Signs of Jesus’ Second Coming Jesus is coming again. It’s in the Bible, John 14:2-3, NKJV. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” There are signs of Jesus’ second coming. It’s in the Bible, Luke 21:29-31, NKJV. “Then He spoke to them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.’” What are some signs? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 24:3, NKJV. “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’” Men posing as Jesus will try to deceive people in the last days. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 24:23-24, NIV. “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.” Second coming signs There will be wars, though they may seem overwhelming, it is not the end. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 24:6, NKJV. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Earthquakes and famines, and all the signs are only the contractions of what’s coming. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 24:7-8, NKJV. “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Are we living in the last days? Non-Christians will find it hard to believe we are living in the last days of earth’s history. It’s in the Bible, II Peter 3:3-4, TLB. “First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will come scoffers who will do every wrong they can think of, and laugh at the truth. This will be their line of argument: ‘So Jesus promised to come back, did He? Then where is He? He’ll never come! Why, as far back as anyone can remember everything has remained exactly as it was since the first day of creation.’” The coming of the Antichrist is a sign of the end. It’s in the Bible, I John 2:18, NKJV. “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” What moral conditions will be characteristic of society in the last days? It’s in the Bible, II Timothy 3:1-5, NIV. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” What other signs of the last days does the Bible mention? It’s in the Bible, Luke 21:25-26, NIV. “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Talk of peace and safety are a sign of the last days. It’s in the Bible, I Thessalonians 5:2-3, NIV. “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” The gospel will go to the whole world and the end will come. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 24:14, NIV. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” What are people to do when they see these things taking place? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 24:42-44, TLB. “So be prepared, for you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Just as a man can prevent trouble from thieves by keeping watch for them, so you can avoid trouble by always being ready for My unannounced return.” It’s in the Bible, Luke 21: 28, NKJV. “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” DID YOU FIND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE HELPFUL? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
STAY IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND CONTROL YOUR FLESHLY DESIRES Galatians 5:16–17 Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants. What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do. The answer to conquering the lusts of the flesh is the Holy Spirit of God. The believer is to walk in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It is the only conceivable way he can keep from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. No person has the power to control the lusts of his flesh—not within himself. The point is this: the flesh is so strong that it often keeps us from doing what we would. The only hope of ever controlling the flesh is to walk in the Spirit of God—in His presence and power. Romans 3:23 Because all people have sinned, they have fallen short of God’s glory. DID YOU FIND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
God’s Children Anywhere and Everywhere Ephesians 1:5–6 Because of his love he had already decided to adopt us through Jesus Christ. He freely chose to do this so that the kindness he had given us in his dear Son would be praised and given glory. John 1:12 However, he gave the right to become God’s children to everyone who believed in him. 1 John 3:1 Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God’s dear children. And that’s what we are. For this reason the world doesn’t recognize us, and it didn’t recognize him either. Ephesians 5:1 Imitate God, since you are the children he loves. God’s children are God’s children anywhere and everywhere and shall be even unto the end. Nothing can sever that sacred tie or divide us from his heart. I HOPE YOU RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD DOES NOT FAIL YOU Psalm 121:1–8 I look up toward the mountains. Where can I find help? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep. Indeed, the Guardian of Israel never rests or sleeps. The LORD is your guardian. The LORD is the shade over your right hand. The sun will not beat down on you during the day, nor will the moon at night. The LORD guards you from every evil. He guards your life. The LORD guards you as you come and go, now and forever. OUR GOD WILL NEVER FAIL US. WE CAN DEPEND ON GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD IS THE ONLY GOD “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43:10–11) Many people believe there are many ways to heaven, and the important thing is to be good. However, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). There is only one way to heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ. Our salvation doesn’t depend on our identity, our behavior, or how we measure up to other people. We are saved only because Jesus rescued us by dying on the cross in our place and rising again, getting rid of our sin forever and giving us new life. The only way to heaven is to believe in him and accept his sacrifice. God is the only one worthy of the number one spot in our lives. We may fill that spot with people we love, goals we have, good deeds, or material things, but only God can fill a spot designed for him. “For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods, for all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary” (Psalm 96:4–6). If God is so powerful, then why does it sometimes seem like evil is winning in the world? God is sovereign; he is the ultimate ruler. “Dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:28). This is true, even though sometimes it seems as if evil is winning in our world. God is in control even when everything looks broken and painful. Until Jesus returns to make everything right, we still live in a sinful and broken world. But he promises it won’t be this way forever! Jeremiah was a prophet who had seen the ugly in the world, but still knew who held the world. He said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
ROMANS 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 is the favorite verse of millions around the world. It’s arguably the greatest promise in the Bible, for it summarizes all the others. Romans 8:28 is all inclusive, all powerful, and always available. It is as omnipotent as the God who signed and sealed it. It’s as loving as the Savior who died to unleash it. It can do anything God can do. It can touch any hurt and redeem any problem. It isn’t a mere platitude but a divine promise. It isn’t a goal but a guarantee. It isn’t wishful thinking but a shaft of almighty providence that lands squarely on our pathway each day and every moment. The Lord moves heaven and earth to keep this promise. He puts His eye to the microscope of providential oversight and scans the smallest details of our lives, working them into a tapestry of blessing, making sure goodness and mercy follow us all our days. In memorizing this verse, remember that the first part is the promise; the last half is the condition. The first part tells us what God will do in working all things for our good. The last part gives us our responsibility—to love Him and be true to His purposes in our lives. Memorize Romans 8:28, and you need never despair again! LOVE GOD. STAND ON THIS PROMISE. TRUST, BELEIVE, AND RECEIVE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
WORRY IS A SIN. STOP WORRYING. Matthew 6:19–34 is our Lord’s definitive teaching about the sin of worry. Once you memorize its core verse, Matthew 6:33, you’ll be leaning on it again and again, too. Here’s an outline of the passage as it unfolds. Study it as you work on this great verse. 1. Worry indicates a defective value system (Matt. 6:19–25). There are more important issues than food, clothing, houses, and entertainment. 2. Worry indicates a defective self-image (Matt. 6:26). We’re more valuable than anything else God has made, including the birds of the air. 3. Worry indicates a defective way of thinking (Matt. 6:27). Anxiety doesn’t add one hour to our lives or one cubit to our height. It’s a useless exercise and an inefficient way of thinking. 4. Worry indicates a defective trust in God (Matt. 6:28–30). Faith is the ability to maintain inner strength by trusting in the promises of God amid the problems of life. We shouldn’t fall into the “you of little faith” camp. 5. Worry indicates a defective purpose in life (Matt. 6:31–33). If we take care of things that are important to God, He’ll take care of things that are important to us. 6. Anxiety indicates a defective view of tomorrow (Matt. 6:34). In this verse Jesus specifically tells us to deal with today’s issues and don’t worry about tomorrow’s. ALLOW THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Christ, Our Power 1. The power of His resurrection to raise us above an earthly and selfish life—Phil. 3:10. 2. The power of His grace to strengthen in trial—2 Cor. 12:9. 3. The power of His Spirit to make Himself a reality to us—Eph. 3:16, 17. 4. The power of His preservation to keep to His heavenly inheritance—1 Peter 1:4. 5. The power of His love to bestow all things which pertain to life and godliness—2 Peter 1:3. 6. The power of His ministry to operate through us—Acts 1:8; 3:12; 4:3. 7. The power of His strength to enable us to be faithful—2 Tim. 1:12. BECAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST WE ARE POWERFUL!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD TEACHES US HOW TO HAVE A BLESSED LIFE, AND A LONG LIFE. Matthew 5:6 GW [6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval. They will be satisfied. Psalms 128:1 GW [1] Blessed are all who fear the Lord and live his way. Jeremiah 17:7 GW [7] Blessed is the person who trusts the Lord. The Lord will be his confidence. 1 Kings 3:14 GW [14] And if you follow me and obey my laws and commands as your father David did, then I will also give you a long life.” Proverbs 3:1-2 GW [1] My son, do not forget my teachings, and keep my commands in mind, [2] because they will bring you long life, good years, and peace. Psalms 55:23 GW [23] But you, O God, will throw ⌞wicked people⌟ into the deepest pit. Bloodthirsty and deceitful people will not live out half their days. But I will trust you. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
