Evacuation and Invasion (Part C)

In the sequence of end times events here in verse 28. What happens for the rapture rapture is coming. Removal of the church.

What happens right before that. That's this 20 verse and he is indicating that those who are going to be living right before that moment there will be signs that the day of the Lord is about to happen. And again, the rapture lights the fuse he says when his branch has already become tender.

This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville*is currently teaching through the gospel of Mark. Please stay with us after today's message here. More information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching evacuation and invasion is the title of the study today and pastor Rick will be teaching in Mark chapter 13, he will destroy its sinners from Chile is going to read you that the great tribulation.

Was his wrath of God poured out on the earth, and there is one of the verses that teaches us about those submitted to God will enter the kingdom of God when he returns those who reject him will be taken away to judgment and so when he says in Luke, Matt.

One of these apostles Mark, then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Okay, then what happens then he judges those living during the great tribulation. And having since his angels out to preach the gospel and his servants.

They will have no excuse. Then Luke 17 verse 35.

Two women will be grinding together and will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field will be taken one will be left. I know that when you read that the reason so this is the rapture. While it's true of the rapture but in the context that it was given is the judgment, and in the beginning of his return Matthew 25, 46, all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats and these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. So you see, there's the context of it being at his return because that does not take place at the rapture. So the three aspects, one more time.

Evacuation the invasion. Seven years later, and then the judgment and occupation, so it kinda works out because I'm really that smart LS not funny. I got feelings evacuation invasion and occupation. That's just too easy. Anyway, so the question I was asked about all this last week was will we be rapture without closing is a good question. It's cute but is a good question because I'm fighting thoughts about full moons and things like that on the way out yes and no doubt we will have close on that's the first answer but they won't be these close and for some of you that will be a great relief for the rest of us, but I see you been reading the lost and found again.

I'm a men's fashion has been dead for okay back to this second Corinthians chapter 5 if indeed having been clothed, we shall not be found naked as a dual meaning it's a spiritual yes were covered in Christ but also remember were riding back in white linen that's connected and aren't we glad that we not going up that way. First Corinthians 1551, this is is where Paul is talking about the rapture. He says behold I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed so we have that justification and sanctification glorification these bodies on fit for the eternal. For the atmosphere to me. We can even make it, and in places on earth.

So the body has to be changed and so will the garment be changed is an indication of all these things.

Glorified bodies fit for a glorious atmosphere while our present clothing will vanish into oblivion. Cotton is just not going to help you out in the spiritual realm and is going to have to first review I want to stillness a little bit because I liked it and and and and I got the okay from God to do it, so I hope it's beneficial. Go back to with me in the first rent is what he says we shall not all sleep shall not all die but we shall be changed in a moment in an instant twinkling lie just like that is going take place when God says when he's the last trumpet sounds a change is going to be instant the last trumpet Romans Army which Paul uses as his template for these analogies, and even the Jews in the in the wilderness.

But back to the Roman one had three trumpets for their armies of the first trumpet meant break. The second trumpet meant lineup in the third trumpet said let's march and asked the last trumpet let's let's march, so in Christ close that last trumpet to pull his church out.

That's the reference Matthew nine verse six. No lesson. First, review 53 for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality would not fit for heaven physically. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. We can't die, we were fitted with a new body. The organs will break down the things that make us live there will not fail. So Matthew 916 no one puts on a piece of unstrung cloth on an old garment for the patch pulls away from the garment and the tear is made worse. And of course he's talking about is coming and you know just you. You can't take all things and put them on new things when it's time for the new thing is not a good fit is the precedence.

Yes, this happened before second Kings this is Eliza being taken up in that chariot. Then it happened, as they continued on and talk that's Elijah and Elisha's disciple that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire and separated the two men and Elijah went up in a world when into heaven and Elisha sought, and he cried out, my father, my father, the chariot of Israel and his horsemen. That's a lamentation and amazement at the same time so he saw him no more.

And he took all hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood with the bank of the Jordan soaked the cloak that Elijah the prophet had that was discarded and Elisha pick it up, picked it up and with that he part of the Jordan. It was part of his ministry's tool anyway.

There, the great prophet was taken up into heaven, he had no need for cloak where he was going and back to the white robes. No jeans, T-shirts, dresses, suits and ties in heaven appears and you can cross-reference this in Revelation 113 were Jesus himself manifest himself to John and he is clothed with a robe down to his feet and Revelation 4479 you just throughout Revelation, just take a concordance. Look up the word clothed in the book of Revelation and you will see that there is an emphasis placed on our being in proper attire. Matthew 22 verse 11.

