YEA Lesson Library
Signs of the End
About This Lesson
Using the example of the unexpectedness of the events on 9-11, this lesson teaches that we must be ready for the return of Jesus Christ now by repenting, being baptized, and obeying God.
Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
Matthew 24:1-51
Words to Know
IMMINENT - likely to occur at any moment
RAMPANT - unchecked; widespread
The Lesson
September 11, 2001 began like any other day in New York City. The people awakened, got dressed, had breakfast, and with various means of transportation, made their way to work and to school. Some went to the World Trade Center Twin Towers. As usual, these people felt safe. After all, they lived in a nation where wars just aren’t fought on our soil, so they thought. They didn’t have a clue that destruction was imminent. So they pushed their way into crowded elevators. The door closed and the elevator started up the tower. Some got out on the second floor and started their day’s work. Then the elevator ascended to the third floor, the tenth floor, 39th, 50th , 99th floor, etc.
No one would have imagined that within a couple of hours nearly three thousand people in those twin towers would be dead and many more injured. Who would have dreamed that anyone would be so evil as to fly a plane into a building. . . intentionally? But even more astonishing, four people were evil enough to do this. The rush to the stairs began. Smoke filled the buildings. And people ran for their lives. The temperature began to rise from the fire until it passed one thousand degrees. No one could have imagined that the steel structure in these two buildings would melt to the ground. It was no ordinary fire – it was still burning three months later. No one expected this tragedy. But this horrible destruction happened suddenly. This is how Jesus said that the end time events that lead to His return would happen.
Do you remember we talked about the fig tree last week? Jesus has something else He wants us to learn from the fig tree. “When a fig tree’s branch is tender and the leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is almost here. Just so, when you see all these things beginning to happen, you can know that my return is near, even at the doors. Then at last this age will come to a close” (Matthew 24:32-34 TLB).
Do you want to know what the future holds for you? Have you always found the Book of Revelation intriguing, but never understood it? What are these things that will begin to happen? As Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives He outlined these things, to His disciples, that will precede His return. We find this in Matthew 24. Jesus first said that many would come claiming to be the Messiah. But He warned us not to believe them.
Jesus went on to tell His disciples that there would be wars, famines and earthquakes in many places. We know there have always been wars, famines and earthquakes. So did Jesus. And He told us that these things are not the end – it’s only the beginning of things that will happen.
Next He mentions religious persecution, false prophets trying to lead people astray, and sin being rampant. Then He warns us not to let our love for Him cool down, and He promises that those who remain faithful to the end will be saved. The “Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then, finally, the end will come.” In your life time this has not only become possible, but a reality with the Internet and web sites. Anywhere around the world you can listen to the Born to Win program on the CEM web site. The address is www.cemnetwork.com.
At this point Jesus gave some extremely important information to those who will be living in the hills of Judea around Jerusalem at the end times. He refers back to a time when Antiochus Ephiphanes erected a pagan altar to Zeus in the Temple of God in 168 B.C. He warns that something very similar will happen again. Jesus went on to say, “Let those in Judea flee to the mountains.” Leave immediately, He said, and don’t even go back into your houses to get a coat.
Jesus begins to explain why He must come back. Sin, sickness, crime and violence will be unprecedented. He’s sees that if He doesn’t intervene, everyone will be destroyed. So His return is a rescue mission. Just as He saved the Israelites from horrible slavery, He will once again intervene and save His people from even worse.
In verse 29 Jesus begins to explain the heavenly signs that will take place just before He returns. “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light: and stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” He says it’s “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn.” Why do you think they will mourn? He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call to gather His true believers from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other to save them and give them eternal life!
Do you want Jesus to return to this earth real soon? Will you be ready, or will you be one who mourns? What can you do to be sure you are ready? Jesus will not save anyone who does not believe on Him and has not repented of their sins. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). That gift of the Holy Spirit will give you eternal life! Are you ready for the end to come?
Jesus alerts us to be prepared, for we don’t know what day He will come. The people in the World Trade Center had no signs that those towers would collapse on 9-11. But Jesus gave all who believe on Him signs of the end to watch for. “You are not in the dark about these things, and you won’t be surprised as by a thief when that day of the Lord comes. For you are all children of the light and of the day, and do not belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Watch for his return and stay sober” (2 Thessalonians 5:4-6).
Student Prayer
Great God and Father,
Thank you that you will send your Son back to this earth. Our world is in such a mess and we know it’s not going to get better until you come back and make it right. Help me Father, to love you more, to live a life that pleases you and to want your Kingdom to come.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
Monday: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6
Tuesday: Matthew 24:1-8
Wednesday: Matthew 24:9-14
Thursday: Matthew 24:15-26
Friday: Matthew 24: 27-39
Saturday: Matthew 24:40-51
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain the events leading up to the return of Christ.
2. Discuss how and why Christ’s return is a rescue mission.
3. Outline what they must do to be ready for His return.
Topics & Themes
Baptism
Be Ready
Eternal Life
Jesus, Return of
Repentance
Sin
Staying Awake
Trumpet
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students’ and teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, songbook, CD or cassette tape, music player
How to Teach This Lesson
The teacher needs to have done the activity in the student book prior to class.
Play the game “What if” with the students - Tell them to pretend they live in New York City, it’s September 10, 2001 and they work at the World Trade Center. Ask: What if you had been tipped off that a terrorist attack is planned for the next day. What would you do? What if you just knew someone who worked at the World Trade Center. Fifteen minutes before the plane crashed into the first tower, someone called you and told you a plane had taken off from the Logan Airport in Boston with orders to crash into the World Trade Center. What would you do? What if you worked on the 35th floor in the World Trade Center and were handicapped and confined to a wheelchair. You felt the impact of the plane, the building swaying and saw the smoke, flames and fire. What would you do? What if you worked on the ground floor and felt the impact of the plane crashing into the tower you were in. What would you do? What lesson do you think the people in the Trade Center could have learned from the warning Jesus gave to the people who live in Judea when they see Jerusalem surrounded by armies? (Don’t even go back for your coat. Get out of there.) What lessons have you learned from the WTC episode?
