The End Times

I failed at getting these out to y'all last week...so here are the notes from March 3 finally! There will be another post later today with notes from this past Sunday. 

Have a great week!

 

Rolling Stone
The End Times
March 3, 2013

Review
What does each of these parables tell us about the last days?
• The rich fool (Luke 12:16-21)
• The barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9)
• The weeds (Matt. 13:24-30)
• The net (Matt. 13:47-50)
• The tenants (Matt. 21:33-44)
• The wedding feast (Matt. 22:1-14)
• The faithful servant/doorkeeper (Matt. 24:42-51)
• The ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13)

What does Jesus tell us in Matthew 24-25?

Other Passages on the Last Days
1 Thess. 4:13- 5:11
What incorrect thoughts is Paul trying to correct in the Thessalonians?

2 Thess. 1:5-2:12
What incorrect thoughts might Paul be addressing here?

Rev. 19-20

Dan. 9:24-27

The Study of Last Things (Eschatology)

This outline is based on Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Theology.
Definitely True
A. The return of Christ will happen and will be…
1. Sudden (Matt. 24:44)
2. Personal (John 14:3, 1 Thess. 4:16)
3. Visible (Acts 1:11)
4. Bodily (Acts 1:11)

B. We should eagerly long for Christ’s return1. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20)
2. “live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13)

C. We do / do not know when Christ will return (Matt. 24:44)

D. All Bible believing Christians agree on the final results of Christ’s return (Next week)
1. Judgment
2. New Heaven and New Earth

E. There is disagreement over the details by Godly Bible believing scholars
1. What the Millennium will be (is) like
2. Timeline of events
3. How the Jews will be saved (we have already discussed)

F. Could Christ come back at any time?
1. The coming of Christ will be Sudden and Unexpected (Matt 24:42-44, 50; 2 Peter 3:10; Rev. 22:7,12,20)
2. Signs will happen before Christ returns
a. The preaching of the Gospel to All Nations (Matt 24:14)
b. The Great Tribulation (Matt 24:15-22)
c. False prophets working signs and wonders (Matt 24:23-24)
d. Signs in the heavens (Matt. 24:29-30)
e. The coming of the man of sin and the rebellion (2 Thess 2:1-10)
f. The salvation of Israel (Rom. 11:12, 25-26)
g. Wars and rumors of wars/ famines/ earthquakes (Matt. 24-6-7)
3. What is the problem here? There is an apparent contradiction between His coming being unexpected and after there are signs. Three possible explanations:
a. There are two returns of Christ. (Rapture/Second Coming)
1) 1 Thess. 4:13-18
2) 2 Thess. 2:1
3) 1 Cor. 15:51-58
4) John 14:1-3
b. All the signs have been fulfilled, and therefore Christ could return.
c. It is unlikely, but possible that the signs have already been fulfilled.
1) Have each of these signs happened? it is unlikely, but possible.
4. Is it possible to be ready for something that we think unlikely to happen in the near future?
5. We do not know which will be the point that Christ will return.

“When these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28

Application
1. How would not believing that Jesus is coming back soon affect someone’s life?
2. How would believing that Jesus is coming back tomorrow affect someone’s life?
3. Do you eagerly long for Christ’s return? Why might you not long for that now?

What will happen to us as believers?
1) We die and go directly into the presence of God
2) We are still alive in the last days and we are raptured/caught up to be with Christ