Eschatology & Parousia Message outline 13th Aug 06

A Brief look at “End Times” prophecy 末世論 - 與 耶穌再來

SLIDE 1 - We tends to avoid it because
Unfortunately, whenever we talk about the 'end times' we encounter two problems
Various systems of thought develop on the basis of differing interpretive frameworks;
Even among those who share the same convictions about how scripture should be interpreted, there will be differences of opinion about what a certain phrase or event signifies.

SLIDE 2 Preterist Vs Futurist
"Preterist" means past in fulfilment – eg Fall of Jerusalem in 70AD– see picture below!
"Futurist" means future in fulfilment.

SLIDE 3 -But we can be certain of a few things
Bible teaches about the Triumphant Return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ second coming is prophesied many times in the Old Testament and there are over 250 clear references to the event in the New Testament.
Eg: John 14:3; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Hebrews 9:28; 8-11; 1 John 3:2-3; Revelation 22:20.

SLIDE 4 The fulfillment of Prophecies
Most Old Testament Prophecies are fulfilled in Christ’s 1st coming, but some are yet to be fulfilled. -
The prophets see in part and prophesy in part (see I Cor 13:9)
It is like seeing a series of mountains in the distance, you may see one or two peaks but there may be many more ^^^^^

SLIDE 5 The Signs of His 2nd coming
Matthew 24:4-14 – The Mt Olive Discourse
Wars, famine, human wickedness and gross immorality
The gospel is preached every nations and tribes (Matthew 24:14)
Cosmic chaos, sun and moon darken, Tsunamis & earthquakes
BUT NO BODY SHOULD KNOW THE PRECISE DATE (V36)

SLIDE 6 The Great Tribulation & Millennium foretold
The “rapture” – where the Christian will be taken up to heaven physically!(1 Thes 4:16,17)
A thousand years of peace where Christ rule and reign
Some disputed areas are Pre-tribulation or post-tribulation? – Be strong! Be prepared! Draw close to God. China, Islamic countries – like Sudan, Nigeria. Corpse rotting in the hot Sun.
 pre-millennium or post-millennium?

SLIDE 7 Dispensational Theology
Dispensations or period of redemptive History - C. I. Scofield
1. innocence (Gen 1:1–3:7), prior to Adam's fall,
2. conscience (Gen 3:8–8:22), Adam to Noah,
3. government (Gen 9:1–11:32), Noah to Abraham,
4. patriarchal rule (Gen 12:1–Exod 19:25), Abraham to Moses,
5 Mosaic Law (Exod 20:1–Acts 2:4), Moses to Christ,
6. grace (Acts 2:4–Rev 20:3, the current church age, and
7. a literal, earthly 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom that has yet to come but soon will (Rev 20:4–20:6).

SLIDE 8 - Dispensational Theology (cont’d)
This is just one of the views
We are grafted “wild olive branch”, let us not forget the original stump – The Israelites (Romans 11:17-21)
He who bless you will be blessed (Gen 12:13)
Let us not be deceived by the world system and the haters of the chosen people of God

SLIDE 9 - Where should our focus be?
Geographically – Middle East & Israel
Historically – a pattern has been set for us, typology
Many little “anti-Christs” have risen in the past
Many tribulations had come and gone
Faith & Devotion
Too much focus in on who is right and wrong, bogged down in details
like the Garden of Eden – Tree of life not the tree of good and evil. Good and evil is God’s prerogative not ours to judge

SLIDE 10 - How should we live then?
Live for the unshakable kingdom
Live as if he is coming tomorrow!
But yet plan and live to the fullest
Go & Share the gospel message of Jesus
 He died for our sins,
 He saved us for himself
 And He is coming back to take us to rule and reign with Him through eternity.

********
Why does it matter? ------------------- ( Like a jigsaw puzzle, a few missing pieces in the whole is good enough for us to see the big picture, we can still tell the full picture when we stand back and look at the big picture - eg historical trends and the ways of God)
Why is it important to familiarise ourselves with the Bible's teaching about the end of the world?
First, because God has graciously given us a window on the future in his word: it is his written revelation to us. Not all the Bible is about us, but all the Bible is for us, and we have a responsibility to read and understand it.
Second, what God reveals about the future instils hope and confidence in believers.

Third, an understanding of the culmination of God's redemptive purposes challenges us to mission and evangelism.
Finally, the Bible' s eschatological teaching challenges us to shape our lives on biblical principles. After describing the Day of the Lord, Peter says, (2 Peter 3:11-14)

Honour & Reverence - Message outline 6th Aug 06

Honour is the key (The word "Honour" occurs atleast 208 times in NIV of teh Bible)

Ten Commandments Exodus 20:2-17 (not the ten options)
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour."

Examples of dishonour and their consequnces
1. Noah – in Gen 9 one of his sons dishonour his own father. – Shem, Ham(father of Canaan), Japheth.

2. Eli - 1 Sam 2: 29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honour your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?'
30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honour me I will honour, but those who despise me will be disdained. 31 The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your family line. (Wow – your sons will die young!!!) 2:22 – they even slept with the women! So he died, and the Priesthood was past on to Samuel.
3. Solomon – honour his wives more than God
4. Malachi - Blemished Sacrifices – lost the reverence for God
6 "A son honours his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honour due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name.
"But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
7 "You place defiled food on my altar.
"But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?'
"By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.

B. New Testament – Mark 6:1-4
1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.
4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.- by their unbelief, they forfeited the honour of having miracles wrought for them.

