 Okay. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining class, The Faithful Tree. Can I ask John Paul to lead us in worship? I'm saying can lead us in prayer this morning? Yeah. Father, we want to thank you for this morning. Lord, as we come before your presence to learn from your word, you pray to God that you would speak to our hearts and open the eyes of our understanding, Lord, that you'd be able to listen to your voice and also to apply what we learn in our lives. God, we submit personally to your mighty hands. So God, we pray that you would anoint her and speak through her Lord. We give you praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, John. Just a minute. Okay. So remember what we studied last week, the chapter we were learning, what we were studying about, which doctrine we were studying about. Anyone remembers? Angels. Thank you, Anita. So what did we learn about the doctrine of angels? Anyone remembers? Yes. Go ahead, Anita. Ma'am, angels are created spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence. Thank you. So they are created spiritual beings and they have moral judgment and high intelligence. The different types of angels. Okay. Thank you, Lubega. What else did we learn about angels? They are created beings. They're not human beings, but they are spiritual beings with high, you know, intelligence and moral judgment. We also saw that they are many in number. They are mighty and have great power. We also saw that angels sing praises to God. And what do angels do for us? They minister to God by singing praises to Him and how do they minister to us? They guard and protect us. Thank you, Anita. They guard and protect us. And, you know, anytime we know that we would possibly could have had an accident or even if you had an accident and, you know, we escaped unharmed. It's because of the angels that God has sent to God and protect us. Angels also minister to us, care for us. So they are there to minister to us according to what God tells them to do. We also see that since angels are created beings, you know, and they are mighty and have great power, but we know that they are not omnipresent. They are not omnipotent. And since they are spiritual beings, they are also not omniscient. They don't know everything. So they are not God. They are created spiritual beings who worship God and do what He asked them to do. Okay. Then we looked at how we need to relate to angels. We said that we need to be aware of angels in our lives. We need to be open to them, ministering to us. And then we also looked at how we need to be aware of receiving false doctrines from angels. And the Bible warns us about this. The Bible warns us against receiving false doctrines from supposed angels, angels who are not from, you know, coming from the throne room of God, from heaven, but angels of darkness, Satan and his demonic forces. And so Paul warns us about this in Galatians chapter one, verse 18, where he makes known to us that there is a possibility that, you know, that these, that Satan and his demonic forces can possibly deceive us. And he mentions about this in 2 Corinthians 11, verse 14, he says, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Okay. And then we look at one example in the Bible about, about this lying prophet who deceived the man of God in first Kings chapter 13, where he says in verse 18 that this lying prophet says that an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord saying, bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water. And we see that this man of God, who God wants that he should not return back the way that he came and he should not eat bread or drink water in that place that he's going to meet the King, but he gets deceived by this prophet who is himself deceived by who says an angel spoke to him. And we see what happens that, you know, this, this man of God goes with this prophet to his home just before he's going to eat the meal. You know, this lying prophet receives a word and he says that because he is disobeyed, the man of God is going to die. We see how he goes on his journey and a lion kills him and this lying prophet brings him back and buries him. So we see that, you know, there are instances of false doctrines or, you know, guidance being conveyed by deceptive angels that are demons. You know, and it's interesting that this example shows us that there is a clear possibility of satanic deception, tempting us, leading us astray to disobey the clear teachings that is being given to us in scripture, clear commandments that God has given to us. So we too can be deceived by, you know, so-called the angel of light that is Satan and his demons, but, you know, whatever we hear, we need to always go back and see if it is in line with what scripture says. Is it in line with the revealed word of God? Another example that we can look at is, you know, especially Christians need to be kept, to keep themselves away from the claims of the Mormons because Joseph Smith, who kind of started this whole movement of the Mormons, said that an angel called Morini spoke to him and revealed to him the basis of the Mormon religion. And we know that their teachings are clearly against the scriptures, the doctrines, especially