"God's Good Plan for The End of the World"
A Handbook for the Royal Priesthood - Episode #9
"Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
About This Episode:
On this episode we wrap up the first half of our series, A Handbook for the Royal Priesthood, as we discuss the return of Christ and the day of judgment. The final pillar of history for the Royal Priesthood to grasp is that God has a good plan for the end of the world. When we really understand God’s plan for the end, we can orient our lives to fully engage in the story of history that God is even now perfectly bringing to completion. We don’t need to be afraid to talk about the day of judgment, or to study the end of the world, because we know the One who has the ability to execute perfect judgment and keep all of His promises. In fact, the more we know about the end of the world, the more hope we can have today.
This episode is focused on THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. We discuss:
- What is “the Day of Judgment“?
- How are we supposed to feel about what is coming?
- Why is this topic neglected in Christian conversation and teaching?
- How can Judgment be a good thing?
- What we can learn from Noah’s flood about the final judgment
- God’s judgment impacts humans, angels and the very earth itself.
- Judgment brings resolution to the confusion and chaos.
- Our efforts to improve the earth will finally be realized at Christ’s return.
- The decisive judgment of God always ushers in a new beginning.
- Separation is a key ingredient of all end times parables.
- Every human being will face two judgments.
- The heart of the matter at the final judgment is the heart.
- What does it mean to fear God, but not fear judgment?
- The trials in our life sometimes feel like mini judgments.
- Only God can see our faith, so only God can judge salvation.
- Is the rainbow a promise that God will never again judge the earth?
- What we are looking forward to about the end of the world
- Why hasn’t Christ yet returned? How could we possibly “hasten the day”?
- Beginning with the End in mind has changed the trajectory of our lives.
- What does this have to do with our culture today?
Quotes from this Episode:
"Judgment brings order out of chaos, resolution to confusion, and reward for the faithful."
"Christ is the ark we climb into to be saved. Faith in Him is the perfect love which casts out fear of judgment because we know if we have Christ we know we have eternal life."
"There is only one person in the entire universe of whom you are ultimately terrified, but by whom you are ultimately loved. You have confidence, but you recognize that He can destroy the entire universe. You should have a visceral reaction to that."
"Through the story of Noah, God has proven that He is able to do two things at the same time: bring decisive global judgment to punish the wicked, and perfectly rescue those who are his."
Questions for Contemplation:
What does it mean for you to “fear the Lord”? Do you “tremble before Him with rejoicing”? Or do you take for granted that you have a relationship with Him, so you don’t need to fear Him? (Psalm 2:11 )
How do you feel about the return of Christ? Do you long for his return? Would you prefer Jesus didn’t come back in your lifetime? If so, take time to repent and ask the Lord to give you a desire for His return. (2 Timothy 4:8)
What dragons is God calling you to slay (fears, sins, spiritual wickedness in high places) toward the end of setting spiritual captives free? How might God want to use you to prepare the Bride for Christ’s return? (Isaiah 61:1-2)
Are you scared of the judgment day? Don’t be afraid of meditating on the day of judgment. Perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18) Talk to God about the ways He has proven that he is able to bring decisive judgment on the earth, and also to rescue those who are His. (2 Peter 2:9)
- If you really believed the day of judgment was near, that Christ’s return is imminent, what would you feel urgently needs to change in your life? (2 Peter 3:11-13)
We hope this podcast will help you to seek the deep riches of the glory of God, and inspire you to discover your role in the Royal Priesthood of Believers.
