The End is Closer than Ever

1. Introduction
   1. I remember hearing many times throughout the years that the end is drawing near. But most of all, all of these things according to God were nothing but birth pains.
   2. In Matthew 25:1-13, we see the virgins that filled their lamps, and those that didn’t. Those that were watching and those that weren’t.
   3. That’s what is happening today in the Christian world. Nobody is watching. Only a few. Today is a day that we need to be vigilant, praying, watching and meditating on God’s Word.
   4. Knowing that the end truly is drawing near as we’re seeing not only wars and rumors of wars, but we’re seeing the actual buildup and preparing the way for the Lord’s triumphant return.
   5. Make no mistake about it saints. You can think all that you want about how you think God is stalling his time or it’s not of any interest until something devastating happens, but I tell you now that you need to start studying your bible and reading your bible for there is nothing being done today that has not been done from old, just in a more modernized way today.
   6. Nothing can be further from the truth when someone says they heard so many times that the Lord is coming that it is so ridiculously foolish to believe such a thing.
   7. Others have gone on to believing other things involving themselves in cults, much like when Moses went up to get the 10 commandments and came down and found the Israelites building a calf.
   8. The modern world is once again building the calf and soon the Lord will be coming to strike it down and melt it quickly.
   9. Luke 12:40: Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
   10. The Christian world is mesmerized and hypnotized by all of the things that have gone on since 325 AD. Nothing has really changed from then to now.
   11. People are still writing new chapters to the bible, adding and subtracting, making you believe that theologians are making it easier for us to understand, while deceiving themselves and us, and telling us that those of old didn’t know what they were saying and they have to revise and make things clear.
   12. When I tell you that even Jesus himself if he were here would be mystified by those who’ve altered his word and changed it and tried to modernize it and make people believe that they’re trying to make the word of God clear and more understandable,
   13. But what they don’t realize is that they are going against God’s Word by adding and subtracting every time they write a new bible.
   14. Revelation 22:18-19: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
   15. It’s very clear that those who have altered this book that was inspired – the inerrant word of God by holy men who wrote as the Holy Spirit directed them.
   16. The bible declares that man is the destruction of man. Matthew 15:19: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness blasphemies: This is the day and age in which we live, the nighttime dispensation.
   17. Jesus will not be coming on a myriad of clouds. He’ll be coming as a thief in the night, for you and me.
   18. The world who doesn’t know him & the Christians that think they know him will be looking upon the daytime when they think the Lord has come for them
   19. But the bible says that the true believers – Jesus will come as a thief in the night. 1st Thessalonians 5:2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
   20. When you read scripture, studying God’s Word, this is how you prepare for the end that’s drawing near.
   21. Now let us look into our message.

The End is Closer than Ever

2. When we talk about the end in light of our message, how do you summarize what you know and don’t know about the end that’s drawing near?
   1. There are many scriptures that give us clues about the time of the end. For example, we are warned of false prophets and false messiah’s coming on the scene. Matthew 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. We are seeing this more and more.
   2. By the way, anyone that comes around with the title of prophet in this day and age is already a false one according to Hebrews 1:1 and 2. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Now if someone comes bringing a word of edification, exhortation and comfort and that word lines up with scripture, you can receive it, but if they proclaim to be a prophet, we just read the truth about that.
   3. We are warned of earthquakes and natural disasters which are increasing more and more. Luke 21:11: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. We are seeing more and more of these things in our day.
   4. We are told of a famine of hearing the Word of God. Amos 6:11: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: In a day and age when people go to church and hear messages with barely a scripture in it, we are seeing that famine of the word. This is why when you ask a simple bible question, many Christians are not able to answer it. We need to change this!
3. Have you ever read scripture? Though hearing scripture is different from digesting scripture which means you must do research to find truth.
   1. Jesus said that we should search the scriptures, because they testify of Him. John 5:39: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. The entire bible from Genesis to Revelation testifies about Jesus, so to get to know Him, we need to search the scriptures.
   2. To find truth, we must not take one or two verses and make a doctrine out of them. We must study the bible, line upon line, precept upon precept, here and there a little. Isaiah 28:10: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: This is how we study God’s Word to get to know who He is and what His Will is for our life.
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4. Why did Jesus say I am the way, the truth and the life?
   1. There are many today who say that all faiths lead to God and all paths lead to heaven. However, Jesus said in John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. We look at this verse often, but let’s unpack it a little bit.
   2. Jesus said I am the way. The way to heaven is a narrow road. Matthew 7:14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. The path to eternal life is a narrow gate. Jesus is the only way. If you miss the turn, the divine GPS won’t be able to say “recalculating route.” It will tell you to take a U turn.
   3. Jesus said I am the truth. John 8:32: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Once you receive the truth that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and surrender your life to Jesus Christ, confessing Him as Lord of your life, you are free indeed!
   4. Finally, Jesus said I am the life. John 10:10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. In these last days, the devil is out to steal, kill and destroy, and Jesus is still the way, the truth, and the abundant life for me and you who have received Him as Lord and Savior.
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5. Why did Jesus say I will come as a thief in the night?
   1. Jesus gives an illustration of this at length in Matthew 24:42-44: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Jesus is coming as a thief in the night because nobody is watching. Everyone is going about their business, doing whatever they want to do, but when we least expect it, that trumpet will sound, and you and I who truly know and serve Jesus Christ will be taken to Glory!
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6. What’re your thoughts about studying God’s Word? Are you preparing with God’s Word for the end that’s drawing near?
   1. We need to meditate on God’s Word and hide it in our hearts more and more as we see the end drawing near. Psalm 119:10-11: With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. When we don’t study God’s Word we are not prepared for what is to come and we will be drifting and wandering like a lost sheep carried out to sea.
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7. What preparations have you made? Maybe you’ve done nothing.
   1. Are you studying God’s Word as it says in 2^nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. I use this verse a lot because it is what we are all supposed to be doing as Christians. It’s the only way we can truly know who God is and be prepared for what is coming in these last days.
   2. Are you a Berean, checking out what you hear? Acts 17:11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Don’t ever take what you hear from this pulpit and assume that it is correct. Always check it out with God’s Word.
   3. Are you going out and telling people about Jesus? Luke 14:23: And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. We are all called to do the work of an evangelist. No one is exempt. Are you doing this? If not, it’s about time you start.

