0:00:00.178,0:00:19.200
♪ theme music ♪

0:00:19.200,0:00:21.070
(Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School,

0:00:21.070,0:00:23.250
an in-depth, interactive study

0:00:23.250,0:00:24.470
of the Word of God.

0:00:24.470,0:00:26.090
I'm glad you joined us today

0:00:26.090,0:00:29.270
as we continue a life-changing series

0:00:29.270,0:00:31.190
of studies on the Gospel of Matthew.

0:00:31.190,0:00:32.700
Today we're going to talk about

0:00:32.700,0:00:34.350
"The Teachings of Jesus

0:00:34.350,0:00:36.370
about the Last Days."

0:00:36.370,0:00:37.790
A relevant topic,

0:00:37.790,0:00:39.250
and I know you'll be blessed.

0:00:39.250,0:00:40.950
So welcome to Hope Sabbath School

0:00:40.950,0:00:42.150
and welcome to our team.

0:00:42.150,0:00:43.771
What a great series of studies.

0:00:43.771,0:00:46.090
I'm so thankful that the Spirit of God

0:00:46.090,0:00:48.070
inspired a former tax collector,

0:00:48.070,0:00:50.190
Levi Matthew, to write this account,

0:00:50.190,0:00:52.090
and I'm excited today because

0:00:52.090,0:00:53.480
one of our team, Tricia Lee,

0:00:53.480,0:00:55.228
is going to be leading in our study.

0:00:55.228,0:00:57.308
Tricia Lee, thanks for your commitment

0:00:57.308,0:00:58.358
to the Word of God,

0:00:58.358,0:01:00.238
and I know God is going to bless us

0:01:00.238,0:01:01.878
in wonderful ways.

0:01:01.878,0:01:02.818
We're just so glad

0:01:02.818,0:01:04.938
that you're part of Hope Sabbath School,

0:01:04.938,0:01:07.118
and when you write to us it brings joy

0:01:07.118,0:01:10.038
to our hearts to hear[br]how God is blessing you.

0:01:10.038,0:01:13.098
You can write to sshope@hopetv.org.

0:01:13.098,0:01:14.578
You can also write a note

0:01:14.578,0:01:16.018
on our Facebook page;

0:01:16.018,0:01:19.078
we've got more than 150,000 followers

0:01:19.078,0:01:21.268
on Facebook now, and it's wonderful.

0:01:21.268,0:01:23.968
Sometimes we'll put a picture[br]of you, if you send one.

0:01:23.968,0:01:25.758
We're just part of a global family

0:01:25.758,0:01:27.958
seeking God and wanting to be used

0:01:27.958,0:01:30.238
to bless others with His Word.

0:01:30.238,0:01:31.368
So thanks for writing.

0:01:31.368,0:01:33.848
Ely writes from California.

0:01:33.848,0:01:35.518
Anybody from California?

0:01:35.518,0:01:37.708
Some of you have lived[br]in California, right?

0:01:37.708,0:01:38.468
Okay.

0:01:38.468,0:01:40.788
"Greetings to every Hope[br]Sabbath School member."

0:01:40.788,0:01:42.768
(Team) Greetings.

0:01:42.768,0:01:45.552
Several of you look happy.

0:01:45.552,0:01:47.082
"I watch your program every day.

0:01:47.082,0:01:48.902
I learn a lot from the discussion.

0:01:48.902,0:01:51.102
I also downloaded the app,

0:01:51.102,0:01:53.742
and I love to watch the archives.

0:01:53.742,0:01:56.552
I feast on the Word of God every day."

0:01:56.552,0:01:59.932
Well, Ely, thanks for letting other[br]Hope Sabbath School members know

0:01:59.932,0:02:02.172
that if you go to our website,

0:02:02.172,0:02:05.122
hopetv.org/hopess,

0:02:05.122,0:02:07.222
you can not only watch programs

0:02:07.222,0:02:09.212
in this series on the Gospel of Matthew

0:02:09.212,0:02:10.642
that you might have missed,

0:02:10.642,0:02:13.782
but you can watch a[br]multitude of past programs

0:02:13.782,0:02:15.262
with wonderful topics

0:02:15.262,0:02:16.422
that will be a blessing.

0:02:16.422,0:02:18.832
If you have the app on your iPhone

0:02:18.832,0:02:20.507
or your smartphone,

0:02:20.507,0:02:22.312
you can access the archives there;

0:02:22.312,0:02:25.462
you can watch all kinds of[br]wonderful Bible studies.

0:02:25.462,0:02:27.702
So, thanks for putting in a little promo,

0:02:27.702,0:02:30.682
Ely, for the app, and that's

0:02:30.682,0:02:32.602
a wonderful blessing to many people.

0:02:32.602,0:02:34.562
James writes from Ghana.

0:02:34.562,0:02:36.392
Anyone with Ghanaian roots?

0:02:36.392,0:02:39.152
We do have some occasionally[br]on our team, don't we?

0:02:39.152,0:02:41.922
"I enjoy your class and the contributions

0:02:41.922,0:02:43.352
you make.

0:02:43.352,0:02:45.649
I pick your contributions,

0:02:45.649,0:02:48.449
and I replicate them in my class

0:02:48.449,0:02:49.879
when I teach in my church."

0:02:49.879,0:02:50.739
Is that good?

0:02:50.739,0:02:53.029
(Derek) That's exactly[br]what we're hoping for.

0:02:53.029,0:02:55.969
"Oh, how I wish I could contribute live,"

0:02:55.969,0:02:57.459
says James.

0:02:57.459,0:03:00.179
"Send my greetings to the[br]Hope Sabbath School team."

0:03:00.179,0:03:03.339
Well, James, if you come[br]over when we're filming,

0:03:03.339,0:03:05.439
we'd love to have you[br]as part of the program,

0:03:05.439,0:03:07.419
but, you know, we're equally excited

0:03:07.419,0:03:09.879
to know that you're leading a Bible study

0:03:09.879,0:03:12.179
program there in your homeland of Ghana,

0:03:12.179,0:03:14.179
and, along with tens of thousands

0:03:14.179,0:03:16.279
who are downloading that outline,

0:03:16.279,0:03:19.389
we're glad you're teaching[br]the Word to others.

0:03:19.389,0:03:21.309
Benson writes from Kenya,

0:03:21.309,0:03:22.849
and I know we've got one Kenyan.

0:03:22.849,0:03:24.969
Eric, wave to your brother from Kenya.

0:03:24.969,0:03:27.949
All right, a big smile for Benson

0:03:27.949,0:03:31.059
writing from Kenya, "I[br]follow your programs.

0:03:31.059,0:03:33.399
I am a Sunday School teacher."

0:03:33.399,0:03:35.219
So Benson's teaching the Word

0:03:35.219,0:03:36.499
in his church.

0:03:36.499,0:03:38.959
"Please don't give up because your work

0:03:38.959,0:03:40.239
is not in vain."

0:03:40.239,0:03:40.939
(Team) Amen.

0:03:40.939,0:03:42.059
(Derek) That's awesome!

0:03:42.059,0:03:43.309
"God bless you all, amen."

0:03:43.309,0:03:45.509
Well Benson, to know that you're a witness

0:03:45.509,0:03:47.824
there in your church in Kenya

0:03:47.824,0:03:49.364
brings great joy to our hearts.

0:03:49.364,0:03:51.824
You encourage your other[br]Sunday School members

0:03:51.824,0:03:53.834
to watch Hope Sabbath School,

0:03:53.834,0:03:55.454
and they'll learn much more

0:03:55.454,0:03:57.144
about the Word of God, too.

0:03:57.144,0:03:59.094
Here's one last note,

0:03:59.094,0:04:01.904
actually, I've got a couple[br]here; lots of people writing.

0:04:01.904,0:04:04.094
I want to thank Jean

0:04:04.094,0:04:06.734
for writing from Russia.

0:04:06.734,0:04:08.654
You say, "Jean doesn't sound Russian."

0:04:08.654,0:04:11.134
Well, Jean is from Rwanda,

0:04:11.134,0:04:13.034
studying in Russia.

0:04:13.034,0:04:17.634
"I greet you in the mighty name of[br]our soon-coming Savior Jesus Christ."

0:04:17.634,0:04:18.804
(Team) Amen.

0:04:18.804,0:04:20.094
(Derek) "Peace be with you.

0:04:20.094,0:04:21.804
I am Rwandese,

0:04:21.804,0:04:24.214
currently living and studying in Russia."

0:04:24.214,0:04:27.164
Now I want you to listen[br]to Jean's testimony.

0:04:27.164,0:04:28.954
"I discovered Hope Sabbath School

0:04:28.954,0:04:34.194
in late 2014 shortly[br]after I came to Russia.

0:04:34.194,0:04:38.054
I used to go through the[br]Sabbath School study by myself

0:04:38.054,0:04:41.244
because I didn't have[br]anyone to study with me.

0:04:41.244,0:04:44.454
Even after I discovered[br]a church in the city,

0:04:44.454,0:04:47.644
it was still difficult because all[br]of the services were held in"...?

