Craig

Q4. (20:12-15) Here is a serious question for each of us -- not one we should respond to with pat answers. What assurance do you have that your name is written in the Book of Life? My assurance that my name is written in the Book of Life is based on my faith and trust that by my accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and by the grace of God I'm listed in that book. As the Apostles taught whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. I have given my life to Jesus.

Q2. (19:16) What are the implications of Christ's title: "King of Kings and Lord of lords" for your life? For the everyday world that surrounds you King of Kings and Lord of lords means for me and any other that Jesus is Sovereign in all ways and everywhere in the universe. He is the King and Lord of my life. He has my loyality and my life. I am at His service and I seek to obey, glorify, and serve Him as best as I can. I take what He taught as recorded in the Bible and apply those teachings in my life seeking to identify and be a part of the Kingdom of God. He is King and Lord and I am His servant.

Q1. (19:7-9) These verses draw together two themes from Scripture -- (1) God's people as his betrothed Bride and (2) the feast of all God's people in heaven. When you meditate on these themes, how are you both admonished and encouraged?I It is going to be a delightful, fulfilling moment to sit at the feast table as a part of the Bride of Christ and have fellowship with believers from throughout time. To be in the direct presence of Jesus can't be put into words. To be a part of the Kingdom of God for eternity is overwhelming as well as encouraging. It is wonderful to know that our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit allows our road to go on forever. I think too, the feast represents a place at the table for the faithful. Like running a race or embarking on a journey and crossing the finish line. Finishing what was started. Finding comfort in staying the course. Then the joy and relief of being with all the others who were on that same journey with God throughout time. That is something to look forward to. The passages of scripture where Jesus talks about the Feast of the Lamb and entering the Kingdom of God, Jesus also admonishes His listeners to be watchful for HIs return; to be holy and righteous, and to be intentional seekers of entry into the Kingdom of God. We are to walk away from the kingdom of this world and join the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. The admonishment also warns us not to be deaf, but to listen to Jesus and don't be left out of the Kingdom of God. God told Cain to do the right things and he would be accepted. i

Q4. (18:4) We Christians are instructed to be "in the world" but not "of the world" (John 17:15-19). One interpretation has been to be hermits, ascetics, to distance ourselves from the political process, and to adopt stringent dress and behavior codes. Another interpretation is to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in the world so that we might bring about cleansing and change through God's spirit. Where do you think the balance lies? How and when should we fulfill the command, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins...."? The Balance lies in living our Christianity in the world we are moving through -- being salt and light. Because we operate in this world doesn't mean we have to be the world. We are here until we die or Christ comes again, so we should carry out the Great Commission as Jesus instructed. Coming out of the world means walking away from the world's value system. Rejecting Satanic values and embracing Godly values. Paul and the other Apostles moved in the world as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. We should minister and witness to those around us, letting the light of Jesus Christ shine through us to a dark and fallen world. We don't have to conform to this world and its ways. We should honor, glorify, and serve God while we are on this planet as an opposition force against Satan and evil. We should be joyous in the process to thank God, delight in His creation, and to allow others to see God in us. So, we can be physically in the world, but spiritually, for now, we are members of the Kingdom of God on this planet. This should be happening in our lives now.

Q3. (15:3-4) We see singing and praise in heaven before the throne a number of times in Revelation (4:8, 11; 5:9-10, 12-13; 7:12; 11:17-18; 15:3-4; 19:1-3). What do you learn about appropriate worship from studying these songs? Do you recognize any contemporary songs that seem similar to these? Appropriate worship includes the acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God over creation; His works; His holiness; His purity and truth; His love and loving kindness; His righteousness; His entitlement to be worshipped; His consistency in His character; acknowledgment and thanks for the blood spill by Jesus Christ for making each believe a part of the Kingdom of God and priests to serve Him. Praising Jesus, the slain Lamb of God for His wisdom and strength and honor and glory. Praising God for salvation which is only in Him. Revelation Song is contemporary praise song taken from Revelation.

