Signs of the End Times

1. Signs of the End Times Sept 13

2. Think About It … • Why do you think people are interested in the future? • Today we will look at Jesus’ instructions for us as we anticipate the future … • the end of this world as we know it .. • the timing of which only the Father knows.

3. Listen for what kinds of calamities Jesus is predicting for the future of the world. Matthew 24:3-8 (NIV) As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" [4] Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.

4. Listen for what kinds of calamities Jesus is predicting for the future of the world. [6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of birth pains.

5. God Controls the Impending End • As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, what questions did the disciples pose? • What did Jesus say could deceive Christians in the last days? ( See also Luke 21:8) • What wide-scale calamities did Jesus predict would occur near the end of the world? • What are some current world events that fit Jesus’ descriptions and other prophecies?

6. God Controls the Impending End • What are some current examples of false prophets deceiving people? • How can we be on our guard against false “Christs” and false prophets who perform signs and miracles to deceive us? • What assurances do you see in this passage? • How does your perspective of world events change knowing that God is in control?

7. Listen for what Jesus says will happen to believers. Matthew 24:9 – 14 (NIV) "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. [10] At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, [11] and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

8. Listen for what Jesus says will happen to believers. [12] Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, [13] but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

9. Be Active while Waiting for His Return • What various events did Jesus say would happen to believers in the end times? • What did Jesus say about the moral state of the world in the end? • What do you think persecution can do to one’s faith if it is not genuine?

10. Be Active while Waiting for His Return • How can persecution affect how non-believers view the message of the gospel? Consider the difference between when people stand true to the Gospel and when people cave in to the persecution?

11. Be Active while Waiting for His Return • Why is standing firm in persecution you face important to the testimony of the gospel? • What are two promises this passage gives us? • What then can we do to make Christ’s return closer, sooner?

12. Listen for what it will be like when Christ returns. Matthew 24:30-31 (NIV) "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. [31] And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

13. Listen for what it will be like when Christ returns. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [37] As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; [39] and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.

14. Listen for what it will be like when Christ returns. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [42] "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

15. Listen for what it will be like when Christ returns. [43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

16. Don’t Waste Your Time • What heavenly signs and aberrations will accompany the return of Christ? • What does this passage tell us about the exact time when Jesus will return? • What does it mean for us to be watchful?

17. Don’t Waste Your Time • What difference does it make in the way we live whether or not we believe in the imminent return of Christ? • Even if we claim to believe in Christ, what are some ways we live as though we were atheists (in the context of the imminent return of Christ)?

18. Application • Don’t get sidetracked trying to figure out the details of the when and how of Christ’s return • God is in control • He is shaping and molding history to accomplish His purposes • We watchful, carefully observing without out obsessing about details

19. Application • Ask yourself, what are some ways to be productive for God’s Kingdom until Christ returns. • Be actively involved in outreach ministries • Actively study God’s Word to be aware of and warn others of counterfeit teachings • Pray for the preaching of the Gospel around the world – to all nations and peoples

20. Application • Christ doesn’t want us to be passive in life as we wait for Him to return. • He invites us to experience abundant life • Accept His invitation to join Him in reaching the nations.

21. Signs of the End Times Sept 13