| Start of Matt buffer: Tuesday 08:22:53
Dave: Guten tag.
Matt: :o)
Dave: Do you think we can still do this?
Matt: Mmmm
Dave: It's been such a long time, maybe we have forgotten! I think 6.30 am is a bit scary to most of the world.
Matt: Ya, from my age onwards 6.30 is a scary time of morning to be up.
Dave: What did you think of this study?
Matt: It’s cool.
Dave: As Adventists it is one of our most meaningful topics.
Matt: Yep
Dave: It is interesting that not only will people be getting ready for the coming of Jesus, but the earth itself seems to have a time clock that comes to a point of "End of Sin Era."
Matt: Ya
Dave: And it starts falling apart!
Matt: I hadnt thought of it like that.
Dave: I hope Tasmania doesn't sink. I better wear my floaties from now on. That would be a good look for a preacher—nice suit and little ducky floaties around each arm.
Matt: Ya
Dave: Any other questions grab you?
Matt: I was curious about what the secret rapture thing is.
Dave: It is basically a teaching that says that 7 years before Jesus comes there will be a "rapture" when all the Christians disappear. Then for the next 7 years the earth will go through the great tribulation. Then Jesus will come back.
Matt: Alright
Dave: Some "rapturists" believe that a remnant of people will develop on the earth during that time and will be saved at the Second Coming. But the majority of Christians will be taken 7 yrs before.
Matt: k
Dave: But that’s not what will happen—we’ll be going to heaven when Jesus comes back. Actually, Jesus talked a lot about the 2nd coming.
Matt: Yep
Dave: He only taught for 3 years, so He had a very clear plan of what needed to be taught. And the 2nd coming featured high on the list. Why do you think this is?
Matt: So people would know what would happen, how it would happen and how to be saved and not deceived.
Dave: Yup, good thinking. What two things did Jesus ask the disciples to do in Matthew 26:36-46?
Matt: Watch and pray.
Dave: These are two of the main things we are to do at the end times.
Matt: Ok
Dave: Watching helps us recognise what is going on in the world and that signs are being fulfilled.
Dave: Praying is staying in touch with God!
Matt: Yep
Dave: So is "understanding" or "having proof" the most important thing in being ready for jesus to come?
Matt: No
Dave: What is the most important thing?
Matt: Believing in God.
Dave: What is one word that means the same thing?
Matt: Faith
Dave: In Ellen White's book "Early Writings" she tells a story of one of her visions. There is a narrow path to heaven that everyone is walking on. At the top the path is too narrow to walk on. It is then that a rope appears that they can hold onto. They take hold of the rope and swing across into heaven. What do you think the path and the rope represent?
Matt: The path is the way to God and the rope is, in a way, a test of faith.
Dave: Good. What is the path that Christians walk for their lifetime? What is different about us?
Matt: We focus on God.
Dave: Yup. We are focused on doing God's will - obeying his teachings. When we reach the end of the path—just before Jesus comes—what is going to happen to our way of life?
Matt: It'll be tested. We'll be tested.
Dave: Matt 24:24 says, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible." There will be such impresive signs and wonders orchestrated by the devil that most people will be led astray. The rope of faith is all we will have left to hold on to. Truth and obedience is the path of righteousness. But faith is the key to salvation. So, what can we do now to ensure that our faith is strong when crunch time comes?
Matt: Pray and read the Bible.
Dave: Excellent. Anything else?
Matt: Trust God through everything.
Dave: Very good.
Dave: Should we pray?
Matt: I dont c y not.
Dave: Let's do it. Dear God, thanks for the promise of Jesus' soon return. Please help Matt and me to build a foundation of love and knowledge about You that will reinforce our faith when crunch time comes. We love You and are excited to see You soon. Amen.
Dave has left chat
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Dave Edgren has joined our editorial team and is now looking after Signs of the Times magazine.