Episode Transcript
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, go therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Welcome to go teach all nations, bringing you Christ's teachings through australian and international speakers. And here is today's presenter, Pastor Robert Stankovic.
Let's pray. Father God in heaven, soon you will come. And when you do come, Lord, there's nothing that's going to stop it.
There's no technology, no warheads, no war, nothing that will prevent your entrance into our world to take us home. Thank you, Father, for this promise. Bless us with your Holy spirit.
We ask in Jesus name. Amen. So we've looked at in my first part, why will Jesus return? And then we looked at, how will Jesus return? And so today I thought it was going to be part three of three.
I've changed it now to part three of four, but you'll soon know at the end what that part four will be. But when will Jesus return? Many, many predictions have been made when Jesus will return, even within our own history of the Millerite movement, the great Advent movement, they got the date right because it was a prophetic date from Daniel, but they got the event wrong. Something else happened.
There was a transition in the work of Christ's ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, in the cleansing of the sanctuary, rather than the cleansing of the earth, as they thought it was the sanctuary. But then again, that wasn't so much of what was weird. It's today when they come up with these ideas, oh, Jesus is coming because the moon is at a certain position with the star and the earth and the equinox and all these things, he will come.
And then they come. Oh, the pyramids, they all align with the positioning of the equator, and so we know when Jesus will come. So there's all these crazy ideas when people think Jesus will come.
In fact, it was the disciples, not too long before Jesus had to ascend into heaven, that he shared with them about things that will happen, how the temple will be destroyed and all of that. And they said, well, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? Now, Jesus could have just said, October 22, 2030, I just came up with a date. There's nothing significant about that.
So don't hold my word to it. October 22, 2030. Now, if Jesus had given a date, because the Bible says no one knows when he will come, not even the angels in heaven, but my father only.
So why didn't Jesus give us a date, so that we could at least have an idea. Now imagine if the disciples knew that 2000 years later he would return. What would they feel? Discouraged, totally discouraged.
It's not in their lifetime. What if someone heard it a thousand years ago? Same thing now. It's not so much the discouragement, but it's the temptation to forget the anticipation of the excitement of the return of Jesus.
Not so much the event, but the relationship with the saviour. Let's all just live it up and then maybe right at my deathbed, I'll repent and I'll be ready for Jesus return. Unfortunately, we don't know where our hearts go.
The heart is deceitful above all things. We think today when we're walking with the Lord, we have faith. Oh, let me live it up.
And then later I'll repent and I'll give my heart to Jesus. Is that a guarantee? No. The devil will make sure that your heart is distracted, completely away, that you lose at the time when you're supposed to say, I repent.
You will say, nah, not interested, because your heart has been filled and hardened with sin. So I'm glad God didn't give us a date, because every day is my last day, and his mercy's in you every morning. Should I live another day? And so my walk with God is so important.
And so the three gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke ask those very things. And one of the very first things that when you read Matthew 24, because I'm not going to spend much time in that chapter, I'm going to look at different verses, because I'm going to let Pastor Justin Lorman go into deeper stuff with the whole Matthew 24. But I'm going to show just glimpses of that as a prelude to what he will be sharing next weekend.
Now, there are twelve great signs of Jesus return. I'm just going to race through some of these because I want to get to the climax of what it means to know when Jesus is returning. For me, that's the key thing.
But God did provide signs. In fact, God in his great mercy has said, when you see these things, then you know what? That my return is very close and we'll see some more scripture. So one of the first signs is the scoffer sign and the religious sign.
The scoffers sign and the religious sign are actually both coming from within Christianity. It's not coming out from the atheists who mock Christianity and say, if your God is real, why isn't he here? If your God is real, why isn't he preventing all these disasters. If your God is real, why is he allowing innocent children to die in Africa? All of these questions, in fact, with christians, it says that they're scoffing and saying in these last days, walking according to their own lusts and saying, where is the promise of his coming? They've lost interest in waiting for the return of Jesus.
Why? Because they're walking to their own. What lust? They're not walking in faith, they're not walking with Jesus, they're walking according to their lusts. It's not talking about just sexual immorality.
