Preparing Spiritually for Christ's Imminent Return

 

Summary

In these turbulent times, it is crucial to recognize the signs of the times and prepare for the imminent return of Jesus Christ. The world is experiencing unprecedented chaos, from natural disasters to political corruption, and even those who do not follow Christ sense that something significant is about to happen. As believers, we must ask ourselves if we are truly ready for what is to come. The Bible and prophetic writings warn us of the trials and tribulations that will precede Christ's return, urging us to prepare spiritually and practically.

One of the key aspects of preparation is understanding the importance of the Sabbath as a sign of God's people. The Sabbath is not merely a day of rest but a test of faithfulness to God, especially in the end times when the mark of the beast crisis will challenge our allegiance. It is essential to uphold the sanctity of the Sabbath and resist the temptation to compromise on its observance.

Additionally, the call to move out of the cities and into the countryside is a practical step to prepare for the challenges ahead. Living in rural areas allows for self-sufficiency and reduces the risk of interference from those who may oppose our faith. This move is not just about physical safety but also about spiritual readiness, as it provides an environment conducive to a closer walk with God.

Music and entertainment also play a significant role in shaping our spiritual lives. While music can be a powerful tool for worship and uplifting the soul, it can also be a snare if used improperly. The influence of entertainment culture on worship practices can lead to a dilution of true worship, which should be centered on God and not on human applause or performance.

Finally, the divisions within the church should not discourage us. They are a fulfillment of prophecy and a reminder that we must remain steadfast in our faith. The time is coming when the true followers of Christ will be revealed, and those who have compromised will face the ultimate test. Let us remain vigilant, prayerful, and committed to living out our faith in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognizing the Signs of the Times: The world is in turmoil, and even non-believers sense that something significant is about to happen. As Christians, we must be spiritually prepared for the return of Jesus by understanding the prophetic signs and aligning our lives with God's will. [02:31]

2. The Importance of the Sabbath: The Sabbath is a crucial sign of God's people, especially in the end times. It is a test of faithfulness, and compromising on its observance can weaken our spiritual resolve. Upholding the Sabbath is essential for standing firm in the face of the mark of the beast crisis. [07:01]

3. Practical Preparation for the End Times: Moving to rural areas is advised to ensure self-sufficiency and reduce interference from those who may oppose our faith. This move is not just about physical safety but also about creating an environment conducive to spiritual growth and readiness. [08:28]

4. The Role of Music and Entertainment: Music can uplift the soul and enhance worship, but it can also be a snare if used improperly. The influence of entertainment culture on worship practices can lead to a dilution of true worship, which should be centered on God and not on human applause or performance. [14:43]

5. Remaining Steadfast Amidst Church Divisions: Divisions within the church are a fulfillment of prophecy and should not discourage us. They remind us to remain steadfast in our faith and committed to living out our beliefs, as the true followers of Christ will be revealed in the end. [33:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:20] - Observing World Events
- [01:08] - Economic Concerns and the Great Reset
- [02:02] - The Imminence of a Stupendous Crisis
- [03:24] - Prophetic Warnings and Preparation
- [05:03] - Are We Ready for the End Times?
- [06:33] - The Significance of the Sabbath
- [08:09] - Moving to the Countryside
- [09:14] - Challenges of Buying and Selling
- [11:38] - The Influence of Entertainment Culture
- [13:23] - The Power of Music in Worship
- [16:34] - The Dangers of Misguided Worship Practices
- [21:28] - The Impact of Sports and Competition
- [26:36] - Striving for Supremacy vs. Humility
- [33:39] - Church Divisions and Remaining Faithful

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 13:16-17 - "And it causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
2. Matthew 24:42-44 - "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
3. Exodus 20:8-11 - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."

Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the signs mentioned in the sermon that indicate the world is in turmoil and that something significant is about to happen? [00:20]
2. How is the Sabbath described as a test of faithfulness in the sermon, and why is it particularly important in the end times? [06:33]
3. What practical steps are suggested in the sermon for preparing for the end times, and how do these steps relate to spiritual readiness? [08:09]
4. How does the sermon describe the influence of music and entertainment on worship practices? [12:06]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the call to move to rural areas be seen as both a physical and spiritual preparation for the end times? [08:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that music and entertainment can either enhance or hinder true worship? [14:43]
3. How does the sermon interpret divisions within the church as a fulfillment of prophecy, and what does this mean for believers today? [33:39]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of discernment in the life of a believer, especially in relation to the influence of entertainment culture? [21:46]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there any changes you feel called to make in light of the sermon’s emphasis on spiritual and practical preparation for the end times? [08:28]
2. How do you currently observe the Sabbath, and are there ways you can deepen your understanding and practice of it as a sign of faithfulness to God? [06:33]
3. Consider the role of music and entertainment in your life. Are there specific changes you could make to ensure they are uplifting your spiritual life rather than hindering it? [14:43]
4. How can you remain steadfast in your faith amidst divisions within the church, and what steps can you take to promote unity and understanding? [33:39]
5. What practical steps can you take to increase your discernment in daily life, especially regarding the media and entertainment you consume? [21:46]
6. How can you actively engage in creating an environment conducive to spiritual growth, both in your personal life and within your community? [08:28]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt the influence of entertainment culture on your worship practices. How can you refocus your worship to be centered on God rather than human applause or performance? [12:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Signs of the Times
In these turbulent times, it is essential to be aware of the signs that indicate the imminent return of Jesus Christ. The world is experiencing chaos, from natural disasters to political corruption, and even those who do not follow Christ sense that something significant is about to happen. As believers, we must be spiritually prepared for the return of Jesus by understanding the prophetic signs and aligning our lives with God's will. This preparation involves a deep commitment to spiritual growth and a readiness to face the trials and tribulations that will precede Christ's return. [02:31]

"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." (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your life more closely with God's will in anticipation of Christ's return?


