End Times 101 part 1

Mark chapter 13 this morning as we continue in our series here through the book of Mark.

Mark 13 · chapter mention

And we've seen last time as we concluded here at the end of chapter 12,

we find that Jesus was in the temple and he had been teaching and been questioned.

And they'd looked at those that had given offerings and he'd given an assessment of that.

And after watching that assessment, we find that Jesus completed his time in the temple.

And Jesus prepares to depart the temple for that last time.

And of all the things that had taken place, it was clear that each one there that day had a choice that they had to make.

You know, just like today, there's choices that we have to make concerning who Jesus is and his impact upon us.

You know, and the Bible tells us that many believed on him but did not confess him.

You know, I think we can see that a lot today in the world.

As Jesus departs the temple of all the questions, all the things, all the revelation about who he is,

there's still some that they recognize him, but they won't declare and confess him as their savior.

And the Bible tells us that there in the gospel of John, John makes an interesting statement.

He says, for they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.

You know, and that's a lot of the struggle that we find.

And even the disciples were faced with some of those challenges.

And as we find here, this crowd from which Jesus departed as he made his way from the temple towards the Mount of Olives.

We're going to get into what is called the Olivet Discourse this morning.

You know, talking about as Jesus was giving some final encouragement to his disciples,

but also talking about as the disciples' question about what is to come.

You know, in times, what's ahead?

Because Jesus had made some statements that caused them to begin to say,

okay, Lord, how are these things going to come to be?

You know, what and when?

And how are these things going to look?

What's going to come together along the way?

And they began to question him about some of these things.

And the discourse that follows records the events that reveal what's going to happen here upon the earth before the end of time.

And so as we're going to look here this morning, there's questions that people ask even today.

And it seems to captivate people because they're concerned about what's going to happen.

You know, people are concerned about the future.

They're concerned about, okay, if the Lord's going to come, when is he going to come?

You know, what's going to take place?

You know, and people are oftentimes today, just like they were in Jesus' day, they're worried about the signs.

You know, how do I know?

You know, how do I know if Jesus is coming?

And to be prepared, you know, the reality is, as we're going to see today,

you'd better be prepared because you don't know the day or the hour.

Things that you need to be prepared for now and to be prepared for that because one day Jesus will come again.

You know, that is a guarantee.

Just as he came the first time, he will come again.

But we're going to find here this morning the conversation between Jesus and his disciples was not only for them,

but this conversation is even for us.

Because we have those same type questions.

You know, people will come up with those questions about what and when.

And as we look at this this morning, I want you to keep that in mind as we look what's recorded,

that we might know the events that characterize the end times.

Because we're going to look at how Jesus lays this out

and put those things in context here with the rest of Scripture.

You know, because context is always important.

And we're going to find here when it comes to discussing end times,

people love to take things out of context.

You know, and piecemeal things.

And so let's take a look here this morning.

If you found Mark chapter 13, let's stand together here for the reading of God's Word.

Mark 13 · chapter mention

We'll read down through verse 8 here this morning.

And follow along, and it says this,

And as he went out of the temple, one of the disciples saith unto him,

Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here.

And Jesus answering said unto him,

Seest thou these great buildings?

There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.

And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives over against the temple,

Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Tell us, when shall these things be?

And what shall be the signs when all these things shall be fulfilled?

And Jesus answering them began to say,

Take heed, lest any man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying,

I am Christ, and shall deceive many.

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars,

be ye not troubled.

For such things must needs be.

But the end shall not be yet.

For nations shall rise against nation,

kingdom against kingdom.

And there shall be earthquakes in diverse places,

and there shall be famines and troubles.

These are the beginning of sorrows.

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, as we come before you today, Lord,

as we look at your encouragement to be prepared for those things that are to come, Lord,

to be focused upon who you are and what you've done for us in the present, Lord,

and the need to respond to it and to be ready for that.

Lord, I pray you just help us to heed even the warning given today, Lord,

that we might understand how these things fit together.

And how they fit into your plan of the time that is going to be before us, Lord,

of the future events.

And as it's often referred to, Lord,

we know it's the end of this world,

but it's a beginning with you for eternity,

for those who have called upon you.

Lord, I pray that you just have your hand upon each one today, Lord.

You know those that are yours.

Lord, we pray just to challenge those that know you as Savior to be consistent in these things, Lord.

