This teaching is from Matthew 25:31-46 with a review of Matthew 24:3, 30-31 with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

Pastor Dodge opens on the topic of the “Rapture?” Yes, he adds the “?” as his purpose is to plant in our minds’ questions that need to be addressed around the topic of the rapture.

The word rapture is not used in the New Testament, but Pastor takes a look at the teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 in the light of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24:3, 30-31.

Many believers hold to a quiet, unannounced, silent rapture that’s only noticed after people have disappeared and that happens before the tribulation.

The Rapture is a young teaching going back to the 1830s by John Darby who brought forth the teaching of the a Pre-Tribulational Rapture.

Pastor believes in a rapture – but does not believe it will be silent or unseen, nor does he believe it will take place before Jesus’ final appearing.  Why? He bases his view on scripture and draws a comparison between the two sets of verses using some of the original Greek words to impart additional insight that shows both are talking about the same day – the final coming of Christ. – Not a quiet or unobserved coming but rather something all will see and hear. (Take a listen to the teaching for further insight by going to the link below.)

Pastor then moves on with our progression through the book of Matthew by exploring Matthew 25:31-46 – the Parable of the Sheep and Goats.

Pastor shares a personal story that taught him the difference between sheep and goats.  There are physical differences like sheep graze, eating grass and goats are browsers, eating anything and everything. Sheep tails go down, goat tails go up. But there are other significant differences: Goats butt heads to gain control, they go off on their own and are fiercely independent. Sheep view the shepherd as in control, follow him and thrive under his care and put themselves under the authority of the shepherd. As we dig deep into the differences between sheep and goats it becomes very apparent why Jesus chose the illustration of sheep and goats for this parable on His Return.

Now let’s examine the story. The parable tells how when Jesus returns He will separate the goats from the sheep.  Goats to His left and sheep to His right. He separates them not by what they have done but ON WHO THEY ARE and whose they are. The sheep belong to Him, the goats do not.

After the separation, He talks about what each did or did not do showing the difference between those who have received Him as Savor and Lord (sheep) and those who have not (goats). 

Followers of the Lamb
 vs
Those who are followers of the devil 

To those on the right (where the sheep are – the ones who have put themselves under the authority of the Good Shepherd.) Jesus gives them an inheritance, eternal life forever with Him.

To the goats on the left (those who did not hear or heed the Shepherd’s voice) He commands them to depart from Him to eternal punishment.

Noteworthy: Jesus does NOT say, “I know my goats and my goats know me.” He does Not say, “I lay down my life for my goats.” And He does NOT say, “I am the good goatherd.”

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and who laid down His life for His sheep and we, as His sheep, will follow Him.

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First Sunday in Advent – The Great Awakening
Scripture: Luke 1:5-25 and Malachi 4:5-6a  

The season of Advent is a time we prepare to celebrate that Jesus came, but it is also a time we eagerly anticipate that He will return!

When asked about the Great Awakening, people most often mention the The Great Awakening of the 1700s, an awakening that fundamentally changed what would become the United States of America, and imparted America’s destiny and the make up of our country.

But THE Great Awakening Pastor refers to today is the one that far out strips the awakening in the 1700s.

This is THE Great Awakening that started just over 2000 years ago!  And it has completely changed the world!  Pastor suggests that it began in Luke chapter 1 verse 5, that THE Great Awakening began with Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story.

In the Gospel of Luke chapter 1 verses 5-25 we read the story of the coming one who would prepare the way for the Promised One, the Savior, the Messiah.

The Great Awakening
    1.    Started with Zechariah – the priest
    2.    His son, John, would prepare the way for the coming of Jesus
    3.    Jesus Christ – the Messiah, our Savior who is coming back and the One who sent out disciples to the nations is the message of THE Great Awakening.
    4.    The message of Jesus spread throughout all Israel
    5.    Then the message of Jesus went to the Gentile world
    6.    And then all of Israel – the final step of the Great Awakening – is when the Jewish people return to faith in Jesus the Messiah.