When the king's the parable of Christ speaking about showing up in in proper attire, but when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.

So he said to him, friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment and he was speechless.

And then he was judged and so the out there. It matters, it does count and I thought it was a good question. Verse 28 now. Now we begin now we begin verse 28 now learn this parable from the fig tree when his branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So he's drawing from the surrounding is saying you look, I'm going to somewhat lay something to illustrate for you pound of illustration is worth a ton of explanation, but here's another for metaphor with the old with the fig tree, which is the Old Testament standard for singling out Israel and making a distinction between Israel and all the other nations. Israel is the fig tree that you wouldn't say that of the of of Egypt you would not say that of Syria. It was Israel. That's the fig tree, so when he says learn this parable from Israel.

You see, now, now we understand that this is making a lot more sense. The fruitless fig tree that he talked about in chapter 11 symbolize the corruption of her leaders, but this is different. This is he's picturing this fig tree, with its foliage reviving, indicating a new season, a productive nation, indicating that his return is imminent. It's it's going to happen and he puts the barrier on the ball the boundaries on it.

In this generation, which will get to and so having taught about his return after the great tribulation in verse 24. He now returns to events leading up to the great tribulation. That's what we are in the sequence of end times events here in verse 28. What happens before the rapture the rapture is coming, the removal of the church. What happens right before that. That's this 28 verse and he is indicating that those who are going to be living right before that moment there will be signs that the day of the Lord is about to happen. And again, the rapture lights the fuse he says when its branch has already become tender.

This is revived, Israel, and it is a part of the processes of growth. They have started.

It is out of its dormant stage and you know in wintertime, the trees are bare, saps not flowing and as spring approaches you start seeing the buds on the trees and in the leaves and you know the saps of flowing in and's and summer is near. He says and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near Israel in this illustration of the Lord is very important is still showing only leaves, there's no fruit. They still don't believe still a Christ rejecting nascent nation a present fact for us right now with this much is happen in our lifetime. Israel is back in the land that is the beginning of this verse.

When you see the fig tree producing life.

When you see the sap flowing Israel. This what he's talking about there back in that land after 2000 years of not having their own state their own nation there back just in time to start fulfilling this prophetic word in our lifetime.

Rebirth of the state of Israel, tells us that the Lord's turn return is at the doors that we gotta be careful here because we don't want to be loony and go away from the Scripture will no need for that is enough here to excite us. What remains to happen before the rapture.

Nothing can happen in any minute is no other prophecy were waiting on a once Israel got back in that land that was it. There's nothing left to wait for the technology to fulfill some of the Old Testament stuff perhaps put ultimately no prophetic event. Verse 29 so you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near at the doors. Who is you. You also because it certainly is in those apostles that started this whole entire discussion when you see this beautiful temple. And he says you not want stones going to remain.

It's not them as fig trees, but those buds turn into leaves that summer is near, revived nation of Israel.

The end is at the doors leading up to this secret date, the date of the rapture is not given, that is top-secret but the times the times are given Matthew 16 Jesus said to the Pharisees, you know how to discern the face of the sky, but you can't discern the signs of the times why they were listening to the Scripture. That's why we're in the same position that they were in this sense, their Messiah was right in front of them.

They had all the Scripture to to understand this and they chose not to believe it. Most of what others did see in others did surrender to it where living in an age where seeing the signs, but do we believe it or do we think that its interest is not going to happen is to sci-fi in Noah's day it was the start of the ark's construction. When that arc started when it first Glover tree fell back then trees look like gophers is not true Glover would and it's all it's called that because Noah being an old man sent his sons to go for would anyway when Chris tree fell. I hope those are the only thing you remember about this morning when the rains came, it was too late to be prepared you are done and if you missed the rapture is you going to the great tribulation. Now this is no way to get around it.

So why so many verses from Jesus on these things because the recognizable events.

First Peter chapter 3 verse 15 what we do it.

Recognizable events sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asked your reason for the hope that is in you. Why are they asking you because your life is a beacon lighthouse God has brought them to you and now you can share these things. I used to share the end times. He looked Israel back in their land. The end is coming. I don't know the day nor the hour but I know that that generation that has watch them become a nation again will be alive. Not all of it of course, not everyone not let me open that verse 30 Shirley I sent you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place assuredly. The another word you better believe this.

Once the fig tree revives the generation that generation is going to participate. And again, not the generation that heard him speak these words, Peter and John and the apostles that generation long since passed. What generation well the precise length of a generation is unclear in Scripture, but we've got some hints. It is an elastic unit but it we know that it it it could includes contemporaries witnesses. There will be those who have seen the tree come back in to life and they will be alive, and participate in these events. When Jesus prophesied of the destruction of the temple, and that the Jews would be dispersed. He said that generation. Matthew 23 versus 34 to 39 he predicted the doom of their existing nation while he lived and he said that generation would see it.

