NT Come Follow Me 22

NT Come Follow Me Lesson 22

Introduction:

“The Son of Man Shall Come”

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:35, 37

“Heaven and earth shall pass away; yet my words shall not pass away. … And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived.”

We expect things to continue as they always have. Even those who have believed in the prophesies are apt to become skeptical when they don’t see them fulfilled, when they expect they should be. But Jesus has foretold us many things through the prophets. So many prophecies have been fulfilled, and there are many more which shall be.

Jesus told his disciples the temple would be destroyed, and that happened around AD 70. He also told them of many wonderful and terrible things that would happen before His Second Coming.

The things or this earth are temporal and temporary. But God is eternal, and his words are all verified.

Even though the powers of heaven shall be shaken Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:33, and all things shall be in commotion, we can put our trust in Him who is Eternal. He has saved us and will save us yet.

Personal Study: What is Joseph Smith—Matthew?

Joseph Smith’s inspired revisions restore precious truths that had been lost. Verses 12–21 refer to the destruction of Jerusalem anciently; verses 21–55 contain prophecies about the last days.

Personal Study: Prophecies about the Savior’s Second Coming can help me face the future with faith.

The world is in commotion now. There are many unsettling things all around us, but we can find contentment, security, and peace in Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:23 See that ye be not troubled!

The earthquakes and natural disasters may be troubling, but the state of people’s hearts and the open rebellion seen in the immorality of the world is by far more troubling. Yet, we are commanded to not be troubled. The only way we can do this is to remember Him and look to Him as the source of our faith and comfort.

Second Coming of Jesus Christ Study this at a later time.

 

Personal Study: I must always be ready for the Savior’s Second Coming.

Matthew 25:13 We don’t know the day or the hour, so we need to be ready now. President Joseph F. Smith said it is tomorrow, because now is called today until the coming of the Son of Man (a day of tithing and the sacrifice of my people).

So while we don’t know the precise day or hour, we do know!... it is very close. If we are paying tithing and offering sacrifices, the work will be cut short in righteousness so that the righteous will be spared. Prepare for tomorrow by working today.

Luke 21:34 Don’t become lax and lazy. Don’t let His Coming catch you unawares. Rejoice in it.

How the Savior want you to help prepare the world for His Second Coming? Review your Patriarchal Blessing every week so that you can see, feel, and know what you should be doing.

Will you be ready to receive Him when He comes? Are you ready to have people meet in your home in His name now?

Preparing for the Lord’s Return

Embrace the Future with Faith

Personal Study: Heavenly Father expects me to use His gifts wisely.

Make a list of some of the blessings and responsibilities that Heavenly Father has entrusted to you. How are you using your resources to both improve your talents and to serve Him and His children?

What are the Lord’s expectations for you? Are you seeking to achieve them?

Family Study: When I serve others, I am serving God.

Review the parable of the sheep and the goats (and the other parables in Matthew 25).

How can caring for those in need help you prepare to inherit the Kingdom of God?

Mosiah 2:17 Be wise and serve God’s children. That’s how we serve Him.

5:13 We come to know God through our service to others.

Family Study: Preparing for His Second Coming

Joseph Smith—Matthew

When He Comes Again

Family Study: Treasure up the word

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:22, 37 And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived

Family Study: Every Drop of Oil Counts

Matthew 25:1–13 How can you make sure your reserve is replenished?

Family Study: Give a righteous offering

We can give more than we think we can. We can consecrate our efforts to the Lord. How have you been blessed through paying tithes and offerings? How have you been blessed through ministering, teaching the gospel, testifying of Christ, and doing temple work?

Mark 12:44 How can we offer all that we have, like the widow did?

When He Comes Again

https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-m/1?lang=eng

An extract from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet in 1831: Matthew 23:39 and chapter 24.

Jesus foretells the impending destruction of Jerusalem—He also discourses on the Second Coming of the Son of Man, and the destruction of the wicked.

Vs 1 When will we be privileged to see the Lord again? Have faith in the Lord and in this morment!
ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him.

Vs 4-11 There is much tumult, terror and devastation now. The world is very evil. Follow the prophet. Do not be deceived. The gospel has not changed. God and His Son are constant and true. If you continue to follow them and are valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ it will be well with you, and you will be helping others to come unto salvation.

Vs 12-18 We have been commanded to be prepared for the last days, which we are in. We should have everything at the ready continually. Our lamps should be trimmed and filled with oil. We should have a spiritual reserve as well as a temporal reserve. We should be in the habit of listening to the prophet and following the Spirit, so we recognized His voice and continue to follow Him.

Vs 19-20 The Spirit told my mother during her life that "this is just the beginning of sorrows." She is a very visionary person. I am thankful to know that through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and through keeping our covenants the days will be shortened and we will be saved. This is what I want to do.

Vs 21-26 Don't be deceived, and do not be overly troubled if you see the elect falter. Stay true to your covenants. You will recognize and know of the Lord's return. You do not have to be deceived.

Vs 27 Wherever the body of the church is, the saints will be gathered together from all parts of the earth.

Vs 28-29 Pray for those who have been deceived and have been overcome, that they might still be saved.

Vs 31 The gospel of the kingdom has to be preached in all the world for a witness to all natikons before the end comes.

Vs 33-35 It seems that when these signs are given, the prophecies will be accelerated. Those who witness these signs will witness the rest of them.