8. If Jesus were to come right now, do you feel that you’d be prepared for the triumphant face-to-face meeting with your Lord and Savior?
   1. It is always a good idea to examine ourselves to make sure that we are walking as close to the Lord as we can. 2nd Corinthians 13:5: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Take a look at your life. Is there a difference from the way you lived before coming to Christ compared to now? Are you becoming more and more like Him, or more like the world?
   2. It is important to remember that you and I who are saved, will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. 2nd Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. As I often say, it is here that we will give an account of what we did, what we should have done, and what we didn’t do at all.

1. Don’t be one of the ones that says “Lord, Lord” and he says he didn’t know you at all. Matthew 7:21-23: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. It all comes down to the condition of your heart. You can look like a saint on the outside, but on the inside be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Does your heart truly belong to Jesus? Do the works on the outside reflect an inward love relationship between you and the Lord? Think about it.

9. Are you even concerned for yourself and others?
   1. Are you evangelizing? Are you sharing your testimony? Revelation 12:11:  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Your testimony can be the difference between someone receiving salvation, or spending eternity separated from God.
   2. Or are you just laying on your laurels saying I’m saved. Isn’t that enough? James 2:18: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. If you are truly saved, you’ll want to be out evangelizing and telling people about Christ, and living the life as an example to them.
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10. People are deceived.
    1. They read the bible like a good story but the true believers read God’s Word, research God’s Word, look at it line upon line and precept upon precept, and contend for God’s Word.
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11. Is it enough just to believe and say I’m a Christian?
    1. I encourage you to examine yourself. Believing isn’t enough. Just saying I have faith isn’t enough either.
    2. Believing in faith, knowing faith and then living by faith is where you and I meet the rubber of the road.
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12. The world is trying to deceive you and me by all of the things that are multiplying on a daily basis, captivating our attention by negativity.
    1. Cults are rising up everywhere. People wandering and wondering, hoping and praying when all they need to do is turn to God’s Word. Matthew 24:24: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. We are seeing this more and more in our day.
    2. Churches are closing. People are being disbursed. A lessening desire to fulfill the great commission, to burn the midnight oil, to study scripture. Luke 18:8: I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?  
    3. The world wants to make the world great again, but you and I who are only in the world, just passing through the world must realize that the world is the enemy of Christ. The righteousness of God is who we are in Christ.
13. The True Story of the Hymn I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
    1. As we see the end approaching, let us renew our commitment and decide to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
    2. I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ is a Christian hymn originating from India. The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Garo, Assam.
    3. About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales. As a result of this, many missionaries came to north-east India to spread the Gospel.
    4. The region known as Assam was comprised of hundreds of tribes who were primitive and aggressive head-hunters.
    5. Into these hostile and aggressive communities, came a group of missionaries from the American Baptist Missions spreading the message of love, peace and hope in Jesus Christ.
    6. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children.
    7. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity.
    8. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man said: “I have decided to follow Jesus.”
    9. Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
    10. But the man replied: “Though no one joins me, still I will follow.”
    11. The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death.
    12. Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”
    13. In the face of death the man said the final memorable lines:
    14. “The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back.”
    15. He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place.
    16. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago?
    17. There must be some remarkable power behind the family’s faith, and I too want to taste that faith.”
    18. In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

1. The song is based on the last words of Nokseng, a man from Garo tribe of Assam (now Meghalaya and some in Assam), India. It is today the song of the Garo people.
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14. Conclusion
    1. How has this message touched you? Has it caused you to step it up, read, pray, prepare for the return of our Lord which is closer than ever?
    2. I want you to think about this and pray on this. I want you to think to yourself Why did I become a Christian? Am I truly living for God? Or just holding the title and badge that says Christianity across my chest?
    3. Are you looking on the things of others more than yourself? Are you being led astray by every wind of doctrine that comes your way? Are you listening to others who just paraphrase and give opinions rather than Godly edifying through faith in His Word?
    4. Prepare ye the way of the Lord for as he says in Revelation 22:20: He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.