We are at the end of a very different four part study on End Times where we have been focusing, not so much on the chronological events of the Last Days (meaning just before the Tribulation period), but on the current and potentially upcoming events and trends in our world right now—which are clear, tell-tale signs of major prophetic incidents coming the Tribulation. Things which, by nature and prophetic declaration, have their beginning roots revealed before the Tribulation begins. Thus far we have studied these clear, unmistakable signs from prophecy in our generation: 1) the single-most important event prophetically since the death and resurrection of Jesus: the return of Israel as a nation which has started the clock ticking on the last generation of history. 2) the seemingly unavoidable war between Israel, Iran, Russia and a Middle East Alliance of anti-Israel nations which could be pushed into reality very soon with Iran being at the brink of nuclear power and Russia in a deep military and economic alliance with Iran—having joint forces with Iran, Syria and others at the Northern doorstep of Israel right now. 3) the preparations for a third Temple are all but complete and the intentions to do so are at a peak right now. 4) the moral and religious conditions of our country and our entire world have exponentially changed in a single generation with fear, anarchy, complete moral debauchery, selfishness, pride, narcissism, and godlessness, representing a world against God—a "Great Falling Away" as never before in history. Next, according to the descriptions of Jesus, let's look at evidence which must begin in occurrence as the last days approach an end.

We are in Part 3 of a series concerning End Times Prophecies...But this series is NOT simply about...Chronologically walking through the events of the Last Days...
As we have done in the past... And will do again in the future.
 
This series is intended to make us...Aware of the things happening around us everyday...Right now! To make us watchful of the things which...
WILL BE HAPPENING... At least in part... In the near future! If we are truly living in the End Days.
 
Because a number of Events which occur just before... Or in the beginning of... The Tribulation Period...Are so huge... So UNMISTAKABLE...That their beginnings MUST be apparent...Long before they come to fruition!

We had begun a study of things we should be looking for in our lifetimes if we are indeed living in the last days, which must at least have their beginnings before—or just into the start—of the Tribulation. We should be actively, expectantly looking for these things from a solid scriptural basis with great expectation because such a large portion of the scriptures are used to explain the events to come. Because time and again, scriptures tell us: "To keep watch… for these things that will begin to happen!" Because Jesus gave one of His longest sermons in all three synoptic gospels, and John wrote an entire book telling us of the "Signs for which we are to watch," and encouraging us to actively be looking: Luke 21:28, 31, 36. In our last study, we recognized that none of these signs would matter unless the single most important key had been revealed—the return of Israel to her own land, because everything which happens in the End Times involves Israel as the center stage, and because one of the biggest reasons for this entire time of Tribulation is to bring Israel to repentance and redemption. We also looked at the coming war of Gog, from the land of Magog with all his alliance in the last days, moving against Israel near the beginning of the Tribulation in the last days—which we seem to be witnessing with incredible accuracy today involving Russia, Iran, Israel and other Middle East nations—perfectly fitted to the last detail with prophecies over 2500yrs old. Today, we will look at another event which must at least have its roots of origin before the Tribulation begins in order for the prophecies of the End Times to occur as written: the rebuilding of the Third Temple.

The world around us is changing in major ways...And at incredible speeds!
Technology & information are exploding exponentially. Changing and shaping our world almost daily. Religious and moral views are shifting rapidly worldwide...
Bringing radical changes in our social, cultural, & legal norms.
 
Fears and threats of...Food and energy shortages...Global weather changes and natural disasters...And more emerging infectious diseases...Fill headlines and news reports daily.
 
Wars, threats of wars, and shifting nation alignments...Bring new instability in many parts of the world.
 
Some of the most well-meaning Christians today...Will take every piece of news... Or fake news... Which comes out...And try to distort or exaggerate it…To fit another Biblical prophecy...Or give another presumed date of Christ's Return!
Often bringing discredit to God's Word...And bringing constant fear and anxiety to believers!

This message will change your life or offend you. Others don’t know what you’ve been through, but you don’t know what they’ve been through either. We are going to let the message introduce itself as we study today.
Let's start with a well known Parable of Jesus which He taught during the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus is talking about the very foundation of a man or woman—what supports everything they build their very life upon—and He says that His principles and ways are like an immovable rock that cannot be shaken, but that if we build on anything else it is like the sand and we will fall. To fully grasp what we will be discussing today, let's first answer this question: Why does sand fail as a foundation? When rain and floodwaters come, what happens to the sandy foundation? Parts of it wash away with the current and the remaining foundation is moved and shaped by the flow of the water until it's shifted, washed out, weakened state no longer holds. A sandy foundation is constantly effected by the outside forces surrounding it.

