Now listen to what it says in chapter 6:

When the Lamb -- verse 5 -- opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked and there before me was a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. The pair of scales referencing commerce, business; the scales weighing.

Then -- verse 6 -- I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

Okay. So here we’re told that during the seven-year Tribulation -- presumably at the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation -- there will be this unthinkable worldwide hyperinflation, such that it will take an entire day’s wages just to eat. Now this of course presupposes that even if you had a day’s wages you’d be able to buy something to eat. That’s Revelation 13: familiar to most, I’m sure, beginning in verse 16:

He -- speaking of the Antichrist -- also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or his forehead, so -- verse 17 -- that no one could buy and sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the Beast or the number of his name.

This calls -- verse 18 -- for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the Beast, for it’s a man’s number: his number is 6-6-6.

Okay. It’s this prophecy in Revelation 13 that has led many students of Bible prophecy -- **raises a hand** -- present company included -- to surmise that a complete global collapse may need to happen first in order for this enforcing of this new global system to be in place.

I’m going to take it a step further and suggest that this global collapse is really three-fold. It’s governmentally, economically, and even religiously. And that would need to happen before -- presumably -- this prophecy can be fulfilled. Now here’s the question:

Will the United States take the lead with the looming government shutdown that is being politically packaged with the debt ceiling and defunding of Obamacare, which goes into effect in eight days from today? October 1st is going to be a very interesting day here in the U. S. of A., dare I say? (I had that all kind of ... sorry....)

Had to lighten it up: some of you are looking very depressed right about now. **congregation laughs**

I’m keenly aware that there are those who would argue: “Come on! The stock market is at an all-time high. And even the housing market seems to be rebounding.” (Especially here in the Islands. Have you noticed?)

In response to that, I would just simply and humbly say that if we’ve learned anything at all from the past, it’s that we’ve learned nothing at all from the past.

The fact of the matter is, a balloon is always the biggest ... right before it bursts. And so too is the stock market the highest ... right before the bubble bursts. You think we’ve learned out lesson? We have not. We have not.

Now please know that I in no way wish to foster a spirit of fear. Paul, writing to Timothy, a young pastor, said, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

But I would be grossly remiss if I didn’t share with you some very disturbing headlines for your consideration. The common denominator with all of these headlines is that they point to and speak of Bible prophecy coming together, as we see right before our very eyes the world falling apart.

Perhaps better said: from the Catholic Pope -- **air quotes** -- (religiously) to the world’s presidents (governmentally) and everything in-between (economically), I think one would reasonably have to come to this conclusion: It’s all going down. **laughs without humor** It’s happening now, in real time.

I’ve organized the following headlines. I’m going to read them very quickly. I’ve organized them into three categories, with the hopes that our eyes and hearts would be open to the urgency and the lateness of the hour in which we live. I’m going to read first the headlines religiously, then second governmentally, then third and finally, economically.

And as I do, I want you to listen for two words. They’re not necessarily directly in the headlines that I’m about to read, but I just want you to listen for them. The two words are “destruct” and “reconstruct.” And here’s why: once we, as the Bride of Jesus Christ, are out of the way, with the restraining of the Holy Spirit (according to 2nd Thessalonians), then Sudden Destruction will come, and in so doing, it will pave the way for the reconstruction of a New World Order to come.

Here they are: quickly and first, religiously:

“Islamic Movement leaders warn of Israeli plan to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque.” This is the Dome of the Rock there on the Temple Mount. [Both mosques are located on the Temple Mount, but they are separate.]

“Al Qaeda vows to slaughter Christians after U.S. liberates Syria.”

“Pope Francis assures atheists, ‘You don’t have to believe in God to go to Heaven.’”

“Pope seeks historic easing of rigid Catholic doctrine.”

“Pope warns Church must find balance or fall like a house of cards.”

“Pope Francis: 'Church too focused on gays and abortion.'”

“The Pope separates Jews from Israelis.”

“200 million Europeans see Israel as Nazi state.’

Governmentally:

“Government shutdown looming over Obamacare sequester.”

“Detroit government shuts down power because residents didn’t conserve electricity.”

“Egyptian government forces raid pro-Mursi town of Kerdasa.”

“Egypt arrests prominent Muslim Brotherhood spokesman.”

“Egypt army storms Islamist-held town.”

“‘No time left for negotiations with Iran:’ Israeli minister.”

