Luke 21:7-36 | Is This a Sign of the Times? | Rich Jones

ask now that we open our Bibles to Luke chapter 21 alright we're gonna do a Bible study now Luke chapter 21 we're gonna begin in verse 7 and the title of the message is this a sign of the times this coronavirus the kovat 19 is this event that's happening globally now is this a sign of the times that's the title of our message let's pray father we do thank you for your word and the discernment that you pour through your Holy Spirit and we want to open our heart to you and say God show us move on our hearts by your word and so God we look now to your word to bless in Jesus name Amen is this a sign of the times and I tell you this is important because it's a question on a lot of people's minds and in fact I was invited to be a guest on the Georgian rice show to speak on this very topic because it's so important does how does this pandemic crisis relate to the latter-day events is this a sign of the times see near the end of the Ministry of Jesus when he was in Jerusalem he had several confrontations with the Jewish leaders but one of them stands out because in this confrontation he brings a prophecy of destruction against Jerusalem now he mentioned it several times but on one of those he said very famous words he said o Jerusalem Jerusalem you can imagine the heart of the Lord o Jerusalem Jerusalem she who kills prophets and stones those who are sent to her how often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen would gather her chicks under her wings but you were unwilling that he made this word of prophecy behold your house is left to you desolate now he's referring here to a prophecy he was referring to the destruction of the temple of the city of Jerusalem now it's important to recognize that this prophecy is gonna have a double fulfillment there was a near fulfillment in 70 AD when when Israel rebelled against Rome and then Rome came you know and and and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple but also it will have a latter-day fulfillment in the latter days right when when the armies of the world it says will come against Israel and the famous Battle of Armageddon Jerusalem will be attacked the newly rebuilt temple will be seized by the Antichrist and literally all hell will break loose Jesus is referring to the latter-day events when he makes that prophecy now after Jesus gave this prophetic word is warning really the disciples came to him privately and they said not tell us when will these things be what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age that is found particularly in Matthew 24 now the answer that he gives this discourse of the answer that he gives is very important scripturally and prophetically because he gives here an insight into the signs and the times of the latter days and that's what I want us to look at as I think most people sense in their spirit that the events that that are in the world that have been in the world over the course of the last number of years have in many ways caused people to be spiritually alert to look for watch for the signs of the times that Jesus spoke up is it possible is it possible that this coronavirus is part of the signs of the times that's what I want us to discover as we read through this message alright so we're gonna look 21 and I'm gonna begin in verse 7 Andrey several verses so follow along in your Bible with me please Luke 21 beginning in verse 7 so they questioned him Jesus and they said not teacher when therefore will these things be and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place and he said see to it that you be not misled for many will come in my name and they will say I am he or the time is at hand like this is the time it's now happening do not go after them and when you hear of wars and disturbances do not be terrified this is a good word do not be terrified do not be anxious for these things must take place first but the end does not follow immediately first 10 then he continued by saying to them nation will rise against nation kingdom will arise against Kingdom there will be great earthquakes but notice this there will be great earthquakes and in various places there will be plagues like pestilences and there will be famines by the way there's a there's a locust swarm that has been happening in Africa over the last several months that has just been devastating Africa bringing about a famine and it's in addition to all that they're suffering with the corona virus but back to chapter 11 verse 11 there will be terrors there will be great signs from the heavens but first of all before all of these things they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you delivering you to the synagogues in prisons bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake it will lead to an opportunity for your testimony by the way I find that really a good verse in this sense that even the event that's happening right now we're gonna discuss whether or not this virus is a sign of the times but I will say this that it is an opportunity to give your testimony it is an opportunity for faith to arise in the midst of adversity that is a testimony when your faith is sure when your faith is steadfast in the midst of trouble and adversity that is in fact a testimony so first 14 so make up your minds make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves for I will give utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute but you will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends and they will put some of you to death and you will be hated by all on account of my name yet not a hair of your head will perish and by your endurance you will gain your lives verse 20 but when you see Jerusalem notice this now when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies recognize that her desolation is at hand then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains and let those who are in the midst of the city depart and let not those who are in the country enter into the city you will have a double fulfillment because these are the days of vengeance in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people speaking there specifically about Israel and this are excuse me they will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led captive into all the nations and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled verse 25 then there will be signs in the Sun and the moon and the stars and upon the earth there will be dismay among nations perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves that's interesting