E quipping God s people

Transcription

1 E quipping God s people for ministry in the church and mission to the world. SATURDAYS, 8:30-10:00 AM Grace Bible College 2016 Fall Semester Difficult Questions 5 Lessons on Difficult Questions From the Bible Lesson October Topic ROOM 1 1st 2 8th 3 15th 4 22nd 5 29th The Gospel. What will happen to people who have never heard the Gospel? What about babies that die or mentally challenged people who can t understand the Gospel? What essential truths must be believed? Are there nonessential truths? Bible Translations. Which translations are good, which are not? What are the King James only arguments? What manuscripts are behind each translation? Are there other books that should be in the Bible? How were the books chosen? Heaven & Hell. Are Heaven and Hell real places? What will Heaven be like? Will we recognize each other in Heaven? What will Hell be like? Could a loving God send a person to Hell for eternity? Are there degrees of reward and punishment? End Times. Are we in the last days? What is the mark of the beast? Will Christians go through the great tribulation? Who or what is the antichrist? When, where, and what is the battle of Armageddon? Is the lake of fire the same as hell? Open Forum. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions about God, Christianity, life, etc. No topics are off-limits! Personal opinions will be avoided, as we will attempt to answer all questions using the only the Word of God. Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall Sanctuary Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall

2 Lesson 4 End Times GRACE BIBLE COLLEGE A Ministry of Grace Community Church 872 Clearfield Ave, Chesapeake VA grace@gc-church.com, (757)

3 Are We in the Last Days? 1 Peter (30 AD). Acts 2: But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: And it shall be in the last days, God says, That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all man-kind (cf. Joel 2:28-32). 2 James (47 AD). James 5:1-3 - Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become motheaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 3 Paul (54 AD). 1 Corinthians 10:11 - Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 4 Paul (62 AD). 1 Timothy 4:1 - the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons 1

4 5 Peter (64 AD). 2 Peter 3:3-4 - Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? (cf. Jude 1:18-19) 6 Hebrews (65 AD). Hebrews 1:1-2 - God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 7 Paul (67 AD). 2 Timothy 3:1-5 - in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power 2 Timothy 3:13 - But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 8 John (90 AD). 1 John 2:18 - Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 2

5 Chronology of Matthew The Disciples Asked Three Questions. Matthew 24:1-3 - Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He said to them, Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down. As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, [1] Tell us, when will these things happen, and [2] what will be the sign of Your coming, and [3] of the end of the age? Jerusalem destroyed in 70 AD. Jewish historian, Josephus, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, wrote that 1,100,000 people perished during the long and fiercely contested siege, and that 97,000 survivors were sold as slaves (Wars of the Jews, Book VI, Ch. 9:3). The temple was destroyed and the city was razed to the ground. One of the most remarkable events in connection with the fall of Jerusalem was the escape of the Christians from the city before the siege began. Nearly 40 years earlier Jesus had foretold this destruction. History informs us that the Christians took the invasion of the Roman armies as the appointed sign and made their escape to Pella, a village east of the Jordan about 15 miles south of the Sea of Galilee and that none of them perished. - Lorraine Boettner At Least Three Views of Matthew 24 Preterist View - All of the events of Matthew 24 were fulfilled in 70 AD, when Roman general Titus burned the Temple and Jerusalem to the ground (cf. Luke 21:20). Futurist View - All of the events of Matthew 24 relate to the future when the Jewish temple will be rebuilt and destroyed again. Intermediate View - Some of the statements in Mathew 24 answer the disciples first question concerning the destruction of the temple and were fulfilled in 70 AD. The other statements refer to His future return. Matthew 24 Chronology of Events v. 5,11, false Christs/prophets mislead many v. 6 - wars and rumors of wars. v. 7 - famines and earthquakes. v. 9 - tribulation; Christians hated. v. 10- apostasy; many will fall away. v lawlessness; coldness. v. 14- gospel preached in the whole world. v. 15- abomination in the holy place. v. 21- great tribulation. v sun, moon & stars darkened v Christ s return v rapture Matthew 25 Chronology of Events v judgement 3

