Oct25-31: Atonement Announced

SUNDAY

This lesson is based upon Gen. 3:15 only.

1. Read Genesis 3:15. Observe the picture of conflict and the conquest in the text.

• Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

OBSERVATIONS:

Conflict Between:

"Thee" vs. "The Woman"

"Thy seed" vs. "Her seed"

Defeat and Conquest:

"It shall bruise thy head" vs. "Thou shalt bruise his heel"

2. Read Genesis 3:14, 15. Who is the serpent?

• Gen. 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all …Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

• Rev. 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

• Ezek. 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God… the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Ezek. 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

ANSWER:

• The devil and Satan

3. Read Genesis 3:15. What is the main message in this text?

• Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

ANSWER:

• God made the promise of final destruction of the serpent.
• God is not in conflict with man but He is in conflict with the serpent.
• This text reveals the great controversy between God and Satan.

4. What does “enmity” mean?

ANSWER:

• Enmity in Hebrews-342. ay-baw´; from 340; hostility:—emnity, hatred.

• 340. aw-yab´; a primitive root; to hate (as one of an opposite tribe or party); hence to be hostile:—be an enemy.

OBSERVATIONS:

• God promised to put hatred between man and Satan. Otherwise there is a natural unity between man and Satan.

• Since God opened the way to hate Satan therefore God also opened the way to love God and to be united with Him as He originally intended. Therefore the promise of “enmity” is the promise of atonement.

5. Read Genesis 3:15. Who are “thy seed”?

• Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

• 1John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

ANSWER:

• 2233. , zeh´-rah; from 2232; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity:—x carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing- time.

• We cannot take this phrase “thy seed” literally because the serpent cannot literally have children. Therefore the child of the serpent is a symbolic meaning. They are the spiritual children of the devil.

• The children of the devil are those that do not follow righteousness and loves not his brother.

OBSERVATIONS:

• In KJV, “Her seed” refers to “it” and then “his” in the same text. Therefore “her seed” has a two-fold meaning. First, children of the woman. Second, a child of the woman. The phrase “Her seed” applies to both.

6. Who are “her seed”, or the children of God?

• 1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

ANSWER:

• Since the children of the serpent are opposite to the children of the woman therefore the children of the woman represent the children of God.
• The children of the woman are also symbolic in a sense of pointing to a certain group of people that hates the serpent.
• Doth not commit sin.
• His seed dwells in them.
• Born of God.
• Does righteousness.
• Loves their brother.

7. Who is “her seed”, or the child of God?

• Gen. 9:9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you

• Gen. 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

• Gal. 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

ANSWER:

• Observe the trail of “her seed”: Eve to Noah, Noah to Abraham, and Abraham to Christ. Therefore “her seed” is Christ.

8. Observe, “it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel”

OBSERVATION

• This text reveals the method of bruising the head of the serpent. “Her seed” crushes the serpent’s head with his heel. At the same time the serpent bites “his heel” just before it gets crushed. The Bible does talk about the serpent biting the heel. Gen. 49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
• The bruised feet of Christ is the price to bruise the Satan’s head.
• “Bruise” means wounded. Therefore “her seed” is wounded and “thy head” is wounded. However wounded heel means suffering but not fully destroyed but wounded head means suffering and final destruction right then or later.

9. When was Christ bitten by the devil?

• Heb. 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil

• Prov. 23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

• 1Cor. 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

• 2Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

• 1John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

• John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

• John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

• John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

ANSWER: When Jesus was made sin for us at the cross, He took the sting (bite) of death from the devil. However Jesus was able to destroy the devil through His death. Nevertheless the devil did not receive his final destruction at the cross. Rather the destruction of the devil was confirmed at the cross.

10. What has to happen before Satan is totally crushed?

• Heb. 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

• 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. 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

ANSWER:

• Jesus sitting down at the right hand of God.