the doctrine of Trinity, the person, work of Christ, justification by faith alone, and many other doctrines that is quite contrary to what the Mormons believe. And so we see that, you know, this angel brings about these revelations to them, to this man called Joseph Smith. And so we need to be warned against these kind of accepting these kind of claims because, you know, we learned in the lesson when we learned about canon of scripture that everything that God wanted to be revealed is revealed to us in his word, in the Old Testament, in the person and work of Jesus Christ through the writings of the Apostles and Paul. So everything that God wanted for us to know what he wanted to be revealed to us is already been given in scripture. And anyone who's claiming, you know, henceforth, who claims that they are receiving additional revelation of doctrine from angels, we should immediately reject that as false, because we know that whatever God has wanted for us or whatever God wanted to be revealed to us has already been revealed to us through scripture. And nothing will be added to that. But everything what, you know, we will understand or what God will speak to us will be based on the revealed word that is in scripture. And so scripture is our basis, our foundation is what we go back to, even when we receive a prophetic word, we go and pray about it, we see if it's in line with scripture. And it's not against scriptures, what scripture teaches us, the doctrines of scripture. Even if we hear somebody teaching us something new, and they say that this was revealed to them by an angel, you know, we need to go and see if it is in line with what is in God's word. And we know that God's word from beginning to end, there were contradicts itself. And truth runs throughout the entire scripture. And so we need to look at all of these various doctrines in the light of or the new teachings or new revelations that people bring in the light of what has already been revealed to us in scripture and something that is not revealed to us in scripture, we need to immediately reject that as false. So should we pray and seek angels and worship them? What do you think? Should we pray to angels? Do we need to seek them because they protect and guard us and minister to us? Should we seek them? Should we pray to them? Should we worship them? Okay, Lubega strongly says not at all. Okay. Thank you, Zillatoli. Yes, we shouldn't. How do we know this? It's given to us in scripture. Colossians chapter 2 was 18 and revelations chapter 19 was 10. Colossians chapter 2 was 18 says do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen. They are puffed up with ideal notions by their unspiritual mind. So Paul is writing to the church at Colossae and he's saying that, you know, those who worship angels, sorry, you know, they are people who are puffed up with ideal notions. You know, they don't know the truth. They don't believe the truth. They don't even know what they're believing. And they are somebody who have an unspiritual mind and don't follow them or don't give in to their teachings or what they are saying. But interesting to note what is mentioned in Revelation chapter 19 was 10. So can one of you please read Revelation chapter 19 was 10, please? Revelation 19, 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, see that you do not do that. I'm your fellow servant and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Thank you. So here we see that John who's writing the book of Revelation has been given all of these, you know, his vision is seeing, you know, all of heaven and the angel is revealing things to him, showing things to him. And we see that he's so awed at, you know, the awesomeness of God's presence, the greatness that he just falls at and begins to worship the angel. But the angel says, you know, do not do that because I'm your fellow brethren and your fellow servant. But he says worship God. Okay, so that is the main emphasis that we need to worship God and not worship any saints, apostles, angels, God, man, nobody but just worship God. Okay, so this is about briefly about angels. Anyone has any questions? Any questions anyone has about the doctrine of angels? Does the scripture mention any specific names of angels? Yes, it mentioned Angel Michael. Thank you, Isaac. Yes, Angel Michael and also Gabriel and Lucifer. Yes, straighten devil. Okay, so we see that Michael is mentioned in Jew chapter nine, Revelation chapter 12 was seven and eight and in Daniel chapter 10 was 13 and 21, where he's called as Michael, one of the chief princes, sorry, chief prince. And we also see that the angel Gabriel is mentioned in Daniel chapter eight was 16 and chapter nine was 21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel. We also know that, you know, the Christmas narrative Gabriel is also, you know, seen as the angel who who's God's messenger to Zachariah and Mary. We read this in Luke chapter one and we know that it is Gabriel because the angel answers Zachariah says, I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God. Luke chapter one was 19 and we also read in Luke chapter one was 26 and 27. In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin and the virgin's name was