men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world for the powers of the heavens will be shaken there's another scripture this is all things it can be shaken will be shaken and then and then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and with great glory and when these things begin to take place straighten up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near and then he told them a parable behold the fig tree and all the trees that bud notice as soon as they put forth their leaves you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near even so you too when you see these things happening recognize that the kingdom of God is near recognize the signs of the times in other words truly I say to you this generation will not pass away until all things take place Evan and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away be on guard that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life and that day come on you like a trap for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth keep on the alert at all times praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place and the stand before the Son of Man all right these are the verses I want us to look at and I want to begin with this understanding and to apply it this way he's telling us something important here understand the signs of the times he's saying be watchful for these things and discern the signs of the time so he gives these warnings of the condition of things that will lead up to the latter day events he says these are given so that you will know that the time is near so remember this is important because Jesus he rebuked the Jewish leaders because of this very thing because they they would they did not or could not discern the signs of the times but Jesus expected them to and held them accountable that Jesus expects us to have that same discernment see the signs are before you discern these things see notice the similarity in God's Word he told the Jewish people what would proceed how would they know when the Messiah comes he told them in advance how to recognize the coming of God's Messiah they were even given the exact number of years listen to this they were given the exact number of years from a specific point in history to the coming of the Messiah I mean the you want to talk about specific prophecy it's an exact number of years so here's the point all the signs of the times were right there before their eyes yet they refused to see it they refused they would not they chose to make their eyes blind to what was right before their eyes so in a similar way he says I give you this word in advance that you might discern be watchful that you might discern the signs of the time that God is not giving these things please take note of this God is not giving these signs of distress is so as to make you more worried or more anxious or more stressed he's not doing that he's not trying to add stress by giving such warnings because frankly we already have a lot of stress is a lot of stress now which reminds me of a funny story okay so bear with me it's a funny story so a husband was not feeling well just was not feeling well and so he asked to go to the doctor so his wife drove him to the doctor and so that comes to the doctor and the doctor does all of these different tests afterward he said to the wife could I speak to you privately and so the husband went out to the waiting room and the doctor said to the wife listen I've done all of these tests on your husband and he's got severe hypertension he's under too much stress you can help you can make all the difference I'm telling you this is serious but you can help take all the stress out of his life just make his favorite food just pamper him I mean just pamper him just let him sleep as long as he wants bring his favorite food his drink you know his slippers to him right and just speak kindly to him at all times just make sure you take care of his ever sexual need and just always be there to bless him now if you don't do these things he could die do you understand what I am saying to you and she said yes doctor I understand so they leave and they get in the car and the husband said what was that about what did the doctor say to you why did he want to speak to you What did he say and she says well um I don't know how to tell you this but he said you're gonna die now see if you were all if you're all here you've been laughing right now okay guys that was a good one that was very good so but here's my point okay the point is God is not giving us these things to make stress as we already got stresses he's giving these signs in advance so that we can prepare our lives so that we can strengthen faith so notice this if you would when you look at Luke 21 and the other places where he gives these signs of the time just notice please first of all that there will be signs that are going to be seen in the world when you look at the signs of the times of the latter days notice some of the signs of the times are global or world wide an impact nation will rise against nation Kingdom against Kingdom there will be great earthquakes in various places there will be plagues pestilences famines terrors great signs from heaven these things notice our worldwide notice in Luke 21 he mentions plagues or pestilence see it's mentioned as a sign of the latter day so the question then arises is this covert 19 virus one of those signs of the latter days that Jesus is speaking of notice however would you notice with me in verse 8 where Jesus said all of these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs notice this you see because I believe that this plague is part of a growing list of plagues there was the bird flu there was Ebola Zika MERS SARS and of course there was the Spanish flu of 1918 and now there's kovat 19 see I see all of these things as birth pangs further birth pangs and any woman who's ever had a child knows that birth pangs will go greater in intensity and will grow closer together the moment as the moment is drawing near so I do see this recent coronavirus is different than others in the sense that it has impacted the entire world differently now that is to say except for North Korea of course because apparently they have not had any cases of the Cano virus at all so that's probably the place where your safest from getting the virus okay that's a joke because we all know that they're not telling the truth but all kidding aside this virus has drastically impacted the world economically and has caused the nation's to have to coordinate their efforts like no other virus or