GRADUATED ROYALS GUIDE

My Final Exhortation • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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This is for my Royals so that they can see this and have the tools they need to defend the faith whehter for themselfs or from someone else.

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FOUNDATIONS OF OUR FAITH

1.Atheism/Agnostics

Define:

Atheism - the belief in no god

Atheist linguistic definition - “without God”

Agnostic - the belief that there is an unknowable god (becoming more popular as atheism is becoming more obviously stupid)

Agnostic literal linguistic definition means “without knowledge”

Proving the Existence of God and that He is Personal

STEP 1 - clarify what science is - “when you observe something and experiment to draw conclusions or facts.”. Make sure they understand this because most “science” people believe today like Evolution should not be considered science by its own definition. Evolution by example is a belief not science in definition.

STEP 2 - Know 3 Key Scientific Facts

The universe has a beginning. The second law of thermodynamics says that energy and matter run out over time. Which means the universe is not eternal. If the universe is not eternal then the universe has a beginning and a end.

There are only 3 elements that cause our universe to exist - Space, Time, & Matter. Space is the location everything exists. Time is when each thing exists. Matter is all things physical. All three have to be present in order for anything to ever exist at the same time. Scientifically if there is a beginning there must be something or someone outside of time, space, and matter to start all three (Gen 1:1 “ “In the beginning (time) God created the heavens (space) and the earth (matter). How did the Bible know this at a time when people were gods, and the earth rested on an elephants back?

The Universe is extremely fine-tuned for life on Earth. If gravity it was stronger everything would collapse. If gravity was weaker everything would drift apart. If the speed of light or the mass of an electron was slightly different there would be no planet capable of supporting human life. The energy levels in carbon atoms are just right for life to exist change them a little and the unwired would be incapable of supporting life. There is so many other things that have to be perfect in order for life to exist. Either this is extreme luck or done by a creative God. If luck you have to explain what was so lucky to start time, matter, and space… once they explain (some will say an alien, or chemical) I tend to say that is creation not evolution, and sounds like what you call an alien I call a God.

STEP 2 - Cosmological Evidence. The evidence is that with everything we “observe” (observable science) something creates something, nothing cannot create something. This evidence destroys the big bang, because you just keep asking “where did that come from?”. I normally just keep asking that till they say I don’t know, then I will explain the 2nd key scientific fact I mentioned. Normally they will ask then “who created God”? My answer is God lives outside of space - (Matthew 6:9), God is timeless - (Psalm 90:2), and God is not matter - (John 4:24). Just like a computer wouldn't be able to prove our existence using only a hard drive, graphics card, and memory. The existence of God can be understood by looking at creation, prophecies, Bible, and so much more.

STEP 3 - Teleological Evidence. The evidence is that a design implies a designer. For example, a painting implies there was a painter, a watch implies a watch maker, mount Rushmore was not created by chance, or a robot took intelligence to create. Design is easy to recognize, if you saw a boat on an island you would not assume it was deserted. Just look at the human body. We have a complex nervous system that allows us to be balanced and feel, and so much more. We have a complex reproductive system that enables us to have children. We have a complex skeletal system that has to be a certain way for us to function and have important organs protected with 206 bones. We have a complex muscle system of 640 muscles that is crucial for life in so many ways. We have a complex digestive system that has to work a certain way or else were in big trouble. We have a complex healing system that allows us to recover from injuries, and fights off diseases. Our brain is a powerful machine it runs automatically, and manually, for example we breathe automatically our eyes blink automatically, our hearts beat automatically, but manually we can move our fingers, necks, toes (etc.). Just think what if what was automatic and manual was reversed? We have the ability to think, and create, problem solve. The heart which beats over a 100,000 times a day that the size of a man fist it contracts and forces blood through 60,000 miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries in your body every hour it pumps about 75 gallons of blood totaling more then 50,000 gallons every month. If Evolution was true what evolved first the heart, the blood or the veins? All three need to be present at the same time for life, it cannot be evolved. The eye has 2,000,000 working parts, to name a few: a ball with a lens on one side and on there other side a light sensitive retina made up of rods and cones, the lens itself has a sturdy protective covering called the cornea that sits over an iris designed to protect the eye from too much light the eye contains amazing watery substance that is replaced every 4 hours, there is tear glands continuously flush the outside clean eyelids sweep secretion over the cornea to keep it moist, there is eyelashes protect it from dust, and there is extraordinary fine tuned muscles are attached to the eye that move the eye, and shape the lens, so that our eyes can focus. In one single cell of the human body, as the famous evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins asserts “there is enough information capacity in a single human cell to store the Encyclopedia Britannica, all 30 volumes of it, three or four times over. So did all these amazing pieces of machinery that all had to be there at once come together by some mindless process and random series of accidents? Probably Not!

