Are You Ready for the Big One?

Why should we care so much about what is going to happen about the future, if there is very little we can do to prevent what will ultimately happen? Why is it relevant to us today? Jesus told us that in the last days, there would be a quickening, it's an Old English medical term, it describes a pregnant woman whose birth pains increase the close she gets to delivery. The quickening is the increase in frequency and intensity, and timing of the birth pains. So who cares about Revelation 6?

Today we are going to talk about creation quite literally becoming unhinged, the mountains crumbling. We can understand that living in California, but not in the magnitude that it will be happening one day. When some of the largest quakes here in California happened, the dust that settled from the mountain ranges was intense as they sunk by 3 feet in some places. When this event happens, it WILL get your attention. You might say well who cares? As we study Revelation 6, and we see an increase in violence, an increase in earthquakes, increases in war, all of these increases that we are seeing, what does it mean? It means that these are stages being set for a grand and awesome presentation that is coming. Notice that earthquakes are not ending, they are increasing. Famine isn't going away it is becoming more prevalent. Man is not becoming more peace loving, he is becoming more hateful and violent.

So what does this mean? It means we are leaning, trending and are moving toward, like a pregnant women, is going to increase as Jesus said in the last days. He promised that when these things begin to happen in intensity and frequency it is pointing to these biblically revealed events. We are reading and studying Revelation 6 to recognize that the stage is being set for the future. When we see these things, Jesus said to "Look up, for your redemption draws near." We rejoice in knowing that Jesus remains on the throne no matter what we are going through.

God wants you and I to know the Book of Revelation. It is the only book in all the 66 books of the Bible that comes with a special blessing of those that read it and hear it words. But it is also the least read book of the Bible, because people are afraid of what it says or they simply do not understand what they are reading so they avoid it. The reason most people find it difficult to understand is because it first demands that we read the Old Testament. It can never be understood without first reading the Old Testament. Every chapter in the Book of Revelation will point you back what was given via the Old Testament and the Old Testament prophets. God has given us the Bible so we can understand it. But the portion of scripture we are going to study today we will not want to get it. We don't want to understand it. Yet not all of it is terrifying news.

Chapter 6 in Revelation begins the advent or the unveiling of the Tribulation Period. You don't even have to be a Christian to have heard of the Tribulation Period. It is a time yet coming and it hasn't happened yet. We have already studied about the rise of the Antichrist and the coming of the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and from Revelation 6:12-17, you can nestle this portion right in between the first 3 1/2 years of the 7-year Tribulation, right in the middle. These verse launch us into the second half of the Tribulation period. You may be wondering just what is the 7-year Tribulation Period.

The Bible promises us that just before Christ comes back to earth, there will be a consecutive and specific 7-year period of time, that will be triggered or commenced by a peace treaty signed by a European political leader, with Israel and it's neighboring enemies. You can read more about that in Daniel, chapter 9, and 2 Thessalonians 2 and 3. As you read that, you will understand that God will put His eyes back on the nation of Israel. The significance of that is that prior to 1948, there was no nation of Israel. That for nearly 2000 years, Israel has been dispersed as a country and as a people, and as a nation to all the world. Again the Bible is accurate and true and the scriptures said before Christ returns this Antichrist or instead of Christ, this impostor Christ, will come to the nation of Israel via Europe, out of the Ancient Roman Empire, and the very day of his advent will be known to the world, no one will be mistaken as to whom this man will be. The scriptures say that he will sign a peace treaty, with Israel and its surrounding neighboring enemies for a duration of 7 years. That is amazing because Israel and peace is top news. Peace treaties with Israel is what all nations of the world are seeking after. It would be such a benefit if Israel and its neighbors had peace. Things would calm down, trade would do better, the markets of the world would do better, so much would be better and the Bible anticipates this. The Bible is more current than tomorrow's newspaper. As we begin our study, we are now 3 1/2 years into the Tribulation, and I wish I could give you a feel good message about what we are going to be studying today, and we can't skip it because we are instructed to give the full counsel of the Word of God. So how do you present this horrific future event, very, very terrible and look at it today?

We can look at it this way. YOU do not have to be here when this happens and the things we are about to read, unless you are crazy. You'd have to sign up, so to speak, to be involved in the hellious things that are coming to the earth. You would have to deny everything that history and the Bible has to say about God and His redemption through Christ. You'd also have to lie against your own logic. You'd even have to sin against your own conscience. You'd have to go against historical accuracy and facts. You'd have to discredit and discount all the things that have gone on in your life, and in the lives of those people who have been around you who have come to know God. You'd have to spend all of your time, all of your effort, to discredit the fact that the Bible is real and accurate. The Word of God.

