JESUS IS COMING SOON - HOW SOON?

James said, "The Lord's coming is near." Peter said, "the end of all things is near." John said, "This is the last hour." In the last book of the Bible and the last chapter, three times Jesus said, "Yes, I am coming soon." But we're already into the year 2008 and He still hasn't come. And again we're faced with the question: how soon is soon?
The first sign is based on Matthew 24:14, and you know that verse very well.we all learned it as children: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end com.The God of heaven is setting things up to finish the proclamation of the gospel practically over night. We don't know when the gospel will be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. But my friends, we can see God setting up the communications system to have it happen practically overnight. Jesus never fails.

When God promises something, we should expect it to happen.Listen to the prophecy Jesus gives concerning His own return, and the conditions that will exist at that time (Luke 21:20-36).He tells us this so that we will look expectantly for the signs of His coming, and not lose hope.
And He told them a parable: "Behold the fig tree and all the trees;

30. as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near.

31. "Even so you, too, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.

32. "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.

33. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

What is the matter with our Christian society? Do you see the signs of the end?

Then expect His return. Is Jesus coming soon? Absolutely! Joel 1 makes a prediction about the last days. Joel 1:15 says, Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; It will come like destruction from the Almighty. Well, this was written a long time ago, wasn't it. And I could read you other things. Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I am coming soon! And, Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! and, Revelation 22:20 "Yes, I am coming soon."

So, do you believe the Bible? Is Jesus coming soon? Can we set a date? No, we can't do that. But He's coming soon to take us home. Jesus is coming soon to put an end to sin and suffering. He's coming soon to rescue His people from the terrible conditions of the last days and from this world. How do we know Jesus is coming soon? The signs! There are signs of His coming! We are now experiencing the events that were long predicted. Just before Jesus comes there will be such a scenario of developments that are called Signs or Warnings to all believers that the end of the world is nigh, is close at hand.
"Today approximately 160,000 Christians are killed every year because of their beliefs.Matthew 24:10. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. There's going to be apostasy, wide-spread apostasy in the last days.

There will be many, many backsliders. Christian churches becoming empty. Is this happening? In Europe only 24% of its 725 million people ever darken the door of a Christian church.Thousands of churches are empty or abandoned and have been turned into shops, bars or night clubs. Luke 18:8. "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" There are going to be a lot of apostasie.
We are legalizing same-sex marriages. They are becoming more and more legalized.
2 Timothy 3:2-4 says that . . . in the last days people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure. But our easy lifestyle is fast grinding to a halt.
"Stand fast in the faith." Do not abandon your post of trust and honor. Stand fast on Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages.

Your standard of faith is the Word of God. Let your eyes be directed to the cross."
Today, God is summoning a people. He is inviting a people who are willing to live by faith in His Word and to proclaim by faith the nearness of His coming; to prepare the way of the Lord. Are you ready to respond to God's call to play your part in announcing the glorious reunion with our Savior, Jesus Christ?
Jesus predicts a series of events in the final times. There will be great catastrophes of nature — earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires, tornados, and floods. In everyday life, we can see and hear bad news about these natural disasters that happen around the world. The tsunami took the lives of 200,000 people in 13 different countries in Southeast Asia. The earthquake in Pakistan killed 275,000 people, making it one of the deadliest disasters in modern history. The official death toll by Hurricane Katrina reached about 1, 322 and it became the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.
There will not only be natural disaster but also famines, diseases, and terrors. More than 39 million people in Africa are suffering from food shortages. AIDS is a disease that has affected people all around the world . And we all remember, the terrorist attack on September 11, this act of terror took the lives of more than 2, 986 people.shaky economies, war, genocide, and the turmoil of nations may feel very unsettling. It is not difficult to find indicators of serious global and cosmic distress. Even more, we experience the breakdown of the family and moral standards.Jesus explained that believers must be on guard and alert, ready for his return to happen at any moment. Everyday “He is near".
It doesn’t matter when he comes, but what really matters is that we must live according to His will. Jesus was teaching that preparation, not calculation, was needed. Be like a smoke detector, always charged. Be like a fire station, always ready.
We have to remember that Jesus could return at any time and we better be ready.We need a faith that is vibrant and active, a faith that lasts over the long haul.
in Revelation (chapters 2 and 3) to the seven early churches gives us some major clues as to how God views all populations of Christians.

Notice that only the Philadelphia Church (and a number of believers at the churches in Sardis and Smyrna) is without fault and has no need to "repent". They are the only church guaranteed to be spared the 'hour of trial' (Revelation 3:10).
please note that each letter ends with: "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." Remember, just because you're a Christian does not mean that God is pleased with you. God knows hearts and minds, and he knows every detail about you. He knows where your faith is.
Be ready to stand before the Son of Man as he brings the last judgment.” The trumpet is about to sound! The King is coming!

Amen.