Freely You Have Received. Freely Give!
Two weeks ago, Voice of the Truth (the ministry with which I am associated) received a shipment of 3,000 New Testaments in Amharic, which is part of the Semitic language family, and the main langua…
“Islam Is Here to Dominate”
Back before ISIS was even a glimmer in Satan’s eye, a radical Muslim newspaper in London (Al-Muhajiroun, the Voice, the Eyes, the Ears of the Muslims) carried an article in their Jan. 27, 2oo…
Source: “Islam Is Here to Dominate”
Revelation
This is it – the LAST book! Revelation is a great and yes strange read. Here we learn about the end of times. Hey, it is great news, GOD WINS!!! If you had to read two books together, I would read Daniel from the Old Testament and then immediately read Revelation from the New Testament. Prophecy and fulfillment! I hope you have enjoyed our walk through the Bible!
REVELATION
AUTHOR: John (1:1), the apostle
DATE: Around AD 95
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: God will judge evil and reward His saints.
DETAILS, PLEASE: Jesus Himself arranges for John to receive a “revelation” of things which must shortly come to pass. First in chapters 2-3, Jesus gives John words of challenge and/or encouragement for seven churches – the good , the bad and the in-between. Then the vision turns to the actual throne room of God, where a Lamb, looking as it had been slain, breaks seven seals from a scroll, unleashing war, famine, and other disasters on earth. A dragon and two beasts, allied against God, arise to demand the worship of earth’s people who have not been killed in the earlier catastrophes. The satanic forces and the people who follow them incur seven vials of the wrath of God, which bring plagues, darkness, and huge hailstones on earth. The upheaval destroys “Babylon the great,” the evil and arrogant world system, just before an angel from heaven seizes Satan, that old serpent and imprisons him for one thousand years. After a brief release to instigate a worldwide war, Satan is thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where he will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. God unveils a new heaven and a new earth, where He will wipe away all tears from His people’s eyes.
QUOTABLE: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honor and glory and blessings. (5:12)
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: Revelation is an example of “apocalyptic literature” the only such book in the New Testament. Apocalyptic implies revealing secret information. The book of Revelation identifies Jesus Christ as the Alpha and Omega (1:8) and reveals the number 666 as a sign of the beast (13:18).
SO WHAT? An old Southern gospel song says, “I’ve read the back of the book and we win.” God has given his children a preview of how this world ends – and the new and improved world we will enjoy forever. The curse of sin will be gone, we will live in perfect fellowship with the Lord Himself, and we will reign for ever and ever. Kind of puts our bad days in perspective, doesn’t it?
Jude
I’ll be posting the last two books early, since I will be unavailable for a couple of days. No one has suggested a “next” study.
Jude is talking about “murmurers and complainers” – I chuckled. Doesn’t every church have its fair share of murmurers and complainers. I think that in the last week alone, I myself murmurered and complained. But the big difference here, is that those that Jude are talking about told everyone that you could do whatever you wanted because God’s grace would forgive it all. Jude reminds them that they are missing the point!
JUDE
AUTHOR: Jude (1:1), possible Jesus’ half brother (see Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3).
DATE: Around AD 82
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Beware of heretical teachers and their dangerous doctrines.
DETAILS, PLEASE: Jude tackles the same problems Peter did in his second letter: false teachers who were leading the early church astray. “Murmurers” and “complainers” who were “walking after their own lusts” (1:16) were apparently using the grace of God as a cover for their sinful lifestyles – and encouraging Christian believers to do the same. True believers, Jude says, reflect God’s love, show compassion, and work to pull sinners “out of the fire” (1:23).
QUOTABLE: You should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (1:3)
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: Jude provides details of two Old Testament events not recorded in the Old Testament: The archangel Michael’s fight with Satan over the body of Moses (1:9) and Enoch’s prophecy of God’s judgment (1:14-15).
SO WHAT? Satan tries to sneak “secret agents” into God’s church to confuse and ultimately crush true believers. It is the job of every true Christian to earnestly contend for the faith as passed down by Jesus’ disciples and recorded in the Bible.
3 John
I like the “So What” of this one – Hospitality is not just for the Martha Stewarts of the world. Which reminds me, invite someone over for dinner. I mean it. People used to always have people over for dinner, or host dinner parties – but we don’t now, because our house isn’t clean, or it is too much trouble. Give it a try, hospitality may be one of your great gifts! – Cindy
3 JOHN
AUTHOR: The apostle John according to church tradition. The author is identified only as “the elder” (1:1).
DATE: Around AD 92
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Church leaders must be humble, not proud.
DETAILS, PLEASE: Addressed to a believer named Gaius, 3 John praises those (like Gaius and another Christian named Demetrius) who lead in “charity before the church” (1:6). But 3 John also has harsh words for Christians like Diotrophes, “who loves to have the preeminence” (1:9) and refuse to show kindness and hospitality to traveling evangelists.
QUOTABLE: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (1:4)
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: 3 John, one of the four single-books in the New Testament, is the second shortest by verse count: only 14.
SO WHAT? Hospitality is not just for the Martha Stewarts of the world – Christians are expected to feed, house, and encourage other believers, especially those who minister full-time for God. Humble service to others follows the example of Jesus Himself.
2 John
John continues his counters to the false teaching about Jesus. These are really short books and this one is the shortest with only 13 verses.
