BIBLE STUDY
We completed the second lesson in the unit of lessons entitled, Face Your Problems in Sunday Bible study. The purpose of this lesson, When You Feel Overwhelmed, is to give us important instructions and insights on how to handle the future, especially when troubling events seem to crash down and overwhelm. Our Scripture reading was Mark, Chapter 13 and while this chapter deals with the end time, the end of time as it is now known is not the theme of this lesson. As always, Jesus used every opportunity to teach and on this occasion gave crucial help to His followers and an example to every generation for living and witnessing in a hostile world.
Previously, we have covered three ways to prepare for overwhelming times: Trusting the Spirit, Staying with the Truth, and Rejoicing. I am including the discussion on these ways and am adding thoughts, Scriptures, and Biblical facts shared in this week’s lesson, which is a fourth way to prepare for trying times, REMAINING FAITHFUL.
We can prepare for trying times by: TRUSTING THE SPIRIT
As Jesus and His disciples exited the temple one day, one of the disciples commented on the splendor and beauty. Jesus responded by informing them that one day it would all be destroyed. Peter, James, and John later asked Jesus to tell them more about when and how they would know when the temple was to be destroyed. Jesus’ response shifts back and forth between an immediate and a remote future. The author of our lesson states that the events He talked of seem to have a dual fulfillment—once in the disciples’ lifetimes and again with finality in the end times. He warned of persecution and personal suffering and the difficulty they would endure to remain His followers, much like the fate that was to be His. When Jesus told the disciples that the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations, He was reminding them of their task, which was to continue telling the world of the gospel message of salvation. They were assured that through their hardships, the Holy Spirit (He) would always be with them to assist them and that in the end they would be delivered (verses 9-13).
We can prepare for trying times by: STAYING WITH THE TRUTH
Jesus warned that the time would come when many false prophets would proclaim to be the Messiah, performing wonders and attempting to deceive even the elect. His instruction was DO NOT BELIEVE THEM! (verses 21-23). This danger is as real today as it was then. Heed not the teaching of any one if their teaching does not align with the truth, the Word of God! Robert pointed out that the words if possible, in verse 22 indicated to him that false teachers would not be able to sway true followers who were knowledgeable of the Word. We must be cautious and never allow any one to convince us of any thing contrary to the Word!
We can prepare for trying times by: REJOICING
Our study began by reading Mark 13:24-27. Rejoicing seems a strange way to prepare for trying times. Connecting this passage, which deals with end times tribulation and trials, with rejoicing seems even stranger. Some background facts help to clarify this. The Jews watched unusual events which occurred in the heavens and believed them to signal future earthly upheavals. Therefore, the disciples would understand Jesus using this passage to give them hope during any trial they would face in the future.
Our discussion veered away from the book lesson, (no surprise to any member) and we discussed some of the things happening today: 1) America becoming more and more liberal and seemingly unconcerned for the real purpose of life which is to have fellowship with Almighty God and spread the good news of deliverance 2) America, as a whole, not recognizing what is happening in our world today which is a fulfillment of the Scriptures.
We got back to the lesson plan for the day and Robert explained the difference between the day that Jesus will come in the clouds, which we know as the ‘rapture’, or the ‘day of Christ’ and the ‘day of the Lord’, or the second coming of Christ. The word ‘rapture’ does not appear in the Bible (neither does the word Bible!). The term "rapture" comes from the Latin verb ‘rapiemur’ which means ‘to seize, snatch, carry away’. While you will not find that exact word through a word search, the meaning of the words that are written remains the same and conveys the same idea. This is the same meaning behind the Greek word ‘harpazo’, which is found in the Bible. Robert referred us to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, known as the ‘harpazo passage’, to read of the day when Christ will come in the clouds to gather his ‘church’ unto Him. He will not descend to earth; we will be ‘caught up’ to Him as John was carried up to Him when given the revelation of the end times, Rev. 4:1. The Christians who have died before this time will be caught up first, their bodies to be rejoined with their spirit, and those who are still alive will be caught up in the next instant. The rapture of the church will trigger the tribulation period.
Though not covered in our study book, Robert pointed out that the catching away of the church (rapture) is not to be confused with the ‘day of the Lord’, which is the second coming of Christ. This is a separate event and is when the Lord (Christ) will return to Earth and bring with Him the church (referred to as His armies in Rev. 19:14) as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Christ plants His feet on the Mount of Olives, splitting the mountain in half and creating a valley, Zechariah 14:1-4. This valley is called Megiddo and is where the Battle of Armageddon will take place, Rev. 16:16. The 1000 year reign will follow!
Make no mistake! Christ will have the last word! As Leonard stated, He is the Word!
We can prepare for trying times by: REMAINING FAITHFUL
Jesus continued to teach His disciples how to prepare for trying times they would face in the future. This teaching began when Jesus was asked, “When will these things happen?”, referring to the trials and tribulations of the end times, see Mark 13:4. This question is still pondered today and causes many to be skeptical that it will ever happen. Read II Peter 3:3-13. God knew that down through the centuries, there would be such questions and such people and divinely orchestrated that this passage be recorded in His Word. Yes, He is coming back!
We are firmly told in Mark 13:32-37, our Scripture reading today, that no man, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, know when this day will come. Only God, the Father, knows. Do not be disturbed that Jesus stated that He did not know, nor mistakenly think that He is not fully God. Do know that at the time He said this, (before His death and resurrection), He freely accepted the limitations of His humanity and Robert speculated that perhaps, He chose to temporarily erase certain facts from His ‘all knowing’ wealth of information.
The key word in the next five verses is WATCH! Because the time is unknown, we must always be alert. To be alert is having an active faith that never lets down our guard. In verses 34-36, Jesus used an example of a man taking a long journey and not telling his household when he would return. They were merely told to watch for his homecoming. Therefore, they had to be prepared morning or night, lest he return and find them ‘sleeping’ (slack in their expected duties). These instructions hold true for us today. We must live in a state of readiness and faithfulness. We must remain faithful, for no believer wants to be found sleeping, (spiritually inactive) when He returns. In our passage today, four times we are told to WATCH. In verse 33, we are told also to pray. This tells us that it is okay to acknowledge that help is needed during trying times. There is no greater help than our God!
These lessons have given us four ‘anchors’ to keep us anchored when adversity comes and we become overwhelmed with life’s problems and circumstances. As a believer, one can be prepared for such times by Trusting the Spirit, Staying with the Truth, Rejoicing, and Remaining Faithful. As believers, let us affirm our trust in the Holy Spirit; stick with the truth, God’s Word; rejoice in the fact that we belong to Him and will share in His victory when He returns; and continue to be faithful, serving in whatever way He wants and staying alert for our Lord’s return.
We begin a lesson, When You Have Difficult Decisions, next Sunday, which begins on page 98 in our book. Read Mark, Chapter 14 and come prepared to share thoughts, insights, ideas and questions.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Kay – taking full dosage of chemo this week
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