Preparing for What is Coming Part 3

by Jim Marcum February 27, 2011 INTRODUCTION If we were going to give a subtitle to this series, it might be called Storm Warning. We have all heard the noise coming across our radios or televisions that signals an emergency like a storm warning, or a weather alert. You know, its that low rhythmic squawking noise, like an alarm sounding. Its meant to get your attention to alert you that something is coming that you need to know about and you need to prepare for. Alarms in general arent pleasant, are they? We could even describe the noise they make as irritating or obnoxious. They are purposefully loud and shrill why? So that WE WONT IGNORE THEM. They are designed to get our attention! And once our attention is upon the alarm, then we can take appropriate action action that just might save our lives! 1. REVIEW: WE KNOW POSITIVELY FROM SCRIPTURE THAT WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS. A. There is much in Scripture about the last days or end times the unique period of time just before Christs return. 1) About ONE-THIRD of the entire Bible is prophecy. 2) Prophetic scholars tell us that in as many as 150 chapters of the Bible, more than half the chapter tells about the end times. That is, these 150 chapters of the Bible tell of things not yet fulfilled, but which will be fulfilled in the last days. B. Mike Bickle in a message he spoke in September of 2009 said this: I believe that we are in the early days of the generation of the Lords return, and that is my own person al opinion and conviction. I have that conviction not because of a dream, a vision, or a personal revelation. I have that conviction because of the biblical signs of the times . There are so many signs that are increasing in intensity from biblical witness of what would happen in society, in the Church, in the nations, and then, in the created order with earthquakes, floods, and signs in the heavens. By just the observation of the increase of biblical signs of the times, I have an increasing conviction that we are in the early days of that generation. I believe there are people alive on the earth right now who will actually see the coming of the Lord with their eyes. It may not be for some decades. I do not know. It may be three, four, five, six decades, or maybe longer, or shorter. Nobody knows the day, or the hour But, I believe there will be people all over the earth who will know, as we get closer to that time that we are living in the generation of His return. I believe that there are signs in the Word of Godbiblical signsthat create in us a confidence and an awareness that we are getting closer to that hour. C. Remember this: With the same certainty that we know from Scripture that NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR of Christs return we also know from Scripture that there would always be a generation come forth upon earth who WOULD KNOW THEY ARE THE GENERATION of Christs return. Scripture is very clear on BOTH of these points. And what we are saying is: WE ARE THAT GENERATION! 2. THE BEGINNING OF BIRTH PAINS Matthew 24:3-8 (3) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" (4) And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. (5) For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.

(6) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (8) All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. A. BIRTH PAINS What does Jesus say in verse 8 that these times will be likened to? He says that the difficulties which begin to occur, and which are to be seen and recognized as definite signs of the close of the age and the return of the Lord will be like birth pains. There are two things we know about birth pains: 1) They are pains that is they hurt, they are painful. 2) They indicate a limited amount of time before a birth takes place. B. The time we are entering into will be a painful time. The Amplified Bible reads in 2 Timothy 3:1: 2 Timothy 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 1) This sounds like its describing birth pains, doesnt it? Hard to deal with and hard to bear. 2) Someone might say, These things Jesus mentions in verses 4-7 (wars, earthquakes, famines, etc.) have been going on all along during the past 2,000 years, and even longer. That may be true to some extent, but it is beside the point! The point Jesus makes is that the certain, specific things He speaks of are in fact the birth pains which signal an imminent event His return. C. Because of the birth pains, we know that there is a LIMITED TIME before Christs return. 1) A birth is a perfect example of a time in which you do not know the day or hour, but you definitely know the season. There are visible signs leading up to a birth and every woman who has had a child knows what those signs are. It is not difficult to understand. You dont know the day or hour, but you KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT and you know that once the birth pains begin, in a limited amount of time you are going to give birth to a child. 2) In verse 8, Jesus specifically calls these visible signs (wars, earthquakes, famines, etc) the beginning of birth pains. Every woman who has had a child knows what it is like when the birth pains BEGIN. And every husband whose wife has given birth knows what the beginning of birth pains means! Its time to take action! Lets get to the hospital and lets do this thing! 3) The beginning of birth pains is what youve been waiting for during a pregnancy. Its the sign, its the signal that you need to really get ready because this baby is coming right away! 4) Notice, Jesus does not say these things are signs of the beginning of the pregnancy, but the beginning of the birth. Its the beginning of the END TIMES of your pregnancy. You do not have birth pains until just before you deliver the baby. D. This is not false labor! 1) Someone may say, Well there is such a thing as false labor. That point is irrelevant and confuses the issue. Jesus is not talking about false labor he is talking about birth pains. False labor is not birth pains its false labor. 2) What Jesus is referring to is not confusing, it is clear. Put it out of your mind that this is confusing! Birth pains are the sign that the birth is getting very close at hand. This is what Jesus is saying about the signs He lists. They are the beginning of birth pains they are definite signs that His return is definitely at hand!

