Some interesting Questions Answered in this Lesson

Some interesting Questions Answered in this Lesson

• What period of Time does the Bible refer to as the LAST DAYS?

• Does the Bible predict that we are now living in the last days?

• Has God picked our generation as the last generation to live on the earth?

• Did God give signs that predict the end of the universe?

Throughout the History of Christianity – Men have looked for Signs of the End

• A falling away from the faith (1 Tim 4:1-3)

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3 NIV)

Throughout the History of Christianity – Men have looked for Signs of the End• A falling away from the faith (1 Tim 4:1-3)

• An abundance of false teachers (Matt 24)

and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:11-13 NIV)

Throughout the History of Christianity – Men have looked for Signs of the End• A falling away from the faith (1 Tim 4:1-3)• An abundance of false teachers (Matt 24:11-13)

• A decay in Morals (2 Timothy 3:1-3)

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, …… (2 Timothy 3:1-3 NIV)

Throughout the History of Christianity – Men have looked for Signs of the End• A falling away from the faith (1 Tim 4:1-3)• An abundance of false teachers (Matt 24:11-13)• A decay in Morals (1 Tim 3:1-3)• Earthquakes, wars, and famines will be frequent

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. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:6-7)

EARLY CHRISTIAN TEACHERS USED THESE SAME VERSES TO TEACH

THAT THE END WAS NEARTertullian (150 A.D.) said the wars and

catastrophes of his day were a sign of the end of the world

Motanist (180 A.D.) gave a date for the bodily return of Jesus. He said it would be preceded by a new outpouring of the spiritual gifts.

Novatian (250A.D.) gained a huge following by saying, “Come, Lord Jesus”!

Donatus, (350 A.D.) taught that the Lord would return in his own generation and only 144,000 would be saved.


THAT THE END WAS NEARThe Destruction of Rome by Vandals in

410 was claimed by Christians to be a sign of the end of the world

One of the first popes of Rome (650 A.D.) had this to say to the Christians of his day: ………..


THAT THE END WAS NEAR

Of all the signs described by our Lord as coming before the end of the world, some we see already accomplished … For now we see nation rise against nation and they press on our land like never before in history. Earthquakes overcome countless cities as we often hear from other parts of the world. Disease endures without interruption. It is true that we do not behold signs in the sun and moon and stars but these can not be far off because we already infer changes in the atmosphere (Pope Gregory, 650 A.D.)

Round Numbers Always Draw AttentionJust recently there were many predictions

by believers in the USA that the Lord would come in the year 2000 A.D.

This was also true in the year 1000 A.D.

At the end of 999 A.D. “the old cathedral of Saint Peter’s in Rome was surrounded

by a mass of weeping and trembling worshipers awaiting the end of the world”

Many sold their land, homes, and household goods – giving the money to the poor - thinking this would get them ready to meet Jesus at his return. Some

moved to Israel to await His return.


THAT THE END WAS NEARThe Inquisition in Spain – (persecution of

the Roman Church against other Christians) caused many to think the end was near (1240 A.D.)

The BLACK DEATH (Bubonic Plague) killed 1/3 to ½ of the population from England to India including Greenland and north Africa (1347-1350 A.D.). Christians thought the end had come based on Matt 24.

Martin Luther, founder of the Protestant Reformation,

believed the end was nearin 1530 A.D.

“The last day is at hand, my calendar has run out, I know of nothing more

in my scriptures”

LATE 1700’SFamous British and American Preachers

were predicting the end in their own Generation

Timothy Dwight (President of Yale), & Isaac Newton were two.

William Miller (A Baptist) predicted the end of the world and the coming of the Lord in 1843 – Seventh

Day Adventist Church resulted from his 50,000 followers.

This book (1970) by

HAL LINDSEY

Sold 20,000,000 copies

He taught that the SOVIET UNION was going to attack Israel and bring on Armageddon

1968

The Jehovah’s Witnesses Predicted that 1975 would be the end – Told young people there was no need to go to college

1969“In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous.Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests firstKingdom Ministry – June,

1969 – page 3

“If you look in any direction, whether it is technological or physiological, the world as we know it is coming to an end. Scientists predict it, socialists talk about it. Whether you go to the Soviet Union or anywhere in the world, they are talking about it. The world is living in a state of shock”

Billy Graham - 1986

“I don’t want to linger here on the who, what, why, how, or when of Armageddon, I will simply state my own belief that it is near.”

30 A.D.

Jesus

For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, 'and will deceive many. 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. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:5-13 NIV)

150

180

250

350

450

650

999

1240

1347

1530

1843

1874

1914

1975

1988

2000

Christians have used these words of Jesus for 2000 years to predict the end in their own generation

30 A.D.

Jesus

150

180

250

350

450

650

999

1240

1347

1530

1843

1874

1914

1975

1988

2000

They All Thought THEY were living in the

THE LAST DAYS

THEY WERE ALL WRONG!

Why?

