The conditions of the world in the last days - Study Guide
OVERVIEW OF THE MESSAGE:
Drawing from Jesus’ teachings, especially in Matthew 24 and Luke 17, we highlighted that the world will be living life as usual—eating, drinking, marrying, and building—without recognizing the signs of His imminent return. Like in the days of Noah and Lot, the world will be filled with deception, distractions, and disobedience.
The church was called to wholehearted devotion, urging believers to forsake the love of this world, remain vigilant, endure hardships, and live in joyful expectation of Christ’s return. An invitation to the unsaved to come to Christ was extended while there is still time.
STUDY GUIDE:
Key Scriptures
•2 Peter 3:11-14 – Holy living in light of Christ’s return.
•Luke 21:34 – Warning against being weighed down by the cares of life.
•Luke 18:8 – Will Jesus find faith on the earth when He returns?
•Matthew 24:12 – Lawlessness and growing cold love in the last days.
•James 4:4 – Friendship with the world is enmity with God.
•2 Timothy 4:1 – Some will fall away, believing deceiving doctrines.
•Jude 20-21 – Building yourselves up in faith and prayer.
•Matthew 24:37-39 & Luke 17:26-33 – Parallels to the days of Noah and Lot.
•Luke 12:40, Mark 13:33-36, Matthew 25:13 – Be watchful and ready.
•2 Timothy 3:1-4 – Lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than God.
•Genesis 6:5 – Wickedness in the days of Noah.
•Romans 1:24-31 – The progression of rebellion and depravity.
•Matthew 24:9-10 – Tribulation and betrayal among believers.
•Matthew 24:13 – Endurance to the end
•Revelation 22:17 – The invitation to come to Jesus.
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❓ Reflection Questions
1.Heart Check: Are you truly watching and waiting for Christ’s return, or is your heart weighed down by the cares of this life? (Luke 21:34)
2.Spiritual Condition: If Jesus returned today, would He find your faith alive, active, and bearing fruit? (Luke 18:8)
3.Priorities: Are you more passionate about your relationship with Christ or the things of this world? (James 4:4)
4.Distraction Alert: What are the distractions in your life that could cause you to miss the signs of His return? (Matthew 24:37-39)
5.Spiritual Preparation: How can you practically “build yourself up in faith” and guard against deception? (Jude 20-21)
6.Obedience: Are you excusing sin in your life instead of putting it to death? (1 John 3:4)
7.Endurance: Are you preparing your heart and faith to endure increasing hardships and deception? (Matthew 24:13)
8.Lot’s Wife: Are you “almost saved but not quite”? Do you know others who might be in this condition and if so, how might you be able to reach them? (Luke 17:32-33)
9.Salvation Invitation: If you have not fully surrendered to Christ, what’s holding you back from doing so today? (Revelation 22:17)
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✍️ Key Takeaways
•The return of Jesus is imminent and will come unexpectedly.
•The world will be filled with deception, distraction, and disobedience.
•Many professing Christians will be spiritually asleep, distracted by worldly concerns.
•Jesus calls His followers to watch, pray, endure, and remain faithful in a world that is rapidly turning away from Him.
•True believers must forsake the love of the world, pursue holiness, and prioritize their relationship with Christ.
•Today is the day to fully surrender to Jesus Christ, before it is too late.
Additional Reading:
Read the parables of Jesus regarding His return and the importance of being ready.
•The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
•The Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30
•The Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21
•The Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servant – Luke 12:35-48
•The Parable of the Fig Tree – Matthew 24:32-35
Drawing from Jesus’ teachings, especially in Matthew 24 and Luke 17, we highlighted that the world will be living life as usual—eating, drinking, marrying, and building—without recognizing the signs of His imminent return. Like in the days of Noah and Lot, the world will be filled with deception, distractions, and disobedience.
The church was called to wholehearted devotion, urging believers to forsake the love of this world, remain vigilant, endure hardships, and live in joyful expectation of Christ’s return. An invitation to the unsaved to come to Christ was extended while there is still time.
STUDY GUIDE:
Key Scriptures
•2 Peter 3:11-14 – Holy living in light of Christ’s return.
•Luke 21:34 – Warning against being weighed down by the cares of life.
•Luke 18:8 – Will Jesus find faith on the earth when He returns?
•Matthew 24:12 – Lawlessness and growing cold love in the last days.
•James 4:4 – Friendship with the world is enmity with God.
•2 Timothy 4:1 – Some will fall away, believing deceiving doctrines.
•Jude 20-21 – Building yourselves up in faith and prayer.
•Matthew 24:37-39 & Luke 17:26-33 – Parallels to the days of Noah and Lot.
•Luke 12:40, Mark 13:33-36, Matthew 25:13 – Be watchful and ready.
•2 Timothy 3:1-4 – Lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than God.
•Genesis 6:5 – Wickedness in the days of Noah.
•Romans 1:24-31 – The progression of rebellion and depravity.
•Matthew 24:9-10 – Tribulation and betrayal among believers.
•Matthew 24:13 – Endurance to the end
•Revelation 22:17 – The invitation to come to Jesus.
⸻
❓ Reflection Questions
1.Heart Check: Are you truly watching and waiting for Christ’s return, or is your heart weighed down by the cares of this life? (Luke 21:34)
2.Spiritual Condition: If Jesus returned today, would He find your faith alive, active, and bearing fruit? (Luke 18:8)
3.Priorities: Are you more passionate about your relationship with Christ or the things of this world? (James 4:4)
4.Distraction Alert: What are the distractions in your life that could cause you to miss the signs of His return? (Matthew 24:37-39)
5.Spiritual Preparation: How can you practically “build yourself up in faith” and guard against deception? (Jude 20-21)
6.Obedience: Are you excusing sin in your life instead of putting it to death? (1 John 3:4)
7.Endurance: Are you preparing your heart and faith to endure increasing hardships and deception? (Matthew 24:13)
8.Lot’s Wife: Are you “almost saved but not quite”? Do you know others who might be in this condition and if so, how might you be able to reach them? (Luke 17:32-33)
9.Salvation Invitation: If you have not fully surrendered to Christ, what’s holding you back from doing so today? (Revelation 22:17)
⸻
✍️ Key Takeaways
•The return of Jesus is imminent and will come unexpectedly.
•The world will be filled with deception, distraction, and disobedience.
•Many professing Christians will be spiritually asleep, distracted by worldly concerns.
•Jesus calls His followers to watch, pray, endure, and remain faithful in a world that is rapidly turning away from Him.
•True believers must forsake the love of the world, pursue holiness, and prioritize their relationship with Christ.
•Today is the day to fully surrender to Jesus Christ, before it is too late.
Additional Reading:
Read the parables of Jesus regarding His return and the importance of being ready.
•The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
•The Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30
•The Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21
•The Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servant – Luke 12:35-48
•The Parable of the Fig Tree – Matthew 24:32-35
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