Awake Us Now

Discussed this week are the meaning of "Revelation/Apocalypse"; God's purpose for the book; Overview of interpretations of the Millennium ("Thousand Years") in Chapter 20. What does The Book of Revelation say about the future? How does it address the events of today? So many different interpretations — which is the correct one? Is this book scary? — or — Is this book an incredible comfort? Join us as we explore this controversial book together. https://www.awakeusnow.com

Daniel 12 speaks of the last "Great Awakening" at the end of days, when those whose names are written in the Book [of Life] will be delivered, and all who have died will rise to stand before the throne of God for final judgment.

In our world today, as in Daniel's day, there is a cultural divide between two world views: the Natural and the Supernatural. One says that what we can see is all there is, and that life is ultimately meaningless. The other says there is a reality far beyond what is visible, and that there is a Creator who moves in mighty and purposeful ways!

The visions from chapters 10-12 in the book of Daniel may seem confusing and even frightening. But in them, God begins with words of peace and reassurance, reminding us that He is listening to us and that we should not fear!

Pastor digs into the beginning verses of Acts chapter 20.

Acts 20:1 Paul sets out for Macedonia.

Acts 20:2-3 Paul travels to Macedonia speaking words of encouragement to the people and then goes on from there to arrive in Greece where he stays three months.

Acts 20:3b-6 Because some Jews plotted against Paul as he was ready to sail for Syria, he decided to go north back through Macedonia instead. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derby, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. The verse go on, (This group) "went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days."

Take note of the use of us and we. In a previous Dig Deeper earlier in the book of Acts we talked about the we/us and how that indicated that the author of the book, Luke, was along on Paul. And now we see that Luke is once again with Paul.

Luke is the author of both Luke and Acts and possibly may have helped write Hebrews.

"WE" - Where was Luke?

1. Luke is mentioned via "we" in Acts 16:10-17 Troas to Philippi (ca. 50A.D.)

1. Luke is mentioned again via "we" in Acts 20:5-15 - Philippi to Miletus (ca. 57 A.D.

There were 7 years between Luke using "we." Was he in Philippi the whole time? Was he writing?

Luke is an individual who has left a mark on believers for over 2000 years and yet very little is known about him. He is a man in the shadows that was used mightily by God!

We may not be well known but our lives in Christ have an impact beyond our ability to fully comprehend!!

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

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Jesus warns us to be awake and alert to the signs of the times. But He also makes it clear that our task is to make disciples and to live in a relationship with Him, not to argue and speculate over who the final Antichrist will be.

The prophetic words in Daniel 9, written down hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, were fulfilled in dramatic ways in the First Century A.D. They should strengthen us and remind us that God is in control, and that He always fulfills His word!

Pastor focuses on the end of this chapter - Paul's Farewell Address.

Acts 20:16-17 Paul is on the way to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost. He stops in Miletus and requests the elders from Ephesus to come to him.

Paul's Farewell Address Outline

With Then and Now notation

1. Deadly plots - Then - Acts 20:18-19 - Paul points to the fact that he has been with them a long time and that he served with humility and tears in the midst of severe testing by the plots of Jewish opponents. (See 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 for more regarding the plots)
   • Now - Paul gives us insight into how to handle persecution today as well. When we come to despair we know we have a great God who is with us.
2. Faithful witness - Then - Acts 20:20-21 - Paul shares how he has been a faithful witness and has not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful, and had taught publicly and from house to house declaring to all that they must turn to God in repentance with faith in Jesus.
   • Now - we are called to do just like Paul in speaking words that lead others to repentance and faith in Jesus. (See Mark 1:15 for Jesus' proclamation of "repent and believe the good news")
3. Hardships ahead - Then - Acts 20:22-24 - Paul shares that he is going to Jerusalem, knowing that prison and hardships are facing him. But he goes on to share that he considers his life worth nothing, and that his aim is to finish the race, complete the work the Lord has given him - the task of testifying to the Good News of God's grace. He will follow Jesus no matter what.
   • Now - God does NOT guarantee that we will NOT face difficult times. We are called to be faithful to the Lord no matter what, no matter the cost, no matter the consequences. (See 2 Timothy 4:7-8 about fighting the good fight and the crown of righteousness) We too are called to be faithful witnesses no matter the cost and we will receive life forever with Him.
4. Innocent watchman - Then - Acts 20:25-27 - Paul goes on to say that those gathered there won't see him and again and that he has proclaimed the whole will of God to them. (See Ezekiel 33:1-6,17 "made you a watchman…"). Paul is saying he did what the Lord Jesus called him to do.
   • Now - We need to follow God's call to be faithful witnesses as well - so that people see and hear in us the goodness of God in Christ and the importance of knowing Him.
5. Shepherd's shepherds - Then - Acts 20:28 - Paul encourages the elders to watch over themselves and the flock and to be shepherds of God's church whichThe Lord Himself bought with His own blood. God saves us, redeems us, offers Jesus as the payment for our sin. He offers to all who repent and believe, life forever with Him. (See Romans 1:1 "set apart for the gospel of God.."
   • Now today we are called to be good shepherds of those God has brought into our lives. We are called to faithfully live and proclaim the good news.
6. Repeated warning - Then - Acts 20:29-31 - Paul's final warning that there will be people coming to draw them away from faith, so they must be on their guard. He tells them to "stay Awake."
   • Now - we are called to "stay awake" to the things of God. To be awake to the truths of the Bible, awake to the consequences of disobedience and awake to the dangers of false teaching and false living.
7. Sacrificial living - Then - Acts 20:32-35 - Paul commits the group to God. And ends by saying that through hard work we are to help the weak.
   • Now - we too are to remember the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, "it is more blessed to give than to receive." We are to practice sacrificial living.

Pastor closes with HOPE: "Among followers of the Lord Jesus …There are no final farewells!!

This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:

Acts chapter 20-21.

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

Video series at our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now

Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos

Sunday Service

https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Introduction: Why this study now?; Jesus' prophecies of the end times - Return of Israel, Gospel to the Nations, Deception of Christendom; Widely held interpretations of Revelation; "God is brilliant!" What does The Book of Revelation say about the future? How does it address the events of today? So many different interpretations — which is the correct one? Is this book scary? — or — Is this book an incredible comfort? Join us as we explore this controversial book together. https://www.awakeusnow.com

The prayer found in Daniel 9 is one of the most powerful and profound penitential prayers in all the Bible, and it has dramatic application to our lives today!