During the last 2000 years, Christians have taken fulfilled

prophecy and treated it as unfulfilled

• Old Testament Prophets, Jesus, and the apostles gave plain “time texts” about the LAST DAYS

• What they talked about was not the END OF THE WORLD, but the end of an AGE!

30 A.D.

Jesus

150

180

250

350

450

650

999

1240

1347

1530

1843

1874

1914

1975

1988

2000

Modern Christians

Take the words of Jesus in 30

A.D. and apply them to…

Last

Days

30 A.D.

Jesus

150

180

250

350

450

650

999

1240

1347

1530

1843

1874

1914

1975

1988

2000

Modern Christians

Take the words of Jesus in 30

A.D. and apply them to…

Last

Days

Each generation since Jesus has thought the same thing

30 A.D.

Jesus

150

180

250

350

450

650

999

1240

1347

1530

1843

1874

1914

1975

1988

2000

Last

Days

How did Bible Writers and Jesus View the Last Days?

30 A.D.

Moses

1400 B.C.Beginning of the nation of Israel

Fall of Jerusalem

70 A.D.

End of the nation of Israel

Last

Days

"Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days.” (Acts 3:24 NIV)

Peter said that all the Prophets talked about the time of the birth and death of Jesus

30 A.D.

Moses


Fall of Jerusalem

70 A.D.End of the nation of Israel

Last

DaysSamuel

1100 B.C.

Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. (Dan 9:24)

30 A.D.

Moses


Fall of Jerusalem


Last

DaysSamuel

1100 B.C.

Daniel

30 A.D.

Moses


Fall of Jerusalem


Last

Days

In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3)

Samuel

1100 B.C.

Isaiah

700 B.C.

30 A.D.

Moses


Fall of Jerusalem


Last

Days

(30 A.D.) Then Peter said, "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (Acts 2:14-17 NIV)

Samuel

1100 B.C.

Isaiah

700 B.C.

Joel

800 B.C.

THE FOUR KINGDOMS OF PROPHECY IN DANIEL – 606 –536 B.C.

Daniel Sees the Last Days

"However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. (Daniel 2:28 NASB)

30 A.D.

Moses


Fall of Jerusalem


Last

Days

"However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed. (Daniel 2:28 NASB)

Samuel

1100 B.C.

Isaiah

700 B.C.

Joel

800 B.C.

Daniel

600 B.C.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV)

In the Past – God spoke to the Fathers through the prophets

Last Days – he spoke to Apostles

through his son Jesus

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (Galatians 4:4 NASB)

Abraham

For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you (1 Peter 1:20 NASB)



through JesusAbraham

The last times were at Jesus’ first coming

We are not living in “these

last times”



through Jesus

Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:26-27 NIV)

Abraham

30 A.D.

Moses


Fall of Jerusalem


Last

Days

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18 NIV)

Samuel

1100 B.C.

Isaiah

700 B.C.

Joel

800 B.C.

Daniel

600 B.C.

John lived in the “last hour”

The Last Days of WHAT?Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' "But they paid no attention and went off-- one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' (Matthew 22:1-9 NIV)

The Last Days of WHAT?There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. "The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said. "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.' So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time." (Matthew 21:33-41)

The Last Days of WHAT?"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation. (Matthew 23:29-36 NIV) (continued on next slide)

The Last Days of WHAT?"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 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?" (Matthew 23:37 - 24:3)

I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. (Matthew 24:34 NIV)

The Last Days of WHAT?Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: "'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'" (Acts 13:40-41 NIV)

For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 NIV)

The Present Distress – the Form of this World passing Away

Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:26-31 NIV)

ENDURE TO THE END – WHAT END?

He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; (Matthew 10:1-2 NIV)

All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:22-23 NIV)

The End would come in thatGeneration!

Judgement, Coming of the Lord, the Kingdom, in their lifetime

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:27-28 NIV)

The Hour had comeas Paul wrote Romans

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11-12 NIV) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Romans 16:20 NIV)

The Fulfillment of the ages had come upon Paul’s Generation

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV)

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Corinthians 10:11 NASB)

The Day was Drawing Near

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. (Hebrews 10:25-27 NASB)

Notice later in the same chapter - continued

The Coming was in a little WhileFor 1st Century Christians

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. (Hebrews 10:36-39 NIV)

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. (James 5:1-8 NIV)

There was a soon coming of the Lord in

the Last Days - -The days of James

What About the Book of Revelation?

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw-- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3 NIV)


Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent. (Rev 2:5)

Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. (2:16)


Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:10-11 NIV)


The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place." (Revelation 22:6 NIV)

Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. (Revelation 22:10 NIV)

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 NIV)

What Have We Learned?

• From 150 A.D. to the present – Many Bible students have used the Bible to predict the end in their own generation.

• The Old Testament Prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles, all spoke of the first century as the LAST DAYS

• There was a judgment of God, a coming of the Lord, in the first century.

Some interesting Questions Answered in this Lesson

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