"Jesus" is popular now. Even some motorcycle gangs have turned to "Jesus." Standing on top of their machines, they now preach "religion." "Jesus" signs replace peace symbols. One finger up--that means you are a "Jesus" person. Bibles are appearing on campuses nation wide. "Christian" underground newspapers outsell the radical undergrounds. Many have graduated from psychedelia into the "movement."
Hard rock has gone "Christian," and has invaded churches. "Holy Ghost" rock music stamps out its beat in close imitation of the frenzy of the high decibel professionals. Youth run away from home in their teens to join "Jesus" communes, training centers, monasteries, and farms where Bible study is their main pursuit. They interpret the Bible ultra-literally, and some see family-renunciation as the only way to find the deeper things of Christ. The Christian far-Right has become a powerful political force, clamoring to tear down the historic American "wall of separation between church and state." They want the state to support the "Christian" religion as the only way the nation can be saved from moral ruin. Their program sounds plausible to millions; but can the majority regulate personal faith?
What is happening all around us? Is this what the Bible means when it talks about the long-awaited baptism of the Holy Spirit? This is a question of tremendous interest to all.
The Best Time to Live is Now!
1. What did the prophet Joel promise will come in the last days? Acts 2:16-18.
ANSWER: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my __________ upon __________ __________: and your sons and daughters shall __________, and your young men shall __________ __________, and your old men __________ __________ __________." "... I will pour out in those days of my __________; and they shall __________."
Many religious movements recognize that the Second Coming is near. Many see the year 2000 A.D. as the end.
2. Will everybody have a chance to hear the gospel before the end? Matthew 24:14; Habakkuk 2:14.
ANSWER: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be __________ in all the __________ for a witness unto __________ __________; and then shall the end come."
3. Do you think Jesus foresaw the rise of a counterfeit movement in our days? Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 12, 24.
ANSWER: " ... Many shall come in my name, saying, __________ __________ __________; and shall __________ many."
4. What kind of "Jesus" will a false revival present? 1 John 4:1-3.
ANSWER: They will not "confess," that is, understand that Jesus is truly "come __________ the __________."
This raises the solemn question: "Is the 'Christ' of this popular movement the real one?" The popular "Jesus" is one who did not conquer sin. At the other extreme the traditional "establishment" religionist says Christ could not have sinned and therefore could not be tempted as we are. Whichever way one looks at it, their Christ did not conquer sin in our human nature. Unless we understand John's words, we are in danger of joining the crowds who say "Lord, Lord!" but don't know Him.
5. What kind of spirit will control the popular religious movements of the last days? Revelation 18:1-3.
ANSWER: "Babylon the great is __________, is __________, and is become the __________ of __________, and the hold of every __________ __________."
Babylon means confusion, and is a symbol of the churches that before their fall enjoyed the true Holy Spirit's presence, but by rejecting truth, they are "fallen." Babylon is not only one church--she is a "mother" with "daughters" (see Revelation 17:1-5). A woman in prophecy is a symbol of a church (2 Corinthians 11:2; Jeremiah 6:2; Revelation 12:1, 17). A pure woman represents the true church; and a fallen one, the church without the Holy Spirit. This prophecy in Revelation points to a time when the churches who refuse to accept the truth of God's word become so deceived that they will accept a counterfeit "holy spirit" and become the "habitation of devils" while they sincerely imagine they are receiving the Holy Ghost. We must know the truth!
6. When did it happen that many religious people once went to "church" in vain? Matthew 23:37, 38.
ANSWER: Jesus said to those who rejected Him, "... Your house __________ __________ unto you __________."
7. What is the heart of the first angel's message? How widely is this message to be preached? Revelation 14:6, 7.
ANSWER: This "angel" has "the everlasting __________ to preach ... to every __________, and __________, and __________, and __________. ..."
