Stand Firm

Outline
1. Introduction: Matthew 24:13; Luke 21:19
The end times will be perilous/very difficult times/times of great stress and trouble (hard to deal with and
hard to bear)/violent periods/grievous times.
2. What will be the signs that we are living in the end times?
Matthew 24:3 While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately and
said, Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end (the
completion, the consummation) of the age?
Matthew 24:8 All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable
anguish].
3. The Signs:

1. The Natural Signs: Great earthquakes, record-breaking floods, diseases, hurricanes, bush fires, fierce
weather patterns, etc. Jesus says that these are but the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:7-8; Luke
21:11)
Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be
famines and earthquakes in place after place;
Luke 21:11 There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences
(plagues: malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating);
and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.
Illustrations:
 Jan 4 Australia faced one of its most devastating wildfire seasons as the blazes continued from
December 2019 into the new year and burned a record 47 million acres, displaced thousands of
people and killed at least 34 people.
 Jan 4 Floods and landslides caused by torrential rain in Jakarta, Indonesia, kill at least 53. Recent
landslides and floods in our own state resulting in loss of lives.
 Jan 7 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Puerto Rico, island's largest in a century, followed by many
aftershocks kill 1 person and destroy 800 homes. More than 10,500 earthquakes above 4 magnitude in
2020 till date.
 Jan 12 Taal volcano, 70km (45 miles) south of Manila in the Philippines begins erupting prompting
evacuations.
 Feb 1 Locusts swarm across East Africa leads Somalia to declare national emergency, largest in 25
years.
 Feb 18 Swarms of desert locusts affecting east Africa reach South Sudan, threatening a food crisis.
 Mar 3 Powerful storm producing multiple tornadoes rips through central Tennessee killing at least 25.
 Mar 3 Heavy rain and landslides hit coastal areas of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states, Brazil,
killing at least 18 people.
 March 11: The WHO declares the coronavirus a pandemic. In a matter of months, the virus
has spread across the globe resulting in 37,318,435 (million) confirmed ases, 28,012,773 recoveries
and 1,075,411 deaths (over 1 million fatalities) globally. In India alone, 7,037,357 cases, 108,046
deaths and 6,045,595 recoveries.
 The invasive insect, known as the Asian giant hornet, was spotted for the first time stateside when
they invaded Washington state. Measuring up to two inches, the hornets can wipe out entire bee
colonies within hours.

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  A massive explosion at a Beirut port, sparked Aug. 4 by the accidental detonation of 2,750 tons of
ammonium nitrate, killed at least 190 peopleand injured thousands of others.
 From California to Washington state, burning millions of acres and displacing hundreds of thousands
of people since mid-August.

2. The Political Signs: Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will also be
wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6; Luke 21:9,10).

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled,
for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be
famines and earthquakes in place after place;

Luke 21:9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections (disturbances, disorder, and confusion), do not
become alarmed and panic-stricken and terrified; for all this must take place first, but the end will not
[come] immediately.
Luke 21:10 Then He told them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [II Chron.
15:6; Isa. 19:2.]

Despite a majority of everyday people around the world wanting a peaceful existence, war appears to be a
reoccurring theme among global leaders, organisations and the media. Whether it be World War, Cold
War, Trade War, Cyber War, or Bio Warfare, we are being constantly cautioned and reminded the world
is always only one step away from war.
Countries do not generally go to war over one thing in particular, rather, it is usually a number of things,
including triggers like: threats to economic interests, territory, citizens, or military provocation and
olitical assassinations.
Recently, we have witnessed all of the above, and, all at a time when tensions between three of the major
powers, US, China and Russia, is on the increase. China’s growing economic power and territory
expansion is now largely driven by its Belt and Road Initiative, and directly threatens the US economy
and territories which are strategically important to the US.
Then there is the US, with its long history of political disruption, including the recent assassination of
high ranking Iranian General, Qasem Suleimani. Moreover, with the US terminating a number of key
treaties, such as the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and China refusing to enter into any Nuclear Treaty,
military tensions do not seem to be easing.
In retaliation to the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani on January 3, Iran, on January 8 launches
ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq, injuring American soldiers.
Shortly after Iran launched an attack on US troops stationed at Iraqi military bases, Ukraine
International Airlines Flight 752 crashed in Tehran, Iran, on January 8, killing all 176 people on
board. Iran later claimed responsibility for the incident, saying in a statement that the plane was shot
down after it was mistaken for a threat.
"In such a condition, because of human error and in an unintentional way, the flight was hit," the Iranian
statement said.
Feb 14 More than 800,000 people displaced from their homes in north-western Syria amid assault by
Syrian pro-government forces on last rebel stronghold
Feb 19 German gunman opens fire in a bar in Hanau, Germany, killing nine in a racially motivated attack

