THE GREAT TRIBULATION

Bible Doctrine: The Great Tribulation

Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:24; Zech.14:1-9; Mat.24:21

The Great Tribulation is one of the great doctrines of the Bible. It is important that we are fully informed as to what will happen in the end time, especially because we are now in the end time. The end time represents the period preceding the final judgement of God upon the ungodly in this present world and the recreation of creation. All the nations who reject God and who persecute God’s people – both Israel and the Church will be brought to judgement. When the Lord has cleansed the world of evil, He shall reign forever and ever.

1        The Timing Of The Great Tribulation

The bible shows that the Great Tribulation will begin after the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; revelation 4:1) and when the Antichrist signs a seven year peace treaty with Israel (Dan.9:27). Half way through it, the peace treaty will be broken and the Antichrist will attack Israel.

It will end with the second coming of Jesus Christ when He alights on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 19:11,12; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 14,15; Acts 1:11); settles on earth (Jerusalem) for a thousand-year reign called the Millennium (Revelation 20:4,5).

All this will happen after the rapture because God will not like His children to suffer the Great Tribulation, its judgments and destructions. He saved Noah (a preacher of righteousness) and his family before destroying the world with flood (Genesis 6:8-10; 7:1-13, 16-24; 8:15-22). He rescued Lot (who was vexed with the filthy conversation of Sodom) and his family before destroying it with fire (Genesis 19:10-29). So God will take away His children from the earth before the Great Tribulation begins.

2        The Terribleness Of The Great Tribulation

The Great Tribulation is described as the “…time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), “…great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21); “…the day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15); “…a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness” (Joel 2:1,2); “…wasteness and desolation” (Zephaniah 1:14,15); “…a time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1).

The Great Tribulation is a dark time.

(i)                It is a time of Jacob’s trouble. Israel will suffer and will become ready to cry to the Messiah (the Lord Jesus Christ whom they at present reject) to come back to them.

(ii)              It is a time of universal retribution. Unbelieving men and women of all ages will be judged (Zechariah 12:10, 11; 13:1-9; 14:12, 13). Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:6-9).

(iii)            It is a time full of unbelievable turbulence.

Woes, judgments, famines, bloody wars, plagues (incurable epidemics which become pandemic), terror, men calling for mountains to fall upon them, anguish, earthquakes, burning rocks falling from heaven upon the earth and scorching it, seas polluted, cattle and vegetation destroyed, millions dying from catastrophes.

It will be a very dark time, “as if a man did flee from a lion and a bear met him…leaned his hand on the wall and a serpent bit him” (Amos 5:18-19).

Men’s riches will not be able to deliver them (Zeph.1:17-18). Whole cities and nations will be under great distress, perplexities, seas and waves roaring, hypertension and confusion as the powers of heaven are shaken by God (Isaiah 2:19-21; 24:1-3,6,19; Mark 13:24; Joel 1:15; Luke 21:24-26; Revelation 19:1-21).  

(iv)            It will be a time of great apostasy, more of false religions and increase in the power of the devil who will be driven down to the earth (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 12:10-12; 13:2, 12-18).

(v)              God’s planned judgments will fall on men in a divine sequence producing supernatural phenomena and demonic creatures unknown to man.

(vi)            Those who confess Christ and believe in His word will be martyred (Revelation 6:9-11; 14:13; 20:4-6).

While all this is happening on earth, the marriage supper of the Lamb will be happening in heaven (Revelation 19:1-10). And victorious saints prepare to return to earth with Christ (Jude 14,15; Revelation 19:11).

