Bible Study #744

The goal of Bible Study is not just learning, but living If you are saved, you will have a desire to be holy, a hunger for the Word, the inner witness of the Spirit, and a desire to share Jesus. These are the birthmarks of the believer. #744 8 Sept 15 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus Rev. 14:12 Grateful for . . . . THE WORD OF GOD ! (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) Greetings! This is excellent scriptural support for the doctrine of perseverance , which assures all true believers in Christ that they will never lose their faith. The regenerate will continually endure, right to the end, in obedience to the truth, no matter what may com against them. The result is an almost poetic experience of praise for God's grace in bringing salvation to completion for all who are chosen and believe. When God begins a work of salvation in a person, He finishes and perfects that work. Keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart! ♥ Memory verse for this week: Prov. 16:24 Lookie here! Prov. 17:26 says .. “It is also not good to fine the righteous, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.” Here is a clear statement on political and religious injustice, focusing on the equally bad mistreatment of the innocent and the noble. This week's Trivia's: [answer's below . . ] 1. Which book of the Bible devotes its first nine chapters to geneologies? 2. How many times each day did the ravens bring food to Elijah? * * * * * * * * * When you are in danger .. read Psalm 91 * * * * * * * * * BIBLE MEDITATION: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt 28:18-20 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Do you know what worry is? Worry is a mild form of atheism. It's acting like God doesn't exist. The great missionary David Livingstone took the Gospel to Africa and actually discovered and unlocked much of Africa. He lived a life of loneliness and danger. On January 14, 1856, surrounded by hostile people beating war drums like they were going to attack the next morning, he wrote in his journal: "Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all of my plans for the welfare of this great region and this teaming population knocked on the head by savages tomorrow." Sitting at his campfire, he knows what's out there in the dark. Then he writes, “But I read that Jesus said, 'All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth, go ye therefore and teach all nations, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' This is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor. I will not cross furtively as I had intended. Why should such a man as I flee? I shall take observations for latitude and longitude tonight. Though it may be the last, I feel quite calm now. Thank God.” ACTION POINT: Follow Livingstone’s example. Practice the presence of the Lord this coming year. You're going to be tempted. Know that Jesus Christ never leaves us, never forsakes us. When the devil comes and knocks at your heart's door, simply say, "Jesus, please go answer the door." from the Ministries of Love Worth Finding . . . by Adrian Rogers * * * * * * * * * When you want Christian assurance . . . read Romans 8:1-30 * * * * * * * * * We have begun another journey and will learn from the book "AGENTS of the APOCALYPSE" written by David Jeremiah. A Riveting Look at the Key Players of the End Times. GBY . . . . AGENTS of the APOCALYPSE . . . . THE SCRIPTURE BEHIND THE STORY . . cont. Studying Prophecy Motivates us to Live Productive Lives . . . . The book of Revelation also promotes a positive mind-set. As we study it, we begin to realize that everything that is happening in our world today is heading somewhere. In the book of Revelation, as in no other book, we see God’s sovereign hand upon the affairs of the world. We see Him in control even though so much here on earth seems out of control. John says that Jesus Christ is “the ruler over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:5). This is not a statement about the future reign of Christ. It is a statement about His present reign. Jesus not only will be King, He is already King over the kings of the earth. Vernard Eller drives home this point quite forcefully: We are here at the heart of John’s message . . . It is this: things aren’t what they seem! From everything . . . most of us can see, it appears clear that “the kings of the earth” are where the action is: theirs is the clout that makes things happen; theirs are the actions determining the course of history . . . No, things are not what they seem! Contrary to their own inflated opinion, that crew does not hold the reins of history. John’s very first notice of the kings of the earth is to proclaim that they have a ruler, they are being ruled. That ruler . . . already has won the decisive victory and established his control . . . God’s is real power clothed in apparent powerlessness. Things are not what they seem! Jesus is Lord—and that not only of us. . . who accept His lordship but of everyone else, up to and including the kings of the earth. As the conditions of our world worsen, Jesus said we shouldn’t hang our heads in depression or shake our heads in confusion. We should lift up our heads in expectation, for our redemption draws near (Lk 21:28). After Paul told the Thessalonians about the sudden return of Christ for His people, he said, “Comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess 4:18). Our world is in a state of depression, and anti-depression pharmaceuticals are being swallowed at a faster rate than ever before. According to a recent study, the use of antidepressants has skyrocketed in the past several decades. In fact, one in ten Americans now takes an antidepressant medication. Among women in their forties and fifties, the figure is one in four. When I read those statistics, I thought of Proverbs 12:25: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” I believe there are times when medication is absolutely called for, but meditation is often better. When we read the book of Revelation, some of the very first words we encounter are these: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him” (1:7). As we visualize our Lord’s return, we’re treating our souls to a “good word.” Studying Prophecy Motivates us to Live Pure Lives . . . Here’s final benefit from the study of Revelation: it fosters purity in our lives. Several years ago, a prominent minister named Dr. J.C. Masseee went to a show he felt he shouldn’t have attended. After a few minutes, he abruptly rose and left. His friends followed him out, asking what was wrong. Dr. Massee explained that Jesus could come at any moment. “I don’t want Him to [find] me here!” The Bible says, “When He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 Jn 3:2-3). The study of Revelation isn’t’ just for “prophecy freaks” or “Second Coming scholars.” It’s for every Christian who loves Jesus Christ and is anticipating His appearing. It’s comprehensible and it’s compelling, and it will change our lives. It is a practical book with tangible benefits, and those who study it are happier, holier, healthier people. A Purposeful Book . . . . Revelation 1:7-8 presents the twofold purpose of the entire book, which is to affirm Christ’s return and His ultimate reign over the earth. 