It is better to read this study, thank God for what you are going to miss, and tuck it under your belt so to speak as a witnessing tool for others, because it is very very likely, as it is for every generation of Christians for the last 2000 years that we certainly could see the advent of Christ in our lifetime! When you look around at the things that are taking place in the world today, it is amazing especially when we get into today's topic of earthquakes. When you mention the word earthquake, what do you think of? Probably California! Most people around the world ask how people handle earthquakes or what is one like if they have never experienced one? Most people in fact don't want to live in California for that very reason. They don't want to experience an earthquake! The great thing about earthquakes is just when you realize you are having one, it's over!

Being a native Californian, we can remember those really powerful quakes, Sylmar, Northridge, even Landers/Big Bear. The great thing about earthquakes is on the days following them, church attendance is packed. It would be great if we had an earthquake every Saturday night, the churches would be packed! Everybody always turns to God for the moment anyway. There are things that go on that you never forget them. It has that affect on us. There are certain events that do that to us. I am sure you all remember where you were when September 11th happened. You remember it like it was yesterday.

The Bible speaks of a time when the natural and created elements breakdown and not only that but God's creative powers begin to break down as well. The Bible is amazing because it reminds us that it is God that is holding all of the universe together. He is doing it by the command of His power and by the keeping of His Word. As we get into Revelation 6, this morning, remember you don't have to be here when these things begin to take place.

Revelation 6:12-17 ~ "I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall of us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

These people have seen very bizarre and cataclysmic events and now we come to the division of the seven year period, right in the middle of the 3 1/2 years and atmospheric disturbances are taking place in the heavens above. Not only that but there is a great earthquake. The largest earthquake in US history happened in 1812, in New Madrid, Missouri.  Three earthquakes within 24 hours, the first one 7.4, 7.6, and 7.7. Some even estimate that it was in the 8's. We don't really know because the Richter technology hadn't existed yet. This is what we do know. Imagine an earthquake in Missouri of all places, and that shaking was felt by people living in Alberta, Canada, and Denver, Colorado. It was felt in Mexico City. Seismologists tell us that if the earthquakes are centered in just the right place, and are great enough, they could be felt simultaneously around the world. This is a scientific possibility. The truth of the matter is that God said, there is going to be an earthquake that will be felt by the world. We will see more about this in future studies.

When an earthquake hits, you are immediately humbled. There is nothing you can do. We see a humbling of a great host of people at this time. Don't get discouraged. We don't have to be here when that happens. When creation breaks down, it is the day that God releases His grip. These divine judgments begin to come to pass. What is significant about the sixth seal of all the seven seals that we are reading through is the one that directly releases God's judgment. This is the judgment of God. This is one of the reasons some church don't talk about this, is they are trying to grow their churches. You don't talk about stuff like this if you want people to come to church. But the fact is that it needs to be studied so you are rooted in truth than to give you an update on a church picnic. You don't want a church packed in on falsehood. This is serious stuff. Maybe it will help you to share the good news with others you meet today that this world is burning up. It's falling apart and God has given us a way to salvation to skip all of this stuff.

The Bible says that God is going to release His grip upon this earth.

Romans 8:22-23 ~ "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, you have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. "

How does someone get through this Tribulation time? How do they get saved by Christ? You don't have to go through the Tribulation period. You can accept Jesus Christ today, and the Tribulation could start at any time after the rapture of the church. The point is, you could die today, irregardless of what we are studying today, you could die today. You need Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior, today, right now. If you are granted time to live, Jesus has said, He is coming back for the church in John 14:1-3, where He says, He is going to pick you up and take you to Himself. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Jesus is coming to get us. Here's the thing, you don't have to go through this time on earth. You can be taken away from it, Luke 21:36, Jesus makes these promises. So trust Him now as Lord and Savior, be ready at any moment to go up with Him, because you don't have to go through any more suffering including the Tribulation period without Him. Jesus Christ has promised a way out. It is vitally important that you understand that order to things. Accept Him now because you could choke on your dinner today, or you could die of old age. Accept Him now. Jesus has promised to rapture His church out before the great Tribulation period begins. You don't have to go through it, you can go up with us if He comes now. Trust in Him today by calling out to Him.

Personal Jesus?

