Living with Urgency: Embracing Prophecy and Hope

 

Summary

In this unique time in history, we are witnessing a remarkable movement towards the translation of the Bible into every known language on earth. Organizations like Illuminations are collaborating with various Bible translation ministries to achieve this monumental task within the next decade. This unprecedented effort aligns with the biblical prophecy that the gospel will be preached to every nation before the end comes. It is both an exciting and sobering thought that we might be living in the days leading up to the fulfillment of these prophecies.

The Bible describes the last days as being similar to the days of Noah, where people will be going about their daily lives, unaware of the impending end. Many today are biblically illiterate, unaware of the prophecies that are unfolding before our eyes. However, for those who are aware, these events are not a cause for fear but for hope. The Bible encourages us to lift our heads when we see these things happening because our redemption is near.

As we observe the world around us, it is crucial to remain vigilant and serious about our faith. The prophecies we have studied are coming to pass, and the return of Christ seems imminent. This realization should drive us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose, fully committed to our faith and the mission of spreading the gospel. The coming wrath of God is a reality, and we must be prepared, not only for ourselves but also to share this truth with others.

Key Takeaways:

1. The translation of the Bible into every known language is a significant milestone in fulfilling the Great Commission. This effort is a testament to the power of collaboration among believers to achieve God's purposes on earth. It reminds us of the importance of making Scripture accessible to all people, as it is the foundation of our faith and the means by which we understand God's will. [00:09]

2. The days we are living in are reminiscent of the days of Noah, where people are preoccupied with their daily lives, oblivious to the signs of the times. This serves as a warning to remain spiritually alert and not be caught off guard by the events unfolding around us. We must strive to deepen our understanding of Scripture to recognize the fulfillment of prophecy. [01:09]

3. Biblical illiteracy is a growing concern, as many are unaware of the prophecies and teachings of Scripture. This lack of knowledge can lead to fear and confusion in the face of global events. As believers, we are called to educate ourselves and others, providing hope and clarity through the truth of God's Word. [01:24]

4. The fulfillment of prophecy should not incite fear but rather hope and anticipation for believers. The Bible instructs us to lift our heads when we see these things happening, as it signifies that our redemption is near. This perspective shifts our focus from fear to faith, encouraging us to trust in God's sovereign plan. [01:38]

5. The imminent return of Christ calls for a serious commitment to our faith and mission. We must live with urgency, fully devoted to spreading the gospel and preparing ourselves and others for the coming of God's kingdom. This awareness should drive us to live purposefully, with our eyes fixed on eternity. [01:56]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Illuminations and Bible Translation
[00:27] - A Historic Milestone
[00:51] - Prophecy and the End Times
[01:09] - Days of Noah and Spiritual Alertness
[01:24] - Addressing Biblical Illiteracy
[01:38] - Hope Amidst Global Events
[01:56] - Imminent Return of Christ
[02:13] - Living with Urgency and Purpose

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 24:37-39 (NIV) - "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."
2. Revelation 14:6 (NIV) - "Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people."

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the Bible being translated into every known language, as mentioned in the sermon? [00:09]
2. How does the sermon describe the current times in relation to the days of Noah? [01:09]
3. What are some reasons given in the sermon for why people might be unaware of biblical prophecies? [01:24]
4. According to the sermon, how should believers respond to the fulfillment of prophecies? [01:38]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the comparison to the days of Noah suggest about people's awareness of spiritual matters today? [01:09]
2. How might the translation of the Bible into every language impact global evangelism and the fulfillment of the Great Commission? [00:27]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that biblical illiteracy can lead to fear and confusion? [01:24]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to view global events in light of biblical prophecy? [01:38]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own awareness of biblical prophecies. How can you deepen your understanding of Scripture to be more spiritually alert? [01:09]
2. Consider the urgency of spreading the gospel. What practical steps can you take to share your faith with others in your community? [01:56]
3. How can you contribute to addressing biblical illiteracy within your church or community? What resources or strategies might be effective? [01:24]
4. In what ways can you shift your focus from fear to hope when observing global events? How can this perspective influence your daily life? [01:38]
5. Think about the imminent return of Christ. How does this belief shape your priorities and actions? What changes might you need to make to live with a sense of urgency and purpose? [01:56]
6. Identify one person in your life who may be unaware of biblical prophecies. How can you engage them in a conversation about the hope found in Scripture? [01:24]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to prepare yourself and others for the coming of God's kingdom? [01:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Scripture Accessibility
The translation of the Bible into every known language is a monumental step in fulfilling the Great Commission. This effort, driven by organizations like Illuminations, highlights the importance of making Scripture accessible to all people. It is a testament to the power of collaboration among believers to achieve God's purposes on earth. By ensuring that everyone can read the Bible in their native language, we are laying the foundation for a deeper understanding of God's will and a more personal relationship with Him. This initiative reminds us of the critical role Scripture plays in our faith and the necessity of sharing it with others. [00:09]