1 .. THE RETURN OF THE KING . . . Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Rev. 1:7 The Bible most often expresses the second coming of Christ by using the Greek word parousia. This is the Greek term for “coming” or “advent,” but it came to be applied in a technical sense to the arrival of Christ. The Greek word carries specific connotations that are helpful: a parousia is an entrance that immediately changes the existing situation it enters. Picture a teacher who momentarily steps out of the classroom. At his departure, the students become loud and boisterous and begin to throw wads of paper. But when the teacher steps back into the room, everything changes. At his parousia, the students quiet down, and order is restored. This is a snapshot of what will happen when the King returns. Everything will change—evil will be shut down, order will be restored, and justice will reign. Revelation 1:7 stands in a long line of biblical truth. Daniel predicted that the Messiah would come through the clouds: “I was watching in the night vision, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!” (Dan 7:13). In His Olivet discourse, Jesus spoke of His coming in similar terms: “The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt 24:30). John expanded upon Jesus’ words to describe what every person will experience at His second coming. When the King returns, “every eye will see Him” (Rev 1:7). In that moment, the great question for all of us will be whether our eyes are filled with tears of joy and thankfulness for what the King has done for us or tears of sadness and terror for the judgment that awaits us. 2.. THE REIGN OF THE KING . . . “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev 1:8 Alpha and Omega—the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—point not only to the eternity of Christ but also to His all-inclusive power. In Genesis we read of how Satan subverted the first humans and usurped the title “the ruler of this world” (Jn 12:31). Since then, we humans have lived in what C. S. Lewis called “enemy-occupied territory.” The earth still belonged to God, but He did not move immediately to drive Satan out. This was not due to a lack of power; it was a matter of timing (Eph 1:10). As the Alpha and Omega, He is greater than the bounds of time. He precedes the beginning of Creation and survives the end of humanity’s day. He is the eternal, omnipotent God. And when the time was right, Jesus began His campaign to regain His rightful sovereignty over the earth. The book of Revelation is the account of that campaign. It tells of His appointment by the Father to the throne, His battle against the forces of evil, His final victory, and His relationship with the redeemed. Because of Christ’s triumph, His people are presented as overcomers. In the first three chapters of Revelation, Christ makes seven promises to “him who overcomes,” and a similar phrase occurs five more times in the book. The simple meaning of the word overcome is “to conquer” or “to win the victory.” The promise of victory is certain, but its final reality awaits the return of the King. The prophet Daniel foresaw this victory long before John did, and he wrote about it with the same clarity: “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Dan 7:13-14). Likewise, the New Testament leaves no doubt about Christ’s ultimate victory: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen” (Rev 22:20). It is in the heart of every believer to join with the saints of old in longing for that day as did John when he completed his scroll: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20). Yet while we wait, let us remember this: [We] still live in the time of John’s crisis and . . . the Revelation he received from Jesus is still the definitive answer to today’s big questions . . . It’s time for us to rediscover the book of Revelation and its message of hope. In a world where [more than 100,000] Christians are martyred for their faith each year, we still need the Revelation which Jesus gave to John. In a world where the Church remains terribly flawed and where every week sees another church close down and its building turned into a nightclub, a restaurant or a mosque, we need the Revelation which Jesus gave to John. It’s a Revelation which changes everything. It’s a Revelation that God is on the Throne. And He is working out His strategies from the control room of Heaven. next week: . . chapter two THE MARTYRS . . * * * * * * * * * If you are losing confidence in people .. read 1 Cor 13 * * * * * * * * * WARNING ABOUT HIS RETURN, Part 2 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [He] will then repay every man according to his deeds. Matt. 16:27b Among the last words of Scripture is Jesus' declaration, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done" (Rev 22:12). Unbelievers are unable to produce genuinely righteous works because they don't have the indwelling Holy Spirit to produce them nor a godly new nature through which the holiness of the Spirit can be expressed. Conversely, believers are characterized by righteous works because they have God's life and Spirit within them as the source and power for those works. A person who has no evidence of righteous behavior in his life has no basis for assurance of salvation, no matter how long and vocally he may have professed being a Christian. Yet the honest believer knows that no matter how faithfully he studies and obeys God's Word and has fellowship with Him in prayer, he still falls short of the Lord's perfect righteousness. But he also knows, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn 1:9). When a believer has given his life to Jesus Christ, His own Spirit produces in him works that are worthy of God's reward. For the believer, therefore, the truth that the Lord "will then repay every man according to his deeds" is a wonderful promise. ASK YOURSELF If anything assures us that grace is much more than a one-time event, it is our daily experience of realizing how much we need Him to do anything that is lasting, truly meaningful, and worthwhile. How have you learned again how dependent you are on His grace? * * * * * * * * * If people seem unkind .. read John 15 * * * * * * * * * Restoration Is the Goal – Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.