Audrey Hill

What is the significance of the exalted Jesus walking among the lampstands? The lampstands represent the 7 churches. It shows that he is walking among the 7 churches saying Fear Not, I am the first and the last. I am He that liveth and was dead but I am alive forevermore and have the keys of hell and of death. He is present among us - not sitting on His throne waiting for us. He is the light of the world. He cares for us - He doesn't want us to go to hell. He wants us to communicate with Him - to know Him - wants us to love Him and remain true to Him.

The vision that I have of Christ on earth is gentle, kind, soft spoken - but in Revelations 1:12-20 - it shows a vision of Him in all His glory - as Lord of lords and King of kings. The garment down to His feet - the golden girdle and the beard as white as snow and eyes as a flame of fire with feet like brass and a voice as the sound of many waters. (Awesome!) What overall emotion is this vision of Jesus among the lampstands? It is an emotion of awe, reverence, and respect. He is the light of the world - Christ in all His glory. When we see Him, I think we will all fall at His feet as dead, like John did. Even though John fell at His feet as dead, Jesus lay His hand upon him and told him to fear not. Why is this understanding of Jesus important to a balanced faith? Jesus is loving, kind, gentle and longsuffering but He is also a God of wrath and judgement. He is the Light of the world. We should follow His light and live a life He would be pleased with. He loves us. He's my best friend.

I believe all countries are being persecuted now days - even here in the United States. The Book of Revelation can be a comfort and encouragement to them through Faith in Jesus Christ - we will triumph. Jesus will save us from the coming wrath. We need to witness more for Christ. Revelation shows us that God will take care of the evil ones in the end.

It tells us that the Father is the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end. God is, and has been and will always exist. He is eternal. The Trinity is truly a mystery of the bible. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. The significance for our understanding of who Jesus is - if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life. This shows that both God the Father and Jesus as eternal beings. The only way to the Father is through his son - Jesus Christ.

Testimony and Witness is important if someone is being persecuted. It can give them encouragement, and hope and the strength they need to overcome the persecution. Jesus as the "faithful witness" encourages us by knowing that He went through so much and it was for us and because of us that He gave His life so we could be saved. The same spirit lives in us to encourage us and let us know that He is strong and if we live a christian life - then we can overcome evil knowing what Christ did for us. We are afraid to be a clear witness in a culture where we aren't persecuted because we don't want to be classified a "Jesus Freak" and we don't like rejection or being made fun of. I hope I can be stronger and live the kind of life that when others see me - they will see Jesus.

Q5. Which single New Testament passage best sums up for you the lessons of Isaiah 53? Why did you chose this passage? I like Philippians 2:9-11 where it says God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Q4. The Servant also bears the punishment deserved by sinners. In what sense, if any, did Jesus bear the punishment due you when he died on the cross? He stood in as a substitute in my place. We cannot stand the punishment we deserve. Jesus steps in to take our punishment. He takes it until it kills Him - on our behalf.

Q3. Isaiah 53 teaches what theologians call "the substitutionary atonement." In what sense does the Servant act as a substitute to bear our sins? Our sins transfered to Jesus and His righteousness transfered to us.

Q2. Which New Testament parallels to Isaiah 53 convince you that Jesus himself saw his own mission and destiny spelled out in Isaiah 53? Mark 9:12 If you aren't convinced, what stands in your way?

Q1. From how large a group of people does God remove sins in Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12? God removes sins for many. In what sense is this a universal sacrifice of salvation? It's a universal sacrifice of salvation because He took on the sins of the nations - the sins of the whole world. In what sense is Jesus' sacrifice wasted on some people? It is wasted on some people because they don't believe in Him.

6a. I think God intended animal sacrifice to teach us that when you sin - you have to pay a price and that was of a perfect unblemished animal. Our sins cannot be taken lightly. It is very serious. 6b. God teaches us that only He is holy. 6c. God teaches us that His nature is slow to anger, forgiving, loving, merciful and faithful. He loves us and is always ready to forgive us if we really are serious about asking for our forgiveness. He knows our heart and knows if we really mean it.

5a. There is a real sense where God used the sacrificial system to teach the Jews lessons of sin, holiness, confession, forgiveness, sin's costiness and horror. God's mercy allowed these sacrifices to purge their sins but the only fully adequate sacrifice for sin was still to come. 5b. Animal sacrifice cannot really substitute for the greater human being. Man needed someone greater than himself to actually atone for and do away with sin. Thank goodness Jesus Christ was willing to give His life for our sins and cover our sins by His blood. There is no greater love than this.

4a. The basic elements involved in a sacrifice for sin are: (1) Confession of sin (2) Bring an animal that has no defect (3) Lay his hands on its head (4) Slay the animal (cut its throat) (5) Blood is collected by a priest, put on horns of the altar and poured out at the base of the alter (6) Remove fat portions which are given to the priest and burned on the altar (7) Meat is eaten by the priest in case of a sin offering 4b. The one that is sill necessary for forgiveness of sins today is to confess your sin and repent. 4c. The ones no longer necessary are all the others. 4d. It is no longer necessary because God was willing to give His only son as a sacrifice and because Jesus was willing to give His life for our sins - we no longer have to do this. Jesus blood cleanses us of our sins. Thank you God - Thank you Jesus for this ultimate sacrifice. I love you.

The sacrificial Lamb fits Jesus accurately, since He, as Son of God and Son of Man is the only being perfect and great enough to actually atone for sin and at the same time, represent and substitute for all me in this atonement - once and for all. Jesus gave His life so that the sins of the world could be forgiven if we believe in Him and repent and ask for forgiveness.

Q6. How does Gideon influence Israel during his life? (8:28-35) What is the positive continuing effect of his leadership as judge? Gideon's leadership keeps Israel strong enough both spiritually and militarily that they are not troubled by invaders during Gideon's lifetime.