 Hello and welcome to Prophecy Files. I'm Pastor Joey Rogers and thanks for joining us today. Certainly we are right in the middle of a global pandemic that is affecting every one of our lives. And Bible prophecy is being fulfilled moment by moment in the middle of all that is happening. It's a time when we must be alert and awake to the season that we are in recognizing that the imminent return of Jesus Christ is certainly upon us. And while that has been sounded and trumpeted by teachers and preachers throughout the ages, I believe that we are seeing the nearness of that in each one of these Bible prophecy signs that are all around us right now. In fact, I just wanna share just a few of them with you because from the texts that we're going to use in Matthew 24, the Bible tells us very clearly Jesus speaking to his disciples to be sure that you're not deceived in these last days that certain things are going to take place before the coming but at the end is not yet. In fact, today I wanna share with you from that one phrase in verse eight, the beginning of sorrows. I believe some of the signs that we're seeing right now are those beginnings of sorrows that Jesus spoke about. In fact, earthquakes is one of those signs and we've seen more than 600 earthquakes and tremors that have happened in the middle of the United States alone in the past few days. And one that was certainly measurable at a 6.5 in Idaho, which has been the largest that they've experienced since 1983, not only that, we've seen how that people have absolutely defied the authorities and the warnings that are coming from those in leadership concerning this virus that is highly contagious and passed from person to person very easily in light of people that have stayed on the beaches during spring break and just gone about life as if there's nothing going on. If I get corona, I get corona. At the end of the day, I'm not gonna let it stop me from partying. I think they're blowing it way out of proportion. This is the reason why we recognize the days we're living in as the ones like Jesus spoke about concerning the days of Noah and the days of Lot. And as we look in one particular article, we're nearly half of 70 students from the University of Texas have now been tested positive for the coronavirus as they were going into Mexico days before shutting down of nations as it were. And because life just continued as it was here in the state of Florida, now many that have contracted it because they ignored the warnings have simply come to a place now where the reality of it is upon them personally. And it is so important that we heed the warnings today and not ignore it. This is not some test. It's not some global conspiracy for that matter. I believe beyond the shout of any doubt in the middle of all of this, God is allowing and using the events that are taking place today to shake the very core of humanity all around the globe. And at this very critical hour when the world and the nations are focused upon the coronavirus, President Trump said just a few days ago in the press conference that Iran has now come to a place where they are planning some kind of sneak attack through one of their groups that they sponsor, but ultimately the core of it is in Iran. Now, how important that it is that we pay attention because this is of course that opportune time when terrorists and enemies would like to take over. And we recognize that there is a global dictator that is on the horizon ready to step in, that the Bible predicts would take place. The world is set right now for that kind of entrance of an individual that is named in the book of Revelation and in the book of Daniel as the one that is coming, the Antichrist, the beast, all of that, those titles describe an individual that would take over the world in a time when they would be called and rise out of a sea of people, when people begin to call on a leader to help them to get out of a crisis, help them to get out of a situation. Now, let me make it very clear to you because this question has been asked multiple times in recent days, are we in the tribulation? No, we're not in the tribulation. All you have to do is read the scripture, understand in the book of Revelation that the very first entrance to that tribulation occurs after the rapture of the church with the entrance of the Antichrist. From there, there are subsequent plagues that come upon this world. And I wanna share something with you. I want you to stay with me because at the close of this prophecy files episode, you will want to hear how you can be able to reach people in this very critical hour. President Trump said that Iran could be planning a sneak attack. And even in the middle of that, are the officials of the United States have said that we have been sending resources to Iran to help them as humanitarian efforts to help their people get out of this virus and crisis as well. There is no doubt in my mind that the Bible is 100% accurate in predicting the future for all of humanity. And what is taking place right now, certainly is part of the signs that Jesus said would come upon the earth as it is signaling his imminent return. Now in Matthew 24, the Bible says that the disciples came to Jesus and ask him the question, when is the end going to come? When are you going to return? When is this going to take place? And he said, take heed that you be not deceived. And