Prepared for the End: Witnessing in Urgency
Summary
In today's message, we delved into the profound and often daunting topic of the end times, focusing on the signs of the times as described in the Gospel of Matthew. We explored the tribulation period, a seven-year span marked by divine judgment and turmoil, and the role of the Antichrist during this time. The Antichrist, a figure of deception and power, will rise during the tribulation, leading many astray with his charisma and cunning. However, those who have accepted Christ will be spared from this period of distress.
We also discussed the significance of the numbers associated with the tribulation: seven years of tribulation, the mark of the beast (666), and the 144,000 witnesses. These numbers symbolize different aspects of the end times, from the duration of tribulation to the faithful witnesses who will spread the gospel during this period. The 144,000, in particular, represent a group of Jewish believers who will be sealed and protected, playing a crucial role in sharing the message of Christ.
The message emphasized the importance of being prepared and ensuring our spiritual "passport" is stamped for glory. We are called to be witnesses for Christ, sharing our testimony and the good news with others. This is not just a future hope but a present responsibility. We are encouraged to live out our faith boldly, knowing that our witness can impact those around us.
In closing, we were reminded of the urgency of the gospel message. The time to choose Christ is now, not later. We are urged to be active in our faith, reaching out to others and sharing the love and truth of Jesus. As we anticipate the second coming of Christ, let us be diligent in our witness, ensuring that we and those we love are ready for His return.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Urgency of Worship and Witness: Worship is a response to God's worthiness and is not confined to heaven. It is a present act of acknowledging God's sovereignty and value in our lives. Our worship should lead us to witness, sharing the good news with others and living out our faith boldly. [10:09]
2. Understanding the Tribulation: The tribulation is a seven-year period of divine judgment, marked by the rise of the Antichrist. Believers are called to be prepared and ensure their spiritual readiness, as this period will be one of great distress for those who do not know Christ. [12:09]
3. The Significance of Numbers: The numbers associated with the tribulation—seven, 666, and 144,000—each hold significant meaning. They represent the duration of tribulation, the mark of the beast, and the faithful witnesses who will spread the gospel during this time. Understanding these symbols helps us grasp the gravity of the end times. [14:54]
4. The Role of the Antichrist: The Antichrist will be a figure of deception, rising to power during the tribulation. He will lead many astray, but believers are called to stand firm in their faith, recognizing the signs and remaining steadfast in their commitment to Christ. [16:00]
5. The Call to Be Witnesses: We are called to be witnesses for Christ, sharing our testimony and the gospel with others. This is a present responsibility, not just a future hope. Our witness can impact those around us, and we are urged to live out our faith with urgency and conviction. [23:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:06] - Introduction and Greetings
- [07:25] - Preparing for Worship
- [08:42] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:21-25
- [10:09] - The Importance of Worship
- [12:09] - Understanding the Tribulation
- [14:54] - The Day of the Lord
- [16:00] - The Rise of the Antichrist
- [17:24] - The Mark of the Beast
- [19:08] - The Role of the 144,000 Witnesses
- [21:25] - The Urgency of Salvation
- [23:47] - Being a Witness for Christ
- [26:43] - Call to Action
- [28:05] - Prayer for Salvation
- [30:31] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 24:21-25
- Revelation 13:16-18
- Revelation 7:4
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key events described in Matthew 24:21-25 regarding the end times? How do these events relate to the tribulation period discussed in the sermon? [08:42]
2. According to the sermon, what role does the Antichrist play during the tribulation period? How is this figure described? [16:00]
3. What is the significance of the numbers 666 and 144,000 as mentioned in the sermon? How do these numbers relate to the events of the end times? [12:09]
4. How does the sermon describe the urgency of being spiritually prepared for the end times? What does it mean to have your "spiritual passport" stamped for glory? [14:54]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In Matthew 24:21-25, Jesus warns about false messiahs and prophets. How can believers discern truth from deception during the end times? [08:42]
2. The sermon mentions the Antichrist as a figure of deception and power. What characteristics make the Antichrist appealing to many, and how can believers stand firm against such deception? [16:00]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being witnesses for Christ. How does this responsibility relate to the urgency of the gospel message in the context of the end times? [23:47]
4. How do the numbers 666 and 144,000 help us understand the gravity of the tribulation period? What do these symbols teach us about the nature of the end times? [12:09]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual readiness. What steps can you take to ensure your "spiritual passport" is stamped for glory? [14:54]
2. The sermon calls us to be active witnesses for Christ. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share your testimony with them this week? [23:47]
3. Consider the characteristics of the Antichrist as described in the sermon. How can you strengthen your faith to resist deception and remain steadfast in your commitment to Christ? [16:00]
4. The sermon highlights the urgency of the gospel message. What practical actions can you take to live out your faith boldly and share the love and truth of Jesus with others? [23:47]
5. Reflect on the significance of the numbers 666 and 144,000. How does understanding these symbols impact your perspective on the end times and your role as a believer? [12:09]
6. Worship is described as a response to God's worthiness. How can you incorporate worship into your daily life as a way to acknowledge God's sovereignty and value? [10:09]
7. The sermon encourages us to be prepared for the second coming of Christ. What changes can you make in your life to ensure you and your loved ones are ready for His return? [14:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Catalyst for Witness
Worship is not just a future act reserved for heaven but a present acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and worthiness in our lives. It is a response that should naturally lead us to witness, sharing the good news with others and living out our faith boldly. Worship is an active expression of our relationship with God, and it compels us to reflect His love and truth in our interactions with others. As we worship, we are reminded of the urgency to share our testimony and the gospel, impacting those around us with the transformative power of Christ. [10:09]
Psalm 96:2-4 (ESV): "Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods."