Day 2: The Importance of the Sabbath
The Sabbath is a crucial sign of God's people, especially in the end times. It is not merely a day of rest but a test of faithfulness to God. Upholding the sanctity of the Sabbath is essential for standing firm in the face of the mark of the beast crisis. Compromising on its observance can weaken our spiritual resolve. As believers, we are called to resist the temptation to compromise and to uphold the Sabbath as a testament to our allegiance to God. [07:01]

"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." (Colossians 2:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you honor the Sabbath in a way that strengthens your faith and demonstrates your commitment to God?


Day 3: Practical Preparation for the End Times
Moving to rural areas is advised as a practical step to prepare for the challenges ahead. This move is not just about physical safety but also about creating an environment conducive to spiritual growth and readiness. Living in rural areas allows for self-sufficiency and reduces the risk of interference from those who may oppose our faith. It provides an opportunity to focus on a closer walk with God and to prepare spiritually for the trials that may come. [08:28]

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to create an environment in your life that fosters spiritual growth and readiness?


Day 4: The Role of Music and Entertainment
Music and entertainment play a significant role in shaping our spiritual lives. While music can be a powerful tool for worship and uplifting the soul, it can also be a snare if used improperly. The influence of entertainment culture on worship practices can lead to a dilution of true worship, which should be centered on God and not on human applause or performance. As believers, we must be discerning in our choices and ensure that our worship remains focused on God. [14:43]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your choices in music and entertainment enhance your worship and keep your focus on God?


Day 5: Remaining Steadfast Amidst Church Divisions
Divisions within the church are a fulfillment of prophecy and should not discourage us. They remind us to remain steadfast in our faith and committed to living out our beliefs. The time is coming when the true followers of Christ will be revealed, and those who have compromised will face the ultimate test. As believers, we must remain vigilant, prayerful, and committed to living out our faith in every aspect of our lives, even amidst divisions. [33:39]

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." (Romans 16:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you remain steadfast in your faith and commitment to Christ, even when faced with divisions within the church?

Quotes


The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living rulers and Statesmen men who occupy positions of trust and Authority, thinking men and women of all classes have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained Restless relations that exist among the Nations they observe the intensity that is taking possession of every Earthly element and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place the world that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis. [00:01:38]

In the last scenes of this Earth's history war will rage there will be pestilence plague and famine the Waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries property and life will be destroyed by fire and flood we should be preparing for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for them that love him amen. [00:03:36]

The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil transgression has almost reached its limit confusion fills the world and a great terror is soon to come upon all human beings the end is very near we who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise. [00:04:49]

The Sabbath is God's sign as you know and keeping the Sabbath is a key indicator of who his last day Remnant people are right the mark of the beast crisis the national Sunday law and violation of the fourth Commandment will finally result in a death decree most of us that grown of B has heard that all our lives but this makes a Sabbath critically important since it is the test of faithfulness to God in the end. [00:06:42]

Again and again the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities into the country where they can raise their own Provisions for in the future the problem of buying and selling will be a serious a very serious one and it continues we should now begin to heed the instructions given us over and over again get out of the Cities into rural districts where houses are not crowded closely together and where you will be free from the interference of enemies. [00:08:22]

Music is often perverted to serve purposes of evil and it thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation but rightly employed it is a precious gift of God designed to uplift the thoughts to high and Noble themes to inspire and Elevate the Soul music can really be used used to lift us up to God and it can be used very effectively to memorize scripture and singing can bring cheer in the into the home or any environment where it's done in a really Christian way. [00:14:37]

The things you have described as taking place in Indiana the Lord has showed me would take place just before the close of probation when's that y every UNC thing will be demonstrated ated they'll be shouting with drums music and dancing the Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods and such a bedum of noise better never to have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me as would be brought into our camp meetings. [00:17:02]

My point is that we are more products of our entertainment culture than we tend to realize it influen us more than we often know and we need greater discernment entertainment culture influences worship a great deal and so I wanted to see for myself on um one of these cases you could say it was the fastest growing worship service in America and and I wanted to see it with my own eyes so I went to a worship service where many thousands attend regularly. [00:21:31]

The essence of sports is competition right rivalry Strife for Supremacy their must be winners and losers and we try to be great in sports or to be the best or to win the game in evangelism page 102 says Strife for Supremacy makes manifest a spirit that have cherished will eventually shut out from the kingdom of God those who cherish it that kind of reminds me of Philippians 23 where Paul wrote let nothing be done through Strife or vain Glory. [00:26:22]

The time is not far distant when the test will come to Every Soul the mark of the beast will be urged Upon Us those who have step by step yielded to worldly demand and conform to worldly Customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be rather than subject themselves to derision insult threaten imprisonment and death I don't want to be in that class of persons how can we be sure that we will not I mean it all comes down to how we make our decisions now doesn't it. [00:34:47]

There are many people in the ranks of the various denominations other churches and even those who aren't in in any church at all and even those who have fallen away from our church that will still come in to the remnant before it's too late I love this passage there are many Souls that come out of the ranks of the world out of the churches even the Catholic Church whose Zeal will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file to proclaim the truth here to before. [00:36:08]

Many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd do you know some of those that have strayed from the fold do you pray for them my son is one of those you may have people you're related to or friends from the past I have friends from the past that they don't care anymore but this this is a promise that many who are straight from the fold will come back to fall The Great Shepherd. [00:36:44]

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Transcript
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