On Sunday, June 23, 2024, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Renewed Roman Empire (Europe)” from our ForeShadows of the 2nd Coming of Jesus series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Bruce began by stating that biblical prophecy is supernatural intel. That it is literally a backstage pass to coming attractions by the God who orchestrates history. Yet, so many believers remain fairly uninformed about prophecy, especially prophecy related to the 2^nd Coming of Jesus.  What are some of the reasons for this?  Discuss.
2. What are the three indicators (so far) in the Foreshadows series?  Which one intrigues you the most and why?
3. Nebuchadnezzar had been a very ruthless ruler who obviously was skeptical of the so-called “wise guys” and dream interpreters who consulted with him. After Daniel describes in detail both the dream, and also the interpretation, how much of an impact can you imagine that had on Nebuchadnezzar? Elaborate.
4. Some are skeptical about Daniel’s dream of the statue in Daniel two since there would be a significant time gap between the Legs of Iron (the ancient Roman Empire) and the Feet of Iron and Clay (the renewed Roman Empire around the time of the return of Jesus).  Can you think of any other passages of Scripture where there is a time gap between verses?  You might look at Isaiah 61:1-2a (which Jesus read from in Luke 4:17-21). Jesus said he was fulfilling this passage about his First Coming that very day.  But he stops short of the rest of verse 2 in Isaiah 61. What Coming does the rest of the verse relate to?
   1. You might also look at Zechariah 9:9-10.  Which coming of Jesus is the focus of verse 9?  Verse 10?
5. Read out loud Isaiah 41:10.  How does this declaration from the Living God bring encouragement when we find ourselves facing suffering, discouragement, grief, and difficulty?
6. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for who He is.

Hey Wildwood Family!

One my favorite cultural understatements is the saying, ‘Time flies.’  As you likely are aware, this past Thursday was the first day of summer.  Technically that means that for the next number of months each day will be getting shorter.  If you are like me, you are thinking to yourself, Wait!  I haven’t really had the time yet to savor summer, and already the daylight is shrinking!  Yep.  Time flies. 😉

However, it is NOT too late to be baptized if you have never taken the step to express that public testimony of faith in Jesus as your Rescuer.  This Sunday there will be baptism classes available to learn more about baptism at Wildwood.  The Children’s class will be at 11am in the Downstairs Lodge Theater.  The Student/Adult class will be at noon in Room 2 (some food will be provided).  You can sign up to learn about baptism on our website: wildwoodchurch.org/baptism

We are excited that this Sunday our new Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries, Jon Dunton, will be leading us in our closing reciting of the Great Commission in all three services.  Officially, Welcome Jon!

This Sunday will be part 3 in our sermon series Foreshadows of the 2^nd Coming of Jesus.  It has been a very challenging series for me as I seek to get my theological and biblical arms around some rather broad topics.  Still, this is some important perspective.  Too often I think we are distracted by everyday life so much that we might miss some of the signs of the times.

Sunday we will be looking into Daniel chapter 2 (and some in chapter 7) as we examine one of the bedrock prophecies of Scripture.  As we shall see, Daniel projects a time forward when there will be a Renewed Roman Empire, illustrated by the relatively recent alliances in Europe today.  I believe you will find it intriguing.

See you Sunday!

Bruce

On Sunday, June 16, 2024, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Alliance Aligned Against Israel” from our ForeShadows of the 2nd Coming of Jesus series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. As a discussion opener, when you go to the movies, do you try to catch the coming attractions previews or not?  Why or why not?

2. Before diving into Ezekiel’s prophecy, it might be helpful to read Ezekiel 38:1-12; 15-16, 18; 21-23, and  39:2-8. As you do it, reflect on the fact that you are reading prophetic truth written some 2600 (26 centuries) ago!  Where did Ezekiel get his information from? [see Ezekiel 1:1-3]

3. The second indicator of the nearness of Jesus’ 2^nd Coming relates to a specific coalition of nations that will arise and be hostile to Israel.  Bruce shared several reasons why both the biblical text and history indicate that this coalition is NOT one from the distant past.  Some reasons relate to phrases in 38:8 and 38:16. Some relate to historical issues.  List as many as you can remember.

4. Sometimes we can tend to view current events that develop around us—and the domino effects that proceed from them—as random events.  What does a passage like Ezekiel 38 tell us about God’s involvement with the world?