11. What is Jesus doing 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:

• Jesus is doing the work of a high priest

12. What is the work of a high priest?

• Heb. 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

• Heb. 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

ANSWER:

• To put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself

• Rom. 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

• Notice how “take away” is connected to “no more be remembered” Hos. 2:17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

• Is. 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

• 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.

CONCLUSION:

• The work of a High Priest is to take away or blot out our sins so that our sins will not be remembered. This is the new covenant of God. This promise was made in the promise of Jesus bruising Satan under His feet. However in order to “take away” sin, His people need to be willing to allow God to put His laws into our hearts and minds.

13. Will there be people willing to keep God’s commandments in the last days and who are they?

• Rev. 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

• Rev. 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

ANSWER:

• The Remnant.
• After receiving a deathly blow from Jesus, the devil is angry at the remnant, which keeps the commandments of God because he knows that he only has a short time and his time will get shorter if there are people who are willing to allow God to put His laws in their hearts and minds.

14. What is the big picture in Revelation 12?

• Rev. 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

• Rev. 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

ANSWER:

• The conflict between the serpent and the woman.
• This chapter shows the fulfillment of the prophecy of Genesis 3:15.

15. Could God’s people bruise Satan under their feet?

• Rom. 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

ANSWER:

• Yes.

16. In what way did Jesus bruise Satan under His feet at the cross? And how can we bruise Satan under our feet?

• Phil. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

• Phil. 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

• Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

• Phil. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

• Phil. 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

• Phil. 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

• Phil. 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

ANSWER:

• Jesus bruised Satan under His feet at the cross because Jesus was willing to humble Himself to the point of self-sacrifice with obedience to the Father. In a similar way, through humility, sacrifice, and obedience, we can crush Satan under our feet. This is possible if we allow the mind of Christ to be our mind.

Oct19-25: Atonement and the Divine Initiative

SUNDAY-THURSDAY

The Mystery of God’s Love

1. Read Romans 5:6-8. What is the Greek definition of “without strength”?

• Rom. 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
• Rom. 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
• Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

ANSWER:

• “Without strength” in Greek- 772. as-then-ace´; from 1 (as a negative particle) and the base of 4599; strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral): — more feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, weak(-er, -ness, thing).

OBSERVATIONS:

• Ungodly people are without strength.
• The righteous and good man deserves someone else to die for them but not the ungodly.
• Sinners are ungodly.
• Christ died for us those who are “without strength” so that through His death we might receive strength.

2. In what way we are “without strength” and weak?

• Rom. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak (770) through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

OBSERVATION:

• “Weak” in Greek- 770. astheneo, as-then-eh´-o; from 772; to be feeble (in any sense): — be diseased, impotent folk (man), (be) sick, (be, be made) weak.
• Matt. 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak(772).

3. In the book of Romans, how did Paul describe the weakness of our flesh?

• Rom. 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

ANSWER:

• Your flesh cannot perform that which is good even though your spirit (mind) is willing.

CONCLUSION:

• The promise of atonement is the revelation of God’s love to man.
• God loves us even when we don’t have the strength to love Him. Only the love of God can help us to renew our strength to put our faith in God. We have no strength to do the right things on our own. However God gives us the strength to have faith in Him through His love so that through faith we may be able to submit to God who is able to perform it in us. The love of God enables us to experience the atonement that we may be one in love with Him. See how Abraham performed that which was good.
• Rom. 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
• Rom. 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
• Rom. 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
• Gal. 5:6 … faith which worketh by love.

Mystery of God’s Grace

1. Read Ephesians 1:7. What is “the riches of His grace” connected to within the text?

• Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace

OBSERVATION: “The riches of His grace” is connected to “redemption” Redemption means buying back. The grace of God is rich enough to buy us back to God. God’s grace is rich because the blood of Jesus is precious (1Pet. 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot). There is no sin that cannot be forgiven by the blood of Jesus.

2. Read Ephesians 1:6. What is “the glory of His grace” connected to within the text?

• Eph. 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

OBSERVATION: “The glory of His grace” is connected to “accepted in the beloved.”

