Eschatology (Study of the Last Things)

2 April 2011

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

And He said: Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am He! ” and “The time has drawn near.” Therefore do not go after them.

But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified: for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately,          Luke 21:8-9

1. Danger of Deception

a) People will come in the name of Jesus

b) Some would even declare that they are Jesus

c) They may play on the fears of people

d) Two ways highlighted:-

i) “I am He”

ii) “The time has drawn near”

2. Danger of Turmoil in the world

a) Wars

b) Commotions

3. These things must come to pass first

a) The natural way the world is going

b) The huge divides

i) Social

ii) Economic

4. The end will not come immediately

YPG MESSAGE
2 April 2011
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as iffrom us, as though the day of Christ had come.

1. The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

a) Context of I Thessalonians 1:7-10 to be borne in mind

b) Positive outlook to be maintained

c) Joyous thought: “Our gathering together to Him”

i) No condemnation          Romans 8:1

ii) Eager awaiting for the redemption of our body          Romans 8:21-23

2. The cruel goals of false teachers

a) To shake the confidence of believers

b) To trouble the minds of believers

3. The cunning means employed

a) By spirit

b) By word

c) By letter

4. The content of the message of the false teachers

a) The day of Christ had already come

b) Those who were still alive had been left behind

5. Determination

a) Not to be shaken

b) Not to be troubled

DISCUSSION

1. General Knowledge          (Matthew 24; Luke 21)

a) Read

b) Remember

c) Review

2. Special problems

a) The dead in Christ          1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

b) The day of the Lord has already come          2 Thessalonians 2:1-2

3. How may we strengthen ourselves so that we would not be easily shaken or troubled?