E. The Holy Spirit speaking through Paul the apostle uses this same picture of a woman giving birth to describe the end times just before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (1) Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. (2) For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (3) While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (4) But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. (5) For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (6) So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1) This is one of the places in Scripture (vs. 4-5) which clearly tells us that the generation of believers who are alive at Christs coming will NOT BE SURPRISED, as will those who are in darkness and unbelief. 2) In verse 3, we have it stated in Scripture again that the coming of the Lord, and even specifically the sudden destructive judgments that accompany His coming, will come as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman. F. IMPORTANT How do labor pains come? 1) Labor pains begin somewhat slowly and with less intensity, but as they progress, the pains increase in frequency and intensity. 2) So when Jesus speaks of these things as birth pains, it means that the things He talks about and describes (wars, earthquakes, famines etc.) will: a. INCREASE in frequency or scale as time progresses toward the birth (the coming of the Lord). b. Happen rapidly and coincident to each other within the period of time just before He returns. 3) Jesus says later in this chapter that these signs will ALL occur within the scope of one generation of time the generation of His return. (The birth pains and the birth itself happen within the same season!) Matthew 24:33-34 (33) So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. (34) Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 3. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING? A. Lets begin now in this study to look more closely at Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 which are the 3 parallel passages where Jesus speaks of the signs of his coming. He tells us what will be taking place in our generation the generation of His return. At least 15 things are clearly described that are coming upon planet earth, and these are the things that the Lord would have us watch for and prepare for. B. There may be a specific order or timeline for some of these things happening. Some of these things may occur only for a short period toward the very end, just before Jesus returns a time that is referred to in Scripture as the Great Tribulation. But as we look at these, we are not going

to put an order to these events happening, or divide these 15 descriptions of what is taking place in the end times generation into any particular timeline or season. Were just going to talk about these 15 things as occurring at some point within the generation of Christs return. C. Remember, Jesus is clear that these are the signs of His imminent return. They will occur just like birth pains occur at the end of pregnancy, during the delivery of a baby they will begin intermittently and with little intensity, but they will rapidly increase in frequency and intensity . This is what is coming for us! 1) SIGN # 1 Rampant deception. What is the very first answer Jesus gives to What will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age? It is in Matthew 24, verses 4 and 5: Matthew 24:3-5 (3) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" (4) And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. (5) For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. a. Later in Matthew 24 we read that Jesus speaks further about this deception that is coming to the end time generation: Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Matthew 24:24-25 (24) For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (25) See, I have told you beforehand. b. The Holy Spirit reveals this deception happening in the end times through Pauls letters to Timothy, and to the Thessalonians: 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (3) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (4) and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (9) The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, (10) and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

