Friday: Further Study (Jesus Master of Missions)
According to Matthew, Jesus foretold that this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come
(Matt. 24:14 NIV). At the same time, the Scriptures make another point clear:But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only
(Matt. 24:36).
Image © Darrel Tank from GoodSalt.com
Note also Jesus’ words:It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority
(Acts 1:7 NIV).
Thus, while the good news of the gospel has been preached and is being preached as never before, and while we believe that Christ’s coming is soon, we must not get caught up in dates and speculating about dates. We are not to be engrossed with speculations in regard to the times and the seasons which God has not revealed. Jesus has told his disciples to
—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 189.watch,
but not for a definite time. His followers are to be in the position of those who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the time for the coming of the Lord.
Discussion Questions:
- Despite the clear teaching on not setting dates for Christ’s return, hardly a year goes by before we hear something in the news about some group of Christians setting a date for Christ’s return. Why do you think people insist on doing this, other than as a good fund-raising technique? (After all, if Jesus is coming on June 19 of next year [or fill in any date you want], then what good is your money now?) Why is it bad for the Christian witness in the world when these dates, year after year, are shown to be false?
- Think of the obstacles the early believers faced in the first few years of mission, especially considering that they were so small in number. What are some of the obstacles we face in mission today? What can we learn from the success of the early church that can help us do what we have been so clearly called to do?
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I believe that the spread of the gospel to all the world will be done through the Holy Spirit far more than through what man can do. Because of that I truly believe that Jesus will come at a time we do not expect (Matt 24:44; Lk 12:40). To me we will still think there is more work to be done when in fact probation has already closed and everyone has made his or her decision.
I also believe the end will come like the frog in a pot of water on the stove. If the water is slowly heated the frog will never detect the change in temperature and will literally get cooked to death. Satan is working things as imperceptively as he can in order to catch people off guard. Then he will discourage them with the thought that they are lost because they are not ready and that they should just go ahead and do as the world does and cast their vote on his side.
Yes, that's true my dear brother!And that is one of the real reason of revival and reformation in order for us to be awakened in the reality of our spiritual relationship with God.Time is passing so quikly and satan is doing his best for us to be separated away from our God. We need heavenly eye-salves to see the reality of the battle that we have,however the good news is, we are not fighting it alone,God is with us in order for us to be victorious at last.
Tyler If I understand what you wrote, you believe that probation has already closed? Maybe I misunderstood. Please enlighten. If Rev.22:6-16 is the basis of that assumption I believe judgment of some kind has taken place. Heb.9:27,28 and 2Tim.4:1 says this does not happen till after we die. The question that will be ask then is, what about those that are alive when Jesus Comes? A question that I have no Biblical answer for. The obvious answer would be they have been the righteous referred to in Rev 22. Neither of which address closing of probation. Gets a little involved.
Paul, I understood Tyler when he said "To me we will still think there is more work to be done" that a time will come, but not yet, when some might not be aware that probation has closed.
Tyler, I agree there are passages like 1 Thess 5:1-6 which says that the day of the LORD will surprise some people, but not all.
My understanding has been that there will be an end time crisis where each has to make a decision for or against the LORD and then probation will be closed. Is this not true?
Of course I am not in any way suggesting we should wait to make a decision, I do agree that if we keep rejecting the prompting of the Holy Spirit we harden our hearts and will no longer hear it.
Shirley the word probation is not found in the KJV of the Bible, so what ever the source there would also be a definition of what and how the word is used. Probation used in our justice system is a trial period to prove ones character and ability to meet certain requirements. This can have many different applications, but in light of the discussion the end of the trial period(our life span), is when we die. If we are concerned about grieving the Holy Spirit,It has been said by many that if you are concerned you have not grieved the Holy Spirit. Yes we can ignore God and resist His promptings, but like Jonah that we just finished studying,God is not willing for any of us to be lost. We need His grace to remedy our failures. What we should seek is the closest relationship with God that is possible.
Hi Paul, yes the word probation is not in the Bible but I believe that the concept is found in the account of Noah, where they went into the ark and the angel shut the door but the rain & flood didn't come for 7 days. So for those 7 days the fate of those outside the ark was sealed but they didn't know it.
In Rev. 22:12
Daniel 7:9-10
Revelation 20:12
Daniel, looking down to “a time of trouble, such as never was,” declares that God’s people shall be delivered, “everyone that shall be found written in the book.” And the revelator says that those only shall enter the city of God whose names “are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Daniel 12:1; Revelation 21:27. – {GC 480.3}
The 2nd Angel message:
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. -Revelation 14:7-"the hour of his judgment is come", it doesn't say "the hour of his judgment will come"
May the Lord bless you, please read the chapel facing life record in the book great controversy by Ellen G. White.
Yes I agreed,The Lord has told us to watch and be ready, Yes I truly believe that satan is trying hard to keep our eyes on things that is not important, so we can take our eyes off the Lord.We need to be on our knees day and night to keep us in one accord with the Father and just keep spreading the word to help others come to the God we all know and love.
The discouragement to Christians who are not watching and praying for Jesus's return is immense. Many have even left the church like we saw in the olden days and went back to the world. It is even more difficult for new converts who sometimes are moved by the facts provided before their conversion that Jesus will be here soon. We need to keep reminding ourselves that our job is to watch and wait-not to set dates. We also need to appreciate the reasons why the savior never told us the exact date-(much as we may easily fathom them, but by faith we can able to stand until the last hour) he will come. In such instances, prayer is a paramount choice while getting closer to god through Christ is inevitable
A marathon runner trains differently to a sprinter.
However both of them train regularly.
What is my goal? To sneak into heaven by the skin of my teeth?
No my goal is to spend time with my friend Jesus, to get to know Him better, to be changed by beholding Him and to introduce my friend Jesus to other friends. It is a daily joy to communicate with my friend although at the moment it is a long distance relationship through the Holy Spirit, however one day we will meet face to face and continue our relationship in a perfect world.
After probation the grace is finished and if you have loved the Lord before probation you will be God's after probation, so it doesn't matter, you will continue to be what you really are. The angels of the Lord are still holding the winds of destruction that will come over this world when the grace time comes to an end, we got to hold tight for a little while to God, endure and trust him, til he comes to take us home.