Your Last Night on Earth Intro Thousands were about to be buried for over one thousand years, but no one realized that it was their last night on planet earth. Do we realize that our last night on planet earth is coming? I’ll be back in a moment with the prophetic perspective on “Your Last Night on Earth.” Message Hello, this is Cody Francis with Prophetic Perspectives. It was August 23rd, 79 AD and business was going on as normal in the fated city of Pompeii. It was true that there was some seismic activity but that was relatively normal in the Campania region of Italy. People were too busy about their business, pleasure and daily lives to put too much stock in the rumblings of the earth. Then in the afternoon of the next day, Mount Vesuvius sent up an eruption column of ash and cinders into the air estimated to have been more than 20 miles tall. Cinders and ash began descending upon Pompeii soon to be followed by the pyroclastic flow. Hundreds and probably thousands lost their lives from this violent eruption. Hundreds of years later archeologists have discovered the fated inhabitants of Pompeii frozen in time—with the looks of terror still on their faces or still clinging to their most cherished possession, but to no avail, their last night had come and they were not prepared. Will the last night actually come for this entire world? Could Pompeii’s fate someday be ours? Is there a last night for planet earth and what will it be like? Let us seek the Lord as we consider this solemn subject. Outline I. The last warning A. Warning being given today 1. Rev. 14:6-12 2. Thousands around world are hearing message a. Congo, Philippines, PNG b. Gospel going all world – Matt. 24:14 3. Group people heed & give this message—are you? B. Two paths—which path are you on tonight? II. The last test A. Test coming to every person on globe – Rev. 13:16, 17 1. Can ignore message studied, a test is coming! 2. Who worship? Who love? Who obey? Who follow? B. God will have a people stand true to Him 1. Rev 14:12 – keep all commandments 2. Like Shad, Mesh, Abed—obey regardless of the cost 3. God has always had a people & today, will you be one? C. Two paths—which path are you on tonight? 1. Cross not easy to bear, Jesus foretold – Matt. 10:38 a. Jesus helps us to bear it – Matt. 11:28-30 b. Withholds no good thing from us – Ps. 84:10, 11 c. Rose, Jenny, Kasongo, Shirley—Lord sustains! 2. Compromise faith like Balaam & die w/enemies God 3. God has a people stand for Him—will you be one? III. The last chance A. Soon too late for entire world – Rev. 22:11 1. Today day of salvation – 2 Cor. 6:2 2. Door will be shut – Matt. 25:10 B. Two paths—which path are you on tonight? 1. Group people chosen follow Jesus all way a. Not like Felix, more convenient time – Acts 24:25 b. Not like Agrippa, almost persuade – Acts 26:28 c. Follow regardless of the cost! d. Hidden safely in God’s protection – Is. 26:20 2. Vast majority, waited, rejected, convinced themselves a. Cry out – harvest is past – Jer. 8:20 b. Forever too late! 3. Two paths—which group are you a part of tonight? 4. No one is saved in, must come out 5. Must decide to follow Jesus & His truth completely IV. The last night A. The last night is hastening on. 1. Signs foretell, near, on the horizon 2. Last time wake up, eat breakfast, walk out house 3. Last generation coming all at once B. Realized solemnity how different it would be – Ez. 7:6 1. All here tonight – come forward 2. None know how soon it will be C. Noah’s day is an example of the last night – Luke 17:26 1. Wickedness had come to its limit a. “Line unseen that crosses every path, the hidden line between God’s mercy & His wrath.” b. Imagination always evil – Gen. 6:5 2. Noah found grace; all commanded – Gen. 6:22; 7:5 3. Majority rejected; ordinary couple – John & Mary 4. John decided stop & listen at the ark a. Noah preached w/power & used scrolls b. John came forward 5. John tells Mary – family, job, crazy 6. The tragic compromise; still convicted, but 7. John goes to Noah’s meetings again – decides again 8. Mary suggests talking to the “great men” a. Philosopher – prophecy not real, reform world b. Scientist – impossible, not enough water c. Preacher – God is love, created no destroy d. Grandfather – moss on ark, old story 9. John suppresses his convictions again – quieter 10. Animals – run to ark – almost in, Mary delays 11. One week later – flash lightning – run & pound door 12. Walking alone night – Mary taken – John alone 13. Luke 17:26 Conclusion: I. Your last night is coming; are you ready? A. The last warning is being given B. The last test is coming soon C. Soon your last chance will come and it will be your last night II. Will you decide to follow the Lord tonight before it is too late?
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