Jul 27-Aug 2: Jesus and His Disciples

SUNDAY

The Kingdom of Heaven Is Near

1. Who was preaching that “the kingdom of heaven is near” in the Four Gospels?

• Matt. 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Matt. 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

• Matt. 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

• Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

• Matt. 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth…Matt. 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

ANSWER: John the Baptist, Jesus, The Twelve Disciples of Jesus.

OBSERVATION: “The kingdom of heaven” = “the kingdom of God”

2. When will the kingdom of God come?

• Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

• Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; Luke 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

ANSWER: At the second coming of Christ.

3. If the kingdom of God comes at the second coming of Christ, why did Jesus and His disciples preach that the “kingdom of God is at hand”? Did the kingdom of God come during the time of Jesus and His disciples?

a. OBSERVE following verse:

• Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

b. NOTICE: The kingdom of God came at the same time as when salvation came. When did the salvation come?

• 1Pet. 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1Pet. 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

4. How should we understand the connection between the kingdom of God coming at the cross, and the second coming of Christ?

ANSWER: Salvation came when Jesus died on the cross and at the same time the Kingdom of God came. This was the reason why Jesus preached, “the kingdom of God is at hand”. Therefore when Jesus died on the cross that was the beginning of the kingdom of God and when Jesus comes back then that will be the completion of the kingdom of God.

5. What happens between the cross and the second coming of Christ that builds up the kingdom of God?

• After the resurrection, Jesus was anointed as our High Priest in heaven Heb. 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (Compare with Acts 13:33) Heb. 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Heb. 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Heb. 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Heb. 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

• As our High Priest, He sits on the throne of grace to give mercy Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Compare with Jer. 17:12)

• The ultimate result of His mercy is to blot out our sins Heb. 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Is. 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

• When sins are blotted out then Jesus can come back to take all His saints Heb. 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Heb. 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Heb. 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (If there is no more offering for sin, then the only thing Jesus needs to do is come back) Heb. 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

• Here is a text that summarizes the work of Jesus between His resurrection and the second coming Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. Luke 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. NOTE: Jesus’ ultimate goal for going back to heaven is to “receive for Himself a kingdom.” Jesus receives His kingdom during the investigative judgment (see Daniel 7:9-14). After that, He is coming back as the King of kings (see Rev. 19:16).

CONCLUSION: The Kingdom of God is complete when His subjects are ready. His subjects are ready when their sins are blotted out. Their sins are blotted out only through the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus was shed on the cross. Therefore, the kingdom of God began at the cross. Hence, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the disciples preached, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”.

MONDAY

Missionary Instructions

1. What does Jesus mean by telling the disciples to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves?

• Matt. 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

NOTE: Before we can answer this question, we need to consider following questions and observations.

2. Who are the wolves? Read the following verses.

• Matt. 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; Matt. 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

ANSWER: “Beware of men.” Who are these men? Religious leaders “in their synagogues” and political leaders such as “governors and kings”.

PROPHETIC APPLICATION: We shall be brought before religious leaders and political leaders when church and state unites. Therefore we need to be “wise as serpents” especially for the last days.

3. How are we counseled to be wise as serpents before the religious and political leaders? Read the next text.

• Matt. 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

ANSWER: The wisdom, by the Spirit, in how and what to say before men

• Take no thought how or what you shall speak

• Let the Holy Spirit tell you how or what you shall speak

CONCLUSION: “Wise as serpents” means to beware of how and what we speak. The only wise as serpent example in the Bible is in Genesis chapter 3. The Bible says, talking about the serpent, that he was “more subtil,” meaning, more wise. In what way was the serpent was so wise? The way the serpent persuaded the woman was by the way he spoke to the woman.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• Rephrase: Discuss the importance of what and how we speak, and how our words are connected to our mission work.

• Do you know the difference between what we should say and how we should say it?

TUESDAY

Gentiles and Jews

1. How are we to understand these words in light of His later commission to witness to all the world?

• Matt. 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

• Matt. 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

ANSWER: It is God’s plan that through Israel God would proclaim the message of salvation to the all the world. Therefore the message of salvation needed to be preached to the Jews first.

OBSERVE the following verses.

• Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

• John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

2. Why did God give the message of Salvation to the Jews first?

• Deut. 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

ANSWER: God made a promise to the Jews. God had chosen the Jews to be a special people unto Him. Through one nation He wanted to bless all.

