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♪ theme music ♪

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(Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School,

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an in-depth, interactive study

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of the Word of God.

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I'm glad you joined us today

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as we continue a life-changing series

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of studies on the Gospel of Matthew.

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Today we're going to talk

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about "The Teachings of Jesus

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about the Last Days."

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A relevant topic,

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and I know you'll be blessed.

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So welcome to Hope Sabbath School

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and welcome to our team.

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What a great series of studies.

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I'm so thankful that the Spirit of God

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inspired a former tax collector,

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Levi Matthew, to write this account,

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and I'm excited today because

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one of our team, T ricia Lee,

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is going to be leading in our study.

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Tricia Lee, thanks for your commitment

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to the Word of God,

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and I know God is going to bless us

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in wonderful ways.

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We're just so glad

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that you're part of Hope Sabbath School,

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and when you write to us it brings joy

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to our hearts to hear
how God is blessing you.

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You can write to sshope@hopetv.org.

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You can also write a note

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on our Facebook page;

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we've got more than 150,000 followers

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on Facebook now, and it's wonderful.

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Sometimes we'll put a picture of you,

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if you send one.

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We're just part of a global family

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seeking God and wanting to be used

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to bless others with His Word.

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So thanks for writing.

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Ely writes from California.

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Anybody from California?

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Some of you have lived
in California, right?

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Okay.

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"Greetings to every Hope
Sabbath School member."

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Several of you look happy.

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"I watch your program every day.

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I learn a lot from the discussion.

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I also downloaded the app,

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and I love to watch the archives.

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I feast on the Word of God every day."

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Well, Ely, thanks for letting other

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Hope Sabbath School members know

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that if you go to our website,

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hopetv.org/hopess,

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you can not only watch programs

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in this series on the Gospel of Matthew

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that you might have missed,

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but you can watch a
multitude of past programs

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with wonderful topics

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that will be a blessing.

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If you have the app on your iPhone

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or your smartphone, you can access

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the archives there; you can watch

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all kinds of wonderful Bible studies.

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So thanks for putting in a little promo,

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Ely, for the app, and that's

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a wonderful blessing to many people.

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James writes from Ghana.

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Anyone with Ghanaian roots?

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We do have some occasionally on our team,

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don't we?

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"I enjoy your class and the contributions

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you make.

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I pick your contributions,

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and I replicate them in my class

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when I teach in my church."

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Is that good?

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(Team) Yes.

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(Derek) That's exactly
what we're hoping for.

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"Oh, how I wish I could contribute live,"

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says James.

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"Send my greetings to the
Hope Sabbath School team."

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Well, James, if you come over

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when we're filming, we'd love to have you

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as part of the program,

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but, you know, we're equally excited

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to know that you're leading a Bible study

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program there in your homeland of Ghana,

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and, along with tens of thousands

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who are downloading that outline,

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we're glad you're teaching
the Word to others.

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Benson writes from Kenya,

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and I know we've got one Kenyan.

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Eric, wave to your brother from Kenya.

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All right, a big smile for Benson

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writing from Kenya, "I
follow your programs.

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I am a Sunday School teacher."

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So Benson's teaching the Word

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in his church.

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"Please don't give up because your work

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is not in vain."

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) Ah, that's awesome!

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"God bless you all, amen."

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Well Benson, to know that you're a witness

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there in your church in Kenya

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brings great joy to our hearts.

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You encourage

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your other Sunday School members

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to watch Hope Sabbath School,

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and they'll learn much more about

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the Word of God, too.

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Here's one last note, actually, I've got

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a couple here; lots of people writing.

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I want to thank Jean

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for writing from Russia.

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You say, "Jean doesn't sound Russian."

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Well, Jean is from Rwanda,

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studying in Russia.

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"I greet you in the might name of
our soon-coming Savior Jesus Christ."

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) "Peace be with you.

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I am Rwandese, currently living

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and studying in Russia."

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Now I want you to listen
to Jean's testimony.

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"I discovered Hope Sabbath School

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in late 2014 shortly
after I came to Russia.

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I used to go through the
Sabbath School study by myself

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because I didn't have
anyone to study with me.

