Habakkuk 1:1-6 – It’s Sooner Than We Think – Bible study

Habakkuk 1:1-6 Its Sooner than We Think This morning, I preached some thoughts as to why I believe the coming of Jesus is not only imminent but soon. No, the Bible does not say that Jesus is coming soon. That is what I think and what I believe. I listed several reasons this morning. 1. Because of the Bibles teaching on imminent return of Jesus. It could happen at any minute. 2. Because of miraculous re-birth of the nation of Israel. a. Israel could be the fig tree that buds. b. If so, God will finish everything before that generation passes away. 3. Because of the technology of today. a. The technology of television gives the world the ability to watch the two witnesses die and lie in the streets of Jerusalem in real time. b. The AI technology makes it possible for man to bring an image to life. c. RFID technology makes it possible for access to be granted or denied based on whatever criterial the powers that be desired. 4. Because of the mindset of today. a. Regardless of the reason, people seem to be accepting and wanting restrictions of who can and cannot. b. That is a mindset the anti-Christ will use. Tonight, I want to give you three more reason I believe that Jesus coming is not just imminent but soon. I. I believe the coming of Jesus could be soon because of the prophesied re-alignment of the nations. A. In the books of Daniel and Revelation, you will see the reference to ten toes, ten horns, and ten crowns. 1. \#Dan 2:41-42\ speak of the end time kingdom having ten toes. 2. \#Dan 7:7, 20, 24, Rev 12:3, 17:3, 7, 12, 16\ all speak of ten horns. 3. \#Rev 13:1\ speaks of the ten horns and the ten crowns. B. We do not have to guess what they mean because they are interpreted for us. Da 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise Re 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 1. At some point, the world is to be restructured into 10 kingdoms, unions, nations, or regions. 2. \#Dan 7:8\ tells that the anti-Christ will rise up out of the ten horns, the ten kingdoms. Da 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. 3. That would mean the ten kingdoms come BEFORE the anti- Christ. a. I am not saying that I have all of the answers. b. I do not know if there are only ten world powers or leaders when the anti-Christ comes to power of if only 10 are important and responsible for putting him into power. c. But I am saying that somehow 10 kingdoms or powers exists and the anti-Christ will come from them so ten powers must stand out above the others. C. Something will make this prophecy come to pass, and it looks to me that it could be an world-wide economic collapse. 1. I know I am no authority on economics, but it seems to me that our economic world could collapse at any moment. a. Houses that were worth $35,000 18 months ago are not worth $100,000. (I know this personally.) b. Lumber that cost $32.00 18 months ago, now costs $59.00 today, and it was as high as $75. (I know this personally.) c. A 2×4 that cost $3.75 18 months ago, now costs $6.50. (I know this personally.) 2. Shelves that were stocked 18 months ago, now are at best 3/4s stocked. Items that I could have picked up off of any local shelf 18 months ago, are now iffy and in some stations, not possible. (I know this personally.) 3. And now there is talk of another lockdown, at least among the blue states. a. Dr. Fauci (Fowl che) says he does not think another lockdown will be necessary, but that may not stop it from happening. b. But if there is: (1) Our international shipping arrives at ports of blue states. (2) Some of our biggest manufacturing states are blue states. (3) Some of our computer chip producing states are blue states. (4) Some of our biggest agricultural states are blue states. c. If blue states shut down again, the nation and the whole world will be impacted. 4. Some of our existing world unions have been on the verge of breaking apart for decades now. a. The European Union has been cracking under its debt and non-productivity for over half if its existence. Britain, the main production and wealth center of the EU, finally pulled out of the EU in 2020. (1) The EU was not born in 1993. (2) Britain started talking about pulling out in 2013, just twenty years after getting in! (3) It took them seven years to figure out to do it and as I recalled, they never did. (4) They pulled out. b. The US is no better. (1) In 40 years, the US has gone from having a balanced budget to being the most indebted country in the world, which also makes it the most indebted country in the history of the world. (2) To be honest, there is no country of power and standing which is not carrying the burden of substantial debt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_external_debt (3) The economy of the every major nation in the world is built on credit and pretend wealth. c. And it should be noted that most of the current figures do not show the impact of the last 18 months of lockdowns have had on the nations. D. There is a limit as to how much any economy can stand until it collapses. 