The Story #31 - The Final Countdown
The Bible as one continuing story of God and His people.
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Every Saturday during the month of May there will be a work day at the church from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please pick a Saturday to come and help prepare the church grounds for summer!
Also, Samantha Hoyle is looking for people who are interested in helping with weeding and watering at the church this summer. If you would like to serve in this way, contact Samantha ([email protected]).
Also, Samantha Hoyle is looking for people who are interested in helping with weeding and watering at the church this summer. If you would like to serve in this way, contact Samantha ([email protected]).
There will be a baptism service on May 21st during the morning service. If you are interested in being baptized please pick up a Baptism Application from the Information Board in the lobby. Completed applications are due back to the office no later than today. Contact Leslie ([email protected]) with questions.
The Vintage Club is for those who are 55 and older of Grace Church.
If this is you, you're invited to a cook-out after the service on Sunday, May 21st. Please bring a dish to pass, burgers will be provided. RSVP on your Connection Card or email Leslie ([email protected]).
If this is you, you're invited to a cook-out after the service on Sunday, May 21st. Please bring a dish to pass, burgers will be provided. RSVP on your Connection Card or email Leslie ([email protected]).
We invite those who are newer to Grace Church to attend a Meet & Greet on Sunday, May 28th following the service in the Hospitality Room (east wing). This is a great chance for you to meet the staff and elders and to learn more about Grace Church!
This event for the men of Grace Church and their guests will begin at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 19th. Dinner is provided and camping is an option. Shooting, bonfire, and other manly activities will take place throughout the evening. Breakfast is available on Saturday morning. Work day at the church at 9:00 am for those who wish to take part. Contact Aaron Smith ([email protected]) for more details. Also let him know if you are interested in helping out with this event.
Amanda Teis is offering a yoga class at Grace Church on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm. Make a donation in lieu of a class fee. Contact Amanda with questions ([email protected]).
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Wow, what a journey!
Here we are on chapter 31 of The Story and on our final message of this series. Today Pastor Don will walk us through God's time line for the end of time that is explained in the book of Revelation.
Here we are on chapter 31 of The Story and on our final message of this series. Today Pastor Don will walk us through God's time line for the end of time that is explained in the book of Revelation.
God's timeline for humanity can be divided into 7 major segments of time. These can be followed on the chart above.
1. The Old Testament Period
This begins with creation in the book of Genesis and goes until the ministry of John the Baptist at the beginning of the New Testament.
Matthew 11:13
This begins with creation in the book of Genesis and goes until the ministry of John the Baptist at the beginning of the New Testament.
Matthew 11:13
Matthew 11:13
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13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
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The Old Testament introduces Abraham and the formation of the Jewish people and nation. It records their interaction with other people groups and Israel's highlights and failures as a people. And it gives us glimpses into God's plan for humanity.
There are 4 key words under this place on the timeline:
A. They were God's CHILDREN Deuteronomy 14:1-2
B. They had God's COMMANDMENTS Exodus 20
C. They are under God's CONDEMNATION Matthew 27:25
D. They will experience God's CELEBRATION Pslam 72; Isaiah 11
There are 4 key words under this place on the timeline:
A. They were God's CHILDREN Deuteronomy 14:1-2
B. They had God's COMMANDMENTS Exodus 20
C. They are under God's CONDEMNATION Matthew 27:25
D. They will experience God's CELEBRATION Pslam 72; Isaiah 11
2. The Place of the Dead
In the Old Testament the world of the dead is called "sheol" which can be translated as the grave, hell or death.
In the New Testament the word "hades" is used to express the same thought.
It is a temporary place for the souls of those who have died but must not be confused with the permanent place where souls and resurrected bodies will spend eternity.
Jesus describes sheol or hades in Luke 16:19-31.
In the Old Testament the world of the dead is called "sheol" which can be translated as the grave, hell or death.
In the New Testament the word "hades" is used to express the same thought.
It is a temporary place for the souls of those who have died but must not be confused with the permanent place where souls and resurrected bodies will spend eternity.
Jesus describes sheol or hades in Luke 16:19-31.
Luke 16:19-31
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19 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
20 And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores
21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.
23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.
24 So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’
25 But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.
26 And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’
27 ‘Then I beg you, father,’ he said, ‘send Lazarus to my father’s house,
28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also end up in this place of torment.’
29 But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’
30 ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31 Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
20 And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores
21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.
23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.
24 So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’
25 But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.
26 And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’
27 ‘Then I beg you, father,’ he said, ‘send Lazarus to my father’s house,
28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also end up in this place of torment.’
