The Bible tells us that in the last days of this earth, things will be like they were in the days of Noah (NOE), just before the flood. Let us look at some of these as well, as what Jesus said, signs that would take place just before His return for his people, Matthew 24:37-39. Jesus said that “They did eat, they drank, they married wives, and they were given in Marriage.” We see this more and more everyday. Luke 17:26-27 In Noah’s day so just before Christ return, They married wives. Genesis 6:5 Said "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Look at all the wickedness that people watch on T.V. and go to the movies and pay to watch sin committed. Their mind is not on God. They wine and dine, never thinking God for their blessings. In the next two lessons we will cover a lot on the signs that Christ said would take place just before He comes again. In Luke 17:28-30 it also talks about how things were in the days of Lot, just before Sodom was destroyed, by fire. Things went on as always. They ate, they drink, and they were given in marriage. They bought, they sold, they planted, and they were building. Until the day they were destroyed. Verse 30 "Even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed." Life goes on much like always. This tells us that life goes on much as always until Christ comes, but we can know his coming is near by the signs. Study these next two lessons. Let me know if you have any questions. Memory verse: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matthew 24:14

We will look at some text from The Bible, which talks about the end of this world or as many say “These Last Days.” The Bible has much to say on this subject, we will just touch on a few of them.

1. Let’s go over the words of hope that Jesus gave His Disciples. It was not just words of hope but a promise to all, even down to the end of time. John 14:1–3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I ______ and _________ a place for you, ______ ________ come again, and ___________ you unto myself; that where I _______, _________ ye may be _____________.”

2. So if he will come again, he must have given us some signs, as to show us how close his coming is. He told us how he would return in Acts 1:11. (last part) “This same Jesus, which is ___________ up from you into __________, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into ____________.” So if He comes in like manner then we can know that, He will come down from Heaven with clouds. Read Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7.

3. Jesus knew that because people were looking for his return, there would arise false christs, before time for his coming. Jesus gave us this warning as a sign. Matthew 24:4, 5 (Last part) Take ________ that _____ _______ deceive you. For _________ shall come in ______ _________, saying, I am Christ; and shall _________ many.” Read Matthew 24:11. “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” For this reason He told us to look for His return, to be in the air.

4. When you look at the memory text, you see one of the signs. The Gospel of the kingdom must go to all nations. The iron curtain came down a few years ago, which opened many doors for The Gospel to be preached in Russia. There is still work to be done by all who love Jesus. That is to share The Gospel with others, even those in prison need to hear The Story of Salvation. Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and ________ all nations, baptizing them in the name of the __________, and of the _________, and of the Holy Ghost:” We should teach in the Name of The Father and The Son (Jesus Christ), as well as The Holy Ghost. Some groups Don’t Believe in Jesus.

5. What did Jesus say that would take place in this world? Matthew 24:6 “And ye shall _______ of _______ and ________ of _________: see that ye be not troubled: for all these _________ must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

6. Will there be a world of peace? Matthew 24:7 “For nation shall rise against ___________, and kingdom against _________: and there shall be famines, (Want) and pestilences, (Disease) and earthquakes, in diver’s places.” (Divers, means different or many) These things will take place in many places.

7. Now, let’s look at what Paul writes to Timothy about how things would be in the Last Days. 2 Timothy 3:1–4. How will the social conditions be? “This know also, that in the _______ ________ perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures More Than Lovers of God;” It seems the world is one big whirl of pleasure loving. They run from racing to gambling and then the next day, it is on to some other form of entertainment. But how much time do they take for The Word of God and Prayer?

8. Look at the news every year. The crimes seem to be bigger or worse than the previous year. Look at the school killings. A mother drowns her five children. Abuse by those who should be taking care of them (church leaders). Will this get any better? 2 Timothy 3:13 “But _________ men and __________ shall wax worse and ___________, deceiving, and being ____________.”

9. In Luke it tells us some more about the social conditions. Jesus, Gives a warning in Luke 21:34, “And take ______ to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with 1surfeiting, and 2drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you _____________.” Things we don’t want to find ourselves doing. These things can cause us to forget about our walk with God everyday, and forget about helping others to hear The Gospel News.

(1) What is surfeiting = It is excessive eating and drinking. Overating can cause the mind to not think clear, which makes us lazy.

(2) Drunkenness = Can cause our minds to not think clear, so we can understand The Will of God.

(3) Cares of this life = How to get money, make a living, and how to get the things they want. They are eager for gain and have fear of losses. Blinded by selfishness, they work night and day to get treasures that just pass away. They are drunk with The Intoxicating Cup of Worldliness. Companies encouraging debt and every one use their credit cards to the limit. How many credit cards do they have to the maximum?

10. Look at Enron, the top leaders were looking out for self. The employees that worked there lost everything. What did James say men would heap together in the last days? James 5:3 (Last Part) “Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have _________ _________ together for the last days.” James 5:4 “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your _________, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” The workers were not paid their due.

11. Even Daniel, he has something to say about the end of the world. What will increase? Daniel 12:4. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the ______ of the ________: many shall run to and fro, and ____________ shall be increased.” The time of the end began at, the close of the 1260 year period in 1798. Since then, came the improvement of the printing press. With the printing came the Bible Society, many of them and the Bible were now sent all over the world and The Gospel was spread. Then in the nineteenth century, people ran to and fro, out went Missionaries to different countries. Most everything that is invented has been done since 1798; in technology and in scientific knowledge, as well as the atomic age. What a time of this earth’s history to be living in. It all points to the signs of the end. We must be about there. New signs are appearing every day or so.

12. Let’s look again at Matthew 24:7 “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Verse 8 “All these are the __________ of sorrows.” Verse 9 “Then shall they _________ you up to be afflicted, and shall ________ you: and ye shall be ______ of all nations for my __________ sake.” If we love Jesus and keep His Commandments at the end of time, Christians will be hated and put to death. Read Matthew 5:11, 12. We will be treated as the prophets were in old times. They put Christ to death they will put his followers to death. If you read the news, you will see more and more how Christianity is being put down.

13. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-7 Paul says in verse 2 “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” We know not the day of Christ return; it will come as a thief in the night, if we watch the signs. These signs will help us to know where we are in this Earths History. Read verse 4, we don’t have to be in darkness, for if we study The Bible we are children of the light. We will be awake and not be asleep so that it comes on us unaware. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then __________ destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they ________ not ___________.” But a Christian does not need to fear knowing all these things. God has many promises that He will be with us and care for us. They may kill the body but there is coming a day, when Christ returns for his own, we will be raised from the dead. To go home with Jesus to live forever. Revelation 21:4. I want to be there, I want to meet you there, Face to face. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. James 2:8-13

Lesson 17B

Lesson 19