then he goes into a list, Jesus does, of what would take place prior to his return. Now some of this we understand that we'll be involved in the tribulation period. But the phrase that I find interesting in verse number eight is that Jesus said that you want to be careful. Don't panic during this time because these are just the beginning of sorrows. I do believe that what we're seeing right now could very well be these beginning of sorrows that Jesus speaks about prior to the tribulation period. The Bible says that these beginning of sorrows are described as birth pains. You understand when a woman is giving birth that there is indications that the child is going to arrive by the more difficult pains that she is getting and the more frequent pains that are coming. These are the birth pain signs that we're seeing I believe right now according to the scripture. And what we're experiencing now in this unprecedented plague that is upon us in our modern lifetime. Certainly there's been others in the Spanish flu and other plagues that have hit our land. But in modern times, this generation has not seen this in a hundred years. And it is certainly something that is growing day by day. And the leaders have told us that in the days that are to come that we could expect even worse as we're watching things approach even what the Bible would call as a death angel plague coming through our towns and cities. God knows without any doubt what is taking place and he cares about what is happening in our world. And he has described in the word of God what is going to take place not only now but in the days that are ahead. These warning signs are for all of humanity. And Jesus describes them as the beginning of sorrows, these birth pains. Now I want you to understand that the purpose of these birth pains and beginning of sorrows and even going into the tribulation period, the events and the plagues that would take place, the hail falling from the sky as described in Revelation that would take place in the tribulation period as well as plagues and pestilence that would come. Even seeing some of that taking place right now and this global pandemic. Ladies and gentlemen, these are all a warning signs for us to turn to God in this very critical hour. All of this I believe is set in place so that people will turn their face back to the one true living God, whose son is Jesus Christ for their salvation and for deliverance. Jesus described these times in Revelation in the book of Matthew, I should say 24, Mark 13, Luke chapter 21, all of that to inform us and to encourage us in these particular ways. In Matthew 24, he says to us, first of all, don't be deceived by all the voices and the media and everything that is swirling right now. Don't let your life be deceived by those that are bringing to you false information or some kind of skewing of the scripture. That's what the enemy Satan absolutely wants to take place, twisting of the word of God. Secondly, he says, don't panic. In this hour prepared people don't panic. The people of God are not to panic because we trust in God. Thirdly, he says, be patient in what's taking place. This is not the end yet. This is just the beginning of sorrow. Well, Pastor, how am I supposed to respond in this? He says that it's important for you to know that this is a time to witness like never before, that this will be your opportunity to bear witness that Jesus Christ is coming again. And there is no subject that will garner more attention by people that don't even know what the Bible says or anything about Christianity that will speak to you about coming signs and the fact that Jesus is coming again. So how do we find peace in the middle of this pandemic? Well, the Bible is where we turn to. Philippians chapter four says, don't worry about anything. Now take note of this. Don't worry about anything. He said, pray about everything with thanksgiving. Let your requests be made known to God and the God of peace shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. What is the answer to this? Sometimes when you've gotten the information that you need to get from the news or whatever you're listening or watching or reading, it's then time to set it aside, turn it off and go to the Lord in prayer. Go to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving. It's important for us to let our requests be made known, pour out our heart. I truly believe that one of the signs of the times that is coming, even now, you can see it happening in society where drug dealers are absolutely boasting of their sales tripling in the streets of New York City. We realize that anxiety and stress and alcoholism is rising to a new level in this crisis. Listen carefully to me. The only way to combat the anxiety, the stress, the pressure and the panic of our time is to go to the Lord in prayer, seek His face, pour out your heart. He knows exactly what you're thinking. If you're fearful, if you're anxious, pour it out before God. But don't leave His presence before you begin to praise Him because it's in the praise and the presence of God where He will come down and comfort and strengthen and be able to bring relief from the anxiety of the hour being in the presence of God. The Bible says in Luke chapter 18 and verse number seven and eight, He tells us very clearly, listen to the scripture, and shall not God avenge His own elect which cried