29 But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’
30 ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31 Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
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We learn there are 2 main compartments in this place:
A. PARADISE or ABRAHAM'S BOSOM
B. PLACE OF TORMENTS
Between these two compartments is a GREAT GULF which is often called TARTARUS or ABYSS.
A. PARADISE or ABRAHAM'S BOSOM
B. PLACE OF TORMENTS
Between these two compartments is a GREAT GULF which is often called TARTARUS or ABYSS.
3. The Church Age
After Jesus was raised from the grave He revealed the Church.
The 3 important keys to understanding this age are:
A. The Great Commandment - OUR PASSION Mark 12:28-34
B. The Great Commission - OUR PURPOSE Matthew 28:16-20
C. The Ascension of Christ - OUR POWER Acts 1:1-11
After Jesus was raised from the grave He revealed the Church.
The 3 important keys to understanding this age are:
A. The Great Commandment - OUR PASSION Mark 12:28-34
B. The Great Commission - OUR PURPOSE Matthew 28:16-20
C. The Ascension of Christ - OUR POWER Acts 1:1-11
4. Christ in Heaven
Following the establishment of the Church, the Lord re-took residence in heaven at the right hand of God.
Some important keys to understanding what the Lord is doing while he is there:
A. The Lord is PRAYING Romans 8:34
B. The Lord is PREPARING John 14:1-2
C. The Lord is PLANNING (Rapture) 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4
D. The Lord is PROVIDING (Bema Seat) Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Following the establishment of the Church, the Lord re-took residence in heaven at the right hand of God.
Some important keys to understanding what the Lord is doing while he is there:
A. The Lord is PRAYING Romans 8:34
B. The Lord is PREPARING John 14:1-2
C. The Lord is PLANNING (Rapture) 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4
D. The Lord is PROVIDING (Bema Seat) Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
5. The Tribulation Period
Revelation 6-19
Matthew 24:21
Following the rapture of the Church will come the most known aspect of God's timeline.
A. It is a 7 year period of time referred to as the TRIBULATION which is made up of two 3 1/2 year segments.
B. The second half is specifically called the GREAT TRIBULATION.
During this time we are introduced to a pair of evil characters:
C. The ANTI-CHRIST
D. The FALSE PROPHET
Two major events will take place towards the end of the tribulation:
E. The ARMAGEDDON CONFLICT (gathering of world's armies against Israel)
F. The APPEARANCE OF CHRIST (He and His armies defend Israel)
Revelation 6-19
Matthew 24:21
Following the rapture of the Church will come the most known aspect of God's timeline.
A. It is a 7 year period of time referred to as the TRIBULATION which is made up of two 3 1/2 year segments.
B. The second half is specifically called the GREAT TRIBULATION.
During this time we are introduced to a pair of evil characters:
C. The ANTI-CHRIST
D. The FALSE PROPHET
Two major events will take place towards the end of the tribulation:
E. The ARMAGEDDON CONFLICT (gathering of world's armies against Israel)
F. The APPEARANCE OF CHRIST (He and His armies defend Israel)
6. Millennium/Kingdom Age
Revelation 20
The second coming of Christ will usher in a period of time referred to as the Millennial kingdom or the 1,000 year reign of Jesus on earth.
Three noticeable highlights are:
A. BANISHMENT of Satan
B. BLESSINGS of God
C. BOOKS of man (Book of Man's Words and Lamb's Book of Life)
Revelation 20
The second coming of Christ will usher in a period of time referred to as the Millennial kingdom or the 1,000 year reign of Jesus on earth.
Three noticeable highlights are:
A. BANISHMENT of Satan
B. BLESSINGS of God
C. BOOKS of man (Book of Man's Words and Lamb's Book of Life)
7. New Heaven and Earth
Revelation 21-22
The last 2 chapters of John's Revelation conclude with the destiny that awaits all those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus.
Three distinct differences from our present world stand out:
A. The REMOVAL of sin and all that it has affected.
B. The RIGHTEOUSNESS of God will be our new life normal.
C. The REALITY of Heaven will be experienced forever.
Revelation 21-22
The last 2 chapters of John's Revelation conclude with the destiny that awaits all those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus.
Three distinct differences from our present world stand out:
A. The REMOVAL of sin and all that it has affected.
B. The RIGHTEOUSNESS of God will be our new life normal.
C. The REALITY of Heaven will be experienced forever.
God's timeline is a reality and we are in the midst of a countdown.
We should see the need to prepare ourselves and those around us.
Peter wrote about this in 2 Peter 3:10-18.
We should see the need to prepare ourselves and those around us.
Peter wrote about this in 2 Peter 3:10-18.
2 Peter 3:10-18
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10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
12 as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
13 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
16 He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
12 as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
13 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
16 He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
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