preparing for what is coming - part 8 - handout

7/28/2019 Preparing for What is Coming - Part 8 - Handout

1/12

Preparing for What is Coming Part 8by Jim Marcum April 10, 2011

INTRODUCTION

My prayer is that you have already begun to turn these messages on Preparing for What is Coming into

ACTION, and that you and your family are preparing, as the Lord is leading you, for what is coming in thisend time hour. The birth pains have already begun, and they are going to increase in frequency,

intensity, and scope. There is no going back! Jesus said this season would be coming, and now it is

here! Its the season of the end of all things.

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-

minded for the sake of your prayers.

The instruction of this was for every generation of believers, but the fulfillment of it was to come to one

target generation. Ever since these things were spoken these things about an end of all things, the

last days, the close of the age there would always be a specific generation for whom it all would betrue, and it all would come to pass. We are that generation! We are the generation who will experience

the end of all things. Jesus speaks in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 about the specific things that

this final generation will be experiencing. He says in Mark 13:23:

Mark 13:23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

Jesus told us beforehand what will be coming upon us in this final generation. Why did He do that? He

did it so that we can prepare! And since we know what is coming, and since Jesus told us beforehand,

shouldnt we do it? Shouldnt we prepare? Remember the verse from Proverbs we read last week,

Proverbs 22:3:

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer forit. (ESV)

A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindlyand is clobbered. (The Message)

Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking personwill walk right into it and regret it later. (Good News Translation)

Oh, lets not be unwise, or unthinking. Lets not walk right into what is coming without preparing. This

verse from Proverbs says that if we do we will regret it, we will suffer for it we will be clobbered! Jesus

doesnt want that to happen, and so He tells us beforehand, so that we can prepare for what is coming.

2 Timothy 3:1 BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous

times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].

These are those last days the Holy Spirit was speaking of and warning about. He says, Understand this.

We need to know and understand what is about to take place on this planet. It will be a perilous time of

great stress and trouble and we need to understand that. We need to have wisdom about it and be

prepared for it.


2/12

2

1. Signs of His Coming A Review of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.A. Sign # 1 Rampant deception.B. Sign # 2 Wars.C. Sign # 3 Rumors of war (tumults, commotions, disorder, instability).D. Sign # 4 Uprisings nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom.E. Sign # 5 Famines.F. Sign # 6 Earthquakes.G. Sign # 7 Pestilences (plagues, diseases, destructive pests).H. Sign # 8 Terrors (fearful sights and events).I. Sign # 9 Great signs from heaven.J. Sign # 10 The roaring of the sea and the waves.K. Sign # 11 Believers will suffer being hated, betrayed, persecuted, imprisoned, and executed.L. Sign # 12 Increase of lawlessness, and loveless-ness.M.Sign # 13 The Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to every nation.N. Sign # 14 Many will neglect or deny the prophetic warnings of impending catastrophe and

judgment.

2. Sign # 15 The abomination of desolation will appear.

Matthew 24:15-22

(15) "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel,

standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

(16) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

(17) Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,

(18) and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

(19) And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in

those days!

(20) Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

(21) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of

the world until now, no, and never will be.

(22) And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for

the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Mark 13:14-20

(14) "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to

be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

(15) Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to takeanything out,

(16) and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

(17) And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in

those days!

(18) Pray that it may not happen in winter.

(19) For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning

of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.

(20) And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for

the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.


3/12

3

Luke 21:20-24

(20) "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation

has come near.

(21) Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside

the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,

(22) for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

(23) Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those

days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.

(24) They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and

Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are

fulfilled.

A. Point # 1But when you see1) This is something VISIBLE it can be seen, it is something to look for with your eyes.2) What Jesus is saying is literal and not figurative. He is telling us about a literal, physical, sign

or event that is very significant, and that will actually happen.B. Point # 2The meaning of the words abomination and desolation helps define what this

sign/event will encompass.

1) Abomination. The dictionary defines abomination as a vile, shameful, or detestableaction. When the word abomination appears in Scripture, it almost exclusively refers to

IDOLATRY and the detestable practices associated with it. Here are just 3 of many, many

examples of this in the Old Testament:

Deuteronomy 29:17 and you saw their abominations and their idols which were

among themwood and stone and silver and gold;

1 Kings 11:5-7

(5) For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the

abomination of the Ammonites.

(6) Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as didhis

father David.

(7) Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is

east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.

