Introduction: Bible Prophecy is amazing; its precision, the accuracy is unprecedented. Zechariah’s prophecy is no exception. In addition to numerous prophecies concerning Jesus Christ, the one concerning His triumphant entry, is fascinating to say the least.

1. The Prediction of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry! (Zech 9:9)

“9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

If you did a study on the context of Zechariah chapter nine you would discover other predictions besides the triumphant entry. Alexander the Great fulfilled the first part of this chapter. There is no book like the Bible.

2. The Fulfillment of Jesus’ Triumphant entry! (Luke 22:28-31)

“And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.”

Imagine “the Lord hath need of him,” this was precisely the time when Zechariah predicted. Another fulfillment of the Bible.

Jesus said that if those who praised Him ceased their praise, then the rocks would cry out. Today’s application? Don’t let the rocks beat you!

Introduction: There are certain “special” times in our CHRISTian journey that Jesus seems nearer. I love those times. However, the CHRISTian life is not a 40 yard dash. Instead, it’s a marathon… plus!

Yet, Isaiah spoke to Israel about those special times in our devotion today.

1. Seeking the Lord while He May be found! (Isa 55:6)

“6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found.”

The Hebrew word for “seek” is דָּרַשׁ: (daw-rash’), which means to resort to, seek. In other words this is purposeful, intentional, or to put it another way, deliberate. Are you resorting to be deliberate in “seeking” the Lord? Make a choice today.

“…call ye upon him while he is near.”

Interesting to note, the word “call” can mean to read. In other words, read what the Lord is doing. Speaking of “near,” James reminds us to go closer – near – to God and He will get closer to us. What a fantastic thought!

“7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

Here is a great promise… Yahweh (Israel’s God – and ours) will have compassion on those that turn back to Him. Not only will He show compassion but He will also forgive. Do you need forgiveness?

Conclusion: Are you seeking the Lord? Are you calling upon Him? Are you willing to return to Him for pardon? God will keep His promises.

Introduction: Do you ever feel “Worn Out”? This appears to be a chief tactic the devil has used and will use in the future. The man of God named Daniel gives us some prophetic insight as to Satan’s strategy in the end times.

1. The Antichrist will WEAR Out the saints! (Dan 7:25)

“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High..”

The word “wear out” is בְּלָא: (bel-aw’), which means to wear away or wear out. This tactic is working today…many are worn out! And once we get worn out we become ineffective. Unable to be spiritually sharp, we become dull. Discernment leaves us. Complaining replaces thanksgiving. Fear over rides faith. Insecurity becomes the norm. Bad thoughts….. wrong attitude…. and lack of concern plagues the believer. The devil wins.

2. Jesus Christ will WEAR Out the devil, Antichrist, and the false Prophet! (Dan 7:27)

“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

Jesus Christ has won the battle. With Him leading and filling our life, we have supernatural strength. We need Him every moment of everyday.

1. Who is Jacob? (Jer 30:7)

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”

2. When is the Time of Jacob’s trouble? (Jer 30:7)

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”

3. How is the Time of Jacob’s trouble going to end? (Jer 30:7)

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”

Israel will finally possess the total Realestate that is theirs. Jesus told Peter that some would share His throne.

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matt 19:28)

Introduction: Are you spiritually healthy? The book of Revelation reveals some BLESSED vitamins to take in order to make a difference in this life and in the life to come.

1. B Vitamin – Testimony! (Rev 1:3)

“3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

Obedience is better than sacrifices! How are you doing?

2. B Vitamin –  Family! (Rev 14:13)

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

Influence in your family is crucial… without beating them over the head with the Bible! Let the light shine!!

3. B Vitamin – Ministry! (Rev 16:15)

“15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

Being busy about the Master’s business is the key to being prepared when Jesus comes again!

4. B Vitamin – Legacy! (Rev 19,22:14)

“14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

At the moment, life seems hectic. Troubles and trials pull us down. But once we enter into the pearly gates, it will be worth it all!

Conclusion: In order to be a healthy CHRISTian we have got to eat the right vitamins – especially B Vitamins. Are you taking the right B Vitamins?

Introduction: Not only will Jesus come in the rapture (1Cor 15) but He will also come in what is called His second coming – after the tribulation (Luke 21).

But the questing is how will He appear in His second coming? John writes to describe this event.

1. Jesus will come as a Thief! (Rev 16:15)

“15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

2. Jesus will come as conquerer! (Rev 16:16)

“6And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

Introduction: Do you need POWER to overcome? How late is it? Jude writes concerning the last days. 

“18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude 1:18,19)

Admittedly, it is late! But how can we tell?