This is God's last message to the world. It is not a new message--it is everlasting and is the same gospel that Jesus taught. It is a recovery of the original message which God has always wanted the whole world to hear.
8. Note that this message calls on people to worship the Lord as the Creator of heaven and earth (verse 7). If you make Him Lord of your life, and truly accept Him as Creator, what obedience will you give to the Lord? Compare Revelation 14:7 with Exodus 20:8-11.
ANSWER: "Give __________ to __________."
9. Many will turn to the Lord in the last days. What will "every one" of them do? Isaiah 56:1-7.
ANSWER: If we "lay hold" on salvation, we will "__________" the __________ from __________ it. ... Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, ... and to love the name of the Lord, ... every one that __________ the __________ from __________ it. ..."
10. When a church knows truth and yet clings to the "commandments of men," how does God look upon their worship? Matthew 15:9.
ANSWER: "But __________ __________ they do worship me. ... "
11. What does the Lord say has really happened to any such church? Revelation 14:8 (this is the second angel's message).
ANSWER: "Babylon is __________, is __________, that great __________, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
When Christ said to the unbelieving Jews, "Your house is left unto you desolate," His Holy Spirit left. When the true Holy Spirit moves out because of the disobedience of ministers and people, a false "holy spirit" moves in. Eventually Revelation 18:1, 2 will be completely fulfilled. The entire gospel will be counterfeited, and people will imagine they are saved when in reality they are preparing to accept "the mark of the beast." Opposition to God's law becomes opposition to Christ Himself.
12. There are many sincere people in Babylon who do not yet see the truth clearly. "The times of ignorance God winked at" (Acts 17:30). But when a person knows and continues to disregard the truth, what is his true relationship to the Lord? Proverbs 28:9.
ANSWER: "He that __________ __________ his ear from hearing the __________, even his prayer shall be __________."
13. Where is Jesus today, and what is He doing? Here are four Scripture texts--Hebrews 8:1, 2 and 7:25; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 14:12 (the fruitage of the "three angels' messages").
ANSWER: Christ is in the last phase of His ministry as High Priest, symbolized by the "temple" being "opened" where the "ark of His testament" is seen. Those who follow Jesus by faith "... keep the __________ of __________, and the __________ of __________."
According to the book of Hebrews, the only way one can come to Jesus truly is to come to Him as High Priest, where He "saves to the uttermost." In other words, He never does a job halfway. We must give to Him all of our life. He must be permitted to cleanse every trace of selfishness and disobedience from our hearts. True love is not "getting high" on an emotional "trip," but fulfilling the law in a truly changed lifestyle. This includes keeping the sabbath. Thus a genuine revival that will prepare a people for Jesus' coming will include sabbath-keeping.
14. As you see the issues shaping up for the final conflict between Christ and Satan, is the Holy Spirit drawing you and encouraging you to stand with Christ, loyal to Him? John 6:37, 40, 44, 45.
ANSWER: (a) "All that the Father giveth Me shall __________ to __________ (b) "Every one which __________ the Son, and __________ on Him, may have __________ __________ (c) "No man can come to __________, except the Father which hath sent Me __________ __________: ..." (d) "And they shall be __________ __________ of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the __________, cometh __________ __________."
Jesus promised: "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the [Holy] Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive Him, because it cannot see Him or know Him. But you know Him because He remains with you and is in you" (John 14:16, 17, GNB). He constantly reminds you of what you need to know, and shows you the right path. He is as patient with you as if you were the only person on earth. "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you" (John 14:26, GNB). If you give the Holy Spirit your will and make your choice to walk in His way, you cannot be overcome by the evil one. The reason is simple enough: the Holy Spirit is stronger than the flesh (see Galatians 5:16, 17). The constraint of the love of Christ makes all the allurements of the world seem as pale as a street light in comparison with the pure brilliance of the sun.
15. Does your heart say, "Thank You Lord, for saving my soul, and for guiding me into all truth"? __________.
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7 "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17