Q2. (14:10-11) Why is everlasting punishment so difficult for us Christians to accept? In what ways might eternal punishment be considered just punishment? Most Christians are so focused on the love of God that they forget about the consequences of free will and accountability for their chooses. There is an imbalance in some Christians view of God. God is love the Scriptures teach us. However, God is just and will judge all of created humanity by a set standard of love and justice. Justice demands accountability for actions both good and bad. God has presented though His Word to each generation the results of following Him or following the world and the Satanic values its based upon. Most of humanity through the ages have openly rejected God to follow something else. God created mankind in his image to have a relationship with Him and to manage the earth for Him. To do good to all creation. God has gone to great extremes including sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die and shed His blood to redeem us from our sin and wickedness. However, the majority of humanity through the ages have continued to be consumed with wickedness and sin and rebellion against God. The Scripture teaches a person reaps what they sow. After Adam and Eve's rebellion against God, He has constantly developed convents with man to create a loving relationship with Him. To provide humanity with life. However, man has gone after Satan and taken on his ways. So, in reality each person ultimately decides life or death, heaven or hell for themselves. God has given humanity an opportunity through the various convents throughout the ages to accept Him or reject Him and enjoy or suffer the consequences of that decision. God has clearly spelled out His plan of salvation for humanity throughout the ages through His Word and His people to the world. As Paul put in Romans 1, man is without excuse. A loving God has provided various means to establish a close and intimate relationship Him for now and through eternity. Most people have themselves their God and have rejected the one true God. Man has condemned himself through his own selfishness. . God is God and we are his creation. God sets the standards not us -- thank God . Suffering the consequences of our own actions be it spending eternity with God or separation from God for eternity is a just punishment because really we have made the choose. A thought, why would a person who has rejected denied and rejected God throughout his/her life on this planet want to spend eternity with God? Again, it wouldn't be because they loved God, but for the selfish motivation of self preservation and the avoidance of suffering. Eternity with God is about love not self. So, if a person has rejected God and all He has to offer, then eternal separation is just punishment, because in reality it is what the person is asking for.

Q1. (14:3-5) In what ways do the 144,000 provide an ideal for all Christians to emulate? The 144,000 provide an ideal/example for all Christians to emulate in the following ways: They were sexually pure; they followed Jesus wherever he went and they did not lie -- they were honest and truthful. The bottom line is the 144,000 were born-again, Spirit-filled Christians who picked up their crosses and followed Jesus despite any circumstances. They gave themselves over to Biblical purity and ethics. They reflected their Father in Heaven. They lived out their faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ as a way of life. They gave their entire lives to Jesus Christ. They overcame this world.

Q4. (13:1-18, optional) The two beasts belong to the period of the ascendancy of the Antichrist at the very end of the Last Days. Together with 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, summarize what have you learned about the Antichrist and the False Prophet? The Antichrist is lawless, arrogant, and in total rebellion against God. He will be a tool of Satan to deceive humanity into worshipping him vice God. He will display all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders. He will be the ultimate deceiver. The Antichrist will oppose and exalt himself above all religion (true or false), because he desires to be worshipped. Ultimately he proclaims himself God in the temple. Again, the Scriptures teach that Satan has always desired to be above God and to be worshipped as God. For a time he will have ultimate military, civil, economic, and religious control of the world, The False Prophet will promote and support the Antichrist in deceiving the world into false worship and rebellion against God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ will destroy both of in the Lake of fire.

Q3. Revelation 12:11 could be considered a theme verse for the book. What does it mean? Who is overcome? 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? How does loving our lives prevent spiritual victory today? (See Luke 14:25-27; Matthew 10:37-39.) This verse means that the followers of Jesus Christ (Christians), have overcome andl have victory over Satan, his legions, and his influence. This victory is realized by the blood and testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus's death and resurrection defeated Satan and His second coming will put an end to Satan's power in this world. In faithfulness, martyrs all through time have sealed their testimony with their blood. The Christian's salvation and deliverance from eternal separation from God is based our testimony that Jesus Christ is Lord and acknowledging Jesus' death on the cross was for the forgiveness of our sins and a means of reconciliation with God. When one chooses Jesus they choose life (physical and spiritual), over death. He is the Savior of the human race. The faithful overcome this world and death. This applies to believers not only during the tribulation, but throughout time. When a person loves their life more than Jesus then they deny him like Peter did during Jesus's arrest, trial, and punishment. Anything put before Jesus including one's live denies Christ.