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 Feb 23 Violent protests against new citizenship laws in Delhi, India erupt leaving at least 38 people dead
over the next few days
Mar 1 Turkey launches major offensive against Syrian government in northern Syria after 36 Turkish
soldiers killed in air and artillery strikes 3 days earlier
January 31 The United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union.
Since beginning of 2020: Riots and protests all across India against the CAA (Citizenship Amendment
act) that resulted in the loss of many lives inhis country.
October 10: With China has deploying 60,000 troops on Ladakh border, the tension between India and
China has only escalated.
Besides, India, China tensions with Taiwan has also intensified since over the last few months and more
so with the US intensifying its outreach to Taiwan, reassuring Taipei of its continued support. Indeed,
there is an increasing global concern over US-China tensions.

The Arms Race

Despite UN disarmament treaties, countries around the world, including Australia, are scrambling to sure
up their military capabilities and stockpile of weapons. Russia is building up its military presence in the
Artic. China is strengthening its military presence in the South and East China seas, building military
installations on several islands. These actions have not gone unnoticed by the US and NATO, who also
have expanded their territory by increasing its military presence in dozens of countries.
Moreover, many countries are in a race to develop new age weaponry, such
as hypersonic, electromagnetic, directed energy, space weapons, and cyber-attack capabilities.
According to Statista, in 2001 global military spending ($US) was $1,139 billion compared to $1,922
billion in 2019; an increase of $783 billion dollars. In 2019, the top 5 countries with the highest military
spending were: US ($732 billion), China ($261 billion), India ($71.1 billion), Russia ($65.1 billion), and
Saudi Arabia ($61.9 billion). Other countries listed in the top ten spenders include: France, Germany, the
UK, Japan, and South Korea.
Global Recession
Recession has historically been linked to war, both in terms of ending global recessions (‘military
Keynesianism’) and resulting from a global recession, as countries fight for territories of economic or
strategic value. Even before the 2020 pandemic, economists were discussing the possibility of a coming
global recession. However, COVID has made a bad situation worse, with the World Bank suggesting the
virus could “plunge global economy into [the] worst recession since World War II”, which will place
unprecedented economic stress to the world economy.
“[…] we know neither plague nor depression make war impossible.” – Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy.
Then there is the Black Lives Matter protests. The police-involved killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud
Arbery and Breonna Taylor this year sparked a wave of peaceful — and sometimes violent —
demonstrations and riots across the world to demand an end to police brutality and racial injustice. More
protests erupted in August when 29-year-old Jacob Blake was shot by a Kenosha, Wisconsin, cop and
paralyzed from the waist down.

3. The Apostasy Signs: Rise in false prophets or teachers. Also included are rise in false doctrines that will
lead many believers astray (Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24; Luke 21:8).
Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you
into error].

