“Matthew 24 & 25” (7 of 13) by Pastor Chris Buttery

[Music] welcome to Sacramento central seventh-day Adventist Church and thank you for joining us for Central study hour wherever you are and however you're tuning in we're glad you're here we are happy to be singing with brother Don from Sri Canada he's elected him 565 for the beauty of the earth we'll do all three verses [Music] Oh [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] amen if you have a special request please visit us at our website at sex central org click on the contact us link and be sure to tell us where you're from we really love hearing how far CSH goes into the corners of your home into the corners of the world so drop us a note when you select a song in our hymnal our next song in this 567 in our hymnal have thine own way Lord we will sing the first and second first [Music] [Music] to [Music] Oh [Music] [Music] mine own way board has been owned own weights wounded and weary helped me I pray power all power surely is thine our Savior can touch us and heal us for he is our Savior divine amen let's pray dear lord thank you so much for bringing us here today with gratitude hearts of praise we are asking you to have your way with us this morning in our study let your spirit penetrate our hearts and our minds let it also be with Pastor Chris as we continue preparing for the endtime Lord and we ask also that your blessings just be with everyone who will be participating in our services today and also in our final concert you've brought us this far Lord and we know that you will continue to see us through when your name we pray amen our lesson study this morning will be brought to us by Pastor Chris Bhaduri our lead pastor at sects central Church good to see you happy Sabbath and are those that are tuning in wherever you are watching from we're glad you're doing so of course for our viewers we always have a free offer and today it's offer c21 eight to zero and all you need to do is call nine one six four five seven six five one one or email us at CHS AK central dot o-r-g and we'll be happy to get that out to you it is a copy of this presentation on CD or dvd and we like for you to have it and of course then pass it on and share it with others so that they're blessed as well and don't forget on our website you can click on the CSH banner and you'll be able to get the lesson study guide and of course the notes from this presentation so you're welcome to all of those things they're there for you because we're here to serve and we're today in Lesson number seven and we're going to be looking at a couple of my some of my favorite chapters in the book of Matthew and that is Matthew chapter 24 and 25 and the memory verse or the memory text is taken from chapter 24 verse 24 and it's an interesting one Jesus says talking about last days that there will be false Christ's and false prophets they will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive if possible even the elect and if you go on to read Jesus talks about the days being shortened less the elect be deceived and we're thankful to the Lord that he is going to be able to do that and we'll do that for his people let me what is Matthew chapter 24 and 25 about really it has to do with the last days doesn't it this is very appropriate of course to our study in this in this quarter when we while we're talking about preparation for the last days how to be prepared to stand during the times that we live in the times that are coming prior to the return of Jesus let me ask you a question have you ever found yourself in an awkward situation where you found yourself unprepared yeah I think some of us probably have probably most of us have you know those those moments where you think you've got everything ready you're going to paint a room in your house perhaps and everything is set you get your paintbrush you get your paint you've you've taken those little plates off the light around the light switches you've you've taped all around the corners and everything's set to go blade the you've laid the plastic down over the carpet and then you're about to use your roll your paintbrush roll and the roll is all crusty and hard from the last time you forgot to clean it up and and it didn't work quite well maybe you had planned to go somewhere and travel somewhere and you're trying to find this location this place for the first time and somebody said just turn down this street you'll see the white picket fence and you just take a ride and you'll find your way and you're weaving your way through these roads and you've forgotten what the street is supposed to be and and is it a brown picket fence or why what did they say like a preparation finds this is some strange places at times doesn't it and and as in real life why I should say let me let me share this with you what is the what is the motto for Boy Scouts at least at least it was for a long time be prepared be prepared that was the motto for Boy Scouts oh it's a good motto of course for everyday life especially our spiritual lives isn't that so Jesus is actually for us being prepared for his coming sometimes Christians get it in their mind that they that they that they're maybe it's a little confusing to figure out how to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus and maybe Jesus doesn't want us to be prepared because look at all the terrible things are going to happen before he comes will anyone be saved well Jesus wants us to be prepared and that's why he gave us Matthew 24 and Matthew 25 that's why he sat down with his disciples on the Mount of Olives and he gave them this he shared this sermon with them and those the others who came to to listen and so Jesus wants us to be ready and I suggest that it does take a special type of preparation to stand during the last days and to be ready to meet Jesus in Revelation chapter 6 verse 17 it's interesting a question is asked with regard to the second coming it says the great day of his wrath has come and who shall be able to stand it's an important question isn't it and although we're not in revelation today if you go on to read Revelation chapter 7 the very next chapter it talks about the 144,000 those who are sealed in their foreheads and and well we won't talk about that necessarily today but we will talk about what it means to be to be prepared for the return of Jesus that's what our