Mary. So we see the names of these two angels specifically mentioned in scripture. Okay, anyone has any questions about the angels, the doctrine of angels? Yes, can I ask one? Yes, sure, I say. Yes, how do angels minister or serve us as human? From what we know from scripture, you know, we see that they, you know, they protect us and they guard us as I had mentioned. You know, we read this in Hebrews chapter one was 14 where it says that not all angels ministering spirits are sent to serve those who inherit salvation. We also read in Psalms chapter 91 verse 11 that, you know, for he will come on as angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. So we see that they guard and protect us. They are spirit beings who minister to us and we also know that they guard and protect us so that our feet will even not dash against the stone. So they just basically protect us and guard us. Also minister to us in terms of caring for us, you know, maybe even showing us like we see in in the case of, I think it was Peter in the prison, right, in acts where, you know, Peter was asleep and the angel comes to him and wakes him up and tells him, wake up, you know, put on your clothes. So he puts on his clothes and then he tells him to put on his, his cloak and then, you know, he leads him out and Peter just follows behind the angel. He thinks all the time that he is, he's seeing a vision, but, you know, he, they go past the guards and the guards, you know, they don't even notice Peter escaping. We also see that the angel opens the main gate of the prison and leads Peter out in the city and the city streets and finally Peter realizes when he's walking down the street that, you know, he's all alone and he realizes then that he is, you know, he's not seeing a vision, but it was real and it was an angel that helped him. So we see the angel tapping him, waking him up. We also see that the angel tells him to put on his clothes and, you know, and leads him out safely through the prison doors, the cell, the main prison door into the street and he goes out free. Okay. And we also know that, you know, when he goes and knocks on the door, when he goes to see the disciples, it is this, you know, they think it is Peter's angel who must be knocking on the door, you know, but it is Peter himself. So we see how, you know, the angel ministered to Peter. We also see how the angel brings messages to, brought the message to Zechariah, brought to God's message to Mary. We also see that, you know, they fight battles for us in the spiritual realm. You know, we see that the angel, Michael, who was also called the archangel in Jew chapter nine, you know, we see him mentioning also in Daniel to Daniel in Daniel chapter 10 that, you know, that there was a war that rose in heaven and Michael and his angels were fighting against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated. So we see that they fight on our behalf, you know, they defend us against demonic forces. We see that Michael also is referred to as a leader of the angelic army. So we see that angels fight for us when the demons come to attack us. They fight against us. They also guard and protect us from the forces of darkness, from any physical harm and danger in this world. They also bring messages from God and they also, you know, lead us and guide us at times when we are lost, you know, like, or when we are in difficult situations like, like Peter, you know, and maybe those others who were also being ministered to, you know, maybe we don't even know that Daniel in the lion's den was also ministered by angels. And we also see that I think in, in, when Jesus was tempted, does anyone remember where that is? I think it is in Matthew chapter four. We see that, you know, after Jesus was tempted, we see that you know, the angels come and minister to him. So we read this in, in Matthew chapter four verse 11, after he was tempted, the devil left him and behold angels came and ministered to Jesus. So we don't know in what way maybe, you know, would have strengthened him or bought him food or water or, you know, whatever, we don't know. But we see that, we just read that behold angels came and ministered to him. So does that help Isaac? Yes. No, thank you very much. God bless. Thank you. Anyone else has any questions? No questions. Then we move on to the last chapter, the doctrine of end times. We did this quite briefly in the last lesson in Christology. Here as well, we will just look at a few things. It's going to be quite repetitive, but we'll just look at some things that we can, we can understand and learn about the doctrine of the end times. And of course, you will be studying this indeed. This is very briefly mentioned in this lesson, both in Christology and in systematic theology, because you will study this in depth, I think next semester. So that's why it's very briefly mentioned. Okay. So we looked at, we look at the doctrine of end times. The Greek word for the doctrine of end times is eschatology, which is the Greek word eschatos means last. And eschatology means the study of the last things, the last days, or the end times. And we know that the Bible talks about certain major events that will happen, which will affect the entire human