Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
Dear Herma,
Yes i am grateful to God that the Lord did not keep us in the dark as to his second coming and how we need to be ready and prepared individually. The fact that deception was mentioned in Matthew 24 shows that the Lord wants us to be alert and watchful and he spoke to his disciples then physically and he is still speaking to us individually through his word today. This explains further to me that his manner of coming will be personal and we will all recognise him personally when he appears.
Bola Ogedengbe.
Dear Richard,
I agree that it will not be impossible for the Lord to appear at once at both the eastern and western hemispheres at once because he is omnipotent and we cannot box him in what we understand has reality and possibility. This thought reinforces the point on his sudden coming that it will be at an hour when we least expect and therefore we should be watchful and ready. If he were to appear at the East or West first, who would know that or if he were to appear at both hemispheres at once who will know this? That means every one needs to be ready wherever you are.
Bola Ogedengbe
My view on the manner of Jesus’ return was that it will be suddenly, that is unexpectedly. Also i believed that it will be visible for all to see. I would not have listed his manner of second coming under five headings like this lesson has done. This is because i would have see his visible return as also physical as it means the same thing to me. However, i would not have also articulated that his coming would be glorious even though this is a fact as well. Therefore this lesson has helped to break down the scriptures used as references such as Matthew 24:30-39, Mark 13:26 and Acts 1:11. The fact that Paul mentioned Jesus’ second coming in several epistles became more glaring in this lesson to me as well.
My views have not changed but i can say that this lesson has helped me to articulate the manner of his second coming much better.Bola Ogedengbe.
Dear Tamilarasi,
In response to your comment on Herma’s post i want to agree that things are going to get from bad to worse in deed. In reference to Matthew 24 when we learnt about the Olivet Discourse, it is clear that the condition of the world, the church and the people will get worse and we are all witnesses to the fact that RIGHT is now ABNORMAL and WRONG is now the new NORMAL. This is a summary of one of the key signs of the end time DECEPTION.Bola Ogedengbe.
Dear Richard,
Yes I agree on your comment that recent movies depicting the end time have been very imaginative and scary enough that i will add that even believers have been awakened to the reality of not slumbering in our pilgrims walk with the Lord. Some of these movies were directed and produced secular.
Likewise we have had Christian movies that have impacted believers and unbelievers alike. My wish is that more Christian movies will become viral and be shared by Christians via various social media platforms in order to share the gospel more swiftly.
In addition to your comment on preparation for the Lord’s coming we should all be ready to meet him on a daily basis by keeping our personal lamp burning (Matthew 25: 1-13). And not get carried away into theological debates about what, when and how of his return which could be any time.Bola Ogedengbe.
From my personal observations of watching via media, movies and fictions, there is a sense of urgency and concerns around global warming and climate changes, rise in crime and uncertainty in various places with severe social media platforms such as YouTube show casing some of these changes.
From my judgement of watching some of these events and concerns, it is clear that there is ongoing global disasters going on in various places in very unusual ways around the globe and this is increasing restlessness in every man’s heart.The most recent is the COVID 19 pandemic across the world which has raised the consciousness of every man to a new order of living and doing things such as cashless societies. In fact, the world has become so unpredictable now that strange weathers are occurring in unusual places upon the earth.
My thoughts on all these is that the whole world has become a global village as social media platforms have grown astronomically during this recent pandemic and brought information into all homes including the gospel which was preached more via social media platforms. This period reminded me of a Christian movie about the rapture and end time which I watched many years ago.I think that as Christians we should respond to climate change in view of the scriptures we have learnt from this lesson taken from 2 Peter 3:10-12 and Revelations 6: 12-14 and know that things are only going to get progressively worse.
Bola Ogedengbe.
Hi Ajit Moses,
Thank you for your thoughts shared on the Jehovah Witnesses(JWs). Truly there are so many false doctrines, teachings and groupings out in our world now that look like Christ but they are not. One of them is the JWs of which i have direct experience with my sister who got married to a JW and she became a different person in a not so good way. They rarely and hardly relate to the whole family. My sister has been pulled away because of the doctrines. They appear Godly but the have no love for you or even Christ as long as you are not part of them. The name Jesus is rarely mentioned in their teachings. I am praying that my sister will have a fresh encounter with Christ with her family as the days are getting shorter for Christs’ return.Bola Ogedengbe
Hi Ajit Moses,
Thank you for your thoughts shared on the Jehovah Witnesses(JWs). Truly there are so many false doctrines, teachings and groupings out in our world now that look like Christ but they are not. One of them is the JWs of which i have direct experience with my sister who got married to a JW and she became a different person in a not so good way. They rarely and hardly relate to the whole family. My sister has been pulled away because of the doctrines. They appear Godly but the have no love for you or even Christ as long as you are not part of them. The name Jesus is rarely mentioned in their teachings. I am praying that my sister will have a fresh encounter with Christ with her family as the days are getting shorter for Christs’ return.Hello Prem Kumar Lee,
I agree with you on your comments that Antichrist could be those groups preaching various heresies on Christ, but I am more inclined to think that Islam is one of the biggest heresies. This is because generally Muslims see Christ as a prophet but denies him doggedly as the son of God. Perhaps Mohammed may have started off has a christian and for whatever reason left the faith, not agreeing to how God can have a son when he’s not married and how will the son now be the way, the truth and the life to God as no one can come to the father except through him. This is nothing but Antichrist.Bola Ogedengbe.
