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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, Tricia 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 warning 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 
in 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?

262
00:14:26,991 --> 00:14:30,491
(Jonathan) It seems like
He is just [undermining]

263
00:14:30,501 --> 00:14:33,131
their whole approach to religion.

264
00:14:33,327 --> 00:14:35,287
They had set up all these rules and
set up all these different things,

265
00:14:35,287 --> 00:14:37,107
and He's calling their bluff.

266
00:14:37,107 --> 00:14:40,287
It's like, "You talk about My Kingdom,

267
00:14:40,287 --> 00:14:42,187
but you don't actually want people in;

268
00:14:42,187 --> 00:14:44,467
you don't actually invite people
to really live these things out.

269
00:14:45,505 --> 00:14:47,465
It's more this external thing for you."

270
00:14:47,465 --> 00:14:49,785
(Tricia Lee) Strong
rebukes, but there is more.

271
00:14:49,785 --> 00:14:55,105
Juliana, will you continue reading for
us Matthew 23, verses 16 through 24?

272
00:14:55,105 --> 00:14:58,485
(Juliana) Sure, and I will be reading
from the New King James Version:

273
00:16:15,955 --> 00:16:16,875
(Tricia Lee) Wow, wow.

274
00:16:16,875 --> 00:16:21,855
Simiso, summarize for what is Jesus
rebuking the religious leaders.

275
00:16:21,855 --> 00:16:24,355
(Simiso) I think Jesus is rebuking

276
00:16:24,355 --> 00:16:28,135
the religious leaders to
be genuine and authentic

277
00:16:28,135 --> 00:16:31,231
and be all rounded in terms of what

278
00:16:31,231 --> 00:16:33,031
Scripture requires of them.

279
00:16:33,169 --> 00:16:34,769
(Tricia Lee) That's correct.

280
00:16:34,769 --> 00:16:38,369
When we look at verses 21 and
22, it seems as though they have

281
00:16:38,369 --> 00:16:41,249
a lack of reverence for
the things that are holy.

282
00:16:41,249 --> 00:16:44,549
They're not really reverencing
what God is saying.

283
00:16:44,549 --> 00:16:47,009
What do we see in verse 24

284
00:16:47,009 --> 00:16:51,229
about the tithing of mint and anise?

285
00:16:51,229 --> 00:16:53,840
Olric, what is Christ telling
them or rebuking them for?

286
00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:57,070
(Olric) They had this
teaching back then that they

287
00:16:57,270 --> 00:17:02,207
were not to eat anything unclean, and
the gnat would be an unclean animal.

288
00:17:02,207 --> 00:17:06,787
So they will take time to make sure

289
00:17:06,787 --> 00:17:09,567
that the water does not contain

290
00:17:09,567 --> 00:17:10,933
any of these little bugs,

291
00:17:10,933 --> 00:17:13,101
but, you know, He is saying,

292
00:17:13,101 --> 00:17:17,799
"Your hypocrisy is so evident;

293
00:17:18,199 --> 00:17:24,339
you take time to pay tithe
and cummin and this stuff.

294
00:17:24,339 --> 00:17:26,939
You're being outwardly religious,

295
00:17:26,939 --> 00:17:29,033
but inwardly you're not there

296
00:17:29,233 --> 00:17:33,152
because things like faith and mercy, love,

297
00:17:33,152 --> 00:17:34,672
that you don't have.

298
00:17:34,672 --> 00:17:38,152
You take time to look
at these little things,

299
00:17:38,152 --> 00:17:42,901
but there are bigger things
that you're not doing."

300
00:17:42,901 --> 00:17:44,841
(Tricia Lee) Have you
ever heard the phrase,

301
00:17:44,841 --> 00:17:48,521
"the letter of the law but
not the spirit of the law,"

302
00:17:48,521 --> 00:17:51,021
being able to keep
certain requirements

303
00:17:51,021 --> 00:17:54,261
but not really having and
living the love to motivate it?

304
00:17:54,261 --> 00:17:55,481
Let's keep reading.

305
00:17:55,481 --> 00:17:57,681
There's some more rebukes
that Jesus gives them.

306
00:17:57,681 --> 00:18:03,621
Jason, would you read for us
Matthew 23, verses 25 through 36.

307
00:18:03,621 --> 00:18:06,761
(Jason) I'll be reading from
the New King James Version.

308
00:18:06,761 --> 00:18:11,781
Matthew chapter 23, verses
25 through 36, says:

309
00:20:18,126 --> 00:20:20,805
(Tricia Lee) Wow, these
are some strong words.

310
00:20:20,805 --> 00:20:23,805
I can't even imagine calling
someone a viper or a snake.

311
00:20:23,805 --> 00:20:26,145
It's hard to even picture Jesus doing it.

312
00:20:26,145 --> 00:20:28,585
We can imagine Him with tears in His eyes

313
00:20:28,728 --> 00:20:30,488
telling those people that he loved

314
00:20:30,488 --> 00:20:32,048
those scathing rebukes.

315
00:20:32,048 --> 00:20:34,948
Why do you think the rebukes of Jesus

316
00:20:34,948 --> 00:20:35,968
were so harsh?

317
00:20:35,968 --> 00:20:38,368
Why was He speaking to them so severely?

318
00:20:38,368 --> 00:20:39,188
Nathan.

319
00:20:39,188 --> 00:20:42,748
(Nathan) I think we can read this in two
different ways, but we should read it

320
00:20:42,748 --> 00:20:46,628
thinking of Jesus with tears
in His eyes and in His voice.

321
00:20:46,628 --> 00:20:52,648
When you look at the next verse that
follows, verse 37 in Matthew 23.

