Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Notes: Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Matthew 24

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, May 24, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Terrorism, global conflict, the moral and spiritual decline of America and other developments point to the last days scenario, according to Bible prophecy.

In today's message, Pastor Greg Laurie is speaking on how these signs of the times point to the return of Jesus Christ, and tells us why we should be motivated to live a Godly life in preparation for His return.

Our world appears to be on fire right now. Terrorism is going on everywhere. Christians and children are being killed. ISIS, Iran, Russia and North Korea are taking over or trying to.

America and Israel are at a low in their relationship.

2 Timothy 3:1 NKJV

[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

Luke 21:25 NKJV

[25] "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;

As crazy as things are, everything is going according to God's plan as explained in the Bible.

Revelation 1:3 NKJV

[3] Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

When God promises us a blessing, we should want it.

1 John 3:2-3 NKJV

[2] Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. [3] And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

If we knew God was coming it would most likely change our behavior.

2 Peter 3:14-15 NKJV

[14] Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; [15] and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

Jesus is saying, "Ready or not, here I come" so we should be ready.

If you are not ready, then change that!

This is Jesus' longest answer to any question asked:

Matthew 24:3-15 NKJV

[3] Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" [4] And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. [6] And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. [10] And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. [11] Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. [12] And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But he who endures to the end shall be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. [15] "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

Whoever reads, let him understand. It's God's desire to heal, not conceal.

God wants us to understand. Revelation means to understand.

The Tribulation Period will begin with:

Matthew 24:5 NKJV

[5] For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.

Tribulation Period will end with:

Matthew 24:30 NKJV

[30] Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Greg's End Times Flyover:

1. Next prophetic event will be the rapture.

2. Then Magog will match on Israel.

3. Many will call this a Golden Age, lead by the anti-Christ.

4. Then the great tribulation

Matthew 24:7 NKJV

[7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

5. Then Armageddon

6. Then the second coming of Christ.

7. Then the millennium

8. Then the New Jerusalem

9. Then the new Earth

Matthew 24:1 NKJV

[1] Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.

This temple was an ancient marvel. It was being built for 46 years.

Matthew 24:2 NKJV

[2] 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."

This was a very specific statement; if it was accurate then it lets us know we can trust Him.

History tells us that the Romans marched on Jerusalem and they tore apart the Temple stone by stone for the gold that was in it.

Matthew 24:36-44 NKJV

[36] "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. [37] 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. [40] Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. [42] Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. [44] Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The Rapture, what is it, why is it, and when is it?

55% of Americans said they believed in the rapture.

1. What is the Rapture?

When Jesus comes to Earth and removes living Christians and escorts them to Heaven to live with them.

The word rapture comes from the Greek word Harpzo which means, "to take up or snatch away."

Harpzo is in the Latin translation several times.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV

[16] For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

2. Why is there Rapture?

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NKJV

[13] But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

We need to practice theology without apology.

Christians go straight to Heaven when they die. Nonbelievers go straight to Hades to be judged.

The Rapture is so comforting to know about because it lets us know that we can be reunited with loved ones at anytime.

The Bible says there is a time to morn. Crying and weeping is morning properly.

As Christians we do not grieve hopelessly. We grieve hopefully, yet we still grieve.

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

[2] Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

John 14:2-3 NKJV

[2] 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. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

3. When is the Rapture?

It is unknown to man. But it is exactly the day when God has planned it.

Your job is not to know, but to be ready!

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NKJV

[51] Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed- [52] 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.

It's going to be so quick there will be no time to repent.

The Bible teaches a bodily resurrection. There is already a prototype for this in scripture.

Matthew 27:51-53 NKJV

[51] Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, [52] and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; [53] and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Sometimes people confuse the Rapture and the Second Coming.

Matthew 24:37-38 NKJV

[37] 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,

It will be like the days of Noah, means it will be a wicked time. It's described like an overflowing septic tank.

The people of the Earth will mock God.

2 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV

[3] knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, [4] and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

2 Peter 3:5-6 NKJV

[5] For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, [6] by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

Matthew 24:42 NKJV

[42] Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

Be on the alert and continually expectant.

Matthew 24:45-47 NKJV

[45] "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? [46] Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. [47] Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

The Lord wants us to be busy serving Him.

We can all offer our time, our talents and our treasures. We should all be giving faithfully to the Lord.

Fake Christians can come to church and play along but don't actually believe. These people cannot fool God.

If you think you can live a double life then you are a fool... Are you actually a believer?

If you follow Jesus, then you are ready to go!