Bobservations Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Prophecy: “Stones of stumbling,” “chief cornerstones,” “wars and rumors of wars,” “in the latter days,” “Gog and Magog,” all strange phrases, but we must remember, that neither God, nor the Holy Spirit is the author of confusion (1Corinthians 14:33). All of these phrases speak of end-times, and the events of that singular, yet multi-facetted time period.
For certain, it will be a time of destruction and judgment against all that is ungodly. It is not a judgment against the faithful of Jesus, but against non-believers, and all that reject Jesus and His authority. As difficult it may be to live through, the Church will not be part of it!
Paul wrote to the Romans in 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
But to receive the comfort of the scriptures, we should familiarize ourselves with God’s Word. The Word is meant to be read, and the Holy Spirit can bring the understanding. If we are Christ’s, then we should ask Him for His Holy Spirit. He will not deny that request. Learn of Jesus’ escape for His Church!
There is no question that things in this world are on the decline. Socially, economically, and in every other way, we read in the media, and witness it in the lives around us that the wicked get worse and worse. It is what the scriptures have already told us. In order to receive the comfort of the scriptures, we must look at tragedies and hardships of life from the point of view of our Savior. He has written of all these hardships ahead of time, but has unending promises for those redeemed by His blood.
Learn from His Word, and realize what was written by the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the thoughts that I have toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to bring you to an expected end.” Several translations of the verse state it a bit differently: “...to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11)
During the last week of His life here on earth, Jesus delivered to His disciples a comprehensive prophecy concerning end time events that would signal His return. Since it was delivered while He and His disciples were sitting on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, it is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse.
Mankind always wants to look into the future, but the only book that prophesies the future with complete accuracy is the Word of God.
The next great event that we’re looking for is the literal, bodily return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ is a major doctrine in the Word of God. It is mentioned no less than 1,200 times in the Old Testament and 300 times in the New Testament. Today’s message will focus on the words of Jesus as He leads us on a journey of prophecy as we look to our age and then to His coming. We will see from the Word of God the fate of planet Earth.
The temple was magnificent and the center of the Jewish life, both spiritually and socially. iii) The temple sat on Mount Moriah, the temple mount. The disciples could not believe that this temple would ever be desolate. The prophecy of the desolation did not make sense to the disciples, yet Jesus had prophesied its destruction.
We know that the Romans were going to destroy Jerusalem, and there was already an increase of rebellion against Roman rule.Jesus prophesied this, also (Luke 21:20). Forty years later, the Roman army under Titus compassed Jerusalem, just like Jesus had said. What Jesus said, that so many thought unthinkable, happened. Not one stone of the temple was left upon another.
In Matthew 24:3, the disciples asked three questions: (1) When will this be? When will the temple be destroyed? (2) What will be the sign of thy coming? They are asking Jesus when He will set up His kingdom and rule and reign. (3) What is the sign of the end of the world? (a) The word “world” in this passage literally means “the end of the age.”
Jesus gives the disciples seven marks of the signs of the times. The signs of the times are the intervening days and ages between the time the disciples lived and when Jesus Christ is going to come again. We will look at these seven marks today.
Prophecy: “Stones of stumbling,” “chief cornerstones,” “wars and rumors of wars,” “in the latter days,” “Gog and Magog,” all strange phrases, but we must remember, that neither God, nor the Holy Spirit is the author of confusion (1Corinthians 14:33). All of these phrases speak of end-times, and the events of that singular, yet multi-facetted time period.
For certain, it will be a time of destruction and judgment against all that is ungodly. It is not a judgment against the faithful of Jesus, but against non-believers, and all that reject Jesus and His authority. As difficult it may be to live through, the Church will not be part of it!
Paul wrote to the Romans in 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
But to receive the comfort of the scriptures, we should familiarize ourselves with God’s Word. The Word is meant to be read, and the Holy Spirit can bring the understanding. If we are Christ’s, then we should ask Him for His Holy Spirit. He will not deny that request. Learn of Jesus’ escape for His Church!
There is no question that things in this world are on the decline. Socially, economically, and in every other way, we read in the media, and witness it in the lives around us that the wicked get worse and worse. It is what the scriptures have already told us. In order to receive the comfort of the scriptures, we must look at tragedies and hardships of life from the point of view of our Savior. He has written of all these hardships ahead of time, but has unending promises for those redeemed by His blood.
Learn from His Word, and realize what was written by the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the thoughts that I have toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to bring you to an expected end.” Several translations of the verse state it a bit differently: “...to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11)
“But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” - John 14:26
Today's Audio Message:
Matthew 24:1-14 - "The Magnificent Temple"
During the last week of His life here on earth, Jesus delivered to His disciples a comprehensive prophecy concerning end time events that would signal His return. Since it was delivered while He and His disciples were sitting on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, it is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse.
Mankind always wants to look into the future, but the only book that prophesies the future with complete accuracy is the Word of God.
The next great event that we’re looking for is the literal, bodily return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ is a major doctrine in the Word of God. It is mentioned no less than 1,200 times in the Old Testament and 300 times in the New Testament. Today’s message will focus on the words of Jesus as He leads us on a journey of prophecy as we look to our age and then to His coming. We will see from the Word of God the fate of planet Earth.
The temple was magnificent and the center of the Jewish life, both spiritually and socially. iii) The temple sat on Mount Moriah, the temple mount. The disciples could not believe that this temple would ever be desolate. The prophecy of the desolation did not make sense to the disciples, yet Jesus had prophesied its destruction.
We know that the Romans were going to destroy Jerusalem, and there was already an increase of rebellion against Roman rule.Jesus prophesied this, also (Luke 21:20). Forty years later, the Roman army under Titus compassed Jerusalem, just like Jesus had said. What Jesus said, that so many thought unthinkable, happened. Not one stone of the temple was left upon another.
In Matthew 24:3, the disciples asked three questions: (1) When will this be? When will the temple be destroyed? (2) What will be the sign of thy coming? They are asking Jesus when He will set up His kingdom and rule and reign. (3) What is the sign of the end of the world? (a) The word “world” in this passage literally means “the end of the age.”
Jesus gives the disciples seven marks of the signs of the times. The signs of the times are the intervening days and ages between the time the disciples lived and when Jesus Christ is going to come again. We will look at these seven marks today.