C. Whom you Honour and how you honour is so very crucial
1. If you honour a prophet you will receive a prophet’s blessing.
2. You honour God and God will honor you. (2 Sam 2:29) not children before God. Not BF or GF before God, and of course NOT your gay partner before God.
3. Honour God above your parents – what about those who torn between parents and spouse – Then the Divine principles comes in – Are they God honouring parents? Are what they demand biblical? (Thailand – sold to prostitution or marry a poor farmer – marry a poor farmer who loves you). Just for a TV or a motorcycle.
4. If you dishonour the speaker – you won’t get bless by his teaching or ministry. Of course this is no blank cheque – the leader must have certain degree of integrity and competency to be respected, and most importantly, a clear cut call of God upon his life. Honour and respect is earned and not on request or demand.
5. Hosea 8:7 - "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. Be careful how you sow – how you invest your time, money, affection. Proverbs says don’t cast your seeds every where.
6. Honour is best shown by our action and attitude – not just with our lips !

Lets us stand up and worship – lets us spend some time allowing Holy Spirit to bring restoration. We all have fallen short in this area. May be in different forms, attitude, lateness, taking God’s word lightly. Harbouring resentment to our parents etc.
Closing Song – You Stand alone

Message Outlinne 23Th July 06 - by Ps Jeremy Wong

Not by Might nor by Power Zechariah 4 :4-6
Leave it to God for a change. (Zechariah means God remembers)

Context:
Zerubbabel was the leader of 50 thousands exiles who were returning from Babylon.
These people, most part were children and grandchildren of the Israelites who had been taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar had razed Jerusalem to the ground. Almost 60-70 years has past just as was prophesied by the Prophet Jeremiah
So only those who were captured while very young would be able to come home alive but as very old men – very much like the World War I veterans on a ANZAC day march.

Make no mistake- the devil is out to get you and me!
1. Upon return – they set about doing the work – Great zeal & Euphoria turn to drudgery as they look at the task before them. Daunting obstacles indeed.
2. Limited resources – a barren place with sudden influx of 50,000 people, shortage of food supply, housing etc.
3. Opposition by the local Samaria – the half cast Jews – they instigated the local chiefs – reported to the central Gov --> The Jews had been trying to rebel – "history tell us that this people are a proud and nationalistic people. Don’t let them rebuilt." (These are the people that should be supportive, because they did have some blood relationship!)
4. Preoccupation with other pursuits, get more land, getting a wife – draining their energy, as a result, 10 year have past and the temple was not rebuilt.
5. Then the survivals compared to the old temple – like some of us – comparing with our old church? Subconsciously trying to duplicate the familiar? Well, how could you compare the splendor and greatness of Solomon’s temple?
6. It was at such low point – then God came in – A vision was needed – a revelational word from the Lord was given. Like Moses, 30-40 yrs in the wilderness and we are getting no where Lord! please give us a glimpse of your glory or I’ll give up!
7. Prophet Zechariah – gave a key – turn on the power of GRACE, Charis, gift, favor!

A. What are your “Mighty Mountains”?
I am sure many of you have a mountain be fore you even right now. An obstacle, a heartache and disappointment etc. Finance, children that do not seem to listen? Conflict between spouse that that has become so predictable and a vicious cycle?

B. Do not despise the days of small things
The Lord continued speaking to Zechariah:v10 "Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel." It seems to be a part of human nature to get discouraged easily. We are impatient when we do "small things" for God, because we want to do mighty works for God. In this way, we "despise the day of small things." We should not. We should not "despise" any work of God, big or little.

C. Do not bark up the wrong tree
Zechariah is still curious about the symbolism of the elements in the vision: many would debate as to the precise identity of the olives trees, the pipe, the lampstand etc. It the process, we can bark up the wrong tree.
First, Zechariah asks about the olive trees, then he asks about the two olive branches, from which oil is pouring into the bowl which feeds the lamp. The angel does not answer the first question, thus implying that Zechariah should figure it out for himself. The second question, concerning the olive branches, the angel does answer: "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth." Given the subjects of these last two visions, the angel is probably referring to Joshua and Zerubbabel, when he speaks of the "two who are anointed."
You see, the principle of God is always about leadership that he anoints – For a country, There are two type of leadership – the civil and spiritual. Here there is Joshua the high priest. Zerubbabel the governor. For a church, it is the Admin. Board & the Senior Pastor or the minister. It is a team work under God, not striving for authority or trying to out smart each other. Where is God in all we do? The Olive Tree is none other than God himself. Jesus said in John 15. I am the vine, you are the branches.

Recapping the main points -AWAKE! - like The angel who called to Zechariah
Adversity is expected - The devil is out to get you and me!
What are your “mountains”?
Are you despising the days of small things?
Know whom you serve
Express your faith by stepping back and shouting “ Grace! Grace!”

Concluding Application & Reiteration
1.Are you facing a daunting task with limited resources?
2.Opposition by those who should be supporting you?
3.People that you depend upon have been distracted by other pursuit? Buying more land, properties, or getting a wife or husband?
4.The tendencies to compare make you feel even more demoralize?
5.Then do something for a change – shout grace!
Grace to let go for a change in your situation – Rebellious children? Hopeless finance? constant conflicts in marriages? Why? May be you always wanted things your way! You may have a fixed mindset! May be you are the biggest problem?
6. Do not despise the days of small things. There lies the seed of your greatness! 7. He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much!

Lastly, If you reckon God has forgotten you – The Very name of the prophet is enough to bring comfort. His name means “Yahweh Remembers!)