“The Future” part 21 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Pastor Dave Martin, Cross Creek Community Church, Jan 18, 2015

I. The Startling Future… Revelation is the “Revealing” of Jesus Christ…

I. The Startling Future… The future is no mystery to God; Foretold in His Word

I. The Startling Future… Second coming of Christ is found 318 times in the N.T. alone

I. The Startling Future… Rev 2-3 example of “near & far” prophecies concerning the Church

So, what does your future behold?

II. The World is getting “Ripe” for Christ’s Return Christians, Israel and the Jewish people… Intense hatred

II. The World is getting “Ripe” for Christ’s Return Chaos, Persecution, One World mindset, Apostasy, Luke 21:25

Luke 21:25 25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars Luke 21:25 25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken

II. The World is getting “Ripe” for Christ’s Return Violence, every imagination evil, like days of Noah, Mt 24:3 7, Gen 6:5

Matthew 24:37 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Genesis 6:5 5 The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time

II. The World is getting “Ripe” for Christ’s Return Anemic, cold spiritual condition of the church of the last days, Rev 3:17-18

Revelation 3:17 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

III. God’s Promise to the Church & Israel Revelation 3:10 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

III. God’s Promise to the Church & Israel Romans 11:25-27 25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

The true church “completed” and is “caught up”

Those “Left Behind” will enter the 7yr Tribulation period

Israel is the focus, 144,000 Jews sealed, two witnesses ministers

Powerful Antichrist brokers and signs a 7yr peace treaty with Israel

IV. Unprecedented Tribulation Period – Time of Unrestrained Evil Matthew 24:21 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again.

4 Horsemen, Antichrist, False Prophet, Mark of the Beast, Deception

Cataclysmic events, Meteorite strikes, Pollution, Carnage, Death

Demonic Activities escalate, War in heaven spills out on earth

V. God’s Mercy and Grace is Available to Everyone Multitudes get saved in the Greatest Revival ever, Rev 7:9-14

Revelation 7:9-14 9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"

Multitude, no man could number… 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Rapture effect + Scriptures + 144,000 evangelists + 2 witnesses + chaos + huge population = Multitudes

Escape the coming darkness – Open your heart to Jesus Rev 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”

God has done His part – I must do mine… OBEY! “Individual Responsibility”

WE MUST BELIEVE… Recognize your Need Change your Thinking Receive Jesus Christ

Next Week: “HIS story – OUR story” REVELATION, the Conclusion Second Coming – Armageddon – Millennium – Judgment – Hell – Heaven – Eternity