His Perfect Love

Guest (Male): Pastor Matt says, there's coming a day when Israel will finally have its third temple.

Matt VanderVen: What is the one thing that Israel nationally identifies with? Some of you should be saying the temple. 1 This is his perfect This is his perfect I'd like you to please turn to Matthew now. Matthew chapter 24:15 please. I'm going to just drop you right in here, parachute you into the chapter. Let me give you a little context quickly. Verse three gives us all the context we need. Do you remember how he rode over Jerusalem? How he was saying woe to the Pharisees and Sadducees and the Sanhedrin, which was the religious leaders? That is the heart of chapter 23.

Calls them hypocrites, they're lawless, the whole thing. You brood of vipers, do you remember that? That's when Jesus was talking to them in the Gospel of Matthew. Well, obviously the disciples heard all this and they're like, whoa. He talked about a tribulation, a judgment that's going to be coming, you know, in essence. And he he's you know, this whole thing is going to be destroyed. This temple is going to be destroyed. You that perked up their ears because the temple was what? Just like it is today. It's the national or nationalistic identity for Israel. They don't have a temple right now and that's a big problem for them.

So, you can understand why nationalistically it's a big deal. Well, when the disciples heard this, they all pull Jesus aside and they're like, what did you say? What do you mean the temple is going to What what do you mean the end of this age? They began to understand what Jesus is saying, the end of the church age, the church age that was just beginning or about to begin. What do you mean there's going to be coming an end to this? I don't understand Jesus. And just look at that in verse three of chapter 24.

He says, now as he sat on the Mount of Olives, it's why it's called the Olivet discourse, the disciples came to him privately saying, tell us when will these things be? Right? And what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the what? Age. They completely understood what Jesus was saying and so should we. And how did Jesus answer that? Well, before I go there, I want to just ground us in our timeline. Where are we in this whole last of the last days? Well, look at it here. I mean we can read, right?

He talks about there's going to be verse six, wars and rumors of wars. Check, we've had that, right? World War I, World War II, things like that. It says these things have to come but you know, are going to come to pass but the end is not yet. Nation rising against nation, we see that Ukraine, we see that with what? China, Taiwan. We see that with Russia, right? Kingdom against kingdom, there's going to be famines and pestilence. We just went through a big pestilence a few years back, man-made or not. Earthquakes, various places, we it's all we hear anymore, these natural disasters that are happening, right?

Earthquakes, all kinds of things. The idea here in the Greek is the frequency and intensity is going to increase. Not that there's just earthquakes but the frequency intensity is So, again I love being scientific. I I'm very science-minded. So, what I love to do is go to NOAA or websites like this so that I don't make this stuff up in my head and I like to look at the data. Is there an increase in intensity and frequency? Yes. So, it's not you imagining it. It's not us Christians trying to back in the scripture and go see we told you.

No, it's Jesus saying, I told you now pay attention. Be aware of the times you're living. Right? Just like he says, I don't need to tell you Thessalonians. You're aware of the days and times you're they're living. They the church was aware. Not all churches but the church of Thessalonica was. Right? So, he goes on to say, but these are the beginning of sorrows. Well, we're already past that. We we've cleared those hurdles. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake in the United States of America, a nation founded on Judeo-Christian morals and values.

We just witnessed in the last what? Eight years or more a hatred for Christians in a way that just I mean is it hard for us to believe eight years ago pastors in Texas were being required to submit their sermons to a judge to review before he could get up there and preach. I mean do we forget that was only eight years ago? And I thought, boy that's coming to us soon. I remember I was only we were only two years in at that point. We're 10 years in now. But I thought, oh boy that's coming to Harrisburg.

That 's going to come to our, you know, city soon. We're going to be having to do that same thing. And then praise the Lord pause button was given but as you can tell that it's not unheard of. It's already happening and all around the world we know we have brothers and you have brothers and sisters that that as a matter of fact just a few years ago we have a brother that that gave his life in another country. Um he's your brother in Christ. He's with the Lord Jesus now. He was killed for his faith in Jesus.

And we uh you know, a sister that was in Iran escaped and she tells the story. I mean there's just been martyrdom, you know, Fox Books of Martyrs talks about but I mean every year hundreds I don't think we're 100,000 or something like that, Christians are martyred every single year. But we don't hear that on the news. We don't hear that punishment and affliction and judgment. You know, we don't hear about those things. It's kind of just drop below the surface like it's not happening but it is. That we would be hated and and we were called the problem.

