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Bibleline Bibleline, here God’s word on Bibleline, here God’s truth on Bibleline. Welcome to Bibleline with Dr. Ralph Yankee Arnold, pastor of Calvary Community Church in Tampa, Florida. Clearly declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ through the radio and the internet. Your regular prayers and monthly support make it possible for Bibleline to continue on the air. You can reach us toll-free at 1-800-576-3771. Online donations may be made by clicking on the donations link on the BibleLineMinistries.org homepage. We pray that you will enjoy our commitment to the clear gospel of Jesus Christ and that today’s message will be a blessing to you and your family.

Turn in your Bible to the book of Matthew chapter 24. Matthew chapter 24. And Matthew chapter 24. And Jesus had asked or they had asked Jesus some questions about, you know, when is the sign of your coming? And, you know, what do we get to look for? When are you going to come back? And so he kind of gives them some answers. And then he says, up here in verse 15, when ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Dan to the prophet, stand in the holy place.

He says, whosoever read it, let him understand. And yet you’d be surprised how many people read it and don’t understand it. And so sometimes you have to read it again and again and again try to find out. Well, the people that Jesus was talking to, the disciples. They won’t be around when this takes place. So he can’t be talking to them, but maybe the people that are here during that period of time. And he goes down through here and he says some interesting things.

In verse 21 he says, for then shall be great tribulations such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, though, nor ever shall be. And then in verse 22, and accept those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. But for the elects say those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, lo here is Christ or there, he said, believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ, false prophets.

And a false prophet has, of course, a false message. And a false message people have a tendency to believe it. It’s a lot easier to believe sometimes. It seems like the lie than it is to believe the truth. So he says he’s going to come back and he’s going to come back where everybody will be able to see him. See there in verse 27, for as the lightning cometh out of the east and shyneth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.

So we know that Christ is coming back. Then he says in verse 29, immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the sun be darkened, the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of the heaven shall be shaken.” Now, there’s a lot of things going around though the world of day and on the internet and books are being written about the blood moons. Anybody heard anything about blood moons? I really myself personally don’t put too much stock into any of it only because I happened to have read Leviticus 23 and I I’ve read all the verses it has to do with about the moon turning red and as blood or turning the blood and the sun and being darkened.

The Bible also included the stars falling. We know that in the very couple months there will be a couple of blood moons and then it will be, it’s when the moon turns a eclipse that can cause that. And the sun, of course, whenever the moon blacks out the sun, it turns black and so the moon turns red and so there you got the fulfillment of scripture. But that’s happened so many times I’m not convinced that that will be a definite sign that I’m supposed to be looking for.

And then I’m not supposed to be looking for the sign of the blood moons. That’s a sign that happens to the people doing the tribulation period. So when people are here doing the tribulation period and when Christ gets ready to come back, we’ve already been gone for seven years. So if this is something is coming up, it can’t be a reference to Christ coming back because he’s not coming back. Until seven years after the rapture. So I don’t change my theological position just because somebody comes up with something and Nassau says this, that’s okay.

I’m just going to hang with this until I know better. And so don’t get all been out of shape and otherwise instead of looking for the Lord to come back at any moment, we’re looking for the Lord to come back based upon these. And there has to be, if it’s gonna be when the Lord talks about it here, and also in the book of Acts, and from the book of Joel, it talks about it.

Not all these things can happen at this present time, because this is when it happens when Jesus Christ comes back again. And there’s a lot more signs than that. This is at the end, and there’s already, the antichrist has taken over three and a half years before the moon turned to blood and the sun is darkened. If that’s just, you know, reference to what they’re talking about. But anyway, going down through here, it says, and then when the Lord shall appear, then there’s going to be, well, every eye is gonna see him, and he mentions down here in verse 30, then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, then shall all the tribes of the year of morning, they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Now buddy, that’s going to be quite a sign. Jesus says, by the way, you want to know how it’s going to be. This is how it’s going to happen immediately after the days of the tribulation period. And when the sun and the moon and the stars and then Christ comes and every eye will see him. It won’t be in some secret chamber someplace. He said, no those false teachers tell you that. So then he gets out here in verse 32.

Not like in verse 32. There’s a lot of good teachers, Bible teachers, that have different opinions on when it comes to prophecy. I love it when we all agree on the gospel, on how the man gets to heaven. That’s more important. That’s a heaven and hell issue. That’s determines where you’re going to spend eternity. So we know we want to be right on how is a man saved. And that is by grace alone in Christ alone, by faith alone.

works involved before, during, or after. It’s by grace all the way. And so he says in verse 32, now learn a parable of the fig tree. A fig tree. Hmm. What do you think, why did he refer to a fig tree? What do you think? Israel? All right. And so when it mentions the fig tree, people automatically think of Israel because it’s a sign of Israel and so but a sign of what? Now when it says it begins to put forth its leaves, okay well that means when Israel will become a nation, right?

Now this is how you know you can come to certain positions. So Israel became a nation in 1948. So therefore you begin to count years and then you add based upon how much time you need determines what your length of a generation is going to be. If you need a hundred years, it’s a hundred years. But if it’s you only need 70, it’s only 70 years. But if it’s only 40, then it’s only 40 years. It’s amazing how I’ve watched over the years how this generation has changed from year to year.

Because you know once it’s passed well it can’t be that. It must be and there we go. But remember most times the Scriptures has one primary meeting. There’s a lot of applications but there’s a primary meaning to everything. And so when you make the statement here of the fig tree. Now sometimes people think well this is just to Israel. But do me a favor and look there in Luke 21, Luke 21. The book of Luke chapter 21, Luke chapter 21 and look at it in verse 29.

This is where it’s also mentioned and in pretty much the same topic that we have here. So in verse 29 it says, and he speak to them a parable, behold the fig tree and did it say anything else in all the trees. So if it’s just about Israel becoming a nation, what about all these other trees? That’s when they all these recamination. So how would you apply that into that or would you make those trees gentiles? Or is it possible he’s simply talking about a fig tree that’s beginning to bud.

And you know if it’s beginning to bud, there could be some fruit coming pretty soon. And it’s at the beginning of something. Well, I don’t really know all of it. All I know is is, in verse 30 says, when they now shoot forth, you see, and know of your own cells, summer is now nigh at hand. So in the spring, things are coming to life, things are beginning to bud, and you’re going to have some fruit coming. So he says, compare that to what he’s talking about.

Now go back there to Matthew chapter 24. So when he says, when ye shall see all these things, these things are the beginning, like a tree beginning to bring forth some leaves, beginning to bud. You know he’s coming soon. So it could be simply a way of us to be prepared for the greatest moment. Now if we’re here doing the tribulation period we would want to have some clues of what’s going to happen next. So that’s why the book of Revelation will be like reading the morning newspaper.

You’ll see this and this and this. So can it have an application to the nation of Israel? Since in the book of Matthew it doesn’t mention the other trees but in Matthew which is directly to the Israelites, to the nation of Israel, could refer to Israel. When he says, and ye shall see, is not so much as talking about what the Gentiles will see, but what the Israelites will see, the Jewish people will see. When ye shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the whole place, then you’re supposed to leave, get out of there, but so he’s talking to the people there in Israel.

So it doesn’t mention the other, but it does mention just the fig tree, and so there could be a good possibility. Now, good on to verse 34 of Matthew chapter 24. And notice what he says now, assuming the last part of verse 33 says, when you shall see all these things, now we’re not going to be around to see all these things because that’s going to happen in the future yet. So he must be talking about the people that are going to be here and see not the budding of Israel as a nation because most of us are going to be dead pretty soon.

And we’ve been around. I was six years old at that time. But if he doesn’t hurry up, I’m not going to be here. So during the tribulation period, the people that are here, and they begin to see this happening, and this happening, this happening. You know, that is something to give you a take. Hey, coming. Those are just signs in advance. Like when you see the leaves, you know, hey, this is spring. You know summer is nine. And he talks about being near at the doors.

So you notice when in verse 3 says that it is near, even at the doors. Now just kind of hold your place right there and look over there in the verse 10 of chapter 25. And you’ll see that all of this will flow together. And verse verse 10, and while they came to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in and him with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Over here he’s talking about he’s at the doors, and here we’re talking about a door that shut.

And in the very next scriptures you’ll see there in verse 21 about enter, bow unto the joy of the Lord, down in verse 23, enter that one to the joy of the Lord and then he talks about in verse 30 and cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. He doesn’t get to go in. So there is a door and there is a door and there’s entering in and entering in and then casting out. So all of this might work together and it makes a one big picture.

Sometimes the chapter divisions kind of breaks it up and you think well this is one thought and this is something else and then this is something else. This is a book and it’s a story and it’s telling us things and so you always try to keep things in its context and so when you do that you can see a little bit more and maybe help a little bit more but then it gets into the subject. When is this going to happen?

When is it going to happen? Everybody wants to know. Now look down here in verse 35. Heaven and earth shall pass away by word shall not pass away. That’s because his words are incorruptible words and that means what God has promised will happen. The security of the Word of God. That’s why we can trust his promises. We trust him because God can not lie. And if this is his word, his word can not lie. And so he says to verse 30, but at that day and hour, no if no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my father only.