STEP 4 - Moral Evidence. The evidence is that a moral law comes from a moral law giver (laws come from legislators). If we have a moral law that we all societies naturally live there must be a lawgiver. All morals agree that a punch to the face is not good, murdering a friend is not friendly, stealing your baby is not loving, love is good, lying is wrong, and that cheating is wrong. Note just because people break the moral law doesn't mean they don’t have the same moral law. It is just that they are moral law breakers. If you did any of these things to them they would not like it. So where did the moral law come from? Where did the ability to love come from? Now if God created the world and wants to communicate with us we can expect that inside of us there is an influence or command in us to behave a certain way (so that we can relate with Him) and we find this influence/command in the moral law, that we all have. Our God wants to relate with us. He desires to love us, and for us to love Him. He desires to do good to us, and for us to do good to Him (etc.). I recommend using this evidence toward agnostics.

Bonus steps (2 extra evidences). The Biological Evidence - Life doesn't come from non-life, so life must have began from a living God. The Anthropological Evidence - We all have a need to worship, that couldn't have came from evolution, but from a God who wants to have a relationship with us.

2. Deity of Jesus

NOTE - every false religion/sect denies that Jesus is God. However below we will see that scripture clearly teaches us that Jesus is God.

BY WORD

In John 17:5 Jesus prays that He has had Gods glory before the world was, and it says in Isaiah 42:8 “ I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another,”. If God doesn't give His glory to another, and Jesus says He had it before the start of the world, then He probably is God.

God says in Isaiah 44:6 that He is the first and the last, then Jesus says I am the first and the last in Revelation 1:17.

In Psalms 23:1 says God is the good Shepherd. In John 10:11 Jesus says I am the good shepherd.

In Joel 3:12 God says “He will sit to judge all the nations on every side”. Jesus said He is the judge of all people in Matt 25:31; John 5:27.

In Isaiah 62:5 and Hos. 2:16 God is identified as like a bridegroom, Jesus spoke of Himself as the bridegroom in Matt. 25:1.

In Psalms 27:1 it says the Lord is my light, in John 8:12 Jesus says “ I am the light of the world”.

In John 8:58 Jesus says, “Before Abraham was I Am”. This is a double claim of God from Jesus in that He is saying He existed before Abraham, and that He was the I Am of Exodus 3:14. In John 10:30-33 Jesus says “I and My Father are one.” the Jews recognized that it was a claim to deity and said “The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

God is the Judge (Joel 3:12; Deut 32:35-36), but in John 5:22 Jesus says “22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,”

In John 5:23 Jesus said that He and God should receive the same honor.

In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus takes authority of the ten commandments. Also Jesus gives a new commandment in John 13:34.

In Matthew 28:18-19 Jesus says He has all authority in heaven and earth. Finally Jesus says His Words will will never will fade away, and that is only true of God’s Words in Isaiah 40:8.

The Jews knew that He was claiming to be equal with God. (John 5:18)

Jesus is the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:22 (Used twice in passage of God the Father in verse 9, and 13).

In Psalms. 130:7 and Hosea 13:14 God is the Redeemer, then in Titus 2:13-14 and Revelation 5:9 Jesus is the Redeemer.

In Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Psalms 130:4 God is the forgiver of sins, then in Acts 5:31, and Colossians 3:13 Jesus is the forgiver of sins.

In Isaiah 43:3 God is the Savior of Israel, then in John 4:42 Jesus is the Savior of the Word.

In Isaiah 45:22-23 every knee will bow to God, then in Philippians 2:10-11 every knee will bow to Jesus.

We know angels that refused worship of humans are found worshipping Him in Revelation 22:8-9.

BY ACTION

First is that Only God can forgive sins because it is an offense to Him (Ps. 51:4; 1 Sam 2:25), but Jesus forgives sins of the paralytic man (Mark 2:5).

Second is that only God can raise from the dead (Deut 32:35; Joel 3:12), but in John 5:21 Jesus says “21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.”, and He brings a dead girl back to life (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43), as well as Lazarus (John 11).

The third action that proves Jesus’ deity is that He accepted worship. God forbids any worship other than Himself – Deut 5:6-9. And the New Testament forbids worshipping anyone or thing other than God – Acts 14:15; Rev. 22:8-9. But Jesus accepts worship from a leper (Mat 8:2), a ruler (Matt 9:18), a Canaanite woman (Matt 15:25), James’ and John’s mother (Matt 20:20), a demon at the Gerasene (Mark 5:6); the disciples (Matt 28:17, John 20:28), and during a storm (Matt 14:33). In fact Jesus never rebuked the worship, He commended it (John 20:29; Matt 16:17).

The fourth action is that Jesus accepted prayer. He said “Ask anything in my name and I will do it (John14:13-14), “remain in me and my Words in you ask whatever you wish” (John 15:7), and “no one comes to father but through Me” (John 14:6). Also the disciples prayed in Jesus name in 1 Cor 5:4. And prayer was given to Jesus in Acts 7:59.

The fifth and final action of Jesus that proves His deity is His sinless life. We know all humans sin (Romans 3:23, Eccles. 7:20) but Jesus was without sin like God (James 1:13, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

3. The Word of God

Manuscript Evidence

The Bible has more manuscripts evidence then any other ancient book in the World with over with the New Testament having 24,000 manuscripts discovered. Compare that to the work of Homer with 643 manuscripts, or Sophocles with 193 manuscripts, or Euripides with 9 manuscripts. If scholars accept the few manuscripts of Homer to prove that the words have been preserved then we have to accept the New Testament, because of the extreme amount we currently have. By the way this number keeps growing each day. In fact I should attach some recent manuscripts discovered that are dated to the time they were written. No book in the word is remotely close to doing that.

This fulfills what Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Archeological Evidence

The Bible has more archeological evidence that any other religion. In fact most religions have practically none. Now I am only going to speak of a few of the hundreds maybe even thousands of archeological evidence that supports scripture.

OT Discoveries

One of the greatest finds of the OT is that there are no archeological finds that find the OT to not be true or tell the truth

Atrahasis Epic - A Babylonian account of a flood - written 1,700 BC (a little before time of Moses)The Babylonian account of the flood parallels the Bible in 5 major ways.Human’s displeased God (gods)There is a guy like Moses (Atrahasis) who build a boat God (gods) gives a warning that the earth will flood in 7 days (Gen.7:4)All mankind is destroyed except for Moses (Atrahasis)Moses (Atrahasis) makes an offering to God (gods) and the offering is accepted and relations are restored. Sounds like they got that story from somewhere....

