Be Prepared: The Imminent Return of Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound and urgent topic of the return of Jesus Christ, likening it to a thief in the night—unexpected and sudden. Reflecting on a personal experience from my pre-believer days, I shared how a divine warning prepared me for a break-in, drawing a parallel to how we must prepare for Christ's return. Jesus' return will be sudden, and we must be vigilant and ready, just as I was for the thief.
We explored Matthew 24, where Jesus answers three critical questions about the end times posed by His disciples. He describes a period of great tribulation, a time of unprecedented deception, wars, and natural disasters. Jesus warns of false prophets and false Christs who will perform signs and miracles to deceive many. This deception is likened to the modern-day phenomenon of UFOs and UAPs, which I believe are demonic in nature, aiming to lead people away from the truth of Christ.
The sermon emphasized the importance of being spiritually prepared, drawing lessons from the days of Noah and Lot. Just as Noah and Lot were delivered from impending judgment, the church will be raptured before the tribulation. We must not be complacent, thinking that life will continue as usual. Instead, we should be aware of the signs of the times and live in readiness for Christ's return.
We also discussed the geopolitical landscape, particularly the tensions in the Middle East, which align with the prophecies in Ezekiel 38-39. These events are precursors to the great war against Israel, signaling the nearing of the end times. Despite the chaos and deception, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, not succumbing to fear but trusting in God's sovereign plan.
In conclusion, the call to action is clear: be prepared, live righteously, and stay vigilant. The return of Christ is imminent, and we must ensure that we are spiritually ready to meet Him, whether through death or His sudden return.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Suddenness of Christ's Return: Just as a thief in the night comes unexpectedly, so will the return of Jesus. This calls for constant vigilance and spiritual readiness. We must live each day as if Christ could return at any moment, ensuring our hearts and lives are aligned with His will. [36:51]
2. Deception in the End Times: Jesus warned of unprecedented spiritual deception in the last days, with false prophets and false Christs performing signs and miracles. This deception could manifest in various forms, including modern phenomena like UFOs and UAPs, which I believe are demonic. We must be discerning and grounded in the truth of Scripture to avoid being led astray. [42:23]
3. Geopolitical Signs: The current geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, align with biblical prophecies. Nations like Russia, Turkey, and Iran are positioning themselves against Israel, as foretold in Ezekiel 38-39. These events are significant signs pointing to the nearing of the end times, urging us to be spiritually prepared. [52:15]
4. Living in Readiness: The days of Noah and Lot serve as powerful reminders of the importance of being prepared for God's judgment. Just as they were delivered from destruction, the church will be raptured before the tribulation. We must not be complacent but live in a state of readiness, watching for the signs of Christ's return. [40:59]
5. The Call to Repentance: The imminent return of Christ calls for a sincere examination of our lives. We must turn from our sins, place our faith in Jesus, and live in a way that honors Him. This involves a genuine relationship with Christ, not just outward religious practices. We must be ready to meet Him, whether through death or His sudden return. [01:14:42]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:51] - Jesus' Return Like a Thief in the Night
[37:27] - Personal Experience of Divine Warning
[39:59] - Jesus Answers Questions About the End Times
[40:29] - The Great Tribulation
[42:23] - Signs of Deception
[44:21] - Modern-Day Deceptions: UFOs and UAPs
[52:15] - Geopolitical Signs and Prophecies
[54:22] - Wars and Rumors of Wars
[56:08] - Political Distress and Natural Disasters
[59:00] - The Kingdom of Christ
[01:01:08] - Persecution and Betrayal
[01:05:08] - Lack of Teachability in the End Times
[01:06:44] - The Days of Noah and the Galilean Wedding
[01:14:42] - The Call to Be Ready
[01:24:29] - Closing Prayer and Communion
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 24:3-14 - Jesus answers questions about the end times.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 - The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3. Ezekiel 38-39 - Prophecies about the great war against Israel.
