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Are you prepared for the coming of the groom. Are you prepared right now. Do you truly believe that Jesus can come any moment and are you ready to meet.

Not if you got junk in your life. Not if you are distracted. The trivial things of life. Need how to get what systematic theology you espouse. It doesn't matter what system you hold onto. If you're not ready when he returns to state and judgments just heard a portion of the upcoming message titled watch by Dr. Abbott on shot of Clearview church in Henderson, North Carolina I Clearview. Our goal is to make Christ visible and everything would love you to come worship with us at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson or visit us online. I Clearview B.org join us for the rest of this week's message me if you'll remember your wedding day as if it was yesterday.

Anybody remember that unless you got married yesterday that doesn't count.

What we do. Nicole and I are coming up on our 25th wedding anniversary and seems like just the other day we were there things were happening audiovisual team put some clips together, it's me. Can you believe that I'm a sad look handsome there anyways just getting but am so many wonderful memories. The only thing if I could change. I would change would be the groomsmen I would change these guys they were absolutely hopeless and I hope there watching. I had to stay behind them to get the tuxes they they would not cooperate and then I had to get a bachelor party. These guys could've gone couple pizzas, some ice cream didn't happen, no plan as to how to decorate car so they got Saran wrap and that is syrup some. I told him honeymoon sleep would hunt me. I don't know how it will give who comes up with these things and then packing peanuts. Have you ever heard somebody putting packing peanuts on top of your getaway car of it is is unreal.

That's the only thing I would change.

I would fire these groomsmen now.

They had zero plan a what what this was a happy with our message today. You see, Christ is the bridegroom and we who believe in him all the wedding party.

We are the wedding party. He is the groom and the groom has promised that he is coming, but he hasn't given us the exact time. He wants us to be prepared. He wants us to be ready, not like these jokers who did not have a plan. They did not have a plan from start to finish the you have a plan. Are you prepared in our series on the parables of Jesus, we come to the parable of the 10 bridesmaids five were foolish, but fiber wives and foolish ones had no plan. Which one are you.

You have the Bibles with you, turn to Matthew chapter 25 starting in verse one, and once again for the reading of God's word.

Let stand together.

Matthew 25 starting in verse one, then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to 10 virgins, which are really 10 bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. We really don't know exactly how the custom was back then, but apparently the groom would come, but the bridesmaids's would take these oil lamps and meet them at the stroke of midnight probably know for very sure but that's sort of what's happening with the never took anyone with them just like my guys they had no plan. There is there but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. Nothing wrong with that and at midnight a cry was heard.

Behold, the bridegroom is coming go out to meet him and all those versions role goes bridesmaids arose and trimmed their lamps and the foolish said to the wives give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. The groom is here Christ is here is time to go. Can you please help us out getting share the gospel with me one more time. Can you help me go a little deeper into the word. I'm not feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. Can you help me out a little bit and what is a response. Verse nine but the wise answered, saying, no less. There should not be enough for us and you.

But go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. But while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding and the door was shut.

There is coming a day when Christ is returning.

And while you're busy trying to trim your Lamson and get some oil the spiritual oil to be his spiritual he's already here in the door shut.

Oh I believe in once saved always saved believe that but you're too busy trying to get your faith right. Could it be that you never had it in afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us but he answered and said what assuredly, I say to you, I don't know you are part of the wedding party on you any part of this charge may be baptized, you may have prayed the prayer but could Christ say to you, I don't know you. Verse 13 would you say together watch therefore are the hour with the Son of Man is coming. Parables are like mirrors when you peer into this wedding. What, if a bridesmaid or a groomsmen. Are you are you prepared for the coming of the groom. Are you prepared right now. Do you truly believe that Jesus can come any moment and are you ready to meet him. Not if you got junk in your life. Not if you are distracted with the trivial things of life. You're not ready to meet him how to get what systematic theology you espouse. It doesn't matter what system you hold onto.

If you're not ready when he returns you're staying in judgment is coming where you stand in this morning of the devil has you you know you are you. Satan is working in your life as I'm preaching to you, he is coming in and wreaking havoc needed to repent and say God help does not want to miss you coming if you do not know Christ. Would you pray with me. A simple prayer that says Jesus, I'm lost. And if you were to park this ceiling and come in this moment.

I know I'm not ready in today.

I need you to come into my life. Forgive me of my sins and take over. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins. I will live for you. The rest of my life for the next three weeks we will be in Matthew chapter 25 looking at some of what people have called the parables of future eschatology or the parables of the end times are three in this chapter, and for the next three weeks, with a focus on that. A lot of ink has been spilled in trying to understand the end times message around these three parables when it comes to studying the end times. It's always wise to be humble. What I've noticed is people get very argumentative and dogmatic regarding their position and they get active in date they did "verses and send long emails.

My suggestions user. Please don't send any emails I preached on the end times. Several years ago. Some of you may remember that for two years to correctly interpret this parable, we have to look at the context in which Jesus gave this parable and the other two and to get the context we have to back up to Matthew chapter 24 does this parable is in Matthew 25 we have to go back to Matthew 24 into what is known as the olive. It discourse. Listen to what is says in verse three. This is what kick started.

