Will This World Ever Get Better?
Touring The New Testament, part 5 of 5
Will the world ever get better? Will all the problems, wars, trials, troubles and tribulations ever end and will the world become a better place? The last books of the New Testament paint of picture of moral decline which ends in the ultimate trouble on earth, the tribulation period, which is then followed by the return of Jesus Christ to rule and reign on earth. The New Testament teaches that the world will not get better (ultimately) until Jesus returns on earth. In the days preceding Christ’s return, things will get terrible. Are we in those days today? How close are we in Christ’s coming? By surveying the lasts books of the New Testament, called the General Epistles, we’ll see how they provide some of the signs of the times to help us understand what the future hold for the world.
Download the notes.I. General Letters: The bad news first…
1. Hebrews: Christ is superior to OT Foreshadows
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe…So he became as much superior…”
(Hebrews 1:1-2a, NIV)
2. James: True faith “works”
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him?”
(James 2:14, NIV)
3. 1 Peter: Hope in persecution
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
(1 Peter 1:3-4,6, NIV)
4. 2 Peter: Standing on truth while others defect.
“…there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
(2 Peter 2:1-3a, NIV)
5. 1 John: Walking in fellowship with God.
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
(1 John 1:3, NIV)
6. 2 and 3 John: Walking in the truth and in love.
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.”
(2 John 4)
7. Jude; Defending the faith from false teachers.
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men…have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men…”
(Jude 3-4a)
II. Revelation: The bad news turns good
1. Key verse that oulines the book is Revelation 1:19.
“When I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.’”
(Revelation 1:17-19, NIV)
a. “What you have seen”: Jesus (Rev. 1)
b. “What is now”: The church (Rev. 2-3)
c. “What will take place later”: The prophetic future (Rev. 4-22)