lesson is about this quarter so let's go to Sunday's lesson a powerful confirmation of prophecy if you read Matthew 24 it's like reading the daily newspaper and your Jesus shared these words about 2000 years ago he said that prior to my coming these are the things you're going to see before I return and as a matter of fact they're going to get a little bit more intense and a little bit worse prior to my return and when you read these things in the ancient text this book that was put together a couple of thousand years ago you read what Jesus predicted would happen and you can't what you can't say that Jesus didn't know what was coming you can't say that Jesus wasn't divine in not knowing what was coming he didn't know what was coming and and he shared that with us so that we would know where we are in the stream of time and how we can be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ so Matthew 24 we're looking at two chapters Matthew 24 gives us the outline for what things will look like prior to the return of Jesus what is Matthew 25 about Matthew well at least toward the end of Matthew chapter 24 verse 45 and they'll end all of chapter 25 those chapters or those verses rather deal with how to prepare or be prepared for the events coming upon the world and to meet Jesus face to face when he comes in the clouds of glory it's fabulous chapters that we're going to not dig in too deeply because we don't have the time this is a review of the lesson and so we trust that you've had it you'll have a chance to do that I've had a chance to do that but we'll look at some of the important highlights and and look at what it means to be ready when Jesus comes in the context of Matthew 24 and 25 so let's go now to Matthew 24 and we'll look at verses 1 through 3 this sets the stage for what we're about to look at so Jesus went out and he departed from the temple Matthew 23 Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees and any laments over Jerusalem and he departs from the temple and his disciples come to show him the building of the temple now you know that back in that time the temple was the pride and joy of the Jews this is a beautiful edifice that had been prepared for the worship of God and they were very proud of it and they place their hopes in that temple and Jesus said to them in verse 2 do you not see all thing all these things assuredly I say to you not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down now Jesus came to you and he and and you had something that you you invested your pride and joy in he said you see this thing right here I'm just going to let you know it's it's it's gonna crash just gonna let you know it's not gonna do you any good a little later on just gonna let you know the things gonna die just gonna let you know Jesus Jesus likes to delight in in in in in destroying our hopes and our dreams no he wants our hopes and our dreams to be placed where they ought to be placed in the place that is secure and eternal not on things here on the earth Jesus essentially destroys their hopes but he he seeks to as he continues his sermon pick up their hope but because he's talking about he's going to be talking about his return now notice verse 3 now as he sat on the Mount of Olives the disciples came to him and you can be sure they came to him wanting to ask some questions about what he just said not one stone upon another is going to be is is going to be left they're going to be thrown down so they come to him and they said tell us when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the world so the disciples come to Jesus and they ask him when will be when will the temple be overthrown and for them that marks the end of the world and that marks a time when Jesus will come back and so in response Jesus provides a description of the signs preceding the events of both the destruction of Jerusalem and his return the second coming of Jesus essentially Jesus in His mercy blends the two events together so the disciples really won't be overwhelmed with what's what's going to be coming in the last days so he's gracious to do this for his disciples and he blends these two things together now before we go any further I just want to pause a moment to highlight something very very important to us when we consider Bible prophecy Matthew chapter 24 Jesus provides a key to help us interpret Bible prophecy he gives us a key puts it in our hand he says use this to unlock the mysteries of Bible prophecy especially when you get to Daniel and the book of Revelation so Jesus in Jerusalem what did Jesus see in Jerusalem Jesus saw a world headed for destruction isn't that right right so as Jerusalem was going to meet its demise so eventually the world would meet its demise so what was going to happen and listen carefully what was going to happen on a local literal level in Jerusalem regarding a real temple regarding Rome pagan Rome Jesus said will happen on a world wild wide-scale at the end of time some people have called the Sermon on the Mount or this rather this sermon in Matthew 24 the little apocalypse the little apocalypse or the revealing Jesus moves from a literal Israel literal Jerusalem to literal from literal Jerusalem Temple and Rome to spiritual Israel spiritual temple the one in heaven and to spiritual Rome not pagan Rome but people Rome which we'll talk about in another day here coming up Tuesday's lesson the abomination of desolation and so understanding this principle from the local lab - the spiritual worldwide level it's imperative in helping us unlock the prophecies of Daniel and revelation and what this understanding will do will help us from a few to keep us from a futuristic interpretation of prophecy a lot of our evangelical brothers and sisters look at what's happening in Israel today as a sign that Jesus is coming soon and is that where God wants us to look over in Israel today as to what's going on no he did back then he was talking in Matthew 24 about what was going to happen in Jerusalem what was going to happen to the literal temple what was going to happen at the hand of pagan Rome but he moves to a worldwide context what will happen to spiritual Israel spiritual temple and then of course spiritual Rome the futuristic interpretation reverses the order from the worldwide to the literal local level and sadly some seventh-day Adventists are also looking to Israel