3        The Truant Of The Great Tribulation

The prominent personality of the great tribulation will be the Antichrist. It will not be a system but a person, though he will use an elaborate system to carry out his reign of terror. His other names in the scripture are: the Beast (Rev.13:1-2), the King of the north, the Syrian, the Assyrian, the king of Babylon (Dan:14:4), the Extortioner, the man of sin (2Thes.2:3), the little horn (Dan.7:8), the Prince that shall come, a king of fierce countenance (Dan.8:23) and understanding dark sayings, the spoiler, the son of perdition (2Thes.2:3) and that wicked one (1John 2:12-14), empowered personally by Satan (2 Thes. 2:1-10; Daniel 7:8,24; 8:9,23; 9:26,27,36-45; Revelation 13:1-18; 14:9-11; Isaiah 10:20-27; 30:18-33; Micah 5:3-15; Isaiah 14:4; 16:4; Daniel 7:11).

4        The Triumphant Saints Outside The Great Tribulation

While terrors are unleashed on earth saints will be a) receiving rewards; crowns, mansions, new names, white stones etc. at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Luke 14:14; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10,12; Matthew 16:27; John 14:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:17,25-28; 3:12,21; 22:12-16). The believers’ time of judgment and reward only means the evaluation of the believers’ works for which they may receive reward or loss

of reward. All raptured believers will be eternally saved. b) Rejoicing and feasting at the marriage supper in heaven (Revelation 19:6-9). C) Worshipping God with the angels (Revelation 7:9-17; 14:1- 5; 4:5,7), and d) preparing for the second advent of Christ upon white horses (Jude 14,15; Revelation 19:11-14; Matthew 25:31).

5         The Termination Of The Great Tribulation

The Great tribulation ends when Jerusalem is destroyed by the antichrist with two thirds of it capture at the end of the 7th year, and the children of Israel repent in great mourning and tears, calling for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to come back to earth and establish the millennial reign over all humanity (Zechariah 14:4-8; Micah 1:3,4; Zechariah 11:25-27; Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:17; Zechariah 12:10-13:1;Isaiah 66:7,8). Jesus will descend and destroy the antichrist, the false prophet and cast them into the Lake of fire. They and their armies will be destroyed at the battle of Armageddon (in the valley of Megiddo). Then an angel will bind  the devil and cast him into the bottomless pit for 1000 years (Revelation 19:20; Ezekiel 38 and 39; Revelation 20:1-3; Zechariah 14; Revelation 20:1-10; 19:11-21; Isaiah 34; Jude 14,15). Jesus Christ will build a millennial Temple at Jerusalem from where He rules the whole world.

According to Scripture all those whose names are written in the book of life will reign come back to reign over all the earth with their Lord and King Jesus!

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HYMNS: (1) When The Roll Is Called; Is My Name Written there?

 

 

 

 

A GIFT OF INCOMPARABLE VALUE

John 4:1-25, 28-30, 39-42

The story we read in this Bible passage is an example of the compassion and care of Jesus Christ to scarred and suffering humanity. There are three things at stake in this passage, three questions must have been in the mind of the woman. (i) Who is this man (Jesus)? (ii) What is the gift of God? (iii) What is living water? Have you found the Messiah? Have you tasted the Living water? We will explore this passage a little further and learn some life lessons.

Who Is This Man (Jesus)?

John 4:7-12; 6:35, 47-51; 8:12; 9:5; 8:56-58; Mat.12:42

The personality of Jesus puzzled this woman, as it still puzzles some today. Being the Master Communicator Jesus would lead the woman in our story out of her protective shell to the everlasting truth. She would abandon her empty religion and find Christ, the Messiah. She came to fetch perishable water but she would go away with inexhaustible, eternally satisfying Living Water. On that day her faint hope for a future Messiah became a present reality. The Messiah had come and had found her. But she didn’t know it. He offered her the Living Water but she did not understand. Are you greater than our father Jacob? Jesus did not rebuke her for asking such questions. He was willing to reveal who He was to this woman. (i) Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 47-51) – He is the Living Breath which came down from heaven, which if anyone eats, they will live forever. This Bread is His body which He gave for the life of the world. His blood was shed for the remission of the sins of the world. (ii) Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5) – Anyone who believes in, and follows Him shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life. With His light they will discriminate between good and evil, right and wrong. His light shows the way of eternal life. (iii) Jesus is greater than Abraham and Solomon (John 8:56-8; Mat.12:42) – Abraham was the great Patriarch of not only the Jews, but also of Christians and Muslims also. To say that you are greater than Abraham would be a preposterous delusion if it is not true! Solomon is known to be the wisest man of all time. God promised Solomon that there would be no one wiser either before or after him. To be greater than Solomon means you are wiser. To be wiser than Solomon means you are not a mere man. Jesus was not a mere man. (iv) Jesus is the Good shepherd (John 10:11-18, 27-30) – He guides. He leads. He protects. He preserves. He provides for all who would follow him. (vi) Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) – to get to God, to enter into life eternal you must go through Him! This is the person offering the Samaritan woman the water of life. But she did not know Him, and she is not alone…