Now, Jesus, in another script I’m talking about, even the son, but I believe he knows now. But as a man, he could have been held back in certain, not as just think, he Bible says, he learned, He grew, He experienced, yes, as a man. As God, He knows everything, but He limited Himself. But now notice in verse 37, and He talks about Noah, and talks about the Christ coming back, and how you’re gonna recognize Him, and those that are ready and those that are not ready.

So He’s told them, say, look, the leaves on the tree are gonna, when they come out, you’ll know summer’s nine. When you see the anti-Christ, and in the holy place, you know that it’s near, even at the doors. And you only got a couple of years. And so when you see this, and you see this, and you see that, and it lays it all out, then know that is coming, but this is to the nation of Israel. This is during the tribulation period.

This is not for you and I before the rapture. So a lot of people take these verses out of context, and they apply them to the church, to us. And it’s not applying to us. I have gotten some very stinging letters, I mean just in the last three or four months. I mean calling me, you name it, terrible because I believe that the church has raptured before the tribulation period.

And they send me all kinds of stuff trying to straighten me out. And there’s some preachers right here in Florida, independent fundamental Bible-emissioner minded Baptist that are trying to help me to see the light. And I don’t think it’s going to work. I think I’ve already seen the light and I believe the rapture will take place before the tribulation period and that Christ will come back in power and great glory at the end of the tribulation. But now you notice you as you come down through here.

In verse 39 says, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away. So shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. So He’s coming back. And two shall be in the field, one taken, one left. Two women grinding at the meal, one taken, one left. But most people never asked, you know, okay, where were they taken? Where were they taken? And most people say, well, they were taken in the air, rapture. Well, it doesn’t say that, and I thought I got some other things I wanna hit on, but take very quickly and just look there in the book of Luke.

Luke 17, and just look down there very quickly with me when he talks about the same thing. In verse 35, two women shall be grinding together. one shall be taken, one left, two men in the field, one taken, one left.” And verse 37, and they answered and said unto him, where? Lord. And he said unto them, wheresoever the body is there, would the eagles be gathered together? He said, boy, that really helped. Now go back here to Matthew though.

Go back to Matthew. So it’s good to find out where were they taken. And if you go back to Matthew chapter 24, and you’ll look there in verse Verse 28, verse 28. And here you’ll find that verse repeated. For whosoever the carcasses there will the eagles be gathered together. And you notice here in verse 27, this is when Christ comes back in power and great glory. After the anti-Christ, right there at the end of the tribulation period in verse 29.

So this is when Christ comes, where were they taken to the battle of Armageddon? They’re taken to the battle of Armageddon. They’re not taken up in the rapture to heaven. And when he refers to Noah, these were destroyed. Lot, they were destroyed. And the same thing’s going to happen. The only ones who go into the kingdom is going to be those that are believers and the rest will be destroyed. So the principle has to stay the same. I believe it will.

Now go back there to Matthew chapter 24 and look what he says in the verse 42. What is the thing that God wants them to do? Now there are some things that we can apply to us. If we believe the Lord could come back at any time. Well, if they were to come back to the end of the day, they would be able to come back to the end of the day. told to do this when they saw the fig leaf beginning to come and then knowing that it was going to be nigh at hand.

What about you and I when it could happen anytime? See they have a warning. They have something to look at before he actually arrives. We don’t. The rapture could happen at any time. So you look there in verse 44, but know this that if the good man of the house had known, and what watched the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have suffered or allowed his house to be broken up. In verse 44, what’s the purpose of all of this?

Therefore, and you ought to unline this in your Bible, be ye also ready. Be ready. What should you and I do if the rapture could take place at any time? Be ready. Now you can trust Christ as your Savior. Yes, you’ll go in the rapture, but you don’t want to be ashamed before Him at His coming. And that found in the book of 1 John chapter 2 and verse 28 is to the Christian, to the believer, when we’re taken up out of here.

So that’s why we are looking forward to the Lord to come back and believe that He will come very soon. Now look at it says there in verse 45 then it kind of gives you an idea about those that are faithful and those that are not faithful and Those that are ready and those are not ready Now one of the greatest things you can do of course is to be ready But you ought to see what he says about those that are not ready We’re gonna talk about that in church service the weeping and the wailing and the gnashing of teeth and And it’s let people see there is a consequence of not being ready for the Lord when he comes back.

But notice what he says here in verse 46, blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing being ready, looking preparing. Now look in verse 48, but and if that evil servant shall say in his heart. My Lord did layeth His coming. Now He’s using the story to tell a great truth and the great truth you don’t want to miss. But it’s not all revealed right here. Now look what He says there in verse 49, “…and shall begin to smite his fellow servant to eat and drink with the drunken.”