to see what's going to happen there they look they're waiting like the evangelical brothers and sisters to find out when the temple is going to be rebuilt because that's going to be a sign that we're nearing the end and that's not true that's we've got our eyes in the wrong place if we're looking at Israel God wants us to be looking at all time in a different direction especially when we get to the books of Daniel revelation he's pointing in a particular direction in the penned up in the in the in the direction of spiritual Rome and Babylon and and that's where eyes ought to be watching the events taking place they're not necessarily in Israel God wants us focused on what's happening with spiritual Israel and with spiritual Rome spiritual Babylon so it's a very important principle to consider local literal worldwide spiritual that's where Jesus moves from in rend in Matthew 24 and that's what you discover when you read the books of Daniel and the book of Revelation is that clear this morning does that help I hope that's clear to us here this morning so let's continue reading Matthew 24 and we'll go to verse 4 and we're gonna reverse a Jesus now gives an indication of some of the things that will be taking place prior to his return he says take heed that no one word deceives you for many will come in my name saying I am the Christ and will deceive many there are a lot of people that have come up the scene in the 20th century even here in the 21st century that profess to be Jesus Christ the Messiah there's someone even in Australia calls himself JC I can't remember his last name his wife her name she changed her name to Mary they believe they're the incarnation of Jesus and Mary they've come back here to Planet Earth and they have a following even people here in America are following their teachings and it's just horrible to watch what they do and see people following them a lot of people have come along saying that they are Christ and will deceive many and it's going to continue verse 6 and you'll hear of wars and rumors of wars see that you are not troubled I like that see that you are not what troubled I get troubled when I look at the news now Jesus said don't get troubled don't get troubled for these things must come to pass but the end is not yet for nation will rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom and there'll be famines pestilence and earthquakes in various places all these are the beginning of Sorrows so Jesus tells us before he returns certain things are going to abound deception we read that read that in verse 4 verse 5 says it be false Christ's and false prophets that will arise in the last days they'll be free Wars they'll be pestilent that pestilence there'll be famines they'll be upheaval in and among the nation's and if you jump over to verse 12 you'll notice he says lawlessness will abound lawlessness will abound and we see that all around us today someone's going to probably tell you though just in case they do tell you hey yeah but having all the having these things always taken place happened they've always been pestilence and earthquake and wars and famines and lawlessness certainly but what you need to do is remind them of verse 8 verse 8 Jesus says these are the word beginning of Sorrows and the word used there in the original language refers to a woman travailing in birth pains ready to be ready to deliver her child and we know what hat well well women know particularly if our children know full well what happens their husband just stand by and watch and sweat a little bit and hope for the best what happens when a when a mother is about to give birth to her child those labor pains become more one more frequent and more intense and Jesus gives us a key herein in verse eight that these things that I've shown you while they have always occurred they will become more frequent and more intense as as my as we near my return and so it's very important we keep that in mind is that really the case is that what's taking place certainly certainly we see the intensity of these things that Jesus is mentioned in you know on a website called foreign-policy dot-com there was an article that was featured entitled ten conflicts to watch in 2018 and there are plenty more conflicts going on around the world than just ten but these are the ten that they encouraged first of all the tension that exists between the North Korea and the u.s. due to Kim jong-un's push for nuclear arms and there been some developments here recently where potentially and hopefully he will work toward the nuclearization we will see how that develops also they in this particular article as it says we need to watch the us-saudi Iran rivalry and that says they're likely it's likely to eclipse all Middle East and Fault the Middle Eastern fault lines in 2018 another crisis is known as they're Rania a crisis in Myanmar with over 600,000 refugees fleeing from Myanmar into Bangladesh which is creating an absolute crisis it also highlights the Yemen war with over eight million people on the brink of famine the war in Afghanistan of course we can talk about the war the civil war going on in Syria with close to a million half a million people's lives lost then there is a place in Africa they call it the Sahel Sahel region these are some of the weaker states that are kind of jostling it's if you if you take Africa it's kind of in the middle and these nations run kind of right through the middle and in this region there's a struggle because of an overlap of mixed into communal conflicts and jihadi violence and this is going on of course right now as well the crisis in Congo the conflict in eastern Ukraine that has claimed 10,000 lives and then the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela which is creating a lot of civil unrest and so they're saying look at these ten but there are plenty more going on wars and rumors of wars nations rising against nation Kingdom against Kingdom what about famines yeah certainly 795 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life that's a lot of people it's nearly 1 billion people that's one in nine people one in eight people on planet Earth poor nutrition causes nearly 45% of deaths in children under the age of five that's 3.1 million children deaths per year it's atrocious and one out of six children roughly a hundred million children in developing countries are