OBSERVATION: The grace of Jesus is both rich and glorious. Grace is rich enough to buy us back and grace is glorious because sinners can be accepted in the Beloved. “Accepted in the Beloved” means that sinners through the riches of His grace when he or she is bought back to God, he or she will be accepted back to God as His own Son. This is the ultimate result of God’s atonement; to make us “accepted in the Beloved” so that we all can be one in Christ.

• Eph. 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
• Eph. 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him

An Eternal Plan (Mystery of the Mystery of God)

1. What do the following verses say about the mystery of God?

• Rom. 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began
• Eph. 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ
• Col. 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

ANSWER:

• Kept secret since the world began
• Hid in God from the beginning of the world
• Hid from ages and from generations

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• Why was the mystery of God kept hidden until the first century?

2. What is the mystery of God according to the following verses?

• Eph. 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Eph. 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him
• Eph. 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Eph. 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
• Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
• Eph. 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. Rom. 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began

ANSWER:

• Eph. 1:9,10 – To Gather together in one all things in Christ both heaven and earth.
• Eph. 5:31, 32 – Union between Christ and the church.
• Col. 1:27 – Union between Christ and individual Christians.
• Eph. 6:19, Rom. 16:25 –The mystery of God is the gospel.

OBSERVATION:

• Ultimate fulfillment of the mystery of God is when heaven and earth unite in Christ at His coming.
• The marriage between Christ and the church has to take place before His coming. This marriage is a part of the mystery.
• The experience of “Christ in you the hope of glory” needs to be in you before you can have a part of the marriage between Christ and the church. This is the only way you can have the “hope of glory” at the Second Coming.
• The mystery of God is the everlasting gospel that will be proclaimed as the Three Angels message before the coming of Christ.
• Mystery of God (uniting in one) is the promise of atonement (uniting in one) for those who believe in Jesus.

The Way of the Cross (Jesus Gave Himself to Us)

1. Read Mark 10:45, Galatians 1:4, 2:20, Ephesians 5:2, and Titus 2:14.

• Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
• Gal. 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
• Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
• Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
• Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

2. What key theme is repeated in these texts?

ANSWER: Jesus gave Himself for us

3. What do they tell us about the plan of salvation?

ANSWER:

• Mark 10:45 – Jesus is our ransom.
• Gal. 1:4 – Jesus delivers us from evil.
• Gal. 2:20 – Jesus loves us.
• Eph. 5:2 – Jesus is our mediator (sweet smelling savor).
• Titus 2:14 – Jesus is our redeems us from all iniquity and purify us.

CONCLUSION:

• Because Jesus loves us, He, as our mediator, gave Himself for us in order to be our ransom so that we can be redeemed from iniquity, delivered from evil, and purified us to be His peculiar people.

4. What does it mean that God gave His only Begotten Son?

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Did God lend Jesus to us for 33 and a half years?
• Was the sacrifice of Jesus accomplished when He died on the cross or does it also include when He became a man?
• Did Jesus go back to heaven as who He was before He came to the earth?

5. Observe the sacrifice of Jesus in the following verses.

• Phil. 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
• Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
• Phil. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

OBSERVATIONS:

• First sacrifice – taking the form of a man.
• Second sacrifice – the death of the cross.

CONCLUSION:

• Jesus gave himself to us when He became one of us and died for us.

6. Observe Jesus before He came to the earth and after His resurrection.

• Dan. 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
• Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
• Rev. 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
• Dan. 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
• Rev. 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

CONCLUSION:

• The title for Jesus is always the Son of God. However His form changed from the form of God to the form of man. Jesus forever became one of us in our form. In this way Jesus gave Himself for us as well. Therefore in order for God to be one with us (atonement), Jesus needed to pay the price of giving up the form of God forever and forever remain in the form of man.