pandemic ever in the history of the world so I believe that in many ways it is part of the birth pangs that Jesus mentioned that are going to grow greater but I also believe that in many ways it sets the stage for the Antichrist which I'm going to speak on more later in this in this message see when you look for signs of the times look for global events global things that Jesus mentioned but also keep your eyes on Israel keep your eyes also not just globally but watch discern what's happening in Israel here's why because we know that there are worldwide events but Israel will be the center and Jerusalem will be the epicenter of the revealing of latter-day events what's the news watch for Israel Jerusalem is special amongst all the cities of the world Jerusalem is different because Jerusalem is called the city of God's own possession he placed his name there he said that's my city the temple which represents the very presence of God was to be there in the midst of Jerusalem Jesus said the city of Jerusalem and that famous temple made of golden marble white marble would be destroyed and the reason is seen in several places first of all because God sent his son to his chosen people to that city where he had placed his name but they did not receive him notice 2nd chronicles chapter 6 verse 6 let me build my case where he says prophetically I have chosen Jerusalem that my name might be there is special among all the cities of the world I have chosen David to be over my people Israel and Jesus was called the son of David's proven in Scripture but notice this and Luke 19 verses 41 to 44 notice when he approached Jerusalem he saw the city now he would see the city all before him when he comes when from the Mount of Olives on the east side see from Jerusalem there arises the Mount of Olives on the east so coming down from the Mount of Olives there he could see Jerusalem all lay before him and it says that he began to weep over Jerusalem and he said this if you had known in this day even you the things which make for peace he's weeping them when he says this but now they are hidden from your eyes for the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you and surround you and hem you in on every side and they will level you to the ground and your children with you and they will not leave in you one stone upon another because here it is because you did not recognize the time of your visitation I sent my son like you sent my only begotten Son at the appointed time with all of the signs of the times and yet you did not recognize the time of your visitation behold your city has left to you desolate see these prophecies of Jesus regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple were fulfilled in 70 AD yet many of the prophecies yet to be fulfilled require Jerusalem and the temple to be rebuilt for there is a second fulfillment therefore may 14th 1948 becomes very significant that was the day that Israel was reestablished as a nation so significant then the six-day war broke out 1967 and on June 5th of that year 1967 Jerusalem was once again in the hands of the Jews setting up the events of the latter days see what I am seeing unfolding is a setting up of the events of the latter days when Israel became a nation when Israel took hold of Jerusalem you can see a setting up when you see the events of the latter days you're seeing a setting up of the latter days you see Jerusalem it's so important so significant that of all the events of the latter days have been completed and when God has established at the end of the age a new heaven and a new earth scripture also says that Jerusalem is so important that there will be a new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven Revelation chapter 21 I'm referring to verses 1 to 7 I saw new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth passed away and there is no longer any sea and I saw the holy city New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God made ready as a bride adorned for her husband and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying behold the tabernacle of God is among men and he will dwell among them this is the heart of God it's so beautiful he will dwell among them and they shall be his people and God Himself will be among them oh this has been the heart of God from the beginning of Genesis people wipe away every tear from their eyes there will no longer be any death there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain for the first things have passed away this is such a beautiful picture but he's telling us this for a reason watch for the signs of the times watch for the global events that are happening around the world keep your eyes on Israel and Jerusalem in particular but then he gives us this insight into the latter days Antichrist will arise in the latter days Jesus began his answer about the latter days with this warning see to it that you be not misled for many will come in my name and they will say oh I'm the one or they'll say the time is at hand do not go after them there will be many who falsely claim in other words to be that promised Messiah or a prophet or show signs or wonders or so as to deceive in fact Matthew 24 verses 24 to 25 says that false Christ's false messiahs false prophets will arise in the latter days and will show great signs and wonders even so as to mislead if possible even the elect behold he says I'm telling you these things in advance now there have been many examples of those who have claimed to be Messiah or a prophet of God there was Sun Myung Moon founder of unification Church there was no way Ben Yahweh David Koresh and many others of course not counting those in institutions but in the latter days there will be one who arises who will become a singular world leader in the latter days respected even by the nation of Israel and he will be so respected by the people of Israel that they will make an agreement a covenant of peace he will negotiate a covenant of peace between the nations of the world and Israel Israel will sign it see they will sign it because they respect this world leader they don't recognize him as the Antichrist they recognize him as they the one who is able to do what no man has been able to do to bring peace in the Middle East to solve that with just unsolvable and it says it's important to recognize because this is part of the signs to discern Daniel 9 verse 27 it says he will make a firm covenant speaking of and rest with the many for one week this is a week of year or seven years but in the middle of that week or three and a half years into it he will