underweight 66 million primary school-aged children attend class hungry in the developing world with 23 million of them being in the continent of Africa alone what about pestilence we could talk about malaria we could talk about AIDS we could talk about influenza and birds swine and flus Birds swine and Ebola and the Zika virus and then of course the rise again now of STD sexually transmitted diseases because of promiscuity and and individuals having multiple partners we seeing a rise now in STDs and it won't be reported clearly won't be recorded reported in the news but if you go to the Center for Disease Control and you look at their statistics and they're on their website it'll highlight that the STDs are growing at a rapid pace in the LGBT community that will not be reported in the news but you can read there clearly on their website what about earthquakes let me just share something with you I was reading the u.s. geological website US Geological Survey website and it highlighted you know how many earthquakes we had in the last 24 hours 72 as around the world 72 the largest earthquake took place in slaughter and Tina and it was just a five just a 5.0 but it it reached some havoc there how many earthquakes do we have in the last seven days according to the US Geological Survey 866 the largest was five point eight and that took place in the western Indian Antarctic Ridge so that didn't affect too many people up there but that's that's what took place what about the last 30 days 3933 and the largest was a six point not nine in East New Britain in Papua New Guinea and then what about the past 365 days there were forty one thousand one hundred and thirty eight earthquakes and the largest was eight point one in Chiapas Chiapas Mexico we heard about that one several dozen deaths that took place there sadly you know we're seeing these things continue and at an increased rate and so when you read the book of Matthew you read what Jesus said you can be sure that these things are coming to pass we're we kind of on the last leg the last journey here last leg of the journey heading toward Jesus return now when we think about these signs do they seem well they can seem a little bit overwhelming can't they there's no doubt about that was Jesus sharing these things with us to to scare us to put fear into our hearts no why was Jesus sharing these things well there were several reasons he was sharing these things with with us one is was to alert us to help God's people know where they are in the stream of time to know how mere Jesus return is right and should Christians just be looking at the signs to know whether they should be getting ready to meet Jesus one day soon know we should be connecting with Jesus every day and for the joy of trying the joy of wanting to be with Jesus forever we ought to be allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and lives each and every day right and and and to be prepared but not get ready but be ready we don't have to get ready we can be ready today and each day as we put a hand in the hand of Jesus there's another reason why Jesus shared these things with us and Shirley's going to read that for us math 24 verse 25 see I have told you beforehand just like that see I have told you beforehand what was the reason that Jesus shared these things with us told us what was going to happen so that you might believe it's a matter of fact he gets a little clear when you go to John 13 verse 19 jesus said I've told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen you might believe you might believe on me you see so Jesus shares these things with us so that we might believe in the sure word of prophecy we might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God and that we might be ready of course but the focus of Sunday's lesson is this assurance we can have this powerful confirmation of prophecy we can read Matthew 24 we can know without a shadow of a doubt what Jesus said is coming to pass and that gives me assurance and it should give each of us assurance that we can trust God's Word what do you say yeah certainly let's go to monday's lesson monday's lesson that's no there is no question that endurance and perseverance and God's grace is needed more now than ever as we stare down the barrel of what's coming but we're gonna look at Matthew 24 verse 13 and notice what Jesus says in this context of the last days he says but he who what's that word in Jewess he that endures to the end shall be saved let me ask you a question was Jesus teaching salvation by endurance was Jesus teaching salvation by endurance now we are saved by one grace through a thing called faith that's right salvation is God's initiative he reaches out to us he sent his son to die for us and our sins and Jesus is seeking to reclaim us to save us we are saved by God's grace and God's grace alone through a thing called faith but there is something to be said about holding on there's something to be said about holding on somehow you've been capsized maybe you fell off the off the I don't know you fell off the went over the rails of some boat you find yourself in the ocean and someone throws you a floatation device and you take that floatation device and you put it around you and then you take it off is that what you're going to do you're going to keep the flotation device around you and you're going to do what with the flotation device hold on until you get pulled in back onto the boat isn't that right so the flotation device won't do you any good it's it's it's it's it's our salvation if we're in the water if we can't swim and the waves are rolling and so on and we want to get out of there because of shark-infested waters but the the flotation device is our salvation but if we hold onto a once and then we just let it go then it won't do us any good isn't that right sure you need to beat you need to hang on to that device until it brings you safely into the boat now because we haven't entered heaven yet we've got some holding on to do isn't that right we've got some holding on to do let's take a look at Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1 we'll look at this in a different context this idea of enduring and persevering Pam thank you very much therefore we also since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us alright thank you so what is the Christian the Christian journey called