Prophecy Update 2006

Sunday Morning Bible Study

January 1, 2006

Introduction

It’s been a long Calvary Chapel tradition to do some sort of a “Prophecy Update” around the time of New Year’s Day. I remember years ago going to Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa on New Year’s Eve, and listening to Pastor Chuck talk about the things that are happening in the world and how they are pointing to the soon return of Jesus Christ.

When we started Calvary Fullerton 11 years ago, I thought I’d like to try and follow Chuck’s example and have an annual “Prophecy Update”. In the early years it was quite a chore snipping out newspaper articles and holding on to them until the year’s end. Now I have websites, e-mail newsletters, and all sorts of input to sift through, but I can do it all from my computer. When I first started doing these studies, I felt like I had to come up with some super-secret-gee-whiz piece of information that would make everyone amazed at the times we lived in.

But I’m not so sure that this is where I want to go anymore. I don’t think you should have to come to my super-duper presentation to realize how close we are to the end. It’s my hope that you will realize that it’s becoming so obvious that all you need to do is open up your own paper and read for yourself.

I’m not sure I’m going to reveal any deep dark secrets this morning, but I do hope that you will realize with me that Jesus is coming back SOON!

(Text in italics comes straight from the news sources.)

Pestilence

(Mat 24:7 NKJV) …And there will be famines, pestilences …

In past years we’ve looked at things like the rise of AIDS or SARS. This year, it’s the Avian Flu.

Why is this flu so bad? It’s a new strain and there are no vaccinations available to stop it. Half of the people infected die. It’s similar to the flu that ravaged the world in 1918, killing between 20-50 million people.

Rebuilding of Temple

The Bible speaks of things happening in the last days that require there to be a Temple in Jerusalem. Though there hasn’t been a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem since AD 70, there is a group in Jerusalem called the “Temple Institute” that has been quietly preparing for the next Temple. Over the years we’ve seen pictures of the various things they’ve been preparing, such as the Menorrah, the Table of Showbread, The Altar of Incense, the Laver, and various parts of the High Priest’s garments. This year they have completed the High Priest’s robe.

New 'Sanhedrin' plans rebuilding of Temple, WorldNetDaily.com, June 8, 2005

Israeli rabbinical body calls for architectural blueprint. The Israeli rabbinical council involved with re-establishing the Sanhedrin, is calling upon all groups involved in Temple Mount research to prepare detailed architectural plans for the reconstruction of the Jewish Holy Temple.

Biblical Robe Produced For Use by High Priest in Holy Temple, Arutz Sheva, December 20, 2005

After much hard work and research, the Techelet (azure blue) robe of the High Priest has been completed by the Temple Institute and it is hoped to be fit to be worn in the Third Temple.

Russia

(Ezek 38:2 NKJV) …set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal…

We’ve seen in various studies of Ezekiel 38-39, the coming invasion of Israel, that it would seem likely that Russia would be involved. When Russia was a communist country, we loved to pick on them as our enemy. But now that they’re no longer a communist power, we haven’t been sure what to make of things. Those of us who have been to Russia have fallen in love with the people of Russia. But it’s hard to get around the connections between the mention of the names of “Gog, Magog, Meshach, Rosh”, terms that are linked to Russia, and the events of Ezekiel 38-39. Here’s some interesting things concerning Russia:

Israel acts to halt Russian missile deal with Syria, News.telegraph, January 13, 2005

Israel was attempting yesterday to halt a weapons deal under which Russia agreed to supply Syria with advanced anti-aircraft missiles.

The deal went through.

Russians in Gaza training PA cops, Jerusalem Post, October 16, 2005

Russian military experts have arrived in the Gaza Strip to help the Palestinian security forces enforce law and order, Palestinian Authority security officials disclosed on Saturday.

Russia confirms Iran missile deal, BBC News, Monday, 5 December 2005

Russia has confirmed a deal to sell surface-to-air missiles to Iran, insisting they are for defense only. The deal involves 29 of the mobile defense systems, cost is $700million.

…McDonald’s

As recent as 2003, I began to report on my suspicions that the antichrist was no other than Ronald McDonald. Does this sound fantastic to you? Well I found in the Scripture:

(Dan 2:21 KJV) And he changeth the times and the seasons …

And on an MSNBC website dated December 30, 2002, I found an article that indeed McDonald’s was planning on changing the seasonings in their burgers!

And now this from WorldNetDaily.com (January 22, 2005)

Latest global threat: Ronald McDonald

Clown of renown facing TV ban for allegedly making children fat

Ronald McDonald is sure to grimace when he finds out the latest plan by governments across the Atlantic.

The clown of renown, along with other animated characters like Kellogg's Tony the Tiger, could be banned from television in Britain and the European Union, as cartoon food hawkers are now regarded as a threat to society.

At issue is the expanding waistlines of children, and health authorities are looking to trim the amount of junk-food advertising to kids.

As serious as all this talk of the End Times is, I hope that we don’t get to the point where we take ourselves TOO seriously and lose the ability to laugh once in a while.

Iran

I’ve mentioned several times about an upcoming invasion of Israel spoken of in Ezekiel 38-39. I believe that this is something that may even precede the Rapture, though they could be events that happen fairly close to each other.

(Ezek 38:4-5 NKJV) … "I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. {5} "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet;

The names of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal are names connected to Russia. But the nation I want to spotlight in Persia, known in today’s world as Iran.

Iran has been the biggest thing that has caught my eye this year. Iran has a new president.

Iran hosts 'The World without Zionism', Jerusalem Post, October 26, 2005

Iran's hard-line president called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and said a new wave of Palestinian attacks will destroy the Jewish state, state-run media reported Wednesday.

…"Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury (while) any (Islamic leader) who recognizes the Zionist regime means he is acknowledging the surrender and defeat of the Islamic world," Ahmadinejad said.

Iran: We can spy on Israel, Ynetnews.com, November 16, 2005

Head of Iran’s space program says Sina-1 satellite capable of spying on Israel. Deputy Telecom Minister says, ‘it’s not possible to use it for military purposes,’ but adds, ‘technically speaking, yes. It can monitor Israel.’ Former Israeli deputy defense minister: They are trying to look for places where a mega-terror attack can take place

Iranian President “saw light”, Jerusalem Post, December 3, 2005

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a self-professed holy man. In a video released on an Iranian Web site linked to the Revolutionary Guards (and reported on by “Regime Change in Iran” Web site), Ahmadinejad related that during his speech in the fall to the UN General Assembly, he “felt a light” surrounding and protecting him. In his words, after the light appeared, “the atmosphere changed and for 27-28 minutes the leaders could not blink…. All the leaders were puzzled, as if a hand held them and made them sit. They had their eyes and ears open for the message from the Islamic Republic.”

Sounds scary to me. Satan is called an “angel of light” (2Cor. 11:14).

Iran to build 2 new nuclear reactors, Jerusalem Post, December 3, 2005

An Iranian news agency announced Sunday that Iran would begin construction on two nuclear reactors beginning in March. The report added that an Iranian parliamentarian confirmed that one of the reactors would be funded by Russia, at a cost of $1 billion, Army Radio said.

Iran threatens counter-strike, Ynetnews.com, December 4, 2005

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says recent Israeli statements on Iran's nuclear project show Israeli government is frustrated from failure to bring international community to pressure Iran: 'Zionist authorities are well aware that if they make a foolish mistake against Iran, Iran's harsh response will be destructive and determined'

'Iran may be few months away from bomb', Ynetnews.com, December 5, 2005

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Mohamed el-Baradei, has reinforced Monday morning the Israeli and American stance as to Iran's nuclear threat.

Iran: Israel should be moved to Europe, Ynetnews.com, December 8, 2005

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who recently called for Israel to be 'wiped off map,' expresses doubt that Holocaust occurs, says Europeans should give Zionists some of their provinces in Europe; PM's spokesman: Just to remind Mr. Ahmadinejad, we've been here long before his ancestors

Israel readies forces for strike on nuclear Iran, The Sunday Times, December 11, 2005

ISRAEL’S armed forces have been ordered by Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, to be ready by the end of March for possible strikes on secret uranium enrichment sites in Iran, military sources have revealed.

Is it all just talk and politics? Stay tuned.

So, what do we do with all this information?

(Mat 24:42-51 NKJV) "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. {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. {48} "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' {49} "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, {50} "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, {51} "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The point is that you and I have a Master who has given us things to do. Are you doing them?

If you’ve never opened your heart to Jesus, there isn’t a better time than now. Jesus could be coming back any day.

Are you ready to face your Maker?

How will you respond when He asks you why should He let you into His kingdom?

If you are planning on telling Him that you’ve been a good person, you’ve got a big problem.

None of us are good enough for God’s kingdom. But God has a way for us to enter – He has paid the price for us to get in. His Son died on a cross to pay for our sins. And now we only need to come to Him and ask for His help.

For those of us who have already taken that first step, what has Your Master asked you to do?

Are there things that God has for you to do? Have you gotten sidetracked?

Maybe you aren’t sure of the things that God wants to put on your “to-do” list this year.

Don’t think that this year’s “to-do” list is going to look like last year’s. What if God has something new for you to do? Don’t let yourself settle into the rut of “that’s the way I’ve always done it”.

I’d encourage you to spend some time with Jesus over the next few days and ask Him to be guiding you this year. Ask Him to give you fresh vision for the things He wants for you to do.

