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Today we are going to continue our series through the book of Daniel, and we arrive at Daniel chapter 7. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Daniel 7.

It allows you to have good cross-reference as we look at the verses together. You know, life is really hard and we all need a little motivation isn't it?

There's a little girl who went to her daddy and said, "Dad, can you play with me?" And Daddy says, "I would love to dear, but I've got work to do, give me an hour and I'll play with you." And the little girl says, "All right, when you're done with your work, I will reward you with a big hug." Daddy had a little smile and said, "Thank you dear, really appreciate that." She was walking out of the room and she decided to make a U-turn, go back to Daddy and then gave Daddy a big hug. And Daddy was surprised. "Darling, I thought you told me you will give me a hug after I finished my work?" The little girl says, "Yes, but I just wanted you to know what you can look forward to." This little girl understands motivation.

Our God wants us also to know what we can look forward to at the end of our lives. You see, as Christians, as followers of Jesus, life can be very difficult. There are challenges, there are trials, there are tribulations, there is work to be done. But God wants us to know that at the end of it all, there's someone you can look forward to, and there's a warm embrace, awaiting us at the end of life's journey.

That's why in the Bible, God gives us prophecy. God gives us teachings about the future, what we can look forward to. Do you know that for every one verse in the Bible about the first coming of Jesus Christ, there are 8 verses about the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?

So be clear, God wants you to know about your promised future. God wants to encourage you in a journey of life.
That's why I think God gave Daniel prophecies.

You see, Daniel lived in a very difficult period. Israel was captive to Babylonians for 70 years, and they may be tempted to give up, they may be tempted to doubt God. And so God says to them in effect, through the prophecies, "Don't you worry, I'll be coming back for you."

As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say, "I'll be back." All right? Maybe not in the right.. same way.

But God wants them to know for sure, "I'll be there for you. I'll be here for you. I'll be coming back for you." So that's the context by which we look at Daniel 7.

Last week we noticed that Daniel 7 begins with a scene of a tempest or a storm. There are raging waves. There is great distress and confusion and convulsions, and all this is a picture of a chaotic humanity. Man is living in chaos. There is violence, there is turmoil, and out of the chaotic humanity arises four major world empires.

You may be puzzling.. It may be puzzling to you for those who are here for the first time, but if you want to find out why this creature is a picture of Babylon, you would have to check out last Sunday's message. But these are the four great empires that arise out of world history. You have the Babylonians, followed by the Medo-Persians, and then the Greeks, and eventually the Romans, and these are what we call the beast nations. God pictures these kingdoms as beasts, violent, ferocious, plenty of bloodshed and unrest. This is the result of a chaotic humanity. But you see, these are kingdoms of the past.


Well, there is something here about the future and it is encapsulated in a story of the ten horns. This tells us that in the future that is to come, we do not know when, but it will come.

In the Roman Empire, there will see a revival, and it will then be led by ten Kings. These will form a confederacy, a loose kingdom. And from these ten horns, there will arise another horn, and this little horn initially is small, but it speaks of great things. It has the eyes of a man, it grows and increases in influence, it topples three other horns or three other kings, and eventually becomes the dominant one.

Now, the Bible tells us eventually that this is the first mention of the person of the Antichrist. He will be a world ruler who stands in opposition against God, he will wear out the saints, he persecutes Christians, and so the vision that Daniel had is a rather depressing one, don't you think? Chaotic humanity falls, fierce kingdoms, the ten kingdoms..  Ten kings in the final revived Roman Empire, and the Antichrist that persecutes God's people. It's all very depressing. But that's not the final chapter of life.

Timestamp 0:05:13.0


As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flame; its wheels were burning fire.
(Daniel 7:9 ESV)


It is hard, but that's not the state it will be forevermore, because Daniel now shifts his attention to verse 9, where he says, "As I looked, thrones were placed, and the ancient of days took his seat."

It's almost like a TV show? You look at all the animals from the Earth. These are chaotic empires. But that's not the end, because the camera pans to the heavenly scene where the ancient of days sits on His throne. Now, the ancient of days here refers to God, and I'll suggest to you in particular, the. So the ancient of days here, is God the Father. Now this term, this title, given to God is not a common one.

We are familiar with God the Father, El-Shaddai, we're familiar with Jehovah, we're familiar with Elohim. These are the various names and titles of God. "Ancient of Days" is not very familiar to a lot of you, a lot of us. But it is not unknown, and in fact, many songwriters understand it. Can you give me a song that captures the name the "Ancient of Days"? One song is "O worship the King". Remember the song? We used to sing it in our church.

[O worship the King]

O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.


(Pastor sings) O worship the King.. Okay and you go on. O glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love, our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days. Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise. Another song that has "Ancient of Days" is "Come, thou Almighty King".

[Come, Thou Almighty King]

Come, Thou Almighty King,
Help us Thy name to sing,
Help us to praise.
Father, all glorious,
O'er all victorious,
Come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.



(Pastor sings) Come thou almighty King.. and then you go on. Father, all glorious, over all victorious, come reign over us, Ancient of Days. So the scene shifts from humanity, from chaos, to glory, divinity, to the Ancient of Days. The description of God the Father here is startling.


As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flame; its wheels were burning fire.
(Daniel 7:9 ESV)


It says here, "His clothing was white as snow. The hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, his wheels were burning fire."

Without much of an interpretation, I think you would see that this is a picture of absolute holiness, purity, and of judgment, and then it goes on.