Zechariah doubted what the angel was telling him, and yet, God came through with everything the angel announced and in Christ, God fulfilled every promise of a Savior.  Zechariah’s story serves as a reminder of the faithfulness of God even amidst doubt. 

During this season of Advent we joyfully prepare for Christmas and celebrating Jesus’ birth and we also focus our hearts and minds on the anticipation of His return.  

Let us also be encouraged to pray by the power of the Holy Spirit for THE Great Awakening to overwhelm the Jewish people in coming to a knowledge of Jesus the Messiah, their Savior, the Promised One. 

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Luke 14:1-24; “Dinner Disaster”

Today’s story is of Jesus attending a dinner with His enemies – who have an agenda and it’s not a good one. Yet Jesus has a heart even for those who oppose Him. 

Jesus is invited to the house of a prominent Pharisee on a Sabbath day and they are all watching Him. There in front of Him they have placed a very sick man with a serious health condition of being severely swollen. 

Keep in mind: 

• It’s a Sabbath day

• Previously Jesus had done healings on the Sabbath and the synagogue leaders were extremely angry 

• No “work” was to be done on a Sabbath 

• Healings were considered “work” 

Entrapment: 

We can see this sick man placed in front of Jesus, is a set up for entrapment so that they could say Jesus broke the Sabbath by healing someone. 

Jesus recognizes the trap and He addresses it head on saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they did not answer Him, so Jesus healed the man and sent him on his way. They all witnessed it. 

What was that like to see the healing of this very sick man? As the swelling disappears and he goes away whole and healed. No longer critically ill. Can you imagine the murmurs and whispers of the dinner guests? 

Jesus’ concern and love for the lost (including the religious who in reality do not know the Living God) compels Him to take the conversation further because he loves the Pharisees and those that are hostile to Him. 

So Jesus asks them, “If one of you has a child or ox that falls into a well on a Sabbath day will you not immediately pull it out?” And the Pharisees made no response. 

As Jesus looks out over the table where people had worked to get the best seat reclining near the host, He continues with a parable. The summary of the parable is that you don’t go to a party and take the seat of honor, as you’ll just embarrass yourself. The lesson is one of humility before God and man and as Jesus continues the story He speaks these powerful words: “for all those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

Rebuttal: 

Jesus is rebutting their arrogance, their pride, their self-aggrandizement. He’s saying – when you really know the Living God it affects how you behave. Not that we are saved by our behavior – but that when we know the love of God and the forgiveness He offers in Christ Jesus, the Messiah, it changes our behavior. 

When we truly understand how much God loves us and how much Jesus paid to redeem us, that news changes our attitude about ourselves and we realize we bring nothing to the heavenly party. 

It’s not about what I can achieve, it’s about what God offers and therefore my attitude changes and how I act changes and what I think changes. 

The story continues with Jesus challenging the host to not invite friends who will simply reciprocate the invitation to his next party. Rather Jesus says to invite the poor, lame, crippled, and blind and then he will be blessed. Though they can’t repay him for the invitation – Jesus adds that he would be repaid at Chris’s return. 

Diversion: 

A dinner guest attempts to change the subject, clear the air, calm the tensions and says, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” What does Jesus respond with? 

With this profound story about an owner inviting many guests to his banquet. When it was time for the party he sent his servant out to let those who had been invited that it was now time to come.But all invitees had excuses. So the host ordered his servant to bring in the poor, crippled, blind and the lame and after doing so, the servant told the owner there was still room left. So the Master sends out the servant into the country roads to compel more to come so that his house would be full. Jesus ends the story with the owner saying that not one of those who were invited and changed their minds in coming would get a taste of the banquet. 

Jesus is saying this is what’s happened with His own people. The very one God invited rejected God and refused to accept all that He was offering through Jesus. 

These people were religious but they didn’t really have a heart for God. And when you reject Jesus, you reject the Father who sent Him. 

