2. How will the world end, do not be deceived? (This Gospel)

Review of the last study:

We started our journey of studying the bible looking at the bible as a “reliable source” of wisdom and direction for our lives.

Point 1: The bible was written by MAN but its AUTHOR is GOD. The bible is GOD’S WORD that reveal His HEART and CHARACTER

We determined that God’s wisdom doesn’t have the same deficiencies as the wisdom of the world.

God’s freely wants to give us this wisdom

Point 2: The bible is its own expositor (explains itself) – If the bible is the whole Word of God, it doesn’t need outside sources for explanation. God’s Word will explain God’s Word

We do not need outside sources to help to explain God’s word

He wants us to reason things out with him.

Why is it important that we have the bible interpret itself? To prevent PRIVATE INTERPRETATION

Private interpretation can lead God’s professed people to reflecting a false image of who God is

This is detrimental and destructive to people inside and outside the church.

FINAL POINT: THE BIBLE IS TO BE VIEWED AS A WHOLE. ALL ITS PARTS ARE RELATED TO PRESENT ITS GRAND CENTRAL THEME

The last book of the bible which is the summary of the bible states that the book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ

That the bible – the Word of God – which comes from the heart of God is trying to reveal an accurate and precise image of who God is and what a life with Him is about - abundant and fulfilling

Today’s study we are going to continue piecing together the reasons WHY we need to study the bible for ourselves and what impact that it will have on our lives.

Many people in who believe in Jesus, talk about the hope they had in His soon return. What do they mean by that?

Have you ever wondered how the world will end?

Or wondered if the world is going to end soon?

Or what the state of the world would be in at the end of time?

Does the time that we live seem unusual?

Does the bible mention anything about these topics?

Matthew 24:3

Disciples had same questions

This chapter has duel application

Events were being fulfilled in their time literally and LOCALLY with the Jewish nation

However, Jesus would also be referring to how the event of “time of the end” would be fulfilled literally as a WORLDWIDE event with ALL the inhabitants of this earth

When you ask someone a question, the very next response would probably be the most important part of the answer

Matthew 24:4-5 – First thing that Jesus says in response to their questions - DON’T LET ANYONE DECEIVE YOU—DO NOT BE DECEIVED

QUESTION:

Why do you think that is first thing Jesus says?

Why would He warn us about a deception and its connection to the end of the world?

Jesus repeats this two more times in the chapter in verses 11 & 24 – People will come to mislead (Deceive)

False prophets & False Christs

What did we learn in our last study – Private Interpretation leads to a FALSE IMAGE of God

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR ME? We don’t want to be deceived.

But how will the world end according to what Jesus said in the Bible – Matthew 24:6-8

Do we see these phenomena taking place?

Have you ever thought the world would end by a war, natural disaster, or even a plague (or meteor)?

Hollywood seems to think so – Armageddon, Endgame, War of the World

Have you ever heard Christians say things similar to what Hollywood is depicting?

According to the Bible WILL these events bring the world to an end?

However, how does the Bible say we should respond to events we are seeing? Matthew 24:6

DO NOT BE TROUBLED

In other words, we don’t have to live in FEAR with the EVENTS we see taking place! (As crazy as it is)

Why does Jesus not want us to be troubled by the events we are witnessing?

These things must happen NOT because God wants them too. Instead, it is because EVIL exists and continues to infect the world.

As we get closer and closer to the end, EVIL increases in intensity and frequency.

You ever wonder why God allows evil to exist or where it came from?

Do you want to know? (We will look at this closer in a future study)

Here’s the other reason why Jesus doesn’t want us to be troubled:

Matthew 24:8 (Read)

While these events will be seen and will happen when the end comes—its just the beginning.

IT’S NOT THE END!

Jesus wants us to place our focus else where!

So then, the question is, how will the end of the world come?

Matthew 24:14 (Read)

Not by war, famine, pestilence, disease, or natural disaster!

Instead, the end of the world will happen when what takes place?

Gospel [euangelion - εὐαγγέλιον]- a reward for good tidings [news]; good tidings [news]

What does that tell us the world needs to hear and know before the end comes?

What does that tell us about God? He wants the world to understand a message before the end of the world.

What exactly is the end of the world?

Matthew 24:30, 31 (Read)

The end happens when Jesus returns

In His return who does Jesus gather?

Matthew 24:31 (Read)

Jesus comes for the elect

**IMPORTANT** ONLY THE ELECT WILL BE GATHERED

Who is the elect?

Elect [eklektos - ἐκλεκτός] - picked out, chosen; chosen by God

How can one become CHOSEN/ELECT of God?

1 Peter 2:9-10 (Read)

We become the elect by choosing to listen to the call out of darkness into His marvelous light (we will spend time on what this looks like throughout our studies)

What happens when His people [the elect] are gathered?