A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
(Daniel 7:10 ESV)

A stream of fire issued and came out from before him. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court sat in judgment and the books were opened. So this is a picture of God the Father presiding over jurisdiction, having a judgment. You say judge what? Judge the humanity; judge the kingdoms that came before.


And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.
(Daniel 7:11 ESV)

Therefore, in verse 11, we say, "And as I looked, the beast, the horrific looking beast, was killed." That kingdom that sheds blood, that causes violence that is full of sin, it is killed. It is decisively dealt with and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.

So Daniel tells us that all the sufferings, all the pain, all the persecution of this world will be for a season, but it is not the final chapter. There is glory, there is holiness, there is righteousness and judgment at the end of it all.

A little boy was reading something and Daddy came and said, "What are you reading?" He says, “I'm reading the Bible.” The father is very happy, "Wow! You're reading the Bible! Which part of the Bible are you reading?" "I'm reading the book of Revelation." The father is very amazed, "Do you understand the book of Revelation?" "Of course, I do!" "Huh, you do? What is the book of revelation about?" the Dad asked. "Don't you know, Daddy? Revelation is about how God will win."

And I thought that's a very good summary of the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is about how God will win. The book of Daniel is also about how God will win. So, out of all the humanity, out of all the beastly kingdoms, there is no king who will last.

No kingdom that is good enough. So you have a collapse of Nebuchadnezzar, you have a collapse of Belshazzar, you have a collapse of Cyrus, you have a collapse of Alexander the Great. The Caesars won't be the king; the Antichrist will not be the king, who then is worthy to be king? Who then is worthy to rule God's people? What will his kingdom be like?


I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
(Daniel 7:13-14 ESV)


The question is answered in Verse 13 where it says now, "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man."


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I want you to take note of this name, or this title, "Son of Man". Jesus has 300 names or titles given to him in the Bible, that's a lot.

For most of us, just a few. Maybe Lim Kim Guan, Lin Jing Yuan Jason and Ah Teey (Hokkien for pig), Ah Gao (Hokkien for dog, commonly used as a nickname in the past) whatever lah.

You can have just a few names, but in the Bible there are some 300 names given to the Lord Jesus Christ. Guess which name does he use most for himself? Which name does Jesus Christ use most for himself? (Silence in congregation) Aiya, aiya.. (colloquial language to express lament) so easy. There's no trick question here. Now we call Jesus mostly by the name Jesus Christ, or Lord Jesus Christ.

But in the Bible, the name he uses most for himself is "the Son of Man". There is only one Old Testament reference to Jesus, the Son of Man, and that is here in Daniel 7, only one.

But in the New Testament, Jesus calls himself "Son of Man" 84 times. He's almost like saying, "The prophecy in Daniel about me is really really important. Go study it!"

I mean, he keeps saying, "I'm the Son of Man, Son of Man, Son of Man." And people will be asking, "What is the Son of Man?" Go read Daniel chapter 7. It's really important. "I want to be known as the Son of man."

Why? You see, the context in Daniel 7 as you've heard, is that amongst men, there is no worthy king. Amongst men, there will be none who can rule God's people in righteousness and holiness. Not Nebuchadnezzar, neither the Antichrist. They are all to be eliminated, but there is only one, and that is God's son.

So the message in Daniel 7 is that the Son of God became the Son of Man. He became God incarnate, God-man, so that he may rule men, he may redeem men, and he may be the King of God's creation. So he will be the one who will receive the kingdom and the glory, because the Son of Man became man to die for our sins. So, the Son of God, becoming the Son of Man, and he will receive the kingdom.

So when you understand the title "Son of Man" from Daniel's context, that he is to be the one who receive glory, it makes a difference when you read the New Testament. It did for me. When I understand what does it mean to be the Son of Man, when I look at the Bible, the Gospels, the New Testament about the term, "Son of Man", it comes with fresh insights.


And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
(Matthew 8:20 ESV)




For example, in Matthew 8:20, Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." This is an absolute contradiction. He is to be the one who receives the kingdom, and the glory, and the dominion, and the honour, and yet he has nowhere to lay his head!

And here we are, as the people of God, wanting to enrich ourselves in this world. The King of glory, and who will be the King for all eternity, left it all and came to serve and, eventually, to die for us. He's the Son of Man, Daniel 7 - full of glory. But now it is first coming, he gave up His life. That's why also, when you come to Matthew chapter 9..


But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins he then said to the paralytic "Rise, pick up your bed and go home."
(Matthew 9:6 ESV)



I'm showing you verses from Matthew. There are other verses in Luke and Mark and John, but in Matthew 9 he says, "That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive you." You say, "Why does he have authority?" Very simple. Look at Daniel 7; he's going to be the king! Of course he has authority to forgive sins. So you see, when you read the Bible in this way, it comes across with fresh insights and light.

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
(Matthew 13:41-43 ESV)


And we see in Matthew 13, "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

Sometimes we don't like to talk about God's wrath. Ahh.. God is a God of love. But this is a passage that tells us, when Jesus comes again the second time, he will demonstrate his wrath upon those who will not believe in him. There will be a judgment. This King is not a slipshod King. He is a righteous King, He is a holy King. He's a King who will judge, and there will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth in the fiery furnace.


Timestamp 0:15:04.7


He is a God of absolute holiness, and we are to fear this God, we are to love this God, and we're also to fear this God.


The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men
(Matthew 17:22 ESV)


The Son of Man, however, in his first coming, is about to be delivered into the hands of men. The King of glory will subject himself into the hands of wicked men.


Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
(Matthew 20:28 ESV)


For what? To redeem us from our sins, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom, as a payment for many.


Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(Matthew 24:30 ESV)


And so we see, "Then will appear in heaven," This refers to the second coming of Christ, "the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Of course, he will come in power and great glory. Look at Daniel chapter 7; he will be the one who will fulfill the prophecy in Daniel chapter 7. Now, this is interesting.



But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
(Matthew 26:63-64 ESV)


The priest met with the Lord Jesus Christ and said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." And Jesus said to him, you have said so, “Yes, but I tell you from now on you will see the Son of Man."

He still won't let go of this title, you see, because this is a title familiar to the Jews, that he will be the coming King! The Son of God has become the Son of Man, in order for the sons of men, to become the sons of God. He came to die, to redeem us, that he may be our King. So this is the term, "Son of Man".

I hope in the future when you read through the Gospels, you look at it in a fresh new pair of lenses.

And so the beast nations will be judged, the fourth beast to be killed, who is going to be the King? Son of Man.


And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
(Daniel 7:14 ESV)



And so we see, "and to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom." This is a unique kingdom, because this is the kingdom of absolute authority, no voting required, no democracy, absolute monarchy. God, Christ, will rule in absolute power, this is what the Bible says.

No matter how powerful Nebuchadnezzar was, or Caesar was, they never had a kingdom of absolute rule. And this is not just an absolute rule in terms of outward obedience. There is an inward reverence, adoration, and awe. The word here "glory" is also the word "honour".

So, there will be an absolute honour and glory and adoration of Jesus Christ. They follow him, not just on the outside, but they adore him on the inside. And this kingdom, lastly, is an everlasting dominion.

Babylon was short-term, the Greeks were short-term, Antichrist is short-term, but the rule of Jesus Christ is forevermore. That's why He is worthy to be King.


But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.'
(Daniel 7:18 ESV)


And the benefit of it all, the joy and the glory of it all, not only is that we will be with our Lord, but the Bible tells you, "The saints of the most high shall receive the kingdom". You and I, who have repented and believed in Jesus, will come to the embrace.

Life is hard. We have challenges, but God wants us to know, in this prophecy, that there will come a day that we will be with him, we will possess the kingdom forevermore.

So this is a panoramic view of Daniel chapter 7. The question now is, “When will Jesus come?

If all these things will only be realized when he comes again, when will Jesus come? Isn't that the question of the day? How we all wish we know when Jesus is going to come. Is it.. 2014, October 21st? I don't know, nobody does. When is he gonna come? Throughout history, people have always tried to guess when he's gonna come. In fact, when the disciples were with Jesus, they asked him this question.


As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
(Matthew 24:3 ESV)



"Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? How do we know you're coming again? When are you going to come?" That's the gnawing question in their hearts, and after Jesus was resurrected, when they were with him, you know, they came and bugged him with the same question.



So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
(Acts 1:6 ESV)


"Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? Is it now?" You know, it's like a little kid, can't wait to go Disneyland or can't wait to have his ice cream. Is it now? Is it now? And they asked Jesus, "When is the time?"

As I've mentioned, Christians, and church leaders, from the time of the Lord till today, have always tried to predict the day Jesus returns, but maybe the most popular or most famous man, who has tried to do so, of course, unsuccessfully, would be this man Harold Camping.


Timestamp 0:20:07.1

By the way, he just passed away, I think one or two years ago. Harold Camping even at his advanced age, he predicted that Jesus will return on 21st May 2011, and many of his followers absolutely believed him. So you see campaigns such as this, "Judgment day, May 21st. Cry mightily unto God. The Bible guarantees it."

What a bad statement to make, because of course, Jesus didn't come. Because if he had come and we're still here, we're in trouble right? So Jesus had not come, but he predicted it, and there were campaigns, people put up ads on newspaper, banners, they would put decals on the cars, "Return of Christ. May 21st, save the date." They put it on their buses and everywhere.

Now did Jesus come on this day? No. So what did Harold Camping do? He said, "Well, I made a little miscalculation. So the actual date is not May 21st, but it is October 21st, 2011." But again, Jesus didn't come.

So eventually, in May.. No not in May, in 2012, Harold Camping had to come up, come out and admit that, the rapture prediction was a sinful statement. He says, "I was wrong. God didn't say so. I gave a wrong prediction."

But you know what? The damage is already done. What has happened is, these are some of the activities or fates of those who followed and believed Harold Camping.

A man spent most of his retirement savings, well over a half million dollars, taking out full-page newspaper ads with doomsday warnings.

Another, many of his followers sold their possessions and quit their jobs, saying, "Why bother to work if Jesus is coming on this day? Actually, no need to work already lah. I tie my salary to be enough, or my savings enough to be on the day. So they quit their jobs, they sold their possessions, and like I said, “We budgeted everything, so that on May 21st, we won't have anything left.” "两手空空” [liang2 shou3 kong1 kong1, empty-handed in Mandarin) faster to meet the Lord isn't it?”

He abandoned music, quit his job, and essentially put his life on hold for 4 years. So he heard about this prophecy, he decided this is true, and I'll just stop my life as it were, and it had cost him friends and created a rift between some members of his family.


A 38-year-old tractor trailer driver, took a road trip with his family to see the Grand Canyon before the world ended, and he said, "With maxed out credit cards and a growing mountain of bills," he said, "The rapture would have been a relief." I'm not sure whether he could repay all that he's racked up over this time.

But you see, this is what happens when we try to predict a date. You ask, "Why doesn't God give us a date?" Could he have told the date? Sure. But he wouldn't, because maybe this is the way we would have reacted in our sinful, selfish lives.