322
00:20:52,648 --> 00:20:55,748
Can I read it from the New King
James Version, where He says:

323
00:21:11,289 --> 00:21:13,204
I mean, the pain in His voice;

324
00:21:13,604 --> 00:21:15,544
He's longing for them to
be saved, and He says,

325
00:21:15,544 --> 00:21:16,824
"You're not willing to come to it."

326
00:21:16,824 --> 00:21:22,924
It reminds me of, I think in Isaiah, God
speaking through the prophet says,

327
00:21:22,924 --> 00:21:26,104
"All day long I stood with My
arms open wide to a stiff-necked

328
00:21:26,104 --> 00:21:29,664
and rebellious people," -- Here
He is calling you to salvation,

329
00:21:29,664 --> 00:21:33,044
and you're turning away, not just
turning away but rebelling against Him.

330
00:21:33,044 --> 00:21:34,704
(Tricia Lee) And it's sad; it's sad.

331
00:21:34,704 --> 00:21:37,844
In a previous study, we've talked about
the choices that we all have to make,

332
00:21:37,844 --> 00:21:40,362
and that God wants us to choose Him,

333
00:21:40,362 --> 00:21:43,382
but we do have the free
will to choose otherwise.

334
00:21:43,382 --> 00:21:44,842
(Derek) You know, I'm thinking,

335
00:21:44,842 --> 00:21:49,082
Tricia Lee, I really appreciate what
Nathan said about the love of Jesus.

336
00:21:49,082 --> 00:21:51,502
And there were some Pharisees,

337
00:21:51,502 --> 00:21:53,522
Nicodemus was a Pharisee

338
00:21:53,522 --> 00:21:55,782
and also a member of the Sanhedrin,

339
00:21:55,782 --> 00:21:58,342
who did repent.

340
00:21:58,342 --> 00:21:59,322
(Tricia Lee) Yes, praise God.

341
00:21:59,322 --> 00:22:01,622
(Derek) So you know, if Jesus was

342
00:22:01,622 --> 00:22:04,022
just kind of harsh and kind of fighting

343
00:22:04,022 --> 00:22:05,542
with the weapons of this world

344
00:22:05,542 --> 00:22:06,982
or acting like they acted,

345
00:22:06,982 --> 00:22:08,462
they'd have an excuse,

346
00:22:08,462 --> 00:22:10,322
but I think He is speaking
with love in His heart.

347
00:22:10,322 --> 00:22:14,982
And, praise God, some of the
Scribes and Pharisees said,

348
00:22:14,982 --> 00:22:17,488
"We need to repent;

349
00:22:17,668 --> 00:22:19,208
we need to turn our lives around."

350
00:22:19,208 --> 00:22:20,408
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

351
00:22:20,408 --> 00:22:21,708
Reading through this passage,

352
00:22:21,708 --> 00:22:23,248
something was very interesting,

353
00:22:23,248 --> 00:22:25,882
and I'd like to ask the
class this question:

354
00:22:25,882 --> 00:22:30,370
How could He say that the guilt

355
00:22:30,990 --> 00:22:33,010
of all the righteous
blood, all the martyrs

356
00:22:33,010 --> 00:22:34,450
would fall on this generation?

357
00:22:34,450 --> 00:22:35,710
What does that mean?

358
00:22:35,710 --> 00:22:37,490
How are they guilty of all these things?

359
00:22:37,490 --> 00:22:39,290
They're just living their little lives;

360
00:22:39,290 --> 00:22:43,390
how is it that He can say that
the blood of all the righteous

361
00:22:43,390 --> 00:22:47,270
from Abel to Zechariah would
fall on this generation?

362
00:22:47,428 --> 00:22:52,188
Any idea what was the significance
of that statement, Missy?

363
00:22:52,188 --> 00:22:53,928
(Missy) All throughout the generations,

364
00:22:53,928 --> 00:22:55,928
God has sent prophets,

365
00:22:55,928 --> 00:22:56,988
throughout all ages,

366
00:22:56,988 --> 00:23:00,168
but along with the prophets
were the dissenters

367
00:23:00,168 --> 00:23:03,428
who chose not to listen to them,
and not only that, to oppose them

368
00:23:03,428 --> 00:23:05,548
and even kill the prophets.

369
00:23:05,548 --> 00:23:08,468
And they have the same spirit,

370
00:23:08,468 --> 00:23:10,988
so this is why they would carry the guilt.

371
00:23:10,988 --> 00:23:12,248
(Tricia Lee) I think you're right, Missy.

372
00:23:12,248 --> 00:23:14,428
Let's turn to Luke chapter 24,

373
00:23:14,428 --> 00:23:16,468
and we'll see that the Bible supports

374
00:23:16,468 --> 00:23:18,008
what you just said, Missy.

375
00:23:18,008 --> 00:23:20,308
Luke chapter 24,

376
00:23:20,308 --> 00:23:27,348
and, Eric, would you read for us Luke
chapter 24, verses 25 through 27?

377
00:23:27,348 --> 00:23:32,548
(Eric) I'm reading from the
New Living Translation,

378
00:23:32,548 --> 00:23:39,508
Luke 24:25-27, and it says:

379
00:24:02,028 --> 00:24:03,768
(Tricia Lee) Amen, that's right, Missy.

380
00:24:03,768 --> 00:24:06,248
All the prophets were all
given the same message,

381
00:24:06,248 --> 00:24:09,604
the Gospel of Jesus that was
to come, the Messiah to come,

382
00:24:09,604 --> 00:24:11,724
they were all testifying to Him,

383
00:24:11,724 --> 00:24:15,824
so every generation, when they kept
rejecting the prophets that were sent

384
00:24:15,824 --> 00:24:18,204
to them, they were rejecting Christ,

385
00:24:18,204 --> 00:24:22,964
and ultimately when that generation
rejected Christ, they were rejecting

386
00:24:22,964 --> 00:24:27,804
the entire message that had been sent
to them time after time after time.

