“L'angelo dell’Eterno si accampa attorno a quelli che lo temono e li libera”. (Salmo 34:7) Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Silvia Vadi. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGAbdBpj4-E
Lesson 7.Motivated by Hope | 7.1 The Promise of His Return
Lesson 7.Motivated by Hope
The Hope of Christ’s Return: Light in Dark Times
Motivated by Hope Hope of Christ’s Return: Light in Dark Times In Lesson 7, we embark on a fascinating journey through prophetic timelines, delving deeper into the mysteries and revelations of the Holy Scriptures. This lesson provides us with insight into the complexity and interconnectedness of various biblical prophecies, which have retained their significance through times and generations. Led by Daniel 8:14, we explore the chronology of prophecy, starting with the decree of King Artaxerxes of Persia in 457 BC, allowing the Israelite captives to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. We trace the trajectory of these prophecies to significant events such as the baptism and public ministry of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion, and the fulfillment of the 70 weeks of prophecy. In doing so, we recognize how God’s actions throughout time have confirmed His promises and His sovereignty, while also testing the hearts of people and calling them to repentance and conversion. This lesson invites us to explore the prophetic statements of the Bible with an open heart and align our lives with God’s eternal plan.
7.1 The Promise of His Return
The Longed-for Hope: The Promise of Christ’s Return
The longing for the arrival of Jesus was a central drive for the Protestant reformers and the pilgrims who set sail from Holland to the New World. For them, the return of Christ was not a terror but a moment of joyful anticipation. Even John Wycliffe regarded Christ’s coming as the hope of the church, and Calvin spoke on behalf of many reformers when he referred to the glorious return of Christ as the most promising of all events. For faithful men and women of God, the coming of Christ was something to be longed for and welcomed with joy rather than feared.
Read John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, and Titus 2:11–14. Why have these Bible passages given such hope to Christians throughout the centuries?
These Bible passages have given Christians hope throughout the centuries because they contain a promise of redemption and eternal life in Christ. John 14:1–3 speaks of the many dwelling places in the Father’s house and the preparation of a place for the believers, where they will be with Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 speaks of the hope of the resurrection of the dead and the gathering of the believers with the Lord in the air. Titus 2:11–14 emphasizes the blessedness of the believers in the anticipation of the appearance of the glory of Jesus Christ.
These Bible passages convey hope by promising a future free from suffering, death, poverty, injustice, and conflict. They promise a world of peace, happiness, and lasting communion with Christ and the redeemed. The return of Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate event of redemption and liberation from all evil. The hope of Christ’s return has given comfort and assurance to believers in difficult times. It reminds them that their suffering and trials are not permanent but that a glorious future of communion with Christ lies ahead. This hope has encouraged believers to remain steadfast in faith and to comfort and encourage one another as they await the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Why is Christ’s return so important for our faith? Why does this doctrine hold such significance, especially since we know that the dead sleep (see Lesson 10)? Why would we, as Paul says, be in a completely hopeless situation without it (see 1 Cor 15:15–18)?
The doctrine of Christ’s return is crucial for our faith for several reasons:
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Fulfillment of Promises: Christ’s return is the fulfillment of the promises God has given to believers. It demonstrates that God keeps His word and completes His plans for redemption and the consummation of the world.
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Hope of Redemption and Consummation: The doctrine of Christ’s return gives believers hope for final redemption and consummation. It shows that the suffering and toil of this world do not have the final say, but that a time of peace, joy, and communion with God lies ahead.
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Justice and Judgment: Christ’s return is also understood as a time of judgment, where God will make all things right. For those who believe in Christ, this means the confirmation of their faithfulness and the reward of eternal life. For those who have turned away from Christ, it means facing God’s justice.
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Completion of Communion with God: Christ’s return is seen as the moment of complete communion with God and all the redeemed. It is the time when believers will be with God forever, with no separation or sin between them.