This story is not just for 1st century Israel – these words are for us today. Jesus is telling us that nothing is to get in the way of our relationship with the Living God through faith in Jesus. We are not to allow anything to get in the way of God’s purpose through Christ for each one of us. 

There are eternal consequences to rejecting God’s mercy through Jesus, but God is faithful and works to show them then and us now the consequences of rejecting Him, rejecting the open door to coming to Him, rejecting His love for each of us. 

There is a forever party coming! The joy of life forever in the presence of God! We don’t want to miss the heavenly banquet!

Surrender to the Living God. Jesus is summoning us to Himself. He offers life to all who repent and believe. He desires all to experience the joy of daily following Him. 

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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group Bible study.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

A question: For you is thanksgiving a cultural tradition or a cultivated lifestyle?

If thanksgiving is just a cultural tradition then it all centers around a one day get together and it’s over until next year.

But if thanksgiving is a cultivated lifestyle then it flows out of a living relationship with the Living God and THAT is a really excellent way to live because it leads to a life of genuine purpose that never ends.

Ps 106:1 and 136:1 speaks to the  “never ends.” Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love ENDURES FOREVER!

God is TRULY GOOD!

Psalm 100:4-5 
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Did you know that combined, the terms thank, thankful, thankfulness, thanks and thanksgiving appear in the Bible 150 times!!!

We are called to a cultivated lifestyle of thanksgiving.

Benefits of living in thankfulness:
    ⁃    Faith grows and strengthens
    ⁃    Humility is produced
    ⁃    Contentment is the outcome 

Faith in Jesus Christ produces a humble heart of thankfulness that results in contentment because we know the final victory in Christ is ours – forever with Him!

Colossians 2:6-7 
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

If you have not received Jesus Christ as Lord of your life – today is a good day to claim Him as your Savior!

Be encouraged to live a life of cultivated thanksgiving.  A life of genuine faith that overflows with thankfulness.

Thankfulness comes out of a relationship with the Living God and thankfulness produces even greater faith in the lives of all who trust in Him!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Luke 13:10-17; “Real Meets Ritual”

Jesus is the Real Deal! He is the Messiah. He really desires that we know Him more and more and spend eternity with Him. So what does the Real Jesus have to say to us today? 

Today’s story in Luke tells how Jesus was in a synagogue teaching and there was a woman in attendance that had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years and was bent over and could not straighten up. (Note not possessed by a spirit but crippled by a spirit.) Luke recognizes that there is a spiritual dimension to our world. This was not just a physical illness. 

Jesus does something surprising. He calls the woman to come up to Him. He understands her plight, says, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” The Word of Jesus is a word of power! When He speaks, even the demonic spirits listen! 

He laid His hands on her. Don’t you wonder what that was like to experience the loving hands of Jesus on her? Then she immediately straightened up and praised God because she was healed but also because she understood the Living God, come to earth, spoke a word of power that defeated the 18 years demonic hold. 

How does this story call us today to re-evaluate our worldview and what is real?

Challenge #1

• Will we accept a Biblical or Western worldview? 

Today the Western worldview dominates even within Christian circles. The Bible tells us there is an ongoing spiritual war. There are demons, though not responsible for every difficulty or trial, we are to be discerning, to seek God first, trusting that he is real and can be relied upon. 

We are called to adopt a Biblical worldview and allow the scriptures to guide and direct our thinking, to allow God’s Word to speak into our lives. 

Our God is real and desires to move in real ways in our lives. He is challenging us in the Western world to set aside a ritual understanding of the Christian faith and to adopt a Biblical worldview, to take him seriously. 

Continuing with today’s story – after seeing the miraculous healing (done by Jesus on the Sabbath) the synagogue leaders are angry – Basically, after seeing divine power manifested before them, the leaders’ reaction is that this is not what we do 

in our worship time! The leaders say there are 6 other days in the week for healing, so he told the people to come then, we are not to work (heal) on the Sabbath. Thereby accusing Jesus of sinning by doing the healing on the Sabbath. 