In other words, there’s no separation, there’s no preparation, there’s no anticipation of him coming. And so therefore they just do whatever they want to do. And the point is they won’t be ready. They won’t be ready. There are those that are going to be ready and there are those that will not be ready. And so you get into in chapter 25 about the five wise and the five foolish and the whole point of all of it is, are you ready?

See there in verse 10 of chapter when he says, and while they went to buy the bridegroom came and they that were what? Ready. And there’s a story and a promise about those that are ready, and there’s some things that’s going to happen to those that are not ready. Now, of course, you and I know we get ready by trusting Christ as our Savior. Now, he’s using a story about a man who has some servants, and he’s called and he’s called the Lord, but you don’t take every point of everything that’s happening and try to find a spiritual way to apply it.

And sometimes whenever people read the 10 virgins and they try to make everything mean something, well, it could, but you can apply it, but what’s the point? What’s the point? What’s he driving at? What’s the purpose of the story? Remember they came and they asked him a question, hey, when you coming? What’s the sign of your coming? Or he gave him some signs that you could see when springs are going to come. He said, you know summer’s night, for example.

So then he tells them, hey, when you see the abominations taken by Daniel and when you see this and this happens and this happens, he says, hey, look up, I’m a coming. And so he’s going to come, be ready. Be ready. I’m coming. And there’s those who are going to go into the kingdom and there’s those who will not go into the kingdom. And so he’s going to go through and he’s going to explain it. And you’ll be surprised how great it is.

I think it’s wonderful. But look there in verse 50 where he says, the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him. He’s coming in a day when they’re not looking for him. Yeah, can that be. be possible for the rapture to have that same application? Yes. Is it possible that the Lord could come in a day when God’s children are not expecting him to come? Can you get so in love with the things of this world and have all your plans all laid out and you’re going to be so disappointed you didn’t get to carry them out because the Lord came and stopped you?

And he said, no Lord, not now I’ve got some things I want to do. Is there anything in this world that would want you to stay here longer than he would want you to stay. And look in verse 51, is there consequences? Yes, and then he’ll explain what he’s talking about by that and shall cut him a son. There in point him his portion with the hypocrites and there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. I wonder what all that means.

Where? Some people teach, and I believe they’re in error, that whenever you die and you get to heaven, because they don’t divide the word of God dispensationally, but when you stand in the judgment of the Christ, some of God’s people are going to be punished. They’re going to be beaten. They’re going to suffer stripes because they knew the will of God and didn’t do the will of God and God is going to not only take you home early, you’re going to be beaten with stripes when you get there and you still run the risk of being cast into outer darkness.

And there’s Christians that teach salvation by grace through faith without any work whatsoever. But once you have trusted Christ, you’re now under the gun. you are going to pay if you mess up.” You say, Christianity, there’sONDON people with Bible degrees after their name gone, the Dallas Seminary and all the Seminary, and they believe this with all their heart, and they write their books, and they put it in their books. I read some of those things. Now, do I believe that?

No, I do not believe that. I don’t believe that when you stand at the Judgement of the Christ, you will give or have to be punished for anything in sin that you’ve done. I believe yourself the loss of rewards that you could have had, but I’m not looking forward to the judgment see to Christ so the Lord can beat the tar out of me there. I don’t believe that’s what it is. I believe my sins have been forgiven and I will have wished I had given him more.

I will see what I could have done and didn’t do And I believe there might even be some tears wiped away from our eyes. But it’s not because of what he does to me, it’s what I did to myself and to the Lord. We hope you’ve enjoyed this lesson today from Dr. Arnold in Pray that Bibleline is a blessing in your life. We are so grateful to our listeners and supporters who help us accomplish so many great things for the Lord.

During this month to every person making a financial donation in any amount, we’re going to send to you the DVD teaching series on how to witness to Roman Catholics. Many Catholics love the Lord so much, but sadly they are lost. Although the Roman Catholic Church uses words like grace and mercy, they rely upon works as the cause of salvation. So many wonderful people are being deceived by the world’s largest religion, and this DVD series could help you win them to the truth.

Again, we’re so grateful to those of you who support this ministry. Our mailing address is 4811 George Road, Tampa, Florida, 33634, and don’t forget to include your mailing address as well. God bless you and thank you for supporting Bible line. Thanks for joining us on Bibleline. If you are in the area, we welcome you to visit us. The address for Calvary Community Church is 4811 George Road, Tampa, Florida, 33634. And And now a closing thought from Pastor Arnold. Friend, one day it will happen.

The trumpet will sound and we will be changed. Caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So live today and every day. Believing that the Lord is coming soon, just keep looking up.