put a stop to the sacrifice and grain offering and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate even until a complete destruction and one that is decreed is poured out on the one who makes desolate speaking of prophecy of the Antichrist notice also second Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 3 to 4 let no one in any way deceive you for he will not come unless the apostasy comes first there will be a spiritual falling away in the latter days I'll tell you we are seeing that unfolding even now that must come first and then it says then the men of lawlessness will be filled the son of destruction who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called God or object to worship so that he takes his seat in the temple of God displaying himself as being God he was take holy will seize the temple he will put an image of himself in the holiest of holy places and of course Israel is gonna be so incensed and insulted at such a thing that they will break forth against him and that is the very reason he does it because then all hell breaks loose in the Battle of Armageddon but it's interesting this is a side note but it's interesting that there are many in Islam today that who believe in what is called the 12th Imam not all in Islam believe this but there are many who do they believe that a 12th Imam will arise as an anointed leader or ruler who is to come and will be a great spiritual savior who will rule over the world from Jerusalem for seven years that is just absolutely fascinating because there are parallels in the scripture which warn of such a leader there are many similarities to the Antichrist in those verses in that prophecy so I also see that in many ways now look at the current situation with this pandemic this virus I believe that in many ways it is also setting the stage for the Antichrist because you now can easily see that it's quite possible to bring economic disaster upon the world and the whole world very quickly you can see then how it sets up the stage for one who will arise who can solve world problems because the world and the entire world can get into economic chaos very very rapidly and a virus pandemic is one of the great ways for that to be done so the Antichrist arises as a leader who can solve the unsolvable many who are hungry many who are out of work many who to survive they will do whatever they can do they will look for whatever answer they can find and we also know that the Antichrist in those days when he arises will be able to control buying and selling this will be important see this will be necessary because of the economic disaster in the world and so he must control the buying one of the reasons and we've seen it recently so as to control panic buying such as such as we have seen with toilet paper the whole toilet paper panic buying thing I've never quite understood I mentioned in a earlier pastors note about when Matthew and I were flying back from Africa humorous side note here Pastor Matthew and I were coming back from Africa and we were on the plane and there was hardly anyone on the plane so we're just chit-chatting with the flight attendants and you know making humorous comments and jokes and at one point I came out of the restroom and one of the flight attendants said now you you didn't figure pockets with toilet paper and so I had to make a joke oh yeah I came on that flight skinny but I'm gonna wrap myself and Dola paper and I'm gonna go off looking like the Michelin Man you know that's my point is this though that the the Antichrist in the latter days must control buying and selling and then it tells us this it's important to recognize there will be a Great Tribulation it leads to Great Tribulation Jesus said at that time there will be a Great Tribulation such has not occurred since the beginning of the world and never shall again occur this tribulation will be so great he says that unless those days have been cut short no life would be saved but for the sake of Israel those days will be cut short he says that's how devastating it is if this Great Tribulation seven year period of time to come as prophesied in the Book of Daniel specifically seven years in duration it's the time when the Lord's wrath it's called the the day of the Lord the day when the Lord's wrath is poured out on the earth some suggests that this was fulfilled in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed but the world has seen much worse days than that know the Great Tribulation also known as the day the Lord will be something that the world has not yet ever seen it will be so devastating much of the book of Revelation describes the various aspects of God's wrath being poured out on the world in those latter days now some have wondered I have heard in read articles and people who wonder whether this coronavirus could possibly be that which is represented by the fourth Horsemen of the Apocalypse when a fourth of mankind is destroyed upon the earth now you can see that it's certainly well could be a pandemic or a plague of some kind that doesn't but is this that which is the fourth horse of the Apocalypse I say no it is not no one it is not but more on that later in another message but I want to go back to Luke 21 and see how to apply it because here's what Jesus is also showing us out of these verses very personal he's giving us these things for a reason be encouraged and be ready that's why he gives these things be encouraged and be ready see he wants you to understand and to discern which is why he gives you these things in advance see when you read about all the things and how terrible those days would be what tragic events God has in store for the world and then you see what's happening in the world today man it would be very easy to become discouraged but Jesus said do not let your heart be discouraged do not let yourself be terrified or do not let yourself be anxious he said do not let your heart be troubled don't allow fear to rule your hearts but he also gives the events beyond these tragedies to see that our God sits on the throne over all the earth see your faith is strengthened when you see the big picture of it all he sits over the throne numbers of the earth and his plan for us is to overcome he who overcomes he says over and over in the book of Revelation it means to be strong in your faith to be victorious in your faith so he wants you to be ready be encouraged be ready be on the alert that's why he tells you the signs of the times in advance but it's also encouraging when you know this great truth it's important to recognize we the church are not