The Signs of Christ's Coming, Part 3 B

Endurance is always the mark of the state is the one who endures by God's power. God's grace, the faith perseveres. Faith in said many times there are only two certain life, death and taxes course where the certainties of life are concerned. It's far better to focus on the two that have eternal consequences. Namely death and the return of Christ. Indeed, the Lord's return and all the end time events you read about in Scripture. These are certainties you need to prepare for the question is how do you prepare and one of the consequences if Christ comes and you're not prepared.

These are questions to keep in mind today on grace to you as John MacArthur continues his study called Jesus is coming, and now with the message here's John were looking at Matthew chapter 24 the great Olivet discourse.

The sermon of our Lord given the teacher about his own second coming is a tremendous chapter beginning in verse four. Jesus says there are some things that are going to happen before my coming when these things begin to happen. Get ready. So, our Lord says the end time will be marked by deception by dissension and by devastation. We give you 1/4 desecration desecration and here we turn away from the world to the believers we turn away from the world to the believers now watch this verse nine, then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and you shall be hated of all nations for my namesake.

There will be a desecration. What I mean by that. To desecrate means to treat a holy thing in an unholy way and that's exactly what it says here the holy people of God will be treated in an unholy way, there will be an outright and widespread persecution of the redeemed that exceeds all other persecutions.

There is no other persecution to even compare with this source is you who are believers in that day you will be delivered up. That is a technical word often used for arrest often used for arrest. In fact, Matthew I believe uses it that way.

On several occasions.

In fact, in Matthew 412 when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison and their uses parent to me. It's a word that means to be arrested. So he says in that time, the true believers are going to be arrested.

Arrest and they're going to be afflicted, and they're going to be murdered and they're going to be hated by all nations for my namesake. Other was because they identify with the Lord Jesus Christ they will pay with the hatred and animosity of the world. In Mark 13. Nine. The comparative passages is take to your feed yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils and in the synagogues, you will be beaten. The Jews will be in on this, the Jews initially in the beginning of the end will be in on the persecution of the believing people say Lord of the believers come from. If the church is been rapture when the church is been enraptured.

God sets loose in the world to witnesses listed in Revelation 11 and they go everywhere proclaiming the truth they are murdered by the world, but they rise from the dead, and that will be a very convincing miracle because it does every eye in the world to see and will probably happen on national television, international television, satellite television and they arise from the dead and they'll have an impact in winning some people to Christ and there will be people who come to the Savior. During that period, and they will be the objects of persecution not only by the world but by the Jews as well because they will deliver you not only to be killed, but in the synagogues to be beaten by the way, the land of Israel today is literally filled with synagogues there everywhere, so that's not a remote possibility at all and all the rebels of that time refuse to believe in the Messiah and there will be rebels. By the way, among the Israelites, according to Ezekiel 2038 there will be rebels who must be purged out. There will be Gentiles coming to Christ that will be Jews coming to Christ that will be rebel Jews and rebel Gentiles.

Of course, will persecute the true believers. It will be a time of severe persecution and martyrdom. I think of that as I remember standing on the balcony in a hotel in Tiberias and looking down to the synagogue having their meeting on Shabbat and someday and that synagogue were all those Jews are meeting now if they would be alive at this particular time in history that would be a fracture that would be terrorizing and that synagogue. Some of them would've believed in Messiah will believe in Messiah.

Some will not.

And the ones who will not will be beating the others in that very place, and perhaps even taking their lives so there will be a time of severe persecution and martyrdom for true believers desecration treating holy objects shamefully, they will kill you notice verse nine. They will kill you. That is the word for murder. You will be hated not only by the Jews. But you will be hated by the whole world know all the nations. Therefore there will be no refuge, no place to hide. No place to escape and why do they hate you because of my name. That's the issue they hate Christ.

The world hates Christ. They always have undulating then. Especially when they're under the control of who the antichrist who sets himself up against Christ. Always believers have been hated. Always believers have been killed but then it will be beyond anything ever experienced worldwide desecration of the saints. They will be martyred and massacred from one end of the globe to the other in that period of time.