All these prophecies that Jesus gave in 24 into 25 listen to verse three. Not as he talked about Jesus sat on the Mount of olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying talus, when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age I wanted the disciples asked those questions because earlier in chapter 23 Jesus made some pronouncements, some grim pronouncements against the city of Jerusalem and against the temple, listen to this one in Matthew 23 in verse 30 70, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her how often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks but you were not willing you are not willing for me to take you know why did Jesus say that two words Jerusalem because Jerusalem is the city of the great King and just a few verses earlier.

Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey means he was symbolically proclaiming that he is the king, but the humble king the peaceful king and whether the religious leaders do the rejected him. Is it we don't want you and so in response to the rejection. Collectively, keep in mind. Collectively, the rejected the Messiah, the King.

This was the curse, your city will be destroyed, what else. In verse 30 8C your house is left to you desolate know what is the house in Jerusalem is a temple because just a verse later in Matthew 24 verse one what happens, then Jesus went out, departed from the temple and his disciples came up to show him the buildings of the temple not been on the Temple Mount. So if you have gone with me in the stone. Some of them are as long as these pews is unbelievable. The architecture that Herod the king built.

He was an amazing architect, but here's a curse. Listen to verse two and Jesus said to them, do you not see all these things assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down. What in the world. Guess what and 8070, the Roman Gen. Titus came into Jerusalem and what happened. Well of course the temple was destroyed in the Roman soldiers even turn over the stones because there was a rumor that between the cracks in the stones. There was gold. The people paid a heavy price for rejecting their Messiah. The city is destroyed the temple is destroyed and they are kicked out of their land and up until 1948. We all know that they could not get back into the land and that's when the people came back to listen folks, that's a heavy price to pay for rejecting their king, let me offer a warning here. It's one thing for God to discipline his chosen ones is quite another when other people decide to join in at night when the kids were young and old.

We would pop their hand when the try to stick their finger in the electrical socket, or are there, try to run into the street or get behind a call. We would Parliament don't do that, stop it, know what if some stranger were watching all this, and they would walk in and say I cannot believe you did that they please listen very carefully when people start talking about the Jewish people in this and dad and how God it be very careful, very careful when you begin to condemn and criticize God's chosen people because he can do it when you step in 90s or deal with you.

Listen to what is says in Romans chapter 11 in verse one. Paul says I said then has God cast away his people was the answer. Certainly not. Which means this as a nation as a people.

There is still some purpose for the Jewish people, and this could happen just the way God has props.

In fact, in this very very pronouncement is God's is Jesus pronouncing these destructions against Jerusalem and the temple listen to what he says in Matthew 2330 nonusers right say to you, you shall see me no more he started the Jewish nation you shall see me no more till you say which means what one day you will say what would you say Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord means one day their eyes will be open collectively in the midst of giving these prophecies regarding judgment against Jerusalem and the Temple for rejecting the first coming of Jesus. Jesus begins to give some prophecies regarding his second coming.

Now he did something that prophets in the Old Testament were known for doing is called double vision for the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.

They would addressed situations right before their eyes. Like a mountain peak addressing and impending doom and attack from the enemy or repentance. If you don't repent you will be taken away into captivity they would pronounce judgment, but in the midst of those prophecies.

Sometimes this started talking about the first coming of Jesus the Messiah's coming and sometimes it's very interesting. They would even start start talking about the second coming of Jesus. But keep in mind many times and realize what they were doing but through the Holy Spirit. They were saying things about the first and the second coming. That's what Jesus is doing here as he's pronouncing judgment against Jerusalem as he's pronouncing judgment against the temple because they rejected his first coming.

He begins to prophesy about his second coming, and every body will see him and he is not to be a ghost is not to be an apparition. This is a real flesh and blood. Jesus.

Listen to this in acts chapter 1 verse nine, Jesus had told his disciples. I have to go and so meet me on this mountain and the dead. Alyssa what happens now when he has spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up in a cloud received him out of their sight. Keep in mind is the Jesus just a few hours ago. He ate fish with them made bread with them that touched him to talk to him he would come and go, but he was real, and then as they watched, he is taken up into the heavens and the clouds receiving guess what they're doing. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven and they were like what what what is he gonna come back to what was can happen now. And while there, looking steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel who were these two men angels. The Angels are watching and listen to what they said to these disciples who also said, men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will Saul come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven. In the same way flesh and blood taken up into heaven in the same way flesh and blood, he is coming back down both the second coming of Jesus is not some vision the second coming of Jesus is not some inner allegory really flesh and blood, he is coming back. Not don't raise your hand. How many of you really believe that not talking about just metaphorically speaking. I mean, really, truly one day maybe in the middle of the night.

Maybe in the middle of the day the clouds will part and next thing you know a bodily presence. I mean a real person is coming down and he is Jesus. If you have trouble with the second coming. You have trouble with the first which means is what you need to happen is you get saved you really need to get say because your eyes are still closed and when you get saved in the Holy Spirit comes inside of you. That's when you begin to see things that are unseen as when you begin to walk by faith and not by sight.