1. How can we tell it is a LATE DAY & need REVIVAL POWER? (Jude 1:3,4,5-18)

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This text describes 3 ways to tell it is a LATE DAY:

* Spiritual Apostasy!

“earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3)

* Attack on Israel’s Sovereignty!

“having saved the people out of the land of Egypt.” (Jude 1:7)

* Demonic Activity!

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:6-8)

Certainly the days in which we are living in the present are challenging as were in the days of Jude. Can you tell?

2. How can we live in this LATE DAY with REVIVAL POWER? (Jude 1:20-25)

*Constructively 

“20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” (Jude 1:20)

* Confidently 

“21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:21)

* Compassionately 

“22And of some have compassion, making a difference.” (Jude 1:22)

* Convincingly

“And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:23-25)

How are you doing?

Conclusion: The case is made. While it is definitely a late hour, praise the Lord, because there is POWER for the hour!

Introduction: What is keeping the Antichrist from emerging? If you answered the CHURCH, you are correct! Are things shaping up for the Antichrist to arise on the scene? Your thoughts? How can we tell?

1. The Church is holding back the Antichrist! (2Thess 2:5-8)

“5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”

Look at the phrase, “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.”

The word “withholdeth” is κατέχω: (kat-ekh’-o), which means to hold fast, back, detain, restrain.

Even though the word “what” is in the neuter form, here it refers to the Holy Spirit within the Church. The same tense is used in the gospels to refer to the Holy Spirit. Technically speaking, the Holy Spirit cannot be completely removed because He is omnipresent. However, His indwelling presence (in the Church) is taken away in this instance, and yet He remains on the earth.

“until he be taken out of the way.” So right now, we are the wall that is holding the Antichrist back. Can you feel the pressure against the wall?

2. Next, the Antichrist will be revealed! (2Thess 2:8)

“8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”

That is, he will move on the scene, make a covenant with Israel and then ultimately “sit in the temple of God” desiring to be worshipped as God.

“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2Thess 2:4)

The devil has always wanted to be worshiped. (see Isa 14 & Ezek 28). He will succeed only for a brief season. His time will come to an abrupt end.

Introduction: We all are traveling on these three roads in life. Can you imagine what the rapture is going to be like? Just think about being reunited with your loved ones in the sky. That will be a happy day!

1. The Road called Preparation! (1Thess 4:13,14,15)

“13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”

Did you notice that Paul identifies with those who were alive? That includes us! Where are you in this road? How far? How much farther?

2. The road called Evacuation! (1Thess 4:16,17)

“16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Jesus will come in the air. We will go up to meet him. It is going to be a hallelujah homecoming!

3. The road called Destination! (1Thess 4:18)

“18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Isn’t it comforting to know we will be in heaven with our loved ones and our Lord.

Introduction: Here are 3 life – changing decisions for you to make today that will alter your destiny. The book of Acts is not necessarily a pattern for the Church today, instead it is a record of what our risen Lord accomplished after fulfilling His promise by the outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon the Church.

We will all make these 3 decisions today. Which one will you make?

1. Are you going to answer Jesus’ RECALL or will you let the devil set you up for a pitfall? (Acts 3:19)

Jesus sends out RECALLS! Just like an automotive business sends out RECALLS, our Lord does the same.

This can be clearly seen as Jeremiah the prophet was instructed to go down to the Potter’s house. As the Potter was working with the clay, he noticed it was “marred.” This means it had blemishes. However, the Potter did not throw the clay away, instead he re-made it. God was showing Jeremiah that He was not finished with Israel.

Fast forward. The New Testament reveals the same.

“But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Rom 5:20)

Praise the Lord! Do you need a second chance?

2. Do you need to be REFRESHED or will you continue to be dominated by the FLESH? (Acts 3:19,20)

The Flesh will dominated you if you let it! It is much easier to float down the river of the flesh rather than swim against the current with Spirit-filled living! Are you floating down or are you swimming against? If you are swimming against the current of the flesh then you will need to be REFRESHED!

3. Are you getting ready for Christ’s RETURN or will you go through the Judgment Seat and be burned? (Acts 3:21)

Watch for Jesus return or go through the BEMA judgment and be burned. Which one would you rather do? No rewards. Or crowns to cast at the feet of Jesus.

Conclusion: Technically speaking Peter’s message was to those Israelis who had rejected Jesus Christ. But Jesus has given them a promise which He will fulfill when He “RESTORES” the Kingdom  during His millennium.

However, the practical meaning for the Church today is for a time of “REFRESHING” with revival. As mentioned, there are rewards for Revival!