Read Matthew 25:13-30. What role does using our gifts have in preparing us for the return of Christ? Though Jesus told a different parable here than the one just before, both talk about being ready for the return of Christ. Both deal with those who were ready and those who weren’t. And both show the fate … Continue reading –>
After His discourse in Matthew 24 about the signs of His coming, in Matthew 25 Jesus talks about how to be prepared for it. Read Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the Ten Virgins. What is Jesus saying here that should help us understand how we can be prepared for His return? Jesus starts this phase of … Continue reading –>
Referring to the latter days, Jesus in Matthew 24:24 warns of false prophets. Of course you can’t impersonate someone who is not real, so obviously Jesus recognized that the gift of prophecy would still be given out in the latter days. Joel 2:28-31 also tells us there will be those with the gift of prophecy … Continue reading –>
In His great discourse on the end time, Christ points to “the abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15), an image from the book of Daniel (Dan. 9:27, Dan. 11:31, Dan. 12:11) . God declared something an “abomination” when it was a serious violation of His law, such as idolatry (Deut. 27:15) or immoral sexual practices (Lev. 18:22). Hence, this “abomination of desolation” involved some sort of … Continue reading –>
False Messiahs. Have you ever met or heard about a person near you claiming to have supernatural powers and being a true representative of Christ? If this happens to you, what would you do or say? Besides warning us, what valuable gift did Jesus give us end-time followers to comfort and strengthen us? How will … Continue reading –>
The introduction to this week’s lesson tells us: Hymn 212, “Tis Almost Time for the Lord to Come”; and yes, Hymn 213, “Jesus Is Coming Again”. We are warned on Sunday: Hymn 617, “We Are Living, We Are Dwelling”. How are we to be prepared? – Ellen White says on Monday; Hymn 272, “Give Me the … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 24:9 and Revelation 13:11-17. What parallels exist between what Jesus said here in Matthew and what He inspired John to write about in Revelation? Christ’s concern for His people in the end time includes a global deception that causes nations to oppose the true faith and to impose a false worship on the world. Those who … Continue reading –>
In the final days before the Cross, the disciples spoke with Jesus on the Mount of Olives. Imagine hearing Jesus say that the temple will be destroyed. Who knows exactly what went on in their minds, but the questions that they asked afterward indicate that they linked the destruction of the temple with “the end … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 24:1-25, Rev. 13:11-17, Matt. 7:24-27 , Luke 21:20, Matt. 25:1-30. Memory Text: “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24, NIV). In Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus reveals important truths about end times and about how to be prepared. In a … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: The same dragon, Satan, who made war against God in heaven (Rev. 12:7) is the one who makes war with God’s people on earth, those who “keep the commandments of God” (Rev. 12:17; see also (Rev. 13:2, Rev. 13:4). In fact, Satan himself becomes an object of worship, too (Rev. 13:4). So the war against God, which Satan started … Continue reading –>
Friday’s section of this week’s lesson asks, “What is the problem with those who talk about the reality of sin and yet argue that God’s law has been done away with? What great inconsistency can you point out in that line of reasoning?” There are many inconsistencies when people try to do away with the … Continue reading –>
God’s law, the Ten Commandments, is still binding (see also James 2:10-12) , and that law includes the seventh-day Sabbath. Why, then, do so many Christians keep Sunday when there is no biblical justification for it? Daniel 7 talks about the rise of four great empires: Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and then Rome, the fourth and final earthly … Continue reading –>