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three questions the disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24:3? How did Jesus respond to these questions? [39:59]
2. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, how is the day of the Lord described, and what does this imply about our preparedness? [10:46]
3. What are some of the signs of deception mentioned in the sermon that align with Jesus' warnings in Matthew 24? [42:23]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Matthew 24, Jesus warns about false prophets and false Christs. How does this relate to the modern-day phenomena of UFOs and UAPs as discussed in the sermon? [44:21]
2. The sermon draws a parallel between the days of Noah and the end times. What lessons can we learn from Noah's preparedness that apply to our spiritual readiness today? [40:59]
3. How do the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East align with the prophecies in Ezekiel 38-39, and what does this suggest about the times we are living in? [52:15]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the suddenness of Christ's return. How can you live each day as if Christ could return at any moment? What changes might you need to make in your daily life to be spiritually ready? [36:51]
2. Jesus warned about unprecedented spiritual deception in the last days. How can you stay grounded in the truth of Scripture to avoid being led astray by false teachings or modern-day deceptions? [42:23]
3. Considering the geopolitical signs discussed in the sermon, how can you remain steadfast in your faith and not succumb to fear despite the chaos and deception in the world? [52:15]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of living in readiness, drawing lessons from the days of Noah and Lot. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not complacent but are actively preparing for Christ's return? [40:59]
5. The call to repentance is urgent. Have you sincerely examined your life and turned from your sins? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ and live in a way that honors Him? [01:14:42]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to be vigilant and spiritually prepared for Christ's return? What role can you play in helping others recognize the signs of the times and live in readiness? [51:22]
7. Reflect on the story of Harry Truman and Mount St. Helens. Are there any warnings in your life that you might be ignoring? How can you heed these warnings and make necessary changes to align with God's will? [01:18:37]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon’s message and apply its teachings to your lives. May your discussions be fruitful and lead to greater spiritual readiness and faithfulness.
Devotional
Day 1: The Imminence of Christ's Return
The return of Jesus Christ is likened to a thief in the night, coming unexpectedly and suddenly. This calls for constant vigilance and spiritual readiness. Just as one would prepare for a potential break-in, we must live each day as if Christ could return at any moment. This means ensuring our hearts and lives are aligned with His will, living righteously, and being spiritually prepared. The suddenness of His return should not instill fear but rather motivate us to live faithfully and purposefully.
[36:51]
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (ESV): "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure you are spiritually prepared for Christ's return? How can you live each moment with the awareness that He could come at any time?
Day 2: Discernment Against Deception
In the end times, Jesus warned of unprecedented spiritual deception, with false prophets and false Christs performing signs and miracles to lead many astray. This deception can manifest in various forms, including modern phenomena like UFOs and UAPs, which are believed to be demonic in nature. It is crucial to be discerning and grounded in the truth of Scripture to avoid being misled. By staying rooted in God's Word and seeking His wisdom, we can navigate through these deceptive times with clarity and faith.
[42:23]
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 (ESV): "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false."
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of Scripture to better discern truth from deception? What practical steps can you take to stay grounded in God's Word?
Day 3: Recognizing Geopolitical Signs
The current geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, align with biblical prophecies. Nations like Russia, Turkey, and Iran are positioning themselves against Israel, as foretold in Ezekiel 38-39. These events are significant signs pointing to the nearing of the end times, urging us to be spiritually prepared. Understanding these prophecies helps us recognize the signs of the times and reinforces the urgency of living in readiness for Christ's return.
[52:15]
Ezekiel 38:2-4 (ESV): "Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords."
Reflection: How do current events in the Middle East influence your understanding of biblical prophecy? What can you do to stay informed and spiritually prepared in light of these signs?
Day 4: Living in Readiness
The days of Noah and Lot serve as powerful reminders of the importance of being prepared for God's judgment. Just as they were delivered from destruction, the church will be raptured before the tribulation. We must not be complacent but live in a state of readiness, watching for the signs of Christ's return. This involves living righteously, being vigilant, and maintaining a close relationship with God, ensuring that we are always prepared to meet Him.