0:04:47.644,0:04:48.600
(Team) Russian.

0:04:48.600,0:04:52.710
(Derek) "...Russian, and I just[br]was learning the language.

0:04:52.710,0:04:54.960
As a response to my longings,..."

0:04:54.960,0:04:56.840
(Somebody is going to say "amen" here.)

0:04:56.840,0:04:58.830
"As a response to my longings,

0:04:58.830,0:05:00.810
God revealed Hope Sabbath School to me,"

0:05:00.810,0:05:01.910
(Team) Amen.

0:05:01.910,0:05:03.920
(Derek) "...and I was able to be part

0:05:03.920,0:05:06.790
of the in-depth study of[br]the Word of God in English.

0:05:06.790,0:05:09.160
It blessed me so much

0:05:09.160,0:05:11.830
that even though I've now[br]acquired enough language skills

0:05:11.830,0:05:15.070
to discuss the lesson in Russian,

0:05:15.070,0:05:17.430
I still watch Hope Sabbath School,

0:05:17.430,0:05:18.890
and I'm blessed by that.

0:05:18.890,0:05:22.370
I pray that you keep serving,[br]letting people know

0:05:22.370,0:05:24.309
about the Word of God

0:05:24.309,0:05:28.090
and that you might even[br]broadcast in different languages

0:05:28.090,0:05:31.230
to reach many unreached[br]places for Christ."

0:05:31.230,0:05:33.450
Well, Jean, I want to ask you to pray

0:05:33.450,0:05:37.630
because we are moving forward [br]with closed captioning,

0:05:37.630,0:05:39.950
and we are looking for the opportunity

0:05:39.950,0:05:41.770
for volunteer translators

0:05:41.770,0:05:44.010
in a multitude of different languages

0:05:44.010,0:05:47.440
so that people who don't have[br]English as their language,

0:05:47.440,0:05:49.310
even a major second language,

0:05:49.310,0:05:52.035
will be able to watch and[br]read the closed captioning

0:05:52.035,0:05:54.095
because, you know this[br]Gospel of the Kingdom

0:05:54.095,0:05:55.975
is going to go the whole World,

0:05:55.975,0:05:58.415
and then Jesus will come[br]back, isn't that right?

0:05:58.415,0:06:00.925
(Derek) So thank you for[br]being a witness there

0:06:00.925,0:06:02.605
while you're studying in Russia.

0:06:02.605,0:06:06.065
One last note from Alexander in Zimbabwe.

0:06:06.065,0:06:07.845
Anyone from Zimbabwe, Simiso?

0:06:07.845,0:06:10.045
Hold your hand up and[br]wave to your brother;

0:06:10.045,0:06:11.425
we'll get that on the screen,

0:06:11.425,0:06:13.215
all the way from Zimbabwe.

0:06:13.215,0:06:15.115
"Greetings, Hope Sabbath School team."

0:06:15.115,0:06:16.055
(Team) Greetings!

0:06:16.055,0:06:19.325
(Derek) "I'm blessed to be watching[br]Hope Sabbath School in Harare..."

0:06:19.325,0:06:21.435
(capital?) "...of Zimbabwe.

0:06:21.435,0:06:23.522
I really enjoy the discussions;

0:06:23.522,0:06:26.592
they're so interactive and informative.

0:06:26.592,0:06:29.452
May God bless the entire[br]Hope Sabbath School team,

0:06:29.452,0:06:31.393
for spreading the Word of God."

0:06:31.393,0:06:33.632
Well, you say that's a lot of emails

0:06:33.632,0:06:35.032
coming from around the world,

0:06:35.032,0:06:39.792
and, you know, we are just so glad[br]that we can be part of a global family.

0:06:39.792,0:06:42.414
And we're going to sing[br]together now as a global family,

0:06:42.414,0:06:44.224
and then Tricia Lee's going to lead us

0:06:44.224,0:06:46.494
in a powerful study of the Word of God,

0:06:46.494,0:06:49.465
"The Teachings of Jesus[br]about the Last Days,"

0:06:49.465,0:06:52.014
but we're singing now, Psalm 148.

0:06:52.014,0:06:53.994
I hope you've learned it for this series,

0:06:53.994,0:06:57.024
"Praise Him in the Heights."

0:06:57.024,0:07:10.044
♪ music ♪

0:09:01.995,0:09:05.275
(Derek) You know, I've got a feeling[br]when we're done with this series,

0:09:05.275,0:09:07.715
we're going to be singing[br]this in our sleep,

0:09:07.715,0:09:09.465
but what a great Psalm to sing,

0:09:09.465,0:09:11.015
"Praise Him in the Heights,"

0:09:11.015,0:09:14.255
and, Tricia Lee, as you lead our[br]study today, I know we'll have a lot

0:09:14.255,0:09:18.035
to praise Jesus for as He gives[br]us hope for the last days.

0:09:18.035,0:09:20.915
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

0:09:20.915,0:09:23.085
Let us pray.

0:09:23.085,0:09:25.185
Dear Lord, we need your Holy Spirit

0:09:25.185,0:09:26.535
to help us to understand

0:09:26.535,0:09:28.505
the times that we're living in.

0:09:28.505,0:09:31.715
We need your Holy Spirit to help[br]us understand Your words to us

0:09:31.715,0:09:33.115
about the Last Days.

0:09:33.115,0:09:34.335
Please bless this study,

0:09:34.335,0:09:36.115
in Christ's name we pray, Amen.

0:09:36.115,0:09:37.215
(Derek, Team) Amen.

0:09:37.215,0:09:38.695
(Tricia Lee) I am so excited

0:09:38.695,0:09:41.165
that God has not left us in the dark

0:09:41.165,0:09:43.715
about what to expect, what will happen

0:09:43.715,0:09:44.755
in the last days.

0:09:44.755,0:09:47.872
Some people are very anxious[br]or nervous about the things

0:09:47.872,0:09:49.862
that happen at the end of time.

0:09:49.862,0:09:54.942
Some people have heard rumors or[br]strange stories of the apocalypse

0:09:54.942,0:09:57.682
or even science fiction zombies,

0:09:57.682,0:10:00.742
but God's Word reveals[br]to us what to expect.

0:10:00.742,0:10:04.642
So as we study together, let's just[br]thank God that He has not left us

0:10:04.642,0:10:07.832
in darkness about what[br]will come in the Last Days.

0:10:07.832,0:10:08.772
(Derek, Team) Amen.

0:10:08.772,0:10:10.502
(Tricia Lee) Let us turn our study

0:10:10.502,0:10:13.532
to the Book of Matthew chapter 23.

0:10:13.532,0:10:18.382
Before we hear what Jesus[br]teaches about the last days,

0:10:18.382,0:10:22.762
first we find our study right[br]after the Triumphal Entry.

0:10:22.762,0:10:27.092
Jesus has entered Jerusalem, and[br]He has met the religious leaders,

0:10:27.092,0:10:31.262
and unfortunately they are filled[br]with envy and anger towards Him,

0:10:31.262,0:10:35.862
and with a sorrowful heart He begins[br]to pronounce a series of woes to them.

0:10:35.862,0:10:38.862
Woe means misery or trouble to come,

0:10:38.862,0:10:41.732
bad things that are happening,[br]so He's warning them

0:10:41.732,0:10:44.612
about the condition of their[br]hard hearts and what that means.

0:10:44.612,0:10:47.252
So let's see first, before[br]we talk about the last days,

0:10:47.252,0:10:51.322
what Christ says to the religious[br]leaders and to the people at the time

0:10:51.340,0:10:55.400
about these woes, this miserable[br]condition that they are unfortunately now

0:10:55.400,0:10:58.080
finding themselves in[br]because they've rejected Him.

0:10:58.080,0:11:01.240
Let's start in Matthew chapter 23.

0:11:01.240,0:11:03.460
I'll ask Gary if he would[br]please read for us

0:11:03.460,0:11:06.910
Matthew chapter 23, verses 1 through 12.

0:11:06.910,0:11:11.600
(Gary) Okay, I'll be reading[br]from the New King James Version:

0:12:32.294,0:12:33.294
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

0:12:33.294,0:12:35.484
So before addressing the[br]Scribes and Pharisees,

0:12:35.484,0:12:37.774
Christ first addresses the people;

0:12:37.774,0:12:39.754
He actually gives them some warnings.

0:12:39.754,0:12:41.504
Nicole, would you summarize for us

0:12:41.504,0:12:45.374
what has Christ warned the people[br]about in the verses we just read.

0:12:45.374,0:12:54.179
(Nicole) Sure, I'm thinking back[br]to humility again and not being

0:12:54.179,0:12:58.039
caught up in names and being[br]in certain places in society,

0:12:58.039,0:13:00.979
and so I think He is warning[br]against being kind of hypocrites,

0:13:00.979,0:13:04.419
you know, saying one thing out of your[br]mouth, but acting and living a way

0:13:04.419,0:13:06.379
that's not reflecting[br]what you're saying.

0:13:06.379,0:13:10.379
So I think these 12 verses kind of[br]talk about hypocrisy and warning

0:13:10.379,0:13:14.039
against living a life that[br]you're not actually living.

0:13:14.039,0:13:15.389
(Tricia Lee) That's correct.

0:13:15.389,0:13:17.734
Let's keep reading now [br]in verses 13 through 15

0:13:17.734,0:13:20.724
where now Jesus is speaking directly

0:13:20.724,0:13:24.604
to the religious leaders and[br]pronounces these woes upon them.

0:13:24.604,0:13:30.014
Olric, will you please read[br]Matthew chapter 23:13-15?

0:13:30.014,0:13:33.989
(Olric) Yes, I'll be reading[br]from the King James Version:

0:14:17.589,0:14:19.429
(Tricia Lee) Wow, wow, strong words

0:14:19.429,0:14:20.579
from Jesus here.

0:14:20.579,0:14:22.359
Jonathan, would you summarize for us

0:14:22.359,0:14:27.269
what is the rebuke that Jesus is giving[br]to the Scribes and Pharisees here?

0:14:27.269,0:14:30.311
(Jonathan) It seems like He[br]is just kind of debunking

0:14:30.311,0:14:32.407
their whole approach to religion.

0:14:32.407,0:14:35.687
They had set up all these rules and[br]set up all these different things,

0:14:35.687,0:14:37.107
and He's calling their bluff.

0:14:37.107,0:14:40.287
It's like, "You talk about My Kingdom,

0:14:40.287,0:14:42.127
but you don't actually want people in;

0:14:42.127,0:14:45.307
you don't actually invite people[br]to really live these things out.

0:14:45.315,0:14:47.465
It's more this external thing for you."

0:14:47.465,0:14:49.785
(Tricia Lee) Strong[br]rebukes, but there is more.

0:14:49.785,0:14:55.105
Juliana, will you continue reading, for[br]us, Matthew 23, verses 16 through 24?

0:14:55.105,0:14:58.485
(Juliana) Sure, and I will be reading[br]from the New King James Version:

0:16:15.495,0:16:16.645
(Tricia Lee) Wow, wow.

0:16:16.645,0:16:18.495
Simiso,

0:16:18.495,0:16:22.815
summarize for what Jesus is[br]rebuking the religious leaders.

0:16:22.815,0:16:24.485
(Simiso) I think Jesus is rebuking

0:16:24.485,0:16:28.565
the religious leaders to[br]be genuine and authentic

0:16:28.565,0:16:31.231
and be all rounded in terms of what

0:16:31.231,0:16:33.401
Scripture requires of them.

0:16:33.401,0:16:37.369
(Tricia Lee) That's correct,[br]when we look at verses 21 and 22,

0:16:37.369,0:16:41.669
it seems as though they have a lack of[br]reverence for the things that are holy.

0:16:41.669,0:16:44.829
They're not really reverencing[br]what God is saying.

0:16:44.829,0:16:46.709
What do we see in verse 24

0:16:46.709,0:16:50.669
about the tithing of mint and anise?

0:16:50.669,0:16:53.850
Olric, what is Christ telling them[br]or for what is he rebuking them?

0:16:53.850,0:16:56.680
(Olric) They had this[br]teaching back then that

0:16:56.680,0:17:02.717
they were not to eat anything unclean,[br]and the gnat would be an unclean animal.

0:17:02.717,0:17:06.787
So they will take time to make sure

0:17:06.787,0:17:09.237
that the water does not contain

0:17:09.237,0:17:11.143
any of these little bugs,

0:17:11.143,0:17:13.891
but, you know, He is saying,

0:17:13.891,0:17:18.529
"Your hypocrisy is so evident;

0:17:18.529,0:17:24.009
you take time to pay tithe[br]and cummin and this stuff.

0:17:24.009,0:17:26.939
You're being outwardly religious,

0:17:26.939,0:17:28.963
but inwardly you're not there

0:17:28.963,0:17:33.152
because things like faith and mercy, love,

0:17:33.152,0:17:34.672
<i>that</i> you don't have.

0:17:34.672,0:17:38.932
You take time to look[br]at these little things,"

0:17:38.932,0:17:42.901
okay, "but there are bigger[br]things that you're not doing."

0:17:42.901,0:17:44.971
(Tricia Lee) Have you[br]ever heard the phrase,

0:17:44.971,0:17:48.861
"the letter of the law but[br]not the spirit of the law,"

0:17:48.861,0:17:50.891
being able to keep[br]certain requirements

0:17:50.891,0:17:54.501
but not really having and[br]living the love to motivate it?

0:17:54.501,0:17:55.421
Let's keep reading.

0:17:55.421,0:17:57.681
There's some more rebukes[br]that Jesus gives them.

0:17:57.681,0:18:03.991
Jason, would you read for us[br]Matthew 23, verses 25 through 36.

0:18:03.991,0:18:06.991
(Jason) I'll be reading from[br]the New King James Version.

0:18:06.991,0:18:11.781
Matthew chapter 23, verses[br]25 through 36, says:

0:20:17.746,0:20:18.746
(Tricia Lee) Wow.

0:20:18.746,0:20:20.415
These are some strong words.

0:20:20.415,0:20:23.805
I can't even imagine calling[br]someone a viper or a snake.

0:20:23.805,0:20:25.785
It's hard to even picture Jesus doing it.

0:20:25.785,0:20:28.398
We can imagine Him with tears in His eyes

0:20:28.398,0:20:30.268
telling those people that he loved

0:20:30.268,0:20:32.128
those scathing rebukes.

0:20:32.128,0:20:34.728
Why do you think the rebukes of Jesus

0:20:34.728,0:20:35.688
were so harsh?

0:20:35.688,0:20:38.098
Why was He speaking to them so severely?

0:20:38.098,0:20:38.918
Nathan?

0:20:38.918,0:20:42.748
(Nathan) I think we can read this in two[br]different ways, but we should read it

0:20:42.748,0:20:47.288
thinking of Jesus with tears[br]in His eyes and in His voice.

0:20:47.288,0:20:53.178
When you look at the next verse that[br]follows, verse 37 in Matthew 23.

0:20:53.178,0:20:56.038
Can I read it from the New King[br]James Version, where He says:

0:21:11.389,0:21:13.074
I mean, the pain in His voice;

0:21:13.074,0:21:16.994
He's longing for them to be saved, and He[br]says, "You're not willing to come to it."

0:21:16.994,0:21:22.734
It reminds me of, I think in Isaiah, God[br]speaking through the prophet says,

0:21:22.734,0:21:26.434
"All day long I stood with My[br]arms open wide to a stiff-necked

0:21:26.434,0:21:29.494
and rebellious people," -- Here[br]He is calling you to salvation,

0:21:29.494,0:21:33.044
and you're turning away, not just[br]turning away but rebelling against Him.

0:21:33.044,0:21:34.354
(Tricia Lee) And it's sad.

0:21:34.354,0:21:38.184
In a previous study, we've talked about[br]the choices that we all have to make,

0:21:38.184,0:21:40.242
and that God wants us to choose Him,

0:21:40.242,0:21:43.422
but we do have the free[br]will to choose otherwise.

0:21:43.422,0:21:45.012
(Derek) You know, I'm thinking,

0:21:45.012,0:21:49.082
Tricia Lee, I really appreciate what[br]Nathan said about the love of Jesus.

0:21:49.082,0:21:51.502
And there were some Pharisees,

0:21:51.502,0:21:53.842
Nicodemus was a Pharisee

0:21:53.842,0:21:56.332
and also a member of the Sanhedrin,

0:21:56.332,0:21:57.802
who did repent.

0:21:57.802,0:21:59.182
(Tricia Lee) Yes, praise God.

0:21:59.182,0:22:00.312
(Derek) So you know,

0:22:00.312,0:22:05.262
if Jesus was just kind of harsh and kind[br]of fighting with the weapons of this world

0:22:05.262,0:22:06.802
or acting like they acted,

0:22:06.802,0:22:08.112
they'd have an excuse,

0:22:08.112,0:22:10.472
but I think He is speaking[br]with love in His heart.

0:22:10.472,0:22:15.532
And, praise God, some of the[br]Scribes and Pharisees said,

0:22:15.532,0:22:17.008
"We need to repent;

0:22:17.008,0:22:18.838
we need to turn our lives around."

0:22:18.838,0:22:20.258
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

0:22:20.258,0:22:21.648
Reading through this passage,

0:22:21.648,0:22:23.508
something was very interesting,

0:22:23.508,0:22:26.692
and I'd like to ask the[br]class this question:

0:22:26.692,0:22:30.680
How could He say that the guilt

0:22:30.680,0:22:32.730
of all the righteous[br]blood, all the martyrs,

0:22:32.730,0:22:34.540
would fall on this generation?

0:22:34.540,0:22:35.510
What does that mean?

0:22:35.510,0:22:37.430
How are they guilty of all these things?

0:22:37.430,0:22:39.540
They're just living their little lives;

0:22:39.540,0:22:42.810
how is it that He can say that[br]the blood of all the righteous

0:22:42.810,0:22:47.498
from Abel to Zechariah would[br]fall on this generation?

