The Church in the Last Days
"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:14-16)
After reviewing the details of the 70 Weeks Prophecy of Daniel 9 and learning what was revealed to Daniel concerning his people (the Jews) and his holy city (Jerusalem), we now want to highlight God's purpose for the Church in the last days...since we are now living in what is called "the time of the Gentiles".
So far the first 69 weeks of 7 years (483 years) of the 70 Week prophecy has already been fulfilled. The last week of seven years is still awaiting its fulfillment. For the last 2000 years, God has allowed this big interval of time to work through those who have placed their trust in Jesus the Messiah and who have received His gift of salvation through His finished work on the cross so that we might continue His ministry and build His church and expand His kingdom.
The first disciples of Jesus wondered when this 70th week would come and thus asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).
Jesus answered by telling them that this part of the time table was placed in the hands of the Father but that they would "receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me "starting from Jerusalem and then to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Once we receive the Messiah, we become new creations in Christ, where "the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). We who were once in darkness are now the light of the world and we who were far off are now "brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13). Christ broke down the veil between the holy place and the holy of holies and the middle wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles to make us one new man and one body IN HIM.
Now we are in the New Covenant in Christ, we are His offspring who possess the indwelling Holy Spirit who overflows out of us springing up into everlasting life.
The Apostle Paul understood this mystery about everything being fulfilled by Christ Jesus and then gathered into Him. He wanted all those who believe to be clear on their new identity:
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26-28).
So we the Church are now the primary means of God accomplishing His purpose on the earth.
To live in light of our NEW IDENTITY:
…with gospel INTENTIONALITY
…being watchful with IMMINENCY
…taking our place in INTERCESSION
....with the ministry of RECONCILIATION
...all for His kingdom EXPANSION!
Gospel INTENTIONALITY: We have been entrusted with the gospel of peace to give to this broken and hurting world. We have the life-giving message that is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. God has included the mission of the church in His time table to get the gospel preached everywhere before Jesus comes (Matt. 24:14).
Watchful with IMMINENCY: Even though we do not know when the Lord will rapture His Church to meet Him in the air, we want to live like Enoch who walked with God before the Lord took him, since he was said to have a testimony "that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:5). We do not know what tribulations we will have to endure in this life but we know that Jesus overcame the world, took away the wrath appointed for us, and He will soon come for His expectant bride in the appointed time.
Therefore, let us heed Jesus' words, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Taking our place in INTERCESSION: We are called to take our every worry and concern and need to our Lord in prayer. He knows what we need and His able to supply all of our needs but we are called to join Christ in His intercessory ministry and pray for His kingdom purposes to be carried out, being "serious and watchful in our prayers" (1 Peter 4:7).
With the ministry of RECONCILIATION: We have the calling to be peacemakers and those who invite people to take their sins and conflicts to the cross of Christ. for this ministry is at the heart of the gospel..."that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19).
All for His Kingdom EXPANSION: We are called to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and to be a part of the disciple making ministry that Jesus started where we are daily learning to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, while teaching others and taking them with us in the ways in the world.
May His Kingdom come and may His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! As Jude has said,
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 20-21)
DANIEL CHALLENGE:
LET US PURSUE OUR CHURCH GIVEN CALL,
AND HELP THOSE IN ANY BONDAGE AT ALL,
LEADING THE LOST INTO RECONCILIATION,
BEING READY FOR OUR KING’S VISITATION.
Questions for Discussion in our Home Groups:
1. What have you learned about the detailed events of the 70 Week Prophecy, especially the final seven years? In what ways do you see the world falling into alignment with this?
2. Why is the land of Israel continually a place of great turmoil in our world and what have you learned about God's promises and His purpose for Israel in these times? See: Romans 11
3. Which of the roles of the Church are you feeling a strong burden for and what adjustments do you believe God is calling us to make in these time to align our hearts with God? Encourage one another with what God is doing in your heart personally.
4. In what ways are you learning to live between the tensions of tribulation and persecution with the blessed hope we have in Christ? How can we be making ourselves ready for Christ's return while staying on the gospel mission entrusted to us?
After reviewing the details of the 70 Weeks Prophecy of Daniel 9 and learning what was revealed to Daniel concerning his people (the Jews) and his holy city (Jerusalem), we now want to highlight God's purpose for the Church in the last days...since we are now living in what is called "the time of the Gentiles".
So far the first 69 weeks of 7 years (483 years) of the 70 Week prophecy has already been fulfilled. The last week of seven years is still awaiting its fulfillment. For the last 2000 years, God has allowed this big interval of time to work through those who have placed their trust in Jesus the Messiah and who have received His gift of salvation through His finished work on the cross so that we might continue His ministry and build His church and expand His kingdom.
The first disciples of Jesus wondered when this 70th week would come and thus asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).
Jesus answered by telling them that this part of the time table was placed in the hands of the Father but that they would "receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me "starting from Jerusalem and then to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Once we receive the Messiah, we become new creations in Christ, where "the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). We who were once in darkness are now the light of the world and we who were far off are now "brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13). Christ broke down the veil between the holy place and the holy of holies and the middle wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles to make us one new man and one body IN HIM.
Now we are in the New Covenant in Christ, we are His offspring who possess the indwelling Holy Spirit who overflows out of us springing up into everlasting life.
The Apostle Paul understood this mystery about everything being fulfilled by Christ Jesus and then gathered into Him. He wanted all those who believe to be clear on their new identity:
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26-28).
So we the Church are now the primary means of God accomplishing His purpose on the earth.
To live in light of our NEW IDENTITY:
…with gospel INTENTIONALITY
…being watchful with IMMINENCY
…taking our place in INTERCESSION
....with the ministry of RECONCILIATION
...all for His kingdom EXPANSION!
Gospel INTENTIONALITY: We have been entrusted with the gospel of peace to give to this broken and hurting world. We have the life-giving message that is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. God has included the mission of the church in His time table to get the gospel preached everywhere before Jesus comes (Matt. 24:14).
Watchful with IMMINENCY: Even though we do not know when the Lord will rapture His Church to meet Him in the air, we want to live like Enoch who walked with God before the Lord took him, since he was said to have a testimony "that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:5). We do not know what tribulations we will have to endure in this life but we know that Jesus overcame the world, took away the wrath appointed for us, and He will soon come for His expectant bride in the appointed time.
Therefore, let us heed Jesus' words, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Taking our place in INTERCESSION: We are called to take our every worry and concern and need to our Lord in prayer. He knows what we need and His able to supply all of our needs but we are called to join Christ in His intercessory ministry and pray for His kingdom purposes to be carried out, being "serious and watchful in our prayers" (1 Peter 4:7).
With the ministry of RECONCILIATION: We have the calling to be peacemakers and those who invite people to take their sins and conflicts to the cross of Christ. for this ministry is at the heart of the gospel..."that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19).
All for His Kingdom EXPANSION: We are called to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and to be a part of the disciple making ministry that Jesus started where we are daily learning to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, while teaching others and taking them with us in the ways in the world.
May His Kingdom come and may His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! As Jude has said,
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 20-21)
DANIEL CHALLENGE:
LET US PURSUE OUR CHURCH GIVEN CALL,
AND HELP THOSE IN ANY BONDAGE AT ALL,
LEADING THE LOST INTO RECONCILIATION,
BEING READY FOR OUR KING’S VISITATION.
Questions for Discussion in our Home Groups:
1. What have you learned about the detailed events of the 70 Week Prophecy, especially the final seven years? In what ways do you see the world falling into alignment with this?
2. Why is the land of Israel continually a place of great turmoil in our world and what have you learned about God's promises and His purpose for Israel in these times? See: Romans 11
3. Which of the roles of the Church are you feeling a strong burden for and what adjustments do you believe God is calling us to make in these time to align our hearts with God? Encourage one another with what God is doing in your heart personally.
4. In what ways are you learning to live between the tensions of tribulation and persecution with the blessed hope we have in Christ? How can we be making ourselves ready for Christ's return while staying on the gospel mission entrusted to us?
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