race towards the end of the age. And specifically tells us about the second coming of Christ, talks about the Millennium Kingdom, the final judgment to the new heavens and the new earth. Okay. So we'll just look at the return of Christ. We know that the Lord Jesus often spoke about his return. He said he's coming back again. And we look at this in various scripture passages. Even as we look at these scripture passages, we see that, you know, his coming will be all of a sudden, it will be something that's very personal, but visible. And it will be the bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Okay. So there's few scriptures that we will look at. Matthew chapter 22 verse 44 says, you know, be ready, because the son of man is coming at an eye you do not expect. That is what Matthew 2444 says, that we do not know when the son of man is coming, he can come at any hour. But how should we be? The important thing is that we need to be ready at all times, even though we do not know when he's coming. And he will come in an hour that we least expect him to come, but we need to be ready. Okay. And John chapter 14 verse 3, Jesus assures us that, you know, he's going to prepare a place for us. And he says, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself so that where I am, there you may be also. So we know that Jesus ascended back to heaven, but he will come back. And when he comes back, he will receive us back to himself and we will be where he is also. And Acts chapter one was 11. It says that, you know, when Jesus ascended into heaven, it says that, you know, men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up at the heavens? The same Jesus was taken up from you into heaven will also come in like manner. So just like you went up to heaven, he will descend. And that is what it says in Acts chapter one was 11. Just the way he was taken up to heaven, he will come in the same manner as you saw him go into heaven. First Thessalonians chapter four verse 16 says, for the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of an archangel with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. Okay. So, you know, we know that the dead in Christ will rise and then all the others who believe in him will be caught up with him in the air. Hebrews chapter nine was 28 says that, you know, to those who eagerly wait for him, he will appear a second time. So even as we are eagerly waiting for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, he will appear the second time. He will come back again. And James chapter five verse eight says, the coming of the Lord is at hand. It's at hand means it is very close to you. It is at hand means something that is reachable, that you can reach, touch, take for yourself. So something that is at hand means something that is very close, something that is very near. So his coming again, coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ is at hand. It's very close. It's very near. Can somebody read second Peter chapter three verse 10 please? Second Peter chapter three verse 10. Anyone would like to read second Peter chapter three verse 10? Second Peter chapter three and verses 10. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar. The elements will destroy by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Thank you. So the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. So it will, thief in the night means we don't, you know, thief comes when we least expect him to come. We do not know when he's coming, how he's coming. So we don't expect him, but you know, Christ's turn will be like that to come at the time when it's least expected. You know, but we need to be prepared at all times. We need to be ready at all times. One John chapter three verse two says, you know, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. So just as he went up, you know, ascended into heaven the same way he will descend, we will see him just as he is. And we shall be like him. That means our earthly bodies will receive new heavenly glorified bodies, you know, that is not perishable. We will no longer have unnatural bodies, but we will have our spiritual bodies. Revelation chapter one verse 17 says, behold, he's coming with clouds and every eye will see him. Even they who pierced him and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him, even so. And so we know that when Jesus comes, you know, you come in the clouds, everyone will see him. And, you know, people will then realize that he is the true and living God. And but they would be sadly left here on the earth for the seven severe years of tribulation. But those who go through that time just holding on to their faith in Jesus, when he comes back again at the battle of the Armageddon, you know, he will, he will assure them into his millenium kingdom and they will live with him for the thousand year rule in the millenium kingdom. But we know that when he comes, you know, everyone will see him and people will mourn because they have refused to believe in him, but many will put their faith and trust in him after that. Okay. And Revelation chapter 22 verse 20 says, he who testifies to these things says, surely I am coming quickly. Okay. So even though we feel that, you