The fact that the dead sleep, as mentioned in the Bible, does not change the significance of Christ’s return. On the contrary, it underscores the hope of the resurrection of the dead at His return, as clearly stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15.
Without the doctrine of Christ’s return, Christians would be in a hopeless situation, as Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15:15–18. For without the certainty of resurrection and completion in Christ, their faith would be empty, and their lives would be without hope. Christ’s return is thus the foundation of the Christian faith and the source of hope for all believers.
Christ’s return is not just a theological doctrine but also has a direct impact on our daily lives and our faith:
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Hope and Comfort: The prospect of Christ’s return gives us hope and comfort, especially in times of suffering, loss, and difficulty. It reminds us that our present troubles are temporary and that a time of peace and joy in Christ lies ahead.
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Living in Expectation: The anticipation of Christ’s return motivates us to live a life centered on Christ. We live in hope of His return and strive to remain faithful to Him and to exemplify His kingdom on earth.
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Responsibility and Mission: The doctrine of Christ’s return reminds us of our responsibility to spread the Gospel and build God’s kingdom on earth. We are called to be witnesses of Christ and to invite others to repentance and faith so that they too may share in the coming glory.
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Patience and Endurance: The certainty of Christ’s return encourages us to be patient and enduring as we wait for the fulfillment of His promises. We know that God’s timing is perfect and that His kingdom will ultimately prevail, even as we face challenges in the present.
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Ethical Living: The expectation of Christ’s return challenges us to live a life that aligns with the ethical and moral principles of the kingdom of God. We strive to practice justice, love, and mercy and to actively work for the good of others, knowing that one day we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Overall, the doctrine of Christ’s return shapes our faith and our daily lives by giving us hope, motivation, responsibility, and direction. It reminds us that our earthly experiences and challenges are part of a larger divine plan and that ultimately Christ will be all in all.
The longed-for hope of Christ’s return gives us comfort in dark hours and fills us with confidence and joy as we look to the future.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-motivated-by-hope-7-1-the-promise-of-his-return/
The Great Controversy – Lesson 7.Motivated by Hope | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley
Series THE GREAT CONTROVERSY with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 7.Motivated by Hope |
The Hope of Christ’s Return: Light in Dark Times |
In the seventh lesson, we delve into the depths of Christian hope, which is inseparably linked to the promise of Christ’s return. We explore how this hope has provided comfort and assurance throughout the centuries, serving as a firm anchor in times of trial. Additionally, we take a closer look at significant events and figures that have shaped the hope of Christ’s return, such as William Miller and his discovery of prophetic time periods. This lesson invites us to be motivated by this hope and to prepare ourselves for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Memory Text: Isaiah 25,9 – “And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’”
Content:
7.1 The Promise of His Return
The Longed-for Hope: The Promise of Christ’s Return
The hope of Christ’s return has brought comfort and confidence to Christians throughout the centuries. This hope offers a perspective on the end of suffering and injustice, as well as a vision of a world of peace and communion with Christ. The biblical promises in John, Thessalonians, and Titus have provided believers with a solid anchor in times of trial and loss. The prospect of resurrection and eternal communion with God and the redeemed of all ages fills the hearts of believers with joy and confidence.
7.2 Anticipating the Time
Christ’s Return: Clarity Amidst Human Misunderstandings
The return of Christ, a central truth of faith, has undergone different interpretations over time. From the concept of an earthly kingdom to spiritual lethargy, it highlights the challenges of human misunderstandings. However, scripture clearly describes his return: an event that will be unmistakable, seen and heard by everyone. In this expectation lies a precious hope, a call to preparation and steadfast devotion to withstand the day of the Lord.
7.3 William Miller and the Bible
The Biblical Journey of Discovery: William Miller and Understanding Christ’s Return
William Miller was an example of an eager Bible student who discovered the truth about Christ’s return through thorough study. His method of comparing scripture with scripture and studying prophecy with the same seriousness as other biblical passages shows us the importance of a methodical and open-minded approach to scripture. The revelation of God’s word through the Holy Spirit and the understanding of prophetic symbols are essential for understanding end-time events.
