WEBVTT 00:00:00.178 --> 00:00:19.270 ♪ theme music ♪ 00:00:19.270 --> 00:00:21.070 (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, 00:00:21.070 --> 00:00:23.250 an in-depth, interactive study 00:00:23.250 --> 00:00:24.470 of the Word of God. 00:00:24.470 --> 00:00:26.090 I'm glad you joined us today 00:00:26.090 --> 00:00:29.270 as we continue a life-changing series 00:00:29.270 --> 00:00:31.190 of studies on the Gospel of Matthew. 00:00:31.190 --> 00:00:32.550 Today we're going to talk 00:00:32.550 --> 00:00:34.350 about "The Teachings of Jesus 00:00:34.350 --> 00:00:36.370 about the Last Days." 00:00:36.370 --> 00:00:37.790 A relevant topic, 00:00:37.790 --> 00:00:39.250 and I know you'll be blessed. 00:00:39.250 --> 00:00:40.950 So welcome to Hope Sabbath School 00:00:40.950 --> 00:00:42.150 and welcome to our team. 00:00:42.150 --> 00:00:43.771 What a great series of studies. 00:00:43.771 --> 00:00:46.090 I'm so thankful that the Spirit of God 00:00:46.090 --> 00:00:48.070 inspired a former tax collector, 00:00:48.070 --> 00:00:50.190 Levi Matthew, to write this account, 00:00:50.190 --> 00:00:52.090 and I'm excited today because 00:00:52.090 --> 00:00:53.610 one of our team, Tricia Lee, 00:00:53.610 --> 00:00:55.108 is going to be leading in our study. 00:00:55.108 --> 00:00:57.638 Tricia Lee, thanks for your commitment 00:00:57.638 --> 00:00:58.598 to the Word of God, 00:00:58.598 --> 00:01:00.238 and I know God is going to bless us 00:01:00.238 --> 00:01:01.878 in wonderful ways. 00:01:01.878 --> 00:01:03.258 We're just so glad 00:01:03.258 --> 00:01:04.938 that you're part of Hope Sabbath School, 00:01:04.938 --> 00:01:07.218 and when you write to us it brings joy 00:01:07.218 --> 00:01:10.038 to our hearts to hear how God is blessing you. 00:01:10.038 --> 00:01:13.098 You can write to sshope@hopetv.org. 00:01:13.098 --> 00:01:14.778 You can also write a note 00:01:14.778 --> 00:01:16.018 on our Facebook page; 00:01:16.018 --> 00:01:19.078 we've got more than 150,000 followers 00:01:19.078 --> 00:01:21.378 on Facebook now, and it's wonderful. 00:01:21.378 --> 00:01:22.718 Sometimes we'll put a picture of you, 00:01:22.718 --> 00:01:23.938 if you send one. 00:01:23.938 --> 00:01:25.758 We're just part of a global family 00:01:25.758 --> 00:01:28.258 seeking God and wanting to be used 00:01:28.258 --> 00:01:30.238 to bless others with His Word. 00:01:30.238 --> 00:01:31.638 So thanks for writing. 00:01:31.638 --> 00:01:33.218 Ely writes from California. 00:01:33.218 --> 00:01:35.518 Anybody from California? 00:01:35.518 --> 00:01:38.038 Some of you have lived in California, right? 00:01:38.038 --> 00:01:38.898 Okay. 00:01:38.898 --> 00:01:40.878 "Greetings to every Hope Sabbath School member." 00:01:40.878 --> 00:01:45.282 Several of you look happy. 00:01:45.282 --> 00:01:47.202 "I watch your program every day. 00:01:47.202 --> 00:01:48.902 I learn a lot from the discussion. 00:01:48.902 --> 00:01:51.102 I also downloaded the app, 00:01:51.102 --> 00:01:53.742 and I love to watch the archives. 00:01:53.742 --> 00:01:56.302 I feast on the Word of God every day." 00:01:56.302 --> 00:01:58.582 Well, Ely, thanks for letting other 00:01:58.582 --> 00:01:59.922 Hope Sabbath School members know 00:01:59.922 --> 00:02:01.922 that if you go to our website, 00:02:01.922 --> 00:02:05.122 hopetv.org/hopess, 00:02:05.122 --> 00:02:07.702 you can not only watch programs 00:02:07.702 --> 00:02:09.402 in this series on the Gospel of Matthew 00:02:09.402 --> 00:02:10.642 that you might have missed, 00:02:10.642 --> 00:02:13.542 but you can watch a multitude of past programs 00:02:13.542 --> 00:02:15.262 with wonderful topics 00:02:15.262 --> 00:02:16.422 that will be a blessing. 00:02:16.422 --> 00:02:19.042 If you have the app on your iPhone 00:02:19.042 --> 00:02:21.602 or your smartphone, you can access 00:02:21.602 --> 00:02:22.862 the archives there; you can watch 00:02:22.862 --> 00:02:25.462 all kinds of wonderful Bible studies. 00:02:25.462 --> 00:02:27.702 So thanks for putting in a little promo, 00:02:27.702 --> 00:02:30.682 Ely, for the app, and that's 00:02:30.682 --> 00:02:32.442 a wonderful blessing to many people. 00:02:32.442 --> 00:02:34.562 James writes from Ghana. 00:02:34.562 --> 00:02:36.182 Anyone with Ghanaian roots? 00:02:36.182 --> 00:02:38.762 We do have some occasionally on our team, 00:02:38.762 --> 00:02:39.742 don't we? 00:02:39.742 --> 00:02:41.922 "I enjoy your class and the contributions 00:02:41.922 --> 00:02:43.042 you make. 00:02:43.042 --> 00:02:45.799 I pick your contributions, 00:02:45.799 --> 00:02:48.579 and I replicate them in my class 00:02:48.579 --> 00:02:50.359 when I teach in my church." 00:02:50.359 --> 00:02:51.399 Is that good? 00:02:51.399 --> 00:02:52.219 (Team) Yes. 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:53.579 (Derek) That's exactly what we're hoping for. 00:02:53.579 --> 00:02:56.199 "Oh, how I wish I could contribute live," 00:02:56.199 --> 00:02:57.459 says James. 00:02:57.459 --> 00:03:00.239 "Send my greetings to the Hope Sabbath School team." 00:03:00.239 --> 00:03:02.359 Well, James, if you come over 00:03:02.359 --> 00:03:04.439 when we're filming, we'd love to have you 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:05.619 as part of the program, 00:03:05.619 --> 00:03:07.419 but, you know, we're equally excited 00:03:07.419 --> 00:03:09.879 to know that you're leading a Bible study 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.959 program there in your homeland of Ghana, 00:03:11.959 --> 00:03:14.179 and, along with tens of thousands 00:03:14.179 --> 00:03:15.939 who are downloading that outline, 00:03:15.939 --> 00:03:18.159 we're glad you're teaching the Word to others. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:21.419 Benson writes from Kenya, 00:03:21.419 --> 00:03:22.959 and I know we've got one Kenyan. 00:03:22.959 --> 00:03:25.199 Eric, wave to your brother from Kenya. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:27.659 All right, a big smile for Benson 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:31.059 writing from Kenya, "I follow your programs. 00:03:31.059 --> 00:03:32.879 I am a Sunday School teacher." 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:34.999 So Benson's teaching the Word 00:03:34.999 --> 00:03:37.039 in his church. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:38.959 "Please don't give up because your work 00:03:38.959 --> 00:03:40.239 is not in vain." 00:03:40.239 --> 00:03:41.259 (Team) Amen. 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:42.279 (Derek) Ah, that's awesome! 00:03:42.279 --> 00:03:43.159 "God bless you all, amen." 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:44.999 Well Benson, to know that you're a witness 00:03:44.999 --> 00:03:47.354 there in your church in Kenya 00:03:47.354 --> 00:03:49.574 brings great joy to our hearts. 00:03:49.574 --> 00:03:50.294 You encourage 00:03:50.294 --> 00:03:51.794 your other Sunday School members 00:03:51.794 --> 00:03:53.834 to watch Hope Sabbath School, 00:03:53.834 --> 00:03:55.454 and they'll learn much more about 00:03:55.454 --> 00:03:57.274 the Word of God, too. 00:03:57.274 --> 00:03:59.814 Here's one last note, actually, I've got 00:03:59.814 --> 00:04:01.574 a couple here; lots of people writing. 00:04:01.574 --> 00:04:04.094 I want to thank Jean 00:04:04.094 --> 00:04:06.734 for writing from Russia. 00:04:06.734 --> 00:04:08.654 You say, "Jean doesn't sound Russian." 00:04:08.654 --> 00:04:10.674 Well, Jean is from Rwanda, 00:04:10.674 --> 00:04:12.514 studying in Russia. 00:04:12.514 --> 00:04:17.634 "I greet you in the might name of our soon-coming Savior Jesus Christ." 00:04:17.634 --> 00:04:18.614 (Team) Amen. 00:04:18.614 --> 00:04:20.154 (Derek) "Peace be with you. 00:04:20.154 --> 00:04:22.474 I am Rwandese, currently living 00:04:22.474 --> 00:04:24.214 and studying in Russia." 00:04:24.214 --> 00:04:26.754 Now I want you to listen to Jean's testimony. 00:04:26.754 --> 00:04:28.954 "I discovered Hope Sabbath School 00:04:28.954 --> 00:04:33.514 in late 2014 shortly after I came to Russia. 00:04:33.514 --> 00:04:38.054 I used to go through the Sabbath School study by myself 00:04:38.054 --> 00:04:40.794 because I didn't have anyone to study with me. 00:04:40.794 --> 00:04:44.154 Even after I discovered a church in the city, 00:04:44.154 --> 00:04:46.494 it was still difficult because all of the services were held in"...? 00:04:46.494 --> 00:04:49.770 (Team) Russian. 00:04:49.770 --> 00:04:51.690 (Derek) "...Russian, and I just was learning the language. 00:04:51.690 --> 00:04:55.470 As a response to my longings,..." 00:04:55.470 --> 00:04:56.730 Somebody is going to say "amen" here, 00:04:56.730 --> 00:04:58.830 "As a response to my longings, 00:04:58.830 --> 00:05:00.810 God revealed Hope Sabbath School to me," 00:05:00.810 --> 00:05:01.630 (Team) Amen. 00:05:01.630 --> 00:05:03.430 (Derek) "...and I was able to be part 00:05:03.430 --> 00:05:06.790 of the in-depth study of the Word of God in English. 