The Day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night as Christians watch and wait as children of light. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others.. but let us watch and be sober putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him" (1 Thes 5:6-10). Notes from The World of the End by Dr. David Jeremiah

In Matt 24:3 "..the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, "Tell us, (1) when shall these things be? (2) And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and (3) of the end of the world (age)?"

In vs. 2, Jesus had made a profound prediction that could not be denied. "See ye not all these things? Verily, I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." From Wars of the Jews: "Jewish historian Josephus wrote of the temple's destruction by Romans in A.D. 70. Just as Jesus' prediction was exactly fulfilled we know all He predicted will be exactly fulfilled.

Jesus answered His disciples (Matt 24: 4-8) "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, 'I am Christ' and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, & kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows" In Prophecy Made Plain Carl G Johnson wrote, "...The signs Jesus promised in Matt 24:4-8 are like birth pains, occurring now, increasing in frequency & pointing toward the rapture of the Church. But the moment the Church is gone those signs will become much more severe in the post-rapture world of the tribulation as described in the Bible." "For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only He who now lets will let, until He is taken out of the way.. then shall the Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His Coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2Thes 2:7-10).

This Birth Pains Principle is seen in comparing Matt 24:4-8 with the first 6 of 7 seals of Rev 6:1-17.

First Seal: White Horse: Conquering Antichrist; Matt 24:4-5,11 False christs and prophets;

Second Seal: Red Horse: War & Bloodshed; Matt 24:6-7 Wars & Rumors of Wars;

Third Seal: Black Horse: Famine Matt 24:7 Famines;

Fourth Seal: Pale Horse: Pestilence & Death Matt 24:7-8 Pestilences and earthquakes;

Fifth Seal: Souls under the Altar: Martyrs;

Sixth Seal: World trembles with natural disasters.

Seventh Seal: brought forth more in-t-e-n-s-e

7 Trumpets: Rev 8:6-9:21; 11:15-19 then 7th Trumpet brought forth 7 Bowls: Rev 16:1-21

1st Trumpet: Hail & Fire mixed with Blood	1st Bowl: Ugly painful sores

2nd Trumpet: Mountain thrown into the Sea	2nd Bowl: Sea turns to blood

3rd Trumpet: The Star Wormwood	3rd Bowl: Rivers and streams of water become blood

4th trumpet: 1/3 of the Sun, Moon & Stars struck	4th Bowl: Sun scorches people with fire

5th Trumpet: The plague of scorpion-like locusts	5th Bowl: Darkness

6th Trumpet: Release 4 Angels to slay 1/3 of men	6th Bowl: Euphrates River Dries up

7th Trumpet: brought forth more in-t-e-n-s-e	7th Bowl: Tremendous earthquake: Armageddon

1 Jesus wants to Teach us about the Future in the Olivet Discourse with signs to look for & how to live. – John 16:1 "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended."

2 Jesus wants us to Trust Him with the future with confidence and hope.

Phil 2:15-16 "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked & perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.."

In a World of Deception, Be Honest Matt 24:4-5,11 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, 'I am Christ;' and shall deceive many. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

1. Status of Deception in World of the End: Without wisdom & grace of God, we're all vulnerable to it.

2. Source of Deception in World of the End: Satan, the Enemy of our souls, is the deceiver & father of lies

A. Satan Disputes God's Word in Gen 3:1-5; B. Denies God's Word 3:4; C. Displaces God's Word 3:5; D. Discounts God's Goodness 3:2; E. Dramatizes God's Restrictions 3:3; F. Decreases God's Penalty 3:4. The Solution: Jesus is the Truth. Seek the Truth. A loving God spoke everything into being, and the resurrected Jesus brought this loving God to Earth, making it possible for us to know Him personally.

Jn 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 2. Speak the Truth. Col 3:9 "Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds." 3. Show the Truth. Be honest. We must stand against things that are false & stand for things that are true.

In a World of War, Be Calm Matt 24:6-7 "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: See that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom..."

A. The Curse of War: The terror of evil or despair of defeat when it befalls good people.

2. The Cause of War: The human heart in sin has ruptured relationship with God, then one another.

B. Our Confidence: 1. Peace from God's Promise: Rom 5:1

"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

2. Peace from God's Presence Mat 1:23 "..call His name Immanuel ..being interpreted is God with us."

3. Peace from God's Plan: "All these things must come to pass" Stay calm; look to what He is doing.

Trust the Lord Jesus with your service. Eph 3:20 He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

In a World of Disasters, Be Confident Matt 24:7 "..and there shall be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in (divers) various places."

A. Global Disasters are Unavoidable.

1. Famines: Armed conflict disrupts food systems, destroys livelihoods, displaces people, in need of food.

2. Plagues: With nutritional deprivation comes disease/plague

3. Earthquakes: sign of God's power & Creator's control over creation; to increase toward end of history.

B. God's Sovereignty is Unconditional. Act 2:25 "..He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken."

1. Be Confident in God's Protection: God is our shield, fortress, refuge, keeper & stronghold.

2. Be Confident in God's Pardon: Joel 2:12-14 "..turn ye even to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping & with mourning: ..He is gracious & merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness…"

3.Be Confident in God's Perspective: The outcome in God's promise of eternal life is grounded in His return: Rev 21:3 "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God."

4. Be Confident in God's Provision: Share God's love with others according to their exact need.

In a World of Persecution, Be Prepared Matt 24:9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake."

