REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“Signs of the Times”

 

ICEBREAKER:  What is your favorite snack?  Be specific (candy, chips, carrots...)

 

DEFINITIONS: 

Eschatology: The study of end time events.

Apocalypse: A prophetic disclosure; a revelation.

 

OUTLINE: Some of the End Time Signs

1. The Knowledge Explosion: Daniel 12:4 – “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”  Just such as explosion has occurred in the last century.  From the Garden of Eden until A.D. 1900, men walked or rode horses just as King David and Julius Caesar did.  In the span of a few years, however, mankind invented the automobile, the jet plane, and the space shuttle.  You can fly from New York to Paris in 3 hours today.  Just think of all the knowledge involved in developing these marvels of modern technology.

 

2. The Rebirth of Israel: May 15, 1948 is a very important date in prophecy.  It was on that day that the United Nations announced that they would formally recognize the state f Israel.  Isaiah 66:8-10 – “Who hath heard such a thing?  Who hath seen such things?  Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?  Or shall a nation be born at once?  For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.  Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?” saith the LORD: “Shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb?” saith thy God.  “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her.”

 

3. The Jews Will Return Home: From A.D. 70, when the Romans attacked Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and set into motion a series of events which resulted in the Diaspora, the Jewish people have been scattered throughout the Mediterranean Basin, and from there throughout the entire world.  They were not in control of their own destiny, nor did they dwell in a homeland of their own until May 15, 1948.  Jeremiah 23:7-8 – “Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.”

 

4. International Instant Communication: Revelation 11:3, 7-10 – “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth....And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.”  Prophecy states that the whole world will, at the same time, be able to see the two witnesses in the streets of Jerusalem.  Television, international satellites, the Internet, and wireless communication are all available.  In this generation we can see any major news story happening anywhere on the globe within seconds of the event.  Virtually the entire world has access to the same information as an event happens. 

 

5. Days of Deception: In Matthew 24 Jesus warned, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (v.4).  Bible prophecy declares that deception will be epidemic on the earth in the terminal generation: “Everyone will deceive his neighbor, and will not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity” (Jeremiah 9:5). 

 

6. Famines and Pestilence: The Bible predicted that we would know famine.  Jesus said that in the latter days “there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7, 8). 

 

7. Earthquakes: Historians of the 15th century recorded 115 earthquakes in various places.  253 earthquakes were recorded in the 16th century.  There were 378 recorded in the 17th century, 640 in the 18th, and 2,119 in the 19th.  The numbers of earthquakes recorded has risen from 2,588 in 1983 to 4,048 in 1992. 

 

8. As in the Days of Noah: Read Matthew 24:36-39.  What characteristics marked the “days of Noah?”  Genesis tells us that man’s wickedness on the earth was very great and that “every intent of the thought of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).  If you open your morning paper at breakfast tomorrow, you’re likely to lose your appetite.  Murders, rapes, kidnapping, assault, child abuse, spouse abuse – these are common headlines for even small town newspapers.  Men are thinking evil all the time.  Just as the floodwaters caught them unaware, so the end of the earth will catch these deceived sleepers.  The Messiah will come, the thread of history will snap, and those who were unprepared will be caught up in the Tribulation, which is to follow. 

 

CONFESSION:  I refuse to be deceived by the spirit of this age.  I believe Jesus will return and I will work to advance Jesus’ Kingdom until He comes or as long as I live. 

 

TEXT:  Matthew 24; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Peter 3:1-14; Hosea 4; Mark 16:16-18

 

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1.    2 Timothy 3:1 says, “Know that in the last days perilous times will come.”  The word perilous means dangerous.  Do you believe the world has become a more dangerous place?  How has the world become a more dangerous place since you were born?

2.    How does 2 Timothy 3:1-7 describe the condition of men during the last days?

3.    In Matthew 24:3 the disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of his coming.  Identify at least seven signs listed in that passage and tell us which one concerns you most. 

4.    Matthew 24:10 describes a progression of bitterness.  First, men would get offended.  Second, they would betray one another.  In other words, talk about them and try to get others on their side.  And third, they would hate one another.  And we all know that extreme hatred leads to murder.  How do you stop that progression in your life?

5.    Hosea 4 is describing a time in the history of Israel.  What similarities, if any, do you see to the condition of our country today?

6.    What needs to change in your life in order to be ready for the coming of the Lord?

7.    In the last week our country has experienced several earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, a hurricane, and a wild fire out west.  What do you think it will take to get our attention that we need God? 

 

PRAISE REPORTS & PRAYER REQUESTS: