Revelation! - "Written To Us, About Us or For Us?" - Lesson 2 - Introduction Part 2

1.      Review From Our Previous Lesson:

a.      The two “book ends” of Revelation are summed up with what one word?

b.      What is Eschatology?

c.       What one sign of Christ’s second coming will there be?

d.      When is / was the “Great Tribulation?”

e.      Revelation cannot be understood differently from what?

f.        Christ said that His Kingdom was neither of this W_________ or from H_________.

g.      Noting these facts from Scripture, will there ever be a millennial kingdom here on earth?

2.      What two dates predominate the views of people regarding as to when the book was written?

a.      What assertion supports the former date?

b.      What facts support the latter date?

c.       For the purposes of this study, we will using the ______________ model.

3.      When did Christianity begin to be seen as distinctive and separate from Judaism?  Why is this important to understand?

4.      What two historical events caused this to take place?

5.      Why did Nero’s persecution of the Christians in Rome NOT affect the Christians in Asia?

6.      For the purposes of this study we will assert that the author of this book is _________ the A____________ whom Christ L_________ and gave charge of His M_____________.

7.      Note at least 3 inaccurate titles of this book:

a.      ________________________________________

b.      ________________________________________

c.       ________________________________________

8.      Whose Revelation is it, in the first place according to 1.1?

9.      Who was this Revelation given to initially according to 1.1?

10.  For what purpose was it given according to 1.1?

11.  What first comes to mind when you hear the word “apocalypse?”

12.  The word actually means U__________________!

13.  The word translated “shortly” in 1.1 is from two Greek words; en taxei literally meaning: I____ S______________. 

14.  The angel was sent to John for what purpose in 1.1?

15.  Contrast 22.10 with Daniel 8.26 in command.

16.  Contrast 22.10 with Daniel 8.26 in time.  (NOTE: Approx. 400 years between Daniel’s prophesy and it’s fulfillment; “M_________ D_________.”

 

PAST LESSONS CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://GOSPELCALL.BLOGSPOT.COM

REMEMBER TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND COWORKERS TO THESE STUDIES WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME!

 

 

 

 

1.      Review From Our Previous Lesson:

a.      The two “book ends” of Revelation are summed up with what one word? A. Soon

b.      What is Eschatology?  A. The study of end times

c.       What one sign of Christ’s second coming will there be?  A. His descent

d.      When is / was the “Great Tribulation?”  A. In 70, in and around Jerusalem

e.      Revelation cannot be understood differently from what?  A. All the other end of time passages of the New Testament

f.        Christ said that His Kingdom was neither of this WORLD or from HERE (HENCE).

g.      Noting these facts from Scripture, will there ever be a millennial kingdom here on earth?  A. No, there will not be

2.      What two dates predominate the views of people regarding as to when the book was written?  A. 68 or mid 90’s

a.      What assertion supports the former date?  A.  Just Revelation 11.19 in strict literal terms only

b.      What facts support the latter date?  A. Domitian was the first emperor to demand deification while he still was alive.  His greatest support for this emperor cult was in the vicinity of the 7 churches of Asia.  They were the first to be persecuted not worshipping him as a god.

c.       For the purposes of this study, we will using the LATTER DATE  model.

3.      When did Christianity begin to be seen as distinctive and separate from Judaism?  A. When Christianity was perceived to be a complete separate entity from Judaism.  Why is this important to understand?  A. Christianity was protected under the umbrella of Judaism which was a legal religion in the empire.  Once Christianity was seen separately the church had no legal standing.

4.      What two historical events caused this to take place?  A. The persecution of Christians by Nero in 68 and the destruction of Jerusalem, along with the Temple, in 70 by Titus.

5.      Why did Nero’s persecution of the Christians in Rome NOT affect the Christians in Asia?  A. Nero’s  persecution was enforced only in Rome and its environs.

6.      For the purposes of this study we will assert that the author of this book is JOHN the APOSTLE whom Christ LOVED and gave charge of His MOTHER.

