Signs of the Times Pt 2

Good morning. Would you all stand with us? We want to welcome you here to Calvary Chapel, and I want to welcome all those who are viewing online. Would you join me in prayer? Father, we thank you for this opportunity this morning to come and gather as your believers, and if there be any among us that are visiting and wondering what this is all about, Lord, may they sense your presence.

I would ask, Lord, that you would meet us. Actually, you're here to listen for that which you have to tell us this morning by your Holy Spirit as we worship in song and study your Word. Father, would you allow us to just let go, and it sounds as much as making a sound to you, a joyful noise, Lord. We praise you this morning. We prepare us, Lord, to worship you in song.

You're so good to us, and we thank you for your mercy.

What you rule is always right and best, looking at us both to will that help us trust when we're concerned.

The situations we go through, Lord, is my Savior, how I was so lonely in crowds, emptiness within, Lord, and we thank you for that. Through life, we're never alone.

Also, of all of you, we give you praise. And so, Father, I lift up each one here this morning. You know what's on each heart and what's been going on during the week for all of us, Lord, each one of us individually. Lord, and so, Father, we just continue to worship you and look to you, the author and finisher of our faith.

Thanks for life, Lord. We give you thanks for your provisions, Lord. We give you thanks for all that you do for us, Lord.

And so now, Lord, as we fellowship and get in your Word, bless that time. Anoint Pastor Ryan with the power of your Holy Spirit. Just fill him afresh.

Give us listening ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to perceive,

and feed upon your Word this morning, Lord. Amen. There is a lamp to our feet that we hide in our hearts, Lord. Help us to be obedient because we love you. And it's because you first loved us, of course, as you drew us by your Holy Spirit. It comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We heard a message, and we were drawn to your Holy Spirit. None seek God.

So it is you that drew us by the power of your Holy Spirit, and we respond in Jesus' name. Let's have some fellowship, y'all. God bless. Good morning. Glad you could be here this morning. If you could begin to locate your seats. Grab your bulletin. We'll get ready to go over some announcements.

Over on the left-hand side of your bulletin are all of the studies that are going on throughout the week. Some things to pay attention to in the middle section of your bulletin. Next Saturday, October the 22nd, is the men's breakfast down at the other end of the hallway. So, fellas, take note of that. Come join us. It's always a good time of fellowship. Good food and some discussion together.

Also, fellas, November the 5th is the men's conference. Strike out everything that says underneath that. You don't need to come for a night of fun and food or bring a chair and a dish. So scratch that part. November 5th is the men's conference. And I sent out a link a couple of weeks ago. So you should be able to get signed up. Or, no, a couple of days ago.

You should be able to get signed up for that. And then there's a few little rapid-fire reminders down there. Life Chain is today. From Tuesday. To 3.30. At the corner of Kansas and Summit. So come join us for that. Also, home fellowship that will be at Brian and Julie Davis' house will start this Tuesday. So if you have any questions about that, you can visit with Brian after the service.

Operation Christmas Child Boxes are due back November the 13th. Ross and Janet weren't able to be here this morning. But they wanted to remind us of that. And then one thing that did not make it into your bulletin is that. Next Saturday evening, the young adult group, the college kids are going to be going up and doing a worship night. With the young adult group up in Wichita.

So if there's any of you that are not plugged into that study, it would be a great time for you to get involved with them. So those are the things that are going on. If you would make sure that your mobile device is silenced. And for our responsive reading this morning, we are going to be in Psalm 46. Psalm 46. If you need a copy of the New American Standard, because we'll use that just so we all sound the same.

If you need a copy, there should be one around you. And as you're turning to Psalm 46, if you would stand in the honor of the reading of God's Word. As Pastor Allen makes the very long walk down the aisle way.

I know. Okay, I will read the odd verses if you will follow along with Pastor Allen and the even verses. Psalm 46 for the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah said to Alamoth, a song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride, say law. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. The holy dwelling places are the most high. God is in the midst of her. She will not be moved. God will help her. When morning dawns, the nations made an uproar. The kingdoms tottered. He raised his voice. The earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Say law. Come behold the works of the Lord who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and cuts the spear into. He burns the chariots with fire. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth. Cease striving. And know that I am God.

I will exalt it among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. And if you'd read verse 11 with me. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Say law. And Father, we do see the earth quake and tremble right now as it seems like chaos is ruling. Lord, we know that ultimately you are in charge and all of those things are a part of your plan.

And so, Lord, we find our refuge in you. We find our refuge in you. We find our place of shelter and safety under the shadow of your wings. And Lord, as we get into your word this morning, I just ask that you would minister to us through your Holy Spirit. Draw us near to you and help us to see you more clearly this morning. In Jesus' name. Amen. You may be seated.