“Hinting at dismay with Obama, Prime Minister says Israel can rely only on itself.”

“Official: ‘Obama and Netanyahu to meet in Washington on September 30th.’” Also Abbas, of the Palestinian Liberation Organization-- **covers his mouth as if to take back his words** Oh, I’m sorry: they don’t want to be called that anymore! --will also be meeting with the President.

“Putin to visit Iran for the first time in six years.” Are you guys feeling me here? Is this Isaiah 19, Egypt? Isaiah 17, Syria? Ezekiel 38, Russia and Iran?

“Turkey downs Syrian helicopter, claims it violated airspace.”

“Implications of U.S.-Russia agreement about Assad.”

“Obama waives ban on arming terrorists to allow aid to Syrian opposition.”

Economically:

“Al Qaeda leader urges small-scale attacks in U.S. to,” quote, “bleed America economically.” How’s that one? Have a nice afternoon!

**with his hands out to the sides in puzzlement** “Obama: ‘Raising the debt ceiling does not increase our debt.’” **congregation finds that amusing** Though it has, over a hundred times.

“U.S. House passes budget bill that would defund health care law.”

“Cabinet establishes team to evaluate reducing the use of cash.” Aha! How convenient!

“Gas prices set record: 1,000 days above $3 a gallon.” Saudi Arabia! Oil, natural gas, Israel: the hook!

“American poverty figure edges up to 46.5 million.”

“Why a U.S. recovery may send Treasury’s dollar crashing.”

“Analysts: ‘Republicans go for broke in fiscal battles.’”

“Food Stamp use rises: some 15% get benefits.”

“Study: ‘U.S. debt obligations--’” You ready for this number? “‘70 trillion.’”

“4 in 5 in U.S. face near poverty: no work.”

How about this one? “National debt, stacked in dollar bills, would stretch from the Earth to the Moon 5 times.”

“Study: ‘Record number 21 million young adults living with parents.’” Most of whom are here in Hawaii, I think. **laughs** For obvious reasons, by the way.

“U.S. blows out $16.7 trillion debt limit.”

I would suggest that while these headlines paint a very bleak picture of how the world is falling apart, they also paint a perfect picture of how Bible prophecy is coming together. And here’s the thing: how one responds to this becomes a litmus test, and as such, reveals where one is at in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Simply put: if this is exciting, it’s not because you’re demented and morbid and-- No, it’s because you’re right with the Lord, and you’re ready for the Lord and His Soon Return.

Conversely, if this terrifies you, the reason is that you’re not right with the Lord. And that’s why you’re not ready for the Lord: because you’re not right with the Lord.

And I cannot offer you a false hope and encourage you, because if I were to do that and you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it would be disingenuous at best, deceptive at worst.

And I’ll stand before God one day and have to give an account for what I told you and taught you from the pages of Holy Writ. And the bottom line is, unless you’re born again, you will not see the Kingdom of God. You cannot go to Heaven unless you’re born again, and you cannot be born again unless you call upon the name of Jesus Christ, the only name given among men whereby we must be saved.

He’s the only way to the Father; He’s the only Truth, the only Way, the only Life. There’s no way to the Father except through Him.

I’m convinced that sometimes it’s not just easy or simple, it’s that it’s too simple. It’s too childlike-simple. And maybe that’s why people won’t become as a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, to be born again of the Spirit of God.

If you’re here this morning -- and I assume nothing, even if you’ve been coming here for many months, maybe even years-- If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not go up in the Rapture. I don’t know how else to tell you that.

And I say that to say this: you need to get right with the Lord. You need to call upon the Lord. You need to be born again. Today. You need to confess your sins. You need to confess Him as your Lord and Savior.

And then He in turn will give you the Holy Spirit that will indwell you and seal you for the Day of Redemption.

I don’t have time, but I want to give you two passages in the gospel of Matthew that give us the assurance that: a) we need not worry about a thing. We need not fear about anything. [no “b)” was mentioned]

And the first one is in Matthew 6, verses 19 through 34. And here’s the gist of it. It’s the famous Sermon on the Mount. I like to call it “the Sermon on the Amount,” because that’s what He talks about: treasures on Earth. Wherever your treasure it, there will your heart be also.

And in this passage of Scripture you will find the cure for worry, the antidote for fear. And there are no side-effects, by the way. So if you ever see a commercial, you’re never going to hear that real -- you know, with that soft music in the background as it’s playing, and -- **in a serious-yet-sensational voice** -- “Possible side effects are internal bleeding, brain damage, and death!”