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might benefit from having access to Scripture in their native language, and how can you support efforts to make this possible?


Day 2: Spiritual Alertness in the Days of Noah
The days we are living in are reminiscent of the days of Noah, where people are preoccupied with their daily lives, oblivious to the signs of the times. This serves as a warning to remain spiritually alert and not be caught off guard by the events unfolding around us. As believers, we must strive to deepen our understanding of Scripture to recognize the fulfillment of prophecy. By staying vigilant and spiritually aware, we can better prepare ourselves and others for the times ahead. [01:09]

"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24:36-37, ESV)

Reflection: What daily practices can you implement to ensure you remain spiritually alert and aware of the signs of the times?


Day 3: Combating Biblical Illiteracy
Biblical illiteracy is a growing concern, as many are unaware of the prophecies and teachings of Scripture. This lack of knowledge can lead to fear and confusion in the face of global events. As believers, we are called to educate ourselves and others, providing hope and clarity through the truth of God's Word. By committing to regular study and discussion of Scripture, we can combat this trend and equip ourselves to face the challenges of our time with confidence and faith. [01:24]

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me." (Hosea 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of Scripture you feel less knowledgeable about. How can you take steps this week to deepen your understanding in that area?


Day 4: Hope Amidst Global Events
The fulfillment of prophecy should not incite fear but rather hope and anticipation for believers. The Bible instructs us to lift our heads when we see these things happening, as it signifies that our redemption is near. This perspective shifts our focus from fear to faith, encouraging us to trust in God's sovereign plan. By embracing this hope, we can face global events with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that God is in control and that His promises will be fulfilled. [01:38]

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from fear to hope when confronted with unsettling global events?


Day 5: Living with Urgency and Purpose
The imminent return of Christ calls for a serious commitment to our faith and mission. We must live with urgency, fully devoted to spreading the gospel and preparing ourselves and others for the coming of God's kingdom. This awareness should drive us to live purposefully, with our eyes fixed on eternity. By prioritizing our spiritual growth and the mission of sharing the gospel, we can ensure that we are ready for Christ's return and that we have made a meaningful impact on the world around us. [01:56]

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live with a greater sense of urgency and purpose in your faith journey?

Quotes


I've been working with a group that I just love they're called illuminations and what they are doing right now is they've gotten the different Bible translation ministries you know like Wickliffe to nail American Bible site and they're working together to get the Bible translated to the final languages on earth they're all working together now and they say within the next ten years for the first time in human history the Bible will be in every language known to man okay that's exciting but it's also a little bit scary that in our lifetime that's but it's never happened in history and if you take you know revelation literally it's saying the gospel will be preached to every nation and then the end will come so I'm just saying this is a unique time that we're living in [00:01:09]

The Bible says that the last days will be just like the days of Noah and he says people be buying selling eating drinking kind of doing their thing and then the ends gonna come and they're not even gonna be ready for that's why I had to throw that out there because so many people are so illiterate with the Scriptures now that they don't even know these things are prophesied in Scripture and if you know them then you look at all these things that are happening and the Bible says when everyone else is terrified you have to actually lift up your head because your redemption is near [00:01:38]

I don't look at all those things that are happening in the world and going oh no oh no oh no I look and I go whoa this is insane everything I've studied my whole life is now coming to pass Christ is coming this everything just seems like it's set up so I better be serious and so these passages about this coming wrath of God man I'm more sure these than ever because I'm looking at prophecy being fulfilled before my very eyes [00:01:56]

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Transcript
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