1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (Read)

The elect are changed from corrupted/mortal to incorruption/immortality

Death is eradicated (More about this in a future study)

Notice what else happens after Jesus returns: Revelation 21:1-5 (Read)

All things are MADE NEW!

QUESTION:

Does the end of the world sound like a good thing or a bad thing?

Should we be afraid of it or welcome it?

Remind me, how can we make this possible?

So then, that tells us:

The longer the gospel is withheld [not preached/shared/modeled] from the world, what will continue to take place in this world? What will we CONTINUE to experience, day-to-day, and year-to-year?

If we don’t like suffering and want it to end… then we need to take the gospel everywhere we go!!!

QUESTION:

But, what exactly are we supposed to be sharing?

What is the good news the world needs to hear/know?

Matthew 24:14 (Read)

Jesus said, “this” NOT “the” Gospel

What does that sound like Jesus is alluding too?

Is there more than one gospel?

Remember, what was the first thing Jesus warned us about pertaining how the world will end?

Galatians 1:6-9 (Read)

There’s a reason Jesus warned us not to be deceived about the end of the world events

It’s because NOT only will there be confusion in the world but ALSO in the church!!!

This is why, I will point to the BIBLE and the BIBLE ALONE for answers—NOT MY PRIVATE INTERPRETATIONS

Neither will I share the OPINION OF MAN OR THE TRADITION OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

I’m not saying that people and institutions are bad, however the issue we identified earlier is that a deception is what we are to be on guard for. The only safeguard we have is the Bible and the Bible ALONE.

Isaiah 8:20 (Read)

If any teaching/claim from a church/media goes contrary to the Bible

I know it’s NOT OF GOD! – False prophets and false Christs

So, if we don’t want to be deceived what do we need to know for ourselves?

1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 (Read)

It is OUR responsibility to TEST ALL THINGS

Hold on to what is GOOD

ABSTAIN from EVERY FORM of EVIL

WHY – When we do this we will be preserved at the coming of Jesus Christ

In order to know something does past the test of the Bible, what do we need to know?

WE NEED TO KNOW IT FOR OURSELVES: THE SCRIPTURES IS OUR ONLY SAFEGUARD!!

HERE’S THE POINT:

There may be a lot of good news—feel good messages out there

BUT ONLY THIS GOSPEL will bring about the end of the world we’re LOOKING FOR!

What gospel is that?

Revelation 14:6-12 (Read)

This is known as the THREE ANGELS MESSAGE

If we expect the end to come the world MUST HEAR/UNDERSTAND/TAKE ACTION on this MESSAGE!

But, how can we share and take action it if we don’t know and understand it?

What were we told to share to all the world?

1st ANGEL (vs. 7):

Fear God—and give Him glory

Worship Him because He is Creator

Warn the world God’s JUDGMENT has BEGUN

2nd ANGEL (vs. 8):

Warn the world that BABYLON has FALLEN because caused the world to be DRUNK

3rd ANGEL (vs. 9-12):

Warn the world to NOT worship the beast, His image, or receive His mark

Identify those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus

How do we know for sure this is the gospel Jesus said we need to preach?

Revelation 14:14-15 (Read)

After the message it says Jesus comes and a harvest takes place, yes or no?

HERE’S THE POINT:

UNDERSTANDING and PROCLAMING the message of THE THREE ANGELS in Revelation 14 WILL BRING ABOUT THE END

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: Revelation 1:1 – All of this is based on that understanding all these thing will help us reveal who Jesus Christ truly is!

QUESTION:

What then do we need to know in order to share the message where ever we go?

What do we need to know and share so that the suffering in this world can end?

We need to know the message for ourself!!!

WE NEED TO KNOW:

1st ANGEL (vs. 7):

How and what does it mean to fear God—and give Him glory?

How do we worship Him to acknowledge Him as the Creator?

When exactly did God’s JUDGMENT begin?

Why is there a JUDGMENT?

Who’s being judged?

How are they being judged?

2nd ANGEL (vs. 8):

Who is BABYLON?

Is Babylon a person or place?

Why is it FALLEN? [What does it mean to be fallen]

How does it get the world DRUNK and what does that mean?

3rd ANGEL (vs. 9-12):

Who is the beast?

What is his image?

How and why will the world worship the beast or his image?

What is the Mark of the Beast?

How and why will the world receive it?

What are the commandments of God?

Why are people described as “patient” who keep them?

What does it mean to have the faith of Jesus?

CONCLUSION:

And THIS gospel of THE KINGDOM will BE PREACHED in ALL the WORLD AS A WITNESS to ALL THE NATIONS, and THEN THE END WILL COME.

The wars will ONLY end when the world needs hear/know THIS gospel

The suffering, pain, abuse, and death, will ONLY end when the world needs hear/know THIS gospel

The ONLY way the next pandemic can be prevented the world needs hear/know THIS gospel

Do you want to know THIS gospel so you can help bring about the end?

This is why we are studying at such a time as this…I believe Jesus wants to save you and save others through you