Jesus and the End of the World, Part 1

Scott Risley

Ezekiel 37:10-25

In his final week, Jesus predicts Jerusalem will be uprooted, scattered and later regathered. He warns his disciples against false claims, tells them what to look for and explains how they will go through great persecution. Historians Josephus and Tacitus confirm this biblical account as well as Old Testament Scripture. Against all odds, these predictions have come true which gives great evidence this can only be from the one true God.

Things to Come

Jim Leffel

Luke 21:5-38

Jesus teaches the Olivet Discourse, a prophecy concerning the end times. Signs of these times include war, famine, natural disaster, relational discord, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the regathering of the Jewish people. We don't know when the end of the age will be, but some of these signs have been fulfilled in recent years and eventually, Christ will return.

Live with the End in View

Jim Leffel

Luke 12:35-40

Looking at three short parables in Luke 12, three main practices stand out as being critical to living in faith and hope in the time until Christ's return: 1.) Living in readiness to meet the King, taking part in the work of the Kingdom today; 2.) waiting patiently, but not idly; and 3.) being alert to the opportunities God brings for us, fighting distractions.

Detecting False Teachers

Gary DeLashmutt

John 10:4

John, one of Jesus' disciples, writes his first epistle to the church in Ephesus to combat Gnosticism. In these verses, he gives his audience two additional tests to detect false teachers: 1) do the teachers agree with the Apostles' teaching about who Jesus is; and 2) does the Holy Spirit confirm their view of Jesus?

A Framework for Predictive Prophecy

Mike Sullivan

Matthew 24:14

God makes it clear throughout the Bible that no one knows the day or hour Jesus will return, but we can get a broad outline of history through Scripture. In particular, the book of Daniel contains numerous visions that, when studied, provide a prophetic framework that informs our view of the future. Although it can be confusing and difficult, this prophecy is an essential part of Scripture that warrants careful study and consideration.

Rapture of the Church

Chris Hearty

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

There are many views about the rapture of the Church and many unknowns surrounding the topic. However, the question is not if it will happen, but when. With many different ideas about what the rapture will be like and when it will take place, it is important to carefully consider what Scripture teaches on the subject.

Hospitality and the End Times

Rich Mendola

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

Would you like to picture the coming kingdom where God reigns? Then practice Biblical Hospitality! Jesus links the great messianic banquet that is to come to times when we are eating together. He also links it to the fulfillment of the great commission: "When this gospel is preached as a witness to all the nations, then the end shall come" (Matthew 24:14). Come and learn more about how we can eat strategically, redemptively, and hopefully as we picture the coming kingdom. Eating your way to the end of the age! Is it really that simple? Come and find out.

Jewish Eschatology

Eric Chabot

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

The Bible is a Jewish book that speaks of God's redemptive plan - the coming of the Jewish Messiah for the benefit of his people and the entire world. Christians should look to the following questions to impact their view of eschatology: 1) What did the Jewish people believe about eschatology at the time of Jesus? 2) What was the role of the Jewish Messiah and the end of the world? 3) What does the Old Testament teach about eschatology?

The Last Days

Timothy Clarke

Luke 21:8-26

The second coming of Christ is a fact and an event that will happen in the near future (remembering that human's view of time is very different than God's). As believers, this is not something for us to fear. Matthew 24 and Luke 21 provide insight into many signs that will take place prior to Jesus' return.