We see also that other forces within the world government are using the kind of fear which people have of what’s coming to get them to comply with what they want them to do. And, one of the things you’ll see in this time is this ‘fear’ – which is a natural fear – will be used as a way in which people will be forced into submission to what the government wants, which, in turn, will end up with submission to what the Antichrist wants.
And he will get his power through offering a solution to the things which are making people afraid but will give them an answer which will turn out not to be an answer.
This will lead to the ‘time of trouble’ and will drive unbelievers to accept the offer of the solution which the Antichrist is offering.
In the book of Daniel chapter 11 there’s a prophecy which is partly about a man called Antiochus who is going to come and set up an ‘abomination of desolation‘ in Jerusalem. But this prophecy merges into prophecies of the end times relating to the Antichrist and the people alive at that time.
Daniel says that:
32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
This time, God wants to raise up a people who will be strong and will stand for Him. We’re not yet in that time but we can see similar circumstances coming to us. He wants us to be strong, a people who carry out exploits, who do God’s will and will instruct many in the truth of the Word of God. And there are people who are doing that today, who are also subject to what it says here: falling into captivity and plundering, people who’ll be strong and know their God and do exploits and will know that the kingdom of God is coming. And Jesus said:
when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
Luke 21.28-32
This is another interesting verse whose meaning is debated. In the last part of this passage which we read today, Jesus has been telling us what to do and how to survive physically and spiritually. So, I hope you pay attention because this is probably the most important part of this talk. Jesus says a number of things.
He speaks about the fig tree and this generation when you see the sign of the fig tree when you see these things happening, then know that Jesus is coming. There’s a bit of debate about what the fig tree means: does it mean actually the rebirth of Israel as a nation?
Now there are prophecies in the Old Testament which speak about Israel as the fig tree and as the vine. When Jesus departed he cursed the fig tree and it withered which some people saw as the withering of the national life of Israel. Therefore, the contrast you see, the blossoming of the national life of Israel, is then a sign of the Second Coming of Jesus, and we certainly are the generation which has seen the blossoming of the national life of Israel, the remarkable restoration of Israel as a nation which is a sign of the fulfilment of Bible prophecy and of the Second Coming of Jesus.
The other explanation of the fig tree parable, is that it just means that when you see all these things which I’ve spoken about coming to pass together, then you know that this is the time which is leading to the Second Coming of Jesus.
Now there are some people who say ‘these things have always happened. There have always been famines and wars, and earthquakes.‘ Yes, that’s true but they haven’t always come at the same time, with the same intensity. What you’re seeing now is ‘all the signs‘ of the Second Coming taking place around us in the world.
When you see all the signs coming together, then, you know that is the sign of the Second Coming of Jesus. If you’re alive at that time, you are the generation which is going to see the fulfilment of it in the return of the Lord Jesus. I believe we are that generation which is why it’s relevant to us today and we should recognize that Jesus is coming.
Don’t be like the scoffers who say ‘what’s the sign? Where is the promise of His coming? But believe, be among those who pay attention to the signs and prepare for the coming of the Lord.
Jesus goes on to say that:
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Luke 21.33
Jesus’ words are not going to pass away. One of the ways in which we’re going to survive and overcome in this time is to believe the Word of God. Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will by no means pass away.
The Word of Jesus is the Word which God has given us from eternity into our time and space to teach us how to live and He’s saying here that when He says something’s going to happen, it’s going to happen no matter what the world says, no matter what you think about it. If it’s something that God has said through Jesus Christ, it’s going to happen.
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
Psalm 119.11-16
It’s the Word of God and it is happening, or it’s going to happen, or it has happened. And if we believe the Word of God, it’s an anchor for our soul. Somebody’s going to keep us stable and safe in these times. The things which will happen in the last days of God’s judgment on a sinful world that has rejected His commandments and the Salvation offered through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, the solution is to believe, to believe the Word of God, to believe in Jesus, to accept Him, to repent of sin and believe the Gospel, and be saved.
Those who believe it will have a hope and a future no matter how dark the world gets.