God’s Plan Revealed in Jesus

1. Observe the following verses on “must.”

• Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
• Luke 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
• Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
• Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
• Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
• Luke 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
• Luke 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
• Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

OBSERVATION:

• Jesus needed to fulfill the mission of the first part of the atonement on earth, which was giving Himself as the blameless sacrifice. This mission needed to be fulfilled in order to finish the final atonement in heaven.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What “must” you need to do in order to experience God’s atonement in your life?
• What “must” you need to do in order to share the mystery of God to others?
• What must change in your life today?

Oct12-18: The Fall Into Sin

SUNDAY-THURSDAY

Rebellion in the Garden (Change of Feelings)

1. Read Genesis 2:25. What was the description of their emotional condition before sin?

• Gen. 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

ANSWER:

• They were not ashamed. “Ashamed” also means “to be in confusion” according to the Hebrew definition.
  

2. What was the emotional condition of Adam and Eve after they sinned?

• Gen. 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

ANSWER: Shame.

3. What were Adam and Eve trying to do with their shame?

ANSWER: Cover their shame

OBSERVATION: Adam and Eve were trying to cover their nakedness or shame from each other. Therefore, the human solution for visible shame is to cover it.

APPLICATION QUESTION: Do you have any shame that you are trying to cover in your life before others?

4. How did Adam and Eve react to the voice of God after they sinned?

• Gen. 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

ANSWER: They hid themselves from Him.

5. How did Adam feel about God emotionally after his sin?

• Gen. 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

ANSWER: He was afraid.

OBSERVATION: Before and after sin, there was a definite change in man’s emotion toward themselves and God. It is the work of God’s atonement to bring us back to right thoughts and feelings.

Slave to Sin (Deceptive Feelings)

1. Read 1 Tim 2:14. What happened to Eve that led her to transgression?

1Tim. 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

ANSWER: She was being deceived.

2. Read Genesis 3:6. What deceptions were accepted by Eve?

• Gen. 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

ANSWER:

• Good for food.
• Pleasant to the eyes.
• Desired to make one wise.

OBSERVATION: Eve was deceived to believe that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes and desired to make one wise.

3. Out of the three deceptions, which one was from the serpent?

• Gen. 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

ANSWER:

• The serpent gave the idea that the fruit will make one wise.

4. Which ones were from Eve?

ANSWER:

• Pleasant to the eyes.
• Good for food.

5. How did she feel about the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

• Gen. 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise

ANSWER: Good, pleasant, desirable.

NOTE: Definitions:

• Good – beautiful, best, better, favour, fine, glad, good, graciously, joyful, pleasure, precious, sweet
• Pleasant – a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm):—dainty, desire, x exceedingly, x greedily, lust(ing), pleasant.
  
• Desired – to delight in:—beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, (x great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing).

CONCLUSION: We became slaves to sin because we think sin is good, pleasant, and
desirable. Thus we became one mind with the serpent.

God’s Reaction to Human Sin (The Promise of New Feelings and Thoughts)

1. What promise did God give to Adam and Eve for their sins?

• Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

ANSWER: God will put enmity between them and the serpent.

2. What is the meaning of enmity?

ANSWER: hostility, hatred.

OBSERVATIONS:

• Hatred will be placed between “woman”(God’s people) and “the serpent”(Satan).
• There was one mind between man and Satan before God put the enmity between them.
• “Enmity” is a word that expresses strong feelings of hatred. Therefore putting “enmity” feelings toward sin is a great part of the plan of salvation.
  
• In the work of the atonement there is a work of transforming our thoughts and feelings.
  

3. How do we naturally feel about the law of God?

• Rom. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

ANSWER: Enmity against God and His law.

4. How does Jesus feel about iniquity and righteousness?

• Heb. 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity

ANSWER: Loves righteousness and hates iniquity.

5. Read Ezekiel 36:26, 27. What is God’s promise for us?

• Ezek. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
  

• Ezek. 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

ANSWER: God can give us a new spirit and a new heart, new thoughts and feelings so that we can love righteousness and hate iniquity.

6. How can we renew the spirit of our mind?

• Eph. 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
  

• Eph. 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
  

• Eph. 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

ANSWER: Put off the old man and put on the new man.