Lust is any strong desire for the things and cares and feelings of this world that is against the kingdom of God. And the religious sign is. And Jesus answered, said to them, take heed that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name saying, I am the Christ and will deceive many.
In fact, that was one of the very first signs that Jesus answered after that question in verses three and four. Why? Because there are certain characteristics of Christianity. There are certain characteristics of religion.
That looks right, but it isn't. And the devil uses religion to persuade people. Not atheism, not evolution, none of these things.
That's for the most gullible people, but for those that have some measure of faith and intelligence. He uses religion to abuse people's understanding of who God is and his love for us. And then the next few signs he talks about.
In verses six and seven, he talks about the war's sign. Now we've had wars forever. As long as the world has existed, we've had wars.
The first war was when, the real first world war, while it was in heaven, but on earth, someone killed somebody. That was the first war. There was a strong disagreement between two parties and they fought and the other deceived him and killed him without him realising it.
Famines talks about natural and manmade disasters that exist in our world today. Famines we've had for centuries, we've had for a long time. We've had.
I've read stories of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that were way bigger than some of the ones we've had today. So what makes it so different today? And I'm going to share with that with you and you're going to say, then why didn't you just tell me that at the beginning and sit down. Pestilences.
What are pestilences? Diseases, infections, biochemical stuff. Whatever man made natural comes from the earth. Whatever it is, different diseases that happen.
And that happens fairly frequently. Earthquakes, all the time happening and it says, and it talks about wars and rumours and earthquakes. And then of course there is the knowledge sign in Daniel four.
It's Daniel twelve four, it says, but you, Daniel, shut up. The words. This is like 2700 years, almost 2700 years ago.
In fact, the book of Daniel says that he was faint when he heard about the 2300 year prophecy. He became faint and weak in his legs, the thought that it wasn't going to happen in his time. And it says, until the time of the end.
And many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase. Not only the knowledge will increase in our understanding of the word of God, it will increase in the general knowledge of this world and the technologies and all the things that we see today. What's happened over the last hundred, 50, 50 years, since the, since the industrial revolution, everything before that has not changed much.
You can have a chariot during the time of Egypt and you can have a horse and cart during the 18th and 19th century, and it's pretty much the same, not much increase, just a little bit of decoration or change of looks. But now what do we got? Now we got cars that fly, we got jets in the plane, we got rockets going out into space. This is like way, way ahead of human history, all in a very short period of time.
So that's the knowledge sign. And then it talks about the perilous times, dangerous times. It says, it'll be very difficult for people will love only themselves and their money.
They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful nothing. They consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving.
They will slander others and have no self control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride.
They will love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that.
We see a lot of that today. And I hope and pray none of us is in that. And I hope and pray that none of us will not come to a point where we don't make a decision to follow Jesus with all our hearts, or we will end up in there, because the heart is deceitful above all things.
And God wants us to repent rather than experience the loss of eternal life. The 8th one, the pollution sign. We know in an environmental crisis, climate change.
Ever since COVID came in, the big emphasis has been around climate change. We see huge push for climate Sundays, rest for the earth. Because during COVID when all cars stopped and jets stopped flying, can you imagine? I don't know if you've ever seen on the app when it's called radar, something I don't know on the app.
And you can look where all the planes are and they'll tell you there's 3715 planes up in the air as we speak, or there's 6400 at this time. And then this plane's landing planes taking off. So there's an average of three to 4000 aeroplanes in the sky at any one given time.
The amount of pollution and then all the other kinds of pollution that we have today in the industrial world, in the meat industry, the amount of water you need to use to create air, x amount of kilos of meat, whatever, where it's so minute compared to growing plants and all that. So there's all these statistics and a lot of those are good. But it's interesting that all these things are happening more and more, and we're going to find out why that is the case.
But he says that judgement will come to those who destroy the earth. And it's happening today as we speak. There's oil leakage, there's chemicals in the air, in the wars that are fought, there are all kinds of biochemicals and things that are destroying people.