But also today, Lord, we ask that there's one here that's not sure,

that they would call upon you, Lord,

that they might know that they have eternal life,

that they're secure no matter what happens in this world around us.

And Lord, we ask all these things in your precious name.

Amen.

May we be seated.

You know, as we look here this morning,

we see Jesus' disciples leaving the temple late on Tuesday afternoon.

But not before Jesus makes a declaration about the city of Jerusalem and the temple

because oftentimes in Scripture, sometimes like Mark chapter 13 seems kind of abrupt.

Mark 13 · chapter mention

You know, as we're looking and reading that, it seems like an abrupt conversation.

Why would the disciples point that out?

What was leading them up to it?

Well, Matthew gives us a little insight.

And we can go back to Matthew's account.

If you look over to Matthew chapter 23,

Matthew 23 · chapter mention

because I believe the disciples here are responding to a statement that Jesus made.

A statement that I declared in here.

Notice what it tells us here in Matthew chapter 23 in verse 37.

Matthew 23 · chapter mention

Here's Jesus looking over Jerusalem.

And he says,

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee,

how often would I have gathered thy children together,

even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and she would not.

You know, here's Jesus lamenting over the city of Jerusalem,

over the Jewish people that he had given so much for.

He had sent the prophets.

They were possessors of all that God had commanded.

I mean, God had given them and blessed them so much.

But notice it says,

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Why is it going to be desolate?

That's what I think sparks the disciples' questions.

Because remember, they're in the temple.

They're seeing the splendor of the temple.

The temple was the centerpiece of all that they'd been doing.

All the worship, everything centered around the temple.

That was the focal point.

And Jesus says, I'm going to leave this here desolate.

Empty.

And we're going to see here, notice what it says, verse 39.

For I say unto you,

Ye shall not see me henceforth,

till ye shall say,

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Now, what is he referring to?

He says, I'm not going to enter the temple again

until that day I return.

When people say,

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And Zechariah the prophet declares,

there's coming a day when Jesus is going to step down once again

and enter into Jerusalem

and enter into the temple.

We're going to see here this dynamic that takes place.

This is a picture that the disciples had in their mind.

They're thinking,

Jesus has already told us he's going to die.

And, you know, we're already struggling with,

okay, who's going to be in charge?

You know, we looked at all those normal things,

but now they're like another set of contemplation is,

okay, when and where and how are these things going to happen?

How is this going to, how are we going to know?

But we see here this verse 38 sets the stage for this question.

As they walk out the temple complex,

because I want you to understand,

the temple was a portion of this complex.

The entire temple complex was a very large structure,

even under Herod.

And you see, if you can,

they tell us that Herod had ornately remodeled

Ezra's temple that he had built

and he had expanded on it.

And there was all these glories

that had been added in this remodel

of the gold that was hanging on all the doors.

And they had big, white, large stones that were around it.

Luke 21 tells us this.

It says,

Some spake of the temple how it was adorned

with goodly stones and gifts.

So what are the disciples looking at?

As they're walking out,

they're saying,

Jesus, if you're going to leave this desolate,

this building, this structure,

this compound, if you might say,

with all these ornate things

and all the effort, all the energy,

all the things that have gone into it,

the beauty of the place

that we come to worship the Lord.

And the disciples are looking at it.

That's what we find here

in verse 1 of chapter 13.

It says,

Master, see what manner of stones

and what buildings are here.

You know?

They're looking at the majesty of the building,

the structure.

You know, they're not like on people today.

Oftentimes we get fascinated

with structures and buildings

and things,

and we get attached to them.

And since this was the place

that they worshiped God,

there was an attachment

they had to all this happening.

And Jesus then reveals something

that would have startled the disciples.

First he says he's going to leave it desolate,

and he's not going to come again

until he returns.

And now Jesus makes a very bold statement

about the destruction of it.

We see this as an artist's rendition

of what they think

Herod's temple complex would have looked like.

I mean, it's a very great structure,

and here Jesus makes a statement.

The destruction of the temple

seemed contrary to everything they'd known.

It had been the place of worship

since David purchased the threshing floor

from Orin

as a place to offer sacrifices

unto the Lord.

Solomon later would build

the first temple there

after the death of his father David,

only to find it was destroyed

when Judah was taken away

into captivity

for 70 years

there into Babylon.

But we find Ezra returned

with the mandate to rebuild,

and this was the same temple

that Ezra built 500 years before,

but had been remodeled

by Herod

and made even more ornate

and more of a bold statement

about who God is

and the place.