However, Jesus does not let this stand and He says, “You hypocrites! Don’t you each on the Sabbath untie (unbind) your ox and donkey from the stall and walk them to water.” (This was considered work on the Sabbath). Jesus continues, “Then shouldn’t this woman bound 18 years be set free on the Sabbath?” Meaning, they will loosen the bonds on their animals on the Sabbath but then turn around and say it’s wrong to loosen the bonds of this woman on the Sabbath. 

It’s not about the rituals, it’s about encountering the Living God, the Real God who:

Transforms

Heals 

Forgives 

Is gracious and merciful 

And who calls His children to Real Life 

Challenge #2 

• Will we receive and believe the Real Jesus or will we simply go along with the church culture? 

Church culture today says come to church and then go back to life as usual. It says accept yourself the way you are and don’t judge anything or anyone. It says it doesn’t matter what you do – just be happy. Basically it says, give God lip service and then go back to your life. 

This is not what God calls us to – His message is a message of truth and it is life changing! When we receive Him as Savior our lives are forever changed. We too are delivered like the woman bound by the demonic spirit we are delivered from demonic spirits, demonic teachings and demonic beliefs. 

Jesus is asking us to move beyond a mere church culture and recognize Him for who he is, our Savior, Healer, Deliverer, our Lord, the One who frees us from the bonds of sin, death and the devil and gives instead Life and Hope! 

Today our culture calls truth evil and lies good. Jesus is asking us to turn our back on that kind of culture and instead to hear His voice calling us to Himself. 

He calls us from ritual to relationship! 

He does the miraculous: 

Redeems 

Restores 

Renews

And He offers Real Life! 

Check out our website – everything we offer is FREE!! https://www.awakeusnow.com

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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group Bible study.

Check out this episode!

This teaching is from Matthew 24:36-25:30.

We pick up today’s class with Jesus and His teaching on His Second Coming.  In these opening passages of today’s text we hear Jesus’ encouragement to not let the day of his final appearing catch us unaware. We can’t know the day or the hour of His return but, we CAN know Him!  We can’t know the time of his return but we CAN know the importance of living by faith in Him.  So multiple times Jesus encourages us to KEEP WATCH and to BE AWAKE to His return.

Next Jesus shares three parables all having to do with His return and us being ready – awake – when He comes.

1 – Owner and Thief – Jesus’ coming is unexpected
2 – Wise and Wicked – Jesus’ coming is sooner than expected
3 – Ten Virgins – Jesus’ coming is later than expected.

These three parables again speak to the fact that we just do not know when He will return so we need to be always be ready for His return!

After these three parables about being ready for His return, Jesus tells a parable: “Bags of Gold (often called Talents of Gold) from Matthew 25:14-30.

The story is of a Master entrusting His wealth to 3 of His servants. Each is given a different amount and then the Master goes on a journey. The servant that received 5 bags of gold puts his money to work and gains 5 more bags and the same thing for the servant given 2 bags of gold, he doubles his as well. But the man who received 1 bag dug a hole in the ground and hid the money.  Then after a long time the Master returned and settled the accounts with the 3 servants.

Servants 1 and 2 each received these words from the Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is what we each want to hear from God – that we used what He gave us wisely.  The parable continues with the Master inviting them saying, “Come! Share in your Master’s happiness! (Eternal Life forever with Him).

We are to live by faith – serving and honoring God. We are not saved because we serve and honor Him – rather we serve and honor Him because we are saved through Jesus.

With the third servant who hid the gold – this servant said, “I know you are a hard Master so I was afraid and hid your gold, but here’s what you originally gave me.” (This is not a true statement by this 3rd servant.  God’s character is one of goodness, He is pure, holy, just, faithful, true and loving.)  This servant did not live by faith but was instead hard-hearted. The Master replies to him, “You wicked, lazy servant,” and this servant’s gold was given to the servant with 10 bags of gold and that 3rd servant was thrown into the darkness.

