Amir Tsarfati - The Day Approaching Study Guide

Table of Contents

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE , OREGON

All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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The Day Approaching Study Guide

Copyright 2020 by Amir Tsarfati

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-8109-5 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8110-1 (eBook)

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CONTENTS

I have no clue as to the day and time of Christs return. But Im in good company. No person knows the day and time. The angels dont know. Not even the Son of God Himself knows. Jesus said, Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only (Matthew 24:36). The Father has got the timing planned out to the minute, but Hes keeping His cards close to His chest. What I can tell you is that as I look at the events unfolding in the world around us, I firmly believe that the day of Jesus return is rapidly approaching.

The Day Approaching, page 10

While we cannot know when Jesus will return, we can know with absolute certainty that He will come back. As we cling to this promise, we are challenged by scoffers who say, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation (2 Peter 3:4).

There are those who reason that because Jesus has not returned for 2,000 years, then either it wont happen or were misunderstanding what he said. Some people point to Revelation 22:12, where Jesus said, Behold, I am coming quickly, and they say, Two thousand years have gone by, and Jesus still hasnt come back. But the Greek word translated quickly means swiftly or at a rapid rate. In context, Jesus was saying that once the world enters the end times, events will progress speedily and His return will happen very soon.

There are hundreds of prophecies about the end times that have yet to be fulfilled, including those about Jesus second coming. How confident can we be that they really will take place? Read the following verses and write what they tell you about God and His promises.

Deuteronomy 7:9

1 Kings 8:56

2 Corinthians 1:20

Hebrews 10:23

Hebrews 10:36-37

What are some reasons God would want to keep the day and hour of Christs return a secret?

According to the following passages, how should we live as we wait for the rapture to take place?

Matthew 25:13

Ephesians 5:15-16

Titus 2:11-13

2 Peter 3:10-12

In your own words, describe what it would be like for a Christian to live in a state of expectation and readiness. In what two or three ways can you grow in this area of your own life?

GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW HIS PLAN

While there are some things we dont know about the end timessuch as the exact moment of Christs returnthere is a lot God does reveal. When the disciples asked Jesus, What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? (Matthew 24:3), the Lord didnt leave them in the dark. He shared some general details about what would happen as we approach the tribulation and second coming.

Read Matthew 24:4-28, and list at least seven of the signs Jesus said would take place.

After you finish reading about the signs in Matthew 24, consider what is taking place in the world today. Do you agree with those who sense that Christs rapture of believers could happen any day now? Why or why not?

THE TIMES ARE MOVING FORWARD

When it comes to future events, we can separate them into two categories:

1. Those we can do something about

2. Those we cant

To what extent is God in control of the future (see Job 42:2 and Isaiah 14:27)?

Is there ever a time we can alter Gods plans? What specifically does Psalm 33:11 say?

While we cannot change Gods plans for the future, we can definitely choose where we will spend eternityeither with God, or apart from Him. Read 2 Corinthians 6:2-3. According to Paul, when is the day of salvation?

Why do you think Paul said this with such a sense of urgency?

Once we become believers, what else can we do as we wait for Christs return, according to Hebrews 10:23-25?

As we read the newspapers and watch the cable channels, a contrast becomes evident. On the one hand, everything seems to be falling apart On the other hand, when we look through the lens of Scripture, everything is falling into place.

The Day Approaching, page 19

Read 2 Timothy 3:1-4. What will people be like in the last days?

With 2 Timothy 3:1-4 in mind, what are some specific examples of ways youve seen our world falling apart?

Read the following passages. With the rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948, in what ways would you say Gods plans are falling into place?

Isaiah 66:7-8

Jeremiah 16:14-15

Ezekiel 37:21-22

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES

When the disciples asked Jesus, What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?, Jesus mentioned these signs in his response: Many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:3,5-8).

Looking at what is happening around the world, in what ways would you say Jesus described our times?

Matthew 24:8 says these signs are the beginning of sorrows. The events of the end times will occur in the same fashion as labor painsthat is, as time progresses, they will increase with intensity and frequency. In what ways do you see this pattern evident around us today?

When Jesus gave His answer to the disciples, notice His personal encouragement to them: See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass (verse 6).

Why do you think Jesus said that we, as believers, should not be troubled?

What assurance are we given when Jesus says, All these things must come to pass?

Read 2 Timothy 3:12-14. What did Paul say would happen to all believers, according to verse 12?

What trend can we expect, as stated in verse 13?

How are we to respond (verse 14)?

Jesus has promised to return for His church: Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Fathers house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3).