1. 13/09/2011 1

2. Bible Presentation Barleylands 13th September 2011 P LITICAL D MIN ES

3. What is happening in the world? World events signal Christ’s return How do these things point to Christ’s return?

4. What we intend to cover A review of the eventsof the past decade A look at what the Biblehas predicted ~ Brief (5 minute) interval ~ The returnof Christ a clear Bible promise What Christ’s returnwill achieve Conclude with why important TO YOU! 13/09/2011 4

5. A defining date... 13/09/2011 5

6. 11th September 2001 Coordinated terrorist attacks with 19 hijackers using 4 commercial airliners Twin Towers, hit within 17 minutes of one another, both collapse Pentagon also hit, 34 minutes after 2nd Tower 2,977 victims of attack 13/09/2011 6

7. 26 days later... 7th October 2001 13/09/2011 7 Beginning of so-called ‘War on Terror’ Joint US-UK-Afghan United Front operation Starts with airstrikes on capital Kabul, plus Kandahar & Jalalabad A bitter struggle, leads to democratic elections in 2004

8. 1½ years later... 20th March 2003 13/09/2011 8 The ‘Second Gulf War’ Alleged existence of weapons of mass destruction Air/land/sea invasion: 248,000 US troops, 45,000 UK troops and 72,000 others involved Baghdad falls within 20 days (9thApril 2003)

9. 2 years 4 months later... 7th July 2005 13/09/2011 9 Coordinated terrorist attacks with bombs detonated on public transport targets 8:50am, 3 bombs explode on tube trains in space of 50 seconds 9:47am, 4thbomb explodes on bus 52 victims of attack

10. Ongoing troubles... 13/09/2011 10 Conflict in the Middle East

11. The last 9 months... The ‘Arab Spring’ starts 18th December 2010 Revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, ongoing civil war in Libya and unrest and conflict in 13 other Arab states in Africa / Middle East Estimated 35,000 deaths already 13/09/2011 11

12. 2001: 9/11 Terrorist Attack 2001: 9/11 Terrorist Attack 2001: Afghan War Begins 2003: Iraq War Begins 2005: London Bombings A fitting analogy! 13/09/2011 12 2010/11: Arab Spring 2001: Afghan War Begins 2003: Iraq War Begins 2005: London Bombings 2010/11: Arab Spring So where is this all leading?

13. What the Bible says 13/09/2011 13 “And there will be signsin the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21 v 25-26) “the wicked are like the troubled sea” Isaiah 57v20 “the greater light to rule the day” Genesis 1v16 “the king of Babylon... fallen from heaven, O Day Star” Ezekiel 14v4,12 ESV

14. Sneak preview, what next? 13/09/2011 14 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21 v 27-28)

15. How we know it relates to our day 13/09/2011 15 “And they [the Jews] will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21 v 24) These things needed to happen FIRST... ...and they HAVE! Six day war, 1967 State reborn, 1948

16. Brief interval 13/09/2011 16

17. Welcome back! 13/09/2011 17

18. A time of trouble 13/09/2011 18 “...And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time...” (Daniel 12 v 1)

19. The Bible promises Christ’s return 13/09/2011 19 “And while they [the Apostles] looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1 v 10-11)

20. Described in many other places too “...I will come again and receive you to Myself...” “...to wait for His Son from heaven...” “...the Lord himself will descend from heaven...” “...when the Lord is revealed from heaven...” “...He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him...” (In order: John 14 v 3, 1 Thessalonians 1 v 10, 4 v 16, 2 Thessalonians 1 v 7, Revelation 1 v 7) 13/09/2011 20

21. A change for the better! Fed up with all the bad news? Here is some good news! 13/09/2011 21 “...preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God...” (Luke 8 v 1) “...his appearingand his kingdom...” (2 Timothy 4 v 1)

22. What will change at this time? 13/09/2011 22

23. “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2 v 2-4) What the Bible says 13/09/2011 23

24. “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgement… Then judgement shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” (Isaiah 32 v 1,16-18) “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgement… Then judgement shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” (Isaiah 32 v 1,16-18) More of what the Bible says 13/09/2011 24

25. Who are these princes/co-rulers? 13/09/2011 25 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3 v 20-21)

26. Two invitations TO YOU! 13/09/2011 26 From us From God

27. A final quotation, words of Jesus Will we believe our own eyes? 13/09/2011 27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. "And nowI have told you before it comes, thatwhen it does come to pass, you may believe.” (John 14 v 27-29)

28. What is happening in the world? World events signal Christ’s return “Men’s hearts failing them for fear” “Distress of nations” “Signs” “Jerusalem will be trampled... until” “I have told you before” “a time of trouble” How do these things point to Christ’s return? “I will come again” “then they will see the Son of Man coming”

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