And the wars that are happening because of that, the fear sign, the fear of uncertainty, it's uncontrollable. They just can't grasp why things are happening the way they are. The frequency of it, the intensity.
And there's a fear, and the Bible talks about that in the signs of the times that Jesus says, and there will be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars and on the earth. Distress of nations with perplexity to see in the ways roaring human hearts, failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth. So there's this spirit of fear that is greater today than it ever was, even more so since COVID It's created this sense of uncertainty and a sense and a sense of we can't control things because of what's happened from one day normal to the next day the new normal.
And there's more things to come. And then number eleven. And this is really, really important now, when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption draws near.
So we can know roughly when he will come back. Roughly now that someone said to me, oh, yeah, yeah, roughly. October 22, 2030.
It's about six years away. That's roughly, isn't it? He goes, well, that's pretty specific. Roughly.
Then he spoke to them, a parable. Look at the fig tree and all the trees. And when they already budding, you will see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
And so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Now take that into consideration.
Till all things take place. Have all the signs been happening for decades? For centuries, for millenniums, we've had earthquakes all the time, we've had all these other things all the time, but not at the same time, not in a short period of space of time. More than ever within.
Since this new millennium, we've seen such an increase in all of these signs that not only the intensity of the quakes, not only the frequency of these signs are taking place, but it's also happening simultaneously around the world more frequently and with more intensity than ever before. That is the greatest sign. That is the sign.
Then all these things take place and they're taking. We've got wars happening here, we've got earthquakes happening there, we've got climate, environmental change happening here, we got everything happening at the same time all the time. And so it's increasing in intensity and frequency and it's happening as we speak simultaneously everywhere.
And I want to just share just a couple of paragraphs from an awesome author that had some insights into the future. In her book last day events, she says the present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living rulers and statesmen. Men who occupy positions of trust and authority thinking men and women of all classes have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us.
They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element. And they recognise that something great and decisive is about to take place and that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.
I believe that's already happened and is happening. And I believe that the great reset, as they call it, is, I believe the beginnings of these last days of intensity and frequency and all of that, and we're seeing it more and more from this space of time that pours the world that is now blowing up into proportions of all these signs that will increase as we speak. There won't be a week or a month that will not have it on the news of what's happening, the calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society.
We've read about that in scripture. The alarms of war are pretentious. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.
The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consoles, consolidating. Not only are there things happening that are supposedly natural disasters, because I hear about tsunamis happen sometimes when plates move, because when they dig oil, they're supposed to fill that space with water. And sometimes there are shifts that happen and it moves certain parts of the earth and it causes such a, a shake that it causes a tsunami.
And that's. I've read things like that in the Time magazine and a few other places, so it's not a new thing. Sometimes accidents happen by man made bad decisions and mistakes.
Not everything is just natural disaster. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. That means there are people who are consolidating, conspiring, planning the world to receive these changes of a new world order, a whole new state of normality of the world as we speak.
And that's already started with a great reset since COVID They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world and the final movements will be rapid ones. It's just going to get more and more rapid now with the intensity and the frequency and the simultaneously of all these events.
How is our heart responding to these things? Fearful or faithful? That's a choice we make every day in our walk with God. We have nothing to fear of the future. We have no fear of the judgement.
First, John Four talks about for where God's love is, there it casts out all fear, because our confidence is in the one who is more powerful than any of these natural or manmade disasters or decisions that world governments will make. It's where we stand with God not to fight against flesh and blood, because we're fighting against spirits in the heavenly realms. The devil is on his march, knowing his time is short.
And he will do everything he can to distract us, to deceive us and to destroy us. And the final sign, and this is the most important one, the gospel sign, Jesus says in mark 1310. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.
And it's expanded a little bit further in Matthew 24. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations. And then what? Now when we read about all these other signs, it says, and when you see all these things, then I will come.
Is that what it said? When you see all these things, know that my return is near. But here it's very definitive. He says, when we preach the gospel, when we share the love of God and the glory of his goodness to all the world, starting from our neighbourhood, all the way to wherever God leads his people to project the gospel through various means, through social media, through personal witness, whatever it is, God is wanting to use us to prepare a world, to meet God, not fearfully, but with confidence and joy.