00:05:06.790 --> 00:05:09.910 It blessed me so much that even though 00:05:09.910 --> 00:05:11.830 I've now acquired enough language skills 00:05:11.830 --> 00:05:14.450 to discuss the lesson in Russian, 00:05:14.450 --> 00:05:17.030 I still watch Hope Sabbath School, 00:05:17.030 --> 00:05:18.890 and I'm blessed by that. 00:05:18.890 --> 00:05:22.370 I pray that you keep serving, letting people know 00:05:22.370 --> 00:05:24.949 about the Word of God and that you 00:05:24.949 --> 00:05:28.090 might even broadcast in different languages 00:05:28.090 --> 00:05:31.230 to reach many unreached places for Christ." 00:05:31.230 --> 00:05:33.190 Well, Jean, I want to ask you to pray 00:05:33.190 --> 00:05:37.630 because we are moving forward with closed captioning, 00:05:37.630 --> 00:05:39.950 and we are looking for the opportunity 00:05:39.950 --> 00:05:42.470 for volunteer translators in a multitude 00:05:42.470 --> 00:05:45.210 of different languages so that people 00:05:45.210 --> 00:05:47.130 who don't have English as their language, 00:05:47.130 --> 00:05:48.190 even a major second language, 00:05:48.190 --> 00:05:53.595 will be able to watch and read the closed captioning 00:05:53.595 --> 00:05:54.795 because, you know this Gospel of the KIngdom 00:05:54.795 --> 00:05:56.175 is going to go the whole World, 00:05:56.175 --> 00:05:57.695 and then Jesus will come back, 00:05:57.695 --> 00:05:58.755 isn't that right? 00:05:58.755 --> 00:05:59.855 (Team) Amen. 00:05:59.855 --> 00:06:01.355 (Derek) So thank you for being a witness there 00:06:01.355 --> 00:06:02.855 while you're studying in Russia. 00:06:02.855 --> 00:06:06.435 One last note from Alexander in Zimbabwe. 00:06:06.435 --> 00:06:07.495 Anyone from Zimbabwe? 00:06:07.495 --> 00:06:10.095 Simiso, hold your hand up and wave to your brother, 00:06:10.095 --> 00:06:11.515 and we'll get that on the screen, 00:06:11.515 --> 00:06:12.855 all the way from Zimbabwe. 00:06:12.855 --> 00:06:15.115 "Greetings, Hope Sabbath School team." 00:06:15.115 --> 00:06:16.115 (Team) Greetings! 00:06:16.115 --> 00:06:17.775 (Derek) "I'm blessed to be watching 00:06:17.775 --> 00:06:19.435 Hope Sabbath School in Harare, 00:06:19.435 --> 00:06:21.815 capital of Zimbabwe. 00:06:21.815 --> 00:06:23.135 I really enjoy the discussions; 00:06:23.512 --> 00:06:26.092 they're so interactive and informative. 00:06:26.092 --> 00:06:29.452 May God bless you, the entire Hope Sabbath School team, 00:06:29.452 --> 00:06:31.393 for spreading the Word of God." 00:06:31.393 --> 00:06:33.692 Well, you say that's a lot of emails 00:06:33.692 --> 00:06:35.092 coming from around the world, 00:06:35.092 --> 00:06:36.732 and, you know, we are just so glad 00:06:36.732 --> 00:06:37.892 that we can be part of a global family. 00:06:37.892 --> 00:06:43.064 And we're going to sing together now 00:06:43.064 --> 00:06:44.284 as a global family, 00:06:44.284 --> 00:06:45.244 and then Tricia Lee's going to lead us 00:06:45.244 --> 00:06:46.764 in a powerful study of the Word of God, 00:06:46.764 --> 00:06:49.125 "The Teachings of Jesus about the Last Days," 00:06:49.125 --> 00:06:51.764 but were singing now, Psalm 148. 00:06:51.764 --> 00:06:53.564 I hope you've learned it for this series, 00:06:53.564 --> 00:06:56.764 "Praise Him in the Heights." 00:06:58.164 --> 00:07:10.044 ♪ music ♪ 00:09:02.595 --> 00:09:04.095 (Derek) You know, I've got a feeling 00:09:04.095 --> 00:09:05.455 when we're done with this series, 00:09:05.455 --> 00:09:07.535 we're going to be singing this in our sleep, 00:09:07.535 --> 00:09:09.095 but what a great Psalm to sing, 00:09:09.095 --> 00:09:10.855 "Praise Him in the Heights," 00:09:10.855 --> 00:09:14.235 and, Tricia Lee, as you lead our study today, I know we'll have a lot 00:09:14.235 --> 00:09:18.035 to praise Jesus for as He gives us hope for the last days. 00:09:18.035 --> 00:09:19.455 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 00:09:19.455 --> 00:09:21.995 Let us pray. 00:09:21.995 --> 00:09:25.215 Dear Lord, we need your Holy Spirit 00:09:25.215 --> 00:09:27.155 to help us to understand the times 00:09:27.155 --> 00:09:28.855 that we're living in. 00:09:28.855 --> 00:09:31.875 We need your Holy Spirit to help us understand Your Word to us 00:09:31.875 --> 00:09:33.115 about the Last Days. 00:09:33.115 --> 00:09:34.335 Please bless this study, 00:09:34.335 --> 00:09:36.115 in Christ's name we pray, amen. 00:09:36.115 --> 00:09:37.215 (Derek, Team) Amen. 00:09:37.215 --> 00:09:39.255 (Tricia Lee) I am so excited that God 00:09:39.255 --> 00:09:43.355 has not left us in the dark about what to expect will happen 00:09:43.355 --> 00:09:44.755 in the Last Days. 00:09:44.755 --> 00:09:49.082 Some people are very anxious or nervous about the things 00:09:49.082 --> 00:09:49.862 that happen at the end of time. 00:09:49.862 --> 00:09:54.942 Some people have heard rumors or strange stories of the apocalypse 00:09:54.942 --> 00:09:57.302 or even science fiction zombies, 00:09:57.302 --> 00:10:00.742 but God's Word reveals to us what to expect. 00:10:00.742 --> 00:10:04.642 So as we study together, let's just thank God that He has not left us 00:10:04.642 --> 00:10:08.442 in darkness about what will come in the Last Days. 00:10:08.442 --> 00:10:09.502 (Derek, Team) Amen. 00:10:09.502 --> 00:10:10.782 (Tricia Lee) Let us turn our study 00:10:10.782 --> 00:10:13.362 to the Book of Matthew chapter 23. 00:10:13.362 --> 00:10:17.362 Before we hear what Jesus teaches about the Last Days, 00:10:17.362 --> 00:10:22.762 first we find our study right after the Triumphal Entry. 00:10:22.762 --> 00:10:26.882 Jesus has entered Jerusalem, and He has met the religious leaders, 00:10:26.882 --> 00:10:31.262 and unfortunately they are filled with envy and anger towards Him, 00:10:31.262 --> 00:10:35.602 and with a sorrowful heart He beings to pronounce series of woes to them. 00:10:35.602 --> 00:10:38.682 Woe means misery or trouble to come, 00:10:38.682 --> 00:10:42.382 bad things that are happening, so He's warning them about the condition 00:10:42.612 --> 00:10:44.792 of their hard hearts and what that means. 00:10:44.792 --> 00:10:47.252 So let's see first, before we talk about the last days, 00:10:47.252 --> 00:10:51.322 what Christ says to the religious leaders and to the people at the time 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:55.400 about these woes, this miserable condition that they are unfortunately now 00:10:55.400 --> 00:10:58.080 finding themselves in because they've rejected Him. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:01.240 Let's start in Matthew chapter 23. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:03.460 I'll ask Gary if he would please read for us 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:06.620 Matthew chapter 23, verses 1 through 12. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:11.600 (Gary) Okay, I'll be reading from the New King James Version: 00:12:32.544 --> 00:12:34.164 (Tricia Lee) Amen. 00:12:34.164 --> 00:12:35.964 So before addressing the Scribes and Pharisees, 00:12:35.964 --> 00:12:38.164 Christ first addresses the people, 00:12:38.164 --> 00:12:39.924 and He actually gives them some warnings. 00:12:39.924 --> 00:12:41.504 Nicole, would you summarize for us 00:12:41.504 --> 00:12:44.864 what has Christ warned the people about in the verses we just read. 00:12:44.864 --> 00:12:54.179 (Nicole) Sure, I'm thinking back to humility again and not being 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:58.039 caught up in names and being in certain places in society, 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:00.979 and so I think He is warning against being kind of hypocrites, 00:13:00.979 --> 00:13:03.739 you know, saying one thing out of your mouth, but acting and living 00:13:03.739 --> 00:13:06.099 a way that's not reflecting what you're saying. 00:13:06.099 --> 00:13:10.379 So I think this whole kind of 12 verses talks about hypocrisy and warning 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:14.419 against living a life that you're not actually living. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:15.499 (Tricia Lee) That's correct. 00:13:15.499 --> 00:13:18.059 Let's keep reading now in verses 13 through 15, 00:13:18.214 --> 00:13:20.314 where now Jesus is speaking directly 00:13:20.314 --> 00:13:24.374 to the religious leaders and pronounces these woes upon them. 00:13:24.374 --> 00:13:29.154 Olric, will you please read Matthew chapter 23:13-15? 00:13:29.409 --> 00:13:33.989 (Olric) Yes, I'll be reading from the King James Version: 00:14:17.589 --> 00:14:19.429 (Tricia Lee) Wow, wow, strong words 00:14:19.429 --> 00:14:21.279 from Jesus here. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.359 Jonathan, would you summarize for us 00:14:22.359 --> 00:14:26.719 what is the rebuke that Jesus is giving to the Scribes and Pharisees here? 00:14:26.991 --> 00:14:30.491 (Jonathan) It seems like He is just [undermining] 00:14:30.501 --> 00:14:33.131 their whole approach to religion. 00:14:33.327 --> 00:14:35.287 They had set up all these rules and set up all these different things, 00:14:35.287 --> 00:14:37.107 and He's calling their bluff. 00:14:37.107 --> 00:14:40.287 It's like, "You talk about My Kingdom, 00:14:40.287 --> 00:14:42.187 but you don't actually want people in; 00:14:42.187 --> 00:14:44.467 you don't actually invite people to really live these things out. 00:14:45.505 --> 00:14:47.465 It's more this external thing for you." 00:14:47.465 --> 00:14:49.785 (Tricia Lee) Strong rebukes, but there is more. 00:14:49.785 --> 00:14:55.105 Juliana, will you continue reading for us Matthew 23, verses 16 through 24? 