387
00:24:27,804 --> 00:24:28,564
Jonathan?

388
00:24:28,564 --> 00:24:32,084
(Jonathan) Just the fact that not
only did they reject the sayings

389
00:24:32,084 --> 00:24:35,544
that were entrusted to them, now
they came with greater power.

390
00:24:35,544 --> 00:24:37,844
I mean, like, when you have
Christ doing all these miracles,

391
00:24:37,844 --> 00:24:42,164
so if they reject Christ, who is
the fulfillment and testimony

392
00:24:42,164 --> 00:24:45,264
and perfect representation of
everything they were given,

393
00:24:45,264 --> 00:24:49,284
they in essence have rejected it and
killed everything else before them.

394
00:24:49,284 --> 00:24:54,564
(Derek) But you know, we have no excuse

395
00:24:54,564 --> 00:24:57,292
because we have Jesus,

396
00:24:57,292 --> 00:25:02,442
and yet, you know, one of the things
I've noticed teaching about Jesus,

397
00:25:02,544 --> 00:25:06,164
there are many young people who
grow up in a Christian home

398
00:25:06,164 --> 00:25:10,244
who have never read the Book of
Matthew or Mark or Luke or John.

399
00:25:10,244 --> 00:25:13,644
They have the testimony of Jesus Himself,

400
00:25:13,644 --> 00:25:15,382
and yet a lot of times

401
00:25:15,702 --> 00:25:18,062
we act like it doesn't exist.

402
00:25:18,062 --> 00:25:20,822
(Tricia Lee) That would be
the rebuke to our generation.

403
00:25:20,822 --> 00:25:21,722
(Derek) I think it would be.

404
00:25:21,722 --> 00:25:23,042
(Tricia Lee) The rebuke to our generation

405
00:25:23,042 --> 00:25:27,042
is that we have this Word that has
survived generation after generation,

406
00:25:27,042 --> 00:25:30,162
we know that it's been
preserved through time

407
00:25:30,162 --> 00:25:32,742
exactly as it was spoken through
the prophets and written down,

408
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,

409
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

410
00:25:40,942 --> 00:25:42,482
on ourselves.

411
00:25:42,482 --> 00:25:43,822
We're going to keep reading now,

412
00:25:43,822 --> 00:25:47,911
and we're going to transition
now to Matthew chapter 24

413
00:25:47,911 --> 00:25:49,531
and get into the real heart of our study.

414
00:25:49,531 --> 00:25:53,831
We're going to now see that Jesus leaves
the Temple, again, tears in His eyes.

415
00:25:53,831 --> 00:25:56,211
Thank you Nathan; I believe
He had tears in His eyes, too.

416
00:25:56,211 --> 00:25:59,871
Sad that the people were doubting
Him and not believing Him,

417
00:26:00,061 --> 00:26:02,841
and now we're going to
see another conversation

418
00:26:02,841 --> 00:26:07,161
that He and the disciples get into
that leads us to this amazing prophecy

419
00:26:07,161 --> 00:26:10,681
about the destruction of Jerusalem
as well as the last day events.

420
00:26:10,681 --> 00:26:13,861
We're going to read in Matthew chapter 24.

421
00:26:13,861 --> 00:26:17,461
I'm going to ask Nicole if she
would start reading for us

422
00:26:20,309 --> 00:26:22,129
Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14.

423
00:26:22,129 --> 00:26:26,429
(Nicole) Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14,

424
00:26:26,429 --> 00:26:28,849
I'm reading from the New
International Version,

425
00:26:28,849 --> 00:26:30,009
and it says:

426
00:26:59,929 --> 00:27:01,149
(Tricia Lee) Nicole,
would you pause there?

427
00:27:01,149 --> 00:27:02,869
I have a question for the group.

428
00:27:02,869 --> 00:27:04,869
What do you think they mean by that?

429
00:27:04,869 --> 00:27:05,929
The "end of the age?"

430
00:27:05,929 --> 00:27:08,509
My New King James Version
says, the "end of the age."

431
00:27:08,509 --> 00:27:12,456
Does anyone's Bible say
something different?

432
00:27:12,456 --> 00:27:17,556
Anyone have "end of the world?"

433
00:27:17,556 --> 00:27:20,051
(Olric) What was happening here,

434
00:27:20,291 --> 00:27:23,571
they were equating whatever destruction

435
00:27:23,571 --> 00:27:28,511
would come to Jerusalem
with the end of the world.

436
00:27:28,511 --> 00:27:30,691
So they put the two events together

437
00:27:30,691 --> 00:27:33,351
because this is how they
saw it in their own minds.

438
00:27:33,351 --> 00:27:36,591
That's why they asked Jesus
the question in that manner.

439
00:27:36,591 --> 00:27:38,991
(Missy) It was a dual prophecy.

440
00:27:38,991 --> 00:27:40,891
It was talking about two separate events,

441
00:27:40,891 --> 00:27:44,591
but they run parallel to each other.

442
00:27:44,591 --> 00:27:46,231
(Derek) But I think Olric's right,

443
00:27:46,231 --> 00:27:49,145
that they thought, "That must
be the end of the world,

444
00:27:49,145 --> 00:27:52,615
if every stone in this Temple of
God is going to be torn down."

445
00:27:52,615 --> 00:27:54,915
We know that it's not going
to be the end of the world,

446
00:27:54,915 --> 00:27:58,005
it's only 40 years later in
70 A.D. it will be fulfilled,

447
00:27:58,005 --> 00:28:00,055
but I think in their minds, as Olric said,

448
00:28:00,369 --> 00:28:04,049
they're thinking that must
be one and the same thing

449
00:28:04,049 --> 00:28:05,389
as the end of all things.