0:22:47.498,0:22:51.948
Any idea what the significance was[br]of that statement, Missy?

0:22:51.948,0:22:55.128
(Missy) All throughout the[br]generations, God has sent prophets,

0:22:55.128,0:22:56.988
throughout all ages,

0:22:56.988,0:23:00.168
but along with the prophets[br]were the dissenters

0:23:00.168,0:23:03.428
who chose not to listen to them,[br]and not only that, to oppose them

0:23:03.428,0:23:05.708
and even kill the prophets.

0:23:05.708,0:23:08.198
And they have the same spirit,

0:23:08.198,0:23:11.018
so this is why they would carry the guilt.

0:23:11.018,0:23:14.748
(Tricia Lee) I think you're right,[br]Missy; Let's turn to Luke chapter 24,

0:23:14.748,0:23:18.058
and we'll see that the Bible[br]supports what you just said, Missy.

0:23:18.058,0:23:20.928
Luke chapter 24,

0:23:20.928,0:23:29.428
and Eric, would you read for us Luke[br]chapter 24, verses 25 through 27?

0:23:29.428,0:23:34.088
(Eric) I'm reading from the[br]New Living Translation,

0:23:34.088,0:23:39.508
Luke 24:25-27, and it says:

0:24:01.558,0:24:03.428
(Tricia Lee) Amen, that's right, Missy.

0:24:03.428,0:24:06.608
All the prophets were[br]given the same message,

0:24:06.608,0:24:09.604
the Gospel of Jesus that was[br]to come, the Messiah to come,

0:24:09.604,0:24:11.724
they were all testifying to Him,

0:24:11.724,0:24:15.684
so every generation, when they kept[br]rejecting the prophets that were sent

0:24:15.684,0:24:17.994
to them, they were rejecting Christ,

0:24:17.994,0:24:22.964
and ultimately when that generation[br]rejected Christ, they were rejecting

0:24:22.964,0:24:27.804
the entire message that had been sent[br]to them time after time after time.

0:24:27.804,0:24:28.564
Jonathan?

0:24:28.564,0:24:31.994
(Jonathan) Just the fact that, not[br]only did they reject the sayings

0:24:31.994,0:24:35.184
that were entrusted to them, now[br]they came with greater power.

0:24:35.184,0:24:38.044
I mean, like, when you have[br]Christ doing all these miracles,

0:24:38.044,0:24:42.164
so if they reject Christ, who is[br]the fulfillment and testimony

0:24:42.164,0:24:45.264
and perfect representation of[br]everything they were given,

0:24:45.264,0:24:49.754
they in essence have rejected it and[br]killed everything else before them.

0:24:49.754,0:24:54.564
(Derek) But you know, we have no excuse

0:24:54.564,0:24:57.292
because we have Jesus,

0:24:57.292,0:25:02.434
and yet, you know, one of the things[br]I've noticed, teaching about Jesus,

0:25:02.434,0:25:06.164
there are many young people who[br]grow up in a Christian home

0:25:06.164,0:25:10.244
who have never read the Book of[br]Matthew or Mark or Luke or John.

0:25:10.244,0:25:13.904
They have the testimony of Jesus Himself,

0:25:13.904,0:25:16.182
and yet a lot of times

0:25:16.182,0:25:17.952
we act like it doesn't exist.

0:25:17.952,0:25:20.572
(Tricia Lee) That would be[br]the rebuke to our generation.

0:25:20.572,0:25:22.132
(Derek) I think it would be.

0:25:22.132,0:25:27.132
(Tricia Lee) We have this Word that has[br]survived generation after generation;

0:25:27.132,0:25:29.872
we know that it's been[br]preserved through time

0:25:29.872,0:25:32.912
exactly as it was spoken to[br]the prophets and written down;

0:25:32.912,0:25:34.802
we know the life of Christ,

0:25:34.802,0:25:37.492
and so here we are today[br]with such grace, such mercy,

0:25:37.492,0:25:40.462
and if we still choose not to[br]accept God then that's the rebuke

0:25:40.462,0:25:42.142
that we have on ourselves.

0:25:42.142,0:25:43.822
We're going to keep reading now,

0:25:43.822,0:25:47.451
and we're going to transition[br]now to Matthew chapter 24

0:25:47.451,0:25:49.731
and get into the real heart of our study.

0:25:49.731,0:25:52.211
We're going to now see that[br]Jesus leaves the Temple.

0:25:52.211,0:25:53.831
Again, tears in His eyes.

0:25:53.831,0:25:56.541
Thank you Nathan; I believe[br]He had tears in His eyes, too.

0:25:56.541,0:26:00.251
Sad that the people were doubting[br]Him and not believing Him,

0:26:00.251,0:26:02.841
and now we're going to[br]see another conversation

0:26:02.841,0:26:07.161
that He and the disciples get into[br]that leads us to this amazing prophecy

0:26:07.161,0:26:10.681
about the destruction of Jerusalem[br]as well as the last day events.

0:26:10.681,0:26:14.131
We're going to read on[br]in Matthew chapter 24.

0:26:14.131,0:26:17.691
I'm going to ask Nicole if she[br]would start reading for us

0:26:17.691,0:26:23.531
Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14.

0:26:23.531,0:26:26.221
(Nicole) Matthew 24, verses 1 through 14,

0:26:26.221,0:26:28.951
I'm reading from the New[br]International Version,

0:26:28.951,0:26:29.821
and it says:

0:26:59.209,0:27:02.799
(Tricia Lee) Nicole, would you pause[br]there; I have a question for the group.

0:27:02.799,0:27:04.559
What do you think they mean by that?

0:27:04.559,0:27:05.559
The "end of the age?"

0:27:05.559,0:27:08.739
My New King James Version[br]says, the "end of the age."

0:27:08.739,0:27:12.096
Does anyone's Bible say[br]something different?

0:27:12.096,0:27:15.366
Anyone have "end of the world?"

0:27:15.366,0:27:18.326
Any thoughts...?

0:27:18.326,0:27:22.211
(Olric) What was happening[br]here, they were equating

0:27:22.211,0:27:24.441
whatever destruction[br]would come to Jerusalem,

0:27:24.441,0:27:28.151
they were equating it with[br]the end of the world.

0:27:28.151,0:27:30.501
So they put the two events together

0:27:30.501,0:27:33.211
because this is how they[br]saw it in their own minds.

0:27:33.211,0:27:36.881
That's why they asked Jesus[br]the question in that manner.

0:27:36.881,0:27:39.041
(Missy) It was a dual prophecy.

0:27:39.041,0:27:41.431
It was talking about two separate events,

0:27:41.431,0:27:44.621
but they run parallel to each other.

0:27:44.621,0:27:47.061
(Derek) But I think Olric's[br]right, that they thought

0:27:47.061,0:27:48.825
that must be the end of the world,

0:27:48.825,0:27:52.575
I mean, if every stone in this Temple[br]of God is going to be torn down.

0:27:52.575,0:27:56.355
We know that it's not going to be the[br]end of the world, it's only 40 years later

0:27:56.355,0:27:58.005
in 70 A.D. it will be fulfilled,

0:27:58.005,0:28:00.215
but I think in their minds, as Olric said,

0:28:00.215,0:28:04.779
they're thinking that must be one and[br]the same thing as the end of all things.

0:28:04.779,0:28:08.649
(Tricia Lee) Yes, one thing's for certain,[br]if we have questions on what that means

0:28:08.649,0:28:10.769
we're going to find out[br]as we keep reading,

0:28:10.769,0:28:13.669
but certainly as we listen to[br]what's going to be read to us

0:28:13.669,0:28:16.329
as we continue in chapter 24 -

0:28:16.329,0:28:20.129
the end of the age - it[br]was something drastic.

0:28:20.129,0:28:22.499
The end of the world is[br]what you described, Olric,

0:28:22.499,0:28:26.249
and that's the context that the[br]disciples had in asking this question,

0:28:26.249,0:28:30.249
what is the sign of this big,[br]grand, finale, if you would.

0:28:30.249,0:28:32.179
So Nicole, please keep reading for us.

0:28:32.179,0:28:35.527
(Nicole) I'm reading from[br]verse 4 of Matthew 24.

0:28:35.527,0:28:36.401
It says:

0:29:44.678,0:29:45.838
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

0:29:45.838,0:29:49.118
Missy, you were right that[br]this is a dual prophecy,

0:29:49.118,0:29:50.766
so we're going to continue reading

0:29:50.766,0:29:53.506
and skip down to verses 21 through 28

0:29:53.506,0:29:59.666
about the prophecy regarding[br]the last days and the end times.

0:29:59.666,0:30:03.534
I'm going to ask Alex if he would[br]read for us verses 21 through 28.

0:30:03.534,0:30:06.414
(Alex) Sure, and I'll be reading[br]from the King James Version:

0:30:55.704,0:30:56.584
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

0:30:56.584,0:30:58.344
One last set of verses,

0:30:58.344,0:31:02.844
Nancy, would you please read[br]verses 32 and 33 for us?

