Lesson 11 for December 13, 2014

JAMES AND THE SECOND COMINGJames 5:7-12

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.” (James 5:7)

Jesus compared His Second Coming to the harvest of wheat (Matthew 13:37-39).The harvest begins in April-May in Palestine. The early rain (October-November) and the latter rain (March-April) are expected before that.Which rains must come before the Second Coming?

““You also be patient. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for Establish your hearts, for

the coming of the Lord is at the coming of the Lord is at hand.”hand.” (James 5:8)(James 5:8)

Jesus said that “the Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21) as a spiritual kingdom. But we also must wait patiently for a glorious Kingdom that Jesus will bring at His Second Coming.

How can we establish our hearts until His Coming?

Reminding the truth (2 Peter 1:12)

Overcoming temptation (James 1:12)

Bearing tribulation because of our faith (Acts 14:22)

“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9)

Is it possible to find complaints, Is it possible to find complaints, gossip, envy, favoritism, lawsuits… gossip, envy, favoritism, lawsuits… within the Church of Christ?within the Church of Christ?

““Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is impossible that no offenses should impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through come, but woe to him through whom they do come!’”whom they do come!’” (Luke 17:1)(Luke 17:1)

Unfortunately, we may find that kind Unfortunately, we may find that kind of problems within the Church. James of problems within the Church. James said that those things should not said that those things should not happen among brothers.happen among brothers.

Ultimately, each one of us will be held Ultimately, each one of us will be held accountable for our actions before accountable for our actions before God on the Day of Judgment.God on the Day of Judgment.

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:10-11)

What hardships did the prophets suffer because of their faithfulness? Hebrews 11:33-38

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:10-11)

What hardships did the prophets suffer because of their faithfulness? Hebrews 11:33-38

““But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.”‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.” (James (James 5:12)5:12)

James echoed Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:34-James echoed Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:34-37. Our words must always be true.37. Our words must always be true.

If a person always speaks the truth and his or If a person always speaks the truth and his or her acts reflect that, then he or she won’t her acts reflect that, then he or she won’t need to swear in his or her conversations.need to swear in his or her conversations.

Several things need to be kept in mind when Several things need to be kept in mind when speaking the truth, first and foremost being speaking the truth, first and foremost being that we seldom even know all the truth, even that we seldom even know all the truth, even about ourselves, and so we must be humble. about ourselves, and so we must be humble. Second, when we do speak the truth, it Second, when we do speak the truth, it should always be spoken in love and for the should always be spoken in love and for the edification of those who hear.edification of those who hear.

“Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities; but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold the blessed hereafter as pictured by the hand of God. He who died for the sins of the world is opening wide the gates of Paradise to all who believe on Him. Soon the battle will have been fought, the victory won. Soon we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence the trials and sufferings of this life will seem as nothingness…Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed.”

E.G.W. (Prophets and Kings, cp. 60, pg. 731-732)