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Why Should I Study Bible Prophecy? “One day, a farmer was pulling a calf out that was a breech birth with the feet coming out first. So the farmer was using the calf puller with a winch wrapped around the legs of the calf to jack the calf out of the cow. Well, a city slicker was driving by and stopped to see what was going on because he had never seen anything like this before. He stood there staring over the fence, and the farmer said, ‘Hey, come here! Give me some help!’ The city slicker said, ‘Who me?’ The farmer said, ‘Yes! Hurry, come here! I need some help!’ So the city slicker got out of his car, jumped over the fence, and ran over to help the farmer pull the calf. He never said a word during the ordeal. He just did what he was told. Well, about ten minutes later they were walking up to the barn to get washed up, and the farmer said, ‘I want to thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it.’ The city slicker said, ‘That’s fine, no problem, no problem.’ The farmer said, ‘You’ve been awfully quiet. Are you Okay?’ The city slicker says, ‘Oh yeah, I’m Okay.’ The farmer said, ‘Have you ever seen anything like that before?’ The city slicker said, ‘No sir, I’ve never seen anything like that in my entire life.’ The farmer said, ‘Well, do you have any questions?’ The city slicker said, ‘Yes sir, I do. It’s been bothering me the whole time that we were out there pulling that calf.’ The farmer said, ‘Well, what’s your question?’ The city slicker said, ‘How fast do you figure that calf was going when it ran into that cow?’” Now folks, how many of you would say Don Russell’s come a long way since he moved to Las Vegas, you know what I’m saying? Al’s been doing a good job with his farming background in Nebraska to help him out.

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But seriously, Don saw something, apparently, but unfortunately, he came to the wrong conclusion, didn’t he? They weren’t separating a wreck Don, hello! That cow was giving birth, right? And people to me, this is a prime example of how two people can observe the exact same thing yet one of them comes to the wrong conclusion. And so it is folks, that I’ve learned, when it comes to teaching Bible prophecy. You see many times we can be instructed in Bible prophecy like we should be, it is in the Bible you know, and for some it’s exciting, it’s great, it’s wonderful, but for others, they come to a different conclusion. It freaks them out! They say it’s not exciting, they say it’s fearful, and can we just move on to something else. This isn’t blessing me? And yet, that’s the irony. Just how fast was that calf going anyway? Folks, the Bible says, studying Bible prophecy, is actually one of the biggest source of blessings for the Christian! But don’t take my word for it. Let’s listen to God’s. Revelation 1:1-3 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw – that is, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Now folks, right there in our text, we have not once, not twice, but a three-fold blessing for those who would study Bible prophecy, right? I didn’t say it, God did! It’s right there in the text. What’d He say? You will be

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blessed for those who would read, hear, and take to heart, this prophetic message concerning Jesus Christ, i.e. that He’s coming back, right? He’ll bless you for that, not torture you with that! And that’s not even counting the fourth promise of blessing at back of the Book, the last chapter, Chapter 22 that gives us another, so it’s really four. And so here’s the point. According to the Bible, I’m not making this up, if you want to be blessed by God in your walk with God, what do you need to do? You got to get busy studying Bible prophecy, right? It’s right there in the text! You got to get busy reading it, and hearing it, and taking it to heart, over and over again, and taking to heart what you learn in there so you can be blessed by God, right? And so here’s the point. Why is it then, that people, even Christians, would say it’s not a blessing to study Bible Prophecy? Why would they say, “Don’t make me read this! Don’t make me hear this week after week! Don’t make me take this to heart! Are you kidding me! Stop! Please stop! Why would they do that, when the Bible says it’ll bless them? Well again, I think it’s because they’ve come to the wrong conclusion. “Just how fast was that calf going anyway?”

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You see, the 1st reason why Bible Prophecy is a blessing to me like God says it’s going to be, is that It Reminds Me that I’m Going to Heaven. Revelation 21:1-4 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” People, according to our text, the Bible clearly says that our new heavenly abode is not only going to be a place prepared for us by God Himself, but it’s going to be what? It’s going to be absolutely totally awesome! What’d it say there? No more death, no more mourning, no more crying and no more pain! And think of what that means! Our bodies will never die, they will never rot, they will never decay, they will never break down, they won’t even age. Is that incredible, or what? And think of it. That means, there will be no more back aches, no more broken bones, no more disease, and yes ladies, no more anti-aging creams! Which means, there’s going to be no more wrinkles, no more crinkles, no more age spots, nothing! None of that stuff. Max Factor will be bankrupt. Why? Because the Bible says our bodies will be imperishable!