In fact, the Bible gives us so much detail on this. Look at Revelation chapter 6 and here we look again to the future.

The beginning of the birth pains. Verse nine he opens up the fifth seal and I saw under the altar. That's the place of atonement. These are redeemed souls seen in his imagery under the altar of the symbol of atonement they are saved thereunder. The blood is at work he sees there the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held their they have been massacred right in the tribulation and John in his vision sees them there and there crying with a loud voice, how long the Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth in white robes were given unto every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season till their fellow servants also in their brother, and that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled. In other words, John sees some of the martyrs crying. How long in the Lord in the sense says not until all the rest of those who are to be killed or killed chapter 7 in verse nine. John has a vision and he sees a great multitude, which no man could number of nations and kindreds and peoples and tongues in their standing before the throne and before the Lamb, and are clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands and there crying out and saying, salvation to our God who sits upon the throne and the Lamb. And he sees these people and who are they, verse 14 he says these are they who came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb how they get out of that tribulation. Very little doubt they were martyred they were killed for the sake of the Savior sake of their commitment to him you have Chapter 11 where they murder the two witnesses you have chapter 12 where it says the Dragon Satan makes war with the remnant of the seed that is the believing people, probably referring to Jewish believers, and then in chapter 13 you have it again verse seven powers given unto him to kill and he makes war with the saints and overcomes the saints. Does the antichrist and so does the false prophet and you have it in chapter 17. The great harlot the great prostitute the false religious system of the tribulation is drunk with the blood of the saints in the blood of the martyrs of Jesus and 16 six it says they have shed the blood of saints and prophets. They have shed the blood of saints and prophets.

I go back to Matthew 24 listened carefully.

There will be desecration of the redeemed. But listen to this, the fifth sign is defection defection you have deception, dissension and devastation.

And that's worldwide and that happens to the whole unbelieving world. And then he turns to talk about the believing people or the people who identify with God in Christ, and he says. First, there will be desecration there will be a treating of these people with great persecution. As a result of that, there will be the fifth sign defection. Look at verse 10 and then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. This is just so tragic.

The pressure is so great as the world begins to massacre believers that some people who have superficially identified with Jesus Christ like the seed that fell on the thorny ground. It doesn't really have any route but it pops up and it looks good to start with some people who initially identify with Jesus Christ when they see the price to be paid they are scandalized they are offended and they're not willing to pay that price so they begin to turn in their offense and they don't only reject Christ they betrayed to the persecutors, the true believers see that they start betraying the true believers, turning them in giving their names and addresses telling where they can be found to be killed. People say are they real believers. Of course not. If they were real believers they would continue in the truth right if they were real believers.

They would give their life if need be.

If they were real believers. They follow on an obedience.

John says in first John two they went out from us because they were not up as if they had been of us, they would have remained with us, but they went out from us, that it may be made manifest. They never were of us. First John 219 Jesus said in John 831 if you continue in my word, then you're my real disciple in our Lord himself laid out the principle of discipleship in Matthew chapter 10 listen to what he said you know it very clear the disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his lord. Verse 24 is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his Lord.

If they call the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household.

In other words, if they said, Jesus was of Satan are going to say to view but it is enough for you to be like him. The true disciple is willing to suffer like his master suffered so fear them not, and then the Lord says whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my father is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father who is in heaven, and he also said this, he that taketh not his cross and follow with after me is not worthy of me. The person who says I want the cross. I want to die and get now that person is not even worthy to be a disciple. That person is not even a belonging one to Christ person who belongs to Christ continues the person who belongs to Christ, is willing to pay the price because not because he has some special character of his own, but because it is a true believer, the Holy Spirit grants him sustaining grace.

That's the key you see in Hebrews 312 it says, take heed brother unless there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. When somebody departs from the living God.

They manifest an evil heart of unbelief and positivity, if any man denies him him will the Lord deny so these people attach themselves outwardly to Christianity, but when the heat got turned out they got out they were offended stony ground seduced away because they would not pay the price. Like the disciples who said what will follow you as soon as we go do this in Jesus.