2 Chronicles 15:8 And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the

prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and

Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and herestored the altar of the LORD that was before the vestibule of the LORD.

2) Desolation. This word refers to: devastation, ruin, being laid waste.3) From the definitions of these two words we can surmise that this sign/event involves a

detestable, idolatrous act which results in devastation. Something visible will take place

that is terribly abominable that is, it is supremely idolatrous and detestable. And because

of this happening, there will be desolation a final and ultimate devastation will come to the

earth and its inhabitants.


4/12

4

C. Point # 3 There is a location for this sign/event.1) Let those who are in Judeaflee

a) The sign/event takes place in Israel, particularly in the region of Judea, and will bringdanger and peril to those living there so that they need to immediately flee from that

region.

b) Judea is the southern part of the land of Israel, and surrounds Jerusalem. It includestoday parts of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.

c) Some scholars believe the phrase those who are in Judea, along with the reference tothe elect and the phrase this people in Luke 21:23 is to be taken to mean the Jewish

people. So they submit that Jesus is here in particular telling what it will be like for the

Jewish people at this end time hour.

1. There is some merit to believing this is speaking in particular to the Jewish people. Itsone reason why we should have a great concern for the Jews living in Israel right now

and for what they are about to go through in this end time season.

2. I do not think we should limit this to just applying to the Jewish people. I believe itstalking about us as well. Both Jews and Christians are going to be the target of a great

and massive persecution that will arise once this abomination takes place.2) Jerusalemsurrounded by armies trampled underfoot by Gentiles (Luke 21:20, 24)

a) The sign/event is in Jerusalem.b) It will be at a time of military siege against Jerusalem by the Gentiles, or non-Jewish

nations. The desolation associated with this event will begin in Jerusalem the city will

be trampled underfoot.

3) standing in the holy placea) The sign/event appears or is seen standing in the holy place.b) Since Jesus & the disciples have just left the actual temple in Jerusalem prior to this

discourse, it is likely that He is referring to the actual holy place in the temple there in

Jerusalem. The phrase the holy place is a reference in the Bible exclusively to the

section of the tabernacle or temple known by that name.

c) The difficulty here is that there is currently no Jewish tabernacle or temple existing inJerusalem today! So if we take this as literal language, we know that a Jewish temple or

tabernacle will be rebuilt in Jerusalem before this takes place.

d) The reference Jesus makes to Daniels prophecy about this abomination of desolation(Matthew 24:15) also indicates it will take place in the temple.

e) But, lets not get hung up here. If the words of Jesus and Daniel are in some wayfigurative, I believe the Lord will show us that at the time and we will understand that.

1. Lets not go into a mindset where the major thing were looking for is a temple to berebuilt in Jerusalem.

2. But on the other hand lets not believe that there is no way a temple will be rebuiltjust because after Jesus first coming there was no longer a need for a physical

temple. God may allow the Jewish people to rebuild a temple in Jerusalem for an end

time purpose, even though we know as believers that there is no longer any need for

a temple or sacrifices. It may in some way we cannot understand figure in to Gods

plan for the end times.

f) In one sense you might say that a rebuilding of the temple itself would be anabomination, because it would be a huge display and statement of the rejection of Jesus

once again by the Jewish people, even after all these years.


5/12

5

D. Point # 4 This sign/event will be followed by great tribulation upon the whole earth.Matthew 24:21-22

(21) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the

world until now, no, and never will be.

(22) And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake

of the elect those days will be cut short.

1) The desolation which this abomination ushers upon the earth is not limited to just Jerusalem.Things will begin to unfold on the planet which threaten the life of every human being, so

that unless the days which follow were cut short there would be complete loss of life. This is

one of the reasons we believe this sign of the abomination of desolation does not just apply

to the Jewish people. It is a planet-wide devastation that takes place in the wake of this

abomination occurring.

2) The elect. It is for the sake ofthe elect that it is cut short. When we look at Scripture, werealize that the elect refers to not just Jews, but to Christians those chosen in Christ to

belong to God.

Romans 8:33-34 Who shall bring a charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies. Who is

he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the

right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Colossians 3:11-12

(11) there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,

slave norfree, but Christ is all and in all.

(12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness,

humility, meekness, longsuffering;

a) The word for elect in both of these passages is the same word Jesus uses when He saysfor the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

b) Believers will be present and will be going through those terrible final days of greattribulation which the abomination of desolation signals the beginning of. And it is for our

sake, the elect, that civilization itself is spared and the devastation is cut short.