7.      Note at least 3 inaccurate titles of this book:

a.      “The Revelation of St. John”

b.      “Revelation(s)”

c.       “The Apocalypse of St. John”

8.      Whose Revelation is it, in the first place according to 1.1?  A. God’s

9.      Who was this Revelation given to initially according to 1.1?  A. Jesus Christ

10.  For what purpose was it given according to 1.1?  A. To show to God’s servants that which will soon come to pass.

11.  What first comes to mind when you hear the word “apocalypse?”  A. Disaster, etc.

12.  The word actually means UNVEILING!

13.  The word translated “shortly” in 1.1 is from two Greek words; en taxei literally meaning: IN SWIFTNESS. 

14.  The angel was sent to John for what purpose in 1.1?  A. To signify the unveiling

15.  Contrast 22.10 with Daniel 8.26 in command.  Seal not vs. Seal up

16.  Contrast 22.10 with Daniel 8.26 in time.  (NOTE: Approx. 400 years between Daniel’s prophesy and it’s fulfillment; “MANY DAYS.”)  If 400 years is “many days” how can over 2,000 years be “soon?”

 

PAST LESSONS CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://GOSPELCALL.BLOGSPOT.COM

REMEMBER TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND COWORKERS TO THESE STUDIES WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME!

 

 

 

Revelation! - Written To Us, About Us or For Us? - Introduction Part 1 - Lesson 1

Question and Answer Sheets

Premise: We cannot possibly understand the Revelation differently than the end of time teachings in the rest of the New Testament!

Frame #1 – Luke 18.36

1.      Jesus said; “My Kingdom is not of this W_____________.”

2.      Jesus said His servants WOULD fight if what?

3.      Jesus said that He would have escaped His captors if what?

4.      Jesus said that His Kingdom was not from where?

5.      Where in this passage is an earthly Christological kingdom predicted?

Frame #2 – I Thessalonians 4.13 – 18

6.      Is Jesus coming to the dead or are they going with Him somewhere else?

7.      Paul says these things as a clear message from whom?

8.      What happens first on the Last Day?

9.      What are the three “withs” of the Lord’s Decent?

10.  Who shall rise first?

11.  What will then happen to those Christians who are alive and remain?

12.  Where in this passage is any prediction of Christ ever setting his foot on the earth ever again?

Frame #3 – Matthew 24.29 – 31

13.  The “Great Tribulation” takes place when according to prior verses?

14.  The very next Eschatological event after the Destruction of Jerusalem is what?

15.  What is the sign of this event?  What effect will this sign have?

16.  At the time of this sign, Christ will send his angels with what?

17.  What task are the angels given at the time of this sign?

18.  Is there a “Great Tribulation” at the very end of time rendering a clear sign of the pending return of Christ?

19.  Where does this passage teach of any kind of earthly Christological kingdom and any indication of Christ physically returning to this earth?

II Peter 3.10 - 13

20.  The Last Day will come how?

21.  At His coming, what will happen to the Heavens?

22.  At His coming, what will happen to the elements?

23.  At His coming, what will happen to the earth?

24.  Where is the “Great Tribulation” if His coming is without warning?

25.  How can there be any possibility of Christ returning a second time to a non-existent earth?

26.  How can there be a millennial kingdom here on earth if the earth no longer exists?

 

One key to understanding the book of Revelation is to always keep in mind the B_____________  of this epistle, Revelation 1.1 and Revelation 22.6 that clearly state that the events described in the book are to take place when?

 

REMEMBER TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND COWORKERS TO THESE STUDIES WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME!

 

 

 

 

 

Premise: We cannot possibly understand the Revelation differently than the end of time teachings in the rest of the New Testament!

Frame #1 – Luke 18.36

1.      Jesus said; “My Kingdom is not of this World.”

2.      Jesus said His servants WOULD fight if what?  A. If His Kingdom WERE of this world.

3.      Jesus said that He would have escaped His captors if what?  A. If is Kingdom WERE of this world.

4.      Jesus said that His Kingdom was not from where?  A. Here or “hence.”

5.      Where in this passage is an earthly Christological kingdom predicted?  A. Nowhere

Frame #2 – I Thessalonians 4.13 – 18

6.      Is Jesus coming to the dead or are they going with Him somewhere else?  A. They are going with Him somewhere else, He is not coming back here.

7.      Paul says these things as a clear message from whom?   A. The Lord

8.      What happens first on the Last Day?  A.  The Lord shall decend

9.      What are the three “with’s” of the Lord’s Decent?  A. With a shout, with the voice of the arch angel and with the Trump of God

10.  Who shall rise first?  A. The dead in Christ

11.  What will then happen to those Christians who are alive and remain?  A. They will meet him in the air

12.  Where in this passage is any prediction of Christ ever setting his foot on the earth ever again?  A. Nowhere

Frame #3 – Matthew 24.29 – 31

13.  The “Great Tribulation” takes place when according to prior verses?  A. During the siege and destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in 70

14.  The very next Eschatological event after the Destruction of Jerusalem is what?  A. The Return of Christ in decent with the shout, arch angel and trumpet

15.  What is the sign of this event?  A. His decent.  What effect will this sign have?  A. Absolute panic and despair among the lost

16.  At the time of this sign, Christ will send his angels with what?  A. With a great sound of a trumpet

17.  What task are the angels given at the time of this sign?  A. To gather His elect from the 4 winds

18.  Is there a “Great Tribulation” at the very end of time rendering a clear sign of the pending return of Christ?  A. No, the  “great tribulation” took place in 70

19.  Where does this passage teach of any kind of earthly Christological kingdom and any indication of Christ physically returning to this earth?  A. Nowhere

II Peter 3.10 - 13

20.  The Last Day will come how?  A. As a thief in the night

21.  At His coming, what will happen to the Heavens? A. They will pass away with a great noise

22.  At His coming, what will happen to the elements?  A. The elements will melt with fervent heat

23.  At His coming, what will happen to the earth?  A.  It, along with its works, shall be burnt up

24.  Where is the “Great Tribulation” if His coming is without warning?  A.  It already took place in 70, there is no warning whatsoever other than the sight of the  Descending Christ

25.  How can there be any possibility of Christ returning a second time to a non-existent earth?  A. No possibility for His Kingdom is not of this world, it is not from here

26.  How can there be a millennial kingdom here on earth if the earth no longer exists?  A.  No possibility for His Kingdom is not of this world, it is not from here

 

One key to understanding the book of Revelation is to always keep in mind the BOOKENDS of this epistle, Revelation 1.1 and Revelation 22.6 that clearly state that the events described in the book are to take place when?  A. Soon!

 



The Apostle Paul Was A Paid Preacher!

 

There are those that decry the idea that is biblical to pay preachers.  It is assumed that since the gospel is free, those who dispense it must do so without a salary from the church.  It is assumed, as well, that any gospel preacher must be self supported and not receive any compensation from 3rd parties for his labor in God's vineyard.  Thirdly it is assumed to prove all of this all one has to do is to examine the ministry of Paul the apostle.

Sadly, those who would embrace the above assumptions have failed to read and understand Acts 27 and 28.  Acts 27 is the historical account of Paul's journey to Rome interrupted by a shipwreck on Malta.  Acts 28 details Paul's post Malta journey to Rome.  We will refer to two verses in these two chapters to dispense the assumptions of those who would deny many a man the freedom to preach the gospel.

First, Luke asserts in Acts 27.3 that Paul was allowed to go ashore at Sidon for a specific purpose.  That purpose was to "refresh himself" from his friends.  What does that mean?  It means that Paul received support for his journey.  In Roman times prisoners had to provide for their own sustenance while in prison, the state provided nothing but confinement.  Every resource had to be provided for the prisoner by 3rd parties or death would soon come.  At Sidon, Paul was "refreshed" by his friends with everything he needed for a long sea voyage.  That would include food, clothes, beddings, medicine and money.  Paul was a paid preacher!

Secondly, it is stated in Acts 28.30 - 31 that Paul, while in Rome, stayed in "his own hired house" where he "received all who came," "preached the gospel," and "taught those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ."  Where did Paul get such funds as to rent a house in Rome for two years while he was under house arrest awaiting trial?  The answer is clear, Paul was a paid preacher!

Let's get real.  Those who would deny the gospel preacher an income are being blatantly hypocritical unless they themselves hire the poor brother themselves for some kind of secular endeavor so that he can then preach the gospel.  Such an arrangement would be foolish indeed for what would then suffer?  The gospel would suffer!  The preacher would be spending 40 plus hours a week working elsewhere, barely getting off a sermon or two with his spare time.  That time would be exhausted by the secular endeavors of his "benevolent" employer.

Those who would deny the gospel preacher a living to protect a "principle" unsupported in Scripture are "straining the gnat in order to swallow the camel!"

