Lesson 11
Dispensation of the Holy Ghost Part 3

Reformation to Vials of Wrath.

A - Reformation

1. Lutheran.
   In 1517 Martin Luther, a Catholic monk, gave the first ray of light to the darkened church. He broke away from the Catholic church and formed the first protestant church (Lutheran). He taught justification by faith but retained the trinity doctrine, sprinkling, and infant baptism.
   
   
2. Presbyterian.
   In 1536 John Calvin went a little further by organizing his churches with local presbyters and observing communion (The Lord's Supper) as a memorial of Jesus' sufferings and death.
   
   
3. Congregational.
   In 1580 Robert Browne led the Congregational church in separating church and state.
   
   
4. Baptist.
   In 1609 John Smythe brought back baptism by immersion. This was the beginning of the Baptist church.
   
   
5. Methodist.
   In 1739 John Wesley brought a great revival to England and taught holiness and a genuine conversion. John Wesley was one of the founders of the Methodist church.
   
   
6. Christian Churches.
   In 1820 the Christian church was formed bringing back baptism for the remission of sins.
   
   
7. Trinity Pentecostal Churches.
   In 1900 baptism of the Holy Ghost was brought back (Evidence: speaking in tongues).
   
   
8. Oneness Pentecostal Churches.
   In 1914 the revelation of God in Christ was restored to the Church. The original Church is finally restored.
   
   

B - Signs of the End Times

1. The disciples asked Jesus three questions about the end times. (Matthew 24:3)
   
   
   1. When will these things be?
      
      
   2. What will be the sign of thy coming,
      
      
   3. and the end of the world?
      
      
2. Jesus answered.
   
   
   1. No man knoweth when your Lord doth come.(Matthew 24:36-42)
      
      
   2. When these signs begin to come to pass, look up.(Luke 21:25-28)
      
      
3. As it was in the days of Noah.
   
   Compare Genesis 6:5-11 with Matthew 24:37-44, Philippians 3:17-19, Luke 17:26-30, Luke 21:34-35, II Timothy 3:1-4, II Peter 3:3-7.
   
   
   1. Eating and drinking. Philippians 3:17-19
      
      There is nothing wrong with eating and drinking. These are a normal part of life, even though some people go to the extreme and make a god of their belly.
      
      But the carnal person is only concerned with feeding his natural body. There is little indication that the people before the flood had any interest in talking to God (Praying) as did Adam, or sacrifice to God as did Abel, or walk with God as did Enoch.
      
      
   2. Marrying and giving in marriage. II Peter 3:3-7
      
      Marriage is not sinful, nor is it wrong for a man to give his daughter in marriage.
      
      In Genesis 6:1-2 it appears that the godly line of Seth began to intermarry with the carnal line of Cain. Their behavior had degenerated to the point that they had become scoffers and doubters. They had forgotten God's judgment on Adam, Eve, and Cain because Lamech boasted of slaying a man with no regard for judgment.(Genesis 4:19-23)
      
      
   3. Buying, selling, planting, and building. Luke 17:26-30
      
      There is nothing inherently wrong with buying, selling, planting, and building. Humans were developing skills and talents in many areas. Lamech's three sons excelled in making tents, raising cattle, music and industry. They now had music for entertainment. Their simple nomadic lives were becoming sophisticated, materialistic, and corrupt.(Genesis 6:5-13) God said, "I will destroy them with the earth.
      
      
   4. They knew not
      
      Matthew 24:38-39 Life was going on as usual, everyone was engaged in their normal activities, the day before the judgment looked like any other day to them. There was no advance warning on exactly when judgment would come. So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
      
      
   5. The same extreme wickedness
      
      II Timothy 3:1-7 clearly describes our generation and declares these characteristics to be signs of the last days. Just as the flood came upon the unsuspecting people in the days of Noah and destroyed all those who did not make themselves right with God, so is the judgment of God coming on the generation of the last days. There will be no warning of the exact time of his coming. (Matthew 24:36-37)
      
      
   6. Noah prepared.
      
      Noah was probably a strange looking character, working for many years on a strange looking vessel and talking about an impending flood. Most likely he was the subject of many jokes and laughter. But when the flood came, Noah, who had obeyed God, was inside the ark floating away while the scoffers and unbelievers were suffering the penalty of their sins.
      
      Are we ready to meet Him if he should come right now? Is there a longing and an anticipation in our hearts to see our saviour, Jesus Christ? If there isn't, then let us check up on our lives to see if we are fully prepared for that great day.
      
      

C - The Rapture

1. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 The Rapture is the catching away of that chosen group from all nations of the earth who have been born again. The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain sahll be caught up together with them in the clouds.
   
   
2. I Thessalonians 5:9 The Rapture of the Church will happen before the great tribulation.
   
   
3. Revelation 19:7-10 Those of the Rapture go to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
   
   

D - Manifestation and Reign of Anti-Christ

1. II Thessalonians 2:3-12 His coming is after the work of Satan.
   
   
2. Revelation 13:16-18 Rich and poor forced to take the mark of the beast to buy and sell.
   
   
3. Revelation 14:9-11 Anyone who worships the beast or accepts his mark will be tormented forever with fire and brimstone.
   
   
4. Also read The Age Of The AntiChrist.
   
   

E - Vials of Wrath

1. Revelation 16:2 Sores on men.
   
   
2. Revelation 16:3 Everything in the sea dies.
   
   
3. Revelation 16:4-7 Rivers and fountains of waters become blood.
   
   
4. Revelation 16:8-9 Sun scorches men with fire.
   
   
5. Revelation 16:10-11 Darkness.
   
   
6. Revelation 16:12-16 Demonic spirits.
   
   
7. Revelation 16:17-21 Earthquake and hail.
   
   
8. Also read The Great Tribulation