00:14:55.105 --> 00:14:58.485 (Juliana) Sure, and I will be reading from the New King James Version: 00:16:15.955 --> 00:16:16.875 (Tricia Lee) Wow, wow. 00:16:16.875 --> 00:16:21.855 Simiso, summarize for what is Jesus rebuking the religious leaders. 00:16:21.855 --> 00:16:24.355 (Simiso) I think Jesus is rebuking 00:16:24.355 --> 00:16:28.135 the religious leaders to be genuine and authentic 00:16:28.135 --> 00:16:31.231 and be all rounded in terms of what 00:16:31.231 --> 00:16:33.031 Scripture requires of them. 00:16:33.169 --> 00:16:34.769 (Tricia Lee) That's correct. 00:16:34.769 --> 00:16:38.369 When we look at verses 21 and 22, it seems as though they have 00:16:38.369 --> 00:16:41.249 a lack of reverence for the things that are holy. 00:16:41.249 --> 00:16:44.549 They're not really reverencing what God is saying. 00:16:44.549 --> 00:16:47.009 What do we see in verse 24 00:16:47.009 --> 00:16:51.229 about the tithing of mint and anise? 00:16:51.229 --> 00:16:53.840 Olric, what is Christ telling them or rebuking them for? 00:16:54.140 --> 00:16:57.070 (Olric) They had this teaching back then that they 00:16:57.270 --> 00:17:02.207 were not to eat anything unclean, and the gnat would be an unclean animal. 00:17:02.207 --> 00:17:06.787 So they will take time to make sure 00:17:06.787 --> 00:17:09.567 that the water does not contain 00:17:09.567 --> 00:17:10.933 any of these little bugs, 00:17:10.933 --> 00:17:13.101 but, you know, He is saying, 00:17:13.101 --> 00:17:17.799 "Your hypocrisy is so evident; 00:17:18.199 --> 00:17:24.339 you take time to pay tithe and cummin and this stuff. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.939 You're being outwardly religious, 00:17:26.939 --> 00:17:29.033 but inwardly you're not there 00:17:29.233 --> 00:17:33.152 because things like faith and mercy, love, 00:17:33.152 --> 00:17:34.672 that you don't have. 00:17:34.672 --> 00:17:38.152 You take time to look at these little things, 00:17:38.152 --> 00:17:42.901 but there are bigger things that you're not doing." 00:17:42.901 --> 00:17:44.841 (Tricia Lee) Have you ever heard the phrase, 00:17:44.841 --> 00:17:48.521 "the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law," 00:17:48.521 --> 00:17:51.021 being able to keep certain requirements 00:17:51.021 --> 00:17:54.261 but not really having and living the love to motivate it? 00:17:54.261 --> 00:17:55.481 Let's keep reading. 00:17:55.481 --> 00:17:57.681 There's some more rebukes that Jesus gives them. 00:17:57.681 --> 00:18:03.621 Jason, would you read for us Matthew 23, verses 25 through 36. 00:18:03.621 --> 00:18:06.761 (Jason) I'll be reading from the New King James Version. 00:18:06.761 --> 00:18:11.781 Matthew chapter 23, verses 25 through 36, says: 00:20:18.126 --> 00:20:20.805 (Tricia Lee) Wow, these are some strong words. 00:20:20.805 --> 00:20:23.805 I can't even imagine calling someone a viper or a snake. 00:20:23.805 --> 00:20:26.145 It's hard to even picture Jesus doing it. 00:20:26.145 --> 00:20:28.585 We can imagine Him with tears in His eyes 00:20:28.728 --> 00:20:30.488 telling those people that he loved 00:20:30.488 --> 00:20:32.048 those scathing rebukes. 00:20:32.048 --> 00:20:34.948 Why do you think the rebukes of Jesus 00:20:34.948 --> 00:20:35.968 were so harsh? 00:20:35.968 --> 00:20:38.368 Why was He speaking to them so severely? 00:20:38.368 --> 00:20:39.188 Nathan. 00:20:39.188 --> 00:20:42.748 (Nathan) I think we can read this in two different ways, but we should read it 00:20:42.748 --> 00:20:46.628 thinking of Jesus with tears in His eyes and in His voice. 00:20:46.628 --> 00:20:52.648 When you look at the next verse that follows, verse 37 in Matthew 23. 00:20:52.648 --> 00:20:55.748 Can I read it from the New King James Version, where He says: 00:21:11.289 --> 00:21:13.204 I mean, the pain in His voice; 00:21:13.604 --> 00:21:15.544 He's longing for them to be saved, and He says, 00:21:15.544 --> 00:21:16.824 "You're not willing to come to it." 00:21:16.824 --> 00:21:22.924 It reminds me of, I think in Isaiah, God speaking through the prophet says, 00:21:22.924 --> 00:21:26.104 "All day long I stood with My arms open wide to a stiff-necked 00:21:26.104 --> 00:21:29.664 and rebellious people," -- Here He is calling you to salvation, 00:21:29.664 --> 00:21:33.044 and you're turning away, not just turning away but rebelling against Him. 00:21:33.044 --> 00:21:34.704 (Tricia Lee) And it's sad; it's sad. 00:21:34.704 --> 00:21:37.844 In a previous study, we've talked about the choices that we all have to make, 00:21:37.844 --> 00:21:40.362 and that God wants us to choose Him, 00:21:40.362 --> 00:21:43.382 but we do have the free will to choose otherwise. 00:21:43.382 --> 00:21:44.842 (Derek) You know, I'm thinking, 00:21:44.842 --> 00:21:49.082 Tricia Lee, I really appreciate what Nathan said about the love of Jesus. 00:21:49.082 --> 00:21:51.502 And there were some Pharisees, 00:21:51.502 --> 00:21:53.522 Nicodemus was a Pharisee 00:21:53.522 --> 00:21:55.782 and also a member of the Sanhedrin, 00:21:55.782 --> 00:21:58.342 who did repent. 00:21:58.342 --> 00:21:59.322 (Tricia Lee) Yes, praise God. 00:21:59.322 --> 00:22:01.622 (Derek) So you know, if Jesus was 00:22:01.622 --> 00:22:04.022 just kind of harsh and kind of fighting 00:22:04.022 --> 00:22:05.542 with the weapons of this world 00:22:05.542 --> 00:22:06.982 or acting like they acted, 00:22:06.982 --> 00:22:08.462 they'd have an excuse, 00:22:08.462 --> 00:22:10.322 but I think He is speaking with love in His heart. 00:22:10.322 --> 00:22:14.982 And, praise God, some of the Scribes and Pharisees said, 00:22:14.982 --> 00:22:17.488 "We need to repent; 00:22:17.668 --> 00:22:19.208 we need to turn our lives around." 00:22:19.208 --> 00:22:20.408 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 00:22:20.408 --> 00:22:21.708 Reading through this passage, 00:22:21.708 --> 00:22:23.248 something was very interesting, 00:22:23.248 --> 00:22:25.882 and I'd like to ask the class this question: 00:22:25.882 --> 00:22:30.370 How could He say that the guilt 00:22:30.990 --> 00:22:33.010 of all the righteous blood, all the martyrs 00:22:33.010 --> 00:22:34.450 would fall on this generation? 00:22:34.450 --> 00:22:35.710 What does that mean? 00:22:35.710 --> 00:22:37.490 How are they guilty of all these things? 00:22:37.490 --> 00:22:39.290 They're just living their little lives; 00:22:39.290 --> 00:22:43.390 how is it that He can say that the blood of all the righteous 00:22:43.390 --> 00:22:47.270 from Abel to Zechariah would fall on this generation? 00:22:47.428 --> 00:22:52.188 Any idea what was the significance of that statement, Missy? 00:22:52.188 --> 00:22:53.928 (Missy) All throughout the generations, 00:22:53.928 --> 00:22:55.928 God has sent prophets, 00:22:55.928 --> 00:22:56.988 throughout all ages, 00:22:56.988 --> 00:23:00.168 but along with the prophets were the dissenters 00:23:00.168 --> 00:23:03.428 who chose not to listen to them, and not only that, to oppose them 00:23:03.428 --> 00:23:05.548 and even kill the prophets. 00:23:05.548 --> 00:23:08.468 And they have the same spirit, 00:23:08.468 --> 00:23:10.988 so this is why they would carry the guilt. 00:23:10.988 --> 00:23:12.248 (Tricia Lee) I think you're right, Missy. 00:23:12.248 --> 00:23:14.428 Let's turn to Luke chapter 24, 00:23:14.428 --> 00:23:16.468 and we'll see that the Bible supports 00:23:16.468 --> 00:23:18.008 what you just said, Missy. 00:23:18.008 --> 00:23:20.308 Luke chapter 24, 00:23:20.308 --> 00:23:27.348 and, Eric, would you read for us Luke chapter 24, verses 25 through 27? 00:23:27.348 --> 00:23:32.548 (Eric) I'm reading from the New Living Translation, 00:23:32.548 --> 00:23:39.508 Luke 24:25-27, and it says: 00:24:02.028 --> 00:24:03.768 (Tricia Lee) Amen, that's right, Missy. 00:24:03.768 --> 00:24:06.248 All the prophets were all given the same message, 00:24:06.248 --> 00:24:09.604 the Gospel of Jesus that was to come, the Messiah to come, 00:24:09.604 --> 00:24:11.724 they were all testifying to Him, 00:24:11.724 --> 00:24:15.824 so every generation, when they kept rejecting the prophets that were sent 00:24:15.824 --> 00:24:18.204 to them, they were rejecting Christ, 00:24:18.204 --> 00:24:22.964 and ultimately when that generation rejected Christ, they were rejecting 00:24:22.964 --> 00:24:27.804 the entire message that had been sent to them time after time after time. 00:24:27.804 --> 00:24:28.564 Jonathan? 00:24:28.564 --> 00:24:32.084 (Jonathan) Just the fact that not only did they reject the sayings 00:24:32.084 --> 00:24:35.544 that were entrusted to them, now they came with greater power. 