And if you would open up in your Bibles to the book of Matthew chapter 24. Matthew chapter 24. We're in part two of our series this morning on the signs of the times. Matthew chapter 24, we said, is kind of a difficult section, chapters 24 and 25, because it gets into end times type of events. And we said that it's a difficult section for a handful of reasons.

First of all, because sometimes the language can be a little bit difficult to understand because it can be a little vague. We know that there's near and future fulfillment, so that can get a little confusing sometimes. But. Really the hardest part is there's a lot of different opinions that people have about what some of these scriptures say. So we're doing the best we can to present simply what it says and to keep the main thing to the main thing.

To keep Jesus our focus in all of it. And so it started off with his disciples. We're in that last week of Jesus' life before his crucifixion. And it started off with his disciples asking him a question. They had come out of the temple and they said, hey, check out that temple. What a beautiful building. And Jesus said, don't you see all these things? Not one stone of the temple.

Be left upon another that will not be thrown down. And so it caused sort of some confusion and some questions to come up in the minds of the disciples. And so when they got to the outskirts of town, they reached the Mount of Olives. And Jesus sat down undoubtedly to rest. And his disciples came to him with a question. They said, when will these things be, meaning the destruction of the temple?

What will be the sign of your coming and the sign of the end of the age? And so Jesus begins to answer these questions. And really we said he starts giving them. Sort of a panorama of history that will start with the ascension up through the first three and a half years of the tribulation. That's what we saw in verses four through 14. He said, first of all, and this was the thrust of the entire thing.

He said, I don't want you to be deceived because we live in an age of deception. As a matter of fact, we've been living in an age of deception since Eve took that bite of the fruit. Because she was deceived by the enemy. And we've been living with that deception. The deception that we can be our own. God, the deception that there is another way to salvation apart from Jesus Christ.

That deception has been happening for years. And so he says, I don't want you to be deceived. And he begins telling them some of the things that are going to take place. That there's going to be false Christs. That there's going to be false prophets. That there's going to be pestilence and earthquake and famines. There's going to be wars. There's going to be persecution.

But all of these things are only the beginning. These are the beginnings of birth pangs. These are the things that we can experience. These are the things that we can expect living in the world that we live in now. We can expect an intensification of these things the closer it gets to the coming of Jesus. But these are the things that we can expect. Now as we come to verse 15, which is where we're going to start.

I believe that we're right in the midst. Right in the middle of that seven year tribulational period. And I'll talk about as we get into what he talks about with the abomination of desolation. Why I feel that way. And so there's three things that we're going to look at in this second portion. We're going to look at the abomination. The abomination of desolation, the great tribulation, and the second coming.

And so we pick up in verse 15 of chapter 24. And this is what it says. Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place. Let the reader understand. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out of their house.

Whoever is in the field must not go down to get the things out of their house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days. But pray that your flight will not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation. Such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now.

Nor ever will be. Now Jesus introduces us to something here in chapter 24. An interesting phrase that he then gives us a little marker to use. So that we can look up more information. He says, When you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place. So we know that there's something that we're going to be looking for.

Again, I feel like this is about smack dab in the middle of that seven year tribulational period. There's something that we're supposed to be looking for. To mark the fact that we're right in the middle of it. And so that we understand a little bit more. Jesus gave us a reference point. So I think the best thing that we can do is use that reference point. And see if we can understand exactly what Jesus is talking about.

So I want you to go with me to the book of Daniel. Chapter 9. Now Daniel is a little over three-fourths of the way through the Old Testament. It's one of the minor prophets. It's right after the book of Ezekiel. If navigating your Bible is difficult for you. And you can't get there. That's fine. You might just mark down Daniel 24. Daniel chapter 9 verses 24 through 27.

Daniel chapter 9 verses 24 through 27. I told first service if I get one really big complaint. About the way that I teach. It's that I don't give people enough time to turn to cross references. So I'm going to give you all just a little second here. If there was some Jeopardy music. That would be amazing. Anyway. Okay. So Daniel chapter 9. This is what it says.

Chapter 9 verse 24. Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people. And your holy city. To finish the transgression. To make an end of sin. To make atonement for iniquity. To bring in everlasting rest. To bring in everlasting rest. To bring in everlasting rest. To seal up vision and prophecy. And to anoint the most holy place. So you are to know and discern.

That from the issuing of a decree. To restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Until the Messiah prints. There will be seven weeks. And 62 weeks. It will be built again. With plaza and moat. Even in times of distress. Therefore. After the 62 weeks. The Messiah will be cut off. And have nothing. And the people of the prince. Who is to come. Will destroy the city and the sanctuary.