E. Point # 5 This sign/event was prophesied by Daniel, and Jesus wants us to read and understandwhat Daniel prophesied about this.

Matthew 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophetDaniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

1) Jesus makes it clear here that the book of Daniel is important to understanding what willtake place during the end times season that He is telling us to prepare for. Some

commentators and scholars have called the book of Daniel The key to all Bible prophecy.

2) There are 4 passages in the book of Daniel which specifically refer to the abomination ofdesolation.


6/12

6

a) Passage # 1: Daniel 8:11-17(11) It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt

offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.

(12) And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because

of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.

(13) Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke,

"For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that

makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled

underfoot?"

(14) And he said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be

restored to its rightful state."

(15) When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there

stood before me one having the appearance of a man.

(16) And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel,

make this man understandthe vision."

(17) So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my

face. But he said to me, "Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of theend."

1. First, the one who commits this transgression that makes desolate is a leadershipfigureone who is great, even as great as the Prince of the host.

2. Secondly, this transgression that happens is in the context of burnt offerings and asanctuary, which is another name for the holy place. So it takes place in context of

temple worship.

3. Thirdly, there is a span of time in question which applies directly to this event takingplace [2,300 mornings and evenings]. The question posed in the vision has to do with

how long is the span of time that these things will be allowed to take place and have

effect.

4. Fourthly, there is much talk about and focus on UNDERSTANDING what is happeningand what it means.

5. Finally, the vision and what it contains is for the time of the end. The prophet Danieleven 500 years before Christs first coming is experiencing a vision about the end of

the ages about the very generation we are living in right now!

b) Passage # 2: Daniel 9:21-27(21) while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the

first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.

(22) He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, "O Daniel, I have now comeout to give you insight and understanding.

(23) At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it

to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

(24) "Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the

transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting

righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.

(25) Know therefore and understandthat from the going out of the word to restore and

build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.


7/12

7

Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled

time.

(26) And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have

nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the

sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations

are decreed.

(27) And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the

week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall

come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

1. There is an important focus on considering and understanding this.2. There is talk of a span of time involved this time not 2,300 mornings and evenings,

but 70 weeks, divided into periods of 7 weeks, 62 weeks, and 1 final week which itself

is divided into two halves of a week.

3. The city of Jerusalem, the sanctuary, and sacrifices & offerings are mentioned as thecontext or focal point of this happening.

4. The desolator is shown to be a prince who is to come a coming leadership figure.c) Passage #3: Daniel 11:21, 31-36

(21) In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been

given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

(31) Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take

away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes

desolate.

(32) He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who

know their God shall stand firm and take action.

(33) And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days

they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.

(34) When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves

to them with flattery,

(35) and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made

white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.

(36) "And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above

every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till

the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.

1. The leadership figure who himself commits the abomination and enjoins other forcesto set up this abomination is described in more detail.a. He is a contemptible personb. He is a usurper of authority [to whom royal majesty has not been given}c. He comes suddenly without warning.d. He uses flatteries and seduction to gain agreements and a following.e. He does as he wills is willful and unhindered by anyone for a time.f. He assumes a deity statusexalts himself and magnifies himself above every

other god.

g. He commits astonishing blasphemies against God.


8/12

8

h. He only prospers for a set time until the indignation is accomplished; for what isdecreed shall be done.

2. Again, the context is clear the forces who come from him profane the temple, andsacrifices are taken away.

3. Once again, there is a focus on understanding being necessary during the time that allof this occurs. It says that as all of this takes place, the wise among the people shall

make many understand.

d) Passage # 4: Daniel 12:6-13(6) And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the

stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"

(7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he

raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever

that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the

power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.

(8) I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the outcome

of these things?"(9) He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of

the end.

(10) Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the

wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are

wise shall understand.

(11) And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the

abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.

(12) Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.

(13) But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place

at the end of the days."

1. There is a question of span of timeHow long shall it be till the end? This time inthis passage, there is reference to three time periods:

a. a time, times, and half a time.b. 1,290 days.c. 1,335 days.

2. It is said clearly to Daniel here at the completion of his visions that these things are tobe shut up and sealed until the time of the end. He is speaking to the end times in

which we are living. That is the time of the end that his vision was to be shut up until.

