Knowing the Real Christ Intro Suppose a majestic individual appears on the earth performing supernatural cures. Beautiful and power teachings similar to the Sermon on the Mount captivate millions. Peace follow in the tracks of this individual and he claims to be Jesus finally come back from heaven to bring peace and the millennial kingdom. What would you do? I’ll be back in a moment with the prophetic perspective on Discerning the Real Christ. MessageHello, this is Cody Francis with Prophetic Perspectives. From the tragic episode at Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate men have arisen claiming to be the incarnate Christ or Christ returned. Not all have the tragic ending that these two had. There are those claiming to be Jesus returned from heaven as he promised and attracting thousands in Siberia to Texas to Connecticut. This state of affairs was predicted by Jesus Himself when he said, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matt. 24:24. So it need not surprise us to find so many claiming to be Christ, but the Bible has promised that Jesus will return. The question that we must know is how to tell the difference between these false Christs and the true Christ. Should it be miracles? Should it be teaching? Should it be feeling? How can we be assured that we do not accept a false Christ, but likewise do not reject the true Chirst. In order to understand this subject, we must turn to the pages of God’s Holy Word and study six points on Knowing the Real Christ. Outline 1. Literal – Acts 1:9-11 2. Glorious – Matt. 24:30, 31 a. Threefold glory – Luke 9:26 b. One angel at tomb c. Daniel, Saul – fell as dead men 3. Powerful – Ps. 50:3-5 a. Every mountain & island – Rev. 16: 18,20,21 b. Philippines; Mount St. Helens c. Every wall broken down – Ez. 38:20 d. Upside down – Is. 24:1 e. Reel to and fro like a drunkard – Is. 24:20 4. Visible – Rev. 1:7 a. Caiaphas & priests – Mark 14:62 b. Triumphal entry; all eyes turned toward c. Not a secret – Matt. 24:23-27 1) Lightning & thunderstorms 2) Surprise like thief in night – II Pet. 3:10-12 3) Not a surprise to us – I Thes. 5:3, 4 5. Audible - I Thes. 4:16-18 6. Decisive – Rev. 22:12 a. Separation takes place – Matt. 24:37-42 b. Righteous RESCUED – Changed in a moment – I Cor. 15:51-54 c. Wicked – Left Behind—DEAD 1) II Thes. 1:7, 8 – destroyed 2) II Thes. 2:1, 8 – brightness coming Conclusion: I. We can know the coming of the Real Christ A. Earth shaking power & glory B. Every eye will see & so audible pierce ears of the dead C. Decisive – two sides; no middle ground D. Cannot counterfeit E. Anything else false Christ 1. No matter how beautiful 2. No matter how many people are healed 3. No matter how much peace it brings 4. No matter how much he sounds like Jesus’ teachings II. Are we preparing for when Heaven will split open? A. John saw heaven splitting open – Rev. 19:11 B. Must be found in Him w/o spot & blameless – 2 Pet. 3:14
|