He was trying to gain favor

with the Jews.

You know?

You think the world is different today?

You have a politician

trying to bribe people

with buildings and other things

to try to gain their favor.

I want to let you know

there's nothing new today

that goes on

that didn't go on back then.

The same things happen,

and the same people get caught up

in the same things,

but we find here

that as they were there

leaving that temple complex,

Jesus tells them

that's what?

It's going to be destroyed.

He tells them

that see this great complex?

There's not even going to be

a single stone left.

Every stone

is going to be taken down.

And part of what we need

to understand this morning

is that what Jesus

was really saying

because the temple complex

was fascinating to see.

They say you could see it

all over the place.

You could see it

as you entered the city.

It sat up on the hill,

and they tell us here

that the stones

that they were used in this,

some of them were 40 feet long

by 18 feet high

by 15 feet wide.

Precision cut

to where you couldn't

put a piece of paper

between them.

And Jesus is looking

at his disciples

and saying,

hey guys,

I know you're fascinated

with this,

but there's going to come a day

there's not going to be

one stone upon another.

All this is going to be

taken away.

All the gold,

all the things

that Herod had done

to remodel the temple

to make it look

as an amazing place

to worship God.

But we find here

that we know from history

that in 70 A.D.

the temple was destroyed.

They dismantled it completely,

stripping it of gold

and precious stones.

Exactly what Jesus said

was going to happen to it.

Exactly how he had described it.

But I do want to let you know

there is going to be

another temple built.

You know?

But as we study through,

I want you to understand

there's going to be

sacrifices that resume

during the time of what we call,

the Bible calls

the time of Jacob's trouble,

also known as the tribulation.

And then we're going to find

there's going to be

a temple built

during the thousand year

reign of Christ.

We're going to see

all these magnificent things.

But as they're departing

out of the temple,

Jesus tells them

there's going to be

a destruction of the temple.

And I'm not going to

enter in again

until the time I come

in power and in glory.

So the disciples are trying

to process all this information.

They're trying to put

all the pieces together

to understand those things.

When he says,

okay, if Jesus is leaving

and the temple's going

to be destroyed,

but he's not going to do this again

or enter in

until we find

that he is coming

in his power and glory.

You know,

when blessed is he

that cometh in the name

of the Lord

when they receive him

as their king.

They're trying to put

this timeline together

in their head.

You know,

it's not unlike people today.

You know,

when people start studying

the end,

they're trying to put,

okay, it says this here

and that over here

and this over here

and this over here.

And okay,

how does that fit together?

How's this puzzle come together

to paint the picture

that God has?

To reveal what God has in store.

The disciples were trying

to figure this out.

They're trying to discern,

okay,

if this was going to happen,

how and when was it going to happen?

Because notice their discernment

that Jesus is going to give.

But look at verse 3 there

in verse 13.

And it says,

and he sat upon the Mount of Olives

over against the temple.

Now, I want you to get this picture

because here is Jesus.

They've left the temple complex.

They've went through the city

and they went up

on the Mount of Olives,

very likely to the very,

close to the place

that he would soon

to be arrested

because Judas told them

where to find Jesus

because it's a place

he went off in.

So I think this is probably

the same place

that they could oversee

the city

and oversee the temple.

And they're sitting there

and it just tells us

they were there

and they were having

another discussion

about things.

And it tells us

that the two pairs of brothers

show up again, you know.

Peter and Andrew

and James and John.

And we find that they sit down

with Jesus privately

and say,

Jesus, what about this?

Because notice what they ask him.

Notice what they say.

Tell us in verse 4,

when shall these things be

and what shall be the sign

when all these things

shall be fulfilled?

Now as we see here,

Jesus is telling them,

had described these things,

this catastrophe

that was going to happen

with the temple.

And he says,

when are these things

going to happen?

You know,

Matthew chapter 24

Matthew 24 · chapter mention

also records for us this.

It says,

and he sat upon the Mount of Olives

and the disciples

came to him privately saying,

tell us when these things shall be

and what shall be

the sign of thy coming

and of the end of the world.

They were worried about,

okay, how is this

going to come to fruition?

What's this going to look like?

They were looking

for signs of his coming

and the end of the world.

The establishment of the kingdom

was paramount to the disciples.

You know,

one thing we always

got to keep in mind

is that we're looking

at this passage.