here in the context of Hebrews 12 it's the the race it's a race and what type of race the one that requires endurance right when I was when I enjoyed and was involved in athletics when I was in high school and so on I always enjoyed being in the sprints the 100 and 200 meters or the relay races those things I enjoy I enjoyed but when you were you know in PE class you know PE teacher told you how to do the 800 meters and sometimes you have to do the 1500 meters or those were races of endurance at least for me they were and then you got these crazy people to go out and run 26 points something miles every now and then and they do these marathon races it's I can't just having fun they can do it that's fine I'm not going to do it but that's a marathon that's a race of what endurance and the Christian life is is related to these races of endurance ease long distance runs and when you run in one of those 26 mile marathon the runner reaches a point where they their energy just all of a sudden just seems to be gone it's called hitting the wall they hit the wall and the only thing that's going to help them get to the end of that race is just sheer will that's it because everything in them is telling him their body's telling him we're shutting down we're done we're finished and the runner now at that point needs to just keep on running just through sheer will now the Christian running in the Christian race while he or she might feel as though they they hit the wall spiritually they've spiritually hit the wall we need to understand that we don't get to the end by sheer will we get to the end by looking to Jesus and Jesus will help us to the end as a matter of fact that's what Hebrews 12 verse 2 says looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith of our race that's right he he sent us on our way he's with us every step of the way and he will help us till the very end and when we look to Jesus and we look to what Jesus has done for us the great sacrifice he's made for us when we see Jesus on Calvary's cross God's Holy Spirit works in us to will and to do of his good pleasure we continue to run we continue to fight we continue till the very end why would we need to endure until the end in the Christian race well we haven't finished the race yet we haven't finished the race yet but Jesus identifies some other reasons why endurance is needed as we run the last lap in US history because I believe we're running that last lap how about you Matthew chapter 24 verses 9 through 12 let's read this together Matthew 24 verses 9 through 12 notice Jesus says that they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you and you'll be hated by all nations for my name's sake and then many will be offended will betray one another and will hate one another then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many and because lawlessness will abound the love of many will grow cold there's another reason why endurance is going to be needed because there's some serious times coming isn't that right even even in the church it says some will deliver you up tribulus ooh you be hated by all nations for my name's sake some are going to be offended because of what's taking place and they're going to betray one another god forbid that we would do that but it says these things are going to take place Jesus says it's going to happen false prophets will rise up false Christ's lawlessness will abound there is a degree of endurance that is definitely going to be needed in the last days when you look at Revelation chapter 13 what's revelation 13 about really it's about to be seized and a two nations one is the the Beast that rises up out of the sea speaking of papal Rome and then you've got the other Beast the Beast with a lamb like horns and this beast sets up an image to the first beast one of the identifying features earmarks of that firstbeat beast is it's a church state combination and this second beast will set up an image - the first piece of lightness - the first piece and through this state church Union they will enforce the mark of the beast upon the world and what will happen to those who refuse to receive the mark of the beast they will be yeah they'll be killed there'll be economic sanctions put on them you won't be able to buy or sell if you don't receive the mark of the beast and and and they there could be and there will be death threats and the folk that will lose their lives because they're standing for the truth there's a lot of things coming no wonder in Matthew rather in Revelation 14:12 talking about the third just on the heels of talking about the third angels message not to receive the mark of the beast or the image to the beast don't bow down worship the Beast it says here is the patience of the saints that word patience actually means perseverance here is the endurance of the Saints because they're going to go through a very difficult time a time of trouble and ultimately the time of Jacob's trouble prior to the return of Jesus they're going to see a lot and that's not to say that we should get all fearful and worried jesus said take care today tomorrow will take care of itself be faithful today and hold on to me today have your word hide your word in my heart in your heart today and all will be well then I'm prepared I'll prepare you and if you're going to go through that I'll make sure that you're prepared to go through it if you're not going to go through it then I'll let you rest because what you won't enjoy Oh God's gonna take care of his own he's shown that he shows that all throughout Scripture God doesn't leave his own to themselves he takes care of his own you know the Greeks had a race in their Olympic Games that was quite unique the winner was not the runner who finished first the winner the runner who finished with his torch still lit was the winner and friend I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit all the way through till Jesus comes back how about you and those those are the ones who win they're flames are still lit their torch is still lit and they make it to the end by God's grace because I hold on to him and they trust him let's talk about the abomination of desolation for a few moments go to Tuesday's lesson Matthew 24:15 someone has that verse for us when ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the Holy Place whoso readeth let him understand hmm what's