We have spent the last four weeks in a Series...Dedicated to giving a Biblically solid beginning to New Christians! Because even with good intentions...We often fall short of giving new believers a proper start...In their New Life with Christ!
 
Today we will cover one last subject...Which seems to be the biggest issue for Christians old & new...In our CURRENT culture!...And that is... "Exactly what is the Church's role?" And, "WHY is it important that I even attend?"
 
We have become an increasingly "recluse" society...Able to socialize, shop, play, study and work…From our own homes! Due to this trend... Along with the lingering impact of Covid...Many people legitimately question WHY...They cannot do the same thing with their FAITH!

We are in the fourth and most practical part of our five-part series, which has been designed to introduce, and disciple new Christians in their walk with Jesus Christ; to bring newcomers up to speed with our series. Thus far we have studied: 1) exactly what happens when we "accept Christ" as our Savior (because it is a much bigger picture than most realize.) 2) what our new identity becomes through Jesus—the love, worth, oneness—He died to lavish on us. 3) Sin—what it really is, why it is so horrible, and how to resist it. Now we will study something that will be of tremendous help to most Christians, new and old today. We will place Scriptures into a contextual guideline to give practical, literal steps to take in establishing the new life God would have us to live on our new journey with Him because it is natural to feel intimidated and overwhelmed when making a decision that changes the entire course of your life. Truth be told, many of us "long time" Christians will benefit greatly from this study because a number of us have simply been existing, rather than growing and thriving in His salvation. So far, we have gone deep into how our hearts and souls should change after salvation. Now, we will explore very practical ways in which our thoughts, actions, and very life should follow.

Has anyone ever done an a DNA test? I recently read about a Pastor in Rockville, Maryland--Jay Speights—who took one of these tests to learn of his heritage. After learning about his DNA, he followed up on branches of his family tree to find relatives. He discovered that he actually had royal blood in his veins all along, and was the "Royal Descendant" of King Deka in the Country of Benin, of West Africa (13.7 million people). The pastor traveled to Benin to see his new found family, and was met at the airport with dancing and music. He was later enthroned, given crowns and a white robe to signify the work he had been doing as a "Holy man." He was then given a new name by his family—Videkon Deka—which means, "the child who came back." Pastor Speights said, "I thought I was going to go, hang out with the family, do some sightseeing, but this is something else."

We are in the third week of a Series called, "I Have Decided!" Designed to firmly root a New Disciple of Jesus... A New Convert...In their Whole New World of Knowing and Serving Christ!
 
Probably more times than not... A new Christian…Is often left to flounder and wonder...What did I just do?...How have I changed?...Where do I go from here to please Him?
 
With many falling into dark, selfish twists of Doctrine today...And many others... Never learning Who Christ really is... Never learning how to draw close to Him, or trust Him...And because they are not deeply connected and rooted in Him...
They quickly go back to the world for their comfort and joy!
 
Jesus COMMANDED us to DISCIPLE others... Not just get DECISIONS! He Called us to teach and grow His Beloveds…In His Love and Ways!
 
Many here today as brand new Christians... Or after many years...Have never received that foundational direction ourselves! Much less... Feeling we know where to start in discipling another!
 
Thus far... Our Study has revealed:
 
Exactly what it really means to "Accept Christ!"
What our "NEW IDENTITY" becomes as a Beloved of Christ...
As a New Child of God's Kingdom!
Bought with His Very Own Blood... In Love!

Let me ask all of you... If you had the same experience I had when you came to know Christ?!
 
I had many people talking to me about…"Accepting Christ as my Savior"... For a long time! But once I DID actually believe and trust Jesus as my Savior...
I DIDN'T have...Many of those same people...To lead, disciple, or teach me about what I was to do next! Or stress to me…Just how utterly life-altering this decision was to be...By drastically changing everything about...How I viewed life, thought about myself and others!
 
It was kind of like, "Whew!  He's safe!... Now let's focus on the next one!"
The "lucky ones" sometimes get the training of..."Now go read your Bible... Start in the Book of John!"
 
It's not that people don't care at all!! Some just feel that once you are saved, God will show you the way...And others don't feel they have the knowledge or maturity...And still others... Just aren't able to commit to the time and effort!