“Living in Light of the LAST DAYS”
Matthew 24:4-8
“The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah…” Jesus (Mt. 24:37)
I. Birth Pang #1 – DECEPTION (24:4-5,11,24)
The Bible is the ________ reliable and true source of information about the End of the World.
Rule of Thumb: When it comes to Bible Interpretation If the __________ sense makes good sense, seek no other sense.
“Birth pangs” (v. 8) imply: a. Sudden onset b. Increasing frequency c. Magnifying intensity d. Leading to an Exciting ____________! cf. Is. 13:6-11; 1 Th. 5:1-3
The Danger:
The word “mislead” (v. 4) means to ___________ or to lead astray. cf. 2 Tim. 3:1-13; Rev. 12:9; 13:13-14
“The most damning work of Satan is misrepresentation of the Truth and its consequent deception…” J. MacArthur
FYI – Increasing spiritual deception along with decreasing spiritual _________________ is a lethal combination in the “Last Days.”
The Demand:
Demand #1 – __________ Out! The phrase “see to it” (v. 4) is one word in the original language and means “to keep your _____ ______.”
cf. 1 Thess. 5:4-8; 2 Thess. 2:1-10
Demand #2 – __________ Up!
In the parallel account in Luke 21:13-15, Jesus specifically says that these End Time events will lead to an opportunity for your ______________!
cf. Titus 2:11-15; 2 Tim. 4:2-4
History is moving toward a grand & glorious CLIMAX!
cf. Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 19
Practical Application: When studying the End Times…
- Maximize Humility
- Minimize Hostility
- Recognize Authority
Appointments with God
“The TIME is SHORT!”
Monday, June 20th
Meditate upon the Deception of the Devil and his bottom line Goal in the World:
- Revelation 12:7-9; 1 Jn. 5:19; 1 Pet. 5:8
Why do you think that Satan wants to “deceive” the whole world? How does he do this? Pray for God’s Spirit to give you spiritual discernment today!
Tuesday, June 21st
Meditate upon the way that the devil first “deceived” Eve in the Garden of Eden:
- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:12-14
Think about the subtlety of Satan’s deception. Notice the words “Did God really say…” (Gen. 3:1 – NIV). Ask God to show you how you might be being deceived even now.
Wednesday, June 22nd
Meditate upon the ways that the devil tried to deceive Jesus when He was being tempted in the wilderness:
- Matthew 4:1-11
Think about each of the ways the devil tempted Jesus. Pray for God to strengthen you & give you verses from Scripture to withstand Satan’s deception!
Thursday, June 23rd
Meditate upon the way that the Apostle Paul describes Satan in…
- 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
Satan is our “adversary” and yet he is “an angel of light.” This is his “disguise,” so what does this tell us? Talk to God about your total need for His Wisdom and Truth to counteract the lies of the Evil One!
Friday, June 24th
Meditate upon what Jesus said about Satan and his Lies:
- John 8:43-45; 1 Tim. 3:15
Notice the devil is the “father of lies” and the truth is “not in him.” Pray for God’s Truth in the Church!!
Saturday/Sunday, June 25-26
Meditate upon Paul’s description of the Last Days in…
- 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Notice the phrase “deceiving and being deceived”(v. 13). Pray for God to give you a greater hunger for His Word & for the Church to “Preach the Word!!”
[audio:http://www.marshalltownefc.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/24-The-Time-is-Short-Mat.-24_4-8.mp3|titles=24 The Time is Short! (Mat. 24_4-8)]24 The Time is Short! (Mat. 24_4-8)
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