Jesus telling us here well first of all he's telling us that if you want to get some more information about the last days what book - should we go to - study that book The Book of Daniel that's exactly right and in the Book of Daniel Jesus points specifically to something that is called the abomination of desolation now that phrase is actually used technically twice in the Book of Daniel chapter 11 verse 31 and chapter 12 verse if I got it verse 11 but it's also referenced and the wording is turned around in Daniel 9 and verse 27 so among the Jews an idol or a heathen symbol was termed an abomination or something that was offensive from a religious point of view this was an abomination and something that makes desolate is a destroying power and so the Daniel Jesus refers to the Book of Daniel with Daniel refers to the abomination of desolation so what is Jesus referring to here what is Daniel referring to first of all the abomination of desolation Jesus first talks about refers to is the destroying power of Rome in the parallel account in Luke chapter 21 verse 20 Jesus says these following words he says but when you see Jerusalem sir founded by armies he's talking about the armies of Rome then know that it's desolation is near so as the desolating armies of Rome with their abominable pagan standards were about to breach the holy city God's people in the city knew that in that particular time it was time to take their flight as a matter of fact you read that in verse 16 then let those who are in Judea Judea flee to the mountains let those who are on the housetop not go down to take anything out of the house I let him who was in the field now go back to get his clothes but Jesus said that there was another application so let's go to Daniel chapter 11 let's read where Daniel refers to the abomination of desolation and this power certainly has as an endtime significance as well look notice Daniel chapter 11 and we'll reverse 31 Daniel 11:31 it says and forces shall be mustered by him and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress then they shall take away the daily and place their the word the abomination of desolation that's exactly right now look at verse 35 it gives us a time frame for the existence of this this time period for this abomination of desolation and some of those of understanding shall fail or fall to refine them purify them and make them white until when friends the time of the end because it is still for the appointed time so how long would the abomination of desolation be around for according to verse 35 it would be around till the time of the end or when is the time of the end begin when does because that's a time period time of the end when does it begin well we know that the that the time of the end began in 1798 if you go to Daniel chapter 12 and you read verses 4 through 9 Daniel is told to seal up the words close up the words of the Book of Daniel and he's told to do that until the time of the end when it would be unlocked and the mysteries of the Book of Daniel would be able to be understood and so there's that phrase again the time at the end well when is the time of the end well if you look at verse seven a time period is given which gives us the starting time for the time of the end it tells us for a time times and a divining of times and someone says well that's not really that helpful if you go to Revelation Revelation chapter 12 you'll see that time period again time times and dividing of times and in verse 4 it refers to 1260 days and in Bible prophecy a day equals a yeah so you have this time period of 1260 years and we know that the medieval church really reigned supreme and ruled starting in 538 all the way until 1798 when the French General Berthier Napoleon's general birth ei marched into Rome and took the Pope captive inflicted a deadly wound upon this beasts power upon this abomination of desolation but it doesn't end there because in Revelation chapter 13 we're told that the deadly wound is what healed and all the world would wonder after the beasts this power is known as the abomination of desolation because it really was a combination of pagan practices clothed in Christianity really it was Christianity bapt paganism baptized that's what the institution really was a lot of pagan things came into the church they were adopted and Christianized and a lot of people followed those things and believed that they were they were biblical and Christian based but they weren't and this power of course was a desolating power because it killed those who stood in its way those who didn't agree with it those that refused to accept its teachings and unfortunately persecuted a lot of God's people but we're told that the abomination of desolation the beast power is deadly wound would be healed in all the world with one draft to the Beast so it has another application not just to the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 not just to the time of the 1260 year period when the papacy ruled supreme but also or also just before Jesus comes because in revelation 17:5 speaking about Babylon the Great it refers to it as being the abomination of all the earth and what does this Babylon this Babylonish power do it unites with the kings of the earth or the kings of the earth with unite with it and it seeks to desolate God's people who refuse to receive the mark of the beast that's what it that's what it does and and I'd like to just read a statement to you here that kind of helps us put all of this together a little bit so this this beast this Babylon power this spiritual spiritual Babylon will desolate God's people who refuse to receive the mark of the beast and the ultimate abomination of course takes God's sacred day the seventh-day Sabbath and desecrates it by transferring the sanctity of the day to another day so the sabbath is going to play a very big role in last day events as we understand Bible prophecy let me read this to you from last day events page 121 she says the time is not far distant when like the early disciples we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places what's she referring to Matthew 24 the abomination of desolation if you see the armies surrounding Jerusalem that's the time to flee as the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians so the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath will be a warning to us