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Matthew 24:5 For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [appropriating the name which
belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error.
Luke 21:8 And He said, Be on your guard and be careful that you are not led astray; for many will come
in My name [appropriating to themselves the name Messiah which belongs to Me], saying, I am He! and,
The time is at hand! Do not go out after them.
Some of the names of those who have made flse claims about being the Messiah or the Christ are
mentioned briefly here:
1. Apollo Quiboloy (1950–) is the founder and leader of a Philippines-based Restorationist church,
the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc. He has made claims that he is the
"Appointed Son of God".
2. Hasan Mezarcı (1954–) is a former politician and member of parliament in the Republic of Turkey
(1991-1995), was expelled from the Welfare Partyand imprisoned for his extreme view
against secularism. He claimed to be a prophet, the Messiah, and Jesus after his imprisonment.
3. Alan John Miller (1962–), more commonly known as A.J. Miller, a former Jehovah's
Witness elder and current leader of the Australia-based Divine Truthmovement. Miller claims to be
Jesus Christ reincarnated with others in the 20th century to spread messages that he calls the "Divine
Truth". He delivers these messages in seminars and various forms of media along with his current
partner Mary Suzanne Luck, who identifies herself as the returned Mary Magdalene.
4. David Shayler (1965–) is a former MI5 agent and whistleblower who, in the summer of 2007,
proclaimed himself to be the Messiah. He has released a series of videos on YouTube claiming to be
Jesus, although he has not built up any noticeable following since his claims.
5. Maurice Clemmons (1972–2009), an American felon/criminal responsible for the 2009 murder of
four police officers in Washington state, referred to himself in May 2009 as Jesus.
6. Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez (1990–). In November 2011, he fired nine shots with a Romanian
Cugir SA semi-automatic rifle at the White House in Washington D.C., believing himself to be Jesus
Christ sent to kill U.S. President Barack Obama, whom he believed to be the antichrist.
7. Ante Pavlović (1957–2020), Croatian chiropractor.
Besides these false prophets, there have also emerged many cults that are actively spreading false
teachings in many countries, cities, towns and villages these days. To cite an instance:
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has warned the church leaders in Nagaland against a cult
called the Church of Almighty God from China. The NBCC said this is a dangerous cult as they are
actively spreading false Gospel and false teachings.
NBCC General Secretary Zelhou Keyho in a letter to all executive secretaries and directors of Baptist
associations under it, said: "I am writing this with a grave concern concerning a cult, called the Church of
Almighty God from China, reportedly making inroads into our land. The Church of Almighty God or
Eastern Lightning cult is a well organised group, aggressively moving forward with publications and
creating many Facebook pages and colourful artwork that appears biblical and enticing."
The cult teaches that Lord Jesus has come back to earth as a woman, named Yang Xiangbin, also called
Lightning Deng, and the New Testament has been replaced by their new bible, called "The Word Appears
in the Flesh".
Keyho in his letter, available with IANS, wrote: "Jesus said in His Word that He would return to earth,
not as the almighty who speaks through a woman from China, but as He was, is and ever shall be. Let us
beware of this dangerous cult as they are actively spreading a false Gospel and false teachings. Let us
research them and expose them and take every measure to shield our respective congregations from such
false religion."

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4. The Technological Signs: We live in the information age. There’s no doubt that technology plays a huge
part in our day to day life. There are benefits of using technology but there are also fears associated with
technology such as privacy and abuse. Another fear concerning technology is linked to the idea of
microchip implants which is speculated to be linked to the mark of the beast (“…increase in knowledge in
the last days…” Daniel 12:4).

5. The Morality Signs: The moral decay of society is another sign. Morality will grow from bad to worse.
Jesus spoke of lawlessness increasing and the love of many growing cold (Matthew 24:12; Luke 21:17).
Matthew 24:12 Sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of many will grow cold/And the love of the
great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity.
Romans 1:21-32 describes part of the fall into moral decay. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 list heart attitudes and
actions that will take place “in the last days.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away.”
6. Religious Signs (Persecution of Christ’s Followers): Jesus also warns of persecution of believers, that is,
those standing for Christian and Biblical values. Today we see persecution increasing toward Christians
and it is growing all over the world.

Matthew 24:9 Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and
you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
Matthew 24:10 And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him
Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue
one another with hatred.

Luke 21:12 But previous to all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over
to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be led away before kings and governors for My name's sake.
Luke 21:13 This will be a time (an opportunity) for you to bear testimony.
Luke 21:14 Resolve and settle it in your minds not to meditate and prepare beforehand how you are to
make your defense and how you will answer.
Luke 21:15 For I [Myself] will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes
combined will be unable to stand against or refute.
Luke 21:16 You will be delivered up and betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends,
and [some] of you they will put to death.
Luke 21:17 And you will be hated (despised) by everyone because [you bear] My name and for its sake.

