SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
Scripture: Matthew 24:7-10

                Matthew 24:7-10 says, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. ‘Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.’”   War is going to dominate the end-times.  Tribulation and persecution are going to rise.  Betrayal will become commonplace.  Offense will be everywhere.  The idea that if you are a Christian you are nice to everybody, also qualifies in the id-ee-o-tace category.  Jesus warned His followers that they were going to have to stand up for truth, and that standing up for truth would cause them to be hated by many.  What we find in the church today is the abrogation of truth and the utter refusal to take a stand for truth.  Major denominations of Christianity today have all turned apostate rather than hold up the standard of God’s truth over the issue of homosexuality.  In Romans 1, the New Testament says that those who participate in that lifestyle, and those who approve it are worthy of death.  When God means death, He does not kill once, He kills twice.  Jesus says do not fear those who can kill the body, but fear Him who after He has killed your body can kill you again in hell forever.  The Jesus of Revelation kills twice.  Is the church ready to represent the God who dispenses double death?  We better be, because that time is approaching!