00:24:35.544 --> 00:24:37.844 I mean, like, when you have Christ doing all these miracles, 00:24:37.844 --> 00:24:42.164 so if they reject Christ, who is the fulfillment and testimony 00:24:42.164 --> 00:24:45.264 and perfect representation of everything they were given, 00:24:45.264 --> 00:24:49.284 they in essence have rejected it and killed everything else before them. 00:24:49.284 --> 00:24:54.564 (Derek) But you know, we have no excuse 00:24:54.564 --> 00:24:57.292 because we have Jesus, 00:24:57.292 --> 00:25:02.442 and yet, you know, one of the things I've noticed teaching about Jesus, 00:25:02.544 --> 00:25:06.164 there are many young people who grow up in a Christian home 00:25:06.164 --> 00:25:10.244 who have never read the Book of Matthew or Mark or Luke or John. 00:25:10.244 --> 00:25:13.644 They have the testimony of Jesus Himself, 00:25:13.644 --> 00:25:15.382 and yet a lot of times 00:25:15.702 --> 00:25:18.062 we act like it doesn't exist. 00:25:18.062 --> 00:25:20.822 (Tricia Lee) That would be the rebuke to our generation. 00:25:20.822 --> 00:25:21.722 (Derek) I think it would be. 00:25:21.722 --> 00:25:23.042 (Tricia Lee) The rebuke to our generation 00:25:23.042 --> 00:25:27.042 is that we have this Word that has survived generation after generation, 00:25:27.042 --> 00:25:30.162 we know that it's been preserved through time 00:25:30.162 --> 00:25:32.742 exactly as it was spoken through the prophets and written down, 00:25:32.742 --> 00:25:37.422 we know the life of Christ, and so here we are today with such grace, such mercy, 00:25:37.422 --> 00:25:40.942 and if we still choose not to accept God, then that's the rebuke that we have 00:25:40.942 --> 00:25:42.482 on ourselves. 00:25:42.482 --> 00:25:43.822 We're going to keep reading now, 00:25:43.822 --> 00:25:47.911 and we're going to transition now to Matthew chapter 24 00:25:47.911 --> 00:25:49.531 and get into the real heart of our study. 00:25:49.531 --> 00:25:53.831 We're going to now see that Jesus leaves the Temple, again, tears in His eyes. 00:25:53.831 --> 00:25:56.211 Thank you Nathan; I believe He had tears in His eyes, too. 00:25:56.211 --> 00:25:59.871 Sad that the people were doubting Him and not believing Him, 00:26:00.061 --> 00:26:02.841 and now we're going to see another conversation 00:26:02.841 --> 00:26:07.161 that He and the disciples get into that leads us to this amazing prophecy 00:26:07.161 --> 00:26:10.681 about the destruction of Jerusalem as well as the last day events. 00:26:10.681 --> 00:26:13.861 We're going to read in Matthew chapter 24. 00:26:13.861 --> 00:26:17.461 I'm going to ask Nicole if she would start reading for us 00:26:20.309 --> 00:26:22.129 Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14. 00:26:22.129 --> 00:26:26.429 (Nicole) Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14, 00:26:26.429 --> 00:26:28.849 I'm reading from the New International Version, 00:26:28.849 --> 00:26:30.009 and it says: 00:26:59.929 --> 00:27:01.149 (Tricia Lee) Nicole, would you pause there? 00:27:01.149 --> 00:27:02.869 I have a question for the group. 00:27:02.869 --> 00:27:04.869 What do you think they mean by that? 00:27:04.869 --> 00:27:05.929 The "end of the age?" 00:27:05.929 --> 00:27:08.509 My New King James Version says, the "end of the age." 00:27:08.509 --> 00:27:12.456 Does anyone's Bible say something different? 00:27:12.456 --> 00:27:17.556 Anyone have "end of the world?" 00:27:17.556 --> 00:27:20.051 (Olric) What was happening here, 00:27:20.291 --> 00:27:23.571 they were equating whatever destruction 00:27:23.571 --> 00:27:28.511 would come to Jerusalem with the end of the world. 00:27:28.511 --> 00:27:30.691 So they put the two events together 00:27:30.691 --> 00:27:33.351 because this is how they saw it in their own minds. 00:27:33.351 --> 00:27:36.591 That's why they asked Jesus the question in that manner. 00:27:36.591 --> 00:27:38.991 (Missy) It was a dual prophecy. 00:27:38.991 --> 00:27:40.891 It was talking about two separate events, 00:27:40.891 --> 00:27:44.591 but they run parallel to each other. 00:27:44.591 --> 00:27:46.231 (Derek) But I think Olric's right, 00:27:46.231 --> 00:27:49.145 that they thought, "That must be the end of the world, 00:27:49.145 --> 00:27:52.615 if every stone in this Temple of God is going to be torn down." 00:27:52.615 --> 00:27:54.915 We know that it's not going to be the end of the world, 00:27:54.915 --> 00:27:58.005 it's only 40 years later in 70 A.D. it will be fulfilled, 00:27:58.005 --> 00:28:00.055 but I think in their minds, as Olric said, 00:28:00.369 --> 00:28:04.049 they're thinking that must be one and the same thing 00:28:04.049 --> 00:28:05.389 as the end of all things. 00:28:05.389 --> 00:28:06.849 (Tricia Lee) Yes, one thing's for certain, 00:28:06.849 --> 00:28:08.489 if we have questions on what that means 00:28:08.489 --> 00:28:10.769 we're going to find out as we keep reading, 00:28:10.769 --> 00:28:13.669 but certainly as we listen to what's going to be read to us 00:28:13.669 --> 00:28:16.329 as we continue in chapter 24. 00:28:16.329 --> 00:28:20.129 The end of the age - it was something drastic. 00:28:20.129 --> 00:28:22.349 The end of the world is what you described, Olric, 00:28:22.349 --> 00:28:26.249 and that's the context that the disciples had in asking this question, 00:28:26.249 --> 00:28:30.089 what is the site of this big, grand, finale, if you would. 00:28:30.089 --> 00:28:31.749 So Nicole, please keep reading for us. 00:28:31.749 --> 00:28:35.527 (Nicole) I'm reading from verse 4 of Matthew 24. 00:28:35.527 --> 00:28:36.351 It says: 00:29:45.068 --> 00:29:46.488 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 00:29:46.488 --> 00:29:48.928 Missy, you were right that this is a dual prophecy, 00:29:48.928 --> 00:29:51.138 so we're going to continue reading 00:29:53.256 --> 00:29:53.506 and skip down to verses 21 through 28 00:29:53.506 --> 00:29:59.666 about the prophecy regarding the last days and the end times. 00:29:59.666 --> 00:30:03.534 I'm going to ask Alex if he would read for us verses 21 through 28. 00:30:03.534 --> 00:30:06.414 (Alex) Sure, and I'll be reading from the King James Version: 00:30:56.094 --> 00:30:57.154 (Tricia Lee) Amen. 00:30:57.154 --> 00:30:58.734 One last set of verses, 00:30:58.734 --> 00:31:01.994 Nancy, would you please read verses 32 and 33 for us? 00:31:01.994 --> 00:31:08.703 (Nancy) Okay, and this is from Matthew 24, verse 32 00:31:08.703 --> 00:31:11.063 in the New King James Version: 00:31:32.843 --> 00:31:34.723 (Tricia Lee) Amen, at the doors. 00:31:35.003 --> 00:31:39.201 So let's talk about these amazing, amazing Scriptures, amazing prophecy, 00:31:39.661 --> 00:31:41.721 Jesus letting us know what to expect 00:31:41.721 --> 00:31:43.161 in the last days. 00:31:43.161 --> 00:31:46.841 What signs of the last days do you see even today taking place? 00:31:46.841 --> 00:31:49.441 Olric. 00:31:49.441 --> 00:31:54.221 (Olric) Wars, rumors of wars, you have nation rising against nation, 00:31:54.221 --> 00:31:56.221 and it's becoming more prevalent, 00:31:56.221 --> 00:31:57.701 but not just more prevalent, 00:31:57.701 --> 00:32:01.541 but they're using more sophisticated weapons 00:32:01.541 --> 00:32:03.441 for their warfare, 00:32:03.441 --> 00:32:05.958 and it doesn't, you know, seem to be ending. 00:32:05.958 --> 00:32:07.058 (Tricia Lee) Okay, Juliana. 00:32:07.546 --> 00:32:10.646 (Juliana) Olric mentions things that are involving man, 00:32:10.646 --> 00:32:12.906 but I think that the Earth is also groaning. 00:32:12.906 --> 00:32:16.226 We're seeing more and more earthquakes. 00:32:16.226 --> 00:32:18.826 I think of what happened not that long ago in Nepal, 00:32:18.826 --> 00:32:22.706 and there's also been things in Mexico 00:32:22.706 --> 00:32:24.746 and in Africa and just all over the world. 00:32:24.746 --> 00:32:26.266 We have earthquakes, we have famines. 00:32:26.266 --> 00:32:29.166 There's things happening in rivers, 00:32:29.166 --> 00:32:30.786 that animals are dying, 00:32:30.786 --> 00:32:33.486 and the environment...it's groaning; 00:32:33.486 --> 00:32:35.666 it's asking for Christ to come back. 00:32:35.666 --> 00:32:36.646 (Tricia Lee) Alex. 00:32:36.646 --> 00:32:39.266 (Alex) I think there are many false prophets now, too. 00:32:39.266 --> 00:32:42.946 Just more and more all the time I see preachers and pastors coming out 00:32:42.946 --> 00:32:46.466 with these end-time preachings and end- time things, and even a lot of my friends 00:32:46.466 --> 00:32:51.454 are really getting into these things, "Here, check out this message," and such. 00:32:51.454 --> 00:32:55.760 And it's like, wow, if I didn't know the truth, this would be so easy to believe. 00:32:55.905 --> 00:33:00.005 You know, how they point things out in the world, but it's so easy to be deceived. 00:33:00.005 --> 00:33:01.065 (Tricia Lee) Jonathan. 00:33:01.065 --> 00:33:05.315 (Jonathan) I think it's interesting to look at the things He chooses 00:33:05.315 --> 00:33:06.575 and how He lays them out. 00:33:06.575 --> 00:33:09.885 I feel like in some sense He kind of picks the things, 00:33:09.885 --> 00:33:12.915 not so much that we can calculate the end of time, 00:33:12.915 --> 00:33:16.155 but more to say, okay, what do we need to look at 00:33:16.483 --> 00:33:20.943 because, I mean, a lot of the things He lays out happen throughout history. 00:33:20.943 --> 00:33:24.953 The church was persecuted, you have earthquakes, I mean, 00:33:24.953 --> 00:33:27.149 that's been happening for a lot of time. 00:33:27.389 --> 00:33:30.009 And certainly He does say things that get close to the end of time, 00:33:30.009 --> 00:33:33.629 but I think also He's just saying for the disciples and for us in general 00:33:33.629 --> 00:33:38.529 a way to look at the world and to have our hearts... 