The Christians, you're you're the you're the troublemakers. Why? Because you hold yourselves to a holy standard. You hold yourself to a holy standard, God's word and you're not willing to compromise on that. And because you do that, you are a direct threat to anybody that wants to pervert that or take uh you know, power, control or whatever, right? That's a real problem. And then verse 10, I have to say honestly in my years of ministry, I hadn't seen this happen yet. This just started happening probably three, four years ago. And I was talking to some friends that are pastors, even different denominations, they're seeing the same thing and not just here in Pennsylvania but in other places.

And then many will be offended. That is the predominant thing that I hear today. Offense, people's feelings being hurt. In a way that I'm not used to or accustomed to it. For 10 years I've handled the word of God. Before that I was in ministry up in Finger Lakes serving in children's ministry, other ministries like that. Never once was that what I heard from my ear. That was not the reason given. It was I don't like this or is this or you know, but it wasn't that I'm offended. You hurt my feelings. We saw that at the time of Christ, right?

The Pharisees and Sadducees were offended. Jesus was an offense to many people. But it hadn't really seeped into the church in Christianity. And today I can tell you that churches have become better than a revolving door because so many times, not to the fault of you at all here. Not to the fault of the pastors, the leadership but because people when they hear the truth, it does something. God's word never returns void and it does something. It causes a reaction inside of us and we have a direct response to that reaction. We can handle it two ways.

We can either receive it with all love and truth and say, God I'm going to come to you if this be true, confirm it in my heart and confirm it in the scripture. Pretty simple, right? A humble heart. Examine me, oh Lord. David prayed that. Examine all my ways. A very humble heart. We have a lot of biblical uh we come from a good biblical pedigree of men throughout scripture, women who did that over and over again. But then there's something that is rooted up in the church of late. And that's this idea that I can't be told anything by anyone.

I will have ministry on my terms or I won't have ministry there at all. And churches are going to have to make decisions what they do. Is their growth a growth program where they want to grow the church, fill the seats, make sure they can pay the mortgage and bills? If that's what they're worried about you're better more than a hireling. Sorry for being so direct. But if you handle the word of God and you teach the word correctly, giving full counsel, I did not what what did Paul say? Come on, what did Paul say?

I did not fail to give the counsel. I did not fail to give every part of the counsel of the Lord to the people in the churches he went. He didn't say he was a perfect man but he never when he was in the world he handled the word of God correctly. He gave the gospel. Well, verse 10, and then many will be offended and will betray one another and will hate one another. Can you believe that that that's what he says is going to happen? He's talking about the church here that there's going to be this idea of hating one another.

It's not that we agree to disagree. But we already see that in the political climate, don't we? People get so mad when they have different viewpoints. I think different viewpoints are good. We come together and we discuss them. Maybe I'll learn something about a different viewpoint that I didn't understand before. Maybe I'll teach you something or you'll teach me, you know. What is wrong with you know, basically challenging each other through scientific thought or uh theological thought? I think it's a good idea to sit down and talk so we don't fall into what? Group think.

And next thing, you know, we get led off the whole wrong way and all kinds of matters. We just saw that recently happen where even our scientists, virologists weren't invited to the table to talk about things that were happening. People were marginalized. Good and great minds on both sides. On every side, in every faction of society. And that means that I believe we're already to this point in the scripture and that's my point here. And then what comes next and this is very important because this teaches us where we are in this biblical timeline of what's coming.

And it's perfect for what the Antichrist wants to do. It's perfect for what Israel's looking for. Look what it says here in verse 11 cuz people are going to hate each other. There's going to be no compassion, no love. People aren't going to care about your party of the famine but if you're not part of that, I don't care. You go off and do whatever. No, there's not going to be any investment like that anymore. Verse 11, then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Why is that such a concern? Because what are the Jewish people looking for?

Who are they looking for? Please say it. Starts with an M, capital. Messiah. The Jewish people are looking for a Messiah. Now they are looking for a different Messiah than you and I are. We have to put on our Jewish mind cap for a minute. Are they looking for someone that's the son of God? Are they looking for someone that's divine? You should know the answer to that. No. Who are they looking for? Well, we could see that back in the Gospels. When Jesus Christ walked the earth and he was on the earth what was the very thing they wanted Jesus to do?