You have to look at it

through a Jewish lens

of what they understood

and what they knew.

Their focus was,

hey, one day

there's going to be a kingdom

that our Savior

is going to rule

and reign

and we're going to be free

from all those

that have oppressed us.

That was their mindset,

their vision.

That's what they

had come to understand.

And we're going to see

as Jesus begins

to broaden

their perspective

to understand

the big picture

of what God is doing.

The establishment

of the kingdom

was just that.

It was paramount to them.

When is this going to happen?

Even right before

he was taken to heaven,

you know,

Jesus has died

and arose again

and he's getting ready

to go up into heaven.

Think about the disciples'

last question.

If you don't think

this is on their mind,

Acts chapter 1,

Acts 1 · chapter mention

Jesus is getting ready

to depart from them

and notice they're still

asking this same question.

It says,

when they therefore

were come together,

they asked of him,

saying,

Lord,

wilt thou at this time

restore again

the kingdom to Israel?

You know?

I mean,

this is something

that was stuck

in their mind.

I mean,

this is something

that weighed upon them

to say,

how is this going to fit?

They were still trying

to make sense of it.

Now,

us today,

as we have a completed

canon of Scripture,

we can look at it

and say,

well,

what did they miss?

But I want you to understand,

they were operating

with what they understood,

with the information

that they had.

Now,

we often have

the same problem,

don't we?

We make decisions sometimes

or get caught up

into things

based on the information

we have

and not all the information.

We can say

we are blessed

because we have

all the information

we need

in a completed

Word of God.

God's complete

revelation to us.

We live in a

blessed generation.

that we have that.

So I want you to understand

when the disciples

are asking this,

you need to remember

where they were

and what was happening

and how their mindset

had been focused

and positioned

in their thought processes.

Because as believers,

sometimes,

if we're not careful,

we can end up

the same way

as the disciples.

We get caught up

in something

and don't look

for the information

that God's given us.

To put things

in perspective

because notice

Jesus' response

there in Acts

and he said unto them,

it is not for you

to know the times

or the seasons

which the Father

hath put in his own power.

You know,

I want to give you

a little heads up.

Anybody that says

Jesus is going to return

right now,

you can put a mark

through them.

You know,

I won't ask for a show

of hands,

but how many have heard

people make declarations

like that?

You can look at history.

History's filled with it.

The one thing

I can tell you,

if somebody says

Jesus is going to return

on this date,

you can put a mark

through them

and say you're a liar

because Jesus made it clear

you don't know.

You've just identified yourself

as somebody

contrary to Scripture.

But you know what?

Oftentimes they get

caught up in it

because notice here

what Jesus responds

to them in this

because Jesus,

look at verse 5

of chapter 13

there in our text.

It says,

Jesus answering them

began to say,

take heed

lest any man what?

Deceive you.

He said,

you guys need

to use some discernment.

You need to be discerning

in processing all this.

Don't go by how you feel

or how smooth

somebody's words are.

He says,

take heed

lest any man deceive you.

There's going to be

deceivers out there.

This world is filled

with deceivers.

When it comes to

those things,

there will be people

that come to you

that will try to deceive

and we need to be discerning

about that.

Jesus warns them

they need to be aware

of the deceivers,

that the disciples

could be drawn away

by the things

that they might see

and hear.

Think about the potential

we have today.

If they could be deceived

with Jesus giving them

direct information,

how much more

in danger are we today?

To be paying attention,

to take the full counsel

of God's word

to put those things together?

What will be the part

of the deception?

Is that,

notice what he tells them,

for many shall come

in my name,

saying,

I am Christ

and shall deceive many.

You know,

over the years

there's many who have said

they've come

in the name of the Lord.

We even have people

that declare themselves

to be the Messiah,

be the deliverer.

You know,

I don't have time

to go through

all the list

of individuals,

but sometimes we think,

well,

that was a future thing.

Acts chapter 5

Acts 5 · chapter mention

reveals something

very interesting

because when they're

assessing the apostles

after Christ's resurrection

and the early church,

you'll find there

in Acts chapter 5

Acts 5 · chapter mention

in verses 36 and 37,

we won't go there,

but it makes mention

of two individuals,

Thaddeus and Judas of Galilee,

both whose movements

came to nothing

and were dispersed.

These were individuals

that said,

hey,

we're the Messiah,

follow me.

And these were

in the very same time frame

that Jesus walked the earth.