0:31:02.844,0:31:08.703
(Nancy) Okay, and this is[br]from Matthew 24, verse 32

0:31:08.703,0:31:10.803
in the New King James Version:

0:31:32.463,0:31:34.703
(Tricia Lee) Amen, at the doors.

0:31:34.703,0:31:39.141
So let's talk about these amazing,[br]amazing Scriptures, amazing prophecy,

0:31:39.141,0:31:41.721
Jesus letting us know what to expect

0:31:41.721,0:31:43.161
in the last days.

0:31:43.161,0:31:48.661
What signs of the last days do[br]you see, even today, taking place?

0:31:48.661,0:31:49.441
Olric.

0:31:49.441,0:31:54.221
(Olric) Wars, rumors of wars, you[br]have nation rising against nation,

0:31:54.221,0:31:55.951
and it's becoming more prevalent,

0:31:55.951,0:31:57.701
but not just more prevalent,

0:31:57.701,0:32:02.191
but they're using more[br]sophisticated weapons

0:32:02.191,0:32:03.441
for their warfare,

0:32:03.441,0:32:05.768
and it doesn't, you[br]know, seem to be ending.

0:32:05.768,0:32:07.086
(Tricia Lee) Okay, Juliana.

0:32:07.086,0:32:10.346
(Juliana) Olric mentions[br]things that are involving man,

0:32:10.346,0:32:12.646
but I think that the[br]Earth is also groaning.

0:32:12.646,0:32:15.626
We're seeing more and[br]more earthquakes.

0:32:15.626,0:32:19.106
I think of what happened[br]not that long ago in Nepal,

0:32:19.106,0:32:22.456
and there's also been things in Mexico

0:32:22.456,0:32:24.486
and in Africa and just all over the world.

0:32:24.486,0:32:27.236
We have earthquakes, we have famines.

0:32:27.236,0:32:29.166
There's things happening in rivers,

0:32:29.166,0:32:30.786
that animals are dying,

0:32:30.786,0:32:33.816
and the environment...it's groaning;

0:32:33.816,0:32:35.666
it's asking for Christ to come back.

0:32:35.666,0:32:36.646
(Tricia Lee) Alex.

0:32:36.646,0:32:39.186
(Alex) I think there are many[br]false prophets now, too.

0:32:39.186,0:32:42.946
Just more and more, all the time, I[br]see preachers and pastors coming out

0:32:42.946,0:32:46.856
with these end-time preachings and end-[br]time things, and even a lot of my friends

0:32:46.856,0:32:51.124
are really getting into these things,[br]"Here, check out this message," and such.

0:32:51.124,0:32:55.745
And it's like, wow, if I didn't know the[br]truth, this would be so easy to believe.

0:32:55.745,0:33:00.085
You know, how they point things out in the[br]world, but it's very easy to be deceived.

0:33:00.085,0:33:01.185
(Tricia Lee) Jonathan.

0:33:01.185,0:33:05.145
(Jonathan) I think it's interesting[br]to look at the things He chooses

0:33:05.145,0:33:06.505
and how He lays them out.

0:33:06.505,0:33:09.885
I feel like in some sense He[br]kind of picks the things,

0:33:09.885,0:33:12.585
not so much that we can[br]calculate the end of time,

0:33:12.585,0:33:16.483
but more to say, okay,[br]what do we need to look at

0:33:16.483,0:33:20.943
because, I mean, a lot of the things[br]He lays out happen throughout history.

0:33:20.943,0:33:24.943
The church was persecuted,[br]you have earthquakes, I mean,

0:33:24.943,0:33:26.853
that's been happening for a lot of time,

0:33:26.853,0:33:30.019
and certainly He does say things[br]that get close to the end of time,

0:33:30.019,0:33:33.999
but I think also He's just saying for[br]the disciples and for us in general

0:33:33.999,0:33:37.699
a way to look at the world[br]and to have our hearts,

0:33:37.699,0:33:41.467
and how to respond to[br]the things that happen.

0:33:41.467,0:33:45.867
So I think it's kind of, "How to[br]live in the context of My Coming."

0:33:45.867,0:33:47.517
(Derek) I think the positive thing

0:33:47.517,0:33:49.817
is the Gospel is going[br]to go to the whole world,

0:33:49.817,0:33:51.397
and then the end's going to come.

0:33:51.397,0:33:52.247
(Tricia Lee) Yes.

0:33:52.247,0:33:56.577
(Derek) You know, I think the joy we have[br]as a little team, Hope Sabbath School,

0:33:56.577,0:33:59.307
is that we're a little part of that,

0:33:59.307,0:34:03.167
and technology even in the lifetime

0:34:03.167,0:34:04.347
of many of our viewers,

0:34:04.347,0:34:09.197
there's been a revolution[br]in terms of communication.

0:34:09.197,0:34:11.999
And of course, the Enemy's[br]wanting to use that,

0:34:11.999,0:34:15.844
as Alex said, to promote false ideas

0:34:15.844,0:34:18.384
and just idolatry,

0:34:18.384,0:34:21.064
but I believe God's going to[br]use that by His Spirit, too.

0:34:21.064,0:34:24.552
So we're on the brink of where

0:34:24.552,0:34:27.772
the Message can go rapidly[br]around the world.

0:34:27.772,0:34:28.692
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

0:34:28.692,0:34:35.822
Alex, you mentioned the false[br]christs that come in the last days,

0:34:35.822,0:34:37.610
what's our safeguard against

0:34:37.610,0:34:39.340
the deception of a false christ,

0:34:39.340,0:34:42.208
or let's talk some more about[br]what that looks like,

0:34:42.208,0:34:48.258
a false christ or someone that's[br]coming in the name of Chris. Olric.

0:34:48.258,0:34:51.016
(Olric) I've looked through[br]the Old Testament,

0:34:51.016,0:34:53.966
and I've seen some scenarios where

0:34:53.966,0:34:57.616
false messages were[br]brought to God's people.

0:34:57.616,0:35:00.566
We see in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve

0:35:00.566,0:35:04.866
with the Devil tempting[br]them with false words.

0:35:04.866,0:35:09.934
Even in the case of, in a previous[br]study we did in Jeremiah,

0:35:09.934,0:35:15.144
we see Jeremiah being countered there by[br]an individual by the name of Hananiah.

0:35:15.144,0:35:19.264
The problem with these false[br]christs, false teachers,

0:35:19.264,0:35:22.112
they propel messages

0:35:22.112,0:35:26.652
that seem to distract God's people

0:35:26.652,0:35:29.502
from God's way of doing things,

0:35:29.502,0:35:30.868
the way God had commanded.

0:35:30.868,0:35:32.938
And the way to counter this,

0:35:32.938,0:35:36.298
as we will see from the Word of God,

0:35:36.298,0:35:39.458
is through the truth[br]like Isaiah 8, verse 20.

0:35:39.458,0:35:40.898
(Tricia Lee) Let's go there.

0:35:40.898,0:35:44.808
Let's go there, Isaiah 8, verse 20,

0:35:44.808,0:35:53.748
and Olric, will you read that for us?

0:35:53.748,0:35:55.943
(Olric) Isaiah 8, verse 20,

0:35:55.943,0:35:59.123
reading from the King James Version:

0:36:08.733,0:36:09.553
(Tricia Lee) Wow.

0:36:09.553,0:36:12.053
So what I heard you say, Olric, is there

0:36:12.053,0:36:14.763
may not just be manifestations of people

0:36:14.763,0:36:18.433
saying that they are a false[br]messiah, to physically "follow me,"

0:36:18.433,0:36:21.543
but even teachings of false Christianity

0:36:21.543,0:36:24.484
that can also be a way to[br]deceive people in the last days.

0:36:24.484,0:36:28.049
(Derek) Right, and I think Alex made[br]a really important point when he said,

0:36:28.049,0:36:30.827
"I could follow what some[br]of my friends are saying

0:36:30.827,0:36:33.167
if I didn't study the Word,"

0:36:33.167,0:36:38.265
because these people, they do[br]signs and wonders, it says,

0:36:38.265,0:36:39.913
and they're religious;

0:36:39.913,0:36:42.913
they're false christs and false prophets,

0:36:42.913,0:36:46.743
so they speak about maybe[br]needing to be close to God,

0:36:46.743,0:36:49.903
and, you know, it all sounds good,

0:36:49.903,0:36:51.353
but it's false.

0:36:51.353,0:36:55.033
So, you know, we shouldn't[br]try to..."Oh, is that false?"

0:36:55.033,0:36:57.453
we should be focusing on the true

0:36:57.453,0:36:59.959
and on Jesus who is the true Christ,

0:36:59.959,0:37:01.369
because when we see the false

0:37:01.369,0:37:03.489
we will immediately recognize

0:37:03.489,0:37:04.879
that it isn't the truth.

0:37:04.879,0:37:08.729
(Tricia Lee) There's another promise that[br]Jesus Himself has made to His believers,

0:37:08.729,0:37:10.309
and I'm going to ask Missy

0:37:10.309,0:37:16.699
if she would read for us John[br]chapter 10, verses 27 and 28.

0:37:16.699,0:37:19.189
John chapter 10:27-28.