Congregations who have a located and employed preacher do not pay the man to preach, they pay the man SO HE CAN PREACH!

May God richly bless those men who devote themselves to preaching the gospel and those congregations that make it possible for them to do so!





Rescue Requires a Shipwreck!

The date is on or about October 14, 60.  The apostle Paul is on board a 70 ton Alexandrian grain ship with an 80 ton load of Egyptian wheat plus 275 other passengers.  Paul is an imperial prisoner on his way to stand before Emperor Nero for judgment on appeal.  He is being escorted to Rome by Centurion Julius.  It is very late in the sailing year that will end on November 11.  No one sails the Mediterranean from then until March.  They find themselves in a small harbor called Fair Havens on the mid-south coast of Crete.  Fair Havens is unsuitable for a winter stay.  It is the hope of the ship captain and Julius to try to hug the coast and go west to the only harbor on Crete that can host a wintering ship in safety.  That place is Phoenix, a harbor that none of them will see.  Paul informs them all that such a move is sheer folly and will result in the loss of the ship, its cargo and damage to the lives of all on board.  His warning is ignored.  Julius wants Paul in Rome sooner rather than later.  The captain wants his grain commission sooner rather than later as well.  He loathes the idea of paying room and board for 276 people over an entire winter stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Before they can reach Phoenix, a "nor'easter" sweeps them into the open sea.  Such a storm was the terror of the seas.  The sailors called them "Euraquilo," the "east wind."  The helpless ship is driven for two weeks for nearly 1,200 miles from Crete to a small, tiny island called Melita, known today as Malta.  For two weeks they see neither sun, moon or stars.  No one eats a thing for 14 days.  Again Paul addresses all on board reminding them of his previous warning, assuring them all of God's promise to save their lives and to encourage them all to take nourishment for strength for the trauma which is swiftly coming upon them.  Though the soldiers on board want to kill all the prisoners, Julius forbids them wanting to bring Paul safely to the emperor.

The next day, the ship runs aground, breaks up and everyone on board makes it safely to shore by riding the debris of the doomed vessel.  All property is lost but...as God has promised...no one has died!   Paul weathered his storm and lives to tell about it, witness for his Savior by many miracles, preaches the gospel to the Maltese, travels safely on to Rome, testifies to Caesar and "finishes the course and keeps the faith!"

We can learn about our "storms of life" and how to sail through them as did Paul.  However, "rescue requires a shipwreck!"  Luke records these events in Acts 27.

Paul’s Handling of a Life Crisis When “All Hope is Taken Away”

•Vs. 21 – LISTEN to others advice before taking any action

•Vs. 22 – Be of GOOD CHEER despite the crisis

•Vs. 22 – Determine to preserve what is MOST valuable

•Vs. 23 – Know of whom you BELIEVE and WORSHIP

•Vs. 24 – LISTEN to the Word of God!

•Vs. 24 – Do not be AFRAID

•Vs. 24 – Remember that your faithfulness brings SAFETY to others

•Vs. 25 – BELIEVE God!

                               Vs. 26 – RESCUE Requires SHIPWRECK!

•Vs. 27 – Allow yourself to be DRIVEN of God in crisis

•Vs. 28 – Take SOUNDINGS to determine where you are in crisis

•Vs. 29 – Cast your ANCHORS into the “Rock”

•Vs. 31 – Don’t jump OVERBOARD

•Vs. 32 – Cut all the ROPES of your own control and SURRENDER it to Christ!

•Vs. 33 – 34 - Take a communal MEAL with your family and /or friends

•Vs. 35 – Give THANKS to God in PUBLIC for your blessings

•Vs. 38 – LIGHTEN your load

•Vs. 44 – Ride the BOARDS of destruction to the SHORE of safety!

One more thing...  Only those aboard God's ship are rescued.  All others hit the shoals of destruction and are lost forever.  Take passage today by "repenting of your sins and be baptized into the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." [Acts 2.38]

Gather together this Lord's Day with your fellow passengers at the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210.  For more info go to: http://archdale.org. 

Welcome on board!  Sail on Captain!

 

 

 

 

The Manger or the Cross? - Which Will It Be?