00:33:38.529 --> 00:33:41.757 and how to respond to the things that happen. 00:33:41.757 --> 00:33:45.867 So I think it's kind of, "How to live in the context of My Coming." 00:33:45.867 --> 00:33:47.517 (Derek) I think the positive thing 00:33:47.517 --> 00:33:49.847 is the Gospel is going to go to the whole world, 00:33:49.847 --> 00:33:51.647 and then the end's going to come. 00:33:51.647 --> 00:33:52.667 (Tricia Lee) Yes. 00:33:52.667 --> 00:33:55.287 (Derek) You know, I think the joy we have 00:33:55.287 --> 00:33:56.667 as a little team, Hope Sabbath School, 00:33:56.667 --> 00:33:58.607 is that we're a little part of that, 00:33:58.607 --> 00:34:03.167 and technology even in the lifetime 00:34:03.167 --> 00:34:04.347 of many of our viewers, 00:34:04.347 --> 00:34:08.627 there's been a revolution in terms of communication. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, of course, the Enemy's wanting to use that, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as Alex said, to promote false ideas 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and just idolatry, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but I believe God's going to use that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 by His Spirit, too. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're on the brink of where the Message 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 can go rapidly around the world. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Alex, you mentioned the false christs that come in the last days, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 what's our safeguard against 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the deception of a false christ, or 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 let's talk some more about what does that look like, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a false christ or someone that's coming in the name of Christ, Olric. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) I've looked through the Old Testament, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I've seen some scenarios where 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 false messages were brought to God's people. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We see in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with the Devil tempting them with false words. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Even in the case of in a previous study we did Jeremiah, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we see Jeremiah being countered there by an individual by the name of Hananiah. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The problem with these false christs, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 false teachers, they propel messages 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that seem to distract God's people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from God's way of doing things, the way 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God had commanded. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And the way to counter this, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as we will see from the Word of God, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is through the truth like Isaiah 8, verse 20. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Let's go there. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's go there, Isaiah 8, verse 20, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and Olric, will you read that for us? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Isaiah 8, verse 20, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 reading from the King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So what I heard you say, Olric, is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 there may not just be manifestations of people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 saying that they are a false messiah 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to physically "follow me," but even teachings of false Christianity 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that can also be a way to deceive people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the last days. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Right, and I think Alex made a really important point 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when he said, "I could follow what some of my friends are saying 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if I didn't study the Word." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Because these people, they do signs and wonders, it says, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and they're religious; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 they're false christs and false prophets, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so they speak about maybe needing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to be close to God, and, you know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it all sounds good, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but it's false. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, you know, we shouldn't try to [point out], 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Oh, is that false;" we should be focusing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on the true and on Jesus who is the true Christ, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because when we see the false 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we will immediately recognize 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that it isn't the truth. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) There's another promise that Jesus Himself has made 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to His believers, and I'm going to ask Missy 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if she would read for us John chapter 10, verses 27 and 28. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 John chapter 10:27, 28. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And it is a bit scary for some to think that you could be deceived 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 by false teachers and false miracles 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and false people to lead us astray, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but I thank God that He has this promise recorded for us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Missy) I'm reading from the New International Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee, Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) We are safe in the hands of Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "My sheep hear my voice... and they will follow." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you for reading that Scripture in Isaiah, Olric. 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, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 then that's an alarm for us, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but He's also promised that He will keep us, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we will recognize His voice, and I believe there are so many examples 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the Bible of the Lord revealing Himself to His people, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 literally leading His people through the wilderness by day and by night, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and so even in the midst of strong deception in the last days, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will see us through. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Simiso, let's read another promise from the Lord 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on why we shouldn't be afraid 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and should not be discouraged. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Simiso, would you read John chapter 14, verses 1 through 3. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Why we should not be afraid of these last day events. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Simiso) John 14, verses 1 through 3, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I'm reading from the New King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So the last days are a necessary step 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the process of getting us closer 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to going Home. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus is coming back to take us Home 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to be with Him, and as scary as last day events, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 wars and earthquakes and pestilence 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and family members betraying one another, may sound, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God has promised to keep us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the promise is that when He returns 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He is going to take us Home with Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek, Tricia Lee) Praise God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Missy mentioned earlier 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that there was a dual prophecy, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that the disciples were thinking 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about the destruction of Jerusalem, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and Jesus answered their question 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about when those things would take place as well. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's read the verses where Jesus describes 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the destruction of Jerusalem. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Eric, would you read for us Matthew 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 chapter 24, verses 15 through 20? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Eric) I'm reading from the New Living Translation, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and it says: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Gary, we talked a bit earlier about it being difficult for the disciples 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to think about the destruction of Jerusalem to happen at any other time 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 than at the end of the world. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Why was that? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Why did they connect the two together? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Gary) I guess how they related 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to the Temple, their mission; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 they're the people of God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They couldn't get past the fact that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if this is not going to be in existence anymore, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 than that must mean everything must be falling apart. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) You know, I think they're trusting 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the building rather than in God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And before we judge them and go, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "That's really foolish," I think we could 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 trust in our institutions, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we could trust in our organization, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the truth of the matter is, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 before this is all over, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a lot of those things could collapse. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) That's true, it's true. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And all we have is to hold on to our Savior, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you know, because we know that He's going through. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's going to take us through to the very end. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But lest we be too hard on them, I think 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 they associated confidence in God, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 now it's the building, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and pretty soon God's kind of set aside, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and they're just trusting in their structures. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) You're absolutely right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're going to have to let go of a lot of ideas that we have, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 things that we hold dear, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to accept Jesus and in His return. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Juliana, would you read for us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's turn to Philippians chapter 3:7-8, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we'll hear an account of someone 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who had to let go of some things they held dear. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Philippians chapter 3, verses 7 and 8. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Juliana) I'm reading from the New King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen! 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What we didn't read is that previously 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we're hearing an account of having confidence in self and being able 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to keep the Law and being of the stock of Israel, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 all the things that I'm sure the disciples 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 are very proud of in thinking about 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the institution and the Temple. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They had to let those things go, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and surely we will have to let some things go, as well, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to accept Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We talked in a previous study about falling on the Rock, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 submitting to Christ 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and learning to count the things of God as gain and learning how to let go. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's keep reading in Matthew chapter 24. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Not only does Jesus tell us what to look for 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in His coming, but He gives us a description of His coming, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and certainly this is key because 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we're watching and we're waiting, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we want to be ready when He comes, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we want to know what we're looking for 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when He comes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, Nathan, would you please read for us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew 24, verses 27 through 31? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) All right, I'll be reading from the New King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen! Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What are some of the characteristics 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and aspects of Jesus' coming? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What do we learn from this passage? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nicole) Everyone will see Him when He comes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) It's visible. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nicole) Yes, we will see Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) So it looks like there are a lot of angels. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You can't miss the whole angels of the Heavenly Host. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What else do we learn? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) The trumpet sound. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) So it's loud; it's audible. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Okay, what else have we learned here? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Jason) There will be some signs of the heavens 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that precede the coming, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 particularly with the sun, moon, and stars. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Anything else? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And it's dramatic. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) It's not just, "Oh, I think 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I see something." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) It's like lightening from the east 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 all the way to the west, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I think that's important, because, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you know, Jesus talks about, is this secret or is it... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think it's a surprise, even for those 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of us who are looking for His coming, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when it actually happens. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 If it happened in the middle of this broadcast, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you know I'd use my favorite Hebrew word, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Hallelujah, but I would be surprised 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because I thought we were going to finish 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the program, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Yeah, but it's not secret. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's not secret; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it's visible, audible, but it's dramatic 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 like lightening from the east to the west. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) My version of the Bible 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 says that "the powers of the heavens will be shaken." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I can't even imagine what that's like, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but I feel like we won't miss when 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the heavens are shaking. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This is a dramatic, dramatic occurence. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We'll all see it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We will not miss it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What else can we learn about Jesus' coming? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's turn over to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 where there's another description of some of the what that takes place 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the how that takes place 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when Jesus comes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, verses 15 through 17. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'll ask Gary to read that for us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Gary) Sure, and I'll be reading from the New King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) What else is happening 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 at the coming of Jesus? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're not going to miss any of these things. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I heard again, the loud shout, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Lord Himself is coming, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Archangel. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I can imagine the Archangel and the Lord are shouting. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This is going to be a loud shout. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What else do we see? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) In verse 15, we read that there would be a resurrection. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Yes, hard to miss! 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) We're not going to Heaven 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 without the ones...I think probably the Thessalonians were writing to Paul 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and saying, "What about our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Jesus? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Are we going to go to Heaven when Jesus comes, and we leave them behind?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He says, "No, before we go, they're going to be raised from the Earth." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So that's something that we won't really miss, will we? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) No, we won't. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) It's hard to miss that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) I think growing up I thought the loud shout was like, "Yo!" you know? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But I think the shout is, "Awake!" you know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because the Scripture speaks about awake, you who sleep in the dust. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's like, "Lazarus, come forth!" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when Jesus raises Lazarus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So it's not just, "Yo!" you know? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's a shout that will conquer death; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it will defeat death. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Iv'e even imagined to myself sometimes, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 like, "Honey, I'm home!" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're the Bride and He's coming, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 With excitement, He's here. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's not forget, though, why Jesus 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 was so sad in rebuking the Pharisees 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the Scribes and the religious leaders 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Jerusalem who had rejected Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It was because He realized 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that at His coming there will be no second chance, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that things are final. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Our destinies will be decided by Christ the Judge, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that's why He had those tears in His eyes, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because He knew their salvation was on the line. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's look at some verses 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 again in Matthew chapter 24 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because there are some who believe that there is a second chance, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that when Jesus comes again there's another chance to get things right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But we will learn that it really is the end of time, the end of the age, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the end of the world, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and how important it is for us to make our choice and our decision for Him now 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and today. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Olric, will you read for us Matthew 24, verses 36 through 42? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 36 through 42. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Reading from the King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen, thank you. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Particularly verses 40 and 41, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 there are some that believe that there is something called the "Secret Rapture," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that the Lord will come at one point and take some chosen people away secretly, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and others will not know, and that those who are left behind have a second chance 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for some period of time to get things right before He comes again. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But what we've learned so far and what these texts are describing to us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is...Well, the first thing we can say about the women is that they are 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 kind of going along in their everyday lives, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They are going along, it's business as usual, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They are at the mill, is that where they are? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Grinding at the mill, and so exactly what Pastor Derek described 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about, we could be filming one of these Sabbath School lessons, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the Lord could come. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're going about our lives; it's a surprise. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It catches us suddenly, and that's the shock that can be with two people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 working at a mill or two people sleeping in bed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Notice what is being said here. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In this passage, Jesus is not saying that you should not work. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This is daily work that they are doing. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The problem is, is that these two passages, 40 and 41, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 are in the context of Jesus saying that, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "My coming will be a surprise," not a secret, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 just a surprise, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because it will be loud, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it will be visible. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But the surprise is, it will come at a time when people least expect it 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because many folks, as He's saying here, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 will be going about their daily work... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Eating, drinking. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) ...doing all this stuff without getting themselves ready. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) You know, there are many sincere Christians 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who may believe in a Secret Rapture of the saints 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and then another chance, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and certainly we may not have everything right about Scripture, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we know if we love Jesus, and we've accepted His salvation, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that whenever He comes we'll be ready, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So we're not saved by correct understanding. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The danger is that people would put off 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 until tomorrow the commitment they need to make today 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and say, "Well, maybe when they go I can make another chance," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that's, of course, the deception 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because the Bible say, "Today, if you hear His voice, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 do not harden your heart." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, let's read another Scripture one chapter over, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew chapter 25, verses 31 through 34, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I will ask Simiso to read that for us, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew 25:31-34. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It will give us a little bit more insight 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about what happens when the Lord comes 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and this idea of being taken. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Simiso) Matthew 25:31-34, I'm reading from the New King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When Jesus comes, His coming is not a secret. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It may be a surprise to some who are going about their everyday lives 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 not watching, not being ready, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but it's His judgment that determines 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who's on the left, who's on the right, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who's taken to be with Him when He returns. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Again, Jesus knew this, and that's why 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He pleaded and begged because He knew 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that the choices we make today, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the choices they made in that day, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 were what would determine 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 whether they would be on the right hand 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or on the left hand, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 whether they'd be taken back Home with Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And those who are left... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think this is really important; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you've been emphasizing the need for a decision. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We read that where the body is, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 there the vultures will gather. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As we study Scripture, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 those who are left are not left to continue on, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but they are destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that's why we need to make our decision today. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, let's wrap up our study 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in learning what it means to watch and be ready 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and how we should act when we know that the Lord is coming. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jason, would you read for us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 verses 42 through 51 of Matthew 24? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Jason) I'll be reading from the New King James Version, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew chapter 24, verses 42 through 51: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Oh, mercy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Olric, quickly, how can we be ready for Jesus' Second Coming? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Simple, get ourselves ready 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 spiritually first through our commitment to Jesus Christ, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and use that commitment to reach others. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Amen, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you for this wonderful study, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and let's continue to thank God that He reveals to us the things that will come 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the future through His Word, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Thank you, Tricia Lee. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What an amazing study, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and thank you for joining us for Hope Sabbath School today. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus wants you to be ready. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He wants you to know peace and joy today, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 even in the midst of the difficulties around you. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I want to pray that you'd make that commitment today, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 just as Olric said, today, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that you'll trust Christ as your Savior 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 while we have this wonderful opportunity. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Our Father in Heaven, we don't want to take for granted 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the great privilege of learning the truth about Jesus 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and accepting Him as our Savior 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 while there is still time. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I pray for each one who hears this prayer today, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we may make our calling and election sure 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 by trusting Jesus as our Savior and soon-coming King. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, God, I thank you that you'll also use us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to share that Good Word, that Word of hope 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with those around us, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Jesus' name, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) While we're looking for that glorious appearing, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we'll see Him come, we'll hear Him, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we'll hear a shout that will wake the dead. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's going to be a glorious reunion. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Won't you determine today 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that you'll be part of the Redeemed for all eternity, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and won't you also make the commitment 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that Jesus wants you to share that Good News 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so that others can be with us on that glorious day. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go out, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 make a difference to the lives of those around you. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 ♪ theme music ♪