Even while he was present,

there was deceivers out there.

And some people fell into it.

It's a reality.

There are those

that came a few years

after Jesus

and down through the ages.

You know,

some of you here

have been around long enough

to know names

like Sung Moon,

Moon,

you know,

that crazy Korean guy

that declared himself

the Messiah.

Now,

some of you

have been around long enough

to know a name

by Jim Jones.

He was another one

that declared,

I mean,

the list could,

I mean,

you look up history

and the list

just keeps compiling.

It's amazing

the list of people

throughout the ages

who have declared

to say,

I come in the name

of the Lord.

I'm the Messiah.

I'm the Deliverer.

And many were deceived.

Why?

Because they didn't

pay attention

to what Jesus

had to say.

As the end approaches,

there's going to be

more and more

put forth to claim.

You know,

we've always got to be careful

not to be deceived

by eloquent speech

and smooth demeanors

that people have.

Because no matter

who a person is,

you better judge them

by the book.

Judge what they say

by the Word of God.

Does it line up

to be paying attention

to those things?

It tells us here

we're going to have wars

and rumors of wars.

You know,

the world in which we live

has experienced

more times of war

than at peace.

You know,

think about how many

conflicts exist

even in our lifetime.

I mean,

we have an entire generation

that is growing up

in conflict.

Since 2001 forward,

there's been a conflict

happening.

There was conflicts

before that.

I mean,

you'll find there's wars

and rumors of wars.

Even in our lifetime

and in times to pass,

there's going to be

more coming.

You know,

what it reveals

is something very simple

is that instead

of becoming better,

the world just continues

to rage wars

against one another.

You know,

we find all sorts

of organizations

that people found

and other things contrary

and try to say,

we're going to make people

better and better.

You know,

if you understand

the Word of God,

this world's not going

to get better and better

before Christ returns.

It's going to get worse

and worse.

Why?

Because sinful people

do sinful things.

Wicked people

do wicked things.

Our heart is deceitful

because I want you

to see here

what Jesus makes

a statement here.

Look at the end

of verse 7.

It says,

for such things

must needs be,

but the end

shall not be yet.

You know,

Jesus is making

an obvious statement here

that I think we need

to pay attention to

because they're not

to trouble us

or to cause alarm

because the end

is,

they don't mark

the end.

Jesus is admonishing

His disciples.

He's admonishing us today.

Don't get caught up

in the news cycle.

Just in my lifetime,

it's amazing

how many people,

every time something

happens in the middle,

oh, the end is here.

I mean,

every time you have something,

oh, the tribulation

has begun.

Just remember

Jesus' statement,

but the end is not yet

because the one thing

you'll know

is that when Jesus

tells us what's going

to happen,

it's going to be clear.

You won't have to ask,

is this?

It'll be,

it is.

But oftentimes,

we get caught up

in that every time

something sparks up

and moves forward.

I want you to understand

that they're wrong

by declaring,

hey, this is what it is.

You know,

we should be paying attention

to world events,

but we need to understand

they don't direct

the sign of the end

nor His coming

by themselves

because God also

gives us an order

of what things

are going to take place.

You know,

it's amazing

how many people

when something happens

like this,

there's a war someplace

and they'll pull

some verse out

of Revelation

that has to do

with maybe close

to the area

that it might be in.

Oh, this is happening

and my question is

what happened

to all the stuff

that came before it?

If the rest didn't fit,

if this doesn't fit

after in the right order

that God said,

you know what,

I can guarantee

it's not it.

You've got to follow

the Word of God

to follow those things.

Notice what he says,

there's going to be earthquakes

and natural catastrophes,

earthquakes,

floods,

hurricanes,

volcanic eruptions,

droughts,

tsunamis,

all these are going

to occur for the result

of a fallen world

in which we live.

Those things just happen.

You know,

we live in a generation,

they try to make excuses

to say men cause it,

but I tell you what,

that's a pretty arrogant statement.

It amazes me

how arrogant people are

when they consider

we can control our world.

I want you to understand

there's only one

in control of this world.

And the Bible tells us

that it's by him

all things consist.

He is the one

over all things.

He's the creator.

He is the one

that designed

and put together.

He knows exactly

how it operates.

When these things happen,

they're not signs

of the end

by themselves.

There's going to be

famines and troubles.

You know,

we see in the world

there's starvation

from famines.

They're going to occur.

I want you to understand

it doesn't mean

we shouldn't help,

but these things

are going to happen.