Scriptures referenced in this podcast:
Daniel 2:31-45; Revelation 16:7; Genesis 6; 2 Peter 2:4-9; Genesis 3; 1 Peter 3:20; Matthew 24:37; Isaiah 54:9; Jude; Revelation 2:10; Matthew 25:14-22; Genesis 10-12; Genesis 19; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 John 4:16-18; 2 Peter 3; Hebrews 12:29; Hebrews 10:31; Acts 4:12; Psalm 2:8-11; Psalm 119:120; 2 Peter 1:4-11; Matthew 25:1-13; 1 John 5:12; 2 Timothy 4:9; 1 Peter 4:12-17; Hebrews 6:4-6; Titus 2:11-13; 2 Peter 3:11-13; 2 Peter 3:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15; Hebrews 11:9-10; Revelation 21:1-4; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:20; 2 Peter 3:12; Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Revelation 22:17; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7:9; Romans 1:18-32; 2 Peter 3:3-7; Luke 16
Links:
C.S. Lewis essay, “Learning in Wartime” quoted by David in this episode
Song: “You’ve Already Won,” Shane & Shane (includes the lyric, “I know how the story ends…” referenced by Michelle in this episode)
Song: “Even So Come,” Passion, feat. Chris Tomlin (includes the lyric, “Like a Bride waiting for her groom…”)
You can also listen on iTunes, Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, TuneIn, and Google Play. Just search for “Deeper Riches Podcast.”
Don’t forget to subscribe! And feel free to leave a comment below to let us know how this episode blessed you!
S3Ep8: We Are Kingdom People
This episode of the Deeper Riches Podcast puts the “Royal” in the Royal Priesthood. As adopted sons and daughters of the King of the Universe, we are royalty. But what is this kingdom that we have entered into? What does it mean to do “kingdom work” or be a “kingdom person”? What is the real work of this kingdom of priests? We return to the story of the history of the world and explore what God revealed about His Kingdom through the first three kings of Israel: Saul, David, and Solomon. We also dive into the parables Jesus told about his kingdom and take away some big lessons about the nature of the Kingdom of God.
S3Ep7: What is the Church?
What is the church? Is it a building? A place we go to get some encouragement and fellowship once or twice a week? According to the Scriptures, the church is so much more. It is the Body of Christ on the earth, and the Bride who awaits His return. God’s plan for the Church is one of the great mysteries in all the universe, a thing into which angels long to look! On this latest episode of the Deeper Riches podcast, we explore this beautiful mystery and discover that faith is not a ME thing – it’s a WE thing! Enjoy!
S3E6: We Are Priests Like Living Stones
If you are in Christ, you are a part of the Royal Priesthood. Along with every believer of Jesus, we are being built up, like living stones, into a holy temple where God dwells. We are made to be instruments of reconciliation between God and man. In this episode we explore our Priesthood, and talk about what makes it distinct from the Levitical priesthood established in the Law. We analyze the story of Melchizedek, and gain new insights into our own priestly duties based on the story of this obscure royal priest. If we belong to the Body of Christ, we have already been anointed and ordained and consecrated for this high calling. Isn’t it about time we learn what this Priesthood is all about?
S3Ep5 – The Law and the Gospel
On this episode, we discuss the giving of the Law of Moses. Through this Law, God gave to mankind an unbelievable grace: He revealed the gospel more fully than ever before. We will trace how God clearly communicated his standard for right and wrong, the standard by which all of mankind is judged, and the standard of which we all fall short. But in the Law God also revealed that He would take payment for our sin with the blood of a perfect, spotless sacrifice, and restore us to a right relationship with Him. Without this Law, there is no gospel. We hope that this episode challenges your previous conceptions of the Law, and gives you an extra measure of gratitude and awe.
S3 Ep4: Let My People Go!
On this episode, we discuss God as DELIVERER. We dive into the story of the Exodus, when God delivered His people out of slavery in Egypt. Next to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Exodus is the most miracle-filled story in the Bible. The story is so pivotal, that the Israelites were commanded to remember and reenact it every single year forever. This story is also foundational to the Royal Priesthood today, because before we can serve God in the wilderness, we must actually leave the system of Egypt. This is an application rich episode, worth listening all the way through. It will challenge you, but it is our hope that you, too, will hear the call of God on your behalf, to “Let my people go!”
S3 Ep3: Walk by Faith
On this 3rd episode in the Handbook for the Royal Priesthood series, we examine the life of Father Abraham as a model of walking by faith. God counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness, so what exactly did Abraham believe? And how did he exercise that faith? In an age where it is becoming increasingly more costly to walk by faith and stand for Christ, the Royal Priesthood of believers need to consider what it means to follow in the footsteps of Abraham and walk by faith.
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