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No more will you wake up to go to the breakfast table and you hear snap, crackle, pop and you discover you’re not eating cereal. No more will you go to bed realizing that you and your teeth don’t sleep together anymore. No more will you wake up looking like your driver’s license picture. And no more will you look for your glasses for half an hour before you realize they were on your head the whole time. You won’t even need glasses let alone not remember where they were! But that’s right, the ultimate benefit in heaven is not longer will you bend over to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren’t wearing any. No more will that happen! Why? Because our bodies will be imperishable! But that’s still not all. The Bible actually says that heaven is so cool that I can’t even imagine all the things God has prepared for us. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.’” People, think of what this means! Heaven is so cool that we literally cannot even fathom or imagine what God has prepared for us there, right? It’s going to be a place beyond our wildest dreams, literally unimaginable, right? In fact, just like the text says, since it’s so hard for our minds to conceive how wonderful heaven’s going to be, let’s try to expand our

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imagination by taking a look at heaven from a scientific point of view, like this man shares. “The electromagnetic spectrum contains all the different wavelengths, like radio waves, microwaves, and including a small piece called light. Now your eyeball can see the colors, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, that’s all. The spectrum goes forever in both directions beyond that. Suppose we get to heaven and God gives us new eyes that can see the entire spectrum. That means there will be brand news colors, trillions of them. Not new shades of our current colors…but brand new colors! That’s why heaven has to be so large. It’s for the women’s closets! But can you imagine if we get new eyes that can see the whole spectrum? You’re going to be able to see the sounds coming off the piano. Right now we can only hear them. Imagine seeing the sounds. What if we get new ears that can hear the whole spectrum? You’re going to be able to hear the colors, or smell them, or taste them! We’ve only got five senses folks. Maybe there’s more. But if God just took these five and expanded them to the max, we would spend forever walking around heaven going, “Wow! Did you smell that? Here, lick that! Wow!” Now folks, I don’t know about you, but when you look at it scientifically, music coming from flowers is not just possible, but it sounds like that’s just the beginning. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get there! And guess what? That’s what Bible Prophecy does! It reminds me that I’m going to such a place! And the more I study it, the more it’ll save me from this heartache! “One day there was this 85 year old couple who had been married for almost 60 years, and suddenly they both died in a car crash. And they had been in good health for the last ten years mainly due to her interest in health food, and exercise. Well, when they reached the pearly gates, St. Peter took them

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to their mansion which was decked out with a beautiful kitchen and master bath suite and Jacuzzi. And they ‘oohed and aahed’ but the old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost. ‘It’s free,’ Peter replied, ‘this is Heaven.’ So next they go out back to survey the championship golf course that the home was backed up to. And they learned they would have golfing privileges everyday and each week the course would change to a new one representing one of the great golf courses back on earth. And so the old man asked, ‘What are the green fees?’ And Peter replied, ‘This is heaven, you play for free.’ Well next they went to the clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch with all the cuisines of the world laid right out before them. And so the old man asked, ‘Well, how much to eat?’ And Peter by now is getting a little exasperated and he says, ‘Don’t you get it yet? This is heaven, it’s free!’ So the old man asked timidly, ‘Well, where are all the low fat and low cholesterol tables?’ And Peter exclaimed, ‘Well hello, that’s the best part...you can eat as much as you like of whatever you like and you never get fat and you never get sick. This is Heaven.’ Well with that the old man went into a fit of anger, throwing down his hat and stomping on it, and shrieking wildly. And so Peter and his wife were both trying to calm him down and they asked him what was wrong. And the old man looked at his wife and said, ‘This is all your fault. If it weren’t for your stupid prunes and bran muffins, I could have been here ten years ago!’” Yes, if we only realized how wonderful our new bodies in heaven will be like, it’d save us a lot trouble here on earth, would it not? Uh huh, slightly. And if you’re sick and tired of scarfing down bran muffins…can I