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Even after I discovered
a church in the city,

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it was still difficult because all
of the services were held in"...?

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(Team) Russian.

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(Derek) "...Russian, and I just
was learning the language.

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As a response to my longings,..."

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Somebody is going to say "amen" here,

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"As a response to my longings,

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God revealed Hope Sabbath School to me,"

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) "...and I was able to be part

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of the in-depth study of
the Word of God in English.

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It blessed me so much that even though

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I've now acquired enough language skills

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to discuss the lesson in Russian,

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I still watch Hope Sabbath School,

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and I'm blessed by that.

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I pray that you keep serving,
letting people know

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about the Word of God and that you

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might even broadcast
in different languages

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to reach many unreached
places for Christ."

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Well, Jean, I want to ask you to pray

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because we are moving forward 
with closed captioning,

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and we are looking for the opportunity

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for volunteer translators in a multitude

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of different languages so that people

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who don't have English as their language,

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even a major second language,

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will be able to watch and
read the closed captioning

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because, you know this
Gospel of the KIngdom

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is going to go the whole World,

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and then Jesus will come back,

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isn't that right?

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) So thank you for
being a witness there

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while you're studying in Russia.

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One last note from Alexander in Zimbabwe.

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Anyone from Zimbabwe?

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Simiso, hold your hand up
and wave to your brother,

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and we'll get that on the screen,

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all the way from Zimbabwe.

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"Greetings, Hope Sabbath School team."

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(Team) Greetings!

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(Derek) "I'm blessed to be watching

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Hope Sabbath School in Harare,

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capital of Zimbabwe.

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I really enjoy the discussions;

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they're so interactive and informative.

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May God bless you, the entire
Hope Sabbath School team,

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for spreading the Word of God."

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Well, you say that's a lot of emails

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coming from around the world,

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and, you know, we are just so glad

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that we can be part of a global family.

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And we're going to sing together now

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as a global family,

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and then Tricia Lee's going to lead us

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in a powerful study of the Word of God,

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"The Teachings of Jesus
about the Last Days,"

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but were singing now, Psalm 148.

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I hope you've learned it for this series,

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"Praise Him in the Heights."

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♪ music ♪

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(Derek) You know, I've got a feeling

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when we're done with this series,

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we're going to be singing
this in our sleep,

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but what a great Psalm to sing,

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"Praise Him in the Heights,"

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and, Tricia Lee, as you lead our
study today, I know we'll have a lot

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to praise Jesus for as He gives
us hope for the last days.

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(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

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Let us pray.

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Dear Lord, we need your Holy Spirit

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to help us to understand the times

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that we're living in.

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We need your Holy Spirit to help
us understand Your Word to us

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about the Last Days.

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Please bless this study,

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in Christ's name we pray, amen.

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(Derek, Team) Amen.

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(Tricia Lee) I am so excited that God

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has not left us in the dark about
what to expect will happen

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in the Last Days.

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Some people are very anxious
or nervous about the things

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that happen at the end of time.

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Some people have heard rumors or
strange stories of the apocalypse

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or even science fiction zombies,

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but God's Word reveals
to us what to expect.

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So as we study together, let's just
thank God that He has not left us

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in darkness about what
will come in the Last Days.

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(Derek, Team) Amen.

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(Tricia Lee) Let us turn our study

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to the Book of Matthew chapter 23.

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Before we hear what Jesus
teaches about the Last Days,

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first we find our study right
after the Triumphal Entry.

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Jesus has entered Jerusalem, and
He has met the religious leaders,

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and unfortunately they are filled
with envy and anger towards Him,

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and with a sorrowful heart He beings
to pronounce series of woes to them.

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Woe means misery or trouble to come,

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bad things that are happening, so 
He's arning them about the condition

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of their hard hearts and what that means.

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So let's see first, before
we talk about the Last Days,

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what Christ says to the religious
leaders and to the people at the time

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about these woes, this miserable
condition that they are unfortunately now

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finding themselves in
because they've rejected Him.

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Let's start in Matthew chapter 23.

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I'll ask Gary if he would
please read for us

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Matthew chapter 23, verses 1 through 12.