Ebla Tablets- 16,000+ clay tablets dating back to 2,300 BC (a little before Abraham)Throughout these clay tablets we read of:Cities mentioned in the Bible like: Sodom, Zeboim, Admah, Hazor, Megiddo, Jerusalem, and GazaNames used around the same time the Bible claims they were used: like: Nahor, Israel, Eber, Michael, and IshmaelWords that people didn't think they used back when the Bible says them like : Tehom (the deep, Gen 1:2); Canaan. A story of one being who created the heavens, moon, stars, and earth from nothing

Ipuwer Papyrus - a document from 1,300 BC (from the times of the judges) that describes the same things that happened to Egypt that the Bible describes.this document mentions: a plague throughout the land of Egypt (IP 2:5-6)This is found in the Bible in - Exodus 7:21a river turned into blood (IP 7:20)This is found in the Bible in - Exodus 7:20-21groaning throughout the land (IP 3:14)This is found in the Bible in - Exodus 12:30fire mingled with hail (IP 9:23)This is found in the Bible in - Exodus 9:23-25trees and herbs destroyed (IP 6:1)This is found in the Bible in - Exodus 9:25; 10:15darkness in the land (IP 9:11)This is found in the Bible in - Exodus 10:22animals weep and cattle moan (IP 5:53)This is found in the Bible in Exodus 9:3cattle left to stray in the field (IP 9:2-3)This is found in the Bible in - Exodus 9:21

Jericho excavations at Jericho and the analysis of Canaanite pottery samples by archaeologist, Bryant Wood, have demonstrated that Jericho was conquered 1400 bcThese discoveries proved 4 things:Jericho was a fortified city in 1,500 BC (same time as the Bible claims (Joshua 2:5-7,15))Jericho was destroyed by fire (Joshua 6:24)The cities fortified walls collapsed (Joshua 6:20)The destruction of the city was in the spring (Joshua 2:6, 3:15, 5:10)The destruction of the city was quick (Joshua 6:15,20)

Dead Sea Scrolls A Bedouin (dessert dweller in Arabia) in search of a lost goat discovered a cave at Qumran which contained the Dead Sea Scrolls (which has most of the OT that we have today and more).

Tel Dan Inscription: This stone tablet contains an inscription that is the first reference to the Davidic dynasty outside of the Bible. It was erected by Hazael, king of Aram, which is present-day Syria. The inscription makes reference to a military victory and corresponds to the biblical account in 2 Chronicles 22. This inscription dates to the 9th century B.C., thus giving us accurate dating to the Davidic dynasty as well verifying its existence. This is the only extra-biblical reference to the House of David that has been discovered to date.

House of God Ostracon: What is Ostracon? a ostraca—writings on pottery, commonly found in archeological digs. The House of God Ostracon was found in Arad, (a Canaanite city in the Negev.) dating to the early part of the 6th Century BC. Over 100 pieces of ostraca were found with references to the temple in Jerusalem and to names of people that are recorded in Scripture. This not only helps to date the temple, but it verifies the existence of people listed in the biblical text.

Ketef Hinnom Amulets: What is it? two silver scrolls that were worn as amuletsDiscovered in:1979, in a tomb at Ketef Hinnom, overlooking the Hinnom Valley, Dates: around the 7th century B.C. predate the Dead Sea Scrolls by 500 yearsFact: The delicate process of unrolling the scrolls while developing a method that would prevent them from disintegrating took three years.The amulets rank as the oldest surviving texts from the Hebrew Bible. Content: When unrolling the amulets, biblical archeologists found two inscriptions of significance.“The Lord bless you and protect you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance to you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). The other is the tetragrammaton YHWH, the name of the Lordmaking this the oldest known example of the Lord’s name in writing.

NT Discoveries

One of the greatest finds of the OT is that there are no archeological finds that find the OT to not be true or tell the truth

Yehohanan Crucifixion: Yehohanan was crucified in the first century by Rome (same time as Jesus)when they opened up his grave they saw that the wrist and right heel bone still had the Roman seven inch crucifixion spikes nails in tact.This confirms the Romans practiced crucifixion in the 1st century AD in Jerusalem and confirms the manner of Christ’s death as described in the Bible (Psalm 22 Mt 27; Mk15; Lk 23; Jn 19)

Golgotha (place of the skull)Identified by Charles Gordon in 1882-83 as the site of Christ’s crucifixion (Mk 15:22; Lk 23:33) located next to the Garden Tomb outside the Damascus Gate.