c. Jesus gives us this list of deceptions taking place in the end time generation: 1. False prophets & false christs, 2. Deceiving spirits, 3. Doctrines of demons, 4. Fleshly teachers, 5. False peace and security, 6. False signs and wonders. d. Because of these things, Scriptures say that this will be a time when people are departing from the faith, turning away from and refusing to love truth, being led astray, wandering off. e. In Luke 18 Jesus asks the question: Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) f. How do we respond to knowing this? How do we prepare ourselves for what is coming in the way of deception? Believers of this end times generation need to prepare to love the truth, to walk in truth, and to live by faith in the dark days of lawlessness and deception and falsehood. This is most critical! Three ways to prepare for the coming deluge of deception: 1. Intimacy with Jesus. Know the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 2. Embrace tightly the Scriptures and dont let go! Read, sing, meditate, memorize. Do anything you can to be getting filled with the written Word of God. Remember its what Jesus used during temptation to defeat the deception of Satan. 3. Be fully engaged in a body of true believers with leaders who speak the truth to you in love. Ephesians 4:11-15 (11) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, (12) to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, (14) so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (15) Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, g. We need to underscore the sign of rampant deception that Jesus tells us to watch for in the season of His coming. Remember it is the very first thing He mentions, and he repeats it again two more times. We must be prepared to withstand enormous and great deceptions and delusions, and their associated false signs and wonders. 1. It will take the power and wisdom of God to do this. We have seen nothing yet compared to what will be unleashed in the area of deception in the coming season on this planet. We cannot underestimate this and the need to prepare ourselves for it. 2. We must pledge our allegiance to JESUS! Lets be sober minded about it. Th e difficulty in this one area of standing for the truth and remaining faithful to Jesus will be something none of us has ever faced. We cannot think well just breeze through or sail through this.

3. The seeds of some of this deception have already been planted, and we need to ask the Lord if there are any of these seeds in our own hearts. Let the Spirit of truth search our hearts. We must be uncompromising about our love for the truth! 4. Let us strongly encourage the teachers, and the prophets in the body of Christ stand strong in this hour! Deception is going to be released at off the chart levels and its going to be targeted at you. Stand strong against it! 5. Weve got to stop arguing doctrines in the body of Christ. We must stop our squabbling and opinionated talking and the arrogance we show about it, and embrace the truth TOGETHER right now. The disjointed division in the church has left us woefully weak at our hour of greatest need. 6. Let apostolic preaching return! Let a spirit of truth invade us, cut us down if need be, and cause us to humble ourselves so that we learn to stand in the truth. 7. Prayer warriors, be praying for a mighty release of the spirit of truth in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be praying we will all abandon any lies and any false doctrines, as well as the levity and flippancy weve had about the Word of God. 8. The apostle John addresses this need in the end time hour to be walking in the truth in 1 John chapter 2. 1 John 2:18-28 (18) Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. (20) But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (21) I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. (22) Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. (23) No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. (24) Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. (25) And this is the promise that he made to us--eternal life. (26) I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. (27) But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie--just as it has taught you, abide in him. (28) And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. a) We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit which leads us into all truth. That anointing which is true and is no lie! b) The Holy Spirit is God! He reveals the will of the Father and the beauty and Lordship of the Son. He is the Spirit of Truth. He guides us and leads us and keeps us in the truth. We need a fullness of the Holy Spirit like never before!

c) The Spirit and the Bride say come! The Holy Spirit and the Bride of Christ, the church, will be cooperating together in full unity in this end times generation . 2) SIGN # 2 Wars. Wars are defined as ongoing armed military conflicts. Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. a. The 20th Century saw two World Wars. 1. During World War 1 there were 16 million deaths. Of those, about 9.7 million were military deaths, and about 6.8 million were civilian deaths. 2. World War 2 was the deadliest war in history. Statistics vary from 50-70 million deaths. It is estimated over 40 million of those deaths were civilians! About 25 million were military deaths. b. There are currently 9 wars (armed military conflicts) going on globally in which there are occurring over 1,000 deaths annually. Americans are fighting in two of these wars. 1. One is in Iraq, called Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began in March of 2003. 2. The other is Operation Enduring Freedom taking place in Afghanistan, which began in October of 2001. 3. Both of these wars are part of the umbrella known as the Global War on Terror. 4. The other 7 armed conflicts in which more than 1,000 persons are dying annually are occurring in: India, Somalia, Pakistan, Yemen, Mexico, Sudan, and Libya. c. Many other ongoing armed conflicts, some of which have been going on since the 1940s, are currently taking lives as well, but at a rate of less than 1,000 lives per year. 1. One of these is the Korean conflict between North & South Korea which began in 1948. 2. Others nations experiencing armed conflict include: Israel & the Arab States, Iran, Turkey, Spain & France, Colombia, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, Uganda, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Senegal, Ethiopia, Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Thailand, Burma, Chad, Cambodia, Russia, and Ivory Coast. 3. There is armed military conflict going on in some 37 nations of the world right now. d. Wars are an indicator to the end times generation that this is the season of preparation for Christs coming, and they will be increasing in intensity and scope. 3) SIGN # 3 Rumors of war tumults (commotion, instability, and disorder) a. Jesus says that there will not only be a proliferation of wars during this end time generation, but there will be rumors of war. In Luke, the word tumults is used. Luke 21:9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once." b. This word tumult signifies commotion, instability, and disorder with a centerpiece of the threat of war. Many areas of the globe are marked right now by this commotion, instability, and disorder. There may not be organized armed military conflict there, but there is instability that is beginning and in some cases increasing. There is unrest, there is discontentment, and commotions are beginning to happen in those places.