What Is The Gift Of God?

John 4:10-15; Rom.6:23; John 17:3

The next question that comes to mind is this. What is the “Gift of God”? Jesus said that this woman did not know the gift of God nor the Person seating before her and asking for water. If she had known she would have requested of Him living water – meaning running water from a spring as opposed stagnant water collected in a well. Christ is that Gift of God. Jesus is offering her the spiritual life as opposed to the life she was living. Many people today are like this lady. The Messiah has come but they do not know Him. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world has come but they do not know Him. He is offering to all the gift of eternal life, but they do not understand Him. Question. Do you know the gift of God? Have you received the gift of God? Have you received eternal life?

What Is Living Water?

John 7:37-39; Mat.11:28-30; John 3:16

In Hebrew, Living water literally means running water from a spring. This woman’s life was like the stagnant water of the Dead Sea. Her life was not worthy of emulation. Everything was flowing into it but it wasn’t getting cleaned up. Jesus came to clean up that life! He is the Great Gift of God. He is the fountain of Living Water. He will clean up your life today if you only ask Him. All the sinfulness, all the uncleanness, all the lies, all the deceptions, all the covering up, all the gossip, all the immorality will be cleaned out. All the inexhaustible blessings of salvation will be yours today freely. All you have to do is ask (Mat.7:7-9). There is no other name by which you may receive this salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Col.2:9-10). When you ask He will definitely condescend to answer you (Mat.11:28-30). He will never say no to you (John 6:37).

Trust in Him today and you have redemption, hope for the future, and hope of eternal life. It is hopelessness that leads men to commit suicide when they feel that life is no longer worth living. But when Christ gives you life, He gives it in abundance (John 10:10). He gives you hope for the future. He gives you the light of life in an age where many grope in darkness.

Are you ready to receive Him?

THE GLORIOUS APPEARING IS AT HAND

John 14:1-3; 1Cor.15:51-58; Tit.2:13-14; 1Thes.4:13-18

 

Unbelievers, non-Christians, cannot know the future. They can predict some things based on the pattern of past events. But it is clear that unbelievers do not have certain knowledge of any future event. But Christians who believe the bible are in a different situation. Although we cannot know everything about the future, God who knows everything and has timed the events the will ever take place in the universe, has written a book – The Bible in which He outlines the things that will happen as the present creation draws to a close.

Do you think that the heightened persecution and summary executions of Christians is mere coincidence? Do you think the global hatred of Israel as a nation is mere coincidence? Do you think that the alarming increase of wars and unrest in the Middle East is mere coincidence? I tell you no (Mat.24:21-25, 29-35). These are signs that something wonderful, something miraculous, something glorious is about to happen. Christians, though they suffer, can have absolute confidence because God is never wrong. Saints of God are soon going to experience one of the most exciting destinies of their life. OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN to take us to His Home in heaven! That event is imminent (Acts 1:9-12). And every Christian needs urgently to prepare.

CHRIST’S RETURN EXPLICITLY FORETOLD.

Mat. 16:27; 24:30-31, 37-39; John 14:1-3; 1Cor.15:21, 51-58; 1Thess.4:13-18.