That's when you not only believe in the gospel 2000 years ago that he came and died, was buried, rose again and ascended, but you also believe that he is coming back just as well, as I'm standing over here Jesus coming and when will this be.

I'm in a talk about the rapture or the second coming is up to you. Really what you want to what I'm saying to you is that he can come any moment rapture any moment.

First Thessalonians 4. If you believe that any moment second coming. Any moment Jesus gave us some signs here that we need to look at the first sign that says in verse four take heed that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, where the signs that his coming is near is deception and you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, another sign that his coming is very near wars. What else not the only thing natural disasters keep going there also be persecution. Listen to verse nine then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you and you will be hated by all nations for my namesake out of some of y'all saying oh I don't see the church in Matthew 24. That's fine. One day we'll talk about those kind of things, whether you believe in the rapture with the just believing the second coming doesn't matter. Here's the thing, folks, persecution is on the believe that. Don't tell me persecution on my parents are going to persecution has to help heard my dads have never seen so much so much trouble and trying to live Christianity is happening in their part of the world with ices. What happened so many Christians lost their heads. You don't call that persecution will recall that for them.

It's persecution. It's not over yet. Betrayal listen to verse 10 and then many will be offended would betray one another and will hate one another. Listen folks out just because one church is doing wonderful and God is blessing was happening. Somebody else is getting jealous or envious false prophets in many false prophets will arise up and deceive many.

This again is a sign of the second coming or the rapture. Anyway you want to say it not over there, listen to this. Matthew 24 verse 12 and because lawlessness will abound in the zoo that line with me. The love of many ill why we did.

I am the neighbor a project because a love has grown cold. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world.

The reason the world is becoming harsh and hard is because the cult didn't the church is not permeating the culture's not over yet. This of this verse 14 and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness.

The gospel will be preached in all the worries that well. I believe that's gonna happen in the tribulation is great, but guess what folks, ever since the coming of technology people all over the world are seeing the gospel in hearing the gospel the very first time in over I went home two years ago to India.

That's where I grew up.

It was interesting to me even a homeless man on the street was scrolling on his phone. I never see that Saul in my life I was a mandolin over his bread is coming from. Tomorrow he's got a phone. This is a tool that the enemy uses but also tool which with the gospel is going to the ends of the are something else is in verse 15. Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, relax. What is that, while historically does abomination of desolation was men at the APPEAL for Nice sacrificed a a a pig in the temple abomination because that's so unclean, but in the temple. He did that but listen, there's something else coming one day there will be a greater abomination is all the temple has to be built right it is and you don't need a temple to do something sacrilegious to God.

You see the thing is we think these things that happen to follow Jesus says okay I better get up and go no doesn't have to be. Many of these signs are happening and have been happening for 2000 years. How long have you been in the end times. You do know were living in the end times right. For the past 2000 years.

This is not over this in verse 29 immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from an audience anything like that. Immediately after, there will be celestial celestial disasters that is coming after listen to verse 33, so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near at the door so seems like we gotta check this list and if we don't see these things happening. Jesus is not near well. Keep reading to verse 36 but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my father only notice in verse 37 but as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, please listen to your awake, those signs can be happening and you can still be unaware. You know before. No up close the door been to the ark and God should that should the door prior to that he was preaching the gospel for a long time. Right and things were getting bad to worse and people just laughed at him crazy old man building is being shipped over here and we've never had rain like that in our lives. Listen to this in verse 39 and they did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Talk about the second coming knows here's a question to you. Are you ready for his coming. Are you watching for his coming.

Are you ready. Could it be that these signs have been happening and are happening but you not aware of it. Just like in the time of Noah. Verse 42 watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

Verse 44 therefore you also be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect verse 50 the master of the cervical, on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of in verse 13 chapter 25 watch therefore, for you know not, neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. So what we have. Jesus came the first time, but he's coming the second time it will be a real bodily return really comes is coming to judge is coming to complete the work of salvation, but if you are unprepared and you're waiting for these signs to happen. You may not even know the size may already be happening.

And just like those foolish bridesmaids who went looking for oil you going to look for me at that point, I promise you I'll be too busy repenting for my own sins I would have time for you. This is the one you believe and to get you say get on the other side that he is the one set this and he says what. On that day I will say I don't know you scarier than it did get to stand before Jesus and Jesus, who, member of Clearview doesn't. He said I'll know you are you wise, are you prepared for the coming of the bridegroom or are you foolish are you unprepared not like my estimation is many of us are up for a rude awakening many of us will be awake and not to eternal life and eternal damnation thank you so much for joining us for this message. As believers we can trust Jesus is returning Monday regardless of what you believe about the nature of his return. We are called to live ready for more information visit us online@clearviewb.org and for this sermon's notes. Check out Dr. Shah's blog that I would on shop.com. Come worship with us this Christmas season, a Clearview are Christians play the lion the witch and the wardrobe will be held at Clearview on December 8 at 7 PM will also have a community Christmas concert titled the gift I Clearview December 14 and 15th. Also, a 75. More information about these events on our website@clearview.org or Facebook see their