1. October 5, 2014 Pastor John C. Martin Part 1 – The Final Countdown

2. Matthew 24:36 New International Version “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…”

3. The End Times

4. I. How do we know that we are living in the end times?

5. 1. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

6. Acts 2:17 New International Version “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams…’”

7. 1. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

8. 2. Knowledge will increase.

9. Daniel 12:4 New Living Translation “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

10. 2. Knowledge will increase.

11. 3. Israel becomes a nation again.

12. Ezekiel 37:21 New International Version …and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.

13. 3. Israel becomes a nation again.

14. Isaiah 66:8 New International Version Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.

15. 3. Israel becomes a nation again.

16. On May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation!

17. 4. The prophecy of Christ.

18. Matthew 24:4-14 New International Version Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against

19. Matthew 24:4-14 New International Version nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that

20. Matthew 24:4-14 New International Version time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be

21. Matthew 24:4-14 New International Version preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

22. 4. The prophecy of Christ.

23. A. False messiahs and false prophets.

24. B. Wars and rumors of wars.

25. C. Famines and earthquakes.

26. D. Increase in wickedness.

27. E. Gospel proclaimed to the whole world.

28. I. How do we know that we are living in the end times?

29. II. How should this affect the way I live?

30. 1. Be ready!

31. Matthew 24:42 New International Version “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…”

32. 1. Be ready!

33. 2. Live upright!

34. Titus 2:11-14 New International Version For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who

35. Titus 2:11-14 New International Version gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

36. 2. Live upright!

37. 3. Reach out!

38. Mark 16:15 New Living Translation And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone…”

39. Conclusion: Are you ready?

40. October 5, 2014 Pastor John C. Martin Part 1 – The Final Countdown