3. OBSERVATION: God likes to work on “one”. Then from “one”, He works with all.

ANSWER:

• One Adam to all human race

• One man, Noah to all who are willing to come into the ark

• One promised child, Isaac to all nations

• One Messiah for all

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• Based upon the way God work, how should we work?

• Which is better: work in one location then spread out or just work anywhere anytime?

4. What is the following texts teaching regarding mission work?

• Matt. 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Matt. 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

• NOTE: Scrip means a wallet or leather pouch for food.

ANSWER: They should not take extra things for their own provisions because they are going to be supported by the people whom they work for.

5. OBSERVE the following verses on the same topic:

• 1Cor. 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

• 1Tim. 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: Why did God choose this method of supporting His workers?

ANSWER: This method of supporting causes the giver to practice self-sacrifice and the receiver to live by faith.

WEDNESDAY

A Holistic Ministry

1. What other work is connected to preaching?

Matt. 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt. 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

ANSWER:

• Heal the sick

• Cleanse the lepers

• Raise the dead

• Cast out devils

• Freely give

2. How can we, without the power to “cleanse, raise, and cast out”, still minister and witness to the world?

ANSWER: We can help to heal the sick through medical missionary work. Basically, we can give people our love and care freely that they may know Jesus.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Why don’t we see more miracles today?

• Is performing miracle really necessary to preach the gospel?

• Are there any spiritual lessons in heal, cleanse, raise, and cast out without the miracle power?

THURSDAY

Do Not Be Afraid of Them

1. Read the following text first:

Matt. 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Answer following questions based upon the contextual reading of Matthew 10.

a. Who are “ye” in the verse?

• Matt. 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
• Matt. 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

ANSWER: 12 Disciples, preaching that the kingdom of heaven is at hand

b. Who are included in “all men” in the verse?

• Matt. 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
• Matt. 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
• Matt. 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
• Matt. 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

ANSWER: Wolves, religious councils, governors, kings, family members.

CONCLUSION: I am sure all sincere Christians are going to be persecuted however especially those who are preaching the gospel of the kingdom will be hated and persecuted by the religious and political people plus possibly your own family members.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What message is the “kingdom of heaven is hand” in the last days?

• Why would people be persecuted for preaching this message?

2. OBSERVE following verses on “my name’s sake”

• Is. 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

• Matt. 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

• Matt. 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

• Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

• Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.Luke 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

• Luke 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

• John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

• Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

• Rev. 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

CONCLUSION: Many places in the Bible, “For my name’s sake” theme is connected to an opportunity to testify Christ in the midst of persecution and suffering.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What method is a good way to preach the gospel in the time of Persecution?

• What method is a good way to preach the gospel in the time of persecution?

• What is the connection between the Three Angels’ message and the medical missionary work in the last days?

July 20-July 26: Jesus' Method of Witnessing

SUNDAY/MONDAY

Who Was Jesus?

1. Who is Jesus according to John 1:1?

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

ANSWER: Jesus is the Word

2. What does it mean “in the beginning was the Word”? When was that “beginning”?

• John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
• Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
• Prov. 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
• Heb. 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
• 1John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life
• 2Th. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
• Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love

WORD LINK OBSERVATION: “In the beginning” is connected to the creation of the world. The expression of “in the beginning” is similar to “from the beginning.” The expression “from the beginning” is similar to “before the foundation of the world.”

ANSWER: “In the beginning was the Word” means that the Word existed in the time of creation and before the creation of the world. So basically it means the Word is from the everlasting past. The creation of the world is the beginning of time for us. For us, so to speak, time was not calculated before the creation of the world. Therefore anything before the creation is considered a part of “in the beginning”.

3. What does it mean, “the Word was with God”?

ANSWER: Not only the Word existed “in the beginning” but also the Word was with the Father from the everlasting past.

4. What does it mean, “the Word was God”?

ANSWER: Since the Word was with the Father from the everlasting past, the Word is eternal therefore the Word is God.

5. Why is Jesus called the Word? What is the meaning of word?

DEFINITION OBSERVATION:

• In Greek-logos, log´-os; from 3004; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ): — account, cause, communication, x concerning, doctrine, fame, x have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, x speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
• WORD is an expression of thoughts and feelings

ANSWER: Jesus is the expression of God’s thoughts and feelings.

6. Observe the following verses to see how Jesus’ role is to express the Father.

• John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
• John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it
• Col. 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God
• Heb. 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person (Note: glory means character (see: Ex. 33:18, 19) and character means moral quality of thoughts and feelings combined)

7. How was the Word become visibly expressed to men? John 1:14

ANSWER: John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh. Jesus took upon Him a human nature. Therefore the thoughts and feelings of God have been expressed through human nature of Jesus.