Jesus says

these things must be.

They're going to be.

This is the way

it's going to be.

We find troubles.

Troubles in Matthew

Matthew 24 · chapter mention

chapter 24

refers to them

as a pestilence,

a disease,

or plagues.

You know,

don't be disturbed.

Jesus said

it was going to happen.

You know,

a few years ago

when COVID came through,

people went ballistic.

Oh, you know,

the end,

all this stuff.

People start,

I want you to understand

it's stuff we have to endure,

things we go through,

but Jesus said,

hey,

it's going to be.

Those same things

that happened

throughout history,

we don't get

exempt cards from.

Our day is going to

have the same problems.

You know,

it's not hard

to find the

end is near crowd

that's trying to base it

off these things.

I want you to understand,

I believe Jesus

can return at any time.

We need to be prepared

for His return,

but I want you to understand

we should not live

our daily life

only thinking,

because we have to think

Jesus tells us

that we need to be ready,

but we also need

to be living.

He says,

you'll know

when the time is.

You know,

we understand it

as an attempt

to twist Scripture

out of context

in order to reinforce

their error.

Jesus declares

that these things

are just the beginning

of sorrows.

Now,

I want you to see here

the declaration

that Jesus makes here,

because Jesus says

these are the beginning

of sorrows.

Now,

this term beginning

of sorrows,

this declaration

that Jesus makes

to the disciples,

you cannot judge

the end

by the things

happening solely

around us,

as they're just

the beginning

of sorrows.

this word sorrows

refers to birth pains.

Okay?

Now,

all the moms in here

can probably understand

this phrase,

this context

in reality,

but when a woman

gets ready

to have a child,

they'll begin

having pains

right before it delivers,

and you know,

they're thinking,

oh,

this is pretty bad.

Then they realize

by the time they get

in the middle of it,

it gets a lot worse.

The beginning

is just that.

There are some pains

involved,

but they're nothing

in context

to what it is

in the actual

giving of birth.

This is the same

picture Jesus

uses here.

He says,

all these things

are the beginning

of sorrows.

They're like those

initial contractions

that a lady has

when she gets ready

to give birth.

You know,

they're like,

oh,

you know,

I've been around

a few ladies

that have given birth.

You know,

most of them,

they, you know,

at the beginning

it's just like,

oh,

you know,

then by the end

it's a whole different song.

We'll just leave it there.

Amen?

But that's what Jesus

is giving

as an illustration

here to help us

understand.

Because the beginning

of those things

is not the actual.

The actual

is way different.

To understand

those things,

you can't judge

the end

by those things

that are just happening.

The pains

at the beginning

are not even close

to the intensity

of actual birth,

and we know

it's going to be soon,

but we don't know when.

Jesus wanted

His disciples

and everyone else

to know

that yes,

He will return

one day

in power

and in glory.

Notice what

Jesus tells them here.

He says,

these are the beginning

of sorrows,

but He's speaking here

about when He's going

to return.

Remember,

that was the initial question.

That was what was leading

up to these things,

and I want you to know

today as we begin

looking at this passage

that Jesus is coming back.

John chapter 14,

John 14 · chapter mention

Jesus makes it very clear

to His disciples.

Remember what He says,

let not your heart

be troubled.

You know,

isn't that some good news

for today?

Don't be troubled

over all these things.

Don't be troubled

of all the things,

the catastrophes

and other things.

That word troubled

means to be worked up

or upset

or to be dominated by.

Remember,

Jesus said

these things need

to be so.

He says,

let not your heart

be troubled.

You believe in God,

believe also in me.

In my Father's house

are many mansions.

If it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare

a place for you.

Now notice verse 3,

it says,

and if I go

and prepare a place

for you,

I will do what?

Come again

and receive you what?

Unto myself,

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

Jesus is coming again.

You can rest assured,

it's clear He's coming.

But as we're going

to find here

as we look at this passage,

as we continue

in the weeks to come,

we don't know

the day or the hour.

We don't have

a set time frame

to be able to say

this is it.

You know,

we need to be looking

for Him

to understand

what we need to do.

Turn back over

to Acts chapter 1

Acts 1 · chapter mention

for a moment.

Acts chapter 1.

Acts 1 · chapter mention

Here Jesus

has answered

the disciples,

you know,

you don't know

the time or the hour

and He tells us

that you're going

to be witnesses

into the whole world

and that Jesus

gets caught up

into the cloud

and the disciples

are standing there

with their jaws open.

