October 1, 2006
"Understanding the End Times"
God is Not Slow in Keeping His Promise—Part 1
Selected Verses
"The church has known for 2,000 years that Jesus is coming again."
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
—John 14:1-3
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
—Acts 1:9-11
1. The "Blessed Hope" of Christians.
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.Therefore encourage each other with these words.
—1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
- Instruction to young pastors
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
—Titus 2:11-15
- Personal testimony of Paul
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
—2 Timothy 4:7-8
"Are you ready? How does it affect your day-to-day living?"
2. The struggle of delay.
"We believe in the personal, pre-millennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this 'blessed hope' has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer."
—Article 11, EFCA Doctrinal Statement
"Imminent means it is about to happen! Jesus is coming!"
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
—2 Peter 3:3-4
Read: 2 Corinthians 6:2
"We must see with spiritual eyes."
3. Delay means salvation.
"God's plan is right on schedule."
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance... Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation...
—2 Peter 3:9,15
"Who are you praying for that needs to know Jesus?"
4. Understanding the spiritual nature of history.
How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.
—Isaiah 14:12-15
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
—Matthew 4:8-9
Read: 2 Corinthians 11:14
"The purpose of prophecy is not to entertain the curious, but to inform the church."
5. What difference does this make to me?
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly livesas you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming...
—2 Peter 3:10-12
"Speed His coming by doing His work."
"Understanding the End Times
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- When told to, "Wait" for something special like opening a birthday present or, "You better be good, Christmas is coming," how does that affect your behavior in the meantime?
- What questions do you have about prophecy and the "End Times"? What do the majority of people you know believe about the end of the world? (A) We will find a way to stop it. (B) It will probably happen, but not in my lifetime. (C) We are on the verge of self-destruction right now. (D) Other.
Digging Deeper: Read 2 Peter 3
- What theme does Peter discuss in this chapter? What must we understand as we read this chapter? (Look at 2 Peter 1:20-21.)
- Why does God's creation of the earth support Peter's contention that He will also destroy the earth? Why is that so difficult for people to believe or is it? What does it tell you about people's perception of God?
- What frustration does God's patience produce? What is the benefit of God's patience? How does God's view of time differ from our view of time? In verses 10-16 is Peter addressing the certainty, the timing, or the manner of Christ's coming?
- What type of home are we looking forward to? What type of home do we currently have? How does that change your thinking about what is important now and how you ought to live?
- What are Peter's final words of wisdom in this chapter? (Look at both verses 17 and 18.)
Applying It To My Life
- If you were in charge of the world's clock, would you speed it up or slow it down? Why?
- If you were in charge of creating, redeeming or destroying the world, which of these would you spend more time doing?
- What can you do to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?