We would have stopped working. We'd have stopped pursuing relationships and godliness. We would have been irresponsible in the way we spend. We would have been paralyzed, or we would have just been thrown into a panic mode. And that's what happens for some.

"Apocalypse Later" is a documentary, taken by someone who followed Harold Camping in his preaching tours, and in this documentary, it reveals people who show a sense of hopelessness and sorrow as people from within Camping's community.

Knowing the day Jesus returns caused them to be living in panic and sorrow, and there were people crying in the front row of the church, fear and sadness painted the faces of those who believed they were upon their final days.

I applaud, I thank God for his wisdom in not letting us know, because if he were to tell you, "Tomorrow will be the last day", maybe you won't be in church today. Maybe you will scold your boss yesterday. Maybe you would have walked out on a lot of things in life. You may be trembling in your fear this morning, and you couldn't hear God's word. That's why he doesn't tell us, because we may not know how to respond to it well.

Nevertheless, Harold Camping gave a prediction that is not right. Why? Because the Bible clearly tells us, “You cannot know. You will not know.”


But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
(Matthew 24:36 ESV)


There's never a chance in a million anyone of us here will know the day he comes, because he.. Jesus already says, "Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son."

Timestamp 0:25:01.5


What a statement! Even Jesus Christ, while he was here on earth as God-man, as the Son of Man, didn't know. And here Harold Camping says, "I know." Quite "zai" (colloquial way of saying impressive) ah he. Better than the Son of Man. Now, you can't you know. You won't know.


He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
(Acts 1:7 ESV)


In fact, Jesus also said to his disciples, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority."

So, when will Jesus come? Answer to you, "We don't know, only the Father knows."

But you say, "Eh, but pastor, not quite true, I think I do know when Jesus is gonna come. Didn't you just preach last Sunday that there will be the Babylonians, the Medo-Persians, the Greeks, and then the Roman Empire? Didn't you tell us that there will be a revised date of Rome, whereby there will be ten Kings, and after the ten Kings, there will be the Antichrist, and then only after that, will the Son of Man come, because as in a dream about the statute, it's only after the ten toes will there be the stone from the mountain, carved out without hands that will smashed everything up into smithereens. So it has to be after the ten toes, ten horns, the Antichrist."

I say, "You are absolutely right. I'm glad you're listening." But you see, whilst you may know the general period when.. by which Jesus will come, no one knows the exact period. In fact, it is really interesting when I study it is this. In Daniel 12, you'll see that there is an addition of another 30 days, another 75 days. So, in other words, there is an unknown period even after all this. That's why nobody would know the precise day or hour.


But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
(Matthew 24:36 ESV)


That's what Jesus meant, "concerning that day and hour no one knows." Generally we know it will be after the tribulation. We know it will be after the revealing of the Antichrist.


Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
(Matthew 24:44 ESV)


But exactly when, precisely when, no one knows, and so you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The next question I foresee in your head right now is, "Hey, why wait so long, why cannot come earlier? Wah, the earth is so big.. I mean, this world is such a painful world. So why doesn't Jesus come immediately?" In fact, I would dare to say, "Why didn't he come earlier? Why do we have to wait?"

And there are people today who seized upon this and (say), "Ahh.. Look at Jesus, he says he's coming back, but it's been 2000 years. He's a liar. He's not real. There is no such thing as Jesus Christ, God!"

So, this is the question, "Why doesn't Jesus come earlier?" Is he powerless to come? Is he forgetful? Or does he let his promise fall? I suggest to you, there are two very good, biblical reasons why Jesus has not yet come.


1. Sin to be full
The first reason is a.. In a sense, rather negative one. In a sense. But let me try to clarify it later on.


And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe."
(Revelation 14:15 ESV)


Revelation 14 tells us, "And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle, and reap," This is a picture of those who will be harvesting.

When do you reap? When it's premature? Of course not. You reap when the crops are ready. So he says, "This is the time. Take your sickle, reap, for the hour to reap has come," It is mature; it is full for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.

The imagery here is that the world is not yet ripe for harvesting. The measure of sin is not yet full. But there will come a day where this world will be absolutely filled up to its measure of sin, and that's the time when God will judge.

You see, that's the time when God will pour out his righteous wrath and judgment upon an absolutely sinful world. You say, "Is this new?" I say, "It is not new, it has happened before, some thousands of years ago. If you remember in Genesis 6." In recent days, there is this movie called "Noah" that is quite popular. It's as far.. I have not watched it. But as far as I've read it, it is full of inaccuracies. But the Bible tells us, the accurate picture of the times of Noah. Why did God come? Why did God judge? Why didn't he judge earlier? Why couldn't he wait? Because this is a time where the measure of sin is full.


Timestamp 0:29:57.5

The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
(Genesis 6:5 ESV)



The Bible says, "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth," and look at the words after that. It's absolutely depressing. "Every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

We sorrow at a state like this, but let me tell you, when Jesus comes again, it will be like this, because just as the days of Noah, so shall the days of the coming of the Son of Man.


So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens.."
(Genesis 6:7 ESV)


There will be absolute wickedness, measure of sin will be full, the earth is ripe, the sickle is ready to fall, and so we read in Genesis 6, God will blot out man, and when he does so, let me tell you this, he's absolutely just and righteous to do so because we are guilty as charged.


And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
(Genesis 6:13 ESV)


There is no unrighteousness with God, the measure of sin is full, and "I've determined to make an end of all the flesh, for the earth is filled with violence."