There he is!  Father Christmas!  Every December millions the world over embrace the warm, vibrant and exciting sentiments of the Christmas season, past and present embodied by "Father Christmas."  Children, family, festivities, songs, gifts, carols, eggnog, sugar plums, ornaments, snow, holly and mistletoe all "dance in our heads."  As the song goes; "it's the most wonderful time of the year!"

 

But...can Father Christmas save you?  Will one's attention to the manger bring salvation?  The answer is disturbing.  The answer is......NO.

 

Each year the debate rages.  Was Christ really born on "Christmas Day," December 25?  Not likely.  "Shepherds guiding their flocks by night" occur in Israel only in the spring and fall...never winter.  We can debate the origin of "Christmas" till the cows come home.  One thing is certain...no such holiday ever was celebrated by the early Christian community, identified in the New Testament as "The Way." There is no such command to celebrate in the New Testament, there is no example of any of the Apostles (or anyone else for that matter) celebrating it and there is not even an inference anywhere in Scripture that anyone had even a thought of so doing.

 

The origins of the holiday we call Christmas are medieval, pagan, catholic, pragmatic and extra biblical.  As a religious celebration it is clear that Christmas ("Christ - Mass") is what God has clearly decreed as an addition to the Word.  While the celebration of Christmas in the United States is "as American as apple pie," it has no connection whatsoever to the revealed Christian faith described in the New Testament.  In fact, Jesus is VERY specific as to how He wants to be remembered.  It is celebrated, not on December 25, but on every "first day of the week" around what is known as the "Lord's Table."  Here's what revelation, not speculation, says;  "Do this in remembrance of me." - I Corinthians 11.24 - 25.

 

We must ask ourselves this question; "Why, then, is Christmas so embraced by so many as the most prominent "Christian" celebration of the year?" 

 

People are told that Christmas is the most holy day (the origin of our word "holiday") of the year in all of "Christendom."   This is a true statement!  However, "Christendom" is NOT "Christianity!"  Christendom is a one world military, political and economic system centered in Rome and headed by a one man dictator commonly known as the "pope."  Popes over the years have changed EVERY aspect of New Testament Christianity and corrupted it so that it no longer has anything in common with Revelation.   

 

 

Wine is a Mocker & Strong Drink is Raging

Can or should the Christian purchase and consume beverage alcohol?  One is, first of all, reminded of a conversation in Jurassic Park.  While discussing the "merits" of "bringing back" the dinosaur, it was noted that "just because we can doesn't mean we should."

We can apply this principle to the Christian's consumption of "Noah's folly."  "Technically," a Christian can purchase and consume beverage alcohol within certain guidelines outlined by Paul in Romans 14.  These principles apply to eating meat, drinking wine or anything else that causes a brother to stumble (14.21)  Here they are:

• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he does not "despise the one who abstains." 14.3
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he does so "to the honor of God."  14.6
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is "ready to give an account to God" for so doing.  14.12
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is 100% absolutely certain that by so doing that it will not place a "stumbling block" before any other Christian.  14.13
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is 100%  absolutely certain that by doing that it will not cause a "hindrance" to any other Christian.  14.13
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is 100% absolutely certain that by so doing no other Christian is "grieved."  14.15
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long "as what he regards as good is not spoken of as evil."  14.16
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as that pursuit "makes for peace and mutual upbuilding."  14.19
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as it "does not destroy the work of God."  14.20
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he "has no doubts" and that the act "proceeds from faith."  14.23

There we have it!  A Christian can, in fact, purchase and consume beverage alcohol when in compliance with biblical guidelines described by the inspired apostle Paul.  Having said that, the guidelines are stringent and nearly impossible.  The legal limit of blood alcohol in most states is .08%.  Many people can meet that mark with as little as one can of beer or one glass of wine.  What is the Christian who wants to consume wine with their meals to do?

 For those Christians who want to protect both their conscience and their ambassadorship, there is a wine alternative.  It is called NON - alcoholic wine!  One vendor that provides such products is none other than Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).  Check it out for yourself at http://maddvirgindrinks.com/ or, better yet, just pick you up some Welch's (TM) http://www.welchs.com/products/sparkling-cocktails sparkling grape juice products at your local grocery store.

 

Dear Christian friend; "Why consume poison when you can have the flavor MINUS the poison?"   "Why risk your conscience before God?"  "Why place your ambassadorship at risk?"