We only have 3 books to go. I need some suggestions as to what you would like next. – Cindy
2 JOHN
AUTHOR: The apostle John according to church tradition. The author is identified only as “the elder: (1:1).
DATE: Around AD 92
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Beware false teachers who deny Jesus’ physical life on earth.
DETAILS, PLEASE: Addressed to “the elect lady and her children” (1:1), perhaps an actual family or figuratively, a church, 2 John tackles the heretical idea that Jesus had not been physically present on earth. The letter may be a reaction to the “gnostics” who taught that Jesus was spirit only and that He just appeared to suffer and die on the cross. This teaching, of “a deceiver and an antichrist” (1:7), should be avoided at all costs – to the point of barring one’s door against those who believe it (1:10).
QUOTABLE: I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: 2 John, one of the New Testament’s four single-chapter books, is the shortest by verse count: only 13.
SO WHAT? Just as in John’s time, false teachers spread dangerous ideas in today’s world. Every teaching should be weight against scripture, 2 John says. “He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son” (1:9).
1 John
Heresy in the church. Strange rumors are going around that Jesus was not fully human during his ministry on Earth. John, as an eye witness and confidant of Jesus sets the record straight. I don’t know about you, but reading all these letters to churches who can’t live the way Jesus called us is getting a little tedious . . . oh wait, we aren’t much better today, are we? Why do we make everything so difficult? – Cindy
1 JOHN
AUTHOR: Not stated but according to church tradition, the apostle John.
DATE: Around AD 92
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Jesus was real man just as He is real God.
DETAILS, PLEASE: First John tackles a strange heresy that claimed Jesus had been on early only in spirit, not in body: “Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist” (4:3). John wrote that he knew Jesus personally, as one “which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” (1:1), and that knowledge leads to a saving belief in Jesus. Saving belief leads to obedience, but even when we sin, we know that God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” when we confess (1:9).
QUOTABLE: Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God . . . God is love. (4:7-8)
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: First John includes none of the usual features of a Bible letter – greetings, identification of the author, and the like. But it’s a very warm, compassionate letter nonetheless.
SO WHAT? “These things I have written . . . that you may know that you have eternal life” (5:13).
2 Peter
I didn’t forget about you. The influenza bug hit our house and me specifically. I am still running a low grade fever and ache like crazy, but had enough oomph to post. Peter knows that he will soon die, but even with that knowledge, he is still trying to warn the church of false teachers. Today, if we read it online we believe it must be true. Peter warns us that even today you must weigh everything against Scripture to determine truth. – Cindy
2 PETER
AUTHOR: The apostle Peter (1:1).
DATE: Around the late 60s AD, shortly before Peter’s execution.
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Beware of false teachers within the church.
DETAILS, PLEASE: The Christian qualities of faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, and love (1:2-8), couples with a reliance on scripture (1:19-21), will help believers avoid the false teachings of those who “privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them” (2:1).
QUOTABLE: We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (1:16)
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: Peter wrote this letter knowing his death was near: “Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me” (1:14).
SO WHAT? “Beware lest yea also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness” (3:17).
1 Peter
The church is growing and the powers that be are not happy. Christians are being persecuted and are wondering, “Why God?” Hmmm. Peter reminds them that God is still there with them and that though we will have struggles with Satan on this Earth, we should still rejoice because eternity is so much longer than our time here. That is hard to remember when we hurt today. I try and remind myself of the old song, “Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King . . .” Be patient and rejoice – soon and very soon. – Cindy
1 PETER
AUTHOR: The apostle Peter. (1:1)
DATE: Around AD 65
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Suffering for the sake of Jesus is noble and good.
DETAILS, PLEASE: As the early church grows, the Roman Empire begins persecuting Christians – and Peter assures them that God is still in control: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (4:12). What is the proper response to such suffering? “Rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy” (4:13)
QUOTABLE: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. (5:8)
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: Peter clarifies exactly how many people rode out the great flood on Noah’s ark: eight (3:20). Genesis indicates that “Noah . . and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives” (Genesis 7:7) were in the boat but leaves unsaid whether any sons might have had multiple wives.
SO WHAT? Life may be hard, but God is always good. And for Christians, there’s a much better day ahead.
James
Before we started the Bible overview, we did a study of the book of James. If you were reading from our start last November 2015, this will seem like a review to you. I always believe the harshest part of James is the section on taming your tongue. I’m not sure about you, but for me, keeping my mouth in check is one of the hardest things for me to do. James focuses us back on the good that will come from our true faith. – Cindy
JAMES
AUTHOR: James (1:1), probably a brother of Jesus.
DATE: Around AD 60.
IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Real Christian faith is shown by one’s good works.
DETAILS, PLEASE: Though the apostle Paul clearly taught that salvation is by faith alone and not by good works, James clarifies that good works will follow true faith: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?” (2:14) James encourages Christians, in everyday life, to view trials as opportunities for spiritual growth, to control their tongues, to make peace, to avoid favoritism, and to help the needy. The bottom line? “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (4:17
QUOTABLE: Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. (4:8)
UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: For those who think it is enough just to believe in God, James says, “The devils also believe.”
SO WHAT? Being a good person, doing good things isn’t being a Christian. Have true faith and then through that faith doing the good things that Christ told us is the mark of real Christian faith.
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