7. How can we put off the old man?

• Rom. 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

ANSWER: The old man must be crucified with Jesus.

OBSERVATIONS:

• Without the cross of Jesus it is impossible to renew our thoughts and feelings.
• Without the cross of Jesus it is impossible to crucify our old man.
• Without the cross of Jesus it is impossible to love righteousness and to hate sin.

APPLICATION QUESTION: Which thoughts and feelings would you like to change today? Which thoughts and feelings need to be changed in order for you to be ready for the coming of Christ?

Oct5-11: Cosmic Crisis: The Disruption of God's Established Order

SUNDAY

Sin: Its Origin

1. Read Ezekiel 28:12, 14-15, 17. What was Lucifer like before he fell?

• Ezek. 28:12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

• Ezek. 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 

• Ezek. 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.  

• Ezek. 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 

ANSWER:

• Wise
  
• The anointed cherub that covereth
  
• On the holy mountain of God
  
• Walking up and down in the midst of the stones of fire
  
• Created perfect
  
• Beautiful
  
• Bright
  

2. Lucifer was perfect until what was found in him? 

• Ezek. 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

ANSWER: Iniquity

3. What does “iniquity” mean in the Hebrew language?

ANSWER:

• 5766. eh´-vel; from 5765; (moral) evil:—iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly), unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness). 
  
• 5765. aw-val´; a primitive root; to distort (morally):—deal unjustly, unrighteous.
  

4. What does it mean, “to distort”?

ANSWER: Twist to one side 

5. According to Ezekiel 28:17, in what way did Lucifer commit iniquity or twist to
one side? 

• Ezek. 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

ANSWER:

• His heart was lifted up because of his beauty
  
• He corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness 
  

6. What are the two areas where iniquity was found in Lucifer?

ANSWER:

• Heart
  
• Mind (Wisdom)
  

7. What was the problem with Lucifer’s heart and mind?

ANSWER:

• Heart - “lifted up”
  
• Mind - “corrupted”
  

OBSERVATION: Sin of pride (self-seeking) originated in the heart and the mind of
Lucifer. Therefore sinners have a heart and mind problem. Therefore God gives the New Covenant which is when God said, “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” Heb. 10:16. The work of the atonement involves in changing our hearts and minds. 

MONDAY

Attack on God

1. Read Ezekiel 28:17. What does the words “lifted up” mean in the Hebrew language? 

ANSWER:

• “Lifted up” - 1361. gaw-bah´; a primitive root; to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty:—exalt, be haughty, be (make) high(-er), lift up, mount up, be proud, raise up great height, upward.
  

2. In what way did Lucifer show that his heart became proud? 

Ezek. 28:2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

ANSWER:

• Lucifer has said, “I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas”
  

CONCLUSION: The origin of sin (iniquity) in Lucifer’s heart and mind took place when the created being wanted to take the seat of the Creator. This is the “mystery of iniquity”. 

3. Read Isaiah 14:13, 14. What was the ultimate desire of Lucifer?

• Is. 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 

• Is. 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

ANSWER: To be like the most High

4. Which commandment did Lucifer break through his pride?

• Ex. 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

ANSWER: The first

5. Which commandment reveals the fact that it is impossible for Lucifer to be the Most High God?

• Ex. 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Ex. 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: Ex. 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in
  it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: Ex. 20:11 For
  in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

ANSWER: The fourth

6. What is the difference between the true God and all the false gods? 

• Psa. 96:5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

ANSWER: The true God is the Creator and the false gods are idols, made by created beings. 

7. Since Lucifer wants to be the Most High but he cannot because he is a created being, so out of his canal mind, how does he feel about the commandments of God?

• Rom. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

ANSWER: He is against the law of God because the fourth commandment reveals that only the Creator deserves to be worshipped. 

CONCLUSION: Lucifer is attacking God’s law, especially the Sabbath law because he wants to be worshipped. Therefore he wants a new law for the universe.