Now,

you say,

how do you know

they had their jaws open?

Because the Bible says

they stood there

gazing into heaven.

I think I would probably

have the same response

right there.

If you were talking

to Jesus

and suddenly He just

parted up into the clouds,

you'd be going,

normal response.

apostles were just

people like you and I.

They're looking at Jesus

go up into the clouds

and notice here

in Acts chapter 1

Acts 1:11

verse 11,

which also said,

ye men of Galilee,

why stand ye

gazing up into heaven?

This same Jesus

which is taken up

from you into heaven

shall so come

in like manner

as you've seen Him

go into heaven.

I want you to know

that Jesus is coming again.

There's coming a day

He's going to come

and He's going to come

first for His people.

You know,

Paul writing under

the guidance

of the Holy Spirit,

he reveals a mystery

that those that believe

one day are going

to be caught up

to be with Him.

You know,

this catching up,

we often use

that term rapture.

That's what that term

refers to

as the idea

of being caught up.

And he makes it

very clear,

1 Thessalonians 4,

he says this,

for the Lord Himself

shall descend from heaven

with a shout,

with the voice

of the archangel,

with the trump of God.

And the dead in Christ

shall rise first

when we which are alive

and remain

shall be caught up

together with Him

in the clouds

to meet the Lord

in the air

and so shall we ever

be with the Lord.

Wherefore,

notice this,

comfort one another

with these words.

You know,

one of the things

we can keep in mind

that helps give us

comfort as believers

is Jesus is coming again.

He's coming for His own.

To take us out

out of this fallen world.

We know He's coming

for the saints

and also return

in majesty and power

to establish His kingdom.

But He doesn't want us

to be distracted

by His coming.

He wants us to be ready for it.

Because it's going to happen

when it happens.

I want you to know

that it's important

to be ready

when He does come.

Because if you're not

a believer today,

the things that Jesus

mentions in these verses

to come

could very well

come upon you.

There's coming a time

of the Bible refers

to as tribulation.

The question is,

are you going to be in it?

Or are you going to be above it?

Because Jesus says

He's going to take us out.

To be with Him.

We're not appointed

under wrath.

And we know

He's coming for the saints.

And you know,

if you're not a believer today,

these things ought to serve

as a wake-up call for you.

Because the fact is,

Jesus is coming.

The world is going to

go into a time

of terrible tribulations.

Billions will die

due to war

and disease

and starvation

and other plagues.

And the only way

to guarantee you miss it

is to have

accepted Christ

as your Savior.

That's how you miss it.

When people are ready

for the Lord's return

when He's coming

for His people.

You know,

today we need to be ready

because Jesus

is even telling

His disciples

as we continue

looking in this passage,

be ready,

but occupy

until He comes.

To be working

for the Lord.

Today,

if you've never

trusted Christ

as your Lord and Savior,

I challenge you

to consider

being prepared.

And that takes

recognizing your sin

and your pride

and to come to Jesus

in humility

and believe

the gospel

because He died

for your sin

and mine.

And it's for whoever

will call upon Him.

You're the one

that makes the decision

of what you're going

to do

with Jesus.

As heads are bowed

and eyes are closed

this morning,

are you ready

for the Lord's return?

Are you ready?

If you're not sure

that you're ready,

today would be

the best day

in the world

to get ready.

We can have somebody

show you from God's Word

how you can know,

not just guess or hope,

but to know

that you have

eternal life

from the promises

of God.

What about you

today, Christian?

Are you living

in light

of His return?

What about you

today?

Is the Lord

speaking to you?

Is there a need

that God has revealed

to you,

decision or direction?

If that be you,

I encourage you

to be with Him.

Pray today.

Call upon Him.

Heavenly Father,

as we conclude

this service here today,

Lord, we pray

just to have your hand

upon each heart,

each life.

Lord, you know

we might be able

to put on a good front

for others,

but Lord, you know

the heart of every individual.

Lord, I pray

just to work mightily

your spirit

would just convict

and convince.

Lord, you know

the need of each one.

Lord, maybe it's

some encouragement

that's needed.

Knowing that we

can trust you

and that Lord,

you're above all

the woes of this world.

Lord, I pray

just to have your way

in each heart

and life here today.

And let's give you

all the praise

in Jesus' name.

As the piano plays,

what about you?