JOY TO THE WORLD/UNSPEAKABLE JOY, FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN/OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART LORD, O COME LET US SING, KING OF KINGS, WORTHY OF IT ALL

Looking back at 2024, did you have days you can describe as “the best of times and the worst of times” all wrapped up together? Please explain.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and ^[a]communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, ² who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. ³ Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and ^[b]heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who ^[c]is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins ^[d]by His blood— ⁶ and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to ^[e]His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ⁷ Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who ^[f]is to come, the Almighty.”

… ⁴ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” ⁵ And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

(Revelation 1:17-19, Romans 8:18, 30-31, Revelation 6:1-17, 8:1-5, Revelation 16:1-21, Revelation 1:5-8, 17-18, Revelation 5:11-14, Revelation 7:9-15, Revelation 19:14-16, 20:10, Revelation 20:11-15, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Hebrews 10:24-25)

(1 Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 21:1-5, 19-23, 22:3-5, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 57-58, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

(Hebrews 11:6, Revelation 21:7-8, Revelation 22:12-13, Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 21, 1 John 5:4, Hebrews 10:34-36, 1 John 2:28, Colossians 3:2, 4, 2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Restate the verse in your own words.

• What did you like about these verses?
• What did you learn about God?
• What did you learn about People?
• What did you learn about living in the end times?
• What did you learn about following Jesus?

Based on this lesson on “REJOICE, OUR FUTURE IS GLORIOUS!”, write down your action point to apply what you learned. Make it your “I Will…” statement and follow the S.M.A.R.T guideline to come up with a do-able action point.

Simple

Measurable

Appropriate

Realistic

Time-bound

“I Will _____________________________”

Who will you share these truths to this week?

Pray for those who may be afraid to face the “end times” or may be going through very tough times and don’t have the hope that Jesus gives.

Share the gospel of Christ, our Savior and Lord, and who is coming again as Righteous Judge.

Share the good promises of God for those who put their trust in Him.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented; tension in the West Philippine Sea to be peacefully resolved.

• Continue to pray for the rest of Israeli hostages to be restored back to their families safely. Pray for Israel and the war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For the civil war in Syria to end peacefully, protection for Christians and other minorities; that there will be freedom from oppression for Syrians. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout the country.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”