Meggido Church - the oldest church discovered in Jerusalem (300 AD)Inside the church there is an inscription on the floor:The Greek mosaic floor in the church (16x32 ft) inscription confirms Jesus was being worshipped as “God” in the early church rather than being a later development. It reads: “The God-Loving Akeptous (name of the female worshipper) has offered this table to the God Jesus Christ as a Memorial.”

Temple Mount- The leading archeologist researching the temple mount believes the Holy of Holies is beneath the muslim dome of the rock

Destruction of the Temple - Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24:1-2 that the temple would be destroyed.in 70 AD. about 40 years after Jesus’s death and resurrection the temple was destroyed. (proof of destruction - see pics)

Pool of Siloam the trapezoid pool (corners greater than 90 degrees), with three sets of five stairs, was discovered by accident in 2005 as city workers were digging in the vicinity revealing three series of five ancient steps on each level. Coins found at the site confirm this location as the 1st century Pool of Siloam mentioned in John 9:7 as the place where Jesus healed the man born blind.New Testament people who have been proven to be real through discoveries (see slide)

Caiaphas Ossuary: An ossuary is a stone or pottery box in which the remains of a deceased person are buried (an ancient casket). The Caiaphas Ossuary bears the inscription “Yeosef bar Qafa” and is dated to the second temple period. Yeosef (Joseph) was the son of Caiaphas. This verifies that there was a high priest at the time of Jesus and his name was Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the priest that presided over the false trial of Jesus (Matthew 26:57-67).

Pilate Inscription: Discovered: This stone tablet was found in the theater of Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast. It bears an inscription "Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea”

Siloam Pool - Discovered in 2004, archaeologists excavated part of a monumental pool during construction work to repair a large water pipe south of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, on the ridge known as the City of David. This is whereJesus performed the miracle of restoring sight to a blind man in the Gospel of John.

Prophecy Evidence

Approximately 2,500 prophecies appear in the Bible & about 2,000 have already been fulfilled with no errors the other 500 will be fulfilled soon. The odds for all these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance without error is less than one in 102000 (that is 1 with 2000 zeros written after it). So its basically impossible for all these prophecies to be fulfilled by chance. Here are some prophecies fulfilled. In 1440BC it says the Savior will be born from the seed of a woman (Gen. 3:15/Galatians 4:4). Israel will be scattered and will live in fear and persecution (Leviticus 26:33-38; Deuteronomy 28:64-67) Fulfilled in 722 BC and 586 BC. In 1044 BC it was predicted that He will be pierced at His hands and His feet (Psalm 22:16/Jn 20:24-28). In 750BC it was predicted that Jesus will be born of a virgin - Isaiah 7:14/Mt 1:18-25. Also that He will take on Himself the sins of the world - Isaiah 53:4–6, 10–12/John 1:29. He will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2/Matt 2:1-6). He will be rejected by Israel (Isaiah 49:7; 53:1, 3) . He will triumph over death (Isaiah 53:10). In 480 BC it was predicted that He will be pierced at His side (Zech 12:10/Jn 19:34-37)

Scripture Evidence

40 authors from 3 different continents in three different languages within approximately 1500 years wrote the Word of the Bible in perfect unity. 2 Tim 3:16 says God wrote it through the authors. That is the only way to explain why Leviticus connects the Hebrews so well, and how did Joshua (with a similar name means to Jesus) know that He was a picture of Jesus bringing us into the land of Heaven. How did Isaac know that when he willfully sacrificed himself for his father (Abraham) that he would be the same age as when Jesus when He sacrificed Himself for the Father on the same exact spot almost 2,000 years later? Or how the 1,600 year old feast days in Lev 23 are fulfilled by Jesus. There is just so many connections in scripture that it could not be an accident.

4. God’s Word and Social Issues

REMEMBER: “God loves everyone, but hates sin.”

