The End of All Things is at Hand

The End of All Things is at Hand

Thank the Lord for our Blessed Hope

Joe 2:1-3 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

Joe 2:3-4 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

Joe 2:5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

The End of All Things is at Hand

Joe 2:6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

The End of All Things is at Hand

The End of All Things is at Hand

Mat 24:13-14 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

How many think that the gospel of the kingdom has now been preached all over the world and in every nation of the world?

Then we are in the “End Times” and “All Things are at Hand”. We are living on the threshold of the disintegration of this “Present Evil World” and the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom.

The End of All Things is at Hand

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

An Interesting Scripture…

Let’s try to better understand this scripture.

Who is being addressed and when is the hour of temptation?

Sixth Stage

Seven Stages of the Gospel Age Church

Hour of Temptation

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The Hour of Temptation is the Laodicean Stage of the Church – OUR time. Who will be effected (infected?)?

Who does it come upon and why?

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Everybody on the face of the earth will be effected, including the Laodicean Church. However, it appears from the symbolic meaning of the “earth” – it will specifically be upon those people or systems with “roots” in this world… like the great Church systems and mainstream believers…to try them.

Selfishness and Ambition Grows

• Driving nations insanely to war for commercial supremacy.• People increasingly out for themselves; grasping selfishly for

honors, privileges, positions, etc.• Proud, lovers of themselves, blasphemers, unthankful,

trucebreakers, despisers of those that are good.• Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure, with a lustful

increase in immorality more than ever before.• In the Church, ambitious elders and deacons will become more

hinderers to the Truth and it’s spirit - than helpers.• Some elders discourage volume study in meetings and pridefully

place themselves on a par with the seventh messenger and their more enlightened interpretations

What will people be like in this end times and the hour of temptation?

2Tim. 3:1-3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

What will people be like in this end times and the hour of temptation? (con’t)

2Tim. 3:4-8 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

The End of All Things is at Hand

The Temptations of this Day will be an UNEXPECTED Snare for Many

Luke 21:34-5 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Characteristics of this Hour of Temptation

• Materialism and a love of money• Immorality and sexual intoxication• People will become harder to deal with• Many more false doctrines and theories• Increase in fallen angel activity• Ambitious elders will draw men after themselves• More distractions than ever before to defocus the New

Creation of God’s saints.• Brethren will study less and slip from the harvest Truth

message and “love of the truth”.

Received not “the love” of the Truth2Th 2:8-12 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming (presence): Even him, whose coming is after (accompanied by [Fenton])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. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Three Classes in Psalms 91

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Three Classes in Psalms 91

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

1. Those believers who fall into total unbelief – infidelity.

Three Classes in Psalms 91

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

1. Those believers who fall into total unbelief – infidelity.

2. The Great Company -those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

Three Classes in Psalms 91

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

1. Those believers who fall into total unbelief – infidelity.

2. The Great Company – those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

3. The Little Flock – the True Church…kept by the power of God.

Characteristics of this Hour of Temptation

• Materialism and a love of money• Immorality and sexual intoxication• People will become harder to deal with• Many more false doctrines and theories• Increase in fallen angel activity• Ambitious elders will draw men after themselves• More distractions than ever before to defocus the New

Creation of God’s saints.• Brethren will study less and slip from the harvest Truth

message and “love of the truth”.

Materialism and a love of money

1Ti 6:8- 10 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

“…whatever is prevalent in the world, will be a special threat to the Church.”

Immorality

(Speaking of the last days) 2Tim 3:6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, (NASB)

From movies to television shows – our society is much like that of Sodom and Gomorrah…intoxicated with sex and immoralities. Many schools even pass out contraceptives to their female students – which sends out a message!

It all begins in the mind…

Computers and television can be GREAT tools for the Adversary…think on THESE things?? Mind traps in this hour of temptation!

Careless living is a form of profanity!

2Pe 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness….

How can careless living be a form of profanity?Read R-5404 for a few suggestions.