1. Had it not been for the artificial controls and stops built into our stock market, it would have collapsed in 2008, just as badly or worse than the collapse of the 1930s. 2. Since that time, the stock market has been on a tear, breaking record after record, and to be honest, I still dont understand why. a. My thought is if you can created artificial stops to keep you from going down, they can also created artificial steps to get you to climb higher. b. They call those "bubbles." c. Since our nation is dependent upon other nations for food, medicines, and materials, c. I wonder if there will not come a huge fall soon, a fall that will effect the political and economic powers of the world! E. All of this seems to me to be sitting us up for a collapse that I think will not just effect the United States but the entire world and usher in a New World Order. II. I believe the coming of Jesus could be soon because this world is forcing God to judge it. A. Let me put this is the simplest terms: 1. This world is wicked. 2. The church is powerless. 3. So God will have to do something. B. I will elaborate a little: 1. The world is wicked. a. I can only think of two Biblical commands or principals that we may not be violating. (1) I do not think sex and prostitution has become an accepted part of our mainstream religions. (2) We do not actually offer living babies on the altars to pagan deities. b. Outside of those two, we do it all, and we do it with mockery, joy, and derision. (1) We laugh at Gods marriage. (2) We attempt to change the sexes of Gods creations. (3) We are violent, rebellious, drug addicted, given to pleasure, blasphemous, and riotous. (4) We are the people of Romans 1. c. We have forgotten that God has destroyed civilizations who were better than us. (1) I guess we are even worse than that. (2) I guess we dont believe God ever judged any of those other nations. (3) I guess we dont believe there is a God at all. 2. The church is powerless. a. This has bothered me in my lifetime more than any other thing. b. The church is to be a mighty force for God in this world. Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Acts 2;42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (1) Ive read the Bible and some history. (a) That is what it should be. (b) That is what it has been. (c) But that is not what it is. (2) We are "the salt that has lost his savour, and are thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. c. I have been the edge of the Jordan with my mantle, slapped it against the waters, and cried, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" until my arms grew weak and my voice grew hoarse. The waters never parted. d. I do not blame others. This is my calling and time as much as it is anyone else. (1) When was the last fire of revival? (2) When did we last see a moving of the Holy Spirit? (3) When did we last see souls getting saved in numbers? (4) When did the church last have zeal, knowledge, conviction, authority? e. I do not know why we are powerless. (1) Is it us? I acknowledge most Christians today are not of the same caliber as yester-year. (2) But at the same time, at no time have Christians without the conviction of the Holy Ghost ever been much. (3) It is the working of the Holy Spirit that gave Christians their caliber. (4) If the Holy Ghost is not manifesting Himself in power, we are not going to be much. f. So I say again, Christians seem to be powerless. 3. So God must judge us. a. Notice Habakkuk. (1) \#Hab 1:1-4\ This man is crying out over his powerlessness! (a) \#2\ I cry, you are not hearing! (b) I cry, and you are not saving. (c) \#3\ Why even show me truth if you are going to do something about it? (d) \#4\ The Law (the Word of God) is being ignored and judgment (the hand of God) is not doing anything about it! (2) \#Hab 1:5\ God says, "I am about to do something you will not believe!" and God goes on to describe the coming judgment. b. When Gods people lose their power, it is not a reason for the world to rejoice. c. It is a reason for the world to tremble for it likely means that God is about to do a work Himself! d. I believe the very powerlessness of the righteous is an indication that Gods judgment is about to fall. e. Remember Lot. 2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (1) Lot was called righteous by God. (2) We like to think of Lot as a compromiser and perhaps he was, but God says he was both righteous and vexed over the wickedness going on around him. (3) Why didnt he do something about it? (a) I think he did. (b) He just did not have power. (4) So God stepped in. III. I believe Gods judgment is near because Gods purposes may be almost complete. Hab 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? A. Habakkuk asked, "Why are you holding your tongue? Why are you not doing something?" 1. That is a good question. 2. What would cause God to hold judgment? B. May I suggest two reasons? 1. God wants the lost to be saved and the saved to do right. Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. a. I cannot say God gives it to everyman, because He does not. b. But to some, God gives every opportunity to do right. c. That may be Gods purpose. 2. God waits for the wickedness of man to FILL UP. Ro 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Ge 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. Maybe the cup of His wrath is about full already.