British-Israel's Bible Study Course
Lesson Five
When the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity, the temple was rebuilt. Five hundred years later it was reconstructed under Herod, and this was the temple of Christ's day. Although inferior to the magnificent temple built by Solomon centuries before, this newly rebuilt temple was the most sacred building on earth to the Jews and the pride of their nation. When Jesus predicted its utter destruction, you can imagine the antagonism and animosity that it stirred up among Christ's enemies. It even alarmed His own followers!
1. As soon as the disciples were alone with Christ, what did they ask showing that they linked the destruction of Jerusalem with the end of the world? Matthew 24:3 (NT 25 [181) _________________________________________
Apparently the disciples thought that the destruction of the temple and the end of the world would occur at the same time. In his reply Christ outlined events from that time until the second coming of Christ. Verses 6-12 list some of the signs that Jesus said would precede the fall of Jerusalem; verse 14 predicts the spread of the gospel by His followers. The disciples and the early church, under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit, went forth to conquer the world for Christ. By A.D. 65 the then known civilized world had heard the good news of salvation through Christ. Paul said the gospel had been preached to everyone in his day (Colossians 1: 23, NT 177 [1391 ).
2. What sign did Jesus give that would indicate when the destruction of the city was at hand? Luke 21:20 (NT 76 [591)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
The city of Jerusalem was surrounded by the Roman armies in A.D. 66. After a period of time the army withdrew and the Christians, recognizing the sign given by Christ (Matthew 24:15-20, NT 25 [18, 191) fled the city and did not return. In A.D. 69 the Romans returned, and destroyed the city in A.D. 70. Nearly a million people died or were sold into slavery at that time, but not a single Christian died. They watched for the sign Christ had given and obeyed His instructions. The temple was burned to the ground as Christ had foretold (even though the soldiers had orders not to destroy it). Christ foresaw the future and outlined it to His followers so that they could be saved.
3. How long did Christ say that Jerusalem would be trodden down? (verse 24)____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Old Jerusalem and the temple site has been occupied largely by the Gentile nations until 1967 when the Jews took possession of it in a "lightning victory." This portion of Christ's prophecy was fulfilled in our day!
4. What did Jesus call the period of trouble that His people would experience after the fall of Jerusalem? Matthew 24:21 (NT 25 [191)____________________________________________________________________________
After Jerusalem's destruction the fires of persecution were kindled. Christians were driven from their homes and great numbers sealed their testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned and ignorant, were alike slain without mercy. These persecutions began under Nero and continued with greater or less fury for many centuries.
1.SIGNS IN THE NATURAL WORLD
1. What three unusual sights in the heavens were foretold as signs of the end?
(verses 29, 30). Compare with Joel 3:15 (OT 717 [559]) and Revelation 6:12-14(NT
216 [1711).
The sun
____________________________________________________________________________________
The moon
__________________________________________________________________________________
The stars____________________________________________________________________________________
2. What would be the next event after these signs in the heavens? Mark 13: 26 (NT 46 [35])_____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. SIGNS IN THE POLITICAL WORLD
1. How does the Bible describe the spirit of war that will characterize the last
days? Revelation 11:18 (NT 219 [173] ) "And the nations
were________________________________________"
Joel 3:9, 10 (OT 717 [5591 ) "Prepare__________wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; ... Beat your plowshares into________________and your pruninghooks into______________let the weak say______________
Joel 2:30 (OT 717 [5591) "1 will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and_______________________________________________________
The Hebrew word for this expression is timroth. The Hebrew lexicon defines it as "a column or pillar of smoke that spreads out at the top like a palm tree"! Ever hear of a "mushroom-like" cloud? God was not taken by surprise when man invented nuclear fission-He predicted it!
1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NT 181 [143]) "When they shall say,__________________________________ then, ______________
__________________________________________cometh upon them."
Everyone wants peace; nobody wants war. Yet it seems that no sooner is one war under control when another breaks out. Ever try holding three beach balls under the water at once? That's the way it is with wars. Squelch one, and another bobs to the surface.
3.SIGNS IN THE SOCIAL WORLD
1. List several characteristics of society in the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1-3,13
(NT 187 [1481) Men shall be_________________" (verse 2).
They shall also be (1)_________________________(2)_____________________________(3)_____________________
(4)___________________ to parents (5) without___________________(6)____________________________(7)______________(8)______________________________etc.
"Evil men and seducers shall wax __________________and ________________" (verse 13).
