What's Next? From Jerusalem - Part B

When you talk about heaven and you think about that blessed hope to fill your heart my heart because that really is home there will be no broken hearts. There are no broken homes anymore. No rehab, no health today around all the warnings in the wake of the most exciting thing is where this is all leading me think of what's next. Also think of what will happen after Ultimately would be with him.

The Bible states that God has put eternity in your heart with society often encourages us to focus too much on things that won't last today on connect with Skip, I think Skip encourages you to live with your eyes set on the hope of Christ return to let you know about a recent that will give you greater insight into the end times events become. How would you like to predict the future hundred years ago Amanda John Watkins.

This facility and try predicted by the day.

Exterminated cockroaches and mosquitoes and we no longer use the CQ are asked to let the xeroxed truth beyond our ability to predict gods in his word tells us everything we need to know about what's ahead. Known as the times we want to help you understand what the future holds bicyclist to fight six books you can understand the book of Revelation to include helpful illustrations to study the resources argued donation today of $35 or more to help keep these Bible-based teachings on the music connectwithskip.com/offer today and get your copy.

You can understand the book of Revelation or call 800-2218 8892 1882 in Matthew chapter 20 diving to the teacher with skip-Jesus said we know what we were salvation is to there's only one place that our Lord ever paid for the sins of the world and that was outside the city. The city of Jerusalem at a place called dog so Jerusalem is the geographic center of the earth, biblically it is the salvation center of the earth, spiritually. Third, it's the storm center of the earth prophetically. If you go to Jerusalem.

There's a feeling of tension that is in the air and people learn to live with it and manager cope with it, but it's still here nonetheless urges that political and spiritual tension leaders around the world are always aware that Jerusalem is a potential tinderbox not Asia, not Europe, but always Israel and there's a reason for that. God set on the prophecies of Zechariah in the Old Testament. I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all the peoples around the Jewish Talmud had a saying, the sages said 10 measures of beauty were given to the world.

Jerusalem took nine of them. One was dispersed throughout the rest of the world. But then it also said 10 measures of suffering were given to the world.

Jerusalem took nine of them in one was distributed to the rest of the world. Something to remember back to the movie fiddler on the roof went heavier, the patriarch of the family looks up to heaven as a praying to God and he said I know are the chosen people, but couldn't choose someone else. Every now and then sometimes there's that feeling that I know are at the center of God's plan, but it's very difficult to be there so it's the storm center of the earth prophetically.

But then, finally, it's the glory center of the earth ultimately you see the prophet Isaiah said that all the nations of the world will flow into Jerusalem and there's coming a time when the law will go forth from Zion, Zion is right behind me in this setting that you are seeing the law will go forth and all peoples will flow into the city look at it this way in Jerusalem there is a king less prone is the throne of David, has been occupied in over 2500 years in heaven there is a throne, less pain, and when the king was thrown on the throne less can come together that will be the time of fullness that the Bible speaks about God's calling is irreversible. The place Jerusalem that is always been God's place, God center will be God's place in God center in the future in the tribulation. God will seal hundred and 44,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Jewish people he'll protect them during the tribulation. After that will be a thousand year reign of Christ on the earth. The millennial kingdom. He will rule and reign from Mount Zion, the city of Jerusalem, then there will be the eternal state. There will be the new Jerusalem that comes out of heaven toward the earth, and that new Jerusalem has 12 tribes that are on inscribed on the 12 gates around the city. So it's very Jewish centric in God's plan. In the past and the future. I remember hearing this little saying by a guy named Norman you were this what he said. How odd of God to choose the Jew but not so odd as those who choose the Jewish God and not the Jew see God is always established a covenant with the Jewish people and the land that is the land of Israel.

He is given in covenant to them.

So that's the first thing I want you notice about Matthew 24 is it's very Jerusalem Jewish Israel centered.

The place is important.

Second, the prediction Jesus makes a prediction in verse two something that stunned the disciples.

Jesus said to them, do you not see all of these things they were showing him the beautiful stones of the Temple and the temple complex and the colonnaded porch of Solomon's porch and he said you not see all of these things assuredly, I say to you, not one stone will be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down. I'm convinced, so I can prove it that the disciples dropped their jaws at that moment when Jesus made that prediction that this incredible building the temple mount the temple complex, which is and was enormous was one day going down the reason that they would be shocked is because the presence of the temple was in the Jewish mind. A sign of God's favor to the nation as long as it stood, it was a proof that God was favorable toward them. By the way, when Jesus made that prediction.

The temple was still under construction. It took 18,000 workers a total of 80 years to complete.

In fact, some say, when the temple was destroyed.

It wasn't even completely finished yet. It sat on and you can see the outline of a 36 acre platform that Herod the great built retaining wall around to flatten the area out to 36 acres to take all of the buildings that would be on that enormous foundation and the building itself was enormous on the pinnacle of the temple which is the southeast corner sits 158 feet above its base and then beyond the Temple Mount itself stood at one time attempted building that was 90 feet high white marble with a golden cornice that Josephus said was visible for up to 30 miles away just an incredible building so incredible that the Babylonian Talmud said he that is never seen the temple of Herod has never seen a beautiful building. So it was magnificent. And yet Jesus makes the prediction that these stones are going to be tumbling down the be unraveled when we take a little tour of the sites and we see the retaining wall that Herod the great built for this.