Any man who puts his hand of the plow turns back is not worthy of my kingdom. They opt out for safety, but they don't stop there. They betray each other what tragic thing this is going to happen in that time, the wonderful redeemed and godly people to be betrayed by the people who are offended not willing to pay the price they going to turn in former intern the men so they can be killed and slaughtered. Mark writes about it in chapter 13 verse 12 brother shall betray brother to death, and the father. His son, and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death and it'll come right into the family right into the family as people under the pressure of having to give their life for Christ bow out and then turn in their own parents their own relatives. Luke 2116 will be betrayed by parents, brothers, kinsfolk and friends and they will cause you to be put to death. That's defection and some of them will defect because the price is too high, but some of them will defect. Look at verse 11. Many false prophets shall arise and deceive many. Not false Christ now but false teachers. Some of them will defect because I don't want to pay the price and some of them will defect because they been what deceit so the defection will be a twofold defection. At that point many false prophets will arise says the same thing doesn't over verse 24 and these false prophets are good teaching satanic devilish hellish error not listen very carefully to what I say. If Satan is running all over the world and Satan is primarily disguised as an angel of light that age is not only going to be filled with all kinds of an overt evil but is going to be filled with all kinds of false religion, and all you have to do is read Revelation 17 to see that because in Revelation 17 you have this unbelievably evil, vile, wretched world religious system called the harlot the great horror, the prostitute is a prostitution of religion if the church is a bride. This is a harlot and so there will be all kinds of religious deception flourishing estate is Satan does everything he can to call people away.

So those people who outwardly attached to Christ, perhaps appear interested are going to be torn away and deceived as cults and isms and all those kinds of lien groups have great effect on the world great effect and by the way, in Revelation 921 it says the word sorceries. It's the word Pharma K. It means drugs and perhaps drugs will be a part of that quote unquote religious deception people will take the mark of the beast. They will worship the vile, wretched image of the beast. All of this, a part of the deception I want you to see something else. This is just staggering. Look at verse 12 and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cold as the third element of defection some defect because they won't pay the price and die some defect because there deceived and some defect because they choose iniquity.

Iniquity is the word lawlessness is the word that means they violate God's law is just sin gone mad and the decision will be so abundant that it will draw people who are moving toward the truth right back out of it, Paul wrote to Timothy, and described that last day.

He described that wickedness men should be lovers of their own selves, covetous posters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful and holy second Timothy three without natural family, affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent fears despises of those are good traders, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God and the love of many will grow cold because they love pleasure global wretchedness global lawlessness vice gone rampant men engulfed it unrestrained and it's coming fast as netbooks when these things don't seem as remote to us as they might to our society. 20 years ago and their affection, though it's shallow their affection for Christ grows cold.

It grows cold there wound away by the love of evil, the wretched love of evil and then verse 13 but he that shall endure to the end.

Same should be said, how can you tell the same because the save don't what they don't defect duty. They don't defect. They're not going to go away because the price is too high. They're not going to go away because there deceived. They're not going to go away because they love evil and so you just keep watching and the ones that endure to the end there. What there. The say and they will be delivered out of that some will die, and some will live, but they will be delivered whether in life or death.

They will be delivered from the wrath to come. Endurance is always the mark of the sea. Endurance is always the mark of the saved, they endure they endure to the end. In Matthew 1022 Jesus said it, and you shall be hated of all men for my namesake but he that endures to the end shall be.

Say the man who in that statement. Jesus was saying goes to the end of his life and endures whatever comes gives demonstration that he is one who, in the end will be saved. He will be delivered out of this life into the glories of heaven and so will be in the future, the one who endures all that the one who, in the terms of Revelation 210 is in overcome her keys in overcome her. He is the one who will be saved. Matter what the persecution, no matter what the price. What a wonderful promise. Luke 2119 put it this way.

Marvelous statement in your endurance you will gain your soul. What a great state is the one who endures by God's power.

God's grace, who wins in the end that faith, the faith that perseveres is the faith of the saved the faith of the redeemed.