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(Gary) Okay, I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:

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(Tricia Lee) Amen.

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So before addressing the
Scribes and Pharisees,

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Christ first addresses the people,

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and He actually gives them some warnings.

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Nicole, would you summarize for us

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what has Christ warned the people
about in the verses we just read.

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(Nicole) Sure, I'm thinking back
to humility again and not being

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caught up in names and being
in certain places in society,

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and so I think He is warning
against being kind of hypocrites,

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you know, saying one thing out of
your mouth, but acting and living

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a way that's not reflecting
what you're saying.

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So I think this whole kind of 12 verses
talks about hypocrisy and warning

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against living a life that
you're not actually living.

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(Tricia Lee) That's correct.

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Let's keep reading now 
n verses 13 through 15,

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where now Jesus is speaking directly

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to the religious leaders and
pronounces these woes upon them.

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Olric will you please read
Matthew chapter 23:13-15?

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(Olric) Yes, I'll be reading
from the King James Version:

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(Tricia Lee) Wow, wow, strong words

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from Jesus here.

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Jonathan,would you summarize for us

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what is the rebuke that Jesus is giving
to the Scribes and Pharisees here?

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(Jonathan) It seems like
He is just underpinning

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their whole approach to the religion.

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They had set up all these rules and
set up all these different things,

265
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and He's calling their bluff.

266
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It's like, "You talk about My Kingdom,

267
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but you don't actually want people in;

268
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you don't invite people to
really live these things out.

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It's more this external thing for you."

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Strong
rebukes, but there is more.

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Juliana, will you continue reading for
us Matthew 23, verses 16 through 24?

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Juliana) Sure, and I will be reading
from the New King James Version:

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Wow, wow.

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Simiso, summarize for what is Jesus
rebuking the religious leaders.

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(Simiso) I think Jesus is rebuking

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the religious leaders to
be genuine and authentic

277
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and be ____16:30 rounded in terms of what

278
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Scripture requires of them.

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) That's correct.

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When we look at verses 21 and
22, it seems as though they have

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99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a lack of reverence for
the things that are holy.

282
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They're not really reverencing
what God is saying.

283
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What do we see in verse 24

284
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the tithing of mint and anise?

285
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Olric, what is Christ telling them or
for what is Christ rebuking them?

286
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) They had this teaching
back then that they were not

287
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to eat anything unclean, and the
gnat would be an unclean animal.

288
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So they will take time to make sure

289
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that the water does not contain any

290
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of these little bugs, but, you know,

291
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He is saying, "Your hypocrisy

292
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is so evident; you take time to pay tithe

293
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and cummin and this stuff.

294
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You're being outwardly religious,

295
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but inwardly you're not there because

296
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
things like faith and mercy, love,

297
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that you don't have.

298
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You take time to look
at these little things,

299
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but there are bigger things
that you're not doing."

300
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Have you
ever heard the phrase,

301
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"the letter of the law but
not the spirit of the law,"

302
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
being able to keep
certain requirements

303
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but not really having and
living the love to motivate it?

304
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's keep reading.

305
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There's some more rebukes
that Jesus gives them.

306
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jason, would you read for us
Matthew 23, verses 25 through 36.

307
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Jason) I'll be reading from
the New King James Version.

308
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew chapter 23, verses
25 through 36, says:

309
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Wow, these
are some strong words.

310
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I can't even imagine calling
someone a viper or a snake.

311
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's hard to even picture Jesus doing it.

312
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can imagine Him with tears in His eyes

313
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
telling those people that he loved

314
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
those scathing rebukes.

315
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why do you think the rebukes of Jesus

316
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
were so harsh?

317
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why was He speaking to them so severely?

318
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nathan.

319
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nathan) I think we can read this in two
different ways, but we should read it

320
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
thinking of Jesus with tears
in His eyes and in His voice.

321
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When you look at the next verse that
follows, verse 37 in Matthew 23.

322
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Can I read it from the New King
James Version, where He says:

323
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I mean, the pain in His voice; He's
longing for them to be saved, and He says,

324
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"You're not willing to come to it."