Homosexuality -

I love what Billy Graham said on this topic:

“The Bible provides God’s blueprint for marriage and for His good gift of sex in Genesis 2:24. The gift is only to be enjoyed within a marriage between a man and a woman. There are no exceptions suggested, such as homosexual partnerships. From Genesis on, the Bible praises the marriage of a man and a woman, but it speaks only negatively of homosexual behavior whenever it is mentioned. The Old Testament states, “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable” (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13). The New Testament agrees, listing “homosexual offenders” among a list of people who “will not inherit the kingdom of God” unless they are cleansed through Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Other passages are Genesis, chapter 19; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; and Jude, verse 7. However, it is important to note that the Bible speaks only of homosexual behavior (which would include lust—choosing to fantasize about behavior), not unchosen feelings. God will not judge a Christian guilty for his or her involuntary feelings. Sometimes it is said that the Bible does not record any words of Jesus about homosexuality, and therefore it must be acceptable to God. However, the Bible does not record sayings of Jesus about a number of other specific sins either. When people asked Jesus about marriage, He told them to remember what Genesis said about God’s plan for marriage (Matthew 19:1-12). So, in this sense, Jesus did have something to say about homosexual partnerships. God only blessed sex within the committed marriage relationship of a man and a woman.Some have tried to reinterpret what the Bible says, in an effort to approve homosexual relationships. For a reply to such efforts, read Straight and Narrow by Thomas Schmidt or A Strong Delusion by Joe Dallas. If you have a loved one who’s homosexual, you may refer to Someone I Love Is Gayby Anita Worthen and Bob Davies, or if you’re a Christian struggling with homosexuality, consider Coming Out of Homosexuality by Bob Davies and Lori Rentzel.”

Abortion

I love what gotquestions.org says on this topic:

“The Bible never specifically addresses the issue of abortion. However, there are numerous teachings in Scripture that make it abundantly clear what God’s view of abortion is. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knows us before He forms us in the womb. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of God’s active role in our creation and formation in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty—death—for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as for someone who commits murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb to be as human as a full-grown adult. For the Christian, abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6). The first argument that always arises against the Christian stance on abortion is “What about cases of rape and/or incest?” As horrible as it would be to become pregnant as a result of rape and/or incest, is the murder of a baby the answer? Two wrongs do not make a right. The child who is a result of rape/incest could be given in adoption to a loving family unable to have children on their own, or the child could be raised by its mother. Again, the baby is completely innocent and should not be punished for the evil acts of its father. The second argument that usually arises against the Christian stance on abortion is “What about when the life of the mother is at risk?” Honestly, this is the most difficult question to answer on the issue of abortion. First, let’s remember that this situation is the reason behind less than one-tenth of one percent of the abortions done in the world today. Far more women have an abortion for convenience than women who have an abortion to save their own lives. Second, let’s remember that God is a God of miracles. He can preserve the life of a mother and a child despite all the medical odds being against it. Ultimately, though, this question can only be decided between a husband, wife, and God. Any couple facing this extremely difficult situation should pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) as to what He would have them to do. Over 95 percent of the abortions performed today involve women who simply do not want to have a baby. Less than 5 percent of abortions are for the reasons of rape, incest, or the mother's health at risk. Even in the more difficult 5 percent of instances, abortion should never be the first option. The life of a human being in the womb is worth every effort to allow the child to be born. For those who have had an abortion, remember that the sin of abortion is no less forgivable than any other sin. Through faith in Christ, all sins can be forgiven (John 3:16; Romans 8:1; Colossians 1:14). A woman who has had an abortion, a man who has encouraged an abortion, or even a doctor who has performed one—can all be forgiven by faith in Jesus Christ.

Our Response to most Social Issues:

“Your issue is not with me but with the God of the Bible”

“God is still God whether you agree with Him or not”

“I choose to side with God whether you disagree with his views or not”

“Just because you don’t understand God’s ways doesn't mean He is wrong”

5. The Gospel

Jesus summarized it in John 3:16. We know that we are saved just by trusting in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 6:29, Romans 10:9; John 20:31; Acts 16:31; Acts 15:11). Jesus died for our sins, so that you dont have to die for you sins. Sin is what brings death (Romans 6:23; Jas 1:15)

6. End Times

The Bible’s prediction of what the end of the world would look like looks a lot like our world today. Here are 23 signs we are in the last days by By Dr. Dan Cheatham:

1. The Earthquakes & Natural Disasters Sign:

He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am he,' and `The time is near.' Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:8-11, NIV).