5. Sometimes people like to say regarding future prophecy, why bother?  There’s a lot of opinions out there…why should we put effort into understanding it?  What perspective can we gain from 1 Peter 1:10—11 about those who studied/inquired about the prophecies of Jesus’ first coming?

6. Bruce stated that what jumps out clearly in this passage is the sovereignty of God.  Does God ‘break into a sweat’ when he sees what is happening among the nations? (check out Psalm 2 in this regard).

7. If He’s sovereign in the affairs of the world, is He also sovereign in the outworking of our lives?  Elaborate.

8. Take some time to pray for all the nations listed in the coalition…that they may hear the Gospel and respond in faith.  Wouldn’t it be exciting to meet someone one day in heaven that you had prayed for?

Well, the heat is starting to line up for some longer stretches.  I hope you are ready for some “hot” times ahead!

Speaking of hot times ahead, the summer men’s and women’s bible studies began this week (men on Wednesdays at 7pm; women on Thursdays at 7pm).  It’s not too late to join in…a great way to stay in the Word over summer!

Also, if you have never been baptized—never given that public testimony of trust in Jesus as your Rescuer from sin and judgment—this summer can be the time!  Starting one Sunday from now, (June 23…happens to be my 51^st wedding anniversary too) Wildwood will be holding baptism classes.  The class for children will be at 11am in the Downstairs Theater and the student/adult class will be at noon in Room 2.  You can sign up at wildwoodchurch.org/baptism. Hope you do!

Another “hot” thing, our College Life group is back to meeting on Sundays at 9:45am in Room 5.  Check it out!

This Sunday we will be continuing our June series entitled, Foreshadows of the 2^nd Coming of Jesus with part 2.  We will see a very special prophecy from Ezekiel 38 that predicts a coalition of nations that align with Israel clearly in their crosshairs.  It is a fascinating study!

See you Sunday!

Bruce

On Sunday, June 9, 2024, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Restoration of the Nation of Israel” from our ForeShadows of the 2nd Coming of Jesus series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Recent history has been marked by certain Bible teachers who made very detailed predictions claiming Jesus would return at a particular time or date.  Share about any experiences you may have had (or heard about) with such predictions.

2. Some folks seem to dismiss discussions about Bible prophecy as fruitless endeavors.  Why do you think that is?

Jesus spent time talking to his disciples about future prophecy as Acts 1:3-7 demonstrates.  Why do you think Scripture gives so much space to discussing future prophetic events?  List some reasons.

3. Bruce emphasized that we should avoid “newspaper exegesis”, where one simply looks at current events and then reads those events back into Scripture.  Why?

Bruce also stressed that good prophetic interpretation should start with ___________.
What term goes in that blank?

4. “The existence of Israel today is a ‘first class’ miracle.  Explain how so.

5. Since God has been faithful to His promises to the nation of Israel in much detail, it also means He will be faithful to His promises to us.  List at least two of your favorite promises that God has given us.

6. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His faithfulness to you!

Hey Wildwood Family!

Greetings to everyone on this sunny day!  Well, things are quieter now at the church facility.  VBS 2024 is completed (but cleanup is under way). A very special ‘Thank You’ to the 300+ volunteers who made this VBS a joy for some 600+ children.  It was a joy interacting with the kids and parents this week. Today (Friday) I greeted one young family and said, Welcome to the last day of VBS.  Their daughter immediately responded: I wish VBS was every day!  Another spoke with her normal WCC SS teacher and said she probably won’t be in SS on Sunday.  She plans to be at VBS again!😉

And a very BIG shout out to Children’s Pastor Brooke Harrison and her children’s team for ALL the invested energy and creativity to make VBS a joy for kids, while also teaching the gospel and leading our next generation in worship of the living God.  Great work, all!! Pray for the seeds that were planted to blossom in a big way.

On Sunday I will be launching a June series I’ve entitled Foreshadows of the 2^nd Coming of Jesus. The noun foreshadow refers to ‘an indicator of what is to come.’  Too often it seems folks will label Bible prophecy as confusing, and maybe even as uninteresting.  Yet Scripture contains SO much prophecy about future events and the Second Coming of Jesus.

This Sunday’s message will focus on how Israel’s rebirth as a nation is a key sign of the nearness of Jesus’ 2^nd Coming.  We will be looking at multiple Scriptures and will also offer some insight into the current issues and events we’ve all heard about recently.  I think you will find this message to be profitable.

Also on Sunday, we will share an update on the prospect of Jon Dunton joining Wildwood’s pastoral staff.  God is at work, men and women!

See you Sunday!

Bruce