Sermons

This sermon looks at the situation in the Middle East and the rapidly changing world of technology from a biblical point of view, and points out that the signs of the end times are already clearly appearing. Going beyond frightening memories from childhood, it explains that totalitarian control and the development of superintelligent technology are now taking place as preconditions for the appearance of the Antichrist. In particular, it warns of the reality that artificial intelligence and data-collection technology threaten human dignity, and that through them a structure of rule that binds the whole world into one is nearing completion.

The sermon gives direction on how believers should live in such a confused age. It urges that even though the last day comes like a thief, we must stay awake as those who belong to the day, not to the night. It stresses that in order not to be deceived we must take up the shield of faith and love, hold on to the hope of salvation, and keep ourselves pure so as to win the spiritual battle. It says that even as the world turns against Christianity and morality collapses, what we need is not fear that judgment is about to fall, but a heart that longs for Christ's return.

Finally, the sermon closes by saying that believers should not be lazy but encourage one another, and live lives that rejoice always, pray, and in everything give thanks. It says that although we cannot stop what is evil, what matters is to keep the faith to the end and to prepare ourselves as the bride. The sermon asks whether believers can have the faith to wait for Christ's return with joy and eager anticipation rather than fear, and to cry out, 'Come, Lord Jesus.'

This passage deals, from an eschatological perspective, with the various interpretations of the millennium and with the timing of the rapture. Scholars are divided among premillennialism, postmillennialism and amillennialism, but because the Bible does not clearly fix a specific time, the passage points out that we must not brand one another as heretics. In particular, it describes how dispensational premillennialism and historic premillennialism fiercely debate the identity of the 144,000 and the timing of the rapture, and warns that fixating on such details can get in the way of the life of faith.

The sermon emphasizes that rather than being swallowed up by fear of the end times or by a particular theory, the most important thing for believers is to keep a firm faith in Christ. When the forces of the antichrist appear and the great tribulation comes, it says, what is needed is not trembling in fear but an attitude of walking with the Lord now and living by faith. For even if there is physical pain or persecution, believers who have been spiritually born again are those who reign with Christ.

So rather than knowing exactly when the rapture will happen or when the millennium will begin, believers should reflect on whether they have the faith to be taken up when the trumpet sounds, and whether they are keeping hold of the thread of faith that will not deny Christ amid the currents of the world. The sermon asks the reader to hold not fear of the end, but the hope and joy that come from faith in Christ.