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MATTHEW 24: 3

"THE END OF THE WORLD"

I. I HEAR A LOT OF TALK THESE DAYS ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD.
        A. Usually associate this talk with old men in sandals dressed in
           white robes carrying sandwich boards.
        B. This talk is coming from scientists.
                1. Endangered layer of Ozone gas.
                        a. Aerosol sprays.
                        b. Supersonic jets.
                        c. Atomic explosions.
                        d. Could this be related to the 4th vial of
                           Revelation. 
                2. Man's reckless use of insecticides.
                        a. Their use is essential to increased food
                           production.
                        b. DDT does not seem to break down.
                                1. Carried by streams and rivers into
                                   ocean.
                                2. There it seems to have devastating
                                   effect.
                3. Growing population.
                        a. Earth's population approaching 4 billion - an
                           overall  increase of 50 million per year.
                        b. Worldwide we cannot produce enough food.
                        c. Bible speaks of famines as sign of last days.
                4. Man's destructive weapons.
                        a. In a recent speech before UN, disarmament
                           committee, one of our senators declared U.S.
                           now possesses over 600,000 nuclear warheads.
                        b. Russia's numerical military strength exceeds
                           ours except in nuclear warheads.
                        c. A full scale atomic war could bring the end of
                           the world.
                5. We are rapidly exhausting our energy resources upon our
                   planet.
                6. The prediction of dire earthquakes in 1982 due to rare
                   conjunction of planets.
                7. While the Physicists warn of possible polar axis flip
                   with dire consequences.
        B. The Sociologists are warning us of the rising crime rate.
                1. The inability of our law enforcement agencies to keep
                   pace.
                2. The growing disrespect for authority.
        C. While all these voices are crying an alarm, the church in the
           main has remained silent.
                1. So preoccupied with the dwindling roles and increased
                   financial burdens maybe they haven't noticed.
                2. The church has reason to declare the end of the world.
                        a. The prophesies concerning re-establishment of
                           nation Israel are fulfilled.
                                1. They have returned as one nation.
                                2. They are rebuilding the waste places.
                                3. They are blossoming and budding and
                                   filling the earth with fruit.
                                4. They are standing alone.
                                5. When the Lord shall build up Zion.
                        b. The famines, earthquakes, pestilences, the
                           perplexity of nations, the perilous times are
                           all indications.
                                1. Jesus said, "When you see these things
                                   begin to come to pass."