What’s the Most Important Thing to Know About the End Times?

Episode 25 Show Notes

From the Show

What does John the baptism mean when he says that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire? Fire sounds like judgment. How does that fit with the Holy Spirit?

Jesus, in His first coming, is not bringing fire. He's not bringing judgment, he's bringing peace, he's announcing the gospel- the good news of salvation. ‘This is the day of salvation.’ That's why when he announces the beginning of his ministry, that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61, he leaves out the day of the vengeance of our God, because only in his second coming will he come to judge the living and the dead. This is not the Day of Judgment; ‘I've come not to judge the world but to save it,’ John 3:17. —Michael Horton

Questions in this Episode

1. As an older Christian man. I grew up in the 60’s and hearing the conversation today about Biblical manhood, I wonder if there are unrealistic standards placed on young men. How do you think we older men can help and model a healthy masculinity to the younger men entering adulthood?

2. In Jeremiah 5:14-15, Jeremiah says that God will punish Israel for not upholding justice for widows and orphans. Does this apply to us today in the New Covenant; or was this only an Old Covenant reality?

3. What do you think is the most important thing for Christians to know about the end-times?

4. What can Christians learn from Jewish believers?

5. What does John the baptism mean when he says that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire? Fire sounds like judgment. How does that fit with the Holy Spirit?

6. What do you think is really important for non-Christians to know about the gospel? What do you think we should really focus on when we share our faith?