The Beginning of the End

Scott Risley
Matthew 24:1-24

The disciples asked Jesus what will be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Jesus answers them, but they did not understand that the answer spoke of two separate times. They did not know that there would be a very long gap of time between the beginning of the end and the bodily return of the Son of Man. The signs of the end fell into three categories: Birth Pains, Preconditions and Specific Events.

I Have Told you Everything in Advance

Dennis McCallum
Luke 21:20-24

While on the Mount of Olive with his disciples, Jesus reveals information regarding the end times. Eschatology, or the study of end times, is important for understanding history, having confidence in God's word, learning what's to come and gives authentication to the Bible's entire message. The details Jesus reveals concerns the nation of Israel, which will be re-gathered as a nation prior to the Great Tribulation when Jesus returns to reign as Messiah. The proper response to understanding predictive prophecy is to learn more about the one it centers around - Jesus Christ.

The Mysteries of the Kingdom

Scott Risley
Matthew 13:24-46

In Jesus' day, the Jews were expecting the coming Messiah to inaugurate the Kingdom of God. When Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Jews assumed He would bring in the physical Kingdom of God in their day. They did not understand that He was inviting people now to enter the Kingdom through faith but the literal, physical Kingdom on earth was yet in the future.

The Mystery Hidden for Aeons

Dennis McCallum
Matthew 11:1-15

Jesus tells the crowd about the ministry of John the Baptist, and how there is something coming that people hadn't anticipated before. Through what Jesus said, and what John had said earlier, it's clear that there are two separate comings of Christ. The first coming of Christ will include humiliation, persecution and ultimately death on the cross, while the second coming will see Jesus return in majesty to have all bow down to him and to reign forever and destroy his enemies. These two comings of Jesus are known as the "mystery" in Scripture, and were aimed to destroy the work of Satan and his accusations against God through Jesus' work on the cross.

The Parable of the 3 Managers

Gary DeLashmutt
Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus tells a parable of a master who goes away on a long journey and gives three managers the responsibility of taking care of his assets before he returns. The first two managers invested the assets wisely, while the third didn't invest. When the manager comes back, he rewards the faithful investment of the first two managers and exposes the wicked and lazy attitude of the third servant and casts him away from his presence. Through this parable, three lessons are communicated: 1) God is the owner and we are all managers; 2) God gives us both freedom and responsibility in our management; and 3) the key to a favorable verdict is faith in God. As Christians, we should handle God's resources not only faithfully, but in light of His return.

The Parable of the Dragnet

Gary DeLashmutt
Matthew 13:47-52

Jesus discusses the parable of the dragnet with his disciples, which communicates that at the return of the King Messiah, he will establish God's dominion world-wide and separate the "righteous" and the "wicked". The only difference between the "righteous" and the "wicked" in God's eyes is that the righteous have asked for Jesus' forgiveness and not relied on their own righteousness to get in right standing with God. In addition, this parable teaches that some who consider themselves "Christians" will be revealed at the end of the age to not have actually put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Vision of Future Glory

Jim Leffel
Daniel 12:1-4

In Daniel's vision of the angel Michael, he is told that all people will live forever and will be accountable for what they've done. Jesus' resurrection contains a promise that those who receive his free gift of salvation will be put into the Book of Life and raised to eternal life. Those who are raised will be glorified, receiving a restored body, identity, character, and knowledge. God's vast record of fulfilled promises assures us that He will fulfill His word about these things.

The Unfinished Business of History

Jim Leffel
Daniel 11:1-12:13

All throughout Daniel's visions of kingdoms, there are hints of a kingdom distinct from but related to Rome, that has not come yet. This final kingdom is connected with Rome because Rome has come to be an ultimate symbol of human corruption. It is also connected with Antiochus Epiphanes because it will have an evil ruler who claims divinity, commits unparalleled violence, and coincides with a time of great tribulation. After this 7 year period of tribulation, Jesus will return to set things right.

The Flow of History (Part 2)

Jim Leffel
Revelation 5:5-9

Many of Daniel's prophecies refer to God's kingdom, promised to the throne of David to be a blessing to all the nations. The ruler of this kingdom is called the "Son of Man," said to be more than an ordinary man, a king and priest who is paradoxically killed. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies and, as Daniel said, he will return to rule. God has etched His purpose and character into history so that we might respond to His call to the freedom of His kingdom.