Title: Teachings of the End Times/Matthew 24
These are the phenomena that appeared as Jesus foretold the signs of the last days during his lifetime. Matthew 24 says, “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Many will arise and deceive many, and the love of many will grow cold because iniquity will increase.”
I haven't read it, but 2 Timothy 3:1 tells us that in the last days the time of suffering will come. This is because Satan knows that his end is not far away, so he tries to delay the judgment time as much as possible, so that he makes people sin, and he tries to hinder God's work of redemption by causing various cults to block the spread of the gospel. will be Therefore, people become more and more selfish, and it becomes difficult to find love for others. It is also said that our faith in God gradually grows colder, and we come to oppose the truth of the gospel of Christ.
This is well shown in the phenomena that appear in the last days recorded from verse 2, and all these events are caused by Satan's manipulation from behind. That is why verse 12 says that those who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Here, 'godliness' refers to both Christian faith and righteous living, and not to stain oneself with the world. Regarding this, James 2:27 says: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
But do we have persecution today? Have you ever been imprisoned or killed just because you believe in Jesus? There is no such thing. However, it is important to know that Satan is trying to prevent us from living a godly life by means other than persecution. They changed the way because they saw that the more they persecuted, the more vigorous the church and the farther the gospel was preached. Rather, it disturbs our religious life by making it more comfortable. Advances in science and technology and economic leeway have moved Christians to worldly pleasures rather than churches. For this reason, it is also true that there is a lot of controversy about the five-day work week system.
And Satan hinders godly faith through culture. New Age culture through movies and music has a great impact, especially on young people who are growing up. Thus, persecution, not persecution, continues to prevent us from living a godly life in Christ Jesus.
Satan, who has broken the relationship with God by cleverly deceiving and tempting Adam and Eve, deceives and tempts us as children of God today. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Why are you looking? The devil, who knows that he will perish in the last days, does not want to perish alone. That is why they are trying to somehow destroy the human beings who are loved by God. For this, there are seduction weapons that Satan often uses.
The first is 'everyone does' (to generalize)
The second is 'just once' (only this time)
Third, 'Is this a big sin?'
We must not be deceived by Satan who deceives and deceives us.
Today's text tells us that the secret to living a godly life in the midst of Satan's interference and temptation in the last days is only in the Bible.
Jewish religious education is 'shema' education. Israel, listen! Deuteronomy 6:6-9 “These words I am commanding you today shall be kept in your heart, and you will teach them diligently to your children, and you will preach these words when you sit at home, when you go on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. You shall tie it to your wrist as a sign, and put it between your forehead as a sign, and write it on the doorpost of your house and on the outside door." Timothy knew the Bible from a young age because of the religious education he received from his maternal grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. , I learned the word of truth from my teacher, Paul. Paul asks Timothy to learn the word of God and abide in the things he is sure of. The word 'remain' means "to remain in that state to the end." Studying the Bible is not a one-time thing. You can't put a period to say you've learned everything. It should always go on. Because the Bible is infinite. It is a book that contains the great will of God, but how can we understand it all with our human narrow knowledge?
Among the T.V programs, there is a program called Radio Review. When you explain something from a child's point of view, the cast is a pro who guesses the object, and one child once explained it this way. What would be the answer to that question, "It's small, but it's all in it"? The answer was 'seed'. The explanation that the seeds are small, but that they are all contained in them was a wonderful explanation. But if you think about it a little more, you can see why it could be all in it. It is because there is life in it.
What kind of book is the Bible?
Like any other book, the letters on the paper are the same, but there is life in the Bible. Because it is a book written by the inspiration of the living God, that is, by the work of the Holy Spirit, who is still working among us and accomplishing the work of salvation through the Bible. That's why Hebrews 4:12 says, "The word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." In Ezekiel 37, we see that the word of God comes to the dry bones of the valley, forming a great army. As such, the Bible has amazing vitality.
Also, the Bible, the word of God, is a book that can save poor souls who have no choice but to die because of their sins. Verse 15 says, “The scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” One day I saw ants working hard in the park. However, I saw ants wandering around with food in their mouths, unable to find their home. So I said to the ant. "Hey, not that one, this is the house." But the ant did not understand. The only way you can give the ant direction is by speaking it's language.
Likewise, in order to teach us the way of salvation, God made it known in our human language, not God's. That is the Bible. John 20:31 says, “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” However, if we do not read and learn the Bible, we cannot know God's will and the way of salvation.
Finally, the Bible is the book that makes the man of God complete and equipped for every good work. When we were created in the beginning, we humans were created in God's image and likeness. However, because of the sin of disobedience, our relationship with God was cut off and we lost the image of God. However, through the Bible, which is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, he was completely restored as a man of God. This restoration equips us to do every good work.
The power of godliness is suitable for all good works only those who have been thoroughly practiced through the Bible. That's why 1 Timothy 5:7 says, "Put away the profane and false myths, and train yourself to godliness." Today is Bible Sunday. So, based on the words you gave me today, I will give you one piece of advice. Read the Bible for only 15 minutes a day. And study the Bible for just 15 minutes. So I'll just tell you three things about what happens. The first is to read the Bible completely. The second is to lead a godly life. Third, you will abide in what you have learned and have been convinced of.
This is the end-time teaching that the Bible gives us today.