450
00:28:05,389 --> 00:28:06,849
(Tricia Lee) Yes, one thing's for certain,

451
00:28:06,849 --> 00:28:08,489
if we have questions on what that means

452
00:28:08,489 --> 00:28:10,769
we're going to find out
as we keep reading,

453
00:28:10,769 --> 00:28:13,669
but certainly as we listen to
what's going to be read to us

454
00:28:13,669 --> 00:28:16,329
as we continue in chapter 24.

455
00:28:16,329 --> 00:28:20,129
The end of the age - it
was something drastic.

456
00:28:20,129 --> 00:28:22,349
The end of the world is
what you described, Olric,

457
00:28:22,349 --> 00:28:26,249
and that's the context that the
disciples had in asking this question,

458
00:28:26,249 --> 00:28:30,089
what is the site of this big,
grand, finale, if you would.

459
00:28:30,089 --> 00:28:31,749
So Nicole, please keep reading for us.

460
00:28:31,749 --> 00:28:35,527
(Nicole) I'm reading from
verse 4 of Matthew 24.

461
00:28:35,527 --> 00:28:36,351
It says:

462
00:29:45,068 --> 00:29:46,488
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

463
00:29:46,488 --> 00:29:48,928
Missy, you were right that
this is a dual prophecy,

464
00:29:48,928 --> 00:29:51,138
so we're going to continue reading

465
00:29:53,256 --> 00:29:53,506
and skip down to verses 21 through 28

466
00:29:53,506 --> 00:29:59,666
about the prophecy regarding
the last days and the end times.

467
00:29:59,666 --> 00:30:03,534
I'm going to ask Alex if he would
read for us verses 21 through 28.

468
00:30:03,534 --> 00:30:06,414
(Alex) Sure, and I'll be reading
from the King James Version:

469
00:30:56,094 --> 00:30:57,154
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

470
00:30:57,154 --> 00:30:58,734
One last set of verses,

471
00:30:58,734 --> 00:31:01,994
Nancy, would you please read
verses 32 and 33 for us?

472
00:31:01,994 --> 00:31:08,703
(Nancy) Okay, and this is
from Matthew 24, verse 32

473
00:31:08,703 --> 00:31:11,063
in the New King James Version:

474
00:31:32,843 --> 00:31:34,723
(Tricia Lee) Amen, at the doors.

475
00:31:35,003 --> 00:31:39,201
So let's talk about these amazing,
amazing Scriptures, amazing prophecy,

476
00:31:39,661 --> 00:31:41,721
Jesus letting us know what to expect

477
00:31:41,721 --> 00:31:43,161
in the last days.

478
00:31:43,161 --> 00:31:46,841
What signs of the last days do
you see even today taking place?

479
00:31:46,841 --> 00:31:49,441
Olric.

480
00:31:49,441 --> 00:31:54,221
(Olric) Wars, rumors of wars, you
have nation rising against nation,

481
00:31:54,221 --> 00:31:56,221
and it's becoming more prevalent,

482
00:31:56,221 --> 00:31:57,701
but not just more prevalent,

483
00:31:57,701 --> 00:32:01,541
but they're using more
sophisticated weapons

484
00:32:01,541 --> 00:32:03,441
for their warfare,

485
00:32:03,441 --> 00:32:05,958
and it doesn't, you
know, seem to be ending.

486
00:32:05,958 --> 00:32:07,058
(Tricia Lee) Okay, Juliana.

487
00:32:07,546 --> 00:32:10,646
(Juliana) Olric mentions
things that are involving man,

488
00:32:10,646 --> 00:32:12,906
but I think that the
Earth is also groaning.

489
00:32:12,906 --> 00:32:16,226
We're seeing more and
more earthquakes.

490
00:32:16,226 --> 00:32:18,826
I think of what happened
not that long ago in Nepal,

491
00:32:18,826 --> 00:32:22,706
and there's also been things in Mexico

492
00:32:22,706 --> 00:32:24,746
and in Africa and just all over the world.

493
00:32:24,746 --> 00:32:26,266
We have earthquakes, we have famines.

494
00:32:26,266 --> 00:32:29,166
There's things happening in rivers,

495
00:32:29,166 --> 00:32:30,786
that animals are dying,

496
00:32:30,786 --> 00:32:33,486
and the environment...it's groaning;

497
00:32:33,486 --> 00:32:35,666
it's asking for Christ to come back.

498
00:32:35,666 --> 00:32:36,646
(Tricia Lee) Alex.

499
00:32:36,646 --> 00:32:39,266
(Alex) I think there are many
false prophets now, too.

500
00:32:39,266 --> 00:32:42,946
Just more and more all the time I
see preachers and pastors coming out

501
00:32:42,946 --> 00:32:46,466
with these end-time preachings and end-
time things, and even a lot of my friends

502
00:32:46,466 --> 00:32:51,454
are really getting into these things,
"Here, check out this message," and such.

503
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.

504
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.

505
00:33:00,005 --> 00:33:01,065
(Tricia Lee) Jonathan.

506
00:33:01,065 --> 00:33:05,315
(Jonathan) I think it's interesting
to look at the things He chooses

507
00:33:05,315 --> 00:33:06,575
and how He lays them out.

508
00:33:06,575 --> 00:33:09,885
I feel like in some sense He
kind of picks the things,

509
00:33:09,885 --> 00:33:12,915
not so much that we can
calculate the end of time,

510
00:33:12,915 --> 00:33:16,155
but more to say, okay,
what do we need to look at

511
00:33:16,483 --> 00:33:20,943
because, I mean, a lot of the things
He lays out happen throughout history.

