Revelation 1:19 – The Things That Shall Be – Bible study

Rev 1:19 The Things That Shall Be \#19\ the things that shall be hereafter." I wish to do something a bit different this morning. I want to speculate with you on some things that I believe the future holds. DISCLAIMER: I am not a prophet. I have no gift of seeing the future. I am just a preacher that has been around for awhile and I see how things happen. I would like to share some things that I believe will happen. Just so you know, I am not going to make all of this up out of thin air. We are going to start with the Bible. The Bible tells us some things that definitely will happen. You will see them written directly in the Scripture. These things are absolute. They will happen. What I am going to speculate upon is HOW what the Bible says might come to pass from here. The event will come to pass, maybe not now, maybe not the way I think, but it will come to pass none-the-less. There is one more disclaimer. While there is no doubt the things the Bible says are going to come to pass, no man knows WHEN they will come to pass. The things that I am speaking of this morning may happen in 2012 or they may not happen for years, but they will happen. I. Evil will increase. A. That evil will increase in this world is undeniable for the Bible says so. Mt 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 1Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; B. The question is what kind of evils will increase. 1. Drug use will increase. a. According to a new Gallup poll, 50% of Americans say that the use of marijuana should be legalized. On the other side, 46% say marijuana use should remain illegal: When Gallup first asked about legalizing marijuana, in 1969, 12% of Americans favored it, while 84% were opposed. Support remained around 20% favoring its legalization from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, but has crept up since, passing 30% in 2000 and 40% in 2009 before reaching the 50% level in the Oct. 6-9. 2011, annual Crime survey. http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/addiction/poll-50-percent-americans-want- marijuana-legalized b. I believe that marijuana will be legalized. (1) I dont know when, but if 50% of American want it, it will happen. (2) And I believe that kind of drug mentality will keep growing. (That is the mentality which says. "It is my body; It relaxes me; I enjoy it; I need it; They are going to do it anyway; Lets tax it and make some money off it." (3) According to figures released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2009, about 119 million Americans had used an illicit substance at least once in their lifetime. (There were only 305 million people in America in 2009), with 22 million using an illicit drug every month. (4) But it is not just illicit drugs, in 2004 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says that at least half of all Americans takes at least one prescription drug daily, with one in six taking three or more medications. (5) I know that most prescribed drugs are nothing like the illegal drugs on the streets. My point is not whether a drug is right or wrong just that we are highly dependent upon them. Some call America "the most medicated nation in the history of the world." (6) This mentality that drugs are normal and needed is only going to be fed by the legalization of marijuana. c. Drug use is not a passing fad. It is now part of the world culture and drug use along with its vices will continue to increase in the future. 2. Sexual perversion will increase. a. For some, that is hard to imagine. (1) We already have an abundance of pornography, adultery, pre-marriage sex, sex trafficking, and homosexuality. (a) Homosexuality is legalized in ten countries: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden; (b) Six countries recognize same-sex marriages: Aruba (Netherlands only), Curaao (Netherlands only), Israel, Mexico: all states (Mexico City only), Sint Maarten, (Netherlands only), United States: CA (conditional), MD: (c) Six U.S. state governments (along with the District of Columbia, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Suquamish tribe) have passed laws offering same-sex marriage: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire. (2) What some do not know is that most of the sexual immorality and perversion came out of California in general and Hollywood in particular. (a) Now that homosexuality is commonly accepted, the secrets of the Hollywood stars have come out. (b) It is amazing to find how many television and big screen stars were secretly homosexualseven going back to shows that you and I would have never guessed like The Beverly Hillbillies and the Dick Van Dyke show. (c) I have read that there was an sexual underground in Hollywood where this kind of immorality was known to exist but was kept out of the public eye. (d) The Hollywood underground quietly worked for decades to get their agenda before the public, accepted, and legalized. (It appears they were very successful.) (3) Currently, (a) There are ten animated series (some for kids) with homosexual cast members. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_programs_with_LGBT_charac ters (b) Fifty-one dramas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dramatic_television_series_with_LGBT_characte rs (c) Fourteen situational comedies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_situation_comedies_with_LGBT_characters b. What is even more horrifying is to learn that Hollywood underground still exists, but their agenda has grown much darker. (1) They now practice/advocate pedophilia, bestiality, sex trafficking, and other perversions which cannot be mentioned. (2) As Hollywood and California pushed America to accept homosexuality, so they are pushing America to accept these other deviant behaviors. 3. Add to this list the general increase in crime and violence, a general deterioration in peoples willingness to work, in morality, in respect for the law, and a shortage of prisons, courts, and monitoring systems, and you can easily see how evil will increase. C. What is the significance of these things? 