0:37:19.189,0:37:23.574
And it is a bit scary for some to[br]think that you could be deceived

0:37:23.574,0:37:25.984
by false teachers and false miracles

0:37:25.984,0:37:27.684
and false people to lead us astray,

0:37:27.684,0:37:32.470
but I thank God that He has[br]this promise recorded for us.

0:37:32.470,0:37:33.870
(Derek) Amen.

0:37:33.870,0:37:37.450
(Missy) I'm reading from the[br]New International Version:

0:37:48.400,0:37:49.140
(Derek) Amen.

0:37:49.140,0:37:50.300
(Tricia Lee, Team) Amen.

0:37:50.300,0:37:53.430
(Tricia Lee) We are safe[br]in the hands of Jesus.

0:37:53.430,0:37:56.470
"My sheep hear my voice...[br]and they will follow."

0:37:56.470,0:37:59.230
Thank you for reading that[br]Scripture in Isaiah, Olric.

0:37:59.230,0:38:03.780
If there is a message or a person that's[br]not speaking according to the Word of God,

0:38:03.780,0:38:06.010
then that's an alarm for us,

0:38:06.010,0:38:08.170
but He's also promised[br]that He will keep us,

0:38:08.170,0:38:11.710
that we will recognize His voice, and[br]I believe there are so many examples

0:38:11.710,0:38:15.110
in the Bible of the Lord[br]revealing Himself to His people,

0:38:15.110,0:38:20.530
literally leading His people through[br]the wilderness by day and by night,

0:38:20.530,0:38:24.010
and so even in the midst of strong[br]deception in the last days,

0:38:24.010,0:38:26.150
if we keep our eyes on Jesus...

0:38:26.150,0:38:26.930
(Derek) Amen.

0:38:26.930,0:38:28.880
(Tricia Lee) ...He will see us through.

0:38:28.880,0:38:31.520
Simiso, let's read another[br]promise from the Lord

0:38:31.520,0:38:33.420
on why we shouldn't be afraid

0:38:33.420,0:38:35.260
and should not be discouraged.

0:38:35.260,0:38:40.710
Simiso, would you read John[br]chapter 14, verses 1 through 3?

0:38:40.710,0:38:46.070
Why we should not be afraid[br]of these last day events.

0:38:46.070,0:38:48.666
(Simiso) John 14, verses 1 through 3,

0:38:48.666,0:38:51.408
and I'm reading from the[br]New King James Version.

0:38:51.408,0:38:52.274
It says:

0:39:14.014,0:39:14.974
(Team) Amen.

0:39:14.974,0:39:18.324
So the last days are a necessary step

0:39:18.324,0:39:21.764
in the process of getting[br]us closer to going Home.

0:39:21.764,0:39:25.463
Jesus is coming back to take[br]us Home to be with Him,

0:39:25.463,0:39:27.363
and as scary as last day events,

0:39:27.363,0:39:29.445
wars and earthquakes and pestilence

0:39:29.445,0:39:33.845
and family members betraying[br]one another, may sound,

0:39:33.845,0:39:35.445
God has promised to keep us

0:39:35.445,0:39:37.625
and the promise is that when He returns

0:39:37.625,0:39:40.125
He is going to take us Home with Him.

0:39:40.125,0:39:41.695
(Derek, Tricia Lee) Praise God.

0:39:41.695,0:39:44.885
(Tricia Lee) Missy mentioned earlier[br]that there was a dual prophecy,

0:39:44.885,0:39:48.105
that the disciples were thinking[br]about the destruction of Jerusalem,

0:39:48.105,0:39:49.965
and Jesus answered their question

0:39:49.965,0:39:52.495
about when those things[br]would take place as well.

0:39:52.495,0:39:54.965
Let's read the verses[br]where Jesus describes

0:39:54.965,0:39:57.325
the destruction of Jerusalem.

0:39:57.325,0:39:59.515
Eric, would you read for us

0:39:59.515,0:40:05.205
Matthew chapter 24, verses 15 through 20?

0:40:05.205,0:40:08.235
(Eric) I'm reading from the New[br]Living Translation, and it says:

0:40:59.855,0:41:01.395
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

0:41:01.395,0:41:05.085
Gary, we talked a bit earlier about[br]it being difficult for the disciples

0:41:05.085,0:41:08.620
to think of the destruction of[br]Jerusalem to happen at any other time

0:41:08.620,0:41:10.020
than at the end of the world.

0:41:10.020,0:41:10.760
Why was that?

0:41:10.760,0:41:15.830
Why did they connect the two together?

0:41:15.830,0:41:20.630
(Gary) I guess how they related

0:41:20.630,0:41:25.285
to the Temple, their mission;

0:41:25.285,0:41:27.845
they're the people of God.

0:41:27.845,0:41:32.485
They couldn't get past the fact that,

0:41:32.485,0:41:36.385
if this is not going to[br]be in existence anymore,

0:41:36.385,0:41:39.895
then that must mean everything[br]must be falling apart.

0:41:39.895,0:41:43.595
(Derek) You know, I think they're trusting[br]in the building rather than in God.

0:41:43.595,0:41:47.285
And before we judge them and[br]go, "That's really foolish,"

0:41:47.285,0:41:50.325
I think we could trust[br]in our institutions.

0:41:50.325,0:41:53.225
We could trust in our organization,

0:41:53.225,0:41:55.175
and the truth of the matter is,

0:41:55.175,0:41:57.465
that before this is all over,

0:41:57.465,0:41:59.851
a lot of those things could collapse.

0:41:59.851,0:42:01.061
(Tricia Lee) That's true.

0:42:01.061,0:42:05.471
(Derek) And all we have is[br]to hold on to our Savior,

0:42:05.471,0:42:08.231
you know, because we know[br]that He's going through.

0:42:08.231,0:42:10.371
He's going to take us[br]through to the very end.

0:42:10.371,0:42:12.771
But lest we be too hard on them, I think

0:42:12.771,0:42:15.199
they associated confidence in God,

0:42:15.199,0:42:16.469
and now it's the building,

0:42:16.469,0:42:19.579
and pretty soon God's kind of set aside,

0:42:19.579,0:42:23.019
and they're just trusting[br]in their structures.

0:42:23.019,0:42:24.809
(Tricia Lee) You're absolutely right.

0:42:24.809,0:42:27.879
We're going to have to let go[br]of a lot of ideas that we have,

0:42:27.879,0:42:29.599
things that we hold dear,

0:42:29.599,0:42:32.029
to accept Jesus and His return.

0:42:32.029,0:42:33.529
Juliana, would you read for us.

0:42:33.529,0:42:37.949
Let's turn to Philippians chapter 3:7-8,

0:42:37.949,0:42:39.889
and we'll hear an account of someone

0:42:39.889,0:42:43.119
who had to let go of some[br]things they held dear.

0:42:43.119,0:42:47.439
Philippians chapter 3:7-8.

0:42:47.439,0:42:50.349
(Juliana) I'm reading from[br]the New King James Version:

0:43:11.259,0:43:12.339
(Tricia Lee) Amen!

0:43:12.339,0:43:14.679
What we didn't read is that previously

0:43:14.679,0:43:18.079
we're hearing an account of[br]having confidence in self

0:43:18.079,0:43:22.009
and being able to keep the Law[br]and being of the stock of Israel,

0:43:22.009,0:43:24.249
all the things that I'm sure the disciples

0:43:24.249,0:43:28.189
were very proud of in thinking about[br]the institution and the Temple.

0:43:28.189,0:43:29.879
They had to let those things go,

0:43:29.879,0:43:34.229
and surely we will have to[br]let some things go, as well,

0:43:34.229,0:43:35.369
to accept Christ.

0:43:35.369,0:43:38.209
We talked in a previous study[br]about falling on the Rock,

0:43:38.209,0:43:39.689
submitting to Christ

0:43:39.689,0:43:44.169
and learning to count the things of[br]God as gain and learning how to let go.

0:43:44.169,0:43:48.889
Let's keep reading in Matthew chapter 24.

0:43:48.889,0:43:51.399
Not only does Jesus tell[br]us what to look for

0:43:51.399,0:43:55.079
in His coming, but He gives[br]us a description of His coming,

0:43:55.079,0:43:56.419
and certainly this is key,

0:43:56.419,0:43:58.379
because we're watching and we're waiting,

0:43:58.379,0:44:02.219
and we want to be ready when He comes,[br]and we want to know what we're looking for

0:44:02.219,0:44:03.089
when He comes.

0:44:03.089,0:44:05.289
So Nathan, would you please read for us

0:44:05.289,0:44:09.199
Matthew 24, verses 27 through 31?

0:44:09.199,0:44:12.437
(Nathan) All right, I'll be reading[br]from the New King James Version:

0:44:59.909,0:45:02.007
(Tricia Lee) Amen! Amen.

0:45:02.007,0:45:05.207
What are some of the characteristics[br]and aspects of Jesus' coming?

0:45:05.207,0:45:07.987
What do we learn from this passage?

0:45:07.987,0:45:10.157
(Nicole) Everyone will[br]see Him when He comes.