— Galatians 6:1 Our desire should always be to restore, not condemn a person who is in sin. Galatians 6:1 says it perfectly: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." The phrase, "overtaken in any trespass," implies it was not premeditated. This is not a picture of someone who went out intentionally to commit a sin. It is speaking of someone who went out and stumbled. They slipped. They fell. It wasn't intentional. They do have a responsibility, however. They did get trapped in the sin. We should take no delight in this, but should want to help and restore them. First we need to help them come to their senses, because we can't restore someone who doesn't want restoration. We have to first help them see they have a sin, and then we want to help them set it straight. In fact, the word used for "restore" carries the meaning of setting a broken bone or putting a dislocated limb back in place. We do that very gently, lest we do more harm. Ephesians 4:14–15 tells us, "We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ. . . ." Sometimes we speak the truth, but not in love. Our information is right, but we do it in a heavy-handed, mean way. Then sometimes we will love, but we don't speak the truth. Speak the truth in love. Restore a person in gentleness. Our objective is to restore, not to condemn. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM" . . . Exo 3:14 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Answers to this week's Trivia's: 1. Which book of the Bible devotes its first nine chapters to geneologies? A. 1 Chronicles 2. How many times each day did the ravens bring food to Elijah? A. Twice 1 Ki 17:6 * * * * * * * * * Three Keys To Cure Your Spiritual Boredom. . . Ryan Huguley A few months ago I was privileged to chaperone my 4 year-old-son’s pre-school field trip to the zoo. In my experience, most trips to the zoo are spent walking for what feels like miles and just to peer in on nearly non-existent, or sleeping animals. This trip was different. The first place we visited was the big cats area. As we walked into the exhibit, I expected to maybe see the mane of a sleeping lion off in the distance. What we found instead, was a monster of a male lion pacing back and fourth in front of the glass, mane blowing in the wind looking like Mufasa in all his glory. Even knowing it was impossible for this enormous animal to breach the glass, I shuddered at the sight of his size and capability. On the heels of this humbling experience I started thinking about the size and scope of God’s holiness. I thought about all the Biblical accounts of people experiencing the presence of God and how they almost unanimously fell on their faces in presence of His holiness. When was the last time you trembled in the presence of God’s holiness? The honest truth is that most of us have never truly trembled in the presence of God. The reason we don’t tremble in His presence is that we don’t adequately conceive of His holiness. While only God can enable the increase of our vision, we have a role to play in the process. Here are three essentials for increasing our view of God’s holiness. * * * * * * * * * Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God. Until next time remember, "Keep looking up!" God loves you with an everlasting love! Nancy <\\\>< Remember: A man may go to heaven….. Without health, without wealth; Without fame, without a great name; Without learning, without earnings; Without culture, without beauty; Without friends and without ten thousand other things---- But he can NEVER go to Heaven without Christ. ~ This is a FREE e-mailing ~ This Bible Study is sent to subscribers only according to our strict NO SP*M policy. If you appreciate the information contained in this letter, please forward it to your friends. If you have acquired this letter from a friend and want to subscribe: Send an e-mail with Subscribe on the subject line to: hisfootprints4us@comcast.net If you do not want to receive these Bible Studies, please send an email with 'unsubscribe' on the subject line to hisfootprints4us@comcast.net No hard feelings This week's Quiz: The Acts of the Apostles . . . The book of Acts is sometimes called the Acts of the Apostles because that’s what it describes. How many of the following acts are you familiar with? 1. On the day of Pentecost, who preached the sermon? Acts 2:1, 14 a. John c. Andrew b. Peter d. James 2. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared as: Acts 2:1, 3 a. a dove c. a lightning bolt b. tongues of fire d. a mighty wind 3. When Peter told Ananias and Sapphira that they had lied to the Holy Spirit, their punishment was: Acts 5:1-10 a. banishment c. confession to the whole church b. flogging d. death 4. The first person martyred for being a Christian was: Acts 7:59 a. Philip c. Stephen b. Peter d. Paul 5. Simon, who tried to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit, was a: Acts 8:9, 18 a. king c. sorcerer b. councilman d. priest 6. The apostle who spoke to the Ethiopian eunuch was: Acts 8:26-35 a. Peter c. Paul b. Philip d. Andrew 7. Peter was sent to preach to Cornelius, who was a: Acts 10:1, 2 a. Gentile c. centurion b. devout man d. all of the above 8. When Peter was freed from prison by an angel and went to where the Christians had gathered, he was: Acts 12:6-16 a. welcomed c. turned away b. ignored d. left knocking at the door 9. The apostle chosen to replace Judas was: Acts 1:20-26 a. Paul c. Barnabas b. Silas d. Matthias 10. Lydia, who was one of the women converted at Philippi, was a seller of: Acts 16:14 a. purple c. rich clothing b. pottery d. housewares