Vs 36-37 I want to be among the valiant of the elct, so that I can find joy in the appearing of the Son of Man.

Vs 38-41 It's right at the door now. Jesus will come again. As a child I always hoped it would be in my lifetime. The way that both the spreading of wickedness and the gathering of Israel is currently, it very well may be. It's up to me to keep the faith, whether I witness this event from earth or with Jesus descending from heaven.

Vs 42-48 You have been warned. Keep reading, learning, praying, repenting, practicing faith in Jesus Christ and you will be ready.

Vs 49-50 How we treat one another has everthing to do with whether or not we are prepared to meet the Lord.

https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/24?lang=eng

Jesus foretells the doom of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple—Great calamities will precede His Second Coming—He gives the parable of the fig tree.

Vs 4-5 Be constant in your faith of Jesus Christ and follow His prophet, and do not allow yourself to be deceived.

Vs 6-8 Our reaction to this troubling time and to the wickness that the world choices should be sorrow. With faith in the Lord and with gratitude for His many tender mercies, we can live with sorrow; but, anger and hate will destroy us.

Vs 9-13 The early apostles and disciples were delivered up to be afflicted and killed; this may also prove to be true more and more for the Latter-day disciples of Jesus Christ from all denominations.

Make sure that you are righteous and seeking to develop the gift of charity. You will need itto endure. Jesus will help and save you.

Vs 14 The gospel is being preached in all the world. Missionaries are going to many more nations. The end is soon to come.

Vs 15 Choose to stand in Holy Places. Stand in the Stakes of Zion. Partake of the Sacrament. Minister. Seek to have the Holy Ghost with you to make your walk holy. Be faithful to your tesimony of Jesus Christ and to your covenants which you have made to God the Father in His name. Seek to be a witness of Jesus Christ and invite others to come and stand with you.

Vs 21-22 Prepare now. You have known all these prophecies since childhood. Keep moving forward and inviting others to follow Christ. The Lord will save the elect, those who are valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Vs 23-25 Like my sister Kathy always said, if we are warned that there will be false prophets, it is obviously given that there will also be true prophets.

 

We have Jesus Christ's own words, and we need to know them and rely on them and follow the gift and power of the Holy Ghost in our lives.

Vs 27 There will be no question at all when Jesus makes His worldwide appearance. Everyone will know! It will not be done in secret.

Vs 28 People will be aware that the saints of ZIon have gathered together.

Vs 30-31 Jesus's angels will sound trumpets and gather together the elect throughout all earth and heaven.

Vs 36 Jesus said these words before His resurrection. I believe He probably does know now, but He is still waiting for the command from His Father.

Vs 44 Keep watching for the Lord's Coming and waiting upon Him.

Vs 45-51 It is important that we stay faithful and keep working. We should neither say that the Lord delays His Coming, nor should we say that we do not have to prepare for another year, because Jesus is coming anyway. He wants us to keep being fruitful and supplying the needs of our families and building His kingdom.

https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/25?lang=eng

Jesus gives the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats.

Vs 1-13 The Ten Virgins

Vs 14-30 The Talents

Vs 21 Are you making the most out of what the Lord has blessed you with? Are you growing and developing your talents? Are you serving others and helping them feel His love?

Vs 29 If we don't use the gifts the Lord has given us, we will lose them; they will wither. If we don't renew our covenants with Him and exercise our faith in Him, we will lose our testimony.

Vs 31-46 The Sheep and the Goats

Vs 31-34 Jesus will separate us according to our faith in Him and our works towards each other.

Vs 35-40 These are the works of the sheep of the Shepherd. How are you doing? Are you His under shepherd?

https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/12?lang=eng                      

Jesus gives the parable of the wicked husbandmen—He speaks of paying taxes, celestial marriage, the two great commandments, the divine sonship of Christ, and the widow’s mites.

Vs 6-11 We are stewards in this world. But it is our Father's world, and He's allowed us to live here to prove ourselves. Agency is a powerful gift. But those who have killed the prophets and the Lord Himself will stand accountable to God.

Even though Jesus was killed, He lives again, and He is the chief cornerstone, and the Inheritor of all the Father has.

Bs 29-31 The call is now to us, "Hear, O Israel." How am I doing on hearkening and living the two great commandments?

Vs 42-44 The widow's mite. Am I willing to give all that I have to the Lord? Haven't I covenanted to do so? How about starting with your heart?
                                                                                                         

https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/13?lang=eng

Jesus tells of the calamities and signs preceding the Second Coming—There will be false Christs and false prophets—He gives the parable of the fig tree.

Vs 4-5 Jesus outlined that we should be prepared and what we should be looking for.

Vs 10-11 Always be prepared to teach the gospel by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is in you.

Vs 26-27 The gathering will continue, even more fully, when Jesus comes again.

Vs 35-37 Wake up unto the Lord. The woke people are sleeping.

https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/21?lang=eng

Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem—He tells of the signs to precede His Second Coming and gives the parable of the fig tree.

Vs 8-13 The apostles were told what would happen in the last days before the Savior returned again. He also told them that the would testify of him before kings and rulers.

I believe that applied in their time and in ours.

vs 14-15 The Holy Ghost will let us know what to see in all situations if we mediate on the things of Christ.

Vs 27-28 This will come as a great relief to the righteous, We will lift up our heads and rejoice.

Vs 34 Don't be so silly as just to surf the web. Be preparing and be serving.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.