0:45:10.157,0:45:13.437
(Tricia Lee) It's visible, so it[br]looks like there are a lot of angels.

0:45:13.437,0:45:15.909
You can't miss the whole[br]Heavenly Host of angels.

0:45:15.909,0:45:17.697
What else do we learn?

0:45:17.697,0:45:18.957
(Olric) The trumpet sound.

0:45:18.957,0:45:20.877
(Tricia Lee) So it's loud; it's audible.

0:45:20.877,0:45:22.827
Okay, what else have we learned here?

0:45:22.827,0:45:26.207
(Jason) There will be some signs of[br]the heavens that precede the coming,

0:45:26.207,0:45:28.887
particularly with the[br]sun, moon, and stars.

0:45:28.887,0:45:30.257
(Tricia Lee) Anything else?

0:45:30.257,0:45:31.737
(Derek) It's dramatic.

0:45:31.737,0:45:33.847
It's not just, "Oh, I[br]think I see something."

0:45:33.847,0:45:34.757
(Tricia Lee) Yes.

0:45:34.757,0:45:37.337
(Derek) It's like lightening from the east

0:45:37.337,0:45:38.737
all the way to the west,

0:45:38.737,0:45:40.557
and I think that's important, because,

0:45:40.557,0:45:43.417
you know, Jesus talks about,[br]is this secret or is it...

0:45:43.417,0:45:45.107
I think it's a surprise

0:45:45.107,0:45:48.567
even for those of us who[br]are looking for His coming,

0:45:48.567,0:45:49.767
when it actually happens.

0:45:49.767,0:45:53.077
I mean If it happened in the[br]middle of this broadcast,

0:45:53.077,0:45:55.157
you know I'd use my favorite Hebrew word,

0:45:55.157,0:45:56.647
Hallelujah,

0:45:56.647,0:45:58.407
but I would be surprised

0:45:58.407,0:46:01.447
because I thought we were[br]going to finish the program.

0:46:01.447,0:46:03.753
Right? RIght?

0:46:03.753,0:46:06.907
Yeah, but it's not secret.

0:46:06.907,0:46:08.258
It's not secret;

0:46:08.258,0:46:11.118
it's visible, audible, but it's dramatic!

0:46:11.118,0:46:13.548
It's like lightning from[br]the east to the west.

0:46:13.548,0:46:15.278
(Tricia Lee) My version of the Bible

0:46:15.278,0:46:19.408
says that "the powers of the[br]heavens will be shaken."

0:46:19.408,0:46:22.858
I can't even imagine what that's like,[br]but I feel like we won't miss

0:46:22.858,0:46:24.658
when the heavens are shaking.

0:46:24.658,0:46:28.138
This is a dramatic, dramatic occurrence.

0:46:28.138,0:46:29.828
We'll all see it.

0:46:29.828,0:46:31.478
We will not miss it.

0:46:31.478,0:46:33.658
What else can we learn[br]about Jesus' coming?

0:46:33.658,0:46:37.308
Let's turn over to[br]1 Thessalonians chapter 4

0:46:37.308,0:46:40.748
where there's another description of[br]some of the "what" that takes place

0:46:40.748,0:46:42.228
and the "how" that takes place

0:46:42.228,0:46:43.060
when Jesus comes.

0:46:43.060,0:46:48.080
1 Thessalonians chapter 4:15-17.

0:46:48.080,0:46:50.450
I'll ask Gary to read that for us.

0:46:50.450,0:46:54.560
(Gary) Sure, and I'll be reading[br]from the New King James Version:

0:47:25.780,0:47:27.450
(Tricia Lee) What else is happening

0:47:27.450,0:47:28.690
at the coming of Jesus?

0:47:28.690,0:47:30.780
We're not going to miss[br]any of these things.

0:47:30.780,0:47:32.250
I heard again, the loud shout,

0:47:32.250,0:47:33.540
the Lord Himself is coming,

0:47:33.540,0:47:34.650
the Archangel.

0:47:34.650,0:47:37.620
I can imagine if the Archangel[br]and the Lord are shouting,

0:47:37.620,0:47:39.786
this is going to be a loud shout.

0:47:39.786,0:47:41.256
What else do we see?

0:47:41.256,0:47:44.356
(Nathan) In verse 15, we read that[br]there would be a resurrection.

0:47:44.356,0:47:47.526
(Tricia Lee) Yes, hard to miss!

0:47:47.526,0:47:50.094
(Nathan) We're not going to[br]Heaven without the ones...

0:47:50.094,0:47:52.684
I think probably the Thessalonians[br]were writing to Paul

0:47:52.684,0:47:56.024
and saying, "What about our loved[br]ones who have fallen asleep in Jesus?

0:47:56.024,0:47:59.594
Are we going to go to Heaven when Jesus[br]comes, and we'll leave them behind?"

0:47:59.594,0:48:02.934
He says, "No, before we go, they're[br]going to be raised from the Earth."

0:48:02.934,0:48:05.614
So that's something that we[br]won't really miss, will we?

0:48:05.614,0:48:06.794
It's hard to miss that.

0:48:06.794,0:48:10.454
(Derek) I think growing up I thought the[br]loud shout was like, "Yo!" you know?

0:48:10.454,0:48:13.994
But I think the shout[br]is, "Awake!" you know,

0:48:13.994,0:48:18.854
because the Scripture speaks about[br]"awake, you who sleep in the dust."

0:48:18.854,0:48:21.334
It's like, "Lazarus, come forth!"

0:48:21.334,0:48:23.054
when Jesus raises Lazarus.

0:48:23.054,0:48:25.254
So it's not just, "Yo!" you know?

0:48:25.254,0:48:28.504
It's a shout

0:48:28.504,0:48:30.244
that will conquer death;

0:48:30.244,0:48:31.284
it will defeat death.

0:48:31.284,0:48:35.234
(Tricia Lee) I've even imagined to myself[br]sometimes, like, "Honey, I'm home!"

0:48:35.234,0:48:37.534
We're the Bride and He's coming, right?

0:48:37.534,0:48:39.444
With excitement, He's here.

0:48:39.444,0:48:43.354
Let's not forget, though,[br]why Jesus was so sad

0:48:43.354,0:48:47.214
in rebuking the Pharisees and the Scribes[br]and the religious leaders in Jerusalem

0:48:47.214,0:48:48.604
who had rejected Him.

0:48:48.604,0:48:50.684
It was because He realized

0:48:50.684,0:48:54.464
that at His coming there[br]will be no second chance,

0:48:54.464,0:48:55.744
that things are final.

0:48:55.744,0:49:00.274
Our destinies will be decided[br]by Christ the Judge,

0:49:00.274,0:49:02.734
and that's why He had[br]those tears in His eyes,

0:49:02.734,0:49:05.344
because He knew their[br]salvation was on the line.

0:49:05.344,0:49:06.724
Let's look at some verses

0:49:06.724,0:49:08.074
again in Matthew 24

0:49:08.074,0:49:11.164
because there are some who believe[br]that there is a second chance,

0:49:11.164,0:49:15.054
that when Jesus comes again there's[br]another chance to get things right.

0:49:15.054,0:49:18.954
But we will learn that it really is[br]the end of time, the end of the age,

0:49:18.954,0:49:20.144
the end of the world,

0:49:20.144,0:49:24.094
and how important it is for us to make[br]our choice and our decision for Him now

0:49:24.094,0:49:25.014
and today.

0:49:25.014,0:49:30.744
Olric, will you read for us[br]Matthew 24, verses 36 through 42?

0:49:30.744,0:49:33.144
36 through 42.

0:49:33.144,0:49:35.934
(Olric) Reading from[br]the King James Version:

0:50:15.164,0:50:18.384
(Tricia Lee) Through verse 42.

0:50:18.384,0:50:19.724
(Olric) Verse 40:

0:50:36.614,0:50:38.003
(Tricia Lee) Amen, thank you.

0:50:38.003,0:50:40.833
Particularly verses 40 and 41,

0:50:40.833,0:50:44.623
there are some that believe that there is[br]something called the "Secret Rapture,"

0:50:44.623,0:50:50.053
that the Lord will come at one point and[br]take some chosen people away secretly,

0:50:50.053,0:50:54.613
and others will not know, and that those[br]who are left behind have a second chance

0:50:54.613,0:50:58.773
for some period of time to get[br]things right before He comes again.

0:50:58.773,0:51:03.223
But what we've learned so far and[br]what these texts are describing to us

0:51:03.223,0:51:06.693
is, well, the first thing we can say[br]about the women is that they are

0:51:06.693,0:51:09.623
kind of going along in[br]their everyday lives, right?

0:51:09.623,0:51:12.163
They are going along, it's[br]business as usual, right?

0:51:12.163,0:51:14.303
They are at the mill,[br]is that where they are?

0:51:14.303,0:51:17.793
Grinding at the mill, and so exactly[br]what Pastor Derek described

0:51:17.793,0:51:21.103
about, we could be filming one[br]of these Sabbath School lessons,

0:51:21.103,0:51:22.293
and the Lord could come.

