Lisa Rupert

Q3. Why did Jesus purposely point his disciples to the phrasing found in Isaiah 53? How does this chapter help explain the meaning of Jesus' death? JESUS REFERENCED ISAIAH 53 BECAUSE IT WAS THE WORD THAT WAS WRITTEN THAT HE CAME TO FULFILL. HE WANTED THEM TO REMEMBER WHAT HIS PURPOSE WAS AND TO REMIND THEM THAT HE WAS THERE TO FILL THAT PURPOSE. TO SERVE THE FATHER'S WILL. THIS CHAPTER WAS WRITTEN AS PROPHECY TO ILLUSTRATE THINGS TO COME. JESUS CAME TO FULFILL THAT PROPHESY, IT WAS THE ONLY WAY. IT HAD TO BE DONE.

Q2. Why did Jesus refer to the violent nature of his death in the Words of Institution? What did this probably mean to the disciples at the time? What did it probably mean to them later? JESUS REFERED TO VIOLENCE TO DESCRIBE HIS DEATH BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT THE DISCIPLES WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. SO HE GAVE THEM THIS DESCRIPTION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF UNDERSTANDING INTO WHAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO WITNESS WHICH WAS HIS VIOLENT DEATH. OF COURSE, WHEN THE PEOPLE BEGAN TO TORTURE CHRIST, THE DISCIPLES DID NOT UNDERSTAND, THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND HIS CRUICIFIXION. HE REFERRED TO ISAIAH TO ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT HE WAS THERE TO FULFILL PROPHESY. LATER THEY WOULD COME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD HAPPEN AND WHY IT HAD HAPPENED.

Q1. How were Old Testament sacrifices a way of God showing grace and mercy to his people? BLOOD SACRIFICES WERE CONSIDERED IN THE OLD TESTIMENT FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN. " For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul. LEV 17:11. BUT ONE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO EAT BLOOD INSTEAD THE BLOOD WAS ONLY USED FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND FOR ATONEMENT. "And whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people" LEV 17:10.

Q4. What are the implications for you personally, when you realize that in the Lord's Supper you are becoming a sharer in the sacrifice of the cross? How does that affect you? How does it change your understanding of the Lord's Supper? WHEN I SHARE IN THE LORD'S SUPPER I FEEL LIKE A BOND WAS FORMED AND NOW I AM COMPLETE. I AM LOST WITHOUT THAT BOND. THIS HUMBLES ME AND MAKES ME VERY THANKFUL. I AM ALSO SADDENED BY THE THOUGHT OF BEING A SINNER BUT AM GRATEFUL THAT JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE TO SAVE ME FROM SIN.

Q3. In what way did the priests participate in the altar by eating of the Old Testament sacrifices? How does Paul connect this observation with our participation with Christ's sacrifice? A PORTION WAS EATEN BY THE PRIEST FOR ATTONEMENT OF SINS AND A PORTION WAS BURNED UNTO THE ALTAR. AS WE EAT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER WE BECOME PART OF THE OFFERING OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OUR SINS.

Q2. What does koinōnia mean? What does it mean to "participate" or "share" in the blood of Christ? Christians "continuously devoted themselves to fellowship." (Acts 2:42) The word for "fellowship" is koinonia, which means "to have in common" or "to share."

Q1. Why was Paul exhorting the Corinthians about the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons? What was going on in the church? What was the danger to the believers? I BELIEVE THAT THE CORINTHIANS WERE A CONFUSED PEOPLE AND THEY NEEDED DIRECTION. THIS IS WHAT PAUL WAS PROVIDING THEM. IN OTHER WORDS YOU CAN'T WORSHIP GOD AND SERVE SATAN TOO. YOU MUST CHOOSE YOU CAN'T WALK THE LINE.

Q3. Revelation 12:11 could be considered a theme verse for the book. What does it mean? (See Luke 14:25-27; Matthew 10:37-39.) Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. This means that victory was won by the Blood of the Lamb. Who is overcome? Satan is the one that is overcome. Satan and all his followers will lose this battle between good and evil. In what sense do we have victory if we die in the process? What does the "blood of the Lamb" have to do with this? The blood of the Lamb represents the blood that Christ gave to save us from sin. The price that was paid to redeem us. How does loving our lives prevent spiritual victory today? Mat 5:10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Mat 10: 22You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell

Q2. (12:1-17) The vision of the woman and the dragon are heavily symbolic, but comprehensible when you take care to understand. In your own words, what does this vision tell us about the cosmic battle in Jesus' day and in our own? What comfort should we disciples draw from this passage? THE WOMAN REPRESENTS THE CHURCH OR GOD'S FAITHFUL PEOPLE. THE DRAGON REPRESENTS SATAN. THE BATTLE IS BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL. JESUS IS THE VICTOR. THE VICTORY IS FOR JESUS UPON HIS RETURN.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 11:26) In what way is the Lord's Supper a proclamation? To whom is the proclamation made? Why is this important? What happens to the church when its proclamation shifts to a different central theme THE LORD'S SUPPER IS TO PROCLAIM THE LORD'S DEATH. THE PROCLAMATION IS MADE FOR ALL CHRISTIANS IN REMEMBERENCE OF THE LORD UNTIL HE RETURNS. IF THE CHURCH DOES NOT PROCLAIM THE LORD'S SUPPER IT IS SAYING THAT IT HAS NO BELIEF IN THE LORD. THAT THE LORD DID NOT DO ANYTHING. THE LORD'S SUPPER SIGNIFIES THAT WE ARE ONE FAMILY IN CHRIST. THE LORD'S SUPPER IS AN IMPORTANT PROCLAIMATION BECAUSE IT ACKNOWLEDGES THE PRICE THAT WAS PAID TO SAVE US.

Q3. Why is our remembrance of Christ's death so important? What happens to Christianity if we neglect remembering in this way? What happens to us personally when we forget Christ's death? IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHAT CHRIST'S DEATH MEANT FOR US. HIS DEATH SAVED US FROM SINS. HE WAS TORTURED TO SAVE US. IF WE FORGET WHAT HE DID FOR US WE WILL GO ON CONSTANTLY SINNING WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRICE WHICH WAS PAID FOR US TO BE REDEEMED FROM SIN. BY REMEMBERING WHAT PRICE JESUS PAID FOR US IS A CONSTANT REMAINDER TO AVOID THE WAGES OF SIN. TO LOVE HIM AS HE HAS LOVED US BY REMEMBERING THE SACRAFICE HE MADE FOR US.

Q2. What was the purpose of the Passover meal for future generations? PASSOVER MEAL IS A FEAST OF REMEMBERANCE. Why was it to be repeated? What was to be remembered? IT WAS TO BE REPEATED SO THAT GENERATIONS TO COME WOULD KNOW HOW GOD SAVED THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT AND SPARED THEM. What would have happened if the Jews had stopped remembering the Exodus? THEY COULD BE RETURNED TO A LIFE OF BONDAGE.

Q1. (11:3-12 ) Interpreters disagree upon the identity of the Two Witnesses, but they are certainly strong and brave. What positive characteristics do you see in their actions that we should emulate in our day? What is their reward? The Two Witnesses are strong and powerful and full of "The Word". Their reward will be after laying 3 1/2 days in the streets they were resurrected into heaven.

Q1. When repeated often, doesn't the Lord's Supper run the risk of becoming mundane and lose its meaning? Why did Jesus command its repetition? If the church presents the Lord's Supper in a way of remembering what Christ gave for us, I believe it would not run the risk of being "mundane". Remembering what Christ sacraficed to save us from sin has an explosive meaning that one could not find it boring or mundane. Jesus command us to "Do this in memory of me".

Q4. Which part of the meaning of the Lord's Supper is most valuable for you at this point in your spiritual journey when you partake of and meditate on the Lord's Supper? The Lord's Supper reminds me of the horribe torture that Jesus endured to save me. It reminds me of the mercy and grace he has for me. It builds my faith. It helps build my strength. It provides me with the norishment and strength to endure. It reminds me that God loves me so much that he gave his only son to save us from our sins.

Q3. Which action words used to describe the elements of the Lord's Supper, teach us that we are to be thinking of Jesus' sacrifice of atonement, when we partake of the Lord's Supper? "GIVEN" for sacrifice "BROKEN FOR" he would suffer "POURED OUT" blood shed for the benefit of many "FORGIVENESS" forgiving us our sins

Q2. How can an extreme symbolic interpretation cause a person to have too little respect for the Lord's Supper and its elements? Where is the balance, do you think? The traditions we follow in our churches today demonstrates so little reverence to the Lord. We go to church and hope that the time passes so we can leave. We don't really give focus to the real reason that we attend church in the beginning. We are there to worship God, to give thanks, to receive the Lord's Supper, to fellowship with other Christians, to study the word and to welcome in those that want to be saved. There are those that wait until there is a crisis before they actually acknowledge our true reason for being there. We should hold everything that comes from "The Word" as sacred and we should respect it and pay homage to it the way we are intended to do. I guess that is why there will be an attack on the churches. The balance is in the "power" in healing, comforting, and challenging presence and working of Jesus Christ the Lord through the Holy Spirit. But if the church does not teach this then how can one know what the importance is?