512
00:33:20,943 --> 00:33:24,953
The church was persecuted,
you have earthquakes, I mean,

513
00:33:24,953 --> 00:33:27,149
that's been happening for a lot of time.

514
00:33:27,389 --> 00:33:30,009
And certainly He does say things
that get close to the end of time,

515
00:33:30,009 --> 00:33:33,629
but I think also He's just saying for
the disciples and for us in general

516
00:33:33,629 --> 00:33:38,529
a way to look at the world
and to have our hearts...

517
00:33:38,529 --> 00:33:41,757
and how to respond to
the things that happen.

518
00:33:41,757 --> 00:33:45,867
So I think it's kind of, "How to
live in the context of My Coming."

519
00:33:45,867 --> 00:33:47,517
(Derek) I think the positive thing

520
00:33:47,517 --> 00:33:49,847
is the Gospel is going
to go to the whole world,

521
00:33:49,847 --> 00:33:51,417
and then the end's going to come.

522
00:33:51,417 --> 00:33:52,247
(Tricia Lee) Yes.

523
00:33:52,247 --> 00:33:56,697
(Derek) You know, I think the joy we have
as a little team, Hope Sabbath School,

524
00:33:56,697 --> 00:33:59,307
is that we're a little part of that,

525
00:33:59,307 --> 00:34:03,167
and technology even in the lifetime

526
00:34:03,167 --> 00:34:04,347
of many of our viewers,

527
00:34:04,347 --> 00:34:08,627
there's been a revolution
in terms of communication.

528
00:34:08,799 --> 00:34:11,999
And, of course, the Enemy's
wanting to use that,

529
00:34:11,999 --> 00:34:16,094
as Alex said, to promote false ideas

530
00:34:16,094 --> 00:34:18,694
and just idolatry,

531
00:34:18,694 --> 00:34:21,494
but I believe God's going to
use that by His Spirit, too.

532
00:34:21,494 --> 00:34:25,314
We're on the brink of where the Message

533
00:34:25,472 --> 00:34:28,152
can go rapidly around the world.

534
00:34:28,152 --> 00:34:28,992
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

535
00:34:28,992 --> 00:34:35,512
Alex, you mentioned the false
christs that come in the last days,

536
00:34:35,512 --> 00:34:37,610
what's our safeguard against

537
00:34:37,610 --> 00:34:39,570
the deception of a false christ,

538
00:34:39,570 --> 00:34:42,498
or let's talk some more about
what does that look like,

539
00:34:42,498 --> 00:34:46,958
a false christ or someone that's
coming in the name of Christ, Olric.

540
00:34:47,146 --> 00:34:51,466
(Olric) I've looked through
the Old Testament,

541
00:34:51,466 --> 00:34:53,566
and I've seen some scenarios where

542
00:34:53,566 --> 00:34:57,126
false messages were
brought to God's people.

543
00:34:57,126 --> 00:34:59,846
We see in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve

544
00:34:59,846 --> 00:35:04,246
with the Devil tempting
them with false words.

545
00:35:04,246 --> 00:35:10,206
Even in the case of a previous
study we did in Jeremiah,

546
00:35:10,384 --> 00:35:15,144
we see Jeremiah being countered there by
an individual by the name of Hananiah.

547
00:35:15,144 --> 00:35:19,014
The problem with these false
christs, false teachers,

548
00:35:19,014 --> 00:35:21,952
they propel messages

549
00:35:21,952 --> 00:35:26,652
that seem to distract God's people

550
00:35:26,652 --> 00:35:29,502
from God's way of doing things,

551
00:35:29,502 --> 00:35:31,352
the way God had commanded.

552
00:35:31,498 --> 00:35:33,178
And the way to counter this,

553
00:35:33,178 --> 00:35:36,498
as we will see from the Word of God,

554
00:35:36,498 --> 00:35:39,038
is through the truth
like Isaiah 8, verse 20.

555
00:35:39,038 --> 00:35:40,718
(Tricia Lee) Let's go there.

556
00:35:40,718 --> 00:35:44,368
Let's go there, Isaiah 8, verse 20,

557
00:35:44,368 --> 00:35:53,998
and Olric, will you read that for us?

558
00:35:53,998 --> 00:35:55,958
(Olric) Isaiah 8, verse 20,

559
00:35:56,203 --> 00:35:59,123
reading from the King James Version:

560
00:36:08,733 --> 00:36:09,553
(Tricia Lee) Wow.

561
00:36:09,553 --> 00:36:12,053
So what I heard you say, Olric, is there

562
00:36:12,053 --> 00:36:14,763
may not just be manifestations of people

563
00:36:14,763 --> 00:36:18,433
saying that they are a false
messiah to physically "follow me,"

564
00:36:18,433 --> 00:36:21,543
but even teachings of false Christianity

565
00:36:21,543 --> 00:36:24,484
that can also be a way to
deceive people in the last days.

566
00:36:24,484 --> 00:36:27,829
(Derek) Right, and I think Alex made
a really important point when he said,

567
00:36:27,829 --> 00:36:30,827
"I could follow what some
of my friends are saying

568
00:36:30,827 --> 00:36:33,167
if I didn't study the Word,"

569
00:36:33,167 --> 00:36:38,265
because these people, they do
signs and wonders, it says,

570
00:36:38,265 --> 00:36:39,913
and they're religious;

571
00:36:39,913 --> 00:36:42,913
they're false christs and false prophets,

572
00:36:42,913 --> 00:36:46,743
so they speak about maybe
needing to be close to God,

573
00:36:46,743 --> 00:36:49,903
and, you know, it all sounds good,

574
00:36:49,903 --> 00:36:51,353
but it's false.

