Clear To Partly Cloudy

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July 22, 2007  A.D.

Clear To Partly Cloudy

How often have we heard a weather forecast that produced disappointment since it was not even close to what really happened? Similarly, what effect should the multitude of prophecies about the return of Messiah, right or wrong have on each of us? Is there a particular motivation that should be produced in the true church of God? Well, as we continue our study through the Gospel of Saint Mark in the thirteenth chapter, let us consider what Jesus is teaching about the end times in a set of verses well known as ‘The Olivet  Discourse’ that are now being hotly debated in Christendom. So, open your bible take a few notes and listen today as we return to our ongoing study through the gospel of Mark as our teacher Pastor Fisher shares in a teaching which he calls “Clear to Partly Cloudy”

Old Testament Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1 – 10  (KJV)

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isa 11:3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

Isa 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Isa 11:5  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Isa 11:6  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isa 11:7  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Isa 11:8  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.

Isa 11:9  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Isa 11:10  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 13:19 – 33  (KJV)
Mark 13:19  For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mark 13:20  And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Mark 13:21  And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Mark 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:23  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Mark 13:24  But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Mark 13:25  And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Mark 13:26  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Mark 13:27  And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Mark 13:28  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
Mark 13:29  So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mark 13:30  Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mark 13:31  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:32  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mark 13:33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Transforming Power Statements:

#1) Truly there are particular aspects of this prophecy that were written to address the soon coming event of the desolations of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple which occurred in AD 70, nevertheless there is also biblical evidence that there is reference given to a time yet future that waits to manifest itself in the time of the end.
#2) The reference of Revelation 1:7 was written near the end of the first century after AD 70 and also refers to The Son of Man coming with clouds and every eye shall see Him” which must be understood to be a prophecy of an event yet future in that it is written afterwards.
#3) Prophecies of this sort should compel the church to a more aggressive and fervent spirit of evangelism knowing that teaching all the nations is the real purpose and desire of God for the children of men for whom He has given His perfect excellent Son!