6 Four Millennial Views Dispensationalism. First taught by John Darby, of the Plymouth Brethren group in England, in 1830, and popularized by the Scofield Reference Bible. According to this view, Jesus came to set up an earthly kingdom in Israel, but the Jews rejected and crucified Him. Jesus is coming again to rapture the Church and to finally establish the earthly kingdom in Israel for 1000 years (The Millennium), followed by the tribulation. Finally there are, at least three resurrections: of the righteous before the millennium (at the rapture), of the unrighteous after the millennium, and of the tribulation saints, those who turn to Christ during the Tribulation. Premillennialism. Christ's first advent was to die for man s sins and not to set up an earthly kingdom for the Jews. The church will go through the tribulation (Mt. 24:3-22), then be raptured and in heaven when Christ returns and begins His millennium reign. The unrighteous will be raised after the millennium. Amillennialism. Satan was bound during Jesus' earthly ministry, restraining him while the gospel is being preached in the world (Mt. 12:29; Lk. 10:18, 19). The millennial reign of Christ is the period between the two comings of Christ, as Christ is now reigning and ruling His people by His Word and Spirit (Lk. 17:20-21). A time of great tribulation will occur immediately prior to Christ's return (Rev. 20:7-8). Christ will return and resurrect all people at the same time (Jn. 5:25-30), followed by final judgment, and the new heaven and new earth. Postmillennialism. The great tribulation of Matthew 24 was fulfilled in 70 AD. The Kingdom of God is a present reality. The Holy Spirit will gradually bring about a period of virtual triumph of true Christianity before Christ returns (the millennium or Golden Age ). The millennium will close with the second coming of Christ, the resurrection all mankind, followed by the final judgment, and an eternal kingdom. Rev. 20:2 References to 1000 years in Rev Satan is bound for a 1000 years. Rev. 20:3 - Satan is released for a short time after 1000 years. Rev. 20:4 Rev. 20:5 Rev. 20:7 Psa. 90:4 2 Pet. 3:8 - God s people reign with Christ 1000 years. - The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1000 years were completed. - And when the 1000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison 1000 Years Elsewhere in the Bible - For a 1000 years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night. - With the Lord one day is as a 1000 years, and a 1000 years as one day. Possible Symbolic Meaning 1000 = 10 x 10 x 10 = Holy of holies = Church Age? 10 = Number of completion = A period in which something is completed: Worldwide evangelism 4

7 The Tribulation 1 2 General Statements About Tribulation. John 16:33 - In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. Acts 14:22 - Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 2 Timothy 3:12 - all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. Participants in the Tribulation? Matthew 24:9 - Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24: For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or There He is, do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 5

8 The Seventy Weeks of Daniel 1 Daniel 9: Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. 25 So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Verse 24 seventy weeks Hebrew: shibim shabuim - literally "seventy sevens - root sheba = seven to finish transgression - It is finished (Jn. 19:30) to make an end of sin - He put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. 9:26) to make atonement for iniquity - to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Heb. 2:17) to bring in everlasting righteousness - the many will be made righteous (Rom. 5:19) to seal up (fulfill) vision and prophecy - all the prophets announced these days (Acts 3:24) to anoint the most holy place - Verse 25 from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks - Decree - Artaxerxes I (458 BC) = x 7 = 483 years yrs = 26 AD - Christ born ~ 4 BC - When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age (Luke 3:23) - Messiah, means Anointed One - After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Matt. 3:16) <<< 26 AD 6

9 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate. Verse 26 after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off - He was cut off out of the land of the [a]living the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. - Note 1. This part of the prophecy was not dated within the framework of the 70 weeks. The predicted destruction found fulfillment in 70 A.D. when the armies of the prince, Roman general Titus, destroyed Jerusalem and the sanctuary and brought desolation Verse 27 He will make a firm covenant - He is the mediator of a new covenant (Heb. 9:15) with the many - My Servant, will justify the many (Isa. 53:11) - Yet He Himself bore the sin of many (Isa. 53:12) in the middle of the week (the 70th 7 year period) - ~ 31/2 years (duration of Christ s ministry) - The Gospel of John refers to three passovers he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering - there is no longer any offering for sin. (Heb. 10:18) - grain offering - i.e. non-bloody sacrifices on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction - See Note 1 above 7

10 The Mark of the Beast 1 It is the Number or Name of the Beast. Revelation 13: And he [the beast] causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. 2 It Belongs to All Non-Christians. Revelation 14: If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. Revelation 19:20 - And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. The Critters in Revelation A seven-headed dragon (Rev 12) - A seven-headed beast (Rev 13:1-4) - Another beast, like a lamb (Rev. 13:11-17) Called the false prophet (Rev. 16:13, 19:20) - Statue seen in Nebuchadnezzar s Dream (Daniel 2) Head of Gold: Babylonian Empire, Nebuchadnezzar Chest of Silver: Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great Belly of Bronze: Greek Empire, Alexander the Great Legs of Iron: Roman Empire, Caesar Beast(s) in Daniel s Dream & John s Vision (Daniel 7 & Rev. 13) Lion Bear Leopard 10-Horned Beast Date BC BC BC 169 BC to 476 AD 8