7.4 The 2300 Days in Daniel 8:14
Unlocking Prophetic Time: William Miller’s Quest for Understanding
The discovery of the 2300 days in Daniel 8:14 was a significant milestone in William Miller’s quest for understanding divine schedules. Through careful study of prophecy and meticulous comparisons within scripture, he concluded that God has a precise timetable for fulfilling his promises. The connection between Daniel 8 and Daniel 9 led to a deeper understanding of the 2300 days and their significance for end-time events.
7.5 The Longest Prophetic Time Line
The Timeframe of Prophecy: Daniel 8:14 and the Advent Movement
The prophecy of the 2300 years in Daniel 8:14 marks a crucial point in Adventist history. The precise calculation of the beginning of this period, based on the decree of the Persian King Artaxerxes in 457 BC, led to important insights into the timing of the beginning and end of this prophecy. The 70-week prophecy in Daniel 9 led to an understanding of the timing of the first coming of the Messiah and other important events in salvation history. The expectation of the year 1844 as the endpoint of the 2300 years shaped the beliefs of early Adventists about Christ’s return and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary.
7.6 Summary
Hope that Inspires: Prophetic Time and Christ’s Return
The lesson “Motivated by Hope” takes us through various aspects of Christian hope, particularly those connected with Christ’s return. We see how this hope has provided comfort and assurance over the centuries, offering a firm anchor in times of trial. The discovery and understanding of prophetic time periods, especially the 2300 days in Daniel 8:14, played a significant role in Adventist history and shaped the community’s understanding of end-time events. This lesson encourages us to be motivated by this hope and to prepare for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Sunday: The Promise of His Return
Daily Lesson for Sunday 12th of May 2024
The Protestant Reformers and the pilgrims who left from Holland for the New World longed for the coming of Jesus. For them the second coming of Christ was a joyous event that they eagerly anticipated. John Wycliffe looked forward to the coming of Christ as the hope of the church. Calvin spoke for all the Reformers when he talked of the glorious return of Christ as “of all events most auspicious.” For faithful men and women of God, the second coming of Christ was something to be embraced, not something to be feared.
Read John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Titus 2:11-14. Why did these Bible passages give such hope to Christians through the centuries?
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It is easy to understand why a belief in the second coming of Christ has brought such hope and joy to Bible-believing Christians. It points forward to the end of sickness, suffering, and death. It ushers in the end of poverty, injustice, and oppression. It anticipates the end of strife, conflict, and war. It forecasts a future world of peace, happiness, and enduring fellowship with Christ and the redeemed of all ages forever.
“The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers. The Saviour’s parting promise upon Olivet, that He would come again, lighted up the future for His disciples, filling their hearts with joy and hope that sorrow could not quench nor trials dim. Amid suffering and persecution, the ‘appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ’ was the ‘blessed hope.’ When the Thessalonian Christians were filled with grief as they buried their loved ones, who had hoped to live to witness the coming of the Lord, Paul, their teacher, pointed them to the resurrection, to take place at the Saviour’s advent. Then the dead in Christ should rise, and together with the living be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. ‘And so,’ he said, ‘shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 302.
Why is the Second Coming so important to our faith? Especially because we know that the dead sleep (see lesson 10), why does this teaching take on such importance? Without it, why would we be, as Paul said, in an utterly hopeless situation (see 1 Corinthians 15:15-18)?
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24b-07-the-promise-of-his-return/
Editorial: “Whose Prayers Get Answered?”
A few nights ago a big storm system moved across the central United States, from Kansas and Oklahoma through Ohio and Michigan: tornados, high winds, river-flooding rain, and the kind of hail that destroys farmers’ crops. Having grown up in North Dakota, I’m no stranger to thunderstorms. When it moved through Columbus, and while sensible […] Source: https://atoday.org/editorial-whose-prayers-get-answered/