325
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It reminds me of, I think in Isaiah, God
speaking through the prophet says,

326
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"All day long I stood with My
arms open wide to a stiff-necked

327
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and rebellious people," -- Here
He is calling you to salvation,

328
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and you're turning away, not just
turning away but rebelling against Him.

329
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) And it's sad; it's sad.

330
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
In a previous study, we've talked about
the choices that we all have to make,

331
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and that God wants us to choose Him,

332
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but we do have the free
will to choose otherwise.

333
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) You know, I'm thinking,

334
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Tricia Lee, I really appreciate what
Nathan said about the love of Jesus.

335
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And there were some Pharisees,

336
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nicodemus was a Pharisee

337
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and also a member of the Sanhedrin,

338
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who did repent.

339
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Yes, praise God.

340
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) So you know, if Jesus was

341
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
just kind of harsh and kind of fighting

342
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with the weapons of this world

343
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or acting like they acted,

344
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they'd have an excuse,

345
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but I think He is speaking
with love in His heart.

346
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And, praise God, some of
the Scribes and Pharisees

347
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
said, "We need to repent;

348
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we need to turn our lives around."

349
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

350
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Reading through this passage,

351
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
something was very interesting,

352
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I'd like to ask the
class this question:

353
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
How could He say that the guilt of all
the righteous blood, all the martyrs

354
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
would fall on this generation?

355
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What does that mean?

356
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
How are they guilty of all these things?

357
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They're just living their little lives;

358
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
how is it that He can say that the
blood of all the righteous from Abel

359
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to Zechariah would fall
on this generation?

360
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Any idea what was the significance
of that statement, Missy?

361
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Missy) All throughout the generations,

362
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God has sent prophets,

363
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
throughout all ages,

364
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but along with the prophets
were the dissenters

365
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who chose not to listen to them,
and not only that, to oppose them

366
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and even kill the prophets.

367
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And they have the same spirit,

368
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so this is why they would carry the guilt.

369
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) I think you're right, Missy.

370
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's turn to Luke chapter 24,

371
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we'll see that the Bible supports

372
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what you just said, Missy.

373
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Luke chapter 24,

374
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and, Eric, would you read for us Luke
chapter 24, verses 25 through 27?

375
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Eric) I'm reading from the
New Living Translation,

376
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Luke 24:25-27, and it says:

377
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, that's right, Missy.

378
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
All the prophets were all
given the same message,

379
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the Gospel of Jesus that was
to come, the Messiah to come,

380
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they were all testifying to Him,

381
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so every generation, when they kept
rejecting the prophets that were sent

382
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to them, they were rejecting Christ,

383
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and ultimately when that generation
rejected Christ, they were rejecting

384
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the entire message that had been sent
to them time after time after time.

385
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jonathan?

386
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Jonathan) Just the fact that not
only did they reject the sayings

387
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that were entrusted to them, now
they came with greater power.

388
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I mean, like, when you have
Christ doing all these miracles,

389
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so if they reject Christ, who is
the fulfillment and testimony

390
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and perfect representation of
everything they were given,

391
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they in essence have rejected it and
killed everything else before them.

392
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) But, you know, we have no excuse

393
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because we have Jesus,

394
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and yet, you know, one of the things
I've noticed teaching about Jesus,

395
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there are many young people who
grow up in a Christian home

396
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who have never read the Book of
Matthew or Mark or Luke or John.

397
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They have the testimony of Jesus Himself,

398
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and yet a lot of times we
act like it doesn't exist.

399
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) That would be
the rebuke to our generation.

400
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) I think it would be.

401
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) The rebuke to our generation

402
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is that we have this Word that has
survived generation after generation,

403
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we know that it's been
preserved through time

404
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
exactly as it was spoken through
the prophets and written down,

405
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we know the life of Christ, and so here
we are today with such grace, such mercy,

406
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and if we still choose not to accept
God, then that's the rebuke that we have

407
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on ourselves.

408
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're going to keep reading now,

409
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we're going to transition
now to Matthew chapter 24

410
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and get into the real heart of our study.

411
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're going to now see that Jesus leaves
the Temple, again, tears in His eyes.

412
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Thank you Nathan, and I believe
He had tears in His eyes, too.