Jesus is returning and there is judgement – either to eternity with Him or to eternity without Him.

With Him forever is what we want – so be encouraged to serve Him with your eyes on Jesus, and eagerly anticipating His return!

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Scripture: Revelation 12:11, Romans 9:10, Acts 21-26.

Pastor opens and closes today’s teaching with Revelation 12:11 and everything in-between these bookends focuses on the goodness of God through Jesus and the power and impact of our testimonies. Here’s Revelation 12:11, “They triumphed over him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb (Christ Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

Testimony – What’s your testimony? The Bible teaches if we confess Jesus is Lord with our mouth and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. (Romans 9:10)

Let’s learn from Paul – Paul continually was sharing his testimony of what Jesus had done in his life.

In today’s chapters of Acts we follow Paul as he gives his testimony to:
        An angry crowd at the temple in Jerusalem
        The Jewish high counsel in Jerusalem
        The Jewish high counsel in Caesarea
        The Roman governor Felix
        The Roman governor Festus
        The Jewish King Agrippa and his Sister Princess Bernice

Paul’s testimony: He shares how he lived as a Pharisee and opposed the teaching of Jesus, and on the authority of the chief priests imprisoned those believing in Jesus and supported many being put to death. But then his story changes as he tells of being on the Damascus Road when a bright light blinded him and a voice from heaven spoke to him saying, “I am Jesus, who you are persecuting.”

God broke into Paul’s life and Jesus told him, “I am sending you to them (the Gentiles) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26:17b-18)

As Paul goes on with his testimony he shares how God had helped him share the Gospel message of Jesus’ suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and return. Jesus is the Light to all. In Him alone is life forever and forgiveness.

Paul’s personal testimony shared over and over and over again is an encouraging example for us to do the same.

Personal Testimony – it is something we want to share – a declaration of what God has done in our own lives. Like Paul, our testimonies impact the lives of those we share it with.

Pastor Dodge shares his personal testimony.

If you have not ever written down your testimony or bullet pointed it we encourage you to do so! When we are prepared, it helps us share more confidently and boldly!

In closing, Pastor encourages us to be bold with our own testimonies and to watch what God can do as we overcome the enemy through the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and the word of our testimonies. (Revelation 12:11)

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Luke 10:38-42; the story of Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by tasks and activities, but Jesus says that what really matters, what really lasts, is knowing Him and listening to Him.

Jesus came to the village of Bethany where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. Martha invited Jesus and those with Him into their home. As Jesus taught them, Mary sat at his feet listening to what he said. 

Observation: Every time Mary is mentioned in the Bible she is at Jesus’ feet. 

Mary longed to be near Jesus and to listen to His voice and to internalize His goodness, His mercy and His love. At Jesus’ feet listening is where we want to be, too. Sitting at His feet listening closely to what He’s saying develops our relationship with Him. 

Do we desire to be at Jesus’ feet? Are we ready to hear what He has to say to us and how He longs to pour into us His love, mercy and goodness and how He longs to give us guidance and direction. 

Martha was distracted by the preparations that needed to be made for having guests in the house and she said to Jesus, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 

Many look at this story and condemn Martha – but Martha is a devout believer and she makes one of the most powerful declarations of Jesus’ identity found in the gospels. In John 11:27 she says, “Lord, I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God who has come into the world.” Martha understood that Jesus is the fulfillment of everything the prophets foretold. 

Yet we can learn from Martha: she is upset and angry. Have you ever been in Martha’s spot? She goes to Jesus, not her sister. 

Martha is obviously an outspoken person. There is nothing wrong with being outspoken. But what matters most is speaking ONLY what God would have us speak. 

Even with Martha’s words to Jesus about her sister, Jesus responds kindly: “Martha, Martha, You are worried about many things, but few things are needed – indeed only one. Mary has chosen better and it will not be taken from her.”

There’s no rebuke here, but Jesus does go to the heart of the issue and the issue is Martha’s heart. She wanted to be a good hostess but that wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was listening to Jesus and getting to know Him even more. 

Observation: What matters is knowing Jesus and listening to Him. 

It’s not about how much we’ve achieved, how much we’ve accomplished. It’s not about how well organized we are, how busy we have been and not about how successful we are. What matters is knowing Jesus and listening to Him. 

John 10:14 Jesus says, “My sheep know Me.” 

John 10″27-28 “My sheep listen to My voice, they follow Me. No one will take them from Me.” 

It is one thing to know what Jesus did, but it’s another thing to believe He did it for me. That’s true faith! 

It’s easy to become distracted with things that have no abiding value or to concentrate on things that are important but not paramount. What the Bible tells us is above all else seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be given. 

The story of Mary and Martha gives us a real life picture of listening to Jesus and getting to know Him and putting that into practice. Jesus desires ALL of us to have a close enduring relationship with Him. 

Are we working on our relationship with Jesus? 

Are we spending time in His presence or is he an after-thought? Are we receiving what He wants to give us or are we like Martha and upset about so many other things? 

Pastor shares a book reference: “God’s Favorite Place On Earth” by Frank Viola. The book addresses the difficulties of life and addresses when we feel betrayed by people and how God allows these times so that He can strengthen and mold us and to teach us to rely on Him as never before. 

Another point the author makes in the book is admitting he was often like Martha busy trying to get things done, but he says, “I learned how to work for God. Then I learned how to work with God. Finally, I learned how to watch God work!” Frank Viola

This story teaches us that life’s not about being busy for God and life’s not about learning ABOUT Him. It’s actually about knowing Him personally, it’s about watching Him move in powerful ways as we sit at His feet. It’s the best place to be!!! 

Check out our website – everything we offer is FREE!! https://www.awakeusnow.com 

Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper 

Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 

St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group Bible study.

Check out this episode!

This teaching is from Matthew 24:29-39

We continue our study of Jesus’ Mount Olivet Discourse with the verses in Matthew 24: 29-30 with the return of Jesus “coming on the clouds”* in power and glory. Coming on the clouds is referenced in Revelation 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him…”  (There will be no doubt when Jesus returns!!)

Coming on the clouds is also referenced in Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.”* 

As people begin to understand what Jesus is saying they will realize that what is written in the Old Testament refers to Jesus!

Pastor circles back to some words from last week’s teaching and shares further about the “abomination that causes desolation.” Matthew 24:15 “”So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand.” 

We take a look at some events that could be considered the abomination that causes desolation.  
    •    Antiochus Epiphanes (167BC) This event would probably have come into the disciples minds when Jesus said abomination that causes desolation. This Syrian king conquered Jerusalem and desecrated the temple by building an altar to zeus and sacrificing pigs on it. This lead to a great revolt by the Maccabees who threw out the Syrians and cleaned the temple.
    •    Gaius Caligula (40AD) ordered a statue of himself to be set up in the temple at Jerusalem but before it could be done Gaius died.
    •    Zealots in Winter (67/68 AD) during this revolt against Rome, zealots took over the temple and used it as their headquarters.
    •    The Romans siege (70AD) when the temple and Jerusalem were destroyed (discussed last week).
These all either were or could be the abomination that causes desolation.

As we see in the Bible there are repeated themes and events:
-God’s people turn away from Him
-judgement comes
-God intervenes to save His people
-His people rejoice
-then they turn away from Him
-God steps in to save His people
-His people rejoice 
-then they turn away from Him
-it brings judgement on them
-then He rescues them

With this repeating theme we see that there could also be a
    •    Future Event (? AD) and the reader will also still need to “understand” what Jesus is talking about.

Matthew 24:31-33 We are tasked to learn the lesson that as we see all these signs of the times that Christ’s return is ever nearer.

He is coming soon!

As we continue with our reading of today’s verses we read that no one knows the day and hour of Jesus’ return.  As in Noah’s day when people were eating and drinking and knew nothing until the flood came, so it will be when Christ returns – many will be found unprepared.