575
00:36:51,353 --> 00:36:55,033
So, you know, we shouldn't
try to..."Oh, is that false?"

576
00:36:55,033 --> 00:36:57,143
we should be focusing on the true

577
00:36:57,143 --> 00:36:59,584
and on Jesus who is the true Christ,

578
00:36:59,889 --> 00:37:01,569
because when we see the false

579
00:37:01,569 --> 00:37:03,489
we will immediately recognize

580
00:37:03,489 --> 00:37:04,989
that it isn't the truth.

581
00:37:04,989 --> 00:37:07,629
(Tricia Lee) There's another promise
that Jesus Himself has made

582
00:37:07,629 --> 00:37:10,609
to His believers, and
I'm going to ask Missy

583
00:37:10,609 --> 00:37:16,269
if she would read for us John
chapter 10, verses 27 and 28.

584
00:37:16,269 --> 00:37:19,189
John chapter 10:27,28.

585
00:37:19,189 --> 00:37:22,989
And it is a bit scary for some to
think that you could be deceived

586
00:37:23,224 --> 00:37:26,104
by false teachers and false miracles

587
00:37:26,104 --> 00:37:27,864
and false people to lead us astray,

588
00:37:27,864 --> 00:37:32,470
but I thank God that He has
this promise recorded for us.

589
00:37:32,470 --> 00:37:33,650
(Derek) Amen.

590
00:37:33,650 --> 00:37:37,450
(Missy) I'm reading from the
New International Version:

591
00:37:48,470 --> 00:37:49,630
(Derek) Amen.

592
00:37:49,630 --> 00:37:50,970
(Tricia Lee, Team) Amen.

593
00:37:50,970 --> 00:37:53,430
(Tricia Lee) We are safe
in the hands of Jesus.

594
00:37:53,430 --> 00:37:56,470
"My sheep hear my voice...
and they will follow."

595
00:37:56,470 --> 00:37:59,230
Thank you for reading that
Scripture in Isaiah, Olric.

596
00:37:59,230 --> 00:38:03,970
If there is a message or a person that's
not speaking according to the Word of God,

597
00:38:03,970 --> 00:38:06,130
then that's an alarm for us,

598
00:38:06,130 --> 00:38:08,170
but He's also promised
that He will keep us,

599
00:38:08,170 --> 00:38:11,310
that we will recognize His voice, and
I believe there are so many examples

600
00:38:11,310 --> 00:38:15,110
in the Bible of the Lord
revealing Himself to His people,

601
00:38:15,110 --> 00:38:20,530
literally leading His people through
the wilderness by day and by night,

602
00:38:20,530 --> 00:38:24,370
and so even in the midst of strong
deception in the last days,

603
00:38:24,370 --> 00:38:28,880
if we keep our eyes on Jesus,
He will see us through.

604
00:38:28,880 --> 00:38:31,520
Simiso, let's read another
promise from the Lord

605
00:38:31,520 --> 00:38:33,420
on why we shouldn't be afraid

606
00:38:33,420 --> 00:38:35,260
and should not be discouraged.

607
00:38:35,260 --> 00:38:39,980
Simiso, would you read John
chapter 14, verses 1 through 3.

608
00:38:39,980 --> 00:38:44,800
Why we should not be afraid
of these last day events.

609
00:38:44,800 --> 00:38:48,806
(Simiso) John 14, verses 1 through 3,

610
00:38:48,806 --> 00:38:51,408
and I'm reading from the
New King James Version.

611
00:38:51,408 --> 00:38:52,274
It says:

612
00:39:14,214 --> 00:39:15,534
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

613
00:39:15,534 --> 00:39:18,754
So the last days are a necessary step

614
00:39:18,754 --> 00:39:22,454
in the process of getting
us closer to going Home.

615
00:39:22,454 --> 00:39:24,334
Jesus is coming back to take us Home

616
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to be with Him, and as
scary as last day events,

617
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
wars and earthquakes and pestilence

618
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and family members betraying
one another, may sound,

619
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God has promised to keep us

620
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the promise is that when He returns

621
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He is going to take us Home with Him.

622
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek, Tricia Lee) Praise God.

623
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Missy mentioned earlier

624
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that there was a dual prophecy,

625
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that the disciples were thinking

626
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the destruction of Jerusalem,

627
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and Jesus answered their question

628
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about when those things
would take place as well.

629
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's read the verses
where Jesus describes

630
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the destruction of Jerusalem.

631
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Eric, would you read for us Matthew

632
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
chapter 24, verses 15 through 20?

633
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Eric) I'm reading from
the New Living Translation,

634
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and it says:

635
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

636
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Gary, we talked a bit earlier about
it being difficult for the disciples

637
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to think about the destruction of
Jerusalem to happen at any other time

638
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
than at the end of the world.

639
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why was that?

640
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why did they connect the two together?

641
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Gary) I guess how they related

642
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to the Temple, their mission;

643
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they're the people of God.

644
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They couldn't get past the fact that

645
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if this is not going to
be in existence anymore,

646
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
than that must mean everything
must be falling apart.

647
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) You know, I think they're trusting

648
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the building rather than in God.

649
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And before we judge them and go,

650
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"That's really foolish," I think we could

651
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
trust in our institutions,

652
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we could trust in our organization,

653
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the truth of the matter is,

654
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
before this is all over,

655
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a lot of those things could collapse.

656
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) That's true, it's true.

657
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) And all we have is
to hold on to our Savior,

658
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you know, because we know
that He's going through.

659
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He's going to take us
through to the very end.

660
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But lest we be too hard on them, I think

661
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they associated confidence in God,

662
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
now it's the building,

663
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and pretty soon God's kind of set aside,

664
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and they're just trusting
in their structures.