day and night unto Him though He bear long with them? Listen to verse number eight. He says this, I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. This is God. Nevertheless, and here's the key for us, will the Son of man when he's coming shall he find faith on the earth? This passage of scripture is directly connected to our prayer life. This is important for you to understand because in this hour, people are gonna lose faith and some are gonna come to faith. In recent days, we've heard of people that have been witnessing to people that have never known Jesus Christ and their interest and their need of Jesus Christ has been made so clear and aware and they've led them to the Lord and the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If that's what this crisis is all about and I believe that it is, then this is what we need to be doing so that when He comes, He will find faith on the earth and then ask God for wisdom in this hour. The Bible says in James, if we'll ask for wisdom, He will give it to us abundantly, wisdom of where to go, what to do, when to go. All of these things as we are led by the spirit of God, as we see these things coming upon us, don't let our hearts become fearful and allow the anxiety of this world to overcome us as believers. Ask God for wisdom. At the end of this, understand that we are to look for those opportunities to witness. Here's what the Bible says in Matthew 24. Jesus said, you can know when these things are coming as the kingdom, the gospel is going to be preached. It shall be preached all around the globe and then the end will come. I've got a powerful statement from the mouth of Jesus Christ to know that it is actually happening as we speak. Preachers, evangelists, people that have never been on social media before are sending the signal of the gospel around the globe 24-7. Prayer is happening like never before. House meetings that are coming together with people joining together online with different social media platforms. This, my friend, is the turning that needs to take place. One prophet, I believe of God, David Wilkerson predicted that there would come a plague that would shut down governments and churches and nations. He predicted that in 1986. You need to understand that I believe it's coming to pass even as we speak. As a plague would come through the streets in this prophecy he predicted. And a third great awakening that would come to our world and to our nation would follow that plague. I am praying and believing God for that and I'm seeing the results of that happen. Let me share this with you before we leave today. I spoke to a gentleman the other day who was sharing with one of his coworkers about the fact that of the events that are taking place and his coworker said, I can't believe that it has gotten like this where everything seems to be shutting down. And the believer, the Christian that spoke to me about this event, he said, it's really going to get worse in the future. And if you miss the rapture, he said, then it's going to be worse than what we're experiencing right now. And that individual said back to them, you really think it's going to get that worse? He said, the Bible tells us so. Suddenly there was an interaction of the gospel that began to take place. That individual began to turn their heart toward the Lord Jesus Christ. That same believer went to someone else who did not claim ever to have known Jesus Christ as their savior. And they began to share about the coming of the Lord. And that person said, I hope things don't get worse than what they are now. He looked her in the face and said, it's going to get worse. The Bible says that it's going to, but there's hope that is found in Jesus Christ. As he shared the gospel, just like many are doing right now, concerning these end times that are happening right now, the look of confusion, the look of dismay, shock, wondering what the future is going to hold. And then as my friend began to share with that individual, the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, he said, it almost looked like the light bulb went on in their face as they realized that their only hope is in Jesus Christ. My friends, that is our hope today. And I want to encourage you to know that God has all things under control, that all the way back in the beginning, God knew what the end was going to be. It's all predicted, it's all written down. All we need to do is read the Bible and then trust God like we never have, witness like we never have and stay prayed up because the days that are to come certainly will be filled in the hearts and lives of people with much fear. But for those of us who have faith in Jesus Christ, this is an opportunity to reap the last day harvest. I encourage you to do that with all of my heart. And if you're taking a time to watch this right now on Prophecy Files or any other platform, please share it out with others to give them hope that God has all things under control and that the only door to the future with confidence and hope is that of Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the light. As we get ready to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, I want to encourage you to get the gospel out like you never have before, realizing without a doubt that Jesus Christ is coming soon. Thanks for joining us. We'll look forward to seeing you again right here on Prophecy Files.