During His final days on earth, Jesus faced disappointment and betrayal from some of His closest followers: Judas betrayed Him to His enemies, and His other disciples fled when He was arrested. Jesus’ unwavering commitment to His Father’s plan in the midst of this tragedy is an example to us today. Join us as we find encouragement in Jesus’ strength and resolution.

Shortly before His final trip to Jerusalem, Jesus gave one of the greatest proofs of His authority by raising Lazarus from the dead. This week, we study how one of Lazarus’ sisters made a sacrificial display of her gratitude to Jesus, foreshadowing Jesus’ own sacrifice—a sacrifice that would affect the whole world.

As we prepare for Easter this year, we remember the people that Jesus met on His final journey to Jerusalem. This week, we learn how Jesus overcame sorrow and showed Himself to be the Lord of life. Jesus asks us today, just like He asked the people of His day, that he is “the resurrection and the life…do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

In Revelation chapter 11, God gives John a vision of a temple—not one that exists today, but one that will be built in the future at Jerusalem. Join us while we study this promise, and see how God has worked throughout history to bring people to Himself. Even during the future Great Tribulation, God still wants to gather His people to Himself.

The Bible often speaks of judgment, but did you know that God wants to save everyone? God says “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live”! (Ezekiel 33:11). Join us as we continue studying the book of the Revelation and see how God’s judgments are, and will always be, a call to turn from our ways and live His way.

How can we be accepted with God? The Bible tells us that God is holy and pure, and that “all have sinned and come short of [His] glory” (Romans 3:23). While we continue studying Revelation chapter 9, we’re reminded that God’s judgment falls on those who reject His mercy, but that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

The Bible tells us that the judgements of the Great Tribulation affect people in different ways. Even in the midst of those terrible days, God takes care of the people that put their trust in Jesus. Choose Jesus today, “…in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…” (Ephesians 1:13-14). Revelation chapter 9 reminds us that Jesus is our only hope—our only salvation.

Throughout history, God has used many different methods to get the world’s attention: angels, prophets, and miracles are God’s way of getting people to notice the truth of His word. The Bible tells us that, during the “Great Tribulation”, just before Jesus returns, God will try one more method of getting people’s attention: trumpets. Revelation chapter 8 tells us that John hears the future judgements of God ushered in with the sound of loud trumpets in Heaven, but today, God calls everyone, everywhere to repent and “…believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 16:31)

The Bible tells us that the world will endure a “Great Tribulation��� just before Jesus returns. God���s promise to raise up people of faith during this trying time is an encouragement to us to keep standing for our faith.

Jesus warned His first followers to expect persecution for their faith, and predicted that persecution of Christians would increase just before His return. In times when Jesus’ message is unpopular or contrary to social norms, will you stay true to your Savior? Our hope is in Jesus, and “we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)