Some of these stones are enormous.

They found stone, some that are 15 feet high 15 feet deep by 40 feet long. That way upwards of 400 tons and one wonders how on earth were those things able to be moved, but then this prediction that these stones are coming down is amazing and it's it's prediction was fulfilled 70 A.D. the Roman armies circumvented the city and amounted an attack against that city. Originally the generals of the order was to keep intact the temple, but because of a fire that broke out as this history tells us, and the gold was melting in between the cracks of the stones, the Brady soldiers converged on the temple and pushed the stones down to get to the wealth that was between those cracks so that the prophecy made by Jesus was literally fulfilled and you can see the remains of some of those predictions, even on a tour today. Josephus, that Jewish historian that we make reference to so often even set a person visiting here after the destruction of Jerusalem would never believe that anyone ever inhabited that place or where the temple stood that's interesting because there is still dispute as to where the original temple stood upon the temple mount that is here in our background. But the Scripture predicts that the nations will rise against Jerusalem and the world will come against Israel. Zechariah chapter 12 the prophet says all of the nations will send their armies to besiege Jerusalem, Israel fell in 70 A.D. and what happened in 70 A.D. there are lots of enemies around this tiny little nation that would love to see that happen to the Jews. Again, I'll guarantee you the followers of Hamas and Hezbollah and ISIS in all of these groups on the storefront all would love to see what happened in 70 A.D. happen here again to the Jewish people. In fact, not too long ago shake Nasrallah from Hezbollah the leader up in Lebanon said husband law will will sink the final nail into the coffin of greater Israel made that prediction and now today we know that Iran is a country is funding that terrorist organization wanting to see that happen. So we looked at the place and you're seeing the place in this beautiful shot that you have before us and then the prediction that Jesus made but I want to end with the promise because throughout Matthew 24 as tough as some of these predictions are what is coming war and famines and pestilence, etc. in view within this tax is also an incredible promise. Jesus speaks about his coming.

The disciples ask him the question what is the sign of your coming.

Matthew 24 verse three Jesus also says watch for you do not know when the Son of Man is coming later on down in verse 42 so there's this mention of the coming of the Lord and and that really is the culmination of all prophetic hope in the glory of the world will be the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming back. You need to know that that needs to fill your heart with hope Jesus Christ, your Savior is coming back and even Jesus promises disciples.

I'm going away to prepare a place for you and if I go I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also. So you can you can take heart, as you look forward to the coming of the Lord now. From our vantage point, we are actually looking for to future events to happen a number one Jesus is coming toward the earth for his church.

Recall that the rapture of the church after the church age is done. That's when the rapture is going to take place week we looked at that in the book of Revelation recently. So Jesus is coming toward the earth for his church. The second of our looking for is Jesus is coming to the earth with his church that is the second coming, technically, and that will happen after the tribulation. So at the rapture of the church. Jesus comes in the air and we will meet him in the year. It's not really a full coming that sort of a flyby. It's a near pass and he is coming in the air and we will meet him in the of the second coming is when Jesus comes from heaven through the air all the way to the earth and that's when every eye shall see him. The Bible predicts at the rapture of the church Jesus claims is blighted a second coming. Jesus comes with his bride at the rapture, the focus is Jesus and his church. At the second coming, the focus is Israel and the kingdom.

The rapture is sudden it's unpredictable.

It's in the moment, the twinkling of an eye. The Bible calls but the second coming is predictable after a seven year tribulation.

Jesus will return and even be more technical. 3 1/2 years after what's called the abomination of desolation which will happen on the Temple Mount Jesus Christ will return. So the rapture could happen at any moment. And that's what makes future events, so fascinating and so when we asked the question that we've asked in the series.

What's next. That's what we're looking for what's next for us is the Lord to come back for us now.

Jesus didn't give a detailed and explain chronologically a roadmap of prophetic events, but if we take what Jesus said in the Gospels and if we take what Paul wrote about in the epistles and what Peter wrote about in the epistles and what the apostle John saw and recorded in the book of Revelation we have a little bit of a roadmap that helps us understand what's next. So here's how it's going to come down Jesus Christ, who is currently seated at the right hand of God the father will come in bodily form from heaven to the atmosphere above the earth. Second, Jesus will bring with him the souls of believers who have died and been with him in heaven and he will bring them with him to resurrect their bodies at that point.

Their bodies are not suited for heaven. He needs to resurrect their bodies transform their lowly bodies. As Paul said into his glorious body because first Corinthians 15 tells us flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

This corruption must put on incorruptible this mortal must put on immortality. So just like those two guys from the South Pacific said we got to bring our lives to ride in that machine that's all going to happen that physical transformation at that rapture of the church. Third, once we meet the Lord in them in the air.

Then we can make a triumphal procession back into heaven, during which time there will be the judgment seat of Christ. That's a judgment for believers will get their rewards during that period. While the tribulation is happening on the earth. There will be given to us in glory rewards for faithful service and the use of our talents here.