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encourage you to do something? Start studying Bible Prophecy! Why? Because it’s a blessing to those read, hear, and take to heart what it’s trying to teach you! And that is this…as a born again Christian you are headed to heaven and it’s a place beyond your wildest dreams. Don’t get caught up in all the drama here on earth! Are you kidding me! Get excited about your final destination in heaven. It’s place beyond your wildest dreams! Where there will be no more death, no more mourning, no more crying and no more pain! Yes, you may have to suffer a little here on earth but who cares! You’re headed to a to a place where there is no suffering…forever! And it’s all because you did what God said to do…you studied Bible Prophecy…and He blessed you for it by reminding you you’re going to heaven! Amen? The 2nd reason why Bible Prophecy is a blessing to me like God says it’s going to be, is that It Reminds Me that I’m Going to the Millennium. Oh people, as if heaven isn’t cool enough, the Bible says that after the 7-year Tribulation, Jesus Christ is not only coming back, with us, the Church, to set up His 1000 year Millennial Reign here on earth and bring peace to the earth, but one of the reasons why it’s so peaceful is because satan is shut up! Revelation 20:1-4 “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over

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him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.” Now folks, according to our text, the Bible clearly says that after the 7-year Tribulation, during the Millennial Kingdom, that satan is actually bound in a pit for 1,000 years where for 1,000 years he can’t mess with us or touch us! And how many of you would say that’s going to be a cool existence! But people, I’m telling you, that’s the tip of the iceberg. For some reason, just like with heaven, we Christians seemed to be ill equipped to understand the incredible reality were headed for not just in heaven but in the Millennial Kingdom. Let’s take a look at the characteristics of this timeframe and what we’re headed for. • The government will be a theocracy, with the Messiah, Jesus Christ, ruling and reigning as King in Jerusalem. • The Twelve disciples will rule over the 12 tribes of Israel and there will be other smaller subdivisions of authority awarded for faithfulness. • Judges will be raised up and will demonstrate the Theocratic power of Christ to rule with inflexible righteousness and justice. • War will be but a relic of the past. • Jerusalem, known for war, bloodshed, and international tensions, will at last become the city of peace and the capitol of the world. • There will be religious peace with Jews and Gentiles worshipping the Lord together.

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• There will be a just economy for everyone and no longer will wealth be monopolized by only few privileged families. • Nature will cooperate with man again and productivity will return. Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, etc., will be absent. • Our work will no longer be in vain and our children will no longer be doomed to misfortune. Work will continue throughout the Millennium for God designed work for us as a source of provision. But in the Millennium, our work will yield multiple gains much more than what we need for survival, which means we will have enough resources for nice vacations, leisure and fun. Now folks, I don’t know about you, but that’s sounds like a pretty cool place to be, how about you? And people, I’m telling you, as cool as that is, that’s still just the tip of the iceberg. Let me share with you a couple more cool aspects of the Millennial Kingdom that we’re headed for. One, the Bible says that things will return to GARDEN OF EDEN like conditions and we’ll each live a Long, Full, Rich Life. Isaiah 65:20 “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth.” Folks, during the Millennial Kingdom, righteous people will reach their full life. They will live as long as the trees. Longevity of life will be restored and by the time a person reaches 100 years old they will just be entering the prime of their life instead of twilight. Someone in their 60’s will be considered as youth not a retiree!

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But that’s still not all. The Bible says the Millennial Kingdom will also be a time where we will have Tamed Wildlife on the earth. Check this out! Isaiah 11:6-9 “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Folks, in the Millennium, all wild animals will be tamed. Not just my wiener dogs, but all wild animals. It will be “Domesticated Africa.” Even the wild leopard will be tamed as a goat. SO much so that even KIDS will be hanging our with them, leading them, and the like! Isn’t that cool? Now can you imagine the WHOLE EARTH LIKE THAT? What an existence! What a REWARD. What a great thing to look forward to, right! That’ll encourage you in a messed up world, won’t it? And guess what? That’s what Bible Prophecy does! It reminds me that I’m going to such a place! I’m headed for the Millennium! And the more I study it, read, hear, take it to heart I’m blessed all over again! And maybe that’s why one guy said this: “Under the direction of Jesus Christ, the resurrected believers of the Church will provide the leadership necessary to create a just society for mankind. The greatest adventure we could ever imagine awaits us in the reality of the Kingdom of Christ.”