I have noticed several activities of Antichrist in different scenarios but there is one I recall which happened at my work place. A Muslim colleague is granted permission to go to the mosque during office hours to pray on a Fridays, but when a christian request to be off duty on a Sunday, in order to attend church, access is denied with a flimsy excuse. This subtle activity of Antichrist buttresses the fact that the Antichrist will not want Jesus to be worshipped and organisational and societal structures and systems are working against the practice of Christianity especially in this case.
My opinion is that this subtle activity can be responded to by boldly addressing the matters of fundamental human rights. Also,i would like to suggest that any believer in this situation should not be deterred, but follow through like Daniel did in Daniel 6:10 and see what God can do to defend you.Bola Ogedengbe
Hi Tamilarisi
I like your comment on the danger of doing ministry and not depending on the Lord to help us. The early Church after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit continued to meet for prayers. As recorded in Acts 3, Peter and John went to the Temple to pray about three o clock in the afternoon. On that day a lame man that was a regular attendee by the Temple gate begging for alms got healed as the Holy Spirit came upon Peter that day. The scripture records that people saw the miracle and the man himself began to praise God. Oh how we cannot get away from prayers to see revival and conversion of souls in this last days.
Bola Ogedengbe.
Hi Richard
I agree with you that most of the “present day churches” are preaching other “good news” like prosperity gospel which went into overdrive some few years back so that people came into the church just to get blessed and getting saved was pretentious. There are mixed multitude in the church but the Lord had spoken about this in his day. It is important that the church returns back to how the foundation was laid by the Apostles in the book of Acts. Waiting to be endued with power through prayers and maintaining a prayerful lifestyle so as to remain constantly filled by the Holy Spirit. This will enable us to boldly share the good news.
The church needs to be cleaned up and ready for the Lord’s return.Bola Ogedengbe
My personal involvement in Evangelism started immediately after my conversion as far back as 1986. I did not need anyone to tell me then the first sign was to preach the gospel according to Matthew 28:16-20. The fire in me which is the Holy Spirit enabled me to share unashamedly the good news because my life was totally transformed so to witness was not a problem. As I became planted in a church and began to attend Bible classes, I began to understand then that it was expected of me to share the gospel. I was privileged to lead the evangelism team and share the Word in open space. Some of this was my initiative with friends and associates. By the grace of God i have had some opportunities to share the gospel in another continent and still do when the opportunity surfaces. I keep the passion and attend evangelism outreach in my local church.
To speed up the coming of the Lord we need to wake up from our spiritual slumber and be prepared for the Lord’s coming. Remembering he said that he is coming for a Church without spots and wrinkles. This should inform our commitment and dedication and passion to devote ourselves to prayers for revival and actively by our lifestyles and service at a local church assembly be prepared.Bola Ogedengbe
Hi Herma,
Thank you for the way you have summarised this lesson on Matthew 24. it clearly shows your understanding better as you already stated.
Your conclusion about why Jesus was giving the prophesy was clearly articulated in the points you raised. For instance, the importance of understanding the scriptures, ( partly why we are learning through this medium), To be aware of false teachings, standing firm in faith,and not been deceived by false prophets. The most important point is to be READY as a disciple. We need to be aware of the danger of getting distracted with various school of thoughts or interpretations of scriptures as this can be very subtle too.Bola.
Hi Suresh,
Thank you for your contribution which i can relate to. I agree that segregating Matthew 24 into bit size from the teaching has helped to give a clearer understanding of the second coming of Jesus. For instance, distinguishing the various conditions of the world, Church and the people made the reading enjoyable. Prior to this teaching, they were all lumped together. Differentiating them to me means that i can study more and broaden my understanding.
Furthermore, focusing on what Jesus is saying to us as regards readiness and preparation for his return is of utmost importance to us even now that most of the signs are already happening right before us. Hence our focus on Jesus and doing the work he has called us to do, not loosing sight of our own readiness is my lesson from this chapter. -
AuthorPosts
