Talks One and Two:

The Training Course

What is this War? Something Big is Happening

Talk 1

What is this War? , Steve Clark

Readings: handed out throughout course Tolkiens Trilogy, Lord of the Rings 1) get ready sooner than inclined 2) spiritual warfare, chers & atlis Prophecy to Coords 79 You are a nation at war. Im at war. Those who follow join struggle, soon as ready. Why build island of ease? Either I take it, or enemy does. At war, draw you in whether want or not. Train for war hardship combat. Organize, disciplined, trained then I let enemy go Then I lead you against him, and you will strike and destroy him. (2 groups broader group then active combatants). If you miss opportunity to prep (learn war) will not win it. alty ex Lord/Rings dialogue between Gandalf & Frodo F: how did I get this ring ( get this prophecy S.C.) G: Long story rumors true @ Saron (evil one) has returned F: wish not in my time G: decide what do in time given us. Cty: many really wish were in another time. Want only Better Christian life, but in middle of something greater than realize. Change cty from here to live [Cur.] life, to fight war. War 1) beginning our time phase in age-old battle betw. God & Satan Satan enemy of god, hostile to Jesus, enemy of Christians Rev 12: 7 f War in heaven. Dragon defeated, thrown down to earth. easy to miss point Satan genuinely enemy of God, knows what hes doing.

2) End of the War Mt 24 [Mk 13]

lk 21

1 Th 4

2Th2

Rev

1) hard times, incl. serious demonic deception cf Rev 2 7 trumpets, difficulties before final conflict

2) troubles for chr. Matt 24: 9-14 persecution, betrayal Franz [Mesmers] bk [WOJSAEW] persec (worldwide), betrayal of chr. , deception among chr. loss of morals among Chr. , 3) Gospel preached throughout whole world before final conflict final events 1) events of final conflict anti-christ, human being who [---?---] Satan rather than God. Rev 13, 14 (beast) 2 other figs false prophet (2nd beast) and whore of Bab. beast temporal ruler who seeks worship whore of Bab. commercial force, traffics in immorality 2nd beast religious force of false religion (false prophet) 2) trib over whole earth (7 bowls) persecution for Christians, enmity of forces of evil 3) 2nd coming interpret: 1) not end of world or time, but end of age 2) how literal? 2nd coming will be unmistakable (at least) 3) could this be it? 4) even if this isnt end of age, tell us @ war that were in 1 john 2:18 this is the last hour, many antichrists have come 2 John vs 7 many deceivers in world, is antichrist? - conflict already among us meaning 1) in serious sp. conflict hard times troubles for chr great evangelism 2) sp. forces at work already, hostile to Christ 3) sp. of whore of Bab 4) sp. of false prophet CONT 4) our place constant war, times of special outbreaks now. in new outbreak of hostility Spiritual Attitudes 1) sp. conflict time of judgement, vindication 2nd Theso 1 hard times [b?]ind Gods people

2) time of hope, est. Gods Kingdom 3) time thats harder on us, but also something to look forward to brings out our [best?] 4) time that we should rely less on world order 5) only God can set things right 2nd talk Steve Something Big is Happening War natural and sp. perspective natural perspective: 3 alternatives 1) will end rapidly in the future (total end) 2) collapse of human society, some survival (partial collapse) 2) growth will stabilize (continuation at slower rate) 1) end nuclear holocaust, 2nd coming scriptural 1sts 1) preaching of gospel to all nations 2) media makes possible for all to hear gospel 3) possible 1 world govt. 2) major collapse world future society opinions 1) effective leadership hard to find 2) communications [---?---] 3) time short to resolve crisis 4) major difficulties 3) continuation increase of worldwide [homag], mediaized, collectivized Marxist or Capitalist not much different results 1) harder for Chr to maintain separate way of life 2) is chr, doesnt prevail, hard to survive 3) good human values will be lost 4) moral losses thru technology [page break original doc] All 3 preds reasonable, concl. - Something big going on, even on natural persp. - We need to be ready for all poss. Spiritual perspective Summary of prophecies 1) times are very serious

2) hard times (darkness) coming 3) war going on against chr. 4) Chr. people in bad shape, Lord dealing w/ that 5) persecution should be expected 6) Lord preparing a neat time of Chr expansion 7) We have an important role to play 3) Discerning the current War: whats happening? 1) One war waged against Chr people on many fronts coordinated by a common mind 2) the issue is enemys effort to destroy Chr people 3) enemy - not simply disagree w/, but wishes to harm or destroy only takes one side to be an enemy [end of document]