Says Alvin Toffler, author of the best seller, Future Shock,
"Conventional marriage may be dying, which is why homosexual daddies, group
marriage and polygamy could be the wave of the future."
Sodom and Gomorrah and the world of Noah's time are examples of the condition
that is to exist just prior to Christ's coming (Matthew 24:37-39, NT 26 [191 ).
Both were destroyed because of their wickedness and immorality. One evangelist
has said, "If God allows things to go on much longer as they are, He will have
to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." In many cities there are housing
developments where gate passes are the only way of getting past armed watchmen
at the entrances. People are afraid. Surely earthly inhumanity and wickedness
have just about reached their limits!
There is no question about what God thinks of this mounting tide of
permissiveness, pornography, and other kinds of filthiness in our age: "But
fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named
among you.... For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolator, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God" (Ephesians 5:3-5, NT 172 [1361 ).
4.SIGNS IN THE ECONOMIC WORLD
1. What picture of social unrest and economic injustice does James paint of the last days? James 5:1-7 (NT 201 [1591) ______________________________________________________________________________________
Since the turn of the century we have seen mounting tension between capital and labor. Almost daily we read accounts of new strikes. Many are amassing wealth while millions are starving to death. Since the dispute between management and labor will not end until Jesus comes, the Christian is urged to be patient until that time (verse 8).
5.SIGNS IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD
1. List six outstanding signs in the religious world during the last days. 2
Timothy 3:4 (NT 187 [148]) "Lovers of _____________________________________
(verse 5) "
Having
a_______________________________________________________________________
but denying the
_________________________________________________________________
Luke 18:8 (NT 73 [56]) Lack of
____________________________________________________
Matthew 24:12 (NT 25 [18]) Lack of
________________________________________________
2 Peter 3:3,4 (NT 207 [1631) "There shall come in the last
days__________________________
... saying, Where is the promise of
__________________________________________________?"
The "everlasting gospel" will be preached to_________________________________________" Revelation 14:6, 7(NT 220 [1741)
The next event will be the second coming: "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle" (Revelation 14:14, NT 221 [174) ).
6. SIGNS IN THE SCIENTIFIC WORLD
In what graphic words did the ancient prophet Daniel depict today's runaway
technology? Daniel 12:4 (OT 708 [5521) "Many shall,
_________________________________and shall be
_______________________________________
Prophecy is unfolding before our eyes as we see jets streaking
across the heavens. Mankind is surely running to and fro. Knowledge is
increasing so rapidly that it doubles in less than ten years-we can't even keep
our textbooks up to date!
Why do you suppose God held back the discovery of nuclear fission, the piercing
of outer space, the speed of jets and rockets, the tampering with the very
secrets of life, until our present day? Why did God restrict us to the speed of
Abraham and blind the minds of men to His secrets until this uncanny twentieth
century? When we think it over, we can see that He could not have done
otherwise. How could He permit men to discover the building blocks of His power,
and tamper with the ignition of life itself, until He was about to return to
this planet and say, "Ladies and gentlemen, it's closing time!" Do we need any
stronger evidence that we are living on the very verge of His coming?
TIME IS RUNNING OUT! HOW CAN WE BE READY?
Do you still find it hard to believe that Christ could come in our day? It's so
easy to say, "It can't happen here! It can't happen now!" But remember
Pompeii-and Pearl Harbor-and the days of Noah! They thought it couldn't happen.
They thought it wouldn't happen. But it did. And they were not ready.
Time is running out. Jesus is coming back-and soon. This jittery, explosive
planet is literally wired for His return. But that doesn't need to be bad news.
It need not panic the heart.
1. If we are prepared for Christ's return, what will be our attitude as we get
closer to it? Luke 21:27, 28 (NT 77
[591)________________________________________________________________________________________________
Does that sound like bad news? Does it sound like doomsday? No! Jesus was the bearer of the best possible news! He was talking about rescue from a doomed planet! He was talking about the solution of all our problems, if-if we are ready. That's the only important question. God is ready. This old worn-out planet is ready. But, are we ready? Everything is ready except the people, except you and me. Let us determine-in the strength of the Mighty One-to be ready for that day.
2. What warning did Jesus give so that we won't be caught by
surprise when He comes? (verse
34)__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What should we do so we may be accounted worthy to escape the things which
will soon come upon the earth? (verse
36)__________________________________________________________________________________
Thought questions:
Why do you think God gave us signs to indicate the nearness to Christ's second
coming?____________________________________________________________________________________________
How do you feel about the events that are taking place today?
________________________________________
Is it your desire to be ready for Christ's
coming?____________________________________________________