413
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Sad that the people were doubting
Him and not believing Him,

414
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and now we're going to
see another conversation

415
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that He and the disciples get into
that leads us to this amazing prophecy

416
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the destruction of Jerusalem
as well as the Last Day events.

417
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're going to read in Matthew chapter 24.

418
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'm going to ask Nicole if she
would start reading for us

419
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14.

420
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nicole) Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14,

421
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'm reading from the New
International Version,

422
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and it says:

423
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Nicole,
would you pause there?

424
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I have a question for the group.

425
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What do you think they mean by that?

426
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The "end of the age?"

427
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
My New King James Version
says, the "end of the age."

428
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Does anyone's Bible say
something different?

429
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Anyone have "end of the world?"

430
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) What was happening here,

431
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they were equating whatever destruction

432
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
would come to Jerusalem
with the end of the world.

433
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So they put the two events together

434
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because this is how they
saw it in their own minds.

435
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That's why they asked Jesus
the question in that manner.

436
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Missy) It was a dual prophecy.

437
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It was talking about two separate events,

438
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but they run parallel to each other.

439
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) Well, I think Olric's right,

440
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that they thought, "That must be the end

441
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of the world, if every stone in this
Temple of God is going to be torn down."

442
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We know that it's not going
to be the end of the world,

443
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it's only 40 years later in 70 A.D.

444
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it will be fulfilled, but
I think in their minds,

445
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as Olric said, they're thinking that
must be one and the same thing

446
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as the end of all things.

447
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Yes, one thing's for certain,

448
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if we have questions on what that means

449
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we're going to find out
as we keep reading,

450
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but certainly as we listen to
what's going to be read to us

451
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as we continue in chapter 24.

452
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The end of the age - it
was something drastic.

453
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The end of the world is
what you described, Olric,

454
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and that's the context that the
disciples had in asking this question,

455
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what is the site of this big,
grand, finale, if you would.

456
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So Nicole, please keep reading for us.

457
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nicole) I'm reading from
verse 4 of Matthew 24.

458
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It says:

459
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

460
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Missy, you were right that
this is dual prophecy,

461
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so we're going to continue reading

462
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and skip down to verses 21 through 28

463
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the prophecy regarding
the last days and the end times.

464
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'm going to ask Alex if he would
read for us verses 21 through 28.

465
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Alex) Sure, and I'll be reading
from the King James Version:

466
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

467
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
One last set of verses,

468
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nancy, would you please read
verses 32 and 33 for us?

469
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nancy) Okay, and this is
from Matthew 24, verse 32

470
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the New King James Version:

471
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, at the doors.

472
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So let's talk about these amazing,
amazing Scriptures, amazing prophecy,

473
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jesus letting us know what to expect

474
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the last days.

475
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What signs of the last days do
you see even today taking place?

476
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Olric.

477
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) Wars, rumors of wars, you
have nation rising against nation,

478
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and it's becoming more prevalent,

479
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but not just more prevalent,

480
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but they're using more
sophisticated weapons

481
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for their warfare,

482
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and it doesn't, you
know, seem to be ending.

483
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) OKay, Juliana.

484
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Juliana) Olric mentions
things that are involving man,

485
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but I think that the
Earth is also groaning.

486
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're seeing more and
more earthquakes.

487
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I think of what happened
not that long ago in Nepal,

488
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and there's also been things in Mexico

489
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and in Africa and just all over the world.

490
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We have earthquakes, we have famines.

491
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There's things happening in rivers,

492
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that animals are dying,

493
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the environment...it's groaning;

494
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it's asking for Christ to come back.

495
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Alex.

496
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Alex) I think there are many
false prophets now, too.

497
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Just more and more all the time I
see preachers and pastors coming

498
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
out with these end-time preachings
and end-time things, and even a lot

499
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of our friends are really
getting into these things,

500
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Here, check out this message," and such.

501
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And it's like, wow, if I didn't know the
truth, this would be so easy to believe.

502
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You know, how they point things out in the
world, but it's so easy to be deceived.

503
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Jonathan.

504
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Jonathan) I think it's interesting to
look at the things He chooses and how

505
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He lays them out.