8. What was the mission of Jesus when He took human flesh? John 1:14

ANSWER: To dwelt among us

9. Why Jesus wanted to dwell among us? John 1:14

ANSWER: That we may behold His glory

10. Observe how the Word of God can reveal our own thoughts and feelings Heb. 4:12

• Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

CONCLUSION: The eternal Word of God, which is the thoughts and feelings of God, became flesh to dwell with us. So that God thoughts and feelings can reveal our thoughts and feelings. So in this way, we can see who we are and we want to reflect His thoughts and feelings by allowing the Word to dwell in our hearts.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What do you look for when you read the word of God?

TUESDAY

Jesus Among Sinners and Publicans

1. Read the following verses regarding who gathered around Jesus.

• Matt. 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
• Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2. How does Jesus treat sinners?

ANSWER:

• Matt. 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
• Is. 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: Is. 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth

EGW Comments:

• To the heart of Christ the very presence of trouble was a call for help. The poor, the sick, the desolate, the outcasts, the discouraged, the desponding, found in Him a compassionate Saviour, a Mighty Healer. "A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory." Christ identifies His interests with those of suffering humanity, and He tells us that whatever we do to relieve a sufferer, we do for Him. . . . {MM 121.1}

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• Do we know how to discern “bruised reed” and “smoking flax” in others?
• How to identify our interests with those of suffering humanity?
• How do we usually treat those who are considered having a lowlife?

WEDNESDAY

“Woe Unto You”

1. Observe all the “woe unto you” in Matt. 23

• Matt. 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
• Matt. 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
• Matt. 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
• Matt. 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
• Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
• Matt. 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
• Matt. 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Matt. 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
• Matt. 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, Matt. 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

2. How would you categorize them?

• Matt. 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
  -Shut up the kingdom of heaven
  
  
• Matt. 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
  -Pretence, self-righteous
  
  
• Matt. 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
  -False education based upon the traditions of men more than the word of God
  
  
• Matt. 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
  -Greedy for wealth under the spiritual pretence
  
  
• Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
  -Extreme exactness without the core spiritual value
  
  
• Matt. 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
  -Full of extortion and excess under the pretence spiritual purity
  
  
• Matt. 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Matt. 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
  -Full of iniquity under the pretence spiritual beauty
  
  
• Matt. 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, Matt. 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
  -Self-righteous

3. What would be the summary of the sins of scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites?

• Matt. 23:3 … for they say, and do not.
• Matt. 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men

ANSWER: In order to maintain their religious authority and power, the leaders had pretence of religious piety but they did not have the inward personal transformation of thoughts and feelings by the grace of God. Therefore the idol of the religious leaders was human authority and power.

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Why would people want to stay as hypocrites and not change their ways?
• If you are a hypocrite, what fears do you have that causes you to hide behind your pretencious religious image?
• Is it appropriate for us to point out people’s hypocrisy?
• If yes then when and how? If no then why not?

5. DEEPER STUDY QUESTION: How did the Pharisees “shut up the kingdom of heaven against men” so they cannot enter? Observe the following verses.

• Matt. 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
• Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• Matt. 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
• Matt. 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

ANSWER:

• Pharisees taught that it is good enough to obey the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law. Matt. 5:20
  
• Pharisees taught many religious traditions but fail to teach the will of God. Matt. 7:21
  
• Pharisees did not teach about the importance of having child like spirit. Matt. 18:3
  
• Pharisees put more emphasis on temporal blessings then the spiritual blessings. Matt. 19:23

THURSDAY

“As a Hen Gathered Her Chickens”

1. How did Jesus gather Israelites “as a hen gathered her chickens”? Matt. 23:37

• Matt. 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

ANSWER: Read carefully the same text. When God send prophets and those that are “sent” unto them. “Sent” in Greek means, apostle. Therefore God used prophets and apostles to gather His people under His wings. Read Luke 11:46-49 “…Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute.”

INTERESTING OBSERVATION: When the text says “prophets”, this may be talking about the writings of the Old Testament. When the text says, “sent”/ apostles, this may be talking about the writings and the messages of the New Testament. Therefore God uses Old and New Testament to gather His people today.

2. Why did the religious leaders reject the messages from the prophets and the apostles?

• Eph. 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Eph. 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel

ANSWER: Perhaps, the Jewish leaders did not accept the idea of Gentiles should be fellow-heirs of the same body and many other cutting truths.