Q1. How does your particular understanding of the bread and the wine (literal or figurative) help you grow closer to Christ when partaking of the Lord's Supper? (Note: This question is not your excuse to argue, but to learn from one another's personal experience of partaking.) The bread and wine-body and blood of Christ are "nourishment" of the working power through the Holy Spirit. By receiving the body and blood we develop a deeper understanding of what price Jesus actually had to pay to save us. It is an important reminder that he gave everything for us by going through a physical death.

Q5. (Rev 10:1-9) What is bitter about what you've read in Revelation 6 through 10? The bitterness is the not willing to accept the truth. It is hard to stomach in this world having to do things that are righteous. So mankind chooses to do things their way instead of the way of God because so many feel it is so hard trying to follow through with God's plan. What is sweet? The sweet is for those who have followed through with God's plan despite the torture or pain they have had to suffer to do so. Then comes the sweetness of God's truth prevailing over all things on this earth. For those who know his word and live it according to discipline they will have the sweet but for those who choose other ways they shall have the bitterness of his wrath. Why do we tend to reject what is hard for us to understand? We are sinners and it is in our nature to sin. It is much easier being what we naturally are instead of being what we were naturally created to be, loving children of Christ. We prefer the easy street instead of working for a reward that we don't get until the end. We want instant gratification and we don't plan on sharing it with anyone and we don't plan on waiting to get it. To know that we would have to change the things in our lives that make us feel good is a hard thing to do. That is why so very many don't. We are creatures that want all things to be to our advantage. We can't see ahead instead we see and feel what brings us instant gratification. But Christians know that the reward comes in the end. It is a hard journey but when we get there it will be well worth the trip.

Q4. (Revelation 7:9-18). From this passage what do we learn about the kind of people who make up the "great multitude" before the throne? Let's not debate whether they are the 144,000 or not. But what is their origin? They came from the great tribulation, a great multitude, from every nation, every tribe, every people, every language. What does their spirit within them cause them to do? They serve God day and night with worship and praises. They honor God. What does the first verse of the song "Amazing Grace" have to do with 7:14? Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The psalm says that God will find grace when a sinner becomes saved. God is the "Amazing Grace" that saves the lost and through his word we are no longer blind and we can see.

Q3. (Revelation 7:1-4) There's disagreement about exactly who the 144,000 represent. Let's not debate that, but look deeper. From 7:1-4 what do we learn about God? Read Ezekiel 9, then answer: What is this seal supposed to do for the 144,000? (Please wait to consider 14:1-5 until we get there, okay?) THE SEAL IS TO PROTECT THEM. GOD PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE.

Q2. (Revelation 6:9-11) What do we learn about the Church from what is revealed in the Fifth Seal? The Fifth Seal reveals that the Church should continue it's faithful witness inspite of persecution and death. Even thought they are being slain for the word of God they are to continue in faith. Where are these "souls" at the time of this scene? The "souls" are under the altar. What does their proximity to the altar signify? This signifies that they were slain for the Word of God. Why were they killed? It is said that they were persecuted or martyred for a sacrifice to God. Why do they ask for vengeance? They ask for vengeance because they were unjustly persecuted or martyred. Is that a Christian prayer? Yes this is a Christian prayer because they know that vengenance belongs to God and not to man. They request vindication and justice not revenge because revenge would have to be an act of God. What does the white robe represent? The white robe represents being cleaned from the spots of sin. Being washed clean. What do we learn from their instruction to "wait a little longer"? We are to wait until the time is at hand. Meaning the time of God not the time of man.

Q1. (Revelation 6) Who initiates this great storm of destruction represented by the Seven Seals? Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. Against whom is it directed? Against Satan and his followers. Is it just? Yes, it is just. It is the will of God.

Q5. (Revelation 5:13) What is the significance of the same quality of worship being offered to both God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son? What does this tell us about their relationship to each other? Their relationship to us? God, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit, The Trinity, They are one. So they deserve the same quality of worship. We have to go through Jesus to know God. Jesus is the word of God. Jesus gave his life to save us from sin and he left behind the comforter The Holy Spirit. Their relationship to us is one and the same. The three all represent God and his word. They love us so much that God gave his son to save us from sin. Knowing what Jesus endured who could say that he doesn't deserve the quality of worship?

Q3. (Revelation 5:9, 12) What made Jesus so worthy of opening the scroll and thus bringing history to its consummation? Why was this act so noteworthy and praiseworthy? Matt 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (KJV) 1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (KJV)