It is now that we will start getting the understanding of these things.

3. It speaks of regular burnt offerings being taken away again a temple theme.4. There is a focus again on understanding these thingsthe wicked will not

understand, but the wise will understand.

F. Point #6 This takes UNDERSTANDING!1) This is the only place in this entire discourse in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 where

Jesus urges us to understand what He is saying. In reference to Daniels prophecy about

the abomination of desolation. He says, Let the reader understand.

2) As we read the prophecies Jesus is referring to from the book of Daniel about theabomination of desolation, there is a focus there upon Daniel understanding the prophetic


9/12

9

visions he is seeing. Daniel asks for understanding many times, and angelic messengers are

sent to him who say to him that they have come to grant him understanding. It is a glaring

subject in the book of Daniel the point of needing to UNDERSTAND prophetic truths.

Let him understand, not only the scriptures which speak of those things, but by the

scriptures let him understand the times[1Chron. 12:32]. - Matthew Henry

3) We truly need to give ourselves to understanding this! Jesus said to go to the book of Danieland read, and UNDERSTAND! It is important the Lord wants us to have understanding.

G. Point #7 The book of Revelation speaks of this abomination in chapter 13.1) In chapter 13 of the book of Revelation, we are shown a vision which tells about the same

incident Jesus speaks of, and Daniel prophesies about.

2) It is not called the abomination of desolation, but the event it is depicting is assuredly thesame one. This chapter speaks ofa Satanically-inspired leadership figure who will assume

iconic, god-like headship of a lawless world-system, requiring the peoples of the earth to

worship him, and persecuting to death those who will not.3) There is a singularly STRONG CONNECTION between this passage in Revelation chapter 13,

and what both Jesus says about the abomination of desolation, and what the book of Daniel

says about it. Here it is: This is the only place in the book of Revelation which says it calls

for understanding as we are reading!

Revelation 13:1-18

(1) And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems

on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

(2) And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was

like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.

(3) One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and

the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.

(4) And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they

worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"

(5) And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was

allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.

(6) It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his

dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

(7) Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was

given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,

(8) and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been writtenbefore the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

(9) If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

(10) If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the

sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the

saints.

(11) Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it

spoke like a dragon.

(12) It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and

its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.


10/12

10

(13) It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of

people,

(14) and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those

who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the

sword and yet lived.

(15) And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the

beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the

beast to be slain.

(16) Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be

marked on the right hand or the forehead,

(17) so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or

the number of its name.

(18) This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the

beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

a) Verse 9 is a call to hear if we have ears. This is the only place this call for having ears tohear is found in the book of Revelation, except of course the instructions to the 7churches in chapter 2-3, which all include that phrase. But during the extensive vision

John has of the end times, this is the only place we are called to have ears to hear in

other words to press in to really listen and understand it.

b) The final verse of chapter 13 verse 18 is the only place in the entire book of Revelationwhere the readers are asked to show wisdom and have understanding. Its important to

get this! Every single time this event is referred to in Scripture in the book of Daniel,

in the gospels, and in the book of revelation there is an admonition that we MUST

HAVE UNDERSTANDING about it.

c) There would not be this call, this invitation to read and hear and understand, unless itcould be done! We can understand it! In this end time hour, we need understanding,

and it is available. Lets get it! Lets understand what is going on, what the prophets have

said about it, what Jesus says about it. Lets understand the times the times we are

living in. Lets understand it! Yes, we can understand the end times!

H. Point # 8 There are other Scriptures which relate directly to the time period which is markedby this sign/event called the abomination of desolation talked about by Jesus and by the

prophet Daniel.

1) More in the book of Daniel read chapters 7 12.2) More in the book of Revelation - read chapters 12 13, and 16 19.3) The Man of Lawlessness 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

(3) Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellioncomes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

(4) who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that

he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

a) This clearly refers to the same sign/event that other places is called the abomination ofdesolation. It speaks of a leadership figure appearing who is called by the title Man of

Lawlessness and Son of Destruction. (Destruction is akin to the word desolation.)

b) Notice how close verse 4 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 is to describing the same thingsdescribed in Daniel and the book of Revelation that this leadership figure will do.


11/12

11

1. He will profane the temple.2. He will blaspheme God in an ultimate and supreme way he will actually proclaim

himself to be God!

