WNS-24
050522AM
Short Clip
Jesus said that the generation that sees His plan unfold for the end of days–will witness His second coming. That promise has kept the church throughout the centuries in the Word, on their knees, and ready to go at any moment. But are we really close enough to think that we are the final generation?
For those of us who believe the Bible, this year has been thrilling. An Asteroid Made a Record Close Pass of Earth on Friday 13, And We Didn’t See It Coming (DAVID DICKINSON, UNIVERSE TODAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2020). Wow. A low-flying space rock set a record last Friday (appropriately, the 13th), when 2020 VT4 passed just under 400 kilometers (250 miles) over the Southern Pacific.
Open with me again to Matthew 24:32-35 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
So, are we witnessing His plan for the End of Days unfolding?
• We have already seen that the global travel Daniel said had to happen is here, as well as the explosion of knowledge.
• Then John said that there had to be global commerce that was based on buying and selling with a personal number—and that is also here.
• Then Jesus said that Israel had to be back in their land—and they are.
 
But in Matthew 24, Jesus says that a series of specific signs will begin. When those specific signs occur, they signal the onslaught of birth pangs. Have the pains that signal the end of days started?
 
I am not sure, let’s just list a few of the facts—not since the birth of Israel in 1948; not since the birth of United Europe, the World Council of Churches, the computer and the United Nations also in that same year of 1948.
 
How about what has happened just since Christmas nearly five months ago?
 
Nearly everyone on Earth has witnessed the second biggest quake ever recorded, the government has warned that we are witnessing the biggest solar storm measurable, and now we are more aware than ever that the biggest threat to global safety may be hurtling through space towards our world right now.
 
Does that list mean anything? To sort it all out–look back at verse 29 in Matthew 24. Let’s read that passage together this morning, and you listen as I emphasize three parts of Christ’s warning.
 
Matthew 24:29-32 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 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. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
 
1. When Christ Returns there are Solar Instabilities. Matthew 24:29a “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
 
In the past year astronomers have witnessed the greatest solar activities ever recorded. The largest and most powerful solar eruptions have dazzled their instruments and made scientists wonder what is in store for the earth in days ahead.