Hope and Urgency: Embracing the End Times

Devotional

Day 1: Revelation as Preparation, Not Fear

The book of Revelation is often misunderstood and feared, but it is intended to prepare believers for the return of Jesus Christ. It reveals His ultimate victory and sovereignty, reminding us that no matter the chaos around us, He is in control. This perspective should shift our focus from fear to hope and readiness. Revelation is a gift that shows us the end of the story, where Jesus triumphs over all evil and establishes His eternal kingdom. By understanding this, we can live with confidence and peace, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [01:15:35]

Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV): "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'"

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from fear to hope in your daily life, knowing that Jesus is in control and has already secured the victory?

Day 2: End Times and Evangelism

Our understanding of the End Times should fuel our passion for evangelism. The urgency of the times calls us to reach out to the lost with the message of Jesus Christ. The fields are white for harvest, and we must not turn inward but remain outward-focused, sharing the gospel with those around us. This is not a time for complacency but for action, as we recognize the importance of every soul and the limited time we have to make an impact. Let the knowledge of Jesus' imminent return inspire you to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. [01:06:35]

Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV): "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of Jesus Christ? How can you take a step today to share the gospel with them?

Day 3: Avoiding Extremism and Division

We must avoid becoming extremists or allowing debates over the End Times to cause division within the body of Christ. Our focus should be on unity and love, majoring on the major aspects of our faith and minoring on the minors. This approach helps us stay mission-focused and effective in our witness. Theological debates can often distract us from our primary mission of loving God and loving others. By maintaining unity and focusing on what truly matters, we can present a united front to a world in need of Jesus' love. [01:03:20]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: Are there any theological debates or differences that have caused division in your relationships? How can you prioritize unity and love in those situations?

Day 4: Living Without Fear

Fear is not from God and should not control our lives. The Bible commands us to "fear not" 365 times, one for each day of the year. As believers, we are called to live in faith, trusting in God's sovereignty and His perfect love, which casts out all fear. This applies to every area of our lives, including our perspective on the End Times. By living without fear, we can fully embrace the life God has called us to and be a light to those around us who are struggling with anxiety and uncertainty. [01:14:12]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where fear has been holding you back? How can you trust God more in that area and live in the freedom He offers?

Day 5: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The central theme of the book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is not about the Antichrist or the end of the world but about Jesus' ultimate victory and His eternal reign. This revelation should inspire us to live with hope, courage, and a focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can navigate the uncertainties of life with confidence and joy, knowing that He is the author and finisher of our faith. Let this truth transform your perspective and guide your daily actions. [01:18:41]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from the temporal to the eternal in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we concluded our series on the End Times, focusing on how we, as Christ followers, should respond to the unfolding events around us. We began by acknowledging the chaos in the world—political unrest, natural disasters, and technological advancements that can be unsettling. However, our focus should not be on fear but on the hope and certainty we have in Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation, often misunderstood and feared, is not meant to scare us but to prepare us. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ, showing His ultimate victory and sovereignty over all things.

We discussed the messages Jesus gave to the seven churches in Revelation, emphasizing that these messages are still relevant to us today. Jesus commended the churches for their faith but also corrected them, urging them to repent, endure, and stay true to their mission. This is a call for us to examine our own lives and ensure we are living in alignment with His will.

We also addressed common misconceptions and fears about the End Times. We are not to argue, fight, or become extremists over these matters. Instead, we should focus on our mission to reach the lost and maintain our fire and passion for evangelism. Fear should not dictate our actions; rather, we should be bold and courageous, knowing that Jesus is in control.

The book of Revelation is a gift, revealing Jesus Christ and His ultimate plan for humanity. It should inspire us to live with urgency, sharing the gospel and preparing for His return. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing love and compassion to a world in need. As we navigate these uncertain times, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

###

Key Takeaways

1. focused, sharing the gospel with those around us. [01:06:35]
3. Avoiding Extremism and Division: We must avoid becoming extremists or allowing debates over the End Times to cause division within the body of Christ. Our focus should be on unity and love, majoring on the major aspects of our faith and minoring on the minors. This approach helps us stay mission-focused and effective in our witness.

4. Living Without Fear: Fear is not from God and should not control our lives. The Bible commands us to "fear not" 365 times, one for each day of the year. As believers, we are called to live in faith, trusting in God's sovereignty and His perfect love, which casts out all fear. This applies to every area of our lives, including our perspective on the End Times.

5. The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The central theme of the book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is not about the Antichrist or the end of the world but about Jesus' ultimate victory and His eternal reign. This revelation should inspire us to live with hope, courage, and a focus on the eternal rather than the temporal.