and then what should God's people do one of the things that it says is it will then be time according to Matthew 24 she's just kind of repeating it it will then be time for us to leave to leave what to leave the large cities she says and she says that should be done preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains I wanted to share that quote with us because there is a lot of talk and a big movement in our church with regard to leaving the cities and while it is true that there are we have to guard our children if you have little ones we have to go them and do a lot to protect them spiritually or being raised in the cities there is a work to be done in the cities there is a great work to be done in the cities and we've and we've not been given the indication and the time yet to actually leave the cities now if it works for you to leave then then God bless you come back and visit us for sure that's okay not saying not to but she's very clear here that when when the papal Sabbath is enforced then that is the sign to do what to leave the cities so we to make preparation ahead of time to leave for the smaller cities and then that'll then eventually we'll be leaving the sorry the smaller ones for some secluded places among the mountains but God will lead his people even as he led a lot out of Sodom and the angel took him by his hand GABA lead his people in the last days but what is coming is coming and Jesus has told us ahead of time and so to be forewarned is to be forearmed he wants us to know so that we can hold on to him learn to trust him today and not be worrisome and concerned about the future trust him today live for him today that's what really matters so we have a few moments to talk about Matthew 25 let's go to Wednesday's lesson we have the story of the ten virgins and we have also we're going to be taking a look at another parable the parable of the talents and we'll do these relatively quickly we know from reading Matthew 24 that deception will be rampant in the last days Jesus warns us four times in Matthew 24 four times he tells us not to be deceived and specifically though Christ is referring or warning about being deceive regarding his coming the timing of his coming that manner regarding his coming the attitude of his people knowing that is coming and the work they ought to be doing prior to his coming those four areas so will these two these parables we'll be looking at will actually deal with the attitude and the activity of God's people are waiting his coming so that there's no deception we don't we won't be deceived as to what we ought to be doing what our priorities really so let's go to Matthew chapter 25 and let's pick up the parable of the the ten bridesmaids or the ten virgins let me let me read here for us then the kingdom of her shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom now five of them were wise and five were foolish those who are foolish took their lamps took no oil with them but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps but while the bridegroom was delayed they all slumbered and slept and at midnight a cry was heard behold the bridegroom has come and go out to meet him then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps and the foolish said to the wise give us some of your oil for our lamps are going out but the wise answered saying no unless there should be not enough for us and you but go rather to those that sell and buy for yourselves and while they went to buy the bridegroom came and those who already went in with him to the wedding and the door was shut afterward the other virgins came also saying Lord Lord open to us and he answered and said assuredly I say to you I do not know you watch therefore for you know not neither the day nor the hour in which the son of man is coming so the ten bridesmaids said to go out to meet who in the bridegroom and the tens brought ten bridesmaids represent who Jesus is referring to the kingdom of God he's referring to the church he's referring to his people so these 10 bridesmaids represent God's people and they're virgins which means that these are these are God's people of a pure faith they hold the pure doctrine and what are they doing according to the the chapter we just saw the verses we read they're waiting for the the bridegroom that's right who is the bridegroom Jesus Christ he is the bridegroom coming he talked to John the disciples Baptists in talking about how he's the bridegroom and in John being the best man Jesus is the bridegroom and what is the bridegroom's responsibility but rather the bridesmaids responsibility with regard to the coming of the bridegroom to light the way to light the bridegroom's way to to the bride's house and then to light the way to the bridegroom's house ultimately however five wise and five were foolish so a line of demarcation is drawn there there are two groups in the church in the church some act wisely while others act foolishly the wise took oil in their lamps but what happened with the foolish they took oil but they didn't take one enough they didn't take any extra oil so they were foolish and what is the lamp represent that was in the hands of the of the Virgin's the lamp represents the the Word of God thy word is a lamp unto my feet David said and a light unto my path someone one 119:105 and that were in those lamps back then they were fueled by oil got a little wick sticking out of that oil and that oil represented the Holy Spirit sakurai 4 verse 6 and you can read chapter 4 talking there about the oil that comes from the olive tree representing the Holy Spirit so the difference what is the difference between the wise and the foolish virgins is it in the doctrine that they believe no because they're they're virgins but the difference lies in what the doctrine has done for them personally what the doctrine has done for them personally a lamp isn't worth much out on a dark night with that oil if you have a flashlight you go out into the dark and you don't put batteries inside that flashlight is your flashlight any good no no if if if there's no your light switch if there's no electricity connected to your light switch you can flick that switch all you want and it doesn't do you any good it won't produce light the lamp is just an instrument and it the purpose of the lamp is to make something happen and what is that to produce light to produce