When you look around the world today, do you ever ask yourself if its going to get better or worse? The Bible is pretty clear on that answer, it's going to get worse, much worse. We are going to see a continued degradation in the world. There will be more violence, more dissolving of nations, and there will be more lawlessness increasing. Jesus said in Matthew 24, this will all happen. The Bible teaches it will get bad. Then this guy, the Antichrist, will come onto the world, he will deceive it, the Bible tells us in the book of Daniel. The first 3 1/2 years will be a time of deception through peace and prosperity. If you give enough people peace and things to keep them entertained, they will be happy. The moment you take away their handouts, peace will be taken from the earth. There will come a time of such lawlessness, such upheaval, such lack of peace, and the Antichrist will come onto the scene and provide the answers people are looking for.

You can see just how this could happen, when you take a small city and when something goes wrong, the mob mentality rises up and almost overtakes all form of law and police in the city. It's what we feel over what is right that spurns them on to such things like rioting, violence, destruction and even taking the lives of those that get in their way. This is increasing in America. Our wealth and military powers now are only a mere perception of what it used to be. America is more in debt than it has value. Our power is a perception, because we don't have the will to use it. Our liberty has now been reduced to a perception. As soon as the enemy realizes that what we think we have is real and instead is only perceptions, you are going to see an unraveling of culture, you're going to see rioting and good being called evil, and evil being called good. You're going to see people endorsing lies rather than truth and Jesus was right when He said, " the love of many would grow cold." It's all about lawlessness abounding. That is becoming increasingly true even in the world we live in today. Many wonder, "will it get any better?"

Revelation 6:3-8 ~ "When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery read one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. "

We are now talking about a world that backfires on the agenda of humanity. A world that is crying out for God but God their way! The world is coming to a point where you will see a collective cry, according to the Book of Daniel, that the world will come together in one voice demanding peace from its global leaders. The Bible says that out of a world wide cry for peace, there will be ten kings or ten global leaders will arise and form some sort of council representing the powers that be at that time. Out of that ten unsuspecting group will rise up a man, the Bible calls him an eleventh king, and he will be the predominate one among three others in the group, out of this union of global politicians.

The Bible says, that this eleventh one, a small insignificant one, will rise up with the other three in this conglomerate, and he will begin to speak great swelling words about himself, and against the God of heaven. According to the Book of Daniel, this man will swoon the Israeli people into believing that he is on their side, and he will break this peace treaty in the middle of the seven year contract. This man will put down strongly the three other kings, so that he is the sole recognized leader of this group. Some people believe that is the whole idea behind the formation of the United Nations. It would cause the Secretary General of the United Nations, that represents the United States to be more powerful than the presidency in the United States. That is the goal, to weaken the presidency of the United States of America, or the Prime Ministership of England,  to take down the British pound which is not part of the Euro, nor is the US dollar.

You can expect the United States to dwindle in its influence, to dwindle in its financial prowess in the world, you can expect the United States to become weaker so that the European Union and its soon coming world leader, will arise and take the global scene. This is what the Bible says is coming. The people will cry out to have the peace of God, without God. They don't want anything to do with God. This European Union even now has declared that God will have nothing to do with how they run things. Isn't it interesting how in 2 Thessalonians it says that this lawless one will declare himself to be God. The world will join ranks with him and this again is the Antichrist, we are talking about. We are talking about a world without God.

A world without God is a world that has lost its values. A world that has lost its values is a world in peril.

Revelation 6:3-4 ~ "When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery read one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword"

Is the world not becoming more perilous? Remember you don't have to be here when these things happen if you're a Christian. We need to give hope to those who don't. There is a day coming when they will want to know how to escape this coming storm. Is the white horse out yet? No. Is the red horse out yet? No, but the stage is being set! You can divide up Chapter 6 of Revelation into two parts, verses 1-2 are the first 3 1/2 years and verses 3-8 make up the last 3 1/2 years of the 7-year Tribulation Period. As hard as things look now, it's only going to get much, much worse.

You can ask any of our local police and they will say that ten years ago, if someone wanted to rob you they would hold out and gun and threaten to shoot you until you handed over your money or belongings. Now they simply shoot you and take what they want. It's because your life isn't worth a thing anymore. No human life is being considered valuable. Look at the rights of abortion proponents, who define the life of a unborn child, to the recent rulings over those who face terminal illness now how the right to end their own life, rather than endure the end. The value of human life is decreasing by the recent rise in shootings and violent murders in malls, schools, colleges and just about anywhere else. Why is that the case? Because we are setting the stage for a godless world. Even today, we live in a godless age. Everybody has everything against God, against the Bible, against Jesus, they can't point to anything that is real, but they have everything against Him. Jesus predicted that Christians would be hated because we stand for everything that is Jesus, and the world will hate us for it. That is exactly the world we are heading for.I think we are beginning to see a trailer of what will await those of left behind during the tribulation period.