destined to for wrath see the Great Tribulation Period I spoke of which is to come upon the world is called the wrath of God the day of the Lord and it is not intended for the church the bride she put it in that perspective the Bride of Christ is not destined for wrath see in verse 21 of Luke 21 Jesus tells those who are in Judea flee to the mountains during this time of tribulation in other words there will be some things specific to Israel at that time and there will be two things happening at the same time when the Antichrist will bring all those nations that under his power to attack Israel secondly there will be natural and cataclysmic events that will be occurring in the world the the leading up to this will be seen in the signs of the times but it will be cataclysmic during the tribulation but the church the bride is not destined for the wrath of God because the wrath that we deserved has already fallen on Christ that's a beautiful promise right first Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 1 to 11 but I wanted you just to recognize read those verses sometimes it says God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus that is a promise to hold on to see how will how will we be saved from the wrath of God answered by the rapture of the church the rapture of the church is a beautiful beautiful picture it's important to recognize he says that the the church is taken up or caught up with the Lord in the air I'm gonna read that to you in 1st thessalonians chapter 4 verses 13 to 17 we do not want you to be uninformed brethren about those who are asleep so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so God will bring with them those who have fallen asleep in Jesus for this we say to you by the word of the Lord that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ will rise first then we who are alive and remain will be caught up and that's where we get the word rapture it's the Latin for caught up with were together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord so this is the application he says I'm telling you thing these things in advance so that you would be ready what does it mean to be ready means this be alive be ready be alive in Christ he told them to be on the alert there are many scriptures that say the same be ready be on the alert first of all by understanding that in the latter days the love of many will grow cold make sure that your love does not grow cold make sure that there is a fire that burns as there's a revival in your heart that's how you will be ready for the unfolding of the events of the latter days he describes the second Timothy chapter 3 he describes what the condition of the world will be in those days but would you read this and look at the world around us I'm telling you when you read this list of things you can see him right now in the world what's this second Timothy chapter three realized this he wrote that in the last days difficult times will come for men will be lovers of self lovers of money boastful arrogant revilers disobedient to parents or we ever seen that today ungrateful unholy unloving irreconcilable malicious gossips without self-control brutal haters of good treacherous reckless conceited lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God I'm telling you we are seeing those things even now in the world you know when John the Baptist when he made people ready for the coming of the Lord to be prepared for the Lord what did he do he called them to renew their relationship to the Lord he called them to repentance he called them to revival see one of the things we've seen over and over in Scripture is that God wants your heart to be alive it's described as the highest the foremost of all the things that God has ever said to love with all of your heart to love God with all of your heart soul mind and strength that is the very definition of revival when there is that love when there is a desire when there's a longing for the nearness of God that is revival and that's what it means to be ready for the unfolding of the events of the latter days secondly God wants us to discern see how do you be ready number one find revival number two watch watch for the sign discern the signs of the times because Jesus rebuked those Jewish leaders who has seen the signs right before their eyes but refused to believe in the same way he's saying to us watch watch what you see happening in the world these are the unfolding of a that are leading into the latter days be ready be alert have revival in your heart but be watchful for these are the signs of the times he says that I want you to discern but now be ready by falling in love with God all over again let's pray father thank you so much we love your heart that pursues us pursues relationship to us you give us these things in advance behold I tell you in advance these things God you've told us in advance for a reason not only so that we could discern the signs of the times those things that are happening globally those things that are happening in Israel but also so that we would find faith that we would be encouraged that we would find revival and God I want to pray for the church I want to just pray right now as I extend my hand to the church God just to pray over the church wherever they may be in their homes or even driving in the car or wherever they are at this moment could I pray that you pour out your Holy Spirit to encourage the church to strengthen faith in the church not to have anxiety or fear or worry but also God I'm asking I'm praying for the church that the church with fine revival and means that the church would fall in love with you all over again God I'm praying that even in the extra time that people have now that they would seek you then worship from their heart they draw near father we are so thankful for the love that you have oh how you have pursued us and you are pursuing the church even now Oh God by your Holy Spirit poor life poor life poor life out upon the church we give you thanks we give you honor and glory for all that you're doing in us today in Jesus powerful name and everyone said at home or wherever you are amen and amen

Channel: Calvary Chapel Worship Center - Hillsboro, Oregon

Views: 2,028

Rating: 4.9024391 out of 5

Keywords: The Bible, God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy, Pastor Rich Jones, Pastor Matthew Dodd, Calvary Chapel, Faith, Grace, Revival, Truth, Prayer, Salvation, Calvary Chapel Hillsboro, Matthew, Numbers, Church, Christian, Jesus Return

Id: hXj6m6wWim0

Length: 42min 32sec (2552 seconds)

Published: Sun Apr 19 2020