The End

May 22, 2011

Introduction

 

From the Associated Press, Dateline  OAKLAND, Calif., we have this story:  - Some shut themselves inside to pray for mercy as they waited for the world's end.

Others met for tearful last lunches with their children, and prepared to leave behind homes and pets as they were swept up to heaven.

And across the globe, followers of a California preacher's long-publicized message that Judgment Day would arrive Saturday turned to the Bible, the book they believe predicts Earth's destruction on May 21.

The doomsday message has been sent far and wide via broadcasts and web sites by Harold Camping, an 89-year-old retired civil engineer who has built a multi-million-dollar nonprofit ministry based on his apocalyptic prediction.

So what does the Bible really say about all of this?  Let’s begin with the Bible quotation on billboard, (Jonah 3:8 KJV)  “But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.” 

The quotation is from Jonah, but what is the occasion?  Just four verses earlier, Jonah had said, (Jonah 3:4 NKJV)  "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"  Who said, “But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands”?  These are the words of the king of Nineveh.    Are they the right words for today?

 

What does the Bible say about the end of the world?

 

Body

I.       We will not know the day and the hour.

(Mat 24:36 NKJV)  "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

 

A.    Things will go on as usual.

 

(Mat 24:37-39 NKJV)  "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. {38} "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, {39} "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

B.     When someone announces the day and hour, we may be sure that is not the the day and hour of His coming.

 

II.    He wants us to be aware of the time drawing near.

 

A.    A falling away will happen before the Lord returns.

 

(2 Th 2:1-4 NKJV)  Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, {2} not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. {3} Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, {4} who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

 

2. We are not to be in the dark about His coming.

 

(1 Th 5:1-5 NKJV)  But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. {2} For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. {3} For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. {4} But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. {5} You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

 

3. God has revealed things through the prophets.

 

(Amos 3:7 NKJV)  Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

 

1.      We, in turn, are to learn of God’s plan by reading what His prophets have written.

 

III. The end of the world, and the end of Jerusalem can be confusing.

 

A.    The end of Jerusalem was a terrible thing, and happened but with warning.

 

(Luke 21:20-24 NKJV)  "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. {21} "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. {22} "For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. {23} "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. {24} "And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

 

B.     Then the end of the world will come.

 

(Luke 21:25-28 NKJV)  "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; {26} "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. {27} "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. {28} "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

 

IV.  Judgment Day is coming, are we ready?

 

A.    The Parable of the virgins.

 

(Mat 25:1-13 NKJV)  "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. {2} "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. {3} "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, {4} "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. {5} "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. {6} "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' {7} "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. {8} "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' {9} "But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' {10} "And 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. {11} "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' {12} "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' {13} "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

 

B.     Judgment Day is coming, are we ready

 

(Luke 21:31-36 NKJV)  "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. {32} "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. {33} "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. {34} "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. {35} "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. {36} "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

 

Conclusion

 

Today is the day!  Don’t put it off.

 

(2 Cor 6:1-2 NKJV)  We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. {2} For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Bible Study with Harley   Sermons I have Preached