Looking Ahead: Last Day Events
A survey of people in America taken a few years ago reveals a strong reaction to perceived hypocrisy in its Christian churches. A whopping 72% of people who believe in God, but who don’t attend church, said the church is full of hypocrites!
Looking Ahead
Jesus noted that the leaders of the church of His time were hypocritical, and He illustrated hypocrisy 7 times in Matthew 23 to underscore the importance of the issue, and this leads me to wonder how He feels about His church today.
Could it be that so many young people fail to hear the Holy Spirit pleading with their hearts because our hypocrisy shouts so loud?
Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and genuine love before He talks about end-time events. Social media is full of discussions and headlines regarding the details of prophecy, while ignoring and saying nothing about Jesus and our need for daily spiritual exercise that lead us to Him.
Some people seem to be worshiping words and ideas more than our Savior, and that opens the door to pride and hypocrisy. When we have knowledge that gives us an advantage, when we feel privileged, when we feel superior, we are drawn into a position where Jesus can be usurped. Our focus needs always to be on Jesus, and our daily prayer should include a desire for His humility.
So, even though the title of this week’s lesson emphasizes the second coming and Matthew 24, I will study both Matthew 23 and Matthew 24 with the same eagerness to refresh in my mind these important words of Jesus.
“Take heed that no man deceive you; Matthew 24:4
Jesus warned His disciples about deception, and His words underscore the importance of Bible study and the pursuit of truth because deceit will be very great. Many Christians today act as if “deceit” doesn’t exist, and we must be careful to resist this temptation.
Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh. Matthew 24:44
As Seventh-day Adventists, we are a people who believe in the soon coming of Jesus, and look forward to that glorious day, and our study this week will encourage and strengthen us for the work that lays before us.
I pray that this study of Jesus will increase our desire to be closer to Him and will transform our lives.
Join me this week and pray more and more. Come closer to the Father and Jesus and let the words of Matthew stir your soul.
(21)
It is the duty of both laymen and watchmen to give a trumpet a certain sound.
And that certain sound should reflect an intimate relationship with Jesus, yes?
Soon coming of Jesus? According to fairly large surveys held in 2011-2013 and reported in the SDA Global Data Picture,45% of SDA disagree that the world will end in 20 years and 15% more ..disagree more than agree that the world will end in 20 years.(60% total) I am not saying who is right, just reporting the results.
In comments elsewhere I have lived 80+ years and the majority of those years have been spent declaring eminent signs for Jesus soon return. I have recently posted Biblical texts to the effect that none of the estimated data is accurate. It is possible Jesus soon return will be seconds, minutes, hours, days, away, for anyone.
I wonder how many refused to answer because it's the wrong question?
Thank you! From Enango sda!
SDA's have worshipped at the altar of last day events for too long. The world is looking for a revelation of God's character of love in his proclaimed followers.
We are so obsessed about prophecy that we too often forget there is a world dying out there waiting to see godly love shown by christians.
I agree and there are some who spend more time talking about prophecy than Jesus. Here is a quote I like:
“Faithful work is more acceptable to God than the most zealous and thought-to-be holiest worship. It is working together with Christ that is true worship. Prayers, exhortation, and talk are cheap fruits, which are frequently tied on; but fruits that are manifested in good works, in caring for the needy, the fatherless, and widows, are genuine fruits, and grow naturally upon a good tree.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, page 24.
If we loved God with ALL our hearts we would be a different people.
Members please help pray for me.
I want to be among the numbers.
I am always so blessed by your teaching Gerald Greene, and particularly the comments which you've written in this article. Earlier this week I read the same quote you've mentioned in Testimonies for the church, and I found myself longing to be more faithful to Jesus and even more involved and committed in service for Him.
Each new city that I enter to work is filled with thousands of souls just waiting for a display of this genuine love which we must all possess. "Jesus divine love and tenderness drew the hearts of men to Him...His calm words of truth had power that stirred hearts." TMB.
The SS lessons this quarter have been such a blessing to me, encouraging and strengthening my desire to share these words of Truth to the lost souls whom God puts in my path with a genuine love that can only come from the life-giving power of Jesus.
Your work on the front-lines of evangelism and your self-sacrifice is such a wonderful example and source of encouragement to many. If we as a people could just come closer to Jesus things could be so much different. SDA's have something to say about God and it's all very good, indeed.
Denis, I am praying for you and want to point out that your desire to be among the numbers can be of much less concern than a desire to spend more time with God each day. If you and I love God with ALL our heart, then we need not consider the possibility of not being among the numbers. Prophecy will be less important than the hearts and souls of those who are seeking. The Lord will help us to become producers of ministry and not just consumers. We will become like Jesus and love others more than ourselves. Our daily walk with God is a beautiful, fulfilling experience that transcends all other concerns. Does this bring you comfort?
God's timing and ours are alot different. A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day to Him. Whereas I may say am 60 years old, to God I may only be 6 days old.
Taking this into account I am convinced that He is coming soon, the time I've lived on earth not withsatnding. The time the historians have placed on earthly events not withsatnding. He is comimg and very soon, Jesus declared that the hour of His coming is knwon only to God alone. My duty therefore is watch and wait.
Some of the last day events as taught by Jesus are the things we see and hear today. Pestilence, wars, rumours of war, hunger, hatred, pride, uncontrollabe sin, insertiable fleshly desires, self love etc. What othersigns do we need?
Amen
People who don't attend church always look to others for the blame of why they don't go to Church. If they would look to Christ, they could endure chastening. Heb 12:2,3,9. Note we are not talking about the ill, obviously.