Sep. 04, 2022

Series: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS GOD? (Pt 3) 9-11-22

“Beginning of Sorrows”

DURING THE TRIBULATION: 

1.  Anti-Christ is Revealed & Rebuilds Temple.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him… 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

Rev. 11:1-2 1 “Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, "Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers. 2 But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months (3 ½ years).” 

Zechariah 8:23 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'"

John 5:43“I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me (i.e. as Messiah); but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him (as Messiah).” 

2.  Anti-Christ is Worshipped as God 

Daniel 7:25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for (3 ½ years).” 

Daniel 9:27 “He will confirm a covenant with many for (seven years).  In the middle of the (seven years) he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." 

Matthew 24:15-33 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand—21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again… 33 when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.  

2 Thessalonians 2:4 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God… 

3.  People Refuse the Truth & Believe the Lie.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-119 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.

4. Anti-Christ & False Prophet work together.

Revelation 13:14-15 14 The beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and caused all who refused to worship the image to be killed.

5. Must Receive the Mark of the Beast.

Revelation 13:16-18 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 

Revelation 13:18 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. 

- Wisdom is Needed, so that we’ll Remain Alert, but Not Misled.

6. Churches are Thriving.

Revelation 1:19 Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.

Revelation 2:

Apostolic Age - Ephesus

Martyr Stage - Smyrna

Church State Age - Pergamum 

Catholic Age – Thyatira

Revelation 3:

Protestant Age - Sardis 

Pre-Tribulation Age – Philadelphia:

Revelation 3:10 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Mid-Tribulation Age – Laodicea:

Revelation 3:16-20 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 

Matthew 7:14 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.