Overthrow the Roman government who was oppressing them and to establish their own what? Government and their own you know, uh monarchy if you will. Okay? Cuz they were at one time kings. Remember the judges came first, then you had the kings. And then after that point you hadn't had for 500 years or more at the time Jesus came in. There was no monarchy anymore. I mean King Herod but it better than a what? A figure peace but not like the kings of old that exercised power through nations and things like that. So, that's what they wanted.

So, do you realize that the Messiah that they're looking for today, I think sometimes the even the Christians have forgotten this. It's a political leader. It's a political leader. It's not a son of God or a divine uh uh God. It's a political leader that's going to issue power that's going to ultimately lead into a peace treaty, that's going to ultimately give them what? What do they want out of that peace treaty? What is the one thing that Israel nationally identifies with? Some of you should be saying the temple. How do you know that? Because even six years ago when Trump came on the scene, the Abrahamic Accord Netanyahu comes out, there's a press conference.

Netanyahu gives a speech. Some of you remember that six years ago, don't you? He gave a speech and as he gave his speech, not once, not twice but three times during that speech as he was talking about Trump and different things that were going on he he cited. He said, we had our first temple and Solomon and God did this and God has done this and he once again and we are going to have another temple. And he made sure it three different times, temple, temple, temple. In what? A 30-minute or less speech. Three different times.

The Jewish leader or the leader in general, the Antichrist or whoever it is, how is he going to satisfy Israel? All he has to do is create a peace treaty that's going to give them what? A rebuilt temple and then they're going to say, you're my Messiah. Do do you understand here? That's why when verse 11 says that then there are many false prophets rise up and deceive many because it's literally creating the vacuum for this power to happen and because of lawlessness that means you think defunding the police is over. It not will abound.

The love of many are going to grow cold and then he says something for you and I here today and and for all those that will lead up to this great tribulation. But those who endure to the end shall be saved. What do you mean? I thought we already saved. We are saved. We can't lose our salvation. But there was a guy named Templeton. Remember I talked to you about that when I was teaching Hebrews 6 and he worked with Billy Graham. And what did he do? He walked away from God. He rejected Jesus Christ.

He received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, knew, believed but then he rejected him. And he began to believe that the Bible couldn't be trusted, that Jesus was not real. He was nothing more than a a man's imagination and so on and so forth. Only to find himself when he's 80 years old on his death bed at that point when he was interviewed. And he said, how I remember the times I had with my sweet Jesus. If only I could have done that again. If only I could have that again but I denied him and I rejected him and it came right out of his mouth.

It's recorded. I even showed you guys the article who was with us at the time and I said, this is his story. This is history to show us how that happens, that no one can lose their salvation or lose their first love that way. You can't lose your salvation. But everyone just like you had autonomy to receive Christ and say he's my Lord and Savior, God is a gentleman. He doesn't force anybody that if somebody comes back and says, I reject you. I don't believe you're Jesus. I don't believe blasphemy, idolatry, I don't do then guess what?

According to Hebrews 6 you are released. So, why would that mean that verse 13? Because all these things going on with all this confusion he says, but those who endure those who don't what? We see it in other passages. He calls it falling uh way. That's the falling away. The falling away is the rejection of Christ, the falling of a religion and not God himself. Which we've seen that play out over the last what? How many years, right? That's not new to us. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the world as a witness to all nations and then the end will come.

Well, that part's already been done. It 's being preached now all throughout the world, the gospel. He said that would happen prophetically. All right, one other place and then I promise we'll get back to our passage this morning. Please turn to 2 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians, just make your way. And and again I I really appreciate you guys taking the time to study these things with me. This is very very important that you see these with your own eyes. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 4. Once again, not to just drop you in there and parachute you in.

This is Paul talking to the Thessalonica church, second letter. He's writing to you know, to this church in Thessalonica and he's basically saying, now brethren, chapter 2 verse 1. Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gathering together to him, we ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or trouble either by spirit or by word or by letter as if from us as though the day of Christ had come. So, what were they doing? Don't be shaken. Don't be fearful. What did they think might have happened? They missed it. You see that?

That's what it means. Don't be shaken. Don't be afraid. You didn't miss it but they're concerned about that. And then what does he say in verse three please? Let no one deceive you by any means for the day will not come unless the what comes away first? Falling away. Well, isn't that what we just read? Those who endure was the word Jesus used to the end will be saved. They will not reject Christ and through all the tree, you know, difficulty, not the great tribulation but just the difficulty, right? Will come first. And then what does he say?