What he gave that prophecy in 33 A.D. it was fulfilled in its completion in one 3580. That's about 100 years.

So when he makes reference to a generation there.

It's about 100 years when he spoke to Abraham and said, your descendents are going to go to Egypt.

That generation there. It's in Genesis 15 verses we don't have time for me to read it out. Verses 13 to 16 again appears to be about 100 years. Are we to say well it is 100 years know we cannot say.

Can we say well when Christ use it in other parts of Scripture use that there is that thought that it is about 100 years somewhere in that number can it happen before it gets to almost 100 short can these are just the boundaries. So he says watch the fig tree and Israel is that fig tree recovered from her great diaspora being pushed her out throughout the world.

She is revived now hours has to be the generation that he is speaking, I believe there are now so okay let's let's open a little bit more. When does the countdown start is at 1948 when Israel became a sovereign state as the clock starts ticking.

Then on May 14 ninth 1948 war is it June 7, 1967 when the Jews took back Jerusalem and Mount Moriah see Christ member. I started out saying these are revelations from him, Peter said, knowing these things were supposed to do just what I'm doing right now. Explore them when I suppose the well we don't know the date on the hourly is no point in even looking at and no were not.

We are supposed to be considering these things, and as the generations get closer and closer to the event. History tells us that the church will know more and more about what is on folding before them, and we have so much knowledge now as Bible teachers about the end times so much more than someone like Martin Luther or John Wesley there in time. Views were just there were weren't even there almost compared to what we know now and so I'd like the 1967, one because that was a good year for baseball, I know. So if you don't even know what baseball is, but that's okay we we love you, just not as much as other baseball fans and of course baseball is in the Bible is this whole beginning conversation in the book of Genesis. In the beginning, you know, I only preach was in the Bible verse 31 is finish this this morning so I what I've given you a some boundaries regeneration just looking at the Scripture as a student, we see you know what is probably going to be this longer stretch. That's a good very good chance. If so, you got another 2440 some years maybe with this better be ready whenever it happens. Next week we get into you don't know when the day is all the hour, but you still will know the season and that's will cover next session.

Verse 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

Heaven and earth being the visible creation of Genesis 1. Isaiah 65 or 17. For behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth in the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. So gotta say when I end this world.

After that thousand year.

Plus I'm going to wipe it out. It's not salvageable. The entire universe.

Jupiter will be gone and the rest of the then he starts the he will create a new universe second Peter chapter 3 verse 12 looking for the hastening of the coming of the day of God, which starts the rapture because of which the heavens will be dissolved.

Being on fire and the elements will melt with fervent heat. This is at the end of the day of the Lord. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. Isaiah 66 verse 22 now for as the new heavens and new earth which I will make to remain before me says Yahweh. So shall your descendents and your name remain. In other words, Jews will not perish, that is Isaiah saying even when I create a new heavens and earth, the righteous will make it through again. I hope I hope that were getting this that the end time prophecy is important to the Lord and should be important to us. My words will by no means pass away verse 31. Only God could say that. Imagine if I said listen, you know, my words will not pass away you would like it would be laughable.

Unless of course I was never, never mind for him to say this is an indication of his deity. Jesus never said thus says the Lord Jesus, I say to you, and that is a significant element of the New Testament, and why those who reject him being God the son will be held accountable. Jesus is God the son of God the father and so Isaiah 40 verse eight the word of God stands forever. Revelation 1911 I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse and he who sat on it was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His wrath on sinners in the great tribulation will be just I'm done with this verse. Revelation 22 verse six. Then he said to me, these were the faithful and true, why would have to say that for us. He wanted it in writing.

He wanted us to hear that his words. He repeats this throughout the Bible are faithful and true because our flesh is so sinister that it will doubt any chance it gets to doubt unless it is smack down with truth in vain so he said to me, these words available and true Lord God of the holy prophet sent his angel to show his servants, the things which must shortly take lace. He sent his angel to show us were not supposed to dismiss. Thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Mark cross reference radio is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia to learn more information about this ministry. Visit our website cross reference radio.com once you're there you'll find additional teachings from Pastor Rick. We encourage you to subscribe to our podcast. When you subscribe will be notified of each new edition of cross reference radio. You can search for cross reference radio on your favorite podcast app that's all we have time for today, but we hope you'll join us next time. As Pastor Rick continues to teach through the book of Mark right here on cross reference radio