Is the END Near?

Introduction

1.      Last Day will be eventful

a.      Christ’s return

b.      Dead raised

c.       Living changed

d.      Earth burned up

e.      Solar system destroyed

f.        All humanity judged

g.      Kingdom (church) given to God

h.      Wicked separated in Hell

i.        Saved will go home to Heaven

2.      Is the Last Day near?

a.      Some say it is.

b.      Are they right?

4 Things to learn about the end:

The End will come

1.      1 Cor. 15:24

2.      Hebrews 3:6, 14

3.      2 Peter 3:1-11

4.      Jesus promised to return – John 14:2-3

5.      There are many doubters

a.      Scoffers – 2Peter 3:4

b.      Long delay brings doubt

c.       Time is irrelevant to God - Day = 1,000 years – 2 Peter 3:8

6.      God keeps His promises – 2 Peter 3:9

a.      God is faithful – 2 Thess. 3:3

b.      He cannot lie – Titus 1:2

7.      The day of the Lord will come – 2 Peter 3:10

The end will come unexpectedly

1.      Many have tried to “set the date”

a.      Pope Sylvester II – 1,000

b.      Fifth Monarchis – 1666

                                                              i.      1,000 for number in Rev. 20

                                                             ii.      666 for mark of beast in Rev. 13

c.       William Miller – Adventist – March 21,1844, October 22, 1844

d.      Joseph Smith – Mormon – 1891

e.      Charles T. Russell – Jehovah Witnesses – 1874, then 1914

f.        Other Watchtower dates – 1918, 1928, 1975, and 1984

g.      Herbert W. Armstrong – Worldwide Church of God – 1936

h.      Hal Lindsey (Late Great Planet Earth, author) – 1988

i.        Jerry Falwell and others – January 1, 2000

2.      No one can predict the date

a.      Deut. 29:29 – secret things belong to God

b.      Mark 13:32 – no man knows, angels, and even the Son do not know when

c.       Matthew 24:36, 42,44; 25:13, 19

The End may – or may not – come soon

1.      Soon – is a vague, relative term

2.      Some prophesies that must occur first

a.      Some depart from the faith – Acts 20:29; 1 Timothy 4:1-3

b.      Man of sin revealed – 2 Thess. 2:3

3.      It could be another 1,000 years to give more time to repent and be saved

What about all the SIGNS of His coming?

1.      Matthew 24

a.      Jesus said the temple would be destroyed

b.      2 questions asked – these things (destruction of the temple), end of the world and your coming

c.       Jesus answers then in order.

                                                              i.      4-35 – shows all the signs to show the destruction of the temple is near

                                                             ii.      36-25:46 – No signs, not warnings, sudden

d.      Only warning – Be ready, be prepared