Reading Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Verse to Memorize: Deuteronomy 26:16
Reference: John 4:48; 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Goal: To help believers clearly know the signs of the last days recorded in the Bible, realize the providence of God and adorn themselves as the brides of the Lord
If dark clouds obscure the sky becomes we can know that it’s about to rain. Likewise, when we see certain things happening around the world we can also know we are living in the last days. There are many passages about the end time in the Bible.
Luke 21:9 reads, “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified? and the following verse 11 says, “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these.”
1. The love of God who desires to save all people
In 2 Peter 3:3-4 it says, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.'”
Although they hear about these signs, many people do not believe we are now in the last days. Just as everybody was born and meets death someday, the human history has its end as well as its beginning. When the God-appointed time comes, this world will come to its end. All men who have lived as the descendants of Adam who committed transgressions will be judged before God. In other words, those who believe Jesus Christ and live according to the Word of God will go to Heaven whereas those who don’t accept Jesus as the Savior, though people try to evangelize them, and those who live in sin and evil without practicing the Word of God, will go to Hell.
God is in a hurry to have the gospel spread to the whole earth because He wants to let as many people as possible, even just one more single soul, to receive salvation. This is the reason why God is showing His power today. He wants to make people believe in Heaven and Hell even through manifestation of His power. As John 4:48 reads, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe,” these powerful works are even more essential today since sin and evil are rampant and knowledge increases.
2. The power of God for the preaching of the gospel at the end time
Human cultivation in God’s plan is already running towards its end. In order for the gospel to be spread to all men who are likely to be saved before the God’s designated end comes, His great and amazing power is absolutely essential.
There are still countries where it is hard to preach the gospel due to persecution and oppression. Many people have yet to hear the gospel. But people come to have faith without fear of death as long as they experience the power of God, no matter how harsh persecution they may face. Through them the gospel can be spread like fire in such countries.
As for believers in the Lord, few of them possess true faith. As Luke 18:8 says, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” they just lead lives no different from those of the worldly people and dwell in sins although they go to church. But even though they live in sins without faith, after they have a firsthand experience of the living God, they gain strength to live according to the Word.
So, our church has prayed earnestly for and performed its ministry in countries where preaching the gospel is prohibited by law, idolatry is prevalent, and churches are persecuted. Dr. Jaerock Lee proclaimed God the Creator and Jesus Christ in Pakistan and Dubai where Islam is practiced as the majority religion and in India where a vast majority of people practice Hinduism. Through the ministry countless people were able to experience the power of God and many converted to Christianity.
Just as a farmer wants to harvest a bumper crop during harvest season, God shows His amazingly powerful works to save an uncountable number of people as at this end time closes.
3. Prophecies on the end time and God’s providence
God-given prophecies as well as the biblically record word tell us that this is now ‘the end time’. Almost all the biblical prophesies have been fulfilled and those that have not yet occurred are currently in progress. Here, we are going to look in to a few things about the end time.
1) The prophecy about North-South Korean relations
God gave us the prophetic word about the North Korea-South Korea relations because we have a duty for North Korean ministry. North Korea has maintained its closed-door policy, but the situation throughout their country went against it lately. Its political and economic situations are unstable both at home and abroad. Both China and Russia, who are considered now to be friendly nations, are now riding on the rapid flow of open-door policy and are being quickly transformed.
God told us that North Korea will open in such a situation and but they will close again soon after. They will open due to the pressure of USA, but they will close again with the help of the power of China and Russia.
Thus, although North Korea opens its door to the world, the time for spreading the gospel will be very limited. Right then, the ministry of North Korea will be accomplished through God-prepared pastors and many souls will experience healing works, receive answers and meet the living God.
2) The prophecies concerning the world mission
God prepared overseas crusades that drew tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, and even millions of people to Him and showed His amazing power in the crusades. With Uganda Holy Gospel Crusade 2000 as the starting point, which was broadcast by CNN, God continued to work through many crusades such as the Pakistan United Crusade 2000 that opened the door to the ministry of Middle Eastern area; and the Kenya Miracle Healing Crusade, where many people were healed of their diseases like AIDS.
The power of God exploded in Philippine Healing Crusade, hit like a whirlwind of the Spirit in Latin America in Honduras United Crusade and the Peru United Crusade. A total of approximately three million people attended the India United Crusade, and the ministry performed in Dubai paved the way for the ministry in Middle East.
The Russia United Crusade and the Germany United Crusade awakened Europe that was in spiritual slumber. The DR Congo Miracle Healing Crusade brought revival and blessings to Africa that is suffering from poverty, war, and famine. The New York United Crusade was held in Madison Square Garden that is one of the most renowned arenas in the world and was broadcast in 22 countries. The crusades opened the doors to saving countless souls in the world.
God let us know that Manmin would go to Israel when the end time comes and allow for the gospel to return to its place of origin. According to the word given by God, Manmin started the Israeli ministry from July 2007 until September 2009 when, by showing the power of God, the gospel was preached and that Jesus is the Messiah, that is, the Savior. Above all, Crystal Forum, the Israeli Pastors’ Association, was organized, and the members have preached the gospel and performed the ministry actively by holding Couples’ Seminars, Youth Camps, and Music Festivals.
Sadly, the people in Israel reject the gospel holding a sense of pride as God’s chosen people and establish a barrier against the world to maintain the existing system. However the omniscient God foreknew everything, and He prepared His providence so that the power of the Spirit would unfold with signs, wonders, and powerful works within it and the gospel of Jesus would be spread. At this end time, their hearts will be opened widely by the fiery works of the Holy Spirit, they will accept the Savior, and the providence of human cultivation will be completed.
3) The prophecy about the construction of Grand Sanctuary
Not long after the opening of Manmin Central Church, God taught us what Manmin would achieve in His providence for the end time, and He gave us a precious duty to build the Grand Sanctuary that would reveal the glory of God. Before the Lord comes back, we will prepare the ark-like sanctuary뾲he Grand Sanctuary뾵here countless people from around the world would gain the opportunities to be saved.
It is the end time that is as full of sin and evil as the time of Noah was, when we finished building the Sanctuary, a large number of people will come to Grand Sanctuary after hearing about the glory of God and His power. They will see many evidences of the living God, learn the holiness gospel, and sing praises that please God. They will realize the will of God who wants to gain true children, adorn themselves as the brides of the Lord, and become qualified to meet the Lord who will come again.
As explained, the Grand Sanctuary will play a pivotal role like a base location taking the final step to spread the gospel. In addition, God said that He would guide many people in the world who long for the power of God to help us when we build the Grand Sanctuary.
God has given us Manmin His prophecy on the providence of the last days since its opening and He has accomplished the words. Until the Lord comes again, God will help us fulfill all the duties given to us and reveal His glory on the whole earth.