665
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) You're absolutely right.

666
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're going to have to let go
of a lot of ideas that we have,

667
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
things that we hold dear,

668
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to accept Jesus and in His return.

669
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Juliana, would you read for us.

670
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's turn to Philippians chapter 3:7-8,

671
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we'll hear an account of someone

672
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who had to let go of some
things they held dear.

673
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Philippians chapter 3, verses 7 and 8.

674
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Juliana) I'm reading from
the New King James Version:

675
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen!

676
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What we didn't read is that previously

677
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we're hearing an account of having
confidence in self and being able

678
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to keep the Law and being
of the stock of Israel,

679
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
all the things that I'm sure the disciples

680
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
are very proud of in thinking about

681
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the institution and the Temple.

682
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They had to let those things go,

683
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and surely we will have to
let some things go, as well,

684
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to accept Christ.

685
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We talked in a previous study
about falling on the Rock,

686
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
submitting to Christ

687
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and learning to count the things of
God as gain and learning how to let go.

688
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's keep reading in Matthew chapter 24.

689
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Not only does Jesus tell
us what to look for

690
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in His coming, but He gives
us a description of His coming,

691
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and certainly this is key because

692
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we're watching and we're waiting,

693
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we want to be ready when He comes,

694
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we want to know what we're looking for

695
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when He comes.

696
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So, Nathan, would you please read for us

697
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew 24, verses 27 through 31?

698
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nathan) All right, I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:

699
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen! Amen.

700
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What are some of the characteristics

701
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and aspects of Jesus' coming?

702
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What do we learn from this passage?

703
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nicole) Everyone will
see Him when He comes.

704
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) It's visible.

705
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nicole) Yes, we will see Him.

706
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) So it looks like
there are a lot of angels.

707
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can't miss the whole
angels of the Heavenly Host.

708
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What else do we learn?

709
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) The trumpet sound.

710
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) So it's loud; it's audible.

711
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Okay, what else have we learned here?

712
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Jason) There will be
some signs of the heavens

713
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that precede the coming,

714
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
particularly with the
sun, moon, and stars.

715
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Anything else?

716
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) And it's dramatic.

717
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Yes.

718
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) It's not just, "Oh, I think

719
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I see something."

720
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Yes.

721
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) It's like lightening from the east

722
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
all the way to the west,

723
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I think that's important, because,

724
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you know, Jesus talks about,
is this secret or is it...

725
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I think it's a surprise, even for those

726
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of us who are looking for His coming,

727
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when it actually happens.

728
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If it happened in the
middle of this broadcast,

729
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you know I'd use my favorite Hebrew word,

730
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Hallelujah, but I would be surprised

731
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because I thought we were going to finish

732
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the program, right?

733
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Yeah, but it's not secret.

734
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's not secret;

735
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it's visible, audible, but it's dramatic

736
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
like lightening from the east to the west.

737
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) My version of the Bible

738
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
says that "the powers of the
heavens will be shaken."

739
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I can't even imagine what that's like,

740
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but I feel like we won't miss when

741
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the heavens are shaking.

742
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
This is a dramatic, dramatic occurence.

743
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We'll all see it.

744
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We will not miss it.

745
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What else can we learn
about Jesus' coming?

746
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's turn over to
1 Thessalonians chapter 4

747
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
where there's another description of
some of the what that takes place

748
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the how that takes place

749
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when Jesus comes.

750
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
1 Thessalonians chapter 4,
verses 15 through 17.

751
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'll ask Gary to read that for us.

752
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Gary) Sure, and I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:

753
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) What else is happening

754
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
at the coming of Jesus?

755
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're not going to miss
any of these things.

756
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I heard again, the loud shout,

757
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the Lord Himself is coming,

758
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the Archangel.

759
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I can imagine the Archangel
and the Lord are shouting.

760
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
This is going to be a loud shout.

761
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What else do we see?

762
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nathan) In verse 15, we read that
there would be a resurrection.

763
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Yes, hard to miss!

764
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nathan) We're not going to Heaven

765
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
without the ones...I think probably
the Thessalonians were writing to Paul

766
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and saying, "What about our loved
ones who have fallen asleep in Jesus?

767
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Are we going to go to Heaven when Jesus
comes, and we leave them behind?"

768
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He says, "No, before we go, they're
going to be raised from the Earth."

769
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So that's something that we
won't really miss, will we?

770
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) No, we won't.

771
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nathan) It's hard to miss that.

772
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) I think growing up I thought the
loud shout was like, "Yo!" you know?

773
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But I think the shout
is, "Awake!" you know,

774
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because the Scripture speaks about
awake, you who sleep in the dust.

775
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's like, "Lazarus, come forth!"

776
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when Jesus raises Lazarus.

777
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So it's not just, "Yo!" you know?

778
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's a shout that will conquer death;

779
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it will defeat death.

780
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Iv'e even
imagined to myself sometimes,

781
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
like, "Honey, I'm home!"

782
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're the Bride and He's coming, right?

783
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
With excitement, He's here.

784
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's not forget, though, why Jesus

785
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
was so sad in rebuking the Pharisees

786
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the Scribes and the religious leaders

787
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in Jerusalem who had rejected Him.

788
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It was because He realized

789
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that at His coming there
will be no second chance,

790
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that things are final.

791
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Our destinies will be decided
by Christ the Judge,

792
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and that's why He had
those tears in His eyes,

793
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because He knew their
salvation was on the line.

794
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's look at some verses

795
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
again in Matthew chapter 24

796
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because there are some who believe
that there is a second chance,

797
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that when Jesus comes again there's
another chance to get things right.

798
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,

799
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the end of the world,

800
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

801
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and today.

802
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Olric, will you read for us
Matthew 24, verses 36 through 42?

