Sunday Bible School
July 21, 2024
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part IX
July 21, 2024
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part IX
Summary of the President’s Message
The Sunday Bible School on July 21, 2024, was held live from the Mahanaim of Domingos Martins, Espírito Santo, with the participation of pastors Gedelti Gueiros and Gilson Sousa.
Pastor Gilson Sousa’s Message:
We greet all the brethren with the peace of the Lord Jesus! We are starting the Sunday Bible School. The topic to be discussed is how the message of the Holy Spirit resonates among
the Faithful Church, in relation to the prophetic markers that are being fulfilled in our days, in preparation for the Church’s rapture.
Pastor Gilson Sousa presented responses from various brethren to the questions posed, and several experiences and testimonies related to the Sunday Bible School.
Pastor Gedelti Gueiros’ Message:
I greet you all with the peace of the Lord. Let’s answer the questions posed.
Question
Reading Revelation, chapter 2, verses 1 to 7, what is the relationship between the first letter written by the Apostle John to the Church of Ephesus and the first Parable of the Kingdom (the Sower), described in Matthew, chapter 13, verses 1 to 8?
Answer: In the first letter, the Church of Ephesus did not tolerate evil people, tested those who claimed to be apostles but were not, and found them to be liars. The relationship with the Parable of the Sower lies in the part of the seed that fell by the wayside, the part that fell on stony places, and the part that fell among thorns.
The seed is the Word of God. The church of Ephesus portrays the beginning of the apostolic church, of true Christianity. In the church of Ephesus, we find the operation of the Spirit of the Lord, which is the set of ways in which the Holy Spirit acts in the life of the church. The church there needed to bring a message to the world. This message needed to be different from everything that had been said up to that point. There was pa-
Pr. Gilson Sousa conducting the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part IX
ganism and Judaism. But, besides paganism and Judaism, there was another great obstacle: philosophy, the heritage of the Greco-Macedonian empire. Hellenism characterized the first hundred years of the church.
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, interpreted by Daniel, the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greco-Macedonian, and Roman empires were recorded. The Roman Empire built extraordinary things. One of the great emperors of Rome spent his time making many constructions. In war, no one equaled the Roman Empire. This was the legacy received from the Medo-Persian Empire. And, regarding culture, Rome received the legacy of the Greco-Macedonian Empire.
Thus, the Roman Empire gave way to philosophy in the first century. The discussion was about the “logos.” They thought
that the “word” was something simply material. The church, thus, enters its first phase. It needed to tread a completely different path from religions. But, it was a poor church. They had nothing. They were an anonymous people. But when they prayed, healings were performed.
In the Parable of the Sower, the Lord began to show what the
kingdom of God would be like. Of the four seeds sown, only one would remain (the seed that fell on good ground).
The understanding that tradition brought was the worst thing that happened. Therefore, there are people who are sick and need a blessing.
In the first parable, there are four groups. In the first group,
Pr. Gedelti Gueiros leading the summary of the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part IX
the seed fell by the wayside. Jesus is the way. The wayside is not the place to plant the seed because the soil is compacted and the water does not penetrate. One day, the birds of the air take it away.
The second group comprises the seed that fell on stony places. These are those who know the Gospel, the Bible, but are among the stony places. Their mentality is in religion and not in the project. The seed sprouts, but then dies because it has no depth.
The third group is the seed that falls among thorns. These are those who, upon becoming rich, leave the church.
But the last group is the one that falls on good ground and bears fruit.
Question
To understand the book of Revelation, we need to know more about the apostle who wrote it. Reading the Gospel of John, chapter 14, cite three reasons, in order of importance, why John was chosen to write the book of Revelation?
Answer: Because he had the Spirit of Prophecy: “no one comes to the Father except through me.”
Because he leaned his head on the Lord Jesus’ chest.
John saw what he knew before, which was the revelation of Jesus.
Jesus said that “in my Father’s house are many mansions.” John sees these mansions in Revelation in the tabernacle of God.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23
“Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” John 13:25
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” Revelation 1:1
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’” Revelation 21:3
The answer was given through one of the sent videos.
Question
Can a Church without the spirit of prophecy identify the prophetic moment we are living in?
Answer: The Church needs to have the Spirit of Prophecy to identify the prophetic moment it is living. This occurs through spiritual gifts, as preparation of the church for the rapture.
“...Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 19:10
In the book of Revelation, relevation is based on the Spirit of Prophecy. Only the Spirit of Jesus can lead you to revelation. May the Lord bless us.
Pr.
Gedelti Gueiros President of the Maranata Christian Church
Click here or scan the QR Code below to watch the entire sunday bible school session.