know, his coming is being delayed, but we surely know the surety to confirm thing that Jesus is coming back again and he is going to come back quickly. Okay. So what do we do as his disciples? Okay. We know that the coming of the Lord is at hand. It's near. And even as we are looking at the events around us in our world today, in our present situations, you know, there's a big talk, everyone is saying that it's, you know, Christ's return is soon. It's very soon because of the events that are happening here on earth. So what should be our response? What should we be doing? What should we do? Because we know the crisis is coming. Scumming is at hand is soon. What do we need to do? We should be prepared and ready for our King. Okay. We need to be prepared and ready. We should long for his return. Okay. How do we be prepared and ready? Be ready in the sense in every area of our life, consecrating our lives and living a life free from sin and spotless, blameless. Yeah. Okay. Thank you, John. You know, consecrating the members of our body totally to Christ, you know, living a life that is holy and pleasing and acceptable in his sight, continue being like him, yes, offering ourselves to be sanctified, to be cleansed, so that we can be more Christ-like. Thank you, Robega. So what should be our response? One of our response should be like what the Apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation. He says, you know, come amen, come Lord Jesus, when it says that, you know, his coming is surely I'm coming quickly. And John's response is amen, even so come Lord Jesus. So that should be our response that's written by John in Revelation chapter 22 was 20, amen, come Lord Jesus. And we also see that, you know, that should just not be our response, but the Bible also admonishes us, trains us that in Titus chapter 2 verses 12 and 13 that we need to live sober, upright, holy, godly lives in this world, even as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. And so that is what Titus chapter 2 verse 12 and 13 says that we need to live sober, upright and godly lives, even as we await the coming and the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Savior. And Paul in Philippians chapter 3 verse 20 reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. So we don't look at ourselves as earthly citizens, but we look at ourselves as heavenly citizens, and we need to live like heavenly citizens in the way that we think, our actions, our reactions, in our attitudes. Okay, Matthew chapter 22 verse 44 again tells us that we need to be ready for Christ's return. So we just don't say like John has mentioned in Revelation chapter 22 verse 20, Amen, come Lord Jesus, but even as we do that, even as we say that we need to be faithful in obeying him in everything that he, you know, he in every area of our lives, we need to live in faithful obedience to God. And we also need to be actively engaged in whatever work he has called us to do. Sometimes, you know, look interpreting the times that we are living in, we can think, okay, these are end time, you know, so let's not, let me, I wanted to actually, you know, do a Bible course. So there's no point now in doing a Bible course, because, you know, or study in a seminary or go to a Bible college and study, because anywhere we are in the end time, you know, Jesus is coming as soon because of all that we are seeing, and all that people are interpreting from scripture, it's happening, it's happening, it's happening. So, you know, let me not go to Bible college and study, or some of us are thinking that, you know, God has called me to go to the mission field, and I thought that in 2022, I will launch out into the mission field. But there's no point in going now, because, you know, Jesus coming is at hand, it's very soon. Things are no longer safe in this world. So let me not venture out, let me just stay here and, you know, share the gospel with those who do not know Christ. Or if you're a pastor, or you're a businessman, or, you know, you are, you know, engaged in some, you know, you're working somewhere, you come to a point where you say, let's not plan way into the future for 10 years, 20 years, because I really don't think we're going to live that long now. You know, so let's just plan for a year or two and see how things goes. And if Christ has not come back in a year or two, then we may plan for another year after that. But let's not make long term goals or plans. And so as pastors, you know, or missionaries, or people in the business field, we will kind of become a hindrance for us to plan things, to venture out into new fields of doing ministry, or business, or putting our hands into starting a new business, or launching into some new fields that we think there's great possibilities in venturing, because we think that Christ's return is coming soon. But that's not how we need to live. You know, we need to be actively engaged in whatever work God has called us to, as is to say, we have, you know, the rest of our lives to live. So, yes, we do not know when he's going to return. But, you know, on that day, there will no doubt be some missionaries just who are leaving to the mission field, but they cannot go to the mission field because