light so in this parable as in real life the light is neither the lamp nor is it the oil the light is not the lamp or the oil specifically it's not specifically doctrine no matter how pure the doctrine is and it must be and neither is it the Holy Spirit the light is not the Holy Spirit it's not the doctrine and it's not the Holy Spirit so what is the light the light is the reality of a christ-like life a person transformed by the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit molded by biblical principles that's what the light really is so one thing is very clear in this parable Bible quoting church-going members who have not been letting the Holy Spirit work in their life transform them are not properly preparing to meet the bridegroom are not properly preparing to me Jesus when he comes so it's very sad to recognize that the be folk who'll be lost who have actually knew the way and as somebody said as I read in a book sad to be selling peanuts busy selling peanuts and they missed the parade and that's what's going to happen to the foolish virgins and so the foolish are not lost because they couldn't answer doctrinal questions although they know the doctrine they they'd not lost because they didn't know way there didn't know their way around the Bible perfectly that's not the case but because Bible information became an end in itself not the means to an end you see the Bible didn't become an instrument of faith the Bible to them becomes a object of faith they have multiple Bibles around the house they even know some of the scriptures but they're not allowing the Word of God to transform their lives and so this is very key Jesus is very clear on on what it means to be prepared for his return allowing the Holy Spirit through the Word of God to transform and change our lives it's not enough to have head knowledge it needs to travel 18 inches down to reach the heart to transform the life doesn't it truly it does well let's go to Matthew 24 verses 14 and 30 through 30 we won't have time to read the entire passage together but essentially the story is of a businessman who left was going to be leaving for a far country going on a trip and he has several employees and he entrusts them with talents with goods with services he gives one five he gives another two and he gives one person one and when he comes back he asked for an account what did you do with the things that I gave you and the one that had five said look I've negotiated I invested and I have another five ten altogether the one who had two did the same he had two but what happened to the one the one that had one when and buried it made an excuse because he was only given one and and that's unfortunate what's the theme of the parable what is the theme of the parable the theme of the parable has to do with our first service to God and to mankind and that is the service that is the development of ourselves the development of ourselves for the honor and glory of God and for the benefit of humanity you see once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior their first loving duty is for self-development that is the process by which a person's abilities are gradually developed and you can read about this idea of self-development all throughout the book the Bible we're not asked to compare it or measure ourselves among ourselves but to become all that we can be as laborers for Christ and thus do the greatest amount of good that we can do for his cause that's what self development really is all about when you go to school and you get an education it's not just for yourself to make money it's so that you can properly embed us serve humanity god gives us gifts and talents so that we can serve and those abilities are gracious gifts from above so whether they're natural whether they're acquired abilities we're each given the opportunity to improve what we have to be able to contribute to somebody else's need so in other words God wants us to be he wants us to be useful in the last days God wants us to be helpers of others who maybe need the help that we can offer them there's a lot we could talk about here regarding this particular parable we all have been given that the time that the talent of our of our wits our brains we've all been given the talent of time of Health of influence of money of kind impulses and affections and we've also been given spiritual gifts you know the Apostle Paul talking about spiritual gifts in 1st Corinthians 14:1 says pursue love and desire spiritual gifts do you think the parable of the talents has anything to do with spiritual gifts it certainly does doesn't it he says Paul says desire spiritual gifts 1st Timothy 1:6 therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God in you which is in you through the laying on of my hands so Paul encouraged Timothy to fan into flame the gift that God had given him the talent that God had given him for the up building of of his kingdom and then 1st Peter chapter 4 verse 10 my friend it says as every man have received a gift even so Minister the same one to another as good it's the words of their month-old grace of God right thank you very much so the question is when we look at the parable of the talents are we improving the talents that God has given us and you know the focus in this parable is on the one who had the one talent because there's a general tendency among in humanity that if we're given less then we tend to despise the little we've been given we're ready to do some great thing for God or to do some great thing right but if God gives us a small thing the question is whether we're faithful in that small thing are you wanting to allow God to continue to work in your life in your heart that's my desire how about yours amen thank you so much and those that are joining us glad that you were able to do so don't forget to call in for the free offer it's off ac21 eight to zero call nine one six four five seven six five one one or email us at CSH at sex central dot o-r-g and we'll be happy to get that out to you we look forward to seeing you next week when we continue to look at what it means to prepare for the end time god bless [Music]

Channel: Sacramento Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

Views: 4,969

Rating: 4.8709679 out of 5

Keywords: preparation, readiness

Id: tqFODTC670M

Length: 58min 30sec (3510 seconds)

Published: Sun May 13 2018