A fiery red horse comes to take peace away from the earth. By the time this rider appears it will have already been 3 and 1/2 years into the 7-year Tribulation period.  We have already identified that the first rider on the white horse is the Antichrist, and he will have already deceived the world with his satanic powers.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 ~ " He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."

That is why there is such a debate over the building of the temple in Jerusalem and why there is such contention over the rights of what goes on there. The Bible says in the last days a temple will be built there. There will be a wall built that on one side is the Dome of the Rock, and on the other side, the temple! 

Daniel 8:23-25 ~ "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of Princes. Yet he will be destroyed but not by human power." 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ~ "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, loves of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."

Are we not seeing these things even now? Won't people do this, eat things, for money? You were not made to eat certain things like people are. Anything for money. Sex, pranks, you name it for money. Out of control, explosive tempers. It hasn't even started yet, despite what we are seeing even now. Would you hang out with these types of people? They look like Christians, "they have a form of godliness, but they don't do church on any other days of the week but Sunday. They are fake Christians. They will not let the Holy Spirit govern their lives. Everybody is a Christian at the right time, it depends on who you are talking to and what day of the week. There will be time when people murder for sport. They will impose a humanism on the world.

Judges 17:6 ~ "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." 

What is being defined in that verse is humanism! Humanism is the existence of mankind without God. Humanism is what evolution is born on. When humanism was born it's child was evolution. Evolution is a joke and a mockery and the reason most scientists these days are rejecting it in light of intelligent design instead. Evolution is bankrupt of facts. It is still a great place to argue that life if not all that precious. Why? Because there is no God. Somehow we climbed out of a primordial ooze and it's survival of the what? Fittest. Look out for number who? Number one. If it feels good, what? Do it! Most people can answer those perfectly, all wrapped up in the humanistic Bible. You just said it, that is the manifesto! God is dead.

Forget values and morality because we are not made in the image of God, we are actually creatures that are at the top of the food chain, and it's the survival of the fittest. If you are a young person, you undoubtedly will have these types of courses in college. You have to have them. Your professor will tell you that we are only animals and don't try to impose your morality on us that has been brought onto us by conservative religious groups of people from the beginning. That is why you feel guilty when you do something that you have been told is wrong.  There is nothing wrong. Everything is negotiable. There is no black and white. We can't expect much out of you since you're just an animal. You can do a few things that are above the rest of the animals but when it all comes down to it, you're just an animal. So it's wrong for people to push morality on you. You're a little bit higher than your monkey friend that is down at the zoo. That is all you are. Your kids are being taught that and you wonder why kids are putting bullets in the heads of kids. Their just animals, what are you upset about? What feels good, do it! The humanistic manifesto is LIVE IT! If it's there, experience it! Get from life, all that you can! Throw out what you don't want and just create your own world. That is anarchy, that is a world without God and it's a world that is nearing its end.

Imagine what your professor would say if you recited all what they wanted you to say. That we can all do whatever we want to, because it is all about what is right in our own eyes, since we are simply just animals living at the top of the food chain. That is the answer they expect from you by the way. But how would they respond if you asked if they had a wife and children. They might stand back and feel super proud of their family. What if you asked them to bring their children to class one day so you could violently beat them until they were dead or bring their wife in so you could rape and murder her. I mean it's only right because you are simply an animal anyway responding to what feels right to you anyway, right? That's what I want to do Mr. Professor and you can't judge me because I am just an animal and there is no morality. I would guarantee you, that his or her humanism would fly out the window at that moment.

The world wants God on its terms. There is a God-shaped hole in all of our lives and if we don't fill it with God, we will fill it with things or spiritual deities or entities. You might remember Depeche Mode, their song, Personal Jesus, "Someone to hear your prayers, someone who cares.." It's all about everyone needs a Personal Jesus, and that is true if it is the Jesus of the Bible. There is only one Jesus, but there are counterfeit Jesus' out there and the world today wants a God, or a Jesus on their creative terms. But there is only one Jesus and He is listening and He wants to hear from you.

Jesus, I want to talk to the Jesus of the Bible, the Messiah God, the Savior God. I am calling out to You right now and asking You to reveal Yourself to me. I want to know the truth that sets people free. I want to know You. Are You the One who rose from the dead? Are You the One who died for my sins? Are You The One?

God is big enough and tender enough to reveal Himself to you, if you cry out to Him and ask Him to show Himself to you. He is the God of the Bible. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. He will save YOU from your sins. Why wait any longer?