c. War is in the hearts of many and on the lips of some. And that is going to continue to increase. And what will follow will be uprisings. Jesus goes on to make this statement about the political and civil unrest that will be increasing in the end times, which is the 4th sign of His coming. He says: 4) SIGN # 4 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom . Matthew 24:7a For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom a. The Lord Jesus tells us that these wars and the associated disorder and instability will be manifested in the form of uprisings revolts, rebellions, and insurgencies. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. b. Look at what is happening today in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, Iraq, Algeria, and many other places. And remember that this is the beginning of birth pains. This is going to become more and more commonplace as the nations and kingdoms of this earth are shaken during these end times. c. There will be an increase in wars, and an increase in disorder and unrest and uprisings. The results will be deadly and will no doubt surpass the two world wars of the last century. The likelihood of nuclear weapons being used is very high. d. A recent report from National Geographic stated that scientists have been modeling the effects of a war involving a hundred Hiroshima-level bombs. The startling truth is that 100 Hiroshima-level bombs amounts to only 0.03 percent of the world's current nuclear arsenal. And among the nations which now are believed by many to have, or be very close to having nuclear weapon capabilities North Korea and Iran. e. The Lord Jesus says that when we see and experience the time when these wars are raging, and there is disorder and uprising, to know that the end is not yet. In Lukes gospel he uses another word which means, not immediately. Why does He say this? 1. Perhaps Jesus is saying this because of how destructive and intense and widespread the wars and commotions will be which take place during the end-time generation on earth. It may be so destructive that we might feel there is no way the world can go on. But Jesus is saying that there is more to come, that the wars are not the end. 2. He may also be saying that war is not the way the end will come that is, mankind is not going to destroy himself with warfare. When these horrible and devastating wars are taking place, when disorder and instability is on a global scale, and when nations and kingdoms are raging and shaking and rising up against each other, it may seem like the end. But Jesus is telling us ahead of time that the end will not come immediately. We must be prepared to go through this, and more, before the end comes! 4. PREPARING FOR WHAT IS COMING. A. WAY TO PREPARE # 1 Be in peace. [not in fear] Psalms 27:3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 1) The supernatural peace and confidence we possess as believers in Jesus during these end times will be a mark of God upon us, and a witness to unbelievers who are living in great fear. 2) Practice now! Live in peace right now! Receive a heart-peace from the Spirit of God which is in you. Just knowing that a state of war is coming can help us prepare now to be in peace, so that when it comes we are not shocked and fearful. 3) The apostle Peter talks about being in peace during the season of Christs coming: 2 Peter 3:11-14 (11) Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, (12) waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! (13) But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (14) Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. a. He says be diligent to be found AT PEACE! To be found at peace! It is possible, even in the face of great wars and commotions to be found at peace. b. It is possible to be at peace, but it is not automatic. There is a diligence to it. We must prepare for it and apply our hearts and minds to it. We must keep our focus upon the Lord Jesus, listening to His voice which will bring peace to us in the midst of what is going on. B. WAY TO PREPARE # 2 Speak and minister peace to others! 1) Not only can we personally be at peace, but we can minister that peace to one another, and even minister peace to the ungodly. Isaiah says: Isaiah 35:3-4 (3) Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. (4) Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." 2) The psalmist speaks of being at peace while the nations are raging and kingdoms tottering: Psalms 46:6-9 (6) The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. (7) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (8) Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. (9) He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