### [66:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[47:24] - Introduction and Greetings
[47:52] - Rolling Hills Partnership
[48:26] - Connection Forms and Prayer Requests
[49:03] - Guest Welcome and Announcements
[52:46] - Community Event and Vision
[53:15] - Series Overview: The End Times
[53:56] - Jesus' Messages to the Seven Churches
[54:34] - Lessons from the Seven Churches
[55:24] - Spiritual Deadness and Repentance
[56:08] - Jesus' Call for Intimacy
[57:00] - Unexpected Conclusion of the Series
[57:39] - The Book of Revelation: Curiosity and Fear
[59:13] - Current World Events and Revelation
[60:08] - Technology and the Mark of the Beast
[61:19] - Preparing for Jesus, Not the Antichrist
[62:36] - What We Will Not Do: Arguing and Debating
[63:20] - Avoiding Theological Extremism
[64:14] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[65:40] - Maintaining Passion for the Lost
[66:35] - The Harvest is Ready
[67:13] - Avoiding End Times Extremism
[68:08] - Paranoia and Fear
[69:49] - Living Without Fear
[74:12] - Fear Not: Biblical Command
[75:35] - Revelation as Preparation
[78:41] - The Revelation of Jesus Christ
[80:10] - Jesus' Sovereignty and Victory
[82:31] - No Fear for Christ Followers
[83:47] - Jesus' Imminent Return
[85:17] - The King is Coming
[86:43] - Living with Urgency
[88:19] - God's Timing and Our Readiness
[89:50] - The Unveiling of Jesus Christ
[91:21] - Focus on the Eternal
[93:02] - Honored to Live in the End Times
[94:31] - Invitation to Surrender to Jesus
[95:44] - Prayer of Repentance
[97:05] - New Creation in Christ
[98:33] - Call to Boldness and Courage
[99:52] - Reflecting on End Times Perspective
[103:01] - Eradicating Fear and Embracing Hope
[104:13] - Closing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What is the primary purpose of the book of Revelation according to Revelation 1:1?
How does 2 Timothy 1:7 describe the spirit that God has given us?
According to 1 John 4:18, what drives out fear and why?
In the sermon, what are some of the things we are not supposed to do in response to the End Times? ([01:02:36])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to view the book of Revelation as a preparation rather than something to fear? ([01:15:35])
How can understanding that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) change our perspective on current world events?
What does it mean to live without fear in the context of the End Times, as discussed in the sermon? ([01:14:12])
How does the revelation of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:1 provide hope and assurance to believers?

Application Questions

Reflect on your current perspective on the End Times. Do you find yourself more fearful or hopeful? How can you shift your focus to align with the message of hope in Revelation? ([01:15:35])
The sermon emphasized the importance of evangelism in light of the End Times. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the message of Jesus. How can you share the gospel with them this week? ([01:06:35])
Have you ever found yourself engaging in arguments or debates about theological issues that caused division? How can you focus on unity and love instead? ([01:03:20])
Fear is mentioned as a significant issue in the sermon. What specific fears do you struggle with, and how can you apply 2 Timothy 1:7 to overcome them? ([01:14:12])
The sermon calls us to live with urgency and focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize your spiritual life and mission? ([01:26:43])
How can you be the hands and feet of Jesus in your community, showing love and compassion to those in need, especially in these uncertain times? ([01:34:31])
Reflect on the idea that the book of Revelation is a gift meant to prepare us. How can this perspective change the way you read and understand this book? ([01:15:35])

Sermon Clips

1. "We talked about how in the midst of great uncertainty that we see in our world today, we have a hope that is certain, right? We have a hope that is certain. No matter what happens, we have a hope that is absolutely certain." [53:56] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We learned that we can be Christians in name, but appear pretty dead spiritually. We learned that repentance is the decision that we have to make. It's not necessarily just a word that we speak. It's a decision that we make. And actions that follow it. We learned that God will correct you, but we got to understand that his correction is always an expression of his love." [55:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are seemingly seeing the book of revelation come to life around us in our world today. So what do we do with this as a church of Jesus Christ? What do we do with that? What I want to talk about today is talk about what we're not going to do, is that all right?" [01:01:56] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are not going to argue, debate and fight over the end times. This is not some, this is the word of God. This is not to bring division to the church of Jesus Christ. Look at your neighbor and say, I'm not going to argue. I'm not going to fight. I'm not going to debate the end times." [01:02:36] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We're not going to lose our fire and passion for the lost. Listen guys, I've seen people over the years going through revelation and what happens is they lose their fire for evangelism because instead of turning outward, they turn inward. We're going to talk more about this in a few minutes. And they just want to sit around with a small group for days and weeks and months and years and they want to get more wisdom and more understanding and more revelation about revelation." [01:05:40] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We are not going to cower in fear. Like I say, there's people who don't want to talk about the end times. They start having like these panic attacks and freaking out and stuff. There's people who don't want to hear about this. They've, they've, they've, they've, you know, heard podcasts, they've heard preaching on. They've, they've done all these different things and they begin to shrink back and they're all afraid of like the great tribulation, the antichrist or whatever else it may have been." [01:09:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Imagine if our view of the end times was more centered around preparing for the coming of Christ and preparing for the coming of the Antichrist. See how the enemy has twisted our minds and our view and he's skewed the way that we look at things? Imagine if our view of the end times was more centered around preparing for the coming of Jesus." [01:15:35] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Revelation shows us that Jesus is sovereign. He is supreme. He is King and Lord over all, including King and Lord over the end times. This is the book, that this book is the revealing of that truth. So family, listen, we're not going to be afraid. Come what may." [01:20:10] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The whole book is about Jesus. Back to Revelation 1-1 again. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his bondservants. Show them what? The things which must soon take place. This is the very first, the very first verse is how he opens it. He's like, all right. Get ready, guys. We're going to wrap this thing up shortly." [01:22:31] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "It is an honor to live in the end times. God had you born for such a time as this. And thus, it is not something to fear. It's something to be excited about. It's something we should be going on. It's something we should be going on. It's something we should be doing after the harvest like never, ever before. Every day that we draw breath is an honor and a privilege." [01:33:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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