Notice the words ‘put to death’. Heaven is filled with those who have already fulfilled this prophecy—
and hatred of Christians still abounds. Voice of the Martyrs, a Christian agency that defends religious
liberties, contends that more of Christ’s followers have been killed for their faith in the last century than
in most of the previous centuries combined. The global evangelism movement reports an average of
165,000 martyrs a year, more than four times the number in the past century. Today countries that
facilitate religious freedom are experiencing increasing hostility toward Christians. In the West we see
professors publicly mocking Bible-believing students (God’s not dead movie), newspapers articles and
letters increasingly taking an anti-Christian stance, TV talk show hosts denigrate people of faith, etc. We
can expect the persecution to increase, and when it does, fragile convictions will collapse and ‘…t he
love of many will grow cold.’ (Matthew 24:12 NLT) The half-hearted will become the cold-hearted.
Many church attendees will be exposed as faith pretenders. They’ll not only leave the faith, they’ll make

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the lives of the faithful miserable. When these things begin to happen, Jesus counselled, ‘…See to it that
you are not alarmed…’ (Matthew 24:6 NIV)
Jesus said when we see calamity and apostasy, don’t give in to fear because they’re signs of His imminent
return. ‘But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Open Doors has monitored Christian persecution worldwide since 1992. North Korea has ranked No. 1
since 2002, when the watch list began.
Last year, India entered the top 10 for the first time while China rose from No. 43 to No. 27. That trend
continues, as 2 in 5 Asian Christians now face high levels of persecution, up from 1 in 3 the previous
reporting period. China’s crackdown on both state-sanctioned and underground churches and its growing
surveillance network added 16 million to Open Doors’s tally of Christians facing persecution.
“The Chinese government is committing unparalleled human rights crimes against Christian citizens and
seeking to wipe religious sentiment from its country,” stated Curry in a press release ahead of today’s
event. “Yet, as the Chinese Christians who will join me will testify, the persecution Christians face—
including extensive surveillance, raids on churches, and imprisonment—have not succeeded in
eliminating Christianity.
This year the top 10 is relatively unchanged. After North Korea is Afghanistan (No. 2), followed by
Somalia (No. 3), Libya (No. 4), Pakistan (No. 5), Eritrea (No. 6), Sudan (No. 7), Yemen (No. 8), Iran
(No. 9), and India (No. 10).
Pastor Left Hospitalized After Attack by Religious Fanatics in Northern India
10/08/2020 India (International Christian Concern) – On October 4, a pastor in India’s Uttar Pradesh
state was brutally attacked by religious fanatics after they falsely accused the pastor of being involved in
forced conversions. The attack left the pastor hospitalized with serious injuries, including multiple bone
fractures.
On the day of the incident, a mob of 10 to 12 people wearing saffron scarves attacked Pastor Robinson
and 50 other Christians who had gathered for worship in Sangrampur, located in the Badaun district. The
assailants carried wooden clubs and swords and barged into a Christian home where Pastor Robinson was
leading worship.
“It was a frightening scene as the angry mob advanced towards us,” Pastor Robinson told International
Christian Concern (ICC). “Without giving us a chance to speak, they attackers threatened to kill us if we
did not stop praying and gathering for worship.”
The fanatics then beat Pastor Robinson and accused him of engaging in forced religious conversions in
the village. Police arrived on the scene after a couple of hours and took the injured Christians to the police
station for questioning. The Christians were only released from police custody after the intervention of
other local church leaders.
“There is hatred towards Christians by some people,” Pastor Robinson told ICC. “They try to paint
Christians and pastors as enemies of the country and the police cooperate with them because of the BJP-
led government.”
Pastor Robinson, age 28, has been the head pastor of an independent church in Sangrampur for the last six
years. In that time, Pastor Robinson has led worship for some 60 Christians in the village.
Seven Indian Christians Attacked by Mob After Being Falsely Accused of Slaughtering a Cow
10/04/2020 India (International Christian Concern) – According to the Telegraph Online, seven
Christians in India’s Jharkhand state were attacked, beaten, and forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram” after they
were falsely accused of slaughtering a cow.

