****Please read the scripture from the Bible first as this is God's Word****

The end is near, but we don't know exactly the day Jesus will come again. God has a blueprint for mankind, and we will take a look at the blueprint to help us understand that we are near the end of time, more than we think.

In order to help us see the "big picture" of God's blue print lets look at Daniel Chapter 9 Verse 23 - 27. This is a prophecy that God has given to Daniel about the future.

Before we begin, we need to put on our mathematical thinking caps. When we see the word "week", this is a term used in Greek that means "seven". The word "threescore" means 60.

In verse 24, it says seventy weeks or seventy "sevens". So using our mathematical caps, we can determine that 70 x 7 = 490 or 490 years. We can also think of this is 70 sets of 7 years. Daniel has prophecied that the end of all, will be after the 70 sets of 7 years are over. He says that this will end all transgression and sin, and make reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousness.

In verse 25 Daniel tells us that the time from the decree authorizing the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the coming of Jesus the messiah shall be 7 weeks, and threescore and two weeks. 7 x (7 + 60 +2) = 483 or 483 years. The authorization to re-build Jerusalem was granted around 458 BC, and if we add 483 yeas to that it would put time around 25 AD. Jesus was born around 5 AD, which would have made Jesus around 30 years of age in 25 AD around the time he was baptized and starting his ministry.

In Verse 26 we see the prophecy of the crucifixion of Christ ("shall Messiah be cut off). It says he will be cut off, or executed, he doesn't die of natural causes or anything else. Notice it also says "not for himself", meaning he died for us. The "prince' that is being spoken of is the anti-Christ. All of this prophecy up until this point has happened, and was spoken of roughly 500 years before it happened. This goes to show how God keeps His word and that what was written was truly inspired of God.

The prophecy in which mostly concerns us is written in Verse 27. Daniel is explaining how the anti-Christ will confirm the covenant (peace treaty) with many (Israel and other nations) for one week, or one set of seven years. This set of seven we are speaking of is the last set of sevens that is revealed in the prophecy. Remember in verse 25 we have 490 years that will encompass mankind, in verse 25 we have 483 years that predicted the coming of Jesus along with his resurrection and the demolishment of Jerusalem. Now once again with our mathematical thinking cap 490 - 483 = 7. We are not currently in the last seven years, however when the anti-Christ confirms a peace treaty with Israel and other nations, we know we are in the final 7 years. Notice it goes on to say that in the midst (middle) of the week he (anti-Christ) shall cause the sacrifice and the offering of peace to cease and there will be a time of tribulation or great suffering for the remainder of the seven years. So to summarize where we are, we are between the 69th week and the 70th week. The end is truly upon us, are you ready? Are you truly ready? God WILL finish what He started.

We started out reading Revelation Chapter 2 - 3, which is relevant. If we look at Revelation Chapter 1 verse 19 we see what Jesus is asking of John. Jesus asks John to write the "things which he has seen (things of past Revalation Chapter 1)", also "the things which are (things present Revalation Chapter 2 - 3)", and also "things which shall be hereafter (things to come or Revelation Chapter 4 - 22)".

God has given us specific expectations in His Church in this age. He has given us the great commission which is read in Matthew Chapter 28 Verse 19 - 20, we are to go out and teach all nations the gospel. God has also given us supernatural resources through the Holy Spirit.

In Chapter 2 - 3, there are observations and commandments that are to be sent to the 7 churches. We will briefly cover them.

To the church of Ephesus - Maintain your first love, which is love of Christ. Don't get caught up in miniscule, worldly, trivial details, or false doctrines, always honor thy first love which is Jesus. God's standard is perfection, and the world's standard is "scraping the bottom of the barrel", we need to be more Christ like and not lower ourselves to the standards of the world.

To the church of Smyrna - this is also known as the persecuted church. They faced much tribulation and persecution, but Jesus promised the faithful unto death, a crown of life. You know we who are persecuted and face trials and tribulation are blessed. How you may ask? When we face trials, we will always turn to God for comfort, answers and healing. Humility and suffering is a blessed place to be.

To the church of Pergamum - Avoid worldliness, false doctrines, and false idols. It is so important to be strict, and have strict Godly morals, we need to be role models for all especially our kids, after all our kids will be raising our grand kids. If and where possible, don't go along with things because the World says its okay, make sure it is biblical, make sure it is authorized by our Father, God. We should live in obedience to our Father, creator, the One who sent His son to die for our transgression so that we may have a direct relationship and walk with Him everyday.

To the church of Thyatira - Cleanse yourself from false teaching. Always be on guard for false teaching. In Sunday school we were discussing that the penalty for false teaching in the Old Testament was death. Some may say that is a harsh penalty, but if you think about it, they took it upon themselves to falsely steer someone into eternal death, which is worse than physical death, it is separation from God and as the book of Revelation refers to it, "the lake of fire". Always remember to repent!

To the church of Sardis - Wake up from spiritual deadness. We always need to thirst for God. We need revivals, we need to come to know Jesus, because he is coming like a thief in the night. We need to be ready!

To the church of Philadelphia - Go through God's open doors. They have kept God's word and guarded it. The have a crown of life waiting for them. This may also be known as the missionary Church or the Holy Church.

To the church of Laodicea - Despise deceitful comforts. Don't lay up treasures here on Earth (Matthew 6:19-20), lay up treasure in heaven. True wealth and richness comes from the love of and the love for God.

Our opportunities for Earthly service are limited, we must use our time wisely. James 4:14 says that our lives are mere vapors, we are here but only for a short time. Our lives are limited and the age is limited. The end is near, lets be ready for our Saviors return!

Are you saved? Do you know for sure that your sins are forgiven by the death of Jesus and not of your works? If you were to die tomorrow, would you spend eternal life in Heaven with God? Would you like to know?

If you are ready to accept Jesus, you can pray the following prayer, or if you would like to talk to me about this, or have questions please contact me. The prayer itself is NOT magical, it is merely something you would pray to God when you are ready to accept Jesus as your personal savior, for the forgivness of your past, present, and future sins. If you are TRULY ready pray the following with the utter most sincerity.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I know I deserve the judgment of Hell. But I also know that You paid my judgment when you died for me and rose again. The best I know how, I'm asking You to save me from sin and Hell. I am placing my dependence only on You to forgive my sins, credit Your righteousness to my account, and give me eternal life. Thank you Jesus, for saving me.

Always remember to repent, always ask God to forgive your sins!

Remember, share this with someone that you love, or even a co-worker, or the mailman. The world isn't full of people, it is full of souls and God's commandment is to witness this to others.

posted by Ben at 8:21 PM