“Poi tornò dai discepoli e li trovò che dormivano, e disse a Pietro: 'Così non avete potuto vegliare neppure un’ora con me?'”. (Matteo 26:40) Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Abigail Grace Miguel Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfgC86u5xOE
Antoinette’s Journey to Understanding the Sabbath!
Ever wondered how faith can find you in the most unexpected ways? Antoinette's story of discovering Sabbath truths through her cell phone is a testament to this. Subscribe for more faith-filled stories!
#AntoinettesJourney #SabbathTruths #FaithInIsolation #awr #adventistworldradio Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1YiYcQQCs8 #short Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l292KoXoUTY
The Book of Mark – Lesson 10.The Last Days | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley
Series THE BOOK OF MARK with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 10.The Last Days |
Prophecies About the End Times – An Overview |
Lesson 10 deals with Jesus’ prophetic statements about the last days and the upcoming events that will shape world history. Jesus addresses the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem as a significant sign and describes the associated “great tribulation” as a time of unprecedented persecution and testing. This lesson also highlights the “abomination of desolation” and the signs indicating Christ’s second coming. Central to the lesson are the warnings against false prophets and the promise of the future coming of the Son of Man, which conveys both hope and a call to vigilance. The lesson encourages believers to prepare for these crucial events and remain steadfast in their faith.
Memory Text: Mark 13:26,27 – “ ‘Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.’ ”
Content:
10.1 Two Little Coins in the Offering
The True Meaning of Giving – An Example of the Widow
In Mark 12:41–44, we see Jesus praising a poor widow who puts two small coins into the offering box, which are worth very little. In contrast to the rich donors who gave out of their abundance, the widow gave out of her deep poverty, giving all she had to live on. Jesus emphasizes that her gift is worth more in God’s eyes than that of the rich, because she sacrificed everything she needed to live. This story shows us that it is not the amount of the donation that counts, but the devotion and heart behind the giving. Even if religious leadership may be corrupt, the sincere devotion of an individual remains valuable and blessed by God.
10.2 Not One Stone Left on Another
Unshakable Hope in Times of Upheaval
When Jesus foretold the destruction of the magnificent Temple, the disciples were understandably shocked. They wondered when this catastrophe would happen and what sign would indicate it. However, instead of focusing on the fall of the Temple, Jesus warns the disciples of the coming challenges: persecution, trials, and even the threat of death. He stresses that these trials are signs of the forthcoming events but should not overwhelm them with despair. The Holy Spirit will provide them with the necessary words and carry them through all difficulties. This message teaches us to hold on to God’s guidance and comfort despite external turmoil and trials.
10.3 The Abomination of Desolation
The Sign of Destruction – The “Abomination of Desolation” in the Light of Prophecy
In Mark 13:14, Jesus warns the disciples about the “abomination of desolation,” referring to the book of Daniel. This term signifies a severe desecration associated with the destruction of Jerusalem. While many scholars interpret the events under Antiochus Epiphanes as the “abomination,” the context of Jesus’ prophecy suggests it refers to the Roman occupation and the placement of pagan standards during the siege of Jerusalem in the 60s AD. This desecration was the sign for Christians to flee Jerusalem, which they did. The prophecy teaches us to be vigilant and correctly interpret the signs of the times to respond appropriately.
10.4 The Great Tribulation
Warning and Hope in Times of Persecution
Mark 13:19 describes a “great tribulation” unparalleled since the creation of the world and points to an extraordinary period of persecution. This future period will be considered more intense and comprehensive than the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophecy refers to the persecutions that God’s people will endure over a long period, as described in Daniel 7 and 8. God offers hope by promising to shorten the persecution for the sake of the people, as became evident after the Reformation. At the same time, Jesus warns against false prophets and false Christs who will appear during this critical time. This warning aims to encourage believers to remain vigilant and not be misled by deceptions.
10.5 The Coming of the Son of Man
The Promised Coming of the Son of Man – Signs and Promises
In Mark 13:24–32, Jesus describes the magnificent event of His second coming in glory, accompanied by spectacular signs in the sun, moon, and stars. This second coming is extensively covered in the New Testament by both Paul and Peter and detailed in Revelation. The prophecies emphasize that this event will be personal, visible, and audible, so that no one can miss it. Jesus explains that “this generation” refers to the first-century generation that will witness the destruction of Jerusalem, while “that day” refers to the far-off future coming of Christ. This distinction helps clarify the timing of the prophecies. Christ’s second coming remains a central hope and expectation for all believers.
10.6 Summary
Prophecies About the Last Days – Warnings and Promises
Lesson 10 covers Jesus’ prophetic statements about upcoming events. Jesus describes the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem as a significant precursor, marking the “abomination of desolation,” which urges believers to be vigilant and prepare for difficult times. The “great tribulation” is described as an unprecedented period of persecution, followed by Christ’s second coming, heralded by extraordinary cosmic signs. This return of Christ is a central theme of the prophecies, encompassing both the hope of redemption and warnings against false teachers and deceptions. Jesus’ teachings emphasize that despite forthcoming trials and confusions, God’s promises remain faithful, and believers should find comfort and direction in these times.
The Great Controversy Chapter 36, Pt.2 : Liberty of Conscience Threatened | Pastor Ted Wilson
In this episode, join Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, for part two of his discussion on Chapter 36 of The Great Controversy by Ellen White. Explore the urgent warnings this chapter makes about the growing deceptions and the peril of neglecting God’s Word.
Read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at https://greatcontroversyproject.org/.
Sunday: Two Little Coins in the Offering
Daily Lesson for Sunday 1st of September 2024
Read Mark 12:41-44. How much did the widow give, and what did Jesus have to say about that?
The Jerusalem temple was an amazingly beautiful structure. The temple mount dominated the city, and the massive stones involved in its construction are a marvel to this day, some weighing hundreds of tons. The remodeling and expansion of the temple and the temple mount began under Herod the Great around 20 B.C., but the construction and embellishment of the structure continued into the A.D. 60s.
Image © The Classic Bible Art Collection – Formerly Standard Publishing at Goodsalt.com
Many people brought large offerings to deposit in 13 chests located in the Court of the Women near the temple. It was here that Jesus was sitting when He saw a widow approach and cast in two lepta. This would be equivalent to one thirty-second of a denarius, the usual wage for a day laborer. Hence, the woman’s offering was quite small.
Jesus, however, was impressed by her offering. Many rich individuals put in large sums, but He did not comment on their gifts as they deposited them. But this widow’s offering called forth His praise. He states that she gave more than everyone else. How is that possible? Jesus notes that they gave out of their abundance but she out of her poverty. They had much left; she gave everything she had to live on. This fact makes her gift extravagant, even though its monetary value was tiny.
This story contains a deep lesson about the management of resources. Giving to God’s cause does not depend on the actions of leaders to have validity. The religious leadership of the temple was corrupt, but Jesus did not thereby affirm withholding offerings. If ever there were corrupt religious leaders (Caiaphas? Annas?), those at this time were among the worst. And Jesus knew it too.
It is true that leaders have a sacred responsibility to use resources in accordance with the will of God, but even if they do not, those who give to the cause of God are still blessed in their giving, as this woman was.
On the other hand, withholding tithes or offerings when leaders do something displeasing means that the giving is tied to their actions instead of being made in thankfulness to God. However tempting it may be to do that, it’s wrong.
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What should this story teach us about the importance of being faithful in what we give to the Lord’s work? |
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24c-10-two-little-coins-in-the-offering/
