THE GREAT DOOMSDAY LOOMS NEARER WITH EVERY BEAT OF OUR WORLD'S HEART, & MEN'S HEARTS FAIL FOR FEAR

1. Men run for the white coats when the preacher talks of the fiery end of this world -scoffing
2. But men in every field today are predicting the end of the world as we know it- terrifying
3. But before we have heart failure- let's take a good look at what the Bible really says-

And this is the subject that separates the men from the boys in the study of the Word. 

I.- TODAY IS THE DAY OF SCOFFERS - II Pet. 3:3

Never be afraid of those who mock the Bible - Peter wrote of them; they are not supermen-but fools

A.- the APOSTLES AND PROPHETS SPOKE MUCH ABOUT THE DAY WHEN THE WORLD WOULD END- & SCOFFERS LAUGHED

1. The 0.T. Prophets cried in vain- Joel 2:30;31 -and the people did not mend their ways
2. Jesus spoke of the end of the world- Matt 24:36, 42, and the people were rushing about -26
3. Paul warned of the time when men would cry peace & safety- I Thess 5:2,3 -sudden destruction

B.- THE SCOFFERS WERE WILLINGLY IGNORANT OF THE TRUTH THEN, AND THEY ARE THE SAME TODAY. 5a

1. Today our scoffers ignore the Bible-but quake at Ecology; Future Shock- Tofler scares them
2. They believe Rich Greening -if we miss Consc. III; or Skinner's Walden Two - we perish soon
3. But like the Deists- they may believe in a God- but don't want Him to have a thing to do with them

C.- MANY OF THE SCOFFERS KNOW ENOUGH OF THE BIBLE TO TEASE US, AND TO WORRY SOME OF THE YOUNG

1. The word "His coming" 4a is not decisive- is it the Rapture, Advent, or what? Can you answer?
2. They say that all things continue with unbroken continuity- 4 -evolutionary forever -but ends
3. The real reason many of them reject the Bible is because of their own lusts- being rebuked!

But the information of God- they willingly forget- the idea escapes them- 3:5 & 6

II. TOMORROW MAY BE THE DAY OF THE LORD!

3:8 urges Christians to stop allowing this to be hidden from you- please do not be ignorant!

A. THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE v. 9 SOME MEN BLAME HIM FOR THIS, HIS LONGSUFFERING

1. God has kept things in store- "reserved for fire" 7c saved up to be used at the right time
2. But God's time schedule is accurate even though it does not work by our watches or calendar
3. This delay is for your benefit- see v.15 - and account this as time to get some people saved

B.-"BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT" v. 10 AN OFTEN REPEATED WARNING

1. Jesus described the time as when in the midst of turmoil men would claim to be Christ
2. Paul said men would cry peace and safety- then the end of our age would come as thief in night
3. But Paul cautioned Christians- I Thess 5:4 that this day should not overtake them as a thief

C.- IN THE WHICH THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY WITH A GREAT NOISE, 7 - ELEMENTS SHALL MELT WITH HEAT 10b

1. The ancient Greeks believed this even before James wrote it- Listen to quotes from Stoics
2. A great noise- a fervent heat- & elements melt- (earth, air, fire water) Do elements melt?
3. There are still a few men left who were blinded by White Sands blast -If man can do it?

Yet a girl reading Late Great Planet Earth - scared to death- but wanted more books but not the Bible

III.- BUT THE EARTH WILL NOT BURN TOMORROW !

Please don't rush for asbestos underwear- won't help; but you have nothing to fear from World fire

A.- THE DAY OF THE LORD? BIBLE HAS 4 DAYS DESCRIBED -

1. Day of Man- I Cor 4:3- Adam to Christ
2. Day of Christ- Phil.1:6- this involves the Rapture, Wedding supper of Lamb, Judgment seat of Christ
3. Day of the Lord- Isa. 13:9; and Rev. Ch.6-20- Including great Tribulation- & the Kingdom
4. Day of God- II Pet 3:12 - At the close of Millennium - Earth purified by fire-White Throne, 3:7

B.- THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY ALL RIGHT, BUT CHECK UP ON THE TIMING IN GOD'S PLAN OF ACTION

1. It is true that the USA might be destroyed by atomic blast- & your world end in flame for you
2. It is true that your personal death- if you know not Christ- threatens you with flaming beginning
3. So get what comfort you can that Rev. 20:9, & 21:1- there are 1007 years from Rapture before flaming end

C.- BUT IF YOU WILL LET JESUS WARM YOUR HEART TODAY, YOU CAN KNOW HIM, AND HIS PLAN FOR YOUR WORLD

1. If you draw close to Christ- Luke 24:32 - the Disciples felt their hearts burn & enjoyed it!
2. If you know Jesus, and know his plan for the World- you should be motivated- v. 11,12
3. You can claim v.13 in Christ- so why not really do something about it! Be something for Christ

V.14,15 tells us to be diligent that when Jesus comes for us we might be found OK- work at it

YOU ARE NOT NOW IGNORANT OF GOD'S PLAN, NOW IT IS UP TO YOU TO DO SOMETING ABOUT IT BEFORE IT HAPPENS

1. What about His Salvation for you- Reject Christ now, and you can't complain about Hell fire-
2. What about His plan for your life- Baptism starts it- You should have motivation to obey Him
3. What about the Church in your life- you need a Church home- this one is available!