Fri, Jun 9th - 5:27PM

This is That

                                                   By: Evangelist Chuck Gibson

                                                                            Aug.2^nd 2004

Acts 2:14-21

  We are living in the last days (how many believe that?) But when did the last days actually start? Peter proclaimed, “this is that” was spoken of by the Prophet Joel; that in the last days said God, “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved (refer to verses 17-21) This tells me that the last days ministry started on the day of Pentecost, when the holy spirit of promise was given. Which gave them power (authority) to spread the gospel of the kingdom of God to the uttermost parts of the earth. When sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men will see visions and the old men shall dream, dreams. Now how many believe?

 *2Thessalonians 2:7 the mystery of iniquity was already working in those days. Then in 1^st John the 4^th chapter we read, that the spirit of anti-Christ was already working, and prevalent in the world. “You have heard that the anti-Christ shall come, even now there are many anti-Christ” Who is anti-Christ? Anyone that would deny that Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. Whereof you have heard that it would come; and now already it is already in the world! The spirit of anti-Christ works in everyone who denies Christ. How have we denied Christ? It is by our works that we deny him. Jesus told them that with your lips you honor me, but your heart is far from me. He also told them (the scribes and the Pharisees) “Who is a liar, but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ, he is anti-Christ that denies the Father & the Son.” The last days deal with many things.

 *2Peter 3:1-7; Stir up your pure minds by the way of remembrance, that you be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the Apostles of the Lord and Savior. Knowing this first, that in the last day’s scoffers walking after their own lust, saying where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they are, as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water perished; but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men. This is The other part of the last days that Joel told us about, and Peter reminded us of, is the fact that in the last days God would show us wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness. And the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord, and it shall come to pass; that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered (saved Acts 2:21)

 *2Peter3: 10-13 the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (is this not the rapture?) In which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works thereof shall be burned up! Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness? Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless we according to his promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness shall dwell forever. Wherefore beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless!

 *Which brings me now to the character of men in the last days. Know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (Peril is danger dangerous times have come!) For men shall be lovers of their own selves (the danger of self—love) For they shall be covetous, boasters, proud blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce (full of rage) despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. (The power of God unto salvation—which is foolishness to them that perish) From such turn away, they are ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 *A prediction of apostasy, (deserters, cowards in the army of the Lord) (One who forsakes their faith over the smallest trials) The Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times (the last days) some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocrisy having their conscience seared with a hot iron. (They become reprobate, someone who does not blush because of their sin, they thumb their noses at God, and feel they have nothing to repent about, it is the state of becoming morally depraved, to be condemned as unacceptable to God, and evil. (Hey don’t only take my word for it, you better read Romans 1^st Chapter *These are the symptoms of a nation and a people that have fallen from grace, a nation that has forgotten God. This is that which has been spoken and is surely coming to pass!