1. I believe these two evils more than any of the others are being used to destroy the fabric of our modern day society. a. Dont think me fanatical but I believe these are tools of some powers that want to destroy society as it exists and replace it with their own model. b. I do not say that these "powers" are human for they may be spiritual, but I do believe they exists none-the-less. 2. These two evils more than any others are fueling an overload in the judicial system, devouring societys resources, and eating away at the morals of society. II. While evil is increasing, righteous religion will decrease. 2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, 2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. A. The church is falling today, not only to effect a change, but even to leave an impression. 1. According to a Barna Group poll, forty-one percent of Americans are unable to identify anyone they consider to be an influential Christian. When surveyed about their Christian heroes, many Americans came up blank. Only Billy Graham, the Pope, Barack Obama and Joel Osteen were mentioned by more than 1 out of 50 adults as the most significant Christian leaders, reported Barna. 2. 43 percent of Americans said it doesnt matter what religious faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons; Half of Americans believe that all people are eventually saved or accepted by God no matter what they do. B. As time progresses, this kind of erroneous thinking will take hold more and more. 1. Some churches do not believe the Bible anymore and many who do do not really teach and preach it. 2. False doctrine will prevail and right doctrine will be shunned. 3. Eventually the powers that be will outlaw the preaching of anything that is against their own agenda. The religious who long ago abandoned the Word will join with them declaring that such laws are just and that those who still preach the Bible just do not understand the god of love and peace. 4. I have said many times and say again, one day some of you will look back on these as the good ol days when you could go to a church that still believed the Bible, preached its truths without regards to popular opinion or laws, and meet without fear of the state police. III. Governments will merge. A. Governments merging or even rising and falling does not of itself seem to be earth shattering news. 1. It happens all the time. 2. Indeed, it might continue to happen for another 1,000 without any Biblical consequences. B. However, the Bible does warn us that eventually the nations of the world will form a confederation of nations or a one-world government. 1. Notice the ten horns in Johns revelation. Rev 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. 2. If you are wondering who the beast is, John already described him. Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 3. Most of us would call him the anti-Christ; but back to the ten horns. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 4. The Bible says that ten kingdoms shall join together AGAINST CHRIST. a. That doesnt necessarily mean 10 nations. b. Presently, the European Union is comprised of 17 nations, but God might count it as 1 kingdom. 5. Regardless, nations are going to come together to form a union which will pledge its allegiance to the anti-Christ. C. I see the makings for a major re-alignment of the nations now. 1. The European Union (which celebrates its 10th anniversary today) is cracking under the weight of its debt and its non-productive nations. (Like it or not, there is one problem with socialismit doesnt work!) 2. I believe the European Union will either fall completely apart or have to be modified. 3. Either way, a stronger, more totalitarian union is likely to be formed. 4. Much like our Federal government. a. Our Federal government is being a totalitarian government. b. Individuals and states are raiding losing rights to a more imposing Federal government. c. Look at health care, abortion, prayer in school, border control. d. I am not complaining. I am not politicking. I am just stating a fact. 5. Even the most democratic governments are seizing power and the more crises there are, the more willing the people are to let them. a. Never mind the fact that it is the governments who are causing most of the crises. b. Granted, some of them are God-caused, but if the nations of the world practiced sound financial principals, the natural crises would be able to be easily handled. D. Sooner or later, these governments are going to use that power to join the anti-Christ. 1. I know Christians have been talking like this since the Inter- Parliamentary Union of 1889 and the League of Nations of 1920. 2. But more than ever the world sees a need for it and it is highly possible that the great recession of 2007-2009 (and its abiding presence since) will be the catalyst to spur its organization. IV. These conditions (and others like them) will cause several things to happen: A. Truth will become rare and precious. B. Persecution will become common and severe. C. The (true) church will become slim lined and stronger. D. These are not my guesses: Mt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Lu 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my names sake. Mt 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. V. In the midst of such a world what are we to do? A. We are not to sit around with dread feeling sorry for ourselves. B. Jesus told us that these very things were going to happen and then told us what to do! 1. Be confident in our God and the Word of God. John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. a. This is all part of the plan of God! b. God is in control when things are going AS we think they should, but He is also in control when things ARE NOT! 2. Trust the Holy Ghost to lead you. Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. a. God has promised that the Holy Ghost will NEVER lead us nor forsake us. b. With His presence, we can be assured that whatever God wants to accomplish with us in any situation will be accomplished! 3. Do not be afraid! Mt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Php 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 4. Get busy doing Gods business! Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 1Thess 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 5. Look earnestly for Jesus second coming. Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;