SO THEREFORE BE AWAKE AND READY FOR CHRIST’S RETURN!

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How do we know what God’s will is?

Our Acts story continues: Paul leaves Miletus for Jerusalem and stays at the house of Philip the Evangelist.

A couple days after Paul arrives at Philip’s home a prophet named Agabus comes to visit Paul. Agabus takes Paul’s belt, wraps it around his own hands and feet and says, “The Holy Spirit says, “In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.” The people gathered in Philip’s home pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem after they heard this word, but Paul responds, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart. I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Paul makes it clear that he is willing to risk his life to give glory to His Lord, Jesus Christ.

In Acts 21:14, we read that when the group could not dissuade him they gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

The Holy Spirit had given Paul a warning through Agabus – that he would be captured by the Jewish leaders and then turned over to the Gentiles.

So this is the question: Was Paul disobedient when he decided to go on to Jerusalem? Were the words of the Holy Spirit a warning to say do not go to Jerusalem or could they perhaps be words of warning meant to prepare Paul for what was coming? Could these words be asking Paul’s obedience in going to Jerusalem but God in His goodness is giving Paul a heads up of what he will suffer for Christ’s sake in obeying.

Theologians are split on this but here are some reasons to see Paul’s decision to go on to Jerusalem as being obedient. We will use Bible texts:

        Acts 9:15-16 – from Paul’s conversion story we hear God tell Ananias that Paul will be a chosen instrument to proclaim God’s name to many and God goes on to say, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Paul as Saul had caused many believers to suffer, but as a transformed believer in Jesus – Paul would come to see that suffering would come into his life over and over again. (Beaten, ship wrecks, jailed, and many more difficulties) these were all part of Paul’s life. Paul understood suffering.

        Acts 20:22-23 – When Paul had announced to the leaders in the Miletus meeting that it was time for him to move on, he said, “I am COMPELLED by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are ahead.”

He already knew that difficulties were ahead. The Holy Spirit had already warned him, nonetheless he says he was compelled. This text speaks nothing from God about NOT going – only that ahead were hardships.

        Acts 23:11 – Several chapters after today’s text, Jesus speaks to Paul, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.”

These are more warning words – no correction for disobedience, but rather kindness and encouragement for Paul – Take Courage! The Lord says! These words are words of kindness to prepare Paul for what more is to come.

What we can learn from Paul:
        Comfort is NOT job #1. Comfort is not our primary focus.
        Obedience IS job #1. We are not saved by obedience, but by the death and resurrection of Jesus our Savior. Saved by and through Him alone, by grace. However, when we know Him – we desire to follow Him. Salvation leads us to obedience.
        God’s glory is paramount – What matters MOST is that our glorious God receives glory in each of our lives. In thanks and gratitude for what the Savior bought for us (life forever with God) and so we give Him glory with our lives in response to His gift of salvation to us.
        God’s plan is incredible – our destiny is to be made new – transformed with glorified bodies with Christ forever.

As a result of Paul going to Jerusalem he
        WAS ACCUSED FALSELY
        WAS ATTACKED
        HIS LIFE WAS ALMOST TAKEN
        HE WAS PUT IN CHAINS
        SOME PLOTTED TO KILL HIM
        HE WAS JAILED FOR 2 YEARS
        THEN SENT BY SHIP BACK TO ROME AS A PRISONER TO APPEAR BEFORE THE EMPEROR

But look at what happened as a result of Paul going to Jerusalem – Paul’s Gospel testimony went to:
        Huge temple crowds
        Sanhedrin
        2 governors
        King Agrippa
        Emperor Nero

So to the question: Did Paul disobey by going to Jerusalem? Will we see the Holy Spirit warning as God’s way of giving Paul the strength for what was going to happen in Jerusalem, because God wanted to use Paul’s difficulties to get the Gospel message to many who otherwise may not have heard. 

As Paul walked faithfully before God, God used his faith in remarkable ways. 

God uses our faithful walk before Him in remarkable ways as well.

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