3. What does it mean the religious leaders of Jerusalem refused to be gathered under His wings? Read the following verses.

• Ruth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
  
• Psa. 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings
  
• Psa. 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
  
• Psa. 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

ANSWER: The religious leaders refused to trust in God when they rejected the messages of the prophets and the apostles. As a hen shows her love by gathering her chickens under her wings therefore God also shows His love by gathering us under His wings through His messengers. But we often reject the message because we do not enjoy rebuking love of God.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• Do we show that we do not trust in God when we reject the messages of God’s prophet, such as EGW? If so, then how?
• Is it possible for us to be a hypocrite because we may look religious but continues to refuse God’s messengers? If so, then how?
• Do we feel the love of God when we listen to the rebuking messages from God?
• Do you think true love does not rebuke?
• Do we know how to rebuke with love?

4. Summary Question: How should we preach the Word?

• 2Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

ANSWER:

• In Season, out of season
• Reprove
• Rebuke
• Exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine

APPLICATION: If you are not hearing messages of reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine then maybe you are not hearing the word of God. And maybe you are just enjoying listening to the “fables” 2 Tim. 4:3,4. Let’s us listen to the Word and preach the Word. Amen.

July 12-July 18: John the Baptist

SUNDAY

1. What was God’s mission for John the Baptist? Luke 1:16-17

• Luke 1:16 - And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
  Luke 1:17 - And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
  

ANSWER:

• Repentance-To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
• Reformation-To turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just
• Restoration-To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
  

2. What was specific message that John the Baptist needed to preach in order to prepare the people for the Lord? Luke 1:76-77

• Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
• Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
  

ANSWER: The knowledge of salvation


3. What is the knowledge of salvation? Luke 1:77-79

• Luke 1:77 - To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
• Luke 1:78 - Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
• Luke 1:79 - To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  

ANSWER:

• The remission of their sins
• Tender mercy of God
• To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death
• To guide our feet into the way of peace
  

4. What is the remission of sin?

• Matt. 26:28 - For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
• Mark 1:4 - John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
• Luke 3:3 - And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins
• Rom. 3:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
  Rom. 3:25 - Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
  

ANSWER: Forgiveness of sin. So what doctrine is this? Justification by Faith


5. What is the tender mercy of God?

• James 5:11 - Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy
• Psa. 51:1 - Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
• Psa. 25:6 - Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
  Psa. 25:7 - Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
• Psa. 40:11 - Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
• Psa. 69:16 - Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
• Psa. 79:8 - O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
• Psa. 103:4 - Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
• Psa. 119:77 - Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
• Psa. 119:156 - Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
• Heb. 8:12 - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
  

ANSWER:

• God is very pitiful, lovingkindness, compassionate, gracious, and merciful that through the work of judgment, God will blot out our transgressions that we may live again. So what doctrine is this? The investigative judgment.

6. What is the light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?

• Psa. 107:9 - For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psa. 107:10 - Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
• Is. 42:7 - To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
• Job 10:21 - Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;
• Job 10:22 - A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.
• Job 16:16 - My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
• Job 24:17 - For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
• Job 38:17 - Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
• Psa. 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
• Psa. 44:19 - Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
• Is. 9:2 - The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
• Jer. 2:6 - Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
• Mic. 7:8 - Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
  

ANSWER:

• The hope of resurrection to those who are in the bondage of death without any hope of the life hereafter. So what doctrine is this? The state of the dead and the final resurrection.

7. What is the way of peace?

First, read this verse:

• Rom. 3:17 - And the way of peace have they not known:

Second, ask this question: Who are “they” in Romans 3:17?
Go to the verses before and the following text.

• Rom. 3:10 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
• Rom. 3:11 - There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
• Rom. 3:12 - They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
• Rom. 3:13 - Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
• Rom. 3:14 - Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
• Rom. 3:15 - Their feet are swift to shed blood:
• Rom. 3:16 - Destruction and misery are in their ways:
• Rom. 3:18 - There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Third, answer the question: Who are “they” in Romans 3:17?

• They are unrighteous
• They do not understand nor seek after God
• They are unprofitable because they do not do any good
• They are deceptive with their words
• They are bitter and full of cursing
• They are quick to destroy
• They face destruction and live in misery
• They do not fear God
  

CONCLUSION: Therefore, the opposite to the above list are the characteristics of the people that know the way of peace.