803
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
36 through 42.

804
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) Reading from
the King James Version:

805
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, thank you.

806
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Particularly verses 40 and 41,

807
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there are some that believe that there is
something called the "Secret Rapture,"

808
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that the Lord will come at one point and
take some chosen people away secretly,

809
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and others will not know, and that those
who are left behind have a second chance

810
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for some period of time to get
things right before He comes again.

811
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But what we've learned so far and
what these texts are describing to us

812
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is...Well, the first thing we can say
about the women is that they are

813
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
kind of going along in
their everyday lives, right?

814
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They are going along, it's
business as usual, right?

815
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They are at the mill,
is that where they are?

816
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Grinding at the mill, and so exactly
what Pastor Derek described

817
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about, we could be filming one
of these Sabbath School lessons,

818
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the Lord could come.

819
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're going about our
lives; it's a surprise.

820
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It catches us suddenly, and that's
the shock that can be with two people

821
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
working at a mill or two
people sleeping in bed.

822
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Yes.

823
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) Notice what is being said here.

824
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
In this passage, Jesus is not
saying that you should not work.

825
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
This is daily work that they are doing.

826
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The problem is, is that these
two passages, 40 and 41,

827
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
are in the context of Jesus saying that,

828
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"My coming will be a
surprise," not a secret,

829
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
just a surprise,

830
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because it will be loud,

831
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it will be visible.

832
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But the surprise is, it will come at
a time when people least expect it

833
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because many folks, as He's saying here,

834
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
will be going about their daily work...

835
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Eating, drinking.

836
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) ...doing all this stuff
without getting themselves ready.

837
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) You know, there are
many sincere Christians

838
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who may believe in a Secret
Rapture of the saints

839
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and then another chance,

840
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and certainly we may not have
everything right about Scripture,

841
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we know if we love Jesus, and
we've accepted His salvation,

842
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that whenever He comes
we'll be ready, right?

843
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So we're not saved by
correct understanding.

844
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The danger is that people would put off

845
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
until tomorrow the commitment
they need to make today

846
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and say, "Well, maybe when they
go I can make another chance,"

847
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and that's, of course, the deception

848
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because the Bible say,
"Today, if you hear His voice,

849
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
do not harden your heart."

850
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

851
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, let's read another
Scripture one chapter over,

852
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew chapter 25,
verses 31 through 34,

853
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I will ask Simiso to read that for us,

854
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew 25:31-34.

855
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It will give us a little bit more insight

856
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about what happens when the Lord comes

857
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and this idea of being taken.

858
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Simiso) Matthew 25:31-34, I'm reading
from the New King James Version:

859
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

860
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When Jesus comes, His
coming is not a secret.

861
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It may be a surprise to some who
are going about their everyday lives

862
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
not watching, not being ready,

863
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but it's His judgment that determines

864
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who's on the left, who's on the right,

865
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who's taken to be with
Him when He returns.

866
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Again, Jesus knew this, and that's why

867
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He pleaded and begged because He knew

868
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that the choices we make today,

869
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the choices they made in that day,

870
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
were what would determine

871
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
whether they would be on the right hand

872
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or on the left hand,

873
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
whether they'd be taken
back Home with Him.

874
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) And those who are left...

875
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I think this is really important;

876
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you've been emphasizing
the need for a decision.

877
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We read that where the body is,

878
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there the vultures will gather.

879
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
As we study Scripture,

880
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
those who are left are
not left to continue on,

881
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but they are destroyed by the
brightness of Christ's coming,

882
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and that's why we need to
make our decision today.

883
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

884
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, let's wrap up our study

885
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in learning what it means
to watch and be ready

886
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and how we should act when we
know that the Lord is coming.

887
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jason, would you read for us

888
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
verses 42 through 51 of Matthew 24?

889
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Jason) I'll be reading from
the New King James Version,

890
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew chapter 24, verses 42 through 51:

891
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Oh, mercy.

892
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Olric, quickly, how can we be
ready for Jesus' Second Coming?

893
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) Simple, get ourselves ready

894
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
spiritually first through our
commitment to Jesus Christ,

895
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and use that commitment to reach others.

896
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

897
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Thank you for this wonderful study,

898
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

899
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the future through His Word, amen.

900
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) Thank you, Tricia Lee.

901
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What an amazing study,

902
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and thank you for joining us
for Hope Sabbath School today.

903
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jesus wants you to be ready.

904
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He wants you to know peace and joy today,

905
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
even in the midst of the
difficulties around you.

906
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I want to pray that you'd
make that commitment today,

907
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
just as Olric said, today,

908
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that you'll trust Christ as your Savior

909
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
while we have this wonderful opportunity.

910
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's pray.

911
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Our Father in Heaven, we
don't want to take for granted

912
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the great privilege of
learning the truth about Jesus

913
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and accepting Him as our Savior

914
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
while there is still time.

915
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I pray for each one who
hears this prayer today,

916
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that we may make our
calling and election sure

917
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
by trusting Jesus as our
Savior and soon-coming King.

918
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And, God, I thank you
that you'll also use us

919
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to share that Good Word, that Word of hope

920
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with those around us,

921
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in Jesus' name, amen.

922
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Amen.

923
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) While we're looking
for that glorious appearing,

924
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we'll see Him come, we'll hear Him,

925
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we'll hear a shout that
will wake the dead.

926
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's going to be a glorious reunion.

927
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Won't you determine today

928
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that you'll be part of the
Redeemed for all eternity,

929
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and won't you also make the commitment

930
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that Jesus wants you to
share that Good News

931
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so that others can be with
us on that glorious day.

932
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Go out,

933
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
make a difference to the
lives of those around you.

934
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
♪ theme music ♪