And its end will come with a flood. Even to the end. There will be war. Desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant. With the many for one week. But in the middle of the week. He will put a stop to the sacrifice. And grain offering. And on the wing of abominations. Will come the Lord. And there will come one who makes desolate. Even until a complete destruction.

One that is decreed. Is poured out. On the one who makes desolate. Now let me give you a little historical context. So you understand what Daniel is talking about here. So Daniel is prophesying. In the time when the nation of Israel. Had gone into captivity in Babylon. So they are in captivity in Babylon. And while there. Daniel receives this vision. And this revelation.

This 71. Weeks. Now it's almost universally accepted. That the phrase week. Or that the word week there means. A set of seven years. Both conservative and liberal theologians alike. Agree that that's what that word weeks means. So he says there's going to be 70 sets. Of seven years. Those 70 sets of seven years. Are what will bring a culmination. To everything.

But listen there's a specific subject. Of these 70 sets of seven years. Will bring a culmination of everything. For the nation of Israel. And then he goes on to give a time stamp. From the day that the decree is issued. To go forth and rebuild the temple. There will be a total of 69 weeks. While Daniel is prophesying. Or after Daniel prophesies. There's going to be a king that comes along.

Whose name is Cyrus. Cyrus will issue the decree. That the nation of Israel can go back. And rebuild their temple. Happens exactly like Daniel said. It was going to happen. And so from the time that they go back. To rebuild the temple. There's a 69. Sets of seven years. That take place. The temple's rebuilt. Jerusalem's rebuilt. And just like Daniel said. It happened in great difficulty.

They faced a lot of great difficulty. If you read the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. You'll see some of the difficulty. That they went through in the building of the temple. As well as the rest of Jerusalem. After that 69 sets of seven. It says that the Messiah. Will be cut off. But not for himself. And then it says one more thing. It says and he will have nothing.

That term the Messiah will be cut off. Speaks of when Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem. On the foal of a donkey. On that day of. That we refer to as Palm Sunday. And that cutting off of the Messiah. Is the crucifixion of the Messiah. As a matter of fact. People a lot smarter than me. Have worked out the math. And it works down to the very day. Of Jesus coming riding into Jerusalem.

On Palm Sunday. It's almost like God. Is the author of history. And he had a plan he was working out. And so. The Messiah will be cut off. But not for himself. That speaks of the substitutionary death of the Messiah. And he will receive nothing. In other words when he is killed. He will not receive a kingdom for it. Because he has yet to receive the kingdom.

That will happen when he comes again the second time. Now. From that point in time. Of the 69th set of seven. Until now. As I mentioned last week. We've been living in what often times theologians refer to. As the church age. Israel was set on a shelf. And the church is who God has been pouring his spirit into. We are waiting for that last set of seven. That last set of seven years.

That will begin. The tribulational period. At the beginning of that tribulational period. There is an antichrist that will arise. Perhaps you've heard that word. Another word for him is the son of perdition. The son of destruction. The man of sin. The lawless one. He will arise. And it says he will make a covenant with the many. This man that will arise. Will be empowered by Satan.

But he will be empowered by Satan. To bring what looks like world peace. As a matter of fact. He will be the first man to ever bring peace to the Middle East. He will be able to bring everyone to the table. And he will be able to garner a peace treaty. Amongst all of the nations. And as he brings this peace treaty. Amongst all of the nations. Everyone will look at him and go.

That's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. He's the best thing since sliced bread. And everyone will look to this one world leader. Who will put together as Rick Warren calls it. A three-legged stool. Of both of political peace. Religious peace. And economic peace. He will bring that about. And everyone will sing his praises. And everything will look really great.

Until three and a half years in. And three and a half years in. It says that. Verse 27. He will make a firm covenant with the many for one week. But in the middle of the week. He will bring a covenant with the many. He will put a stop to sacrifice. And grain offering. And on the wing of abominations. Will come one who makes desolate. He will set himself up as God.

In the temple. And declare that everyone. Should worship him. The book of Revelation refers to him as. The beast. And he will have what Revelation refers to as. The false prophet. Who will tell everyone. You should worship him. That's the abomination of desolation. That's spoken of through the prophet Daniel. Now. I don't believe that we as the church. Are going to be here for that.

And I think there's a specific. Really important reason why. Because we will have been raptured out. By that point in time. Now a lot of people have an issue with that rapture. They think oh is that really going to take place. But I want to take you to another place of scripture. That I think declares that we have to be gone. In order for this antichrist to establish himself.

So I want you to go over to the book of 2nd Thessalonians. I know I'm taxing you here. 2nd Thessalonians. Over about again 3 4ths of the way through the New Testament. You go past Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. And then you come to the two books of the Thessalonians. I want you to go.