Understanding God's Plan: Tribulation, Israel, and Christ's Return

Summary

In our journey through the Scriptures, we have been steadfast in our commitment to understanding the full counsel of God's Word. We have delved into the depths of prophecy, particularly through the Book of Revelation, to grasp the end times as revealed to us. Our recent gatherings have been a testament to our hunger for knowledge about what lies ahead for the church and the world.

We have explored the timeline of the church's history and the events that will unfold to the right of this timeline, including the signs that herald the end times. We have seen how God orchestrates history, weaving His divine plan through the ages, and how He has set forth a period of judgment for Israel due to their failure to keep the old Covenant. This period, known as the 77s, is crucial for bringing Israel to a point of national confession and salvation.

The tribulation, the final seven-year period, is the instrument God uses to bring Israel to its knees, to acknowledge their Messiah. This intense period will not only serve as a judgment for the nations but also as a purification for Israel. The tribulation will culminate in the return of Christ, an event that will usher in the next stage of God's plan.

Understanding Christ's return begins with comprehending why He left. His departure was marked by a Messianic miracle—the healing of a mute demon-possessed man—which was a clear sign of His Messiahship. Yet, despite this undeniable evidence, the religious leaders of Israel attributed His power to Satan, committing the unforgivable sin for their generation. This rejection led to a shift in Jesus' ministry, where He began to teach in parables and prepare His disciples for His death, rather than openly proclaiming the Kingdom.

The future national confession of Israel is tied to their acknowledgment of their iniquity and that of their forefathers. It is a confession that will be made in the midst of tribulation, leading to their salvation. This moment of mass conversion will be a time of mourning, as they realize the gravity of having rejected and killed their own Messiah.

As we look to the future, we must hold fast to the truth of Scripture, discerning the signs of the times with wisdom and caution. We must not be swayed by speculation but remain anchored in the Word of God. Our focus should be on preparing ourselves for the arrival of our Lord, sharing the Gospel with urgency, and living in anticipation of His return.

Key Takeaways:

1. The tribulation serves a dual purpose: it is God's means of judging the nations and purifying Israel, leading them to a national confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah. This intense period of suffering is necessary to break the stubbornness of a nation and fulfill God's promise of salvation. [43:47]

2. The unforgivable sin committed by the religious leaders of Jesus' time was a unique event that cannot be repeated today. It was the attribution of Jesus' miraculous works, done by the Holy Spirit, to Satan. This sin had profound implications for that generation and led to a shift in Jesus' ministry approach. [29:19]

3. The return of Christ is preceded by the church's resurrection into new bodies, commonly referred to as The Rapture. This event is imminent and could occur at any moment, as there are no prophetic events that must transpire before it takes place. Believers should live in a state of readiness for this glorious event. [10:12]

4. The Messianic miracles performed by Jesus were signs specifically reserved for the Messiah. They were designed to validate His claims to the Jewish people. The healing of a mute demon-possessed man was one such miracle that demonstrated Jesus' divine authority and Messiahship. [13:23]

5. The national confession of Israel will be a moment of profound realization and mourning, as they come to faith in Jesus Christ. This collective awakening will occur during the tribulation and will fulfill the prophecies that speak of Israel's salvation. It is a pivotal event that will change the course of history. [51:20]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Daniel 9:24-27 (The prophecy of the 77s)
> "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place. Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

2. Zechariah 12:10 (The future national confession of Israel)
> "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son."

3. Matthew 12:22-32 (The unforgivable sin and the rejection of Jesus)
> "Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, 'Could this be the Son of David?' But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.' Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.'"

### Observation Questions

1. What are the key events described in Daniel 9:24-27 that are part of the prophecy of the 77s?
2. According to Zechariah 12:10, what will the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem do when they look upon the one they have pierced?
3. In Matthew 12:22-32, what miracle did Jesus perform that led the people to question if He was the Son of David? How did the Pharisees respond to this miracle? [23:16]

### Interpretation Questions

1. How does the prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 relate to the concept of the tribulation and the final seven-year period discussed in the sermon? [09:04]
2. What is the significance of the national confession of Israel as described in Zechariah 12:10, and how does it fulfill the prophecy mentioned in the sermon? [50:47]
3. Why did Jesus refer to the Pharisees' accusation as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and what are the implications of this unforgivable sin for that generation? [28:48]

### Application Questions

1. Reflecting on the prophecy of the 77s in Daniel 9:24-27, how can we better understand God's timeline and His plans for the future? How does this knowledge impact your daily life and faith?
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing the signs of the times with wisdom and caution. How can you stay grounded in Scripture to avoid being swayed by speculation? [01:08:19]
3. The national confession of Israel involves acknowledging their iniquity and that of their forefathers. Is there a personal or communal sin in your life that you need to confess and seek forgiveness for? How can you take steps towards this confession?
4. Jesus' miracles were signs of His Messiahship, yet the religious leaders attributed His works to Satan. How can we ensure that we are not rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? [23:16]
5. The sermon mentioned the urgency of sharing the Gospel and living in anticipation of Christ's return. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the Gospel. What specific steps can you take this week to share your faith with them? [01:05:39]
6. The tribulation is described as a period of intense suffering necessary to bring Israel to a national confession. How can we prepare ourselves spiritually for difficult times and support others in their faith journey during such periods? [09:04]
7. Reflect on the concept of the unforgivable sin as described in Matthew 12:22-32. How can we cultivate a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit and avoid hardening our hearts against God's work? [28:48]