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Isn’t that awesome! And it’s all because you did what God said to do…you studied Bible Prophecy…and He blessed you by reminding you you’re headed to the Millennial Kingdom. You’re greatest adventure awaits! Amen? The 3rd reason why Bible Prophecy is a blessing to me like God says it’s going to be, is that It Reminds Me that I’m Going to See My Lord. Revelation 19:1-9 “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.” And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

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Now folks, maybe it’s just me, but I’m kind of thinking that all of heaven is just a little bit excited about Jesus’ Return, you know what I’m saying? I mean, gee willikers! What a Praise Service, huh? Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah…praise God! Why? Because Jesus Christ is coming back to put an end to evil and suffering, and He’s going to set up His Millennial Kingdom and for those who belong to Him we get to be a part of one of the greatest celebrations of all time, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! It’s going to be a glorious celebration for all those who belong to Christ! We get to be with our King forever! The One Who has SAVED US and RESCUED US from the DOMINION of DARKNESS! He has defeated DEATH, HELL, and the GRAVE and He’s coming back to GET US and THROW US and AMAZING WEDDING PARTY! And ladies, let me ask you…“How many of you were excited about your Wedding Day?” Men, I’m not going to ask you because I care about you and don’t want you to get into trouble…this is supposed to be an encouraging message…But seriously, ladies, do you remember that time! You we’re counting the days, you couldn’t wait, right? Well folks, this is what Bible prophecy does! It reminds us of our Wedding Day with Jesus Christ…you know…the One we say we love! Our King, our Heavenly Commander, our Prince is coming for His Bride! That’s why I am blessed

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when I read, hear, and take to heart Bible Prophecy! It reminds me I’m going to see my Lord…my King…the Master of the Universe! That’s exciting! And it should be for all of us, like it was for this guy! “The Bible says my King is a seven way King. He’s the King of the Jews, He’s the King of Israel, He’s the King of Righteousness, He’s the King of the ages, He’s the King of Heaven, He’s the King of Glory, He’s the King of Kings and He’s the Lord of Lords! He’s my King, - do you know Him? My King is a sovereign King. He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast, He’s immortally graceful, He’s imperially powerful, He’s impartially merciful. Do you know Him? He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world! He’s God’s son, He’s the sinners Savior, He’s the centerpiece of civilization, He’s unique! He’s unparalleled, He’s unprecedented, He’s the loftiest idea in literature, He’s the highest personality in philosophy, He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism, He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology, He’s the miracle of the age, He is - yes He is, the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him, He’s the only one who qualified to be an all sufficient Savior; Do you know Him? He supplies strength for the weak, He’s available for the tempted and the tried, He sympathizes and He saves, He strengthens and sustains, He guards and He guides, He heals the sick, He cleansed the lepers, He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors, He delivers the captives, He defends the feeble, He blesses the young, He serves the unfortunate, He regards the aged, He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.

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Do you know Him? My King is the key to knowledge: The wellspring of wisdom; the doorway of deliverance; the pathway of peace; the roadway of righteousness; the highway of holiness, and the gateway of glory! His office is manifold: His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His reign is Righteous. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him for you, but He’s indescribable! He’s Incomprehensible! He’s invincible! He’s Irresistible! You can’t get Him out of your mind or off your hands! You can’t out-live Him and you can’t live without Him! Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him! That’s my King, That’s my King, That’s my King, and He’s the kingdom and the power and the glory – Forever and ever and ever and ever and ever! AMEN!!! Do you know Him?” People, this is why Bible Prophecy is a three-fold blessing. It reminds me of My King. Not my problems, not my pain, and not this wicked world system. Every time I study Bible Prophecy by reading it, hearing it, and taking to heart the things that are recorded in it, I’m reminded that I’m going to heaven, a place beyond my wildest dreams, and that I’m going to the millennium, where my greatest adventure awaits, and that I’m going to see My King who loves me and who won for me all eternity, what a blessing that is. No need to be afraid, no need to fear, just study Bible Prophecy and be blessed as you look forward to His Return, amen? Let’s pray.

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_____________________________________________________________ To find the way to God, to understand the truth of God’s Word, and to received the gift of eternal life, begin by repentance and faith through a prayer like this: “Dear God, I understand that I have broken Your Law and sinned against You. Please forgive my sins. Thank You that Jesus suffered on the cross in my place. I now place my trust in Him as My Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” ___________________________________________________________