Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Lesson 46.2: Looking At The Future - Part 3 of 4

Brief 4-to-5 Minute Teaching Lesson

Why? and What is the Purpose? in My Life SERIES

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The continuation of lesson 46 of the Discipleship Making process, where in part two of this lesson we were left to consider the following questions, “What will be the sign of your coming?”, and “What will be the sign of the end of the age?”.

In summary of part two, scene two of the Olivet Discourse (on the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane), we found Jesus alone with Peter, James, John, and Andrew, answering the first of their three end of time events questions: “When will this time of false prophets and birth pangs be?”. We learned from Jesus, in answer to this question, that this time would be evident with wars, plagues, famines (Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:3-4), numerous false messiahs (Matthew 24:4-8, Mark 13:5-8), a great falling away of believers from the faith, many false prophets (Matthew 24:9-14, Mark 13:12-13), the Abomination of Desolation in Jerusalem, tribulation on believers like non-other in history (Matthew 24:15-22, Mark 13:14-20), and many claims of sightings of the messiah (Matthew 24:23-28, Mark 13:21-23). It is here that we pick-up where we left off, Jesus answering the two remaining end time events questions, posed by Peter, James, John, and Andrew, regarding the signs of His future return, and His corresponding commands to keep His disciples alert, aware, and expectant.

Scene 2: The Mount of Olives (continued) (Matthew 24:29-25:46, Mark 13:24-37, Luke 21:25-36)

What Will Be The Sign of Christ’s Coming? – The Cloud: Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28
  • the Son of Man: a reference Jesus used concerning himself - Daniel 7:13-14.
  • coming on the clouds of the sky: the sign of Jesus’ return is His appearance in the cloud (ex.Acts 1:9-11). The specific cloud that is being talked about in Hebrew is called the Sh’khinah: the cloud of glory. It is the same cloud that led the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings, became a pillar of fire at night and filled the Temple of God. It always indicates the presence of God.
  • a great trumpet: the trumpet referred to is a Shofar: a ram’s horn. The shofar is sounded at two Feasts (appointed times) of the Lord: The Day of Blowing (the horn) and The Day of Atonement. These feasts mark the beginning and end of a period of time in which people are called to repentance toward God. The “last or “great trump” is known by the note it sounds: a “Tekiah Gedola”. The note begins at the end of the Day of Blowing and is completed during the “closing of the gate” ceremony at the end of the Day of Atonement. This trump is blown for an extended amount of time insuring that anyone desiring to repent of his sins will be given opportunity to do so.
Parable of the Fig Tree: Matthew 24:32-33, Mark 13:28-29, Luke 21:29-31
  • when you see all these things: refer to the previous passage of Scripture concerning “signs in the heavens”.
What Will Be The Sign of the End of the Age? - When Heaven and Earth Pass Away: Matthew 24:34-36, Mark 13:30, Luke 21:32
  • Heaven and earth will pass away: According to the book of Revelation this does not occur until after the 1000-year reign of Christ on earth, followed by the great white throne of judgment.
  • But of that day or hour no one knows: “That day” is referring to the day heaven and earth pass away and is known only by the Father. Also on that day a new heaven and earth will be created.
Like the Days of Noah: Matthew 24:37-41

Be Alert: Matthew 24:42-44

Be on Guard: Luke 21:34-36
  • Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation: Excess.
Be Alert: Mark 13:33-37
  • at cockcrowing: the third of the Roman night watches known as “cock-crowing” ended at 3:00 AM.
Faithful or Unfaithful: Matthew 24:45-51

Parable of the Ten Virgins: Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14-30

The Son of Man in His Glory: Matthew 25:31-46

In part 4 of this lesson, we will look at the Apostle Paul’s commentary on these same events, while at the end of the lesson we will be comparing the sequence of end time events through the words of Jesus, Paul, and the book of Revelation.

Until next time . . . Godspeed!

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