And you know you’re thinking, “Really, I’m going to take this for the-- And the side effects are worse than the thing I’m taking it for-- Uh: not going to happen.”

In other words, there’s no pill that you can take, but there is a passage of Scripture that has been given, and it’s Matthew 6, 19 through 34.

Finally, let me say this: This is why I believe we’re not going to be here when all of this goes down. And you can accuse me of escapism, and I will just say -- I’ll be the first to say -- **waving a hand in the air** -- “Guilty as charged!”

Especially from those well-intentioned brothers and sisters who do not believe in a pre-Tribulation Rapture. And they’ll say to you something like, “Well, you just want to escape!”

I’m like, “And you don’t. You don’t want to escape? You want to be here for this?”

“Yeah. I’m going to roll up my arm sleeves and pull myself up by my bootstraps, and I’m going to fight!” **waving a fist in the air**

And I’m going to say, “Aloha!” **congregation laughs** “See ya! Wouldn’t want to be ya!”

Matthew 24, verses 36 through 42: Jesus describes -- here’s just a summary judgment, for lack of a better term. Jesus describes what it’s going to be like when the Rapture happens. And the description He gives is clearly a world that is going about business as usual, as the world did in the days of Noah. They were buying and selling, and marrying and given in marriage, and building and planting, and doing business, and buying and selling!

And then -- one’s taken, one’s left.

So how do you reconcile a global catastrophic event that would render this world unable to buy and sell, and do business as usual, and build and plant, and get married and give in marriage? **shakes his head** You can’t reconcile that.

So that’s what tells me that we’re not going to be here when this thing goes down -- **emphatically** -- and it will.

One last thing. (And this will be the last last thing of the last things that I said.)

This is really going to happen. It’s really happening now, isn’t it? It’s beginning to come to pass now.

Were it not for all of the prophecies collectively, in tandem, in concert one with the other, being in play presently in real time, then I would be willing to acquiesce to the notion that -- you know, maybe this isn’t it. But I’m having considerable difficulty, especially as the days go by -- and I mean literally the days. Not the weeks anymore, not the months, certainly not the years.

Almost with every passing day, I’m becoming increasingly convinced that this is it. And I say that under the banner, again, of saying I would rather have us be ready and have this not be it, than have this be it and have us not be ready. **shrugs**

Let’s pray.

Lord, Maranatha. Come quickly! It looks like You are.

Lord, there are many of us, though, here in this wonderful church, that have loved ones, friends, family members who don’t know You and aren’t ready for You -- perhaps even in our midst this morning. And so, Lord, we would simply pray that today it would be the day of their salvation, that they would surrender to You, call upon You, and be saved.

We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.

And here's the video for those who prefer video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp-xuWU-0Uo&list=UUkz3m787ygph7Uvjxzngl-g&feature=player_detailpage


And a link to the video discussion thread:
I do not see a thread yet.


And Pastor JD's sermon notes (otherwise known as the short version) from Calvary Chapel Kaneohe. It’s not posted yet; look at this link and click on “Prophecy Update 2013-09-22” when they get that up:
http://www.calvarychapelkaneohe.com/index.php?option=com_sermonspeaker&view=sermons&Itemid=136

At the link above, once it's posted, you will also be able to find a downloadable audio file (at the bottom of the page for the particular Sunday Update you’re looking for).

Thanks again, Perian!!

Thank you for your hard work Perian!!!!

oh, for sure,


Perian ~~ so exciting reading Pastor's teachings, thanks to you, sis ~~~ his insight is stirringly convincing we ARE in the end of this era of Grace, ~~

Thank you so much Perian... I so look forward to Pastor J.D.'s prophecy updates. This was a REAL WINNER as they all are. Fills my heart and soul with such high hopes.... that IT is gonna be SOON!!!

You're welcome and thanks for the flowers (and butterfly!).

I agree that this one is a winner!

Pastor JD has hit some big nails on the head. The world is crashing around us while the NWO rises and that comes with all lies and deceit to the utmost. This just is not our home any more. Thank goodness we know prophecy. How depressing if we didn't.

Email: victorychanter@raptureintheairnow.com

Website: Rapture In the Air Now

Perian, I just want to tell you how much I appreciate you doing this. Putting it in words allows me to read it at work when I can't watch videos. Thank you very much!