(Isa 43:19 NKJV) Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

(James 5:7-9 NKJV) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. {8} You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. {9} Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

The Greek word used for “patient” in this text is makrothumia, which always speaks of being patient with people, being patient with that person who is getting under your skin.

In the context of the passage, James has been writing about how wealthy people can oppress those who are poor. And the answer to those people-kind-of-problems is that we need to be patient with each other.

Jesus is coming back. Remember that He is patient. We need to be patient with each other.

Introduction

I’m not sure I’m going to reveal any deep dark secrets this morning, but I do hope that you will realize with me that Jesus is coming back SOON!

(Text in italics comes straight from the news sources.)

Top Stories of 2005

The first part of my message comes straight from an article in yesterday’s paper that gives the top news stories as voted on by the various members of the Associate Press (Orange County Register, December 31, 2005). We’ll look at the top eight out of ten.

The number of named hurricanes and tropical storms broke a record this year – they ran out of names and had to start giving storms a Greek letter.

Is it just a cycle that our planet is going through? Could be… Could it be more? The Bible says…

(Luke 21:25 KJV) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Though I do not believe that the new pope is evil incarnate, and I think he seems to hold many good and godly views, I would note that he is an old man and I would be curious to see who will replace him.

3: IRAQ: As in 2004, news from Iraq ranged from the grim, including a devastating wave of suicide bombings, to the promising - Iraqis voting for new leaders and thrashing out differences on a new constitution.

No matter what your political views are on the Iraq war, there is something interesting to note about it. It has removed the nation of Iraq as an enemy to the United States, and moved Iraq a bit farther away from the anti-Israel nations.

Why is this important? If you look at Ezekiel 38-39 and the nations that will be allied in a coming invasion of Israel, you will note that Iraq (Babylon) is not among them.

4: SUPREME COURT: Not since 1994 had a Supreme Court seat become vacant…

I’m not exactly sure if this fits into the end-times scenario. I’d rather not press it into something that doesn’t clearly fit.

5: OIL PRICES: Crude oil prices hit an all-time peak of almost $71 a barrel in August before subsiding. Costly gasoline prompted some motorists to rethink their driving habits…

The Bible does say that in the end times things will be extremely expensive:

(Rev 6:6 NLT) And a voice from among the four living beings said, "A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley for a day's pay. And don't waste the olive oil and wine."

6: LONDON BOMBINGS: Attacks on three rush-hour subway trains and a bus killed 56 people on July 7, including four bombers with ties to Islamic militants. Authorities said three of the alleged bombers were born in Britain to immigrant parents from Pakistan; the fourth was from Jamaica.

Since September 11, 2001, we in America have become a little more aware of what terrorism is all about. The Bible says,

(Luke 21:26 NKJV) "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…

7: ASIAN QUAKE: A massive earthquake near the Pakistan-India border killed more than 87,000, and left more than 3 million homeless. Worried relief officials appealed for more emergency aid as winter arrived in the stricken region.

Last year’s Asian Tsunami was also triggered by an enormous earthquake, the most powerful in more than 40 years. It was reported in May that the Tsunami earthquake actually shook the ground everywhere on the Earth’s surface.

(Mat 24:7 NKJV) …And there will be …earthquakes in various places.

8: TERRI SCHIAVO: A family feud escalated into a wrenching national debate as the husband of brain-damaged Terri Schiavo struggled and finally succeeded in getting clearance to remove the feeding tube that had kept her alive for 15 years.

(Mat 24:12 NKJV) "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

The Bible says that there will be a change in people’s hearts. There will be an increase in lawlessness, a moving away from the ways of God.

I picked up several other stories through the year that also reflect this same principle. These are just a sampling of the things you see in the papers every day:

Protestant Church Endorses Gay Marriage, Fox News, July 04, 2005

The United Church of Christ's rule-making body voted overwhelmingly Monday to approve a resolution that endorses same-sex marriage, making it the largest Christian denomination to do so. (they have 1.3 million members)

Dutch commission to set rules on baby euthanasia, Reuters, November 29, 2005

The Netherlands is setting up a commission to regulate the practice of ending the lives of "seriously suffering" newborn babies, the government said on Tuesday, in a move critics say could allow more euthanasia.

Banning Bible Class, Fox News, Tuesday, February 01, 2005

The Washington Post reports that a group of parents in rural Virginia are attempting to shut down a 65-year-old, off-campus religion class for public school students because they say it stigmatizes students who don't attend.

From the “Bizarre” Files: Animal – Human hybrids, National Geographic, January 25, 2005

Scientists are starting to cross humans and other animals.

It started in 2003 when Chinese scientists infused human cells with rabbit eggs. They were allowed to develop for a few days, but were then harvested for their stem cells.

In 2004 Minnesota scientists at the Mayo Clinic created pigs that had human blood flowing through their veins.

I want to move on to other news reports, things that also speak of the soon return of Jesus Christ to the earth …