Chapter 2 verse 3. What's he say in 2 Thessalonians here? Let no one again deceive you for the day of uh will not come unless the falling away comes first and the man of sin. Who is that? That is the Antichrist is revealed because we know that by his name, the son of perdition. He says who opposes and exalts himself above all that is God and his worship so that he sits as God in the temple of God. So, that's the second place we saw Daniel 9:27 said that there would be a temple or need for a temple because this Antichrist is going desecrated three and a half years.

Daniel 9:27 said that Matthew chapter 24 told us this is would be what would happen as well. And then now second 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 uh verse 4 goes on to tell us that that he's going to exalt himself above all that's called God. He's going to be worshiped that he sits as a God and it's going to be in the temple of God. Please underline that in your Bible. Showing himself that he is God. He says, remember these things, you know. Do you remember when I was with you? Paul goes on to say. So, this is really important here, right?

But there's still a small problem. What's the problem, friends? If you went over to Israel today and I do encourage everybody to make a trip to Israel, it's it's wonderful. What's the small problem? Right on Mount Moriah sits what? The Islamic Dome of the Rock, right? It's the site where the Jewish temple is supposed to be. Or is it? I'm going to come back to that as I mentioned in our passage here in a moment. Muslims believe this is the place where Muhammad ascended into heaven making it the first most sacred Muslim shrine. Remind me again, there's either Jew or what?

Gentile. All right. And remind me again, Muslims are Jews or they're Gentiles? Okay, good. All right, just checking. So, for the Jew to take over this place and build a temple on it would be what? Unthinkable, right? In our political climate. Everybody agree here? Uh you know, they've been trying to do that for how many years? Uh they've been trying to take that cornerstone and run it up the the mountain and every year it doesn't work, right? Because the Muslims and they block them and guard them in the Temple Institute, if you know what I'm talking about.

They're they're the ones that try to do this. They've made all the artifacts. They have all the stuff together. They've even got the Red Heifer and they've started doing that. But during the tribulation the building of the temple will come about. And interestingly, it's going to be protected by the Antichrist cuz he's going to go in there and sin and defile it. He's going to be a part of this whole thing. So, we know it's tied part and parcel with that, right? Daniel chapter 24 through 27 told us that. So, those who who are alive at the at that time but they're going to see a temple constructed and everyone can be sure that you know, those end times events are going to be full swing.

I would even suggest to you within three and a half years if you are alive at that time and you're not a born again believer you will see Antichrist himself walk into that temple as we have just read. God is 100 for 100 scripturally so far and will be. The Antichrist is going to be on the scene. The church will have already been raptured and the first half of the tribulation will have begun. But there's still time, obviously as we're reading, for people to repent, okay? For salvation. So, again looking back here to summarize, okay?

We know that one day there's going to be a temple rebuilt in Jerusalem. We know that because there has to be multiple events that are going to occur in that temple. Now I want you to think about that. It's going to be in a specific period of time and it's going to have to happen by no later than the midway point. It's got to be erected by three and a half years because that's when the Antichrist has to go in there. You with me? Everybody with me and why it has to be ready then? Which is also verse two, the 1,260 days.

Isn't that interesting? But leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it for it has been given to the Gentiles and they will tread the holy city on foot for 42 months, for three and a half years. Now nothing says this temple needs to be built before then. And with modern building technology it could be built rather quickly. Do you remember how long it took to build Herod's temple or redo his temple as he kept adding on to it? Over 46 years. Do you know that this could probably be rebuilt in a year or less now with modern building technology?

My son is an architect. He was telling me they have technologies now where they can literally go and put it into uh his AutoCAD is my guess is whatever he his renderings, drawings, prints. He can put them into a machine and there's they can build walls. They can do like all of these things already. Concrete forms and that's great for helping people that live in you know, uh desert areas that could use hoses that don't have it cuz they can be erected pretty quickly and cost effectively, you know. But it's it's amazing that technology already exists and it's only started existing less than 10 years ago.

Guest (Male): Pastor Matt Vanderven on his perfect love. Thanks for taking part in today's study of Revelation, a book that comes with a blessing attached to those that read and study it. If you were blessed and encouraged by the Lord, we'd like to know. Email us while it's fresh on your mind. They're at our website hisperfectlove.org. Be sure to include your prayer requests. Also at our website you'll find an archive of these studies in Revelation, making it easy to replay a message you enjoy or catch what you miss on the radio. Again we're at hisperfectlove.org and now at oneplace.com as well.

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