Lu 21:11 "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Statistics show a marked increase of earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes in comparison to former generations.

2. The Famines Sign:

Lu 21:11 "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Ethiopia and many other places. Droughts, floods, mudslides, whole nations' soil eroded or exhausted.

3. The Pestilences Sign:

Lu 21:11 "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

AIDs epidemics, increase of heart diseases, cancer victims increasing, unbridled FLU epidemics shutting down entire schools or portions of cities.

4. The War & Rumors Of War Sign:

Mt 24:6 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:24-28, KJV).

The Biggies (WWI, WWII) may be over (that much more proof since they have already been fulfilled), but military deployments because of international skirmishes and civil wars are alarmingly increasing. Military coups, ethnic cleansings, terrritorial disputes, and racial conflicts are too numerous to count. Nuclear weapons, biological weapons, and chemical weapons of mass destruction are poised for the last half of the seven year tribulation period and the battle of Armageddon.

5. The Jerusalem Sign:

6. The Restoration Of The Nation Of Israel Sign (1948):

Eze 12:15 And they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.

Eze 39:23 And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

Eze 39:27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;

Eze 39:28 Then shall they know that I [am] the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

Jer 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jer 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

Jer 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make [him] afraid.

7. The Rebuilding Of The Temple Sign:

Mt 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Mr 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Da 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Da 11:31, 36-39 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate... 36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge [and] increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

8. The Finished Jew Sign:

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fulness bring! I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Romans 11:11-15, NIV).

Thousands of Jews are coming to Christ. Organizations such as "Jews for Jesus" and many others are springing up all over the world. This passage tells us that the next event after a lot of Jews accepting Christ is the resurrection or rapture.

9. The Mass Transportation Sign:

Da 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Think about the major airport hubs teaming with hundreds of thousands of people everyday and flying people from nations to nations in a matter of minutes or hours. Think about the interstate highways speeding millions to and fro their places of employment and from state to state. Think about the multitudes surfing the web, exchanging data, running to and fro on the information highway today. ONLY IN THE LAST DECADES OR THE LAST FEW YEARS! This passage says that the people who see these things happen are at the "time of the end."

10. The Information Age & High Tech Sign:

Da 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

There have been more PhDs in the last fifty years than in all other centuries and milleniums added together. There have been more inventions and patents in the last 50 years than in all other ages added together. Information and technology is moving at such a break- neck speed, that the whole patent process is falling apart. And the moment a consumer purchases an item, it is already obsolete and outdated. Cloning of animals, invitro fertilization of humans, space exploration, integrated circuit chips which perform what took room fulls of electronics did afore. Digital keyboards which replicate every musical instrument ever created. If knowledge has been increased this much in just a few decades, we must be at the end of the end of time.

11. The Computer Sign:

Da 11:24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do [that] which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: [yea], and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

Da 11:25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

One of the meanings of forecast is "to compute", also "to calculate" or "to count".

The word "devices" means "to invent", or "to devise" or "a device." It appears from these verses that the Antichrist, and the political and military leaders during the period of the great tribulation will use computer technology to wage war against one another . Computers are already key devices in all modern war strategies, communications, and weapons and are unique to these last few decades. "Computer Wars!"

12. The Bible Translation Sign:

Mr 13:10 And the gospel must first be PUBLISHED among all nations.

Re 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

13. The International Mass Evangelism Sign:

Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Isa 55:5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Isa 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

14. The Original Gospel Sign:

Mt 24:14 And this gospel [not a watered-down powerless version of it] of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Lu 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:15-20, NIV).

Only in the last century and a half has the Gospel been preached with signs and wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Spirit similar to the early church. This is itself a sign that the end is upon us.