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The incident took place on September 16 in a village located in the Simdega district of Jharkhand.
According to witnesses, a mob of 25 men wielding sticks and iron rods attacked the Christians of
Bherikudar early in the morning on September 16.
“I saw them beating a villager, Raj Singh Kullu, and hurling caste-based expletives at his wife, ” Deepak
Kullu, one of the victims, told the Telegraph Online. “When I sought an explanation, they started
mouthing caste-based expletives at me too and accused us of slaughtering cows.”
The mob then dragged Deepak and six other Christians to Mahato Tola, a nearby village, and forced them
to chant “Jai Shri Ram.” In Mahato Tola, the Christians had portions of their heads shaved by the mob.
Local police confirmed the incident and said that four of the individuals named in the First Information
Report (FIR) had been arrested. Five other suspects accused of attacking the Christians remain at large.
09/21/2020 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – On July 10, unknown Hindu
extremists murdered Pastor Munsi Thado in India. According to local sources, they forcefully dragged
him from his home. His wife, Jaini, plead with them to let him go – only to find her husband dead soon
after.
Pastor Munsi lived in the forest near Badpari village for the last five years due to village pressure. Village
leaders demanded Pastor Munsi recant his Christian faith, kicking him out when he refused.
Despite having been thrown out, he continued to evangelize. Revelation 12:11 says, “…by the blood of
the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from
death.”
Munsi’s ministry colleague told ICC that Hindu radicals killed Munsi because of his successful and
faithful ministry to the Adivasi people. “He led more than 20 families to Christ since Hindu radicals
threw him out the village,” he said.
Without her husband, Jaini was in immediate urgent need. Watch how God provided in Part 2 on
Thursday.
Some claim that earthquakes, wars, rumors of war, immoral people, severe political problems, and other
signs within the Bible have been going on since the beginning of time. There is nothing new; therefore,
there is nothing to these “signs of Jesus’ return” bit.
Well, the Bible tells us that when the response to the Biblical signs is that “it has always been this way,” it
is a sign unto itself. 2 Peter 3:3-4, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell
asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
What do we need to do? STAND FIRM. (Matthew 24:13; Luke 21:18-19)
Matthew 24:13 But he who endures to the end will be saved/will be kept safe.
Luke 21:18 But not a hair of your head shall perish/will be lost. [I Sam. 14:45.]
Luke 21:19 By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls/By your
endurance you will save your life.
Here are a few powerful verses in Scripture about standing firm:–
Ephesians 6:13: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
This full armor includes a belt – of truth, the truth of God’s utter faithfulness and goodness as against
current misinformation, lies and conspiracies surrounding the pandemic; an armor of righteousness – the
righteousness that comes to us through the blood of Christ marking us out from the rest and shielding and
protecting us from the present onslaught (Proverbs 10:25: When the storm has swept by, the wicked are

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gone, but the righteous stand firm forever); a shield – the shield of faith, without which we will never be
able to stand in these troubling times (Faith allows us to know not just that God exists, but that He is our
good and loving Father and as Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them
will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered
(not a hair on your head will fall to the ground). So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many
sparrows."); sword – the sword of the Spirit which is God’s word, that is, His promises to us during such
times as these (Psalm 91 esp. vs. 6-7, 10; 23; 121:7; 46:11; etc., psalm 34:7; Isaiah 41:10; Psalms 32:7;
Prov. 18:10; Exo.12:13; etc.) and finally, praying in the Spirit at all times and staying alert in this with all
perseverance so we can save our lives and our souls.
1 Corinthians 16:13: "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (Illlustration: King
Ahaz against King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel. The news came to Ahaz that
these other two kings had come to attack Jerusalem. Isaiah 7:2ff says, “the hearts of the king and his
people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.” But the word that came to him at that time
through the prophet Isaiah was, “Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’t need to fear the fierce
anger of those two burned-out embers…This invasion will never happen; it will never take place;…(But)
unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm/you do not stand at all.” We need to be strong
in our faith in God and not give up praying and believing for complete deliverance from this pandemic.
Not just against this pandemic but also against the predicted persecution of believers. Who knows we are
entering now into that time of persecution - be it in whatever form – and we need to be strong and stand
firm to the end.
Matthew 10:22: You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will
be saved.
James 5:8: You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Luke 21:34: “Be on your guard/Watch out! Don’t let your hearts/minds be dulled by carousing and
drunkenness and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware!”
May you all be like that seed that fell on good soil, absorbing everything nutrient today from the Word of
God and standing firm till the end not like the one that fell among thorns in which the worries of life and
the seduction of wealth can choke the word so that it becomes unfruitful.
“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe
testings.” George Mueller
Stand firm in the Lord. Stand firm and let Him fight your battle. Do not try to fight alone. Francine Rivers