So why not now, why wait? Because number 1, he's waiting for sin to be full that his judgment will be absolutely seen as perfectly righteous, and the full measure of his wrath, his power, his holiness will be demonstrated.

Yesterday, with the better-half leaders, there was a very good question. They asked, "Pastor, why is it that there will be a millennium for those who are not Christians?" Basically, we believe that after the time of great trials or pain, we call this the great tribulation, when Jesus returns, there will usher in a period of a thousand year reign. That's why we call it the millennium.

This thousand-year reign is when Jesus is ruling as King with his saints. He will be the ruler, we will be his co-regions, it is a time of absolute peace, of righteousness.

Why? Because Satan, during this one thousand years, is bound. He cannot wreck havoc. So it's a great period of time. But, the Bible also tells us, at the end of the thousand years, the devil will be unleashed and there'll be great chaos, once again, sinfulness again.

And so I was asked, "Why do we need the millennium? Why can't it be that when Jesus comes at his second coming, just introduce us straight into the new heavens and new earth? Why the millennium?

It's a good question, because I don't think the Bible gives me a direct answer to that. But let me suggest to you why.

I think God is allowing the millennium to show forth the incorrigible wickedness and depravity of human hearts, that when Jesus is the ruler, when the devil is bound, when the kingdom is all first led by believers, that there can be a possibility at the end of the thousand years, when the devil is unleashed, that men and women would choose to follow the devil and not submit to God.

I mean we often say, "Wah, how can Adam and Eve sin against God? They were in paradise! They had everything! How could they choose to eat that fruit?" I tell you, in a millennium, it will be a replay, except that you will be with multitudes of people.

And I think throughout human history, God is allowing humanity to be in chaos to show forth the incorrigible wickedness of man.

You see, that's why Noah's time was allowed to gravitate to such a state. That's why during Israel's time, there was never going to be a king that can lead them to everlasting righteousness. That's why God allows the times of the Gentiles, the Babylonians, the Medo-Persians, the Antichrist, and I think that's why God allows the millennium. So that all mouths will be stopped, and when the new heavens and new earth come, the people of God rejoice in Jesus Christ our King.

The measure of sin, the drama of sin, is intended to magnify the glory of God. And that's why it is what it is.


2. Salvation for more
But there's a second reason. Not only to show forth the righteousness and holiness of God, but the reason why God is waiting today is to show forth his grace and compassion to those who are lost.

You see, it is for the salvation of more to come. I did not think of this, the Scripture tells you in 2 Peter chapter 3, why is the Lord not coming yet?


The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 ESV)


That's the question, and Peter says the Lord is not slow. First of all, don't think that he is tardy. Don't think that he's a slow coach. No, the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but why is he not coming?

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a.  Salvation
Because he's patient, he's waiting, he's calling, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Why? Because, He's waiting for your father to come to Christ. He's waiting for your neighbour to come to Christ. He's waiting for your children to come to Christ. He's waiting. Yes, there is a sense in which the measure of sin is waiting to be filled, but there's a sense in which he's calling his people to himself, and if he comes today, the window of opportunity may just be shut tight.

But he tarries, so that this window of opportunity is given to you and I to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that people may repent and believe in His Son.

So, we read, why did God take so long to send the flood? You know how long it took? 120 years. For what? Waited, He waited; I suggest to you, he did not wait for Noah to build the ark. He could have helped Noah.


Because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
(1 Peter 3:20 ESV)


But he waited so that souls may have an opportunity to come to Jesus Christ. Our God is an amazing God of mercy and compassion.

The holiness and wrath and judgment of God, the mercy and compassion and grace in our God, amazing! But if you don't understand these biblical reasons, you may start to scoff. You may start to ridicule God, and that's what this man did. His name is Bertrand Russell. Quite a well-known atheist, very persuasive in his arguments, but of course, flawed, and he wrote this book "Why I am not a Christian", and the reason why he says he's not a Christian is, by the way, several, but one of the reasons he gave was that Jesus is not true to his Word. He said He's coming, but He is not gonna come, because it's been 2000 years, He is not going to come. So for that reason, I don't believe in God.



Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming?
(2 Peter 3:3 ESV)


You say, "Are there people like this?" Plenty, because the Scriptures already says, "Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires, and they will say, "Where is the promise of his coming?"" So people today, by the way, they know Jesus died on the cross, and many people know today, Christians and the Bible teaches that Jesus will come again. But nobody gives a hoot, don't you think? They don't care, because they say, "Ah, He won't come. Where is the promise of his coming?"


For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(Matthew 24:37-39 ESV)


And I tell you this is right according to Scripture because, for as the days of Noah, so will the coming of the Son of Man. Now in what way is the days of Noah, likely to be similar to the days of the coming of Jesus?

Well, number 1; I think we'll be full of sin. Number 2, look at this, in what way is it similar?


For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage
(Matthew 24:37-39 ESV)


It goes on to say, "For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage," In other words, life continues as per normal. Status quo. "Hey! Jesus is coming leh!" "No, no, no, don't worry. Let's eat and drink. Let's eat our lamb chops and steaks, and let's marry and give our daughters to marriage." Life carries on as per normal. That was what happened in the worst time.


For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(Matthew 24:37-39 ESV)


That is what happens.. Will happen in our time or in the future, and the Bible goes on to say, "Until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came.

So they were absolutely caught off-guard. You may think that they're preparing for the rain. Nobody did. No one gave a hoot.

You say, "Aiya, Pastor you can't be so harsh on the people of Noah's days. They don't know, God spoke to Noah, they didn't hear from God. Of course they didn't know. Of course they were surprised."