15. The Hebrews 6:1-3 Chronological Order Of Restoration Sign:

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21, NIV).

According to the above verse Jesus must remain in heaven and cannot return until everything is restored. Most likely this is referring to all New Testament truths and Bible experiences being restored to the church.

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of [1] repentance from dead works [restored during the protestant reformation], and of [2] faith toward God [restored during the holiness movements of Methodism and the Nazarenes, Of the [3] doctrine of baptisms [partially restored during the anabaptist movements (water baptism) and fully restored during the pentecostal movement of the early 1900's (Holy Spirit baptism), and of [4] laying on of hands [restored during the charismatic movements of the 1960s-80s], and of [5] resurrection of the dead [next on the agenda to be restored - the rapture], and of [6] eternal judgment [final event before the rest of eternity]. And this will we do, if God permit. (Hebrews 6:1-3, KJV).

16. The Greater Works and Exploits Sign

Da 11:32 ...the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits].

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

17. The European Common Market Sign

Re 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

Re 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

The seven heads and ten horns are mentioned 6 times in Revelation chapters 12-17; the ten horns twice in Daniel chapter 7.

The European nations are presently working hard to develop a common currency and a common bank in order to consolidate their financial power. One article I read said this was originally planned to take place as early as 1999, probably no later than 2001. Certain European nations are definitely committed; others are in the process of deciding. Once this actually occurs, Europe will be the strongest economic, military, and industrial Goliath in the world. And since the revived Roman Empire (from which the political figure of the Antichrist will arise) is contained within the European geography, this will set the stage for the seven year great tribulation period...the beginning of the end.

18. The Divorce Sign:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7, KJV).

19. The Family Unit Breakdown Sign:

Same verse as above.

20. The Polarization Sign (The World Worse And Worse, and The Church Brighter and Brighter):

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Re 12:12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3, KJV).

21. The New Millenium Sign:

2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Re 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Re 20:6 Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

A Thousand is a very significant number in scripture. We see that God works with this span of time. 22. The Population Explosion Sign: Ac 7:17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt...

Earth's population today is greater than the population of all previous centuries added together. The population explosion in this century has been unprecedented. God caused a population explosion of the Israelites just before He took them out of Egypt. God has again caused the most monumental population explosion of all history in preparation to rapture a glorious, victorious, and enormous church! He wants heaven to be heavily populated before He wraps up earth's history. The time of the promise of His return must be drawing nigh. The Lord is at hand.

22. The TV Sign:

Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half [sounds like the whole world will see this on cable TV, doesn't it], and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. (Revelation 11:3-12, KJV).

Mt 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye UPON THE HOUSETOPS.

22. The Satellite Sign:

Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Ps 97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

23. The Mega-Church Sign: Isa 60:22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

Never in history has there been such an abundance of giant church congregations. Churches of thousands. Churches of tens of thousands. Churches of 500,000. Church in Seoul, Korea with over a million members. Female pastor/apostles in the nation of China overseeing hundreds of house churches each, overseeing enormous pastoral staffs and thousands of members

Conclusion

2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS AFTER YOU HAVE GRADUATED. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I MADE THIS TO HELP YOU STAY IN LOVE WITH JESUS. I KNOW PROFESSORS, AND PEOPLE CAN BE VERY PERSUASIVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR ARE TEMPTATIONS ALL AROUND YOU. HOWEVER YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE THE NARROW PATH TO CHRIST OR THE WIDE PATH TO DESTRUCTION. FOLLOWING CHRIST IS HARD BUT IS WORTH IT. I WRITE THIS FINAL WORD TO YOU MY GRADUATED ROYAL BECAUSE I LOVE YOU AND GOD LOVES YOU AND THERE IS NO SIN TO HUGE THAT CHRIST CANT FORGIVE. JESUS IS BIGGER! PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME IF YOU READ THIS ESPECIALLY IF YOU NEED PRAYER. I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK OR WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! PLEASE FIND ME! BUT MAKE SURE YOU FOUND JESUS FIRST!

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