There's hope but of that day. But so is there a date set? The Bible says no one knows the day or the hour. It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the father has only put in his own authority.
But you know what he does. Tell us. Don't watch for the dates.
Don't just watch what's happening in the world. But I want you to watch for you know, neither the day or hour. What is he asking us to watch? Be ready.
Remember therefore how you have received and heard whole faith. Fast and repent. God is saying, watch your soul.
Where is your heart right now? Is it set on the investment and the treasures of this world? Or is it invested in the treasures for eternity? For where your heart is, there will your treasure be also. Where is your heart set? Is it set on our pride? Or is it set on a humble repentance? And turning fully to God? Will we be caught off guard? It says, brothers and sisters, about times and dates. We do not need to write to you.
Forget about that. That's not the issue. For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
So will he just suddenly. We spent that last couple of weeks ago that he's not going to just come like a thief in the night. He's more talking about.
They will cry peace and safety, because they are secure in their worldly attainments and greed and pride. Instead, destruction comes on them suddenly and they will not escape. But this is the thing for us who believe and trust God and walk with him.
You are not in darkness, so that this day should surprise you like a thief. So who will it surprise like a thief? Unexpectedly unprepared, suddenly, because their heart was caught out, caught up with the cares and desires of this world, that they were caught out because their heart is not in tune with God. Black and white is suddenly contrasted.
So will Jesus come unexpectedly. Take heed to yourselves. Watch yourselves, lest your hearts.
This is the key thing. Lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, with drunkenness, with the cares of this life. And that day come upon you unexpectedly.
For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. How much more should we desire to invite people to know Jesus so that day doesn't come upon them unawares? So they don't say Lord. I didn't know.
No one told me. Watch, therefore, to spend time with their lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. They have no time to serve God.
They have no time to bless somebody with their gifts and talents. We're so caught up in the work of life. Yes, we need to pay our bills, but to the point of neglecting God's calling to preach the everlasting gospel.
For he says, in the time of favour, I heard you, and in the days of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the time of favour. Now is the day of salvation.
Not when he comes. Now it's where my heart is. My life is who I am.
Now. Every breath I take is the new me. Every breath that I exhale is the old me.
The past has clashed with the future, and my present is the constant past and future. Choose today who you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 20 415. This is one of, in closing, a beautiful thing I want to read. All who declare that Jesus is the son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.
So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement. But we can face him with confidence, because we live like Jesus here in this world. How did Jesus live? Did he live for his own interest? Yes, he had to.
He worked as a carpenter. Yes, he had to do certain things, but he lived to serve. He lived to bless.
Wherever we are, wherever God puts us in a missional territory, at work, at school, wherever it is, is a mission of spreading the everlasting gospel with our lives, with our selfless ministry and service, it says, and this gospel of the world will be proclaimed to the whole world as a witness. Witness of what? A witness of what God is truly like. Because Satan is all about discrediting his character and turning people away from him, because of the distortion of who he is.
And sometimes we have lived in such a way that we have distorted the picture of God to others. God help us to repent of those things. By this all we'll know that you are my disciples.
If you have, what for one another? Love. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. So when will Jesus come back? He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
That's the one work. And the second work is when this gospel shall go to all the world. Then the end will come.
All these signs are just that, signs. It's not the destination, it's not the journey. It's a sign to give us an indication where we are on the journey and if we're on the right track, going to where God wants us to be from today.
Just want to invite you to. Oh, anyway, next week I'm going to do part. Not next week.
In two weeks time, occupy till I come. What did Jesus mean by that? What does that look like in our day to day lives? To occupy till I come. And there are three amazing parables that Jesus talks about.
In two weeks time, we're going to talk about that, what that looks like in our day to day lives.
This message was made available by the Bunbury Seventh-day Adventist Church. For more resources like this, visit their YouTube page. Bunbury SDA.
This programme has been brought to you by 3ABN Australia radio.