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 vision of the woman and the dragon are symbolic of the long going battle between Satan (and his forces) and God (and Israel and the Church), over the ages. However it comes to an end when Jesus returns. The comfort we disciples should draw with this passage is that God comforts, protects, and takes care of His own. God wins and Satan is defeated and evil is overcome by light. The good guys win.

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? Some positive characteristics displayed by the Two Witnesses that should be emulated include: They are going to be humble, open and willing servants of God. Thus God is going to use them in a powerful way to witness to the world the truth of God. They will be God's representatives on earth during a most horrific time for the Church. As lampstands they will shine forth the light of God -- the light of truth to a wicked, sinful, rebellious, and intentionally disbelieving world around them. They will shine forth in the name of God despite danger and hardship. God gives them great power to get the attention of a rebellious world. They are martyred by the beast from the abyss and then resurrected by the Lord God Almighty. God glorified them by taking them up into heaven in a cloud while their enemies looked on. These witnesses serve as a great example as to how Christians should exercise their faith through humbly, consistently, patiently enduring persecution and hardship if need be in representing God on this planet, Faithfulness to God on this planet ends in spending eternity with God. Christians should be willing and open servants of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Q4. (Galatians 4:6-7) How does the Spirit’s filling demonstrate we are full sons? What is the special sense in which the Aramaic word abba is used to speak to one’s father? What is the significance of being heirs of God? Are we sons in the same sense that Jesus was God’s Son? Paul writes in Romans 8:16-17: "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, ..." (NKJ). When believers cry out to the Father in prayer, Romans 8:15, the Holy Spirit intercedes for them. The Holy Spirit creates within the believer an awareness of sonship, causing the saint to address God as Father. "Abba, Father" is a familiar form of address, combining the Aramiac and Greek words for Father. No slave could address the head of a family in this fashion; it was reserved for members of the family, and expresses love and confidence. Note the trinity in this verse - Spirit, Son, and Father in that order. The believer is no longer a slave, he is not under the law. Now the believer is a son of God. Since Christ, as God's Son, is the heir of all of God's riches, the Christian is an heir of God through Jesus Christ. All that God has is his by faith -- by trusting in God.

Q3. (Galatians 4:3-5) In what sense were both the Gentiles and the Jews enslaved? What does “redeem” mean in verse 5? What are the implications of adoption regarding a person’s legal and spiritual rights? The Gentiles were enslaved by pagan cultic ritual and the Jews enslaved by the Law. Both were enslaved to the lusts of the world i.e., the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of eyes, and the pride of life. All sin and slavery evolve around around those things. Redeem in this verse merans that Jesus Christ on the cross paid for our sins, freed us from the penalty of those sins, and set us free, by his Spirit, from being slaves to this world and the demands of the Law. Jesus enabled us to become brothers and sisters with Him. Adopted heirs or sons of God. God has granted believers all of the legal and spiritual rights that Jesus Christ has. Jesus provided the ways and means for direct access to the Throne of God.

Q2. (Galatians 4:4) Why do you think it took so long to send the Messiah? What about the first century world made it fertile ground for the revelation of the Messiah and the spread of the gospel? The scriputures teach us that God does everything in the fulness of time. The Mediterranean world was right religiously, culturally, politcially, and commerically for the entrance of the Messiah onto the world stage in the First Century. The Mediterranean world of the first century had a common language developed by the Greeks, a comprehensive and safe system of commerical travel build and protected by the Romans. The Jewish Synagogue system enabled churches to be build upon them and most importantly many in Israel and the surrounding regions were looking for the arrival of the Jewish Messiah. These factors made the world fertile ground for the revelation of the Messiah and the rapid spread of the gospel throughout the world.

Q1. (Galatians 4:26-29) Do you think Jewish Christians regarded Gentile Christians as second-class citizens? What is the basis of our unity in Christ? In what way does this unity pull down barriers? Do any groups continue to be regarded as