Devotional

Day 1: Tribulation's Dual Purpose
The tribulation is not merely a period of suffering and chaos; it is a divinely appointed time with a dual purpose. It is a time when God will judge the nations for their rebellion and sin. Simultaneously, it will serve as a crucible for Israel, purifying the nation and leading them to a collective confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah. This intense period is necessary to fulfill God's promise of salvation and to break through the stubbornness that has characterized the nation throughout history. It is a time when the hearts of many will be turned back to God, and the nation of Israel will be restored to its rightful place in God's redemptive plan [43:47].

"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place." - Daniel 9:24 ESV

Reflection: How can understanding the purpose of tribulation strengthen your faith during personal trials?

Day 2: The Unrepeatable Sin
The unforgivable sin, as committed by the religious leaders of Jesus' time, was a unique transgression that had profound implications for their generation. It was the deliberate attribution of Jesus' miraculous works, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to the workings of Satan. This sin represented a willful rejection of the divine truth and led to a significant shift in Jesus' ministry. From that point on, Jesus began to teach in parables, veiling the truths of the Kingdom from those who had hardened their hearts against Him. This historical event serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting the clear evidence of God's work and the importance of responding to the Holy Spirit with faith and humility [29:19].

"Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." - Matthew 12:31 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your heart remains open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?

Day 3: The Imminence of The Rapture
The Rapture is an event that could occur at any moment, catching many off guard. It is the moment when the church will be resurrected into new bodies and caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This imminent event is not preceded by any prophetic signs, making it essential for believers to live in a state of readiness, always anticipating the return of Christ. The Rapture is a call to live a life of holiness, sharing the Gospel with urgency, and maintaining a vigilant watch for the Lord's coming. It is a reminder that our time on earth is temporary and that we should invest in what is eternal [10:12].

"Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ESV

Reflection: What changes can you make in your daily life to be more prepared for the Lord's return?

Day 4: Signs of the Messiah
The miracles performed by Jesus were not random acts of kindness but were specific signs that validated His claims to be the Messiah. One such Messianic miracle was the healing of a mute demon-possessed man, which demonstrated Jesus' divine authority and fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah. These miracles were designed to reveal Jesus to the Jewish people and to confirm His identity as the one sent by God. They were a testament to His power and a call to recognize and accept Him as the promised Savior [13:23].

"Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw." - Matthew 12:22 ESV

Reflection: How can you grow in your recognition and acknowledgment of Jesus' authority in your life?

Day 5: Israel's National Confession
The future national confession of Israel will be a profound moment of realization and mourning. It will occur during the tribulation when the nation collectively acknowledges their iniquity and the sins of their forefathers, leading to their salvation. This moment will fulfill the prophecies that speak of Israel's restoration and will mark a pivotal event in history. It will be a time when the nation will mourn for having rejected and killed their own Messiah, but it will also be a time of grace and redemption as they turn to Jesus Christ in faith [51:20].

"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn." - Zechariah 12:10 ESV

Reflection: How can you personally respond to the realization of Jesus' sacrifice for your sins?

Quotes

1) "The tribulation serves a dual purpose: it is God's means of judging the nations and purifying Israel, leading them to a national confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah." [43:47](Download | )

2) "The future national confession of Israel is tied to their acknowledgment of their iniquity and that of their forefathers. It is a confession that will be made in the midst of tribulation, leading to their salvation." [40:56](Download | )

3) "Understanding Christ's return begins with comprehending why He left. His departure was marked by a shift in Jesus' ministry, where He began to teach in parables and prepare His disciples for His death." [11:14](Download | )

4) "The unforgivable sin committed by the religious leaders of Jesus' time was a unique event that cannot be repeated today. It was the attribution of Jesus' miraculous works, done by the Holy Spirit, to Satan." [29:19](Download | )

5) "The return of Christ is preceded by the church's resurrection into new bodies, commonly referred to as The Rapture. This event is imminent and could occur at any moment." [10:43](Download | )

6) "The Messianic miracles performed by Jesus were signs specifically reserved for the Messiah. They were designed to validate His claims to the Jewish people." [13:23](Download | )

7) "The national confession of Israel will be a moment of profound realization and mourning, as they come to faith in Jesus Christ." [51:20](Download | )

8) "God orchestrates history, weaving His divine plan through the ages, and how He has set forth a period of judgment for Israel due to their failure to keep the old Covenant." [42:07](Download | )

9) "The tribulation is not only a judgment for the nations but also a purification for Israel. It is necessary to break the stubbornness of a nation and fulfill God's promise of salvation." [43:15](Download | )

10) "As we look to the future, we must hold fast to the truth of Scripture, discerning the signs of the times with wisdom and caution." [01:22:58](Download | )

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?