Profaning God’s name can come in many different ways

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy god in vain.” Exodus 20:7

“the righteousness of the Law (the true meaning of the Law) is fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Rom. 8:4

“We have taken the name of Christ as our name. We profess to be members of the Body of Christ. And the holy name of the Head belongs to all the members of His Body. The honored name of the Bridegroom belongs to His Espoused. What carelessness the thought of this should give us, and how appropriate it is that we should see to it that we have not taken that blessed name in vain; that we appreciate the honor, the dignity, the responsibility, of our position as His representatives and ambassadors in the world! Let us, therefore, walk circumspectly, taking earnest heed that we bring no dishonor to that hallowed name; but on the contrary, that we honor it in our every thought and word and deed.” R5404

People are Harder to Deal With and Need more Patience from Us

The Fallen Angels are being Given More and More Liberty

"Until" seems to imply that when we reach that time, then the restrictions are broken, and materialization may again be possible…. Our expectation is that they will think they have broken over the restraints that God put upon them in the days of the flood, and then with this thought that they have found a way of getting around God, they will materialize as they did in the days of the flood. Q464

Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until (ice - Strongs 1519) the judgment of the great day—

Has anyone made these observations? What does that tell you?

• More Palm Readers and Psychic shops than ever before

• More spiritualism and demonic movie and television shows – a LOT more!

• More Harry Potter books and movies of this sort being promoted to children in school and at home

• Increase of Spiritism, witchcraft and wizardry• More New Age music and celebrity promotions of• More Scientology and Christian Science

False Doctrines and Theories Threaten Sanctification of the New Creation

2 Pet. 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, (Ransom Doctrine) bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2Pe 3:16 There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

2Cor. 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Are we aware of Satan’s devices?

If Satan figured out the main source of Truth in the Harvest which was sanctifying the elect of God – like the divine beings he saw rise from the tomb in 1878 – don’t you think he would use all of the above to discredit or destroy that source?

Father of lies• Deception• Subtilty• Misrepresentation• Crafty• Sophistry• Revisionism

Importance of Harvest Doctrine in this End of the Hour

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (sup = Gr. Strongs #1172 dipe-neh-o which means “to dine or take the principle meal”.)

Mat 24:45-47 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Have we been given a meal of spiritual food provided by our returned Lord?

He had only SEVEN men in his right hand for 2000 years. How important are these seven men? Be careful what you say about God’s authorized

agents to discredit them. Miriam learned the hard way.

Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

“Brother Russell was JUST a man”You’re following A Man! You can have more liberty without him!

Apostle Paul was JUST a man and he suggested Christians to follow him as he followed Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction….

2 Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Be vigilant not to fall from your own steadfastness in the Truth

2Pet. 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2Pet. 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked (unsettled), fall from your own stedfastness.

Study and “make the Truth your own”. Know what you believe and why you believe it! At least know an “uncertain sound” when you hear one. Knowing the Truth will spare you from being led away captive by the “lawless”, (lawless disregard for the testimony of the Lord's Word). R 2218

Self-willed and Ambitious Elders who Despise Authority over Themselves

2Pe 2:9-10 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government (or being mastered by someone or something). Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Ambitious Elders will try to Draw Many to Themselves

3 John 1:9-10 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Do you think was exclusive to the early Church, or could this same thing happen even now?

False Theories and Doctrines

The Theory of the Evolution of Man - Denies the Ransom! Would this be a “strong delusion”?

The Evolution theory denies the fall of man; denies that he ever was in the image and likeness of God; denies that he was ever in a fit condition to be on trial before the bar of exact Justice; denies that he ever sinned in such a trial, and that he ever was sentenced to death. It claims that death, so far from being a penalty is but another step in the process of evolution; it holds that man, instead of falling from the image and likeness of God into sin and degradation, has been rising from the condition of a monkey into more and more of the image and likeness of God. E 21, 22

Importance of Harvest Doctrine in this End of the Hour

As one dear brother once said: The Truth is in the Bible

But the Understanding…Is in the Volumes.

Importance of Harvest Doctrine in this End of the Hour

The Bible and this “meat in due season” is the source for our sanctification and the spiritual energy needed for our full growth as new creatures in Christ Jesus; if properly understood and applied.

The ultimate product will be the “called, chosen and faithful”. We believe only these will NOT be deceived by the Adversary’s snares and traps. Those without a firm foundational understanding contained in this Harvest Message – WILL be deceived in this Hour of Temptation.

Matt. 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Rev 16:12-16 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. ("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.") And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.

The End of All Things is at Hand2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Matt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.