The Bible plainly says in second Corinthians chapter 5. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things that were done in his body during all of that period of time course that may also include the beautiful, not only judgment seat of Christ, but sitting around the seat in the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven. During that time.

What's happening on this earth will be tribulation.

In fact it's called great tribulation.

In fact, Jesus said, there's not a time in history that will be like that time and after the tribulation. Then Jesus and the saints with them will come back to the earth for the second coming, the end of that conflagration of the armies marching around Jerusalem, then there will be a millennial kingdom of the thousand years of Christ on the earth, followed by what is called an eternal state brand-new heaven brand-new earth in the new Jerusalem, coming out of heaven toward the newer and the best part of all that that will be home. It is home is what Jesus referred to in my father's house there are many mansions. He called his father's house above anything else. Heaven is a relational place. It's a real place, but it's a relational place unity with the Lord in the father's house and you know what makes home home is not what's at home it's who's at home and when I go home and leaving my wife there.

I'm home.

If the house is empty. It was that might be a beautiful house but is not home until the people that you love her there and the people that you love will follow the Lord will be there with you in the Lord that you observe will be there with you. You will be home that is why Charles Haddon Spurgeon that great Victorian preacher used to tell his students when he was teaching them to preach. He said these words whenever you talk about heaven lets her face light up with a heavenly glory. When you talk about hell your everyday face will do it like a lot of people and it's like they don't have much heaven on their mind, their their joyous and present and there is not that exuberance, but when you talk about heaven and you think about that blessed hope to fill your heart. My heart with joy because that really is home there will be no broken hearts. There are no broken homes anymore. No rehab, no hell and looking today around all the warnings in the wake up calls the most exciting thing is where this is all leading. So many think of what's next. Also think of what will happen after that. Next thing ultimately were going to be with him in glory. Jesus put it this way.

When all these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads for your redemption is drawing near.

Boys asked been exciting to be here in Israel and especially in the city of Jerusalem. II just sort of a I get amped up and it's better than a double espresso just walk around the streets of Jerusalem and and and hear the buzz and see the sights and and think of all the Scriptures that speak about this incredible place. But the question is for you.

Are you ready. You've heard the saying some of you have heard of these things all your life you grown up in church, but you haven't received Christ yet. You haven't asked him to be your Lord, your master, my mind goes back to what happened in 1980 with Mount Saint Helens and there was all of the talk about a possible eruption and there were people who wouldn't leave their homes because they didn't believe in it. There's a story that comes from a book called approaching hoofbeats. It's a parable, Mount Saint Helens belched its great plumes hundreds of feet into the air. Geologists watch their seismographs growing in wonder as the earth dance beneath their feet.

Rangers and state police sirens blaring herded tourists and residents from an ever widening zone of danger every piece of scientific evidence was being collected in the laboratories and on the field and it all predicted that the volcano would soon explode with a fury that would leave the forests flattened warning blared the loudspeakers on patrol cars and on helicopters hovering overhead warning blinked. The battery-powered sirens at every major crossroad warning pleated radio and television announcers shortwave and citizen band operators warning echoed up and down the mountains and Lakeside villages. The tourist camps.

The hiking trails and they all emptied his people heard the warnings and fled for their lives except for Harry. Harry refused to budge. Harry was the caretaker of a recreation lodge in spirit like just 5 miles north of Mount Saint Helens speak the Rangers warned Harry of the coming blast neighbors. They dimmed to join them in their exodus. Even Harry's sister called to talk sense into the old man's head, but Harry ignored the warnings from the picture postcard beauty of his Lakeside home reflecting on the snowcapped peak overhead. Harry just grinned on national television and said nobody knows more about this mountain, then Harry and it don't blow up on him, but I May 18, 1980, as the boiling gases beneath the mountain surface bulged and buckled the landscape into its final limits. Harry cooked his eggs and bacon fat is 16 cats scraps and began to plan petunias around the border of his freshly mowed lawn at 8:31 AM the mountain exploded, did Harry regret his decision in that millisecond he had before the concussive waves traveling faster than the speed of sound flattened him and everything else for a 50 mi.² radius.

Video time and his stubbornness is millions of tons of bricks disintegrated and disappeared into a cloud reaching 10 miles in the sky. Did he struggle against the wall of mud and ash 50 feet high that buried his cabin is cats and his freshly mowed lawn. Now Harry is a legend in the Pacific Northwest, where he refused to listen. He smiles down from postcards, posters and T-shirts and beer mugs balladeer sing a song about old Harry, the stubborn man who put his ear to the mountain but would not heed the warnings Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, throughout the centuries have issued warnings in every generation. People are left with the choice to heave into believe or to reject that's a choice you have. You have the choice right now to place your faith in Jesus Christ who came to this place and died for your sins and rose bodily from the grave and ascended into glory in one day is coming back will you be ready for my praise this message from the series what's your Skip to share how you can keep this broadcast strong connecting more people like you to God's truth. Did you know that our spiritual war rages all around you. You don't have to be afraid. However, Jesus has already defeated the enemy and he invites you to be a victor with him.

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