So in the end there will be terrible defection terrible defection is people who identify with the church. All of a sudden run you know if this world a break loose on us right now we find out who the defectors were when we we find that the people didn't want to pay the price of death. We find out the people to be wooed off by the false prophets we see the ones who love their lawlessness more than they love God, we would all become clear, and so will it then so will it then, and only the enduring ones will be delivered. We see them in Revelation 7 brought out of the great tribulation. Garments of white we see them in Revelation 19 is Christ comes back in their writing with him in garments of white. They endured, they were given a robe of white last point declaration final sign of the coming final beginning birth pain is declaration before the Lord comes. This has to happen.

The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the income for the incomes before the establishing of the kingdom. This has to happen worldwide proclamation of the gospel in spite of persecution in spite of defectors in spite of false prophets, despite a false Christ. In spite of hell belching out it's demons all over the earth. In spite of all this terrible, horrible, inconceivable mess, in spite of people with diminished love in spite of antichrist ruling and reigning in spite of Satan trying to fight against Christ.

In spite of wars and famines and earthquakes and all the rest, and signs in heaven in spite of all of that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then it's going to come.

The kingdom same man.

How's that going to happen. How's that gospel going to be preached. Revelation 14. This is the last passage will look Revelation 14 verse six and here we are, just before the bulls are poured out just before the final rapidfire birth pains issuing the kingdom right toward the end just before the final Holocaust begins to break loose. I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, says John and he had the everlasting gospel why to preach under them that dwell on the earth and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and what and people. There is the fulfillment of Matthew 2440 that preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of the whole world is in talking about what's going on now folks, it's talking about what this angels going to do in one great supernatural miraculous final evangelization of the world, and it happens right before judgment. And that's why the angel says fear God and give him that's the message he's preaching for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven and earth of the sea and the fountains of waters in another angel comes behind angels is Babylon is fallen, is fallen in other words, man's day is over, you better get right with God. This is the great evangelistic effort carried on by glorious angels in the heavens flying all over the globe just before the final Holocaust breaks loose in the everlasting gospel is the same gospel. God is always given that judges in rewards righteousness. These angels will call the world to the Savior. Then shall the end, but not before that says our you're listening to Grace to you and the verse by verse, Bible teaching of John MacArthur, Chancellor of the Masters University in seminary and today's lesson is part of his study, Jesus is coming.

John Scripture is absolutely full of emphasis on God's kindness is goodness's grace is loving kindness towards his people presents him as a Savior.

Our God is a Savior by nature, you've said that many times yet as we look at future events.

It's full of judgment and destruction. Is this a conflict that needs to be reconciled in your mind or how do you put those two ideas together.

Well it is true that the same God who condemns is the God who forgives the same God who says people to hell is the same God who brings people to heaven. The same God who judges sinners eternally is the same God who shows mercy to believers eternally.

So obviously we have to replace that reality. But the bottom line and that reality is I think such a wonderful concept in the way I may be will help people is to say it like this, God is so gracious that he seeks to save sinners from himself. Not like you saving them from the devil you know it, but the Bible is clear that we should fear him who destroys both soul and body in hell. That's God we should fear God. God is the one who sends people to hell and sends the devil to hell, and all his angels well.

But God is so merciful and so loving and so gracious that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He desires to save sinners from himself from his wrath, if they will repent of their sin and embrace his son and that's the gospel that's the good news.

So God is a God of mercy and salvation. He would have to be saving people from himself because he's God and or if there is judgment in the universe, then he is the God who brought about that judgment.

So it's not possible for him to save anybody from any other than himself and that's the wonder of the gospel that God desires to bring sinners from his judgment and his wrath into his grace and salvation and to show that he gave the ultimate sacrifice of his own son to die on the cross and bear the sins of all who would ever believe right thank you John, that is a very encouraging answer and friend. Perhaps God has used these broadcasts to draw you to himself to show you the truth of the gospel.

If that's the case, please let us know. Just John a note and send it our way. You can email us at letters@gty.org or send your note to Grace to you. Box 4000 panorama city, CA 91412, and here's our email one more time. letters@tty.org.

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