The importance of Christ’s return - share with the class what you wrote in your students’ activity. Then ask them to share why they feel the return of Christ is so important.
Teen questions - Allow the students to ask the questions they wrote in the activity in their book. Listen carefully to their questions and encourage help from other teens in answering them. Let your kids know that no one, including them can know exactly when Christ will return. And let them know that the return of Christ is the hope for everyone who trusts Him.
Explain common terms - Teenagers may be confused when they hear common biblical terms used in foretelling Christ’s return. Understanding the following terms will give greater biblical literacy and prophetic understanding to the teens in your class. First give them the word and allow them to give its meaning if they can. Then discuss the following with them.
The Tribulation - It is sometimes called the “Great Tribulation” and should not be confused with the Day of the Lord. These are two separate periods of time that precede Christ’s return. The Great Tribulation precedes the Day of the Lord. Mankind brings the Tribulation on the earth by an increase in wickedness and man’s own wrath. This will be a time of distress unequaled from the beginning of the world until that time. It will be a time of persecution when many will leave the faith and betray other Christians.
The Day of the Lord - This event follows the “Great Tribulation.” It is a time of God’s wrath on the earth because of man’s unprecedented wicked- ness. The heavenly signs are a part of this event.
The Millennium - Students in your class have lived in two different millenniums and most likely understand that a millennium is one thousand years. However, they may not understand the term millennium in a biblical context. This thousand year period begins when Christ returns to earth and sets up His Kingdom – a thousand years of unprecedented peace and happiness when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters that cover the sea.”
Antichrist - A false leader will come to power during the Tribulation claiming to be God. He will fight Christ at His return. Christ will defeat the Antichrist.
Teacher-Directed Activity
Before class write the names of half of your students on strips of paper. Fold and put them in a basket for a drawing. Kids will start to seat themselves in such a way as to always be with their friends when they are broken up into groups. So a little creativity may be required to keep cliques from forming and the kids mixing. Now let the other half of the class draw (those whose names are not in the basket) for a partner. If you have an odd number, partner with one of the students. Explain that each pair of students is to explain what the following terms mean to their partner: The Tribulation, The Day of the Lord, The Millennium, The Antichrist. This means that everyone explains and everyone gets to listen. Being able to explain something to another person ensures that you understand it.
REACH Activity
Spotlight Memory Verse
Search for three different translations of the YEA lesson memory verse. Compare the translations. In your Bible notebook, write the translation that was the easiest to understand. Do the same with the translation you found the most difficult. In your opinion, what made one more difficult than the other? Write your thoughts about each in your Bible notebook. Share with your class or family.
Where in the World?
Make a three column chart in your Bible notebook. Turn the notebook horizontally to make the chart. This will help with your note taking. Label the columns Know, Want to Know, and Learned, respectively. Under the first column write what you think you know about the Book of Revelation. The second column is for questions that you have about the Book of Revelation. When you find the answers to your questions, write them in the third column.
Note: As you continue your study of Revelation you may consider creating a new tab in your notebook just for this exciting book. Subdivide the section for each chapter of Revelation for easier note taking and cross references. Share your information with the class or your family.
They Did What Back Then?
Jesus referred to the Old Testament Book of Daniel in Matthew 24:15. Daniel used the phrase “abomination of desolation.” To find out what Jesus and Daniel were referring to, read Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11. As a class or family discuss your answer.
In Matthew 24, Jesus asks, “Do you see. . . ?” and says “Watch out. . .” In your own words describe Jesus’ message about the signs of the end. Discuss the topic as a class or family.
Making It Mine
How do you really feel about Jesus Christ coming back? Do you dread the evil, persecution, disease, and death that will come before His return? Are you secretly disappointed that you might not get to buy a car, get married, have children? Are you really ready for His return? Imagine your life in these terms. You are on a plane flight. It’s a long flight and seems like it’s never going to end. But suddenly, without warning, the engines fail. You are going down. The plane is going to crash. There are only a few parachutes.
Your life is like that plane flight. You have to live it as if it’s going to keep flying. You make plans for the future. You do well in school so you can get a good scholarship to college, and then get a good job. You continue to live your life. But suddenly, without much warning, the end will come. Life as we know it is going to disappear. Death and destruction will be rushing at you, much like the plane plummeting to the ground. You have only one hope. That’s Jesus Christ. He’s your parachute.
If you have a relationship with Jesus, you don’t need to fear what’s coming. You know that your life is hid in Christ. Even if you die, you know that you’ll be in His Kingdom. But if you don’t know Jesus and haven’t submitted your life to His will, then you’re going down, just like the plane. God is on a rescue mission. Consider carefully accepting the parachute.
Worldview Collision
A false worldview quotes, “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die”(Isaiah 22:13) and “Let tomorrow take care of itself” (Matthew 6:34). Misusing these Scriptures can give you the impression that you should live for today and not be prepared for tomorrow.
An accurate biblical worldview says, “Take no anxious thought for the morrow” (Matthew 6:25). We don’t have to worry because we are in God’s care. But we still need to live our lives with the goal in mind (Philippians 3:14). And you will not reach the goal if you don’t make preparations for the trip.
Song
“On Eagles Wings” is on page 68 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Have the students form a circle and join hands. Ask for a volunteer to lead in prayer asking God to help each one of us to always be ready for Christ’s return.
Printable Pages