0:51:22.293,0:51:25.203
We're going about our[br]lives; it's a surprise.

0:51:25.203,0:51:29.513
It catches us suddenly, and that's[br]the shock that can be with two people

0:51:29.513,0:51:32.193
working at a mill or two[br]people sleeping in bed.

0:51:32.193,0:51:32.933
Yes.

0:51:32.933,0:51:35.333
(Olric) Notice what is being said here.

0:51:35.333,0:51:41.093
In this passage, Jesus is not[br]saying that you should not work.

0:51:41.093,0:51:43.173
This is daily work that they are doing.

0:51:43.173,0:51:47.293
The problem is, is that these[br]two passages, 40 and 41,

0:51:47.293,0:51:51.593
are in the context of Jesus saying that,

0:51:51.593,0:51:55.813
"My coming will be a[br]surprise," not a secret,

0:51:55.813,0:51:57.183
just a surprise,

0:51:57.183,0:51:58.673
because it will be loud,

0:51:58.673,0:52:00.093
it will be visible.

0:52:00.093,0:52:04.973
But the surprise is, it will come at[br]a time when people least expect it

0:52:04.973,0:52:07.723
because many folks, as He's saying here,

0:52:07.723,0:52:09.603
will be going about their daily work...

0:52:09.603,0:52:11.058
(Tricia Lee) Eating, drinking.

0:52:11.058,0:52:15.719
(Olric) ...doing all this stuff[br]without getting themselves ready.

0:52:15.719,0:52:18.868
(Derek) You know, there are many[br]sincere Christians who may believe

0:52:18.868,0:52:20.589
in a Secret Rapture of the saints

0:52:20.589,0:52:21.928
and then another chance,

0:52:21.928,0:52:25.668
and certainly we may not have[br]everything right about Scripture,

0:52:25.668,0:52:28.958
and we know if we love Jesus, and[br]we've accepted His salvation,

0:52:28.958,0:52:31.708
that whenever He comes[br]we'll be ready, right?

0:52:31.708,0:52:34.148
So we're not saved by[br]correct understanding.

0:52:34.148,0:52:35.488
The danger is

0:52:35.488,0:52:37.398
that people would put off

0:52:37.398,0:52:40.628
until tomorrow the commitment[br]they need to make today

0:52:40.628,0:52:43.968
and say, "Well, maybe when they[br]go I can make another chance,"

0:52:43.968,0:52:46.709
and that's, of course, the deception

0:52:46.709,0:52:50.158
because the Bible says,[br]"Today, if you hear His voice,

0:52:50.158,0:52:51.438
do not harden your heart."

0:52:51.438,0:52:52.298
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

0:52:52.298,0:52:54.779
Well, let's read another[br]Scripture, one chapter over,

0:52:54.779,0:52:59.088
Matthew chapter 25,[br]verses 31 through 34,

0:52:59.088,0:53:01.708
and I will ask Simiso to read that for us,

0:53:01.708,0:53:04.628
Matthew 25:31-34.

0:53:04.628,0:53:08.399
It will give us a little bit more insight[br]about what happens when the Lord comes

0:53:08.399,0:53:10.788
and this idea of being taken.

0:53:10.788,0:53:16.909
(Simiso) Matthew 25:31-34, I'm reading[br]from the New King James Version:

0:53:51.398,0:53:53.078
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

0:53:53.078,0:53:56.548
When Jesus comes, His[br]coming is not a secret.

0:53:56.548,0:53:59.818
It may be a surprise to some who[br]are going about their everyday lives

0:53:59.818,0:54:01.308
not watching, not being ready,

0:54:01.308,0:54:03.168
but it's His judgment that determines

0:54:03.168,0:54:04.998
who's on the left, who's on the right,

0:54:04.998,0:54:08.268
who's taken to be with[br]Him when He returns.

0:54:08.268,0:54:11.369
Again, Jesus knew this, and that's why

0:54:11.369,0:54:14.069
He pleaded and begged because He knew that

0:54:14.069,0:54:15.608
the choices we make today,

0:54:15.608,0:54:17.288
the choices they made in that day,

0:54:17.288,0:54:18.648
were what would determine

0:54:18.648,0:54:20.578
whether they would be on the right hand

0:54:20.578,0:54:22.089
or on the left hand,

0:54:22.089,0:54:24.989
whether they'd be taken[br]back Home with Him.

0:54:24.989,0:54:28.218
(Derek) And those who are left...[br]I think this is really important;

0:54:28.218,0:54:30.508
you've been emphasizing[br]the need for a decision.

0:54:30.508,0:54:34.348
We read that where the body is,

0:54:34.348,0:54:36.408
there the vultures will gather.

0:54:36.408,0:54:37.808
As we study Scripture,

0:54:37.808,0:54:42.308
those who are left are[br]not left to continue on,

0:54:42.308,0:54:45.748
but they are destroyed by the[br]brightness of Christ's coming,

0:54:45.748,0:54:48.489
and that's why we need to[br]make our decision today.

0:54:48.489,0:54:49.788
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

0:54:49.788,0:54:51.468
Well, let's wrap up our study

0:54:51.468,0:54:54.748
in learning what it means[br]to watch and be ready

0:54:54.748,0:54:57.518
and how we should act when we[br]know that the Lord is coming.

0:54:57.518,0:54:59.688
Jason, would you read for us

0:54:59.688,0:55:04.298
verses 42 through 51 of Matthew 24?

0:55:04.298,0:55:06.958
(Jason) I'll be reading from[br]the New King James Version,

0:55:06.958,0:55:10.448
Matthew chapter 24, verses 42 through 51:

0:56:11.758,0:56:12.868
(Tricia Lee) Oh, mercy.

0:56:12.868,0:56:14.164
Olric, quickly,

0:56:14.164,0:56:15.961
how can we be ready

0:56:15.961,0:56:17.508
for Jesus' Second Coming?

0:56:17.508,0:56:20.608
(Olric) Simple, get ourselves ready

0:56:20.608,0:56:24.128
spiritually first through our[br]commitment to Jesus Christ,

0:56:24.128,0:56:27.228
and use that commitment to reach others.

0:56:27.228,0:56:28.508
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

0:56:28.508,0:56:30.248
Thank you for this wonderful study,

0:56:30.248,0:56:33.999
and let's continue to thank God that He[br]reveals to us the things that will come

0:56:33.999,0:56:35.508
in the future through His Word.

0:56:35.508,0:56:36.938
(Derek) Thank you, Tricia Lee.

0:56:36.938,0:56:38.408
What an amazing study,

0:56:38.408,0:56:41.878
and thank you for joining us[br]for Hope Sabbath School today.

0:56:41.878,0:56:43.978
Jesus wants you to be ready.

0:56:43.978,0:56:46.668
He wants you to know peace and joy today,

0:56:46.668,0:56:50.388
even in the midst of the[br]difficulties around you.

0:56:50.388,0:56:53.488
I want to pray that you'd[br]make that commitment today,

0:56:53.488,0:56:55.568
just as Olric said, today,

0:56:55.568,0:56:58.469
that you'll trust Christ as your Savior

0:56:58.469,0:57:01.188
while we have this wonderful opportunity.

0:57:01.188,0:57:02.048
Let's pray.

0:57:02.048,0:57:04.848
Our Father in Heaven, we[br]don't want to take for granted

0:57:04.848,0:57:08.268
the great privilege of[br]learning the truth about Jesus

0:57:08.268,0:57:10.928
and accepting Him as our Savior

0:57:10.928,0:57:12.728
while there is still time.

0:57:12.728,0:57:16.768
I pray for each one who[br]hears this prayer today,

0:57:16.768,0:57:20.178
that we may make our[br]calling and election sure

0:57:20.178,0:57:24.698
by trusting Jesus as our[br]Savior and soon-coming King.

0:57:24.698,0:57:27.163
And God, I thank you[br]that you'll also use us

0:57:27.163,0:57:29.853
to share that Good Word, that Word of hope

0:57:29.853,0:57:31.553
with those around us,

0:57:31.553,0:57:33.593
in Jesus' name, Amen.

0:57:33.593,0:57:34.683
(Team) Amen.

0:57:34.683,0:57:37.413
(Derek) Well, we're looking[br]for that glorious appearing,

0:57:37.413,0:57:39.553
we'll see Him come, we'll hear Him,

0:57:39.553,0:57:41.993
we'll hear a shout that[br]will wake the dead.

0:57:41.993,0:57:44.613
It's going to be a glorious reunion.

0:57:44.613,0:57:46.173
Won't you determine today

0:57:46.173,0:57:49.593
that you'll be part of the[br]Redeemed for all eternity,

0:57:49.593,0:57:51.733
and won't you also make the commitment

0:57:51.733,0:57:54.273
that Jesus wants you to[br]share that Good News

0:57:54.273,0:57:57.553
so that others can be with[br]us on that glorious day.

0:57:57.553,0:57:58.673
Go out,

0:57:58.673,0:58:01.153
make a difference to the[br]lives of those around you.

0:58:01.153,0:58:29.033
♪ theme music ♪