Is that true? No. The Bible tells us in 2 Peter chapter 2, that Noah was a preacher of righteousness. Yes, he was like a carpenter, a shipbuilder. He built this ark in 120 years, but at the very same time as he was building; I believe he was also preaching. He was like a psych, you know. I mean, he must be the joke of the day. In fact, the joke of the century. 120 years.

Everybody must be wondering, "What is this silly man doing? He talks about the flood where there is no rain. I mean, it is ridiculous! Go see his family!" And I think if people go holiday, they will go to his house, and then they will take their iPhone and take a selfie.

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"Look at me with Noah at the back. Silly man at the back, crazy man at the back." Facebook post, Instagrams, all about Noah. Times Magazine, CNN will come and report, "Noah, what are you doing ah?" "I'm building an ark because there's going to be a flood." "HAHAH!" and people would.. I'm sure he's a world-renowned figure, because he's the only man who will do something like this.

Yet the Bible tells us, they didn't know. Not because they didn't hear, but they didn't take it to heart. The Bible tells us, they did not obey.

It's one thing, folks, to hear God's Word and another thing to obey. This morning, you come, you hear God's Word is one thing, but it's another thing for you to obey.

It's one thing for you to know Jesus is the Son of God, who became the Son of Man to die for your sins, but it's another thing for you to obey in a sense of repenting and believing in Jesus.

They did not obey. Therefore, when the floods came, they were caught unawares. Absolutely off-guard, and it will be so when Jesus comes again.


Let me try to think of what you're thinking right now. Maybe you're not a Christian yet, and you've been hearing the Bible, the Gospel preached, and you say, "Alright, I know Jesus is the Saviour, and I need to believe in Him in order to be saved, but maybe I don't have to believe yet. Let me enjoy my sinful life first, but when the signs come, when the signs of the Antichrist, the ten Kings come, then I believe, can a not?" Wah, you want to time your investment very "zhun" (colloquial way of saying accurately) ah? You want to time your entrance into the market very accurately. You say, "Can I time at that time?"

I tell you, you are playing with fire. Why? It's not just about you deciding. There is a spiritual dynamic behind it.


The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 ESV)


In 2 Thessalonians it says here, "The coming of the lawless one," This is another name for the Antichrist. So, this refers to the end times, the tribulation times, "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan."

So there is a satanic empowerment of this political figure, "with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing," So he will deceive, he's a good deceiver. But he is successful in deceiving also because; look at this, because they, who are the people, left. "They refused to love the truth and so, to be saved. Therefore. God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false."

So you say, "I'm going to wait till the signs come then I believe." I tell you, you may not be able to believe then, because there will be a strong. It’s not just a weak one; it's a strong delusion, so that you may believe, not what is true, but what is false.

By the way, I think even in our day and age, there are people already who are believing what is false, and they will not be persuaded by Scripture. So, don't play with fire.

"So pastor, what should be our response? Thank you for sharing with me a panoramic view of the end times, but what has it got to do with my life today?" I suggest to you a few things, and I hope you take it to heart, so that you're not just a hearer, but you'll be obeying God's Word.

Number 1, or rather, this is the overarching principle.


Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
(Matthew 24:44 ESV)


"Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." The Bible tells you to be ready. In other words, you live with a sense of preparedness and anticipation. You say, "How can I prepare?" For those of you who are here for the first time, or if you do not know Jesus, I say the best way to prepare is for you to be saved.

In other words, you must recognize that Jesus is the Son of God, who became the Son of Man in order for the sons of man to become the sons of God.

You must believe that he is God who became man in order to die for our sins and redeem us. You must believe that he rose again and he will rule one day, and I need to repent of my sins and believe in his finished work.

I need to be unlike the people in Noah's time, who hears this message of salvation.. and I need to obey. I need to realize that there will be a time where strong delusions will be sent, and I need to trust him today, and not till that day. My friends, whilst the kingdom of God for those who are saints will be forever, the fires of hell are also forever to those who refuse to believe.


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Can I urge you this morning, turn from your sin and believe in Jesus Christ. I'm not asking you to come to church, I'm not asking you to be saying, "I'm born in a Christian home, therefore, I'm saved." I'm saying to you, you need to repent and personally believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He's coming again, He will come, and He will receive us to Himself, or we will be sent into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Are you ready for that day? Believe in Christ today.

I realized too, that there are many Christians in this room, and I want to speak to you.

b.  Sanctification
A second way by which you need to be ready is in the realm of sanctification. What.. Now what's this big word? Well, the word, "sanctification" means to be made like God. To be less like the world, to be more like God. To be cut off from the world, but to be more like God. In other words, it's living a life of godliness and holiness.


The night is far-gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
(Romans 13:12 ESV)


This is what the Scripture has to say, "The night is far gone." “Hey, you say Jesus is going to come, but I think it's still a long time away.” No, no, no. The Bible says, "The night is far gone."

By the way, when this was written, this was written 2000 years ago, almost. And Paul is already saying, it's going to be dawn. Now we are even nearer to dawn than when he wrote it. How much more we got to be serious, to "cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light".

He says, "Please, stop wearing your pyjamas, it's.. in Chinese, "太阳晒到屁股了” [tai3 yang2 shai1 dao4 pi3 gu3 le1". The sunbeams are already shining on your butt, get up! Dress up! Live in the light, stop living in sin!

When Jesus comes, we certainly won't want to be caught in our sin, hating someone in our hearts, having bitterness and unforgiveness, treasuring pornography, being jealous of others, covetous and living for the here and now.