10

3) When Paul describes the armor of our spiritual warfare, he tells us that the shoes for our feet are the readiness or preparedness that comes from what? From the gospel of peace. This is something to be prepared for, to be ready for! Be prepared in this end time hour to proclaim the gospel of peace in the midst of unspeakable conflict and upheaval in the world. Ephesians 6:15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 4) Jesus is the Prince of Peace, He has made peace through his cross, and He alone will bring peace to the earth when He personally comes to rule here. Look at what Isaiah the prophet says: Isaiah 2:2-4 (2) It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, (3) and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (4) He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. 5) This same prophecy is repeated by the prophet Micah in Micah chapter 4. Its a beautiful chapter (be encouraged to read it!). We can take heart even during the terrible wars that are coming that the end is close at hand when the Prince of Peace is coming and wars will cease. C. WAY TO PREPARE # 3 - Consider how a state of warfare, and bearing arms in military conflict, may touch your life personally. Prepare to deal with injuries, and perhaps even deaths. 1) This is the most difficult thing we have to consider. There are negatives to deal with during the time of warfare. We do not need to dwell upon that, but we do need to consider and pray for courage and help from the Lord to prepare for this. 2) War involves bearing arms. Nations and kingdoms will be warring against one another, and our nation will not be an exception. Some of us may be asked to bear arms in behalf of our nation. Some of us may have children and grandchildren who are asked to bear arms. We need to prepare our hearts and minds for this. 3) There are always civilian casualties during warfare, and we should prepare ourselves for this. We do not have to become somber or grim about this. We may be led to do some very practical things, such as a. Sign up at Red Cross for some basic first aid training, or just get a book and read about it. b. Stock our own homes with certain emergency medical supplies. c. Go a step further and take EMT training or other professional medical training. 4) Sometimes we cancel fear by just preparing and getting what training we can to be ready for what we know is coming. But whatever we do, we need to accept that these terrible wars and commotions are on the horizon, and prepare our own hearts and minds about it.

11

D. WAY TO PREPARE # 4 Prepare to use the Holy Spirits gifts of faith, healings, and miracles. 1) There is an awesome blessing that we have as the people of God. Not only does He give us peace in the midst of commotion, not only does He give us protection from harm, but we have mighty supernatural gifts given by the Holy Spirit which can help in times of great crisis! 1 Corinthians 12:9-10a to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles 2) Lets ask for these gifts! Lets release these gifts and develop the se gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the midst of wars and threats of war, lets p ray as the early church did: Acts 4:29-30 (29) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, (30) while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 3) The Lord will surely be stretching out His hand in behalf of His people in this end time hour! There will be a release of His power upon us a release of gifts of faith, healings, and miracles! 4) Not only will the devastation of warfare be coming, but Jesus goes on to say there will also be earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. Never will this planet need more desperately a church that is filled with the Spirit operating in gifts of faith, healings, and miracles. 5) Lets begin even now! Lets start this very day to ask for and to receive these precious gifts of the Holy Spirit. Oh how we need them! The end times season is upon us, and we need to receive so much from the Lord. We need faith to keep our eyes upon Him and not on what is going on around us. Let us ask for mighty gifts of faith release them now Lord! Let us also ask for mighty gifts of healing now, Oh Spirit of God, now! And let us ask for the gifts of miracles Lord Jesus, send your power! E. Finally, in the midst of considering how to prepare for the physical challenges, lets also remember the FIRST sign Jesus tells us to watch and prepare for rampant deception. 1) Let us be spending much time now in the Word of God, and in prayer. 2) Lets pray the Lord will open our minds to understand the Scriptures. 3) Lets pray for the Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our hearts. 4) Lets pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and a release of the Spirit of truth. 5) Lets pray that any seeds of deception that are in us will be dug up and cast away. 6) Come, oh Holy Spirit, and lead us and guide us into all truth, in Jesus name!