8. So who knows the way of peace?

• They are righteous
• They seek after God
• They are profitable with good works
• They are without guile
• They are full of blessing and sweet
• They are quick to save others
• They face the final restoration and live in hope
• They fear God
  

So, what does it mean to guide our feet to the way of peace?
Answer: To guide our feet to the experience of the righteousness by faith.

Discussion Question: Do you see similar message to be given in the last days? Explain

MONDAY

1. How did John the Baptist prepare himself for his mission?

• Luke 1:80 - And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

ANSWER:

• Waxed strong in spirit
• Stayed in the deserts until his ministry began

2. What helped him to grow strong in spirit?

• Luke 1:15 - For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

ANSWER: John did not drink neither wine nor strong drink. He had a temperate life style.

3. What else do we know about his life style from the Bible?

• Matt. 3:4 - And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

ANSWER: His diet and dress was simple and healthy
APPLICATION QUESTION: Does a type of life style have much to do with how we grow in Spirit?


4. What does the book of Proverbs say about wine and strong drink?

• Prov. 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

ANSWER: Raging mocker and it can deceive.
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: John the Baptist did not drink wine nor strong drink therefore he did not “drink” from a raging mocker nor be deceived by them.


5. Who are the mockers in the New Testament?

• Jude 1:18 - How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
• Jude 1:19 - These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
  

ANSWER:

• Walk after their own ungodly lusts
• Separate themselves
• Sensual
• Having not the Spirit
  

APPLICATION QUESTION: Who are the mockers in the last days?


6. What do the mockers teach?

• 2Pet. 3:3 - Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
• 2Pet. 3:4 - And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
  

ANSWER:

• Scoffers are same as mockers. Denying the coming of Christ. They teach false teachings.

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION:

• Since John did not take any spiritual “wine nor strong drink” therefore he was not influenced by false teachings during his time. Perhaps, John living in the desert, not attending rabbinical schools, helped him to grow up without being influenced human traditions and doctrines.

NOTE: See how wine and strong drink are connected to false teachings in the following verses:

• Mic. 2:11 - If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
• Is. 28:7 - But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
  
• Is. 28:8 - For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
  
• Is. 28:9 - Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
  
• Is. 28:10 - For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
  

Note: See how wine can take you away from the law and good works

• Prov. 31:4 - It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
  
• Prov. 31:5 - Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

7. Which specific false teaching is connected to wine in the book of Isaiah?

• Is. 5:22 - Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Is. 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

ANSWER: False justification by faith

PROPHETIC APPLICATION QUESTION: Is there a connection between the wine of Babylon and the false justification by faith in the last days? Do we have these “wines” among God’s people today?

CONCLUSION: Simple diet, simple dress, and simple life style in the desert, free from false teachings, prepared John to give strong message for his time.

APPLICATION QUESTION: What kind of life style reform do we need in order to prepare us to give the Three Angels’ messages in the last days?

Tuesday/Wednesday

1. What prophecy in the Old Testament prophesied about the mission of John the Baptist?

• Mal. 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
• Mal. 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
• Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
  

ANSWER: The coming of Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.


2. What is the great day of the Lord?

• Zeph. 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
  
• Zeph. 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness

ANSWER: The time of trouble


3. When will the time of trouble begin?

• Dan. 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

ANSWER: After Michael stand up.


4. What does it mean Michael stand up?

Note: Michael is Jesus (Jude 9, 1 Thess. 4:16, John 5:25)
Note: In order to understand Michael stand up, first we need to understand Jesus sitting down.


5. When did Jesus sit down in heaven?

• Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

ANSWER: After the death and resurrection of Jesus.


6. What is Jesus’ role sitting down at the right hand of God?

• Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

ANSWER: High Priest


7. What is the work of Jesus as a high priest sitting down at the right hand of God?

• Heb. 7:25 - Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
  
• Heb. 7:26 - For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens
• Rom. 8:34 - Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
  

ANSWER: Intercession

Note: Jesus sitting at the right of God at this time means He is working as a high priest doing the ministry of intercession.


8. So what does it mean when the High Priest, Michael, stand up?

ANSWER: The close of intercession and probation

DISCUSSION QUESTION: Does the Bible talk about a time when there will be no intercessor in heaven?

• Is. 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
  
  

CONCLUSION: If the time of trouble begins after Michael stand up then the time of trouble begins after the close of probation. Since the “great day” is connected to “the time to trouble” therefore we can conclude that the great day begins after the close of probation. Therefore, God will send “Elijah” before the close of probation.