We certainly won't want to be that, isn't it? So he says, "Be ready. It's time. Get up, change your clothes, put off the works of darkness, stop living in sin, put on the armour of light."


For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night..
Let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
(1 Thessalonians 5:2,8 ESV)


It's also very clear in 1 Thessalonians, "Let us be sober." Many people live drunken lives. Just can't have a sense that Jesus is coming, you're not prepared.

It's like tomorrow is your exam and you're still drinking the way.. until you're dead drunk the night before. It's almost like tomorrow is going to be your wedding day, but you're still sleeping around. Just doesn't gel, doesn't work!

And he's saying, "Be sober!" If you know that Jesus is coming again, live every day in the light of His return. Put on faith, put on love, have the helmet of hope. Be a people who love one another.


Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
(2 Peter 3:11-12 ESV)


Peter says it even more clearly, "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved," you know all your buildings, all your house, all your real estate, all your money, it's all going to be gone.

Then what I am to pursue? He says, "What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of the Lord." How do I live in preparedness? It's here. Live godly lives, holy lives.


And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself, as he is pure.
(1 John 3:3 ESV)


And everyone who thus hopes in Him, Jesus thus purifies himself, as he is pure. You know why? Because Jesus is pure. My friends, if some of you are going to get married, you know, your husband-to-be is waiting for you, you don't go around sleeping around isn't it? You keep yourself pure. We keep ourselves pure, for Jesus sake.

There's a man who walked into a classroom, and he said to the class, "The next time I come, I'm not gonna tell you when, but the next time I come, and I see your desk.. the one who has the cleanest desk will get a prize, a present from me." He walked away, and one of the girls says, “Oh, I want to win that prize, so I'll have the cleanest desk. Her friends then laughed at her, "You never have a clean desk, you're always so messy." She says, "Don't worry, I will clean up my desk every time on Monday now. The classmates then say, "But what if he comes on Friday?" You say, "Wah yeah, that's a good point." "Okay I'll clean my desk every day.. every morning then." Then a friend says, "But what if he comes in the evening?" And she says, "Alright, I need to keep my desk clean every time, all the time."


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I suggest to you, that's the right way to live our lives. You don't get godly only on Sunday; you live pure lives everyday, pursuing godliness and holiness. That's what God desires for you to do.

Practically, what does it look like? Well, there are many ways by which you pursue godliness, but one practical point I want to highlight to you is in Hebrews 10, because there's a direct reference to the coming of the Lord.


And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
(Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)


"And let us consider how.. think about this,” he says. Think, consider, all right, don't just do it because someone else tells you to do it or don't do it because you've never thought about it.

He says, "Consider. Think about this. How to stir up one another to love and good works. Think about others. How to help them in spirituality, how to help them in growing in godliness, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some." There's some here who won't meet. And sad to say it has become a habit.

But that's not sober living, that's drunken living, and he goes on to say, "but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

But most of us focus on the first part, we forget the second part. But the motivation for community groups in the Gospel is because Jesus is coming again and I need to be ready when he returns. I need to help my brothers and sisters to be ready, and that's why I care.

You see, care groups or community groups in our church are not to "la kopi" (hokkien for stir coffee/gossiping and relaxing) "lim teh" (hokkien for drink tea), talk about stocks and soccer. Now, not saying you can't, but if that's all that you do, please tell me which CG you're from, I will kill the CG leader.

You say, "Provoke to love and good works." Now, there's nothing wrong with talking about the things of life. But if that is all that you do, you have missed the point.

It is preparation for the Lord's return. Don't be caught off guard. When I was in the Army, you have what they call "the red alert". You know that? Okay, for those are not men, you won’t know what was "red alert"?

"Red alert" was when they sound the siren and we're supposed to be ready in a given amount of time. How do we get ready when I was in the "red alert" kind of standby? You know what we did? We'd wear our boots to sleep. I wear my uniform to sleep. I put all my equipment before beside me, because when the alarm sounds, I'm absolutely ready. Ever ready.

That is what we're to be, and number 1 area for you to be ready is not so much for you to go to Africa to share the Gospel. I say to you, number 1 is your life today- Godliness, holiness, sanctification.

c.  Stewardness
But there is more. The Bible also tells us that the second coming of Christ inspires us to better stewardship. The word "stewardship" means, I am entrusted with God's resources, not for myself, but for his kingdom.


Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, engage in business until I come.'
(Luke 19:13 ESV)


I'm a steward, and this point is very obvious if you look at the Gospels, for example, Jesus gave this parable, this story, calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, some kind of a currency, and said to him, "Engage in business until I come."

In other words, be diligent about your work. I've given you gifts; I've given you talents, time, energy. Engage all these resources I have given you, go do business, because I'm going to come back for you. I'm going to come back and there will be an accounting of all that I've given you, so be good stewards.

You see, people today, when we lose sight that Jesus is coming again, we start to live for ourselves. We call this CBT right, we take our master's money, which is for his business and we use it for ourselves. We think that the money we earn today is for us. We think that the time God has given us is for me. We think that everything is revolving around me, but he says, “No, this is for the kingdom.”


"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
(Matthew 24:45-46 ESV)


And if you know that I'm coming back for you, don't be slack, but as he says in another passage, "Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?"

God is making you a steward to dispense to those in need. And so, the coming of Christ inspires us, it should motivate us to live a radical, giving, generous life and it's not about me thinking about how I need to enrich myself. You say, "But Pastor, how am I going to live? How am I going to take care of my needs?"


Timestamp 0:54:56.6

"Don't you know what Jesus said? Seek ye the first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." But you see, we have gotten it the wrong way around.

We say, "I need to make sure these things are added unto me, then I'll give a little to others." The Gospel doesn't call you to do that. The Gospel calls you to live a radical, giving life, then he provides for your needs.

However, churches today like to tell you it's all about you. I said, my friends, it's not about you, it's for the kingdom.

Radical giving - for the Gospel ministry. Radical service - for disciple making.

Is that what we are about? Is that what you are about? What do you dream of? My friends, when Jesus comes, our faults, our passions, our desires will all be revealed.


so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed..... remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
(Luke 17:30-33 ESV)


Look at this warning, "so it will be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed." This will be what happens. Remember Lot's wife? Who is Lot? Lot is a man who lived in the terrible cities called Sodom and Gomorrah. His wife was with him for many years.

God was going to judge this wicked city, and so God delivered Lot and his family out. But while God could bring Lot's wife out of Sodom, he did not bring Sodom out of Lot's wife. So when she went out, her heart was still back in Sodom, she wanted the life in Sodom, she wanted, somehow, the lifestyle there. She turned back and God turned her into a pillar of salt, as a remembrance, as a reminder, as a warning to all of us today.

The Bible says, "Whosoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it." You say, "Why does this church preach about giving and surrender and sacrifice?" I tell you why, because this is the reality, in God's kingdom. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it.

In fact, other passages tell us you will be rewarded big time, not only in the time to come, but on this earth. Many, many fold, and why do we do all this? Because the Son of Man will come for us soon.

Are you prepared? How's your life? How's your stewardship?

Finally, I think the second coming of Christ impacts us when we go through sufferings. It strengthens you and it gives you a steely determination for going through pain.


You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
(James 5:8 ESV)



This is what James says, "You also, be patient. Establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

I'm told that in Nanjing, China, there's a business owner who got feedback from his customers that they needed a place to cry, and so he set up this place called the "cry bar" where people who want to cry, pay $6 and you can cry in his bar.

I suggest to you in heaven, there will never be a cry bar, because God will wipe away all tears, and all the sufferings, and the sorrows, and the pains and the tribulations you go through today will be a story of the past when we get to heaven, where there is joy everlasting in the presence of our God, and as you look to that state, this is what allows you to endure and be steadfast through it all.

My friends, I don't have a promise as I always say in this church, that God must heal you. I don't have a promise in the Scripture that God will definitely turn your son's medical condition around. I don't have a promise that everything that is difficult will be made easy.

No, but I know this promise, that everything will make sense when we see God face to face, and all that we go through, the momentary light affliction, works for us a greater weight of glory in heavens. Don't look to the here and now only, look to the day when Jesus comes.

A man was walking in the institution for mentally handicapped children. They suffer, it's not easy, and he walked by a windowpane where there are some marks on the windows. He asked the in-charge, "Why are there so many marks on this window?" The in-charge says, "This is where the children would press their hands. These are fingerprints. This is where the children will press their hands on the windowpane and look [out] up into the sky, because they're waiting for the Son of Man to return."


Timestamp 0:59:56.3


My friends, do you have that windowpane of life to look out to when Jesus returns? Daniel 7 is a motivating chapter. It tells you, it begins with chaos, it begins with depression.


But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever."
(Daniel 7:18 ESV)


It begins with violence, but it ends off with glory, and I end with this verse, "But the saints of the most high shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and.."

I just love this last phrase. We always say, forever and ever. That's about it. But it's almost like God is emphasizing the point, what you go through today, while you're going through Babylon for 70 years, what is it in the light of forever, forever and ever.

All the labor we do for the Lord today, all the pains and sufferings we go through, what is it when it is compared to forever, forever and ever?

My friends, are you ready for the King's return? May God bless His word to your hearts.

Let's bow for a word of prayer together.

The Bible tells us of an amazing reality. This is not a daydream, this is not a wish. It is full of teachings about the second coming of Christ.

Why? Because God wants you to know what awaits you at the end of your life. If you today are a child of God, I ask you today to search your heart.

Am I ready for my Lord's return? Would you hear those words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into my rest?" O my friends, he loves you, and I believe that's why the Scriptures are given to us this morning. Let us not be hearers, but let us be doers. Let us obey, obey in the way we pursue godliness. Obey in the way we steward our resources, and let us obey, when we are going through the hardships of life. May God speak to your heart today, in a way he only can.

But if you're here today and you do not know Jesus, Jesus is the Son of God, who became the Son of Man, so that the sons of men can become the sons of God. Amazing grace, that out of his free mercy, he would sacrifice His Son to redeem us from our sin and to bring us to the holy God. None of us could get there by ourselves. We are all gone astray. But here is the gentle Shepherd, coming in his first coming, laying down his life, having nowhere to lay his head, delivered by the hands of wicked men, to the cruel cross of Calvary.

It was for me he died. It was for you he died. Would you obey? Would you turn from sin and believe in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? He can come anytime, and frankly, you can die anytime. Today is the day of salvation, would you turn and believe? May God bless your heart as you consider these things.

Father, we thank You for this morning and thank You for Your Word. We pray Jesus will be so dear to us that in the light of His coming, the orientation of our lives will radically change. May we have loyal, faith-filled, authentic discipleship to Jesus. And may You be pleased this morning to save, and to draw people to Yourself. We are grateful. We ask Your spirit to work in our hearts. We pray all this now in Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

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