4) The Antichrist.a) This leadership figure is a false Christ. He is referred to in the book of 1 John and 2 John

as the Antichrist.

b) The prefix anti does not only mean opposed to but it also strongly carries the idea ofsomething false or substitute. This leadership figure will be the supreme false Christ or

substitute Christ, which is one reason this is so ultimately abominable to God. He seeks

to substitute himself for the very Son of God which the Father God sacrificed already to

take away the sins of the world. It is supremely offensive to God and abominable to Him.

I. Point # 9The abomination of desolation is the culmination of a theme of Satans rebellionagainst God which can be traced clear back to the beginning of time.

1) The prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah tell of when Satan fell it was because he wanted to exalthimself to the place of God.

2) When Satan caused mankind to fall (Genesis chapter 3), he did so by telling manIf you dowhat I say, you can be LIKE GOD.

3) The temptation of Satan in the wilderness against Jesus (Matthew chapter 4) was rooted andcentered around this same strategy, wasnt it? Satan wanted Jesus to fall down and worship

him!

4) At the end of days, this will come forth in a full, ripe manifestation as Satan mounts a final,all-out demonic strategy to steal the hearts of all mankind away from God to worship him.

a) Satan will produce and present a false Messiah who in mockery of Jesus will even presentthat he suffers a mortal wound, but raises from the dead.

b) He will call all men to worship him, and to worship the idol of himself he sets up in thetemple, and worship the dragon or Satan himself.

c) He will persecute to the death any and every person who does not do so.d) This is the final great tribulation, so great that it must be cut short for the sake of the

elect, or no human would survive.

5) The abomination of desolation will usher in the final rage of Satan against all who worshipthe true God and His son, Jesus Christ and it will also usher in the final wrath of God against

Satan and those who deny Jesus as the Son of God and who worship Satan and his image.

a) This will be a culmination of the centuries and ages of warfare on this planet over who isto be worshipped!

b) There will be desolation in this final season on a scale beyond anything ever seen orexperienced on this planet. Let us be prepared!

3. How to prepare for the end-time season when the abomination of desolation appears.A. Love and pray for Israel and the Jewish people. In a season of false peace they will be allowed to

rebuild a temple in Jerusalem and restore a sacrificial system, but it will be short lived and then

the peace will be shattered and they will be violently persecuted.

B. Seek to get understanding now of what is already taking place, and is soon coming as the worldsystem is set up for the manifestation of a Satanically inspired leadership figure who will control

the earth politically, economically, and religiously.

C. Prepare to reject the coming Satanically-inspired leadership figure his flatteries and seductions,and the world system he rules over.


12/12

12

D. Prepare your hearts and minds for a season of intense persecution against you for your faith inJesus.

1) Strengthen your faith & allegiance to Jesus NOW! Your intimacy with Him.2) Be prepared to be shut out of commerce and normal life on earth for a season because of

your faith.

3) Be prepared to ultimately give your own life for your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.E. Preach the gospel to all nations now while you can!F. Be thankful these days will be cut short! Keep your eyes on the heavens, because YOUR

REDEMPTION DRAWS NIGH! Jesus will be coming very soon!

4. ConclusionMatthew 7:24-27

(24) "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built

his house on the rock.

(25) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did

not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.(26) And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man

who built his house on the sand.

(27) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it

fell, and great was the fall of it."

A. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew against both houses. It happened to the wisemans house and to the foolish mans house. The same thing came against both of them.

B. The wise man didnt escape what came, but he was prepared for it. He had built on the rightfoundation. He had heard the words of Jesus, and had put them into action.

C. Do what the wise man did! Be wise! Dont be foolish. Dont hear these words and do nothingwith them. That would be foolish, and your house will FALL! But if you listen, and you take

action, and you do what the Spirit is leading you to do if you have courage and dont shrink

back then your house will stand in this final hour. What good news! The rains will fall, the

floods will come, the winds will blow but YOUR HOUSE WILL STAND!

D. Jesus said, I am telling you beforehand. He wants us to be prepared.E. There will be mockers and scoffersit will be as it was in the days of Noah. But dont listen to

them. The scoffers are wrong they were wrong in Noahs day and they are wrong today. The

scoffers are wrong and Jesus is right!

F. Prepare! Prepare for what is coming. Prepare ye the way! Prepare the way for the coming ofthe Lord. He is coming, He is right at the door!

Revelation 22:20-21

(20) He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

(21) The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

preparing for what is coming - part 8 - handout

Documents