Reflection: How can your daily acts of worship inspire you to share your faith with someone specific in your life today?
Day 2: Preparedness for the Tribulation
The tribulation is described as a seven-year period of divine judgment, marked by the rise of the Antichrist. This time will be one of great distress for those who do not know Christ, emphasizing the importance of spiritual readiness. Believers are called to be prepared, ensuring their spiritual "passport" is stamped for glory. This preparedness involves a deep commitment to Christ and an understanding of the signs of the times. It is a call to live with an awareness of the spiritual realities around us and to be vigilant in our faith, standing firm against deception and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Christ. [12:09]
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 the challenges and deceptions of the end times?
Day 3: The Symbolism of Numbers in the End Times
The numbers associated with the tribulation—seven, 666, and 144,000—each hold significant meaning. They represent the duration of tribulation, the mark of the beast, and the faithful witnesses who will spread the gospel during this time. Understanding these symbols helps us grasp the gravity of the end times and the spiritual realities they represent. The number seven signifies completeness, while 666 is a symbol of imperfection and rebellion against God. The 144,000 witnesses represent a group of Jewish believers who will be sealed and protected, playing a crucial role in sharing the message of Christ. These numbers remind us of the spiritual battle that is unfolding and the importance of being aligned with God's purposes. [14:54]
Revelation 14:1-3 (ESV): "Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders."
Reflection: How does understanding the symbolism of these numbers change your perspective on the spiritual realities of the end times?
Day 4: Recognizing and Resisting the Antichrist
The Antichrist will be a figure of deception, rising to power during the tribulation and leading many astray with his charisma and cunning. Believers are called to stand firm in their faith, recognizing the signs and remaining steadfast in their commitment to Christ. This requires discernment and a deep understanding of Scripture, enabling us to identify false teachings and resist the allure of the Antichrist's deception. It is a call to be vigilant, grounded in truth, and unwavering in our allegiance to Christ, even in the face of opposition and persecution. [16:00]
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (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."
Reflection: In what ways can you strengthen your understanding of Scripture to better recognize and resist deception in your life?
Day 5: The Urgency of Being a Witness for Christ
We are called to be witnesses for Christ, sharing our testimony and the gospel with others. This is a present responsibility, not just a future hope. Our witness can impact those around us, and we are urged to live out our faith with urgency and conviction. As we anticipate the second coming of Christ, we must be diligent in our witness, ensuring that we and those we love are ready for His return. This involves actively reaching out to others, sharing the love and truth of Jesus, and living in a way that reflects His character and values. [23:47]
2 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV): "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
Reflection: Who is one person you can reach out to today to share your testimony or the gospel, and how will you approach this conversation with love and truth?
Quotes
Worship takes place when we respond to who God is. It's a response to his worthiness. When you worship, that means you acknowledge that God is worthy, God is of value, God is in charge, God is everlasting. We acknowledge that in our worship. [00:10:48] (24 seconds)
Tribulation is a seven-year period when God will. Finalize his judgment upon the unbelieving world. The great tribulation is the latter part of the seven-year period. And the church and the body of Christ and those who've accepted Jesus Christ. That won't be an issue because you'll be tribulation down here. [00:12:15] (23 seconds)
I want to make sure my passport is safe. I want to make sure my passport is safe. I want to make sure my passport is safe. It's stamped for glory. Amen? And scholars believe that this passage points to the tribulation period. In this sense of seven years. A time that will be marked by various divine judgments and disturbances and natural disasters and terrible plagues. [00:15:54] (24 seconds)
This mark acts as a seal for the followers of the antichrist. And the false prophet, who's a spokesperson for the antichrist. The false prophet is the one who causes people to take this mark. And the mark is literally placed in the hand of the forehead. And it's not simply a card. You know, we like to say, I got the card. I can't leave home without it. Well, you don't want this card and you don't want this mark. Amen? [00:17:13] (33 seconds)
What the world needs now is a good witness. Someone who's willing to tell a dying world. You know. Yes, I stand with Jesus Christ. Do you need a script? John 3, 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him would not perish but have everlasting life. [00:22:45] (21 seconds)
See, your testimony is not my testimony. He said, Pastor, you were a rascal. I wasn't that bad, but you got a testimony because you're sitting in church today because God has done something in your life. And so what we need today is to recruit some witnesses who don't mind standing for God. [00:23:49] (18 seconds)
I believe today that we can let our light so shine that others might see our good works and want to glorify our father in heaven. You see, people are watching. What you're saying and they're watching how you walk and they're watching how we talk and my getting to the point that I just want to reach somebody for Jesus. [00:24:59] (25 seconds)
I just need one or two people say, Reverend, I got your back. Let's go in together and try to win one for the kingdom. Not two or three, but just one. Can I get somebody to block and clear the way and who want to give God some praise? [00:26:29] (15 seconds)
There's somebody in your family, ain't got to be a heathen, but do they know Jesus? It's up to you and I to be a witness. You got to be a witness. You got a minute? I know you like eating. Why don't we go grab a meal? Man, you can win one over a burger. [00:28:17] (20 seconds)
When I began to look at this end time prophecy study, it made me say, Lord, I am so glad that you didn't take me when I didn't know you. And so here is an opportunity to guarantee that you'll be with the Lord today it's that critical it's that critical and while those eyes are closed today and it's nobody's business but your business. [00:30:54] (35 seconds)
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