It has been said that one out of every 25 verses of the New Testament is about the coming back again of Jesus Christ. It should not surprise us. Orthodox Christianity summarized the New Testament in three short statements titled the mystery of our faith: “Christ has died”. “Christ has risen”. “Christ is coming again.” This theme forms the central core of Paul’s gospel (1Cor.15:1-8).

Why is Jesus Christ coming again? He is coming to bring justice to the nations. He is coming to judge the living and the dead. And he is coming to inaugurate a new creation. To do this, he will first come and take away all the saints of the Church age in what has been called the Rapture (1Cor.15:51-52). This promises to be a great spectacle. It will usher in everlasting rest to troubled Christians worldwide (2Thes.1:7-10). This blessed hope assures us that our troubles, trials, temptations and persecutions will not be in vain. For many, the talk of Jesus coming back again bodily, is a matter for scoffing. But the apostle Peter warned of the danger of scoffing at the promises of God (2Pet.3:1-7). This promise of God is true and will be fulfilled in due time.

CHRIST’S RETURN TWO SEPARATE EVENTS

Mat. 24:1-3, 14, 29-33 John 14:1-3; 1Cor.15:51-58; 1Thes.4:13-18

(1)        The Rapture (John 13:31-36; 14:1-3; 1Cor.15:51-58; 1Thes.4:13-18)

The Rapture is a word used to express the taking away of the Church age saints from the world before the wrath of God is poured out upon the wicked and His judgement brought down upon the disobedient. The word Rapture is not found in our English bible. It is a translation of 1Thes.4:17 of the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible. Saints will be caught up together in the clouds to meet with the Lord in the air!

The word itself means ecstatic joy or delight. It captures the atmosphere that will prevail when this event takes place. It will be an occasion of rapturous joy. It will be an occasion of ecstatic excitement. It will be an occasion of incomparable happiness. It will be an occasion of immeasurable delight. You know at that time that you have made it to heaven. You know you have escaped hell and its punishments. You know you have overcome. You know you are on your way to seeing the Almighty God face to face. It is true what is written in (1Cor.2:9-10). It is beyond human comprehension what God has kept in store for those who make it in the end (Rev.2:7, 11, 17, 26-29; 3:5-6, 12-13, 21-22). I will overcome.

 

(2)        Universal Revelation Of Jesus Christ

Mat.24:1-3, 14, 29-33; Mark 13:24-27; Amos 5:18-20; Mat.26:24

The Rapture will be followed by what Jesus called the Great Tribulation. It is a terrible time of suffering that will come upon the whole earth. It is also described as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer.30:6-7). In many places in the Bible it is called the day of the Lord. Yes a day is coming and it will be the day of the Lord. The wicked man has had his day. The proud sinner has had his day. The unbeliever has had his day. But the day of the Lord is coming. It will be a day of dreadful judgement. There shall be no escaping it. Amos the prophet captures it vividly (Amos 5:18-20).

It is after the horror and terror of the great tribulation that the sign of the Son of man will appear in the sky and the nations of the earth will mourn (Mat.24:29-33; Rev.1:7). Israel will mourn also when they see Jesus coming in the clouds and recognize Him as the one they had rejected (Zech.12:10). It will begin the time of their restoration. Studies about the reign of the antichrist in the intervening period will be done at another time. Suffice it to say that he will be the personification of wickedness. He is called the man of sin (2Thes.2:3-10). Those Christians who through their carelessness miss the rapture will be particularly tortured. You may read more about the personality of the antichrist in Revelation 13.  But know this. He will be allowed to have great power and authority. He will cause deceit to prosper (Dan.8:25). He will do as He pleases (Dan.11:36). He will speak great blasphemies against God’s name and His Tabernacle and all that dwell in heaven. He will make war with the saints. He will have power over the nations of the earth. The people of the earth will worship him, all whose name are not written in the book of life! He will perform lying wonders to deceive the world. He will cause people to be given a mark (666) so that no one will be allowed to buy or sell unless they have the number of the beast or his name or his mark. But Jesus Christ will destroy him by the breath of his mouth and the brightness of His coming (2Thes.2:8).