Christ has come back, they will never reach their destination. There will be some students who are studying in schools, or colleges, in theological colleges, who have finished their studies and Christ has returned, and all of their training and all of their studies, you know, will never be put to any use because, you know, Christ has returned, or, you know, some people who are doing research in certain fields, you know, they're just handing in their doctrinal dissertations on that day and Christ returns, and all their years of research that they have put in, you know, their papers will never be published. It will never have an influence on the world. But, you know, that should not stop us because those of us who have believed in Christ Jesus, who have received him as a person, Savior, who have been sincere and faithful in what God has called us to do, you know, toiling hard, laboring hard, you know, we will receive the reward. Jesus will say to us, well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over little things, I will set you over much, enter into the joy of your Master. We read this in Matthew chapter 25, verse 21. So, that should be our attitude, not thinking that let's not venture in, let's not plan, let's not get into anything new, but, you know, put your hands to the plow, do things faithfully, diligently, plan, execute your plans, even though we never know Christ may return the next hour. He might come any moment today, but we just go actively planning, engaging, using the resources, the time, the calling, the gifts, the talents that he has blessed us with. You want to produce a song album, you know, you've written some songs, go ahead, produce it, you're writing a book, go ahead, finish it, whatever you are engaged in, do it faithfully, sincerely, you know, it might not be published, the album might not come out, God might return before that, but, you know, you have been faithful in what God has entrusted to you, and you will hear Jesus saying, well done, good and faithful servant, you have been paid for over little, I will set you over much, enter into the joy of the Master. So that should be our attitude, that should be what we as his disciples do, even as we eagerly long for his return. We do not know when Christ will return. There are several passages that indicate that we do not know and cannot know the time when Christ will return. Matthew chapter 22 verse 44 says, the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 25 verse 13 says, watch therefore for you know neither the day nor the hour. And Jesus said in Mark chapter 13 verse 32 and 33, but of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. And he says, take heed, watch for you do not know when the time will come. Now you know wherever in these verses we read about the word hour, did not know the hour, the time when Christ will return, the word hour is best understood in a more general sense and not just referring to a time when something will take place, not necessarily a 60 minute time period, but it's just you know pointing, the point of these passages is actually that Jesus is telling us that we cannot know when he is coming back because it will be an unexpected time, but we should be ready at all times for his return. Next week we will look at the signs that precede the return of Christ, we will stop here. Any one of you have any questions? Any questions? No questions? Okay, I just noticed that the final assessment for I think systematic theology is on April 15th, right? And April 15th, yes, that is the third assessment for a doctoral foundation systematic theology is scheduled on April 15th, but April 15th is Good Friday. It's a holiday and it's a busy weekend for all of us, most of us who are ministering in church because of Good Friday and and Easter Sunday, so I don't want to disturb you with you know submitting your assessment, so could we move that to April 20th? Is that okay? April 20th is a venice day. I'll release it on April 20th and you can submit it on April 22nd or April 23rd, which is a Saturday. Is that okay? Can I post the assessment for systematic theology on April 20th, which is a venice day, and you can submit it by April 23rd, which is a Saturday or April 22nd, which is a Friday. Okay, two of them, thank you ladies. Two ladies have said okay, what about the men in the class? It's okay, Pastor. Okay, thank you John, thank you Siddiquanu. So then we'll have the, thank you Linden, we'll have it on, I'll post it on April 20th and then you can take two or three days to submit the assessment. Linden, you had posted some message on the stream page. I didn't quite understand when you were able to post your. Initially it was confusing when I tried to access the classroom from a mobile, it showed I had a pending assessment, so immediately I dropped in a message as if I've missed one and then I tried to log in from my computer and then I saw that I've already submitted my assessment, so I've said kindly ignore my previous message. Okay, okay great, yeah, thank you. Anyone has any questions, any doubts? Okay, if not we'll end class here, thank you all for joining class, have a blessed day ahead and a blessed weekend and I will see you next Friday. Thank you everyone.