you gave me no food. I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. I was a stranger and you did not take me in. Naked and you did not clothe me.

Sick and imprisoned and you did not visit me. Then they all also will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you? Then he will answer them, saying, Assuredly I say to you, in as much as you did it to the least of these, you did it, you did not do it to me.

And as much as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. You know what the goats are condemned for? For what they did not do. Crucial living part. The greatest prophecy. We wait on the Messiah. We wait for the Christ. Right? Those two terms are pretty much mean the same thing. We wait for the anointed one.

We wait for the return of the son of man in all his glory. There's so many places as I said. Let's go to another prophet to end. Let's go to the Daniel Daniel 7. because you can take this to the bank. This is prophecy. This is going to happen. Daniel chapter 7, right? And Daniel 7 is filled with all these visions.

And and the these were given to Daniel. And some of them were given to to king to the king at the time. And then the interpretation of these, right, comes from from God. And Daniel gave some of this one of these visions here in verse 13 of chapter 7. I was watching in the night visions and behold one like the son of man coming with the cloud of heavens.

He came to the ancient of days and they brought him near before him. Then to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. The greatest prophecy