506
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I feel like in some sense He kind of
picks the things, not so much that we can

507
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
calculate the end of time, but more to
say, okay, what do we need to look at

508
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because, I mean, a lot of the things
He lays out happen throughout history.

509
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The church was persecuted, you have
earthquakes, I mean, that's been happening

510
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for a lot of time.

511
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And certainly He does say things
that get close to the end of time,

512
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but I think also He's just saying for
the disciples and for us in general

513
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a way to look at the world and to
have our hearts...and how to respond

514
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to the things that happen.

515
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So I think it's kind of, "how to
live in the context of My Coming."

516
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) And I think the positive thing

517
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is the Gospel is going
to go to the whole world,

518
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and then the end's going to come.

519
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Yes.

520
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) You know, I think the joy we have

521
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as a little team, Hope Sabbath School,

522
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is that we're a little part of that,

523
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and technology even in the lifetime

524
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of many of our viewers,

525
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there's been a revolution
in terms of communication.

526
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And, of course, the Enemy's
wanting to use that,

527
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as Alex said, to promote false ideas

528
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and just idolatry,

529
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but I believe God's going to use that

530
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
by His Spirit, too.

531
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're on the brink of where the Message

532
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
can go rapidly around the world.

533
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

534
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Alex, you mentioned the false
christs that come in the last days,

535
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what's our safeguard against

536
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the deception of a false christ, or

537
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
let's talk some more about
what does that look like,

538
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a false christ or someone that's
coming in the name of Christ, Olric.

539
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) I've looked through
the Old Testament,

540
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I've seen some scenarios where

541
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
false messages were
brought to God's people.

542
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We see in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve

543
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with the Devil tempting
them with false words.

544
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Even in the case of in a
previous study we did Jeremiah,

545
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we see Jeremiah being countered there by
an individual by the name of Hananiah.

546
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The problem with these false christs,

547
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
false teachers, they propel messages

548
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that seem to distract God's people

549
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
from God's way of doing things, the way

550
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God had commanded.

551
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And the way to counter this,

552
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as we will see from the Word of God,

553
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is through the truth
like Isaiah 8, verse 20.

554
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Let's go there.

555
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's go there, Isaiah 8, verse 20,

556
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and Olric, will you read that for us?

557
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) Isaiah 8, verse 20,

558
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
reading from the King James Version:

559
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Wow.

560
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So what I heard you say, Olric, is

561
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there may not just be
manifestations of people

562
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
saying that they
are a false messiah

563
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to physically "follow me," but even
teachings of false Christianity

564
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that can also be a way to deceive people

565
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the last days.

566
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) Right, and I think Alex made a really important point

567
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when he said, "I could follow what some of my friends are saying

568
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if I didn't study the Word."

569
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Because these people, they do signs and wonders, it says,

570
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and they're religious;

571
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they're false christs and false prophets,

572
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so they speak about maybe needing

573
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to be close to God, and, you know,

574
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it all sounds good,

575
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but it's false.

576
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So, you know, we shouldn't
try to [point out],

577
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Oh, is that false;" we should be focusing

578
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on the true and on Jesus
who is the true Christ,

579
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because when we see the false

580
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we will immediately recognize

581
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that it isn't the truth.

582
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) There's another promise
that Jesus Himself has made

583
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to His believers, and
I'm going to ask Missy

584
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if she would read for us John
chapter 10, verses 27 and 28.

585
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
John chapter 10:27, 28.

586
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And it is a bit scary for some to
think that you could be deceived

587
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
by false teachers and false miracles

588
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and false people to lead us astray,

589
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but I thank God that He has
this promise recorded for us.

590
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) Amen.

591
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Missy) I'm reading from the
New International Version:

592
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) Amen.

593
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee, Team) Amen.

594
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) We are safe
in the hands of Jesus.

595
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"My sheep hear my voice...
and they will follow."

596
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Thank you for reading that
Scripture in Isaiah, Olric.