A. The Reality of Christian Persecution: to Christ, disciples, martyrs, Pilgrims, Christians today

John 16:33 "..in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

1. Hatred: Cruelty & vindictiveness represent a society corrupted by sin. We must take a stand.

B. The Response to Christian Persecution: Be Prepared: The message: It's Jesus. Jesus is Lord..

1. Recount your Blessings: Matt 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2. Respond in Worship: Act 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God."

3. Reevaluate your Suffering: Rom 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (to experience blessings in glory)." 4. Receive Reward: Personal growth, Strengthening of Character; Increased Harvest in God's Kingdom. Don't be anxious; God will give grace for the moment. God will turn dangers into opportunities.

In a World of Betrayal, Be Faithful Matt 24:10 "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Jesus warned of a spirit of betrayal to engulf us.

A. The Pain of Betrayal: Archangel Lucifer with host of angels led in rebellion against God, our Creator; Jesus was betrayed by His disciple, Judas.

B. The Prophesy of Betrayal.

1. A World of Offense is to allow spiritual failure in our lives in ways that trip up weaker believers. 2. A World of Hatred: 1John 2:11 "But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes." Genuine followers of Christ, abiding and growing in Him are not sources of hate but objects of it.

C. The Preparation for Betrayal

1. Choose your Friends Carefully: Nurture a handful of rich friendships with people sold out to God.

2. Stay Focused on your Purpose: Like Jesus, choose to live above bitterness & revenge; by pouring your life into work God has called you to do. 3. Pursue Loyalty: 1Cor 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

4. Do good to Those Who Hate You: 1Pet 3:9 "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing.. knowing that ye are called to inherit a blessing."

Rom 12:21 "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

5. Count on the Character of God: His sovereignty, His love, His faithfulness, blesses us abundantly.

In a World of Lawlessness, Be Kind. Matt 24:12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax (grow) cold."

A. Life in a lawless World: Violence increases; love decreases: It is rejection of Jesus Christ.

1.Wickedness Will Increase. Abortion is extreme immorality denying the right to life, seen as moral right.

2. Love will Grow Cold in the World of the End: loneliness, anxiety, addiction, depression, suicide

B. The Way of Kindness makes a difference in a world that disconnects from God.

1. Embrace God's Kindness & love for ourselves through Christ & our own love will not grow cold. Rom 5:5 "And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

2. Express God's Kindness: It's hard for the devil to blow his cold breath over a heart percolating with God's love for those in need. Sometimes the ones with the greatest needs are those closest to us. Lk 3:11 "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise."

3. Embody God's Kindness: to a world in need as part of your identity. Help, heal, forgive, be kind.

C. Jesus Makes the Difference: In Christ we can show the world what's missing. We can take a stand for goodness & kindness & return what's lost, because the fire of God's love keeps us warm and impassioned for Christ as we await His return. We make a difference in the world of the end by choosing to be kind.

In a World of Bad News, Be the Good News Mat 24:14 "this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations & then shall the end (of the Church age) come."

A. The Unstoppable Message of the Gospel: To the End of the Age: Mk 13:10 "And the gospel must first be published among all nations." The message of Jesus: crucified and resurrected announces through-
out the age His coming swift return and 1000 year rule & reign of the world on earth at Jerusalem.

1. Before the Rapture: Act 1:8 "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

2. After the Rapture: During tribulation, many people will search for bibles; the Lord will commission 144,000 Jewish evangelists Rev 7:1-4 & God provides 2 super-evangelists Rev 11.

B. The Unstoppable Messengers of the Gospel: To the Ends of the Earth John 4:35-36 "..Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

Matt 16:18 " I will build My Church: and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

1. In Showing: Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." In a constant walk with the Lord, a desire for personal holiness, a growing attitude of Christlikeness and a burden to love others and to meet their needs in Christ's name.

1Tim 6:17-18 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they not be high-minded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;"

2. In Sharing: your faith, Trust God to give you the right words at the right time, leave results to Him.

1Pet 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

3. In Supporting: Our world has never needed the Lord more. God wants to use us to reach them.

Col 1: 6-7 "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, ye heard in the word of truth of the Gospel & bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you & knew the grace of God in truth." Let's be that good news!

In the World of the End, Be Determined. Matt 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." We must keep going with enthusiasm, strength of Christ within, victory in sight!

A. Strength of our Stand: 2Tim 2:3 "Thou.. endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

B. Stamina of our Stand: Eph 6:13 "Take unto you the whole armour of God.. having done all, to stand."

1.Testimony of Stand: 2Tim 4:7 I have fought good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith

C. Satisfaction of our Stand: We are saved from sin by grace through faith not works. (Eph 2:8-9).

2. What this Salvation Is: 2Tim 4:18 "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

D. Start of our Stand: The determination to follow Christ starts now & takes a lifetime to develop.

1. Determine to Run your Race: Heb 12:1-2 "..Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus.."

2. Rom 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer;"

3. Determine to Reach your Goal: Rev 2-3 our Lord Jesus chose John to deliver 7 letters to 7 churches in Asia Minor. It's a word of encouragement & exhortation from Christ to His Church during persecution: May we determine to be faithful to God the Father, in Christ the Son & by guidance of Holy Spirit into the world of the end! Rev 21:7 Rev 21:7: "He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God & he shall be My son."