[40:59]
Luke 17:26-30 (ESV): "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a lifestyle of readiness for Christ's return? How can you avoid spiritual complacency and stay vigilant in your faith?
Day 5: The Call to Repentance
The imminent return of Christ calls for a sincere examination of our lives. We must turn from our sins, place our faith in Jesus, and live in a way that honors Him. This involves a genuine relationship with Christ, not just outward religious practices. Repentance is a daily practice, and we must be ready to meet Him, whether through death or His sudden return. This call to repentance is a call to live authentically and faithfully, reflecting Christ in all we do.
[01:14:42]
Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."
Reflection: What areas of your life need repentance and realignment with God's will? How can you cultivate a deeper, more authentic relationship with Jesus today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We need to not be doubters of The return of Christ for his church Because it's our hope It is our hope." [41:28] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Don't freak out He says These things must happen It's part of the Sovereign plan of God So that he can Ultimately The ultimate thing Is to bring The Jewish One The Jews That have rejected Jesus as their Messiah Historically To bring them To come to know Their Messiah." [55:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Bible says at any moment The Lord Jesus could return In a flash and a twinkling of an eye And what a glorious thing That will be for us God has placed warning signs All along the road And those warning signs say Hey repent Repent, get right with God He loves you He's done everything He can do for you He's paid for your sins Receive him Walk with him." [01:21:39] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Decide today guys To trust Christ Invite him into your heart Let me just ask you How do you get ready Have you ever turned from your sins Have you ever turned from your sins And placed your faith alone Jesus Christ And what his work was For you on the cross That he died for you And you acknowledge it And you speak And speak And testify to others That Jesus Christ is Lord And that you're saved." [01:14:42] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Be prepared And that's a great motto For us today In light of the second coming Of Jesus Christ And the rapture of the church Let's be prepared Let's be people That are living victoriously As the time appears That we will see Jesus And we will be Not ashamed But we will hear those words Well done Good and faithful Servants That's what I want to hear How about you?" [01:24:01] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "God is calling us to changes Changes of thinking He compares the times The end times to being Right before he comes To the times of Noah And there was a You know kind of in a segment of the population There was marrying and giving And marrying and giving Marriage you know the thing that always happens In society and people that love each other And there was partying And it's basically talking about people Really in the party life And just partying down And not concerned about The times that they were living in And the return of God." [38:59] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are being introduced To a whole nother level of deception That is I think recorded In the Bible And throughout history It's found in every ancient people's Writings Hieroglyphics On the American Indian side All the way down in South America Hundreds and hundreds Of writings and recordings All throughout Europe In the ancient writings In the Sanskrit All of them There is recordings what we would call And what I believe Is demonic But a deception That is coming in the form Of what we would call UFOs." [43:25] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to have an open Heart To the truth And what the Truth I'm not Saying that Everything that I said Some of this Is theory I'm telling you This is what I perceive In that area Of UFOs And in those Kind of things And I think And we do know For a fact That they are here One way or another You have to deal With that fact Everybody does Because it's going To enter in More and more Into your life As an effect And you have To understand What scripture Says about Stuff like this." [01:06:09] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need To not be That Those kind of people It says In the end In times That Christians In the churches Their love Will grow cold And they won't Endure Sound doctrine It says In verse 12 Or verse 11 First Many false prophets Will appear And deceive many And then it says Oh by the way That on verse 11 It says These false Prophets Will appear That word In the Greek Is to Wake up From a sleep." [01:02:19] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need to Make a change In the way You think Because you need To have the mind Of Christ You need to Have your As Romans 12 Talks about Have a change Of mind Through the scriptures And what it says And don't live In a fantasy About this world Because That's probably The biggest deception That everything's Going to go The way it is The way it always Has gone." [01:11:23] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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