9. Is there any other text that points out the fact that the “great day” begins before the coming of Christ?

• Rev. 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
• Rev. 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

ANSWER: Yes, the Armageddon takes place after the close of probation and before the Second Coming of Christ. (Study Rev. 15 and 16 for more info)


10. Is the Second Coming of Christ a part of the “great day”?

• Rev. 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

ANSWER: Yes, the outcry of “for the great day of His wrath is come” will be made when the people see Jesus coming as King of Kings.


11. What other event does the “great day” include?

• Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

ANSWER: (Read Revelation 20) At the end of 1000 years, the executive judgment for both the fallen angels and the unrighteous.


12. So what events are there in “the great day of the Lord”?

ANSWER:
• The time of trouble after the close of probation
• The Second Coming of Christ
• The executive judgment after 1000 years


13. So proximally how long is the great day of the Lord?

ANSWER: 1000 years


14. How long is a day of the Lord?

• 2Pet. 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

ANSWER: 1000 years

Conclusion: When the Bible talks about “the day of the Lord” (Isa. 13:6, Jer. 46:10, Ezek. 13:5, Joel 1:15, 2:31, Zech. 14:1, 1 Thess. 5:2, 2 Pet. 3:10), it is talking about the 1000 years that (so to speak) belongs to God. Therefore before the coming of millennium (the day of the Lord), God will send “Elijah” to prepare the people. So there will be “Elijah” before the Second Coming of Christ.

However since John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah before the first coming of Christ therefore we now have three Elijah in the Bible.

• First-the literal Elijah in the Old Testament history
• Second-John the Baptist in the spirit of Elijah
• Third-The final movement of God before the Second Coming of Christ.
  

(Note: since John the Baptist was not the literal Elijah but came in the spirit of Elijah therefore we can conclude that the third Elijah is not the literal Elijah, who is in heaven now. Third Elijah has to be a group of people with the spirit and the power of Elijah similar to John the Baptist. Why the third Elijah will be a group and not an individual? I will explain later)


15. What is the message of the third Elijah before the great day of the Lord?

Note: We will be able to define the message of the third Elijah based upon looking at the messages of the first and the second Elijah since they all have the same spirit and the power.


16. What was the main message of the first Elijah?

• 1Kings 18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
• 1Kings 18:18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
  

ANSWER:

• Keep the commandments of God
• Worship the Creator and not idols

17. What was the main message of John the Baptist?

• John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

ANSWER: Take away the sin of the world


18. How does Jesus take away sin of the world?

ANSWER:

STEP ONE: Jesus died on the cross to take away sin.

• Heb. 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
• Heb. 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Heb. 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

STEP TWO: Jesus became our High Priest to take away sin.

• Heb. 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
  
• Heb. 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.
  
• Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

STEP THREE: Jesus as the High Priest ministering the new covenant to take away sin which includes the final blotting out of our sins.

• Rom. 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
  
• Heb. 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
  
• Heb. 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
  
• Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

NOTE: John the Baptist may not have known the full meaning of his message. However, according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can see the broader meaning in John’s message, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”


19. What were other messages of John the Baptist?

• Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
• Matt. 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  

ANSWER: Health and life style message, and not drinking the wine, which also represents false teachings


20. What is the combined message of the first and the second Elijah?

• Keep the Commandments of God
• Worship the Creator
• Do not worship idols and images
• Health and life style
• Drink not the wine of false teachings
• Behold Jesus on the cross
• Behold Jesus as the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary
• Behold Jesus doing the final working of blotting out of sin, take way sin

NOTE: The third Elijah’s message should have all of the above messages.


21. Who preaches the above combined messages in the last days?

• Rev. 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
• Rev. 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
• Rev. 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand
• Rev. 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
  

ANSWER:
The three angels. Angel represents messengers (see: Gal. 4:14). Those three angels are together because the Bible uses the word “followed” (see: Rev. 14:8, 9). Since there three angels, we are not just looking for one person who might represent the third Elijah. In fact, since there are three angels, the Bible is giving us the picture of a company of messengers. We often hear people saying, three is company. Therefore those who live and give the Three Angels’ messages are part of the final third Elijah’s movement.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: How do the messages from the first and the second Elijah connect with the message of the Three Angels’?


What is…….?

• Fear God
• Give glory to Him
• The hour of His judgment is come
• Worship Him that made
• The wine of Babylon
• The Image of the Beast
• The mark of the Beast