597
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If there is a message or a person that's
not speaking according to the Word of God,

598
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
then that's an alarm for us,

599
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but He's also promised
that He will keep us,

600
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that we will recognize His voice, and
I believe there are so many examples

601
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the Bible of the Lord
revealing Himself to His people,

602
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
literally leading His people through
the wilderness by day and by night,

603
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and so even in the midst of strong
deception in the last days,

604
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if we keep our eyes on Jesus,
He will see us through.

605
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Simiso, let's read another
promise from the Lord

606
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on why we shouldn't be afraid

607
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and should not be discouraged.

608
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Simiso, would you read John
chapter 14, verses 1 through 3.

609
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why we should not be afraid
of these last day events.

610
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Simiso) John 14, verses 1 through 3,

611
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I'm reading from the
New King James Version:

612
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

613
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So the last days are a necessary step

614
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the process of getting us closer

615
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to going Home.

616
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jesus is coming back to take us Home

617
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to be with Him, and as
scary as last day events,

618
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
wars and earthquakes and pestilence

619
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and family members betraying
one another, may sound,

620
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God has promised to keep us

621
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the promise is that when He returns

622
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He is going to take us Home with Him.

623
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek, Tricia Lee) Praise God.

624
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Missy mentioned earlier

625
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that there was a dual prophecy,

626
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that the disciples were thinking

627
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the destruction of Jerusalem,

628
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and Jesus answered their question

629
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about when those things
would take place as well.

630
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's read the verses
where Jesus describes

631
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the destruction of Jerusalem.

632
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Eric, would you read for us Matthew

633
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
chapter 24, verses 15 through 20?

634
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Eric) I'm reading from
the New Living Translation,

635
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and it says:

636
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

637
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Gary, we talked a bit earlier about
it being difficult for the disciples

638
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to think about the destruction of
Jerusalem to happen at any other time

639
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
than at the end of the world.

640
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why was that?

641
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why did they connect the two together?

642
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Gary) I guess how they related

643
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to the Temple, their mission;

644
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they're the people of God.

645
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They couldn't get past the fact that

646
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if this is not going to
be in existence anymore,

647
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
than that must mean everything
must be falling apart.

648
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) You know, I think they're trusting

649
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the building rather than in God.

650
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And before we judge them and go,

651
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"That's really foolish," I think we could

652
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
trust in our institutions,

653
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we could trust in our organization,

654
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the truth of the matter is,

655
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
before this is all over,

656
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a lot of those things could collapse.

657
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) That's true, it's true.

658
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) And all we have is
to hold on to our Savior,

659
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you know, because we know
that He's going through.

660
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He's going to take us
through to the very end.

661
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But lest we be too hard on them, I think

662
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they associated confidence in God,

663
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
now it's the building,

664
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and pretty soon God's kind of set aside,

665
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and they're just trusting
in their structures.

666
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) You're absolutely right.

667
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're going to have to let go
of a lot of ideas that we have,

668
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
things that we hold dear,

669
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to accept Jesus and in His return.

670
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Juliana, would you read for us.

671
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's turn to Philippians chapter 3:7-8,

672
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we'll hear an account of someone

673
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who had to let go of some
things they held dear.

674
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Philippians chapter 3, verses 7 and 8.

675
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Juliana) I'm reading from
the New King James Version:

676
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen!

677
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What we didn't read is that previously

678
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we're hearing an account of having
confidence in self and being able

679
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to keep the Law and being
of the stock of Israel,

680
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
all the things that I'm sure the disciples

681
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
are very proud of in thinking about

682
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the institution and the Temple.

683
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They had to let those things go,

684
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and surely we will have to
let some things go, as well,

685
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to accept Christ.

686
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We talked in a previous study
about falling on the Rock,

687
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
submitting to Christ

688
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and learning to count the things of
God as gain and learning how to let go.

689
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's keep reading in Matthew chapter 24.

690
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Not only does Jesus tell
us what to look for

691
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in His coming, but He gives
us a description of His coming,

692
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and certainly this is key because

693
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we're watching and we're waiting,

694
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we want to be ready when He comes,

695
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we want to know what we're looking for

696
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when He comes.

697
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So, Nathan, would you please read for us

698
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew 24, verses 27 through 31?

699
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nathan) All right, I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:

700
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee)