Five-Branch Tree of End-Times Bible Prophecy, Part 1: Jesus and the Earth’s Seven Days

20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to consider as we close out John 5:

1. John 5 begins with the healing of a paralytic man by the pool of Bethesda. This is the 3^rd of John’s 7 Signs. The 1^st and 2^nd are clearly identified as “signs” (John 2:11 & 4:54). But how do we know this one is one of the signs? (Hint: You may have to ‘look around!’)
2. Signs are more than miracles; they are miracles which SIGNIFY something. What does this 3^rd Sign point to? Remember to use John 20:30-31 as the criteria for answering!
3. Refresh your memory: what did the 1^st and 2^nd signs signify?
4. This 3^rd Sign is tied to the Sabbath Day in 5:9b & 16. Think of the Sabbath in the larger context of God’s Word and Creation. What does the Seventh Day indicate prophetically (2 Peter 3:8, Revelation 20:2-7)? Why do you think Sabbath Day controversies play such a prominent role in Jesus’ ministry?
5. Do you think it’s important for we as believers to concern ourselves with signs in these last days? Consider Luke 12:54-56. Notice also the Bible’s emphasis on ‘watchfulness’ in the last days (John 16:13, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 2:11, Matthew 24:4 & 25:13, Luke 21:8, 1 Timothy 4:16 & 2 John 1:8).
6. Do you see any indications that the earth is about to enter it’s Seventh Day? What are these? Do they line up with Jesus’ description of the “birth pangs’ that will precede His appearing (see Matthew 24:3-13 & Luke 21:7-19, 25-28)?
7. Luke 17:26-30 is a remarkable passage. In it, Jesus compares the days just prior to His return to the days of (1) Noah and (2) Lot. Do you see similarities between our own day and theirs?
8. Do you think that Peter’s prophecy of 2 Peter 3:3-4 has been fulfilled in our day? How?
9. What should our response to these things be? (1 Peter 2:11, 2 Peter 3:11, 1 John 3:2-3, 1 Cor. 5:7-8, 2 Cor. 7:1).