The Beginning of the End

by Pastor Shawn Murphy

The same way that the Bible foretold the coming of Christ the Bible explains that the Lord will Return.

Studying Eschatology vs. Stinking Thinking

Eschatology is the study of the end times.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭36‬ NIV)

Why should we study if we won't know?

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭42-44‬ NIV)

A focus on God's return helps us to remain vigilant. Revelation keeps me busy about my Father's business

The Return of the King is Real

It has made people guess at the dates and really miss it.

An Example of Having Faith in God

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭16-18‬ NIV)

Another

Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭35-40‬ NIV)

I will not bow to your idol my God is Enough

When you know what the end is going to be the pitfalls don't hurt as much. When your end is in God you grow in the storm.

Revelation should not divide us. We should be united in the God who resolves it all.

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭8-9‬ NIV)

The Revelation of Christ should bring comfort to his children.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭16-18‬ NIV)