2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

perilous- Gk - chalepos - difficult, dangerous, furious and/or fierce

Matthew 24:37 (NLT)

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.

1. The climate surrounding the Lord’s return will be like the days of Noah

Genesis 6:11 (KJV)

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

2. Corruption and violence was the atmosphere of Noah’s day.

a. violence - meaning injustice, cruelty and oppression

b. but what kind of corruption was taking place

Genesis 6:12 (KJV)

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

3. The corruption was done with flesh.

a. in this case, it would be sexual immorality

Genesis 6:13 (KJV)

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

4. So the planet finally got God’s attention...just like today.

James 5:7 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.

5. So we are instructed to be patient as we wait.

James 5:8 (NLT)

You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

6. As the Lord draws closer, we are also required to be courageous.

James 5:9 (NLT)

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

7. A sin will infect the church as we see the Lord return...grumbling believers.

a. grumbling us another way of saying ‘complaining’

b. KJ - grudge not - having an ill will or resentment from the way you were treated

8. But we are on our last leg of the race.

Luke 21:24 (KJV)

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

9. Notice where it says and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

10. Jesus said that the time of the Gentiles (the nations) would be winding down when Jerusalem was regained and reunified.

11. That very event happened in 1967 in the Six Day War when eastern Jerusalem was reclaimed.

12. On June 7, 1967, Israeli paratroopers brought Jerusalem’s holiest site under Jewish control for the first time in 2,000 years.

Luke 21:29 (KJV)

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

13. Jesus gave us a parable to help us understand further the significance of historical events surrounding Israel.

a. how do we know that Israel is the fig tree

1 Kings 4:25 (KJV)

And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

14. During the lifetime of Solomon:

a. all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety

b. each family had its own home and garden which included the fig tree

c. so the Bible refers to Israel as the “fig tree”

15. So Jesus is saying “The fig tree (Israel) will be your timepiece.”

a. go back to Luke 21:29...look at the fig tree

Luke 21:30 (KJV)

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

16. He said that when Israel “shoots forth”, or becomes nation once again:

a. this occurred in May 14th, 1948

b. that we would know that the harvest is at hand (the Lord’s return)

Luke 21:31 (KJV)

So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

17. Jesus said we would know that a new season would be on the horizon after the year 1948....when Israel shot forth and became a nation.

Luke 21:32 (KJV)

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

18. The generation that saw those two events in 1948 and 1967 would not pass away until everything was fulfilled.

19. We have also seen the following prophecies fulfilled:

Jeremiah 31:23 (MSG)

A Message from Israel's GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies: "When I've turned everything around and brought my people back, the old expressions will be heard on the streets: 'GOD bless you!'... 'O True Home!'... 'O Holy Mountain!'

20. Eliezer Ben Yehuda;

a. a European Jew from the late 1800's who immigrated to Israel

b. become the man credited with reviving the ancient Hebrew language after 2000 years

Zephaniah 3:9 (MSG)

"In the end I will turn things around for the people. I'll give them a language undistorted, unpolluted, Words to address GOD in worship and, united, to serve me with their shoulders to the wheel.

21. This is a prophecy that tells us the Hebrew language will be restored.

a. and the next verse is also miraculous

Zephaniah 3:10 (MSG)

They'll come from beyond the Ethiopian rivers, they'll come praying— All my scattered, exiled people will come home with offerings for worship.

22. This is saying that the Ethiopian Jews will be brought back to Israel.

a. this has been fulfilled

23. Next we have the revival of the “old Roman empire”.

Daniel 2:40 (KJV)

And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

24. We are now living in this fourth kingdom age.

25. These things would happen before God establishes His kingdom on the earth.

26. So why does God clue us in on His timetable?

Amos 3:7 (NLT)

Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.

27. But here is a scripture often used incorrectly.

Matthew 25:13 (KJV)

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

28. Jesus was talking about the His Second Coming, NOT about the rapture.

a. it’s a reference for the Jews not Christians

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

29. As people decide church is no longer important, we should encourage one another to keep us in the game.

`a. so God clued us in on His agenda for several reasons

30. It should:

1)Motivates us to finish our course.

2)Stops murmuring and complaining.

3)Keeps us living holy. (To live right, clean)

4)Humbles our attitude so that we can adjust our heart and life as necessary.

5) Motivate us to preach of His return because the time is short.

31. These are the last days of the Church Age.

32. What a great season to live in, doing the will of God!

Luke 21:36 (KJV)

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

33. We are blessed because we have been forewarned by God of things to come.

a. this allows Him to lead us into our correct positions

b. to be at the right place, at the right time — to do His will