 

 CONCRET SIGNS OF HIS SOON APPEARING

There are many signs written in the Bible to help us to know that the time is near. (i) Deceptions (Mat.24:4-5, 11, 24); (ii) False Christs (Mat.24:5, 23-26); (iii) Wars and Rumours of Wars (Mat.24:6-7); (iv) Famines (Mat.24:7; Rev.6:5-6); (v) Pestilences (Mat.24:7; Rev.6:8); (vi) Earthquakes (Mat.24:7; Rev.6:12-18); (vii) Anti-Semitism (Mat.24:9; Mark 13:9, 13); (viii) Betrayals (Mat.24:9; Mark 13:12); (ix) Hatred (Mat.24:10; 2Tim.3:1-9); (x) False Prophets (Mat.24:11; Rev.13); (xi) Martyrdoms (Mat.24:9, 22; Dan.8:24; Rev.20:4-6); (xii) Carousing and Sexual Perversion (Mat.24:38; Luke 17:27-28; 21:34).

This whole section is a complete study in its own right. One thing will become clear here. It is that all these signs are being fulfilled in our time. We are witnessing martyrdom of Christians in great proportion in many parts of the world. There is turbulence and wars in almost every region of the world. Anti-Jewish sentiments on are the increase again! Diseases that seem out of control has gripped certain nations of the world. There is so much bad news in the world that people have forgotten that there was an earthquake recently in China which killed nearly 600 people. Can you look anywhere in the world today without witnessing sexual perversion? Things that should never be mentioned among believers have become commonly accepted practice among unbelievers. Marriage is being perverted. Family is being perverted. To make it worse these perversions are entering into the circles of some Churches. All these signs are telling us something. The Glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ is near at the doorsteps.

COMPELLING REASON TO BE READY

Why do we need to be ready for the coming of the Lord?

(i)                  He will come suddenly (Mat.24:44; John 14:1-3; Acts.1:11; 1Thes.4:16; Mark 13:32-37).

We do not know the day and the hour that our Lord will appear. He may appear at any moment. He must not find us wanting. He must not meet us unprepared as in the story of the Ten Virgins (Mat.25:1-13)

(ii)                 We do not know the time or the hour or the day (Mat.24:44-51; 25:1-13; Mark 13:32-33; Luke 12:40; James 5:7-9)

Jesus is telling us that we do not know at what time He will come, but that it will be sudden. The point is to make believers always ready as people prepared for a journey. Anytime the Lord appears we must be ready and waiting for him.

Jesus declared over and over again that His coming is imminent. “Behold I am coming soon (Re.22:7, 12).

How do we get ready? Jesus tells us

(a)       Gird your loins (Luke 12:35) – don’t be careless with your Christian life. Don’t lapse back in sin and slumber. You have been called unto holiness. Do not get entangled with the lusts of this world. Blessed are the pure in heart.

(b)       Keep your lamp burning (Luke 12:35) – let your soul be on fire for God. Let your service to him be your consuming passion.

(c)        Be like those waiting for the Bridegroom (Luke 12:36) – there is no time to slumber and sleep. Keep watch over your soul.

(d)       Wait for Him because you don’t know when He will knock at the door (Luke 12:37-38) – if you relax and dose off he could come and knock at the door and find you sleeping!

(e)        Keep on doing all the work of the Kingdom of God. Preach the Gospel. Pray. Be in fellowship with household of Faith where you are planted. Do not forsake the assembly of the brethren as some people do (Heb.10:25)

All you do for Christ is not in vain. All you spent on behalf of Christ is not in vain. All you surfer for Christ is not in vain. All the labour you spend on behalf of Christ is not in vain (1Cor.15:58). In the end your happiness will know no bounds, your joy will flow like a river, and you will be satisfied beyond measure. And when you see Christ and look at His face you will wish you had served Him more, given Him more. Listen to the lyrics of an enraptured soul.

                                                                                                  

 

I WISH I HAD GIVE HIM MORE

By and by when I look on His face,
Beautiful face, thorn shadowed face;
By and by when I look on His face,
I'll wish I had given Him more.
More, so much more,
More of my life than I e'er gave before
By and by when I look on His face,
I'll wish I had given Him more.

By and by when He holds out His hands,
Welcoming hands, nail riven hands;
By and by when He holds out His hands,
I'll wish I had given Him more.
More, so much more,
More of my love than I e'er gave before,
By and by when He holds out His hands,
I'll wish I had given Him more.

In the light of that heavenly place,
Light from His face, beautiful face;
In the light of that heavenly place,
I'll wish I had given Him more.
More, so much more,
Treasures unbounded for Him I adore,
By and by when I look on His face,
I'll wish I had given Him more.

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN LIKE?

Matthew 13:1-39

One of the greatest features of Christ’s teaching is the use of parables. He used these stories to make clear the deep lessons He taught concerning the Kingdom of God and the citizens of this Kingdom. But what is this Kingdom of Heaven? From these parables, this is not the final state of the believer because:

(i)                  It is located here on earth.

(ii)                 There is scope to make wrong choices whereas in heaven all will be perfect.

(iii)                Evil is still active since the corrupting influence of the “enemy” is still operative. In heaven no evil will be found there.

In these parables the Lord is letting us know the activities of the children of His Kingdom on earth here while waiting for His return. The children of the Kingdom will be active in recruiting others into the Kingdom. In that process they will bring in many people with different levels of hearing and belief. For the first time He made it clear that the Kingdom will be universal. Many who will enter initially will be flushed out during the final state.
The Lord used these parables to reveal things that were hidden from the view of the Old Testament saints.

These parables show us how different people will respond to the Gospel of the Kingdom.

(a)       The Parable of the Sower shows with what kind of hearts people receive the Gospel.

(b)       The Parable of the Wheat and Tares shows how unbelievers would infiltrate the Church, pretending to be believers.

(c)        The Parable of the Dragnet shows the effort  of the disciples to draw in as many as possible into the net of the Kingdom

From these parables we learn a number of important lessons concerning this age of the Kingdom. (1)It will be an age of good-seed sowing (mat.13:1-9, 24). (ii) It will be an age of false-seed sowing (Mat.13:24-30). (iii) It will be an age of abnormal Kingdom-growth (Mat.13:31-32). (iv) It will be an age of doctrinal corruption (Mat.13:33). (v) It will be an age of treasure hiding (Mat.13:44). (vi) It will be an age of pearl forming (Mat.13:45-46). (vii) It will be an age of gathering for eventual separation (Mat.13:47-50).^[1] We will briefly look at seven important lessons from the parables taught in this chapter

1.   AN AGE OF GOOD SEED SOWING

Mat.13:1-9, 24; Isa.55:10-11; 1Pet.1:23; John 17:17; Heb.14:12; Mat.28:18-20; Mark.16:15-16.

The word of God is the incorruptible seed that yields the fruit of righteousness and holiness in the life of believers. The word of God is the Truth which sanctifies us. Inspired by the Spirit of the Father, the word of God has power to save. The entrance of this word will give you light. The entrance of this word will lead you to the Truth, and this truth will set you free! It will set you free from sin, free from error, free from condemnation, free from bondage, free from eternal damnation.
This is the word we are commanded to preach in season and out of season. It is an urgent matter, for the time is coming, the time is already here, when men will no longer be able to endure sound doctrine (2Tim.4:1-5)! You must then receive the good seed of the Word yourself (Rom.3:10, 23; 5:12; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13). This is the Word of salvation which we preach (John 3:3-6; 14-18). This is the word that will bring you the salvation of the Lord.

2.   AN AGE OF FALSE SEED SOWING

Mat.13:24-30; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1Tim.2:5-6; Mat.24:4-5, 11, 24; 2Tim.3:1-5;

The world is full of religions all claiming to represent God. There is only one Saviour of mankind – Jesus Christ. There is no other name nor any other source of salvation for mankind. Only Jesus can save. He is the only mediator between God and man (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1Tim.2:5-6). There is only one place to look for the teaching that brings salvation – the Bible. Only one body is mandated to teach this word and lead men to reconciliation with God – the Church. All other claims of all other religions are false. Even in the Church today, there are many who are sowing false seed. It is becoming almost abnormal today for a church stand up against gay practices. Many churches have embraced what they call gay marriage, something that was unheard of in the true Church of the apostles (Rom.1:26-27). The Bible says “from such turn away”.

3.   AN AGE OF ABNORMAL KINGDOM GROWTH

Mat.13:31-32; Acts 2:1-4, 41-47

This was seen immediately after the Holy Spirit came upon the Church. In spite what you see here in the West, the Church is still increasing and multiplying worldwide. Great examples are in South Korea, South America. USA has many mega churches. When you come to Africa, many of the so-called mega Churches in America will pale into insignificance compare with Churches Like Deeper Life Bible Church, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Living Faith Ministries, Christ’s Chosen Church, and Believers Love World. As you can see from the previous section, there are many false believers in many of these Churches in line with these parables of Jesus the Owner of the Church.

4.   AN AGE OF DOCTRINAL CORRUPTION

Mat.13:33; 1Tim.4:1-3; Gal.1:9; Eph.5:1-7; 1John 2:17-17

One of the methods of false seed sowing is doctrinal corruption. Did Christ preach the gospel of prosperity? No. The Purpose of the Gospel is and will always be to save men from sin and eternal damnation. Any teaching that leads people into worldliness and worldly lusts is false doctrine. The grace of God teaches us to deny all these things (Tit.2:11-15). John tells us that if any loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them, regardless of their claims!

5.   AN AGE OF TREASURE HIDING

Mat.13:44; Psalm 119:11; Prov.2:1-5

The Kingdom of God is like a treasure that must be protected. Those who are wise will seek for the true word of God which purifies their hearts, preparing them for return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Once they find salvation in Christ, they will protect it and guard it jealously.

6.   AN AGE OF PEARL FORMING

Mat.13:45-46; Isa.53:5; 1Pet.1:7James 1:2-4, 12; 2Tim.3:12

Pearl is formed by oysters. Pearls are formed when the oyster is wounded by an irritating object. The Oyster, in order to protect itself would produce a substance called nacre which is a form of Calcium carbonate. This is what forms pearls which many people spend so much money to buy. What a great object lesson we can learn from this. Christ was wounded for our transgression, Through His shed blood we are saved. Through His mortal wound, multiplied millions have been saved and given life eternal.
But believers also are to be like oysters forming pearls of great price. By being patient in the time of tribulation, by being patient when your faith is severely tried. By standing your ground in the face of corrupting influences in the world, by holding on to your faith till the end, you are forming precious pearls which will be greatly admired in heaven, you are preserving your souls for that glorious day when Christ shall appear.

7.   AN AGE OF GATHERING FOR EVENTUAL SEPARATION

Mat.13:47-50; 7:21-23; Luke 13:23-30

Christ closed the parables by giving us a clear warning of what will happen to those who remain false believers till the end. There is coming a day of final separation. The seed that fell by the side, the ones that fell on rocky ground and among thorns may hide in the Church, but in the end the angels of God will flush them out! The tares may pretend to be wheat to human eyes, but not to the eyes of angels, false believers may deceive the pastor in the Church but they cannot deceive the angels of God. The bad fish may be brought in with the good fish, bad elements may be brought into the Church as we try to fulfill the great commission. They may hide till the end but in the end the angels of God will flush them out! Jesus declares to all who may be in that position,  "STRIVE to enter into the Kingdom". The Kingdom of God suffereth violence. You need determination in this age to enter into the Kingdom, you need courage. You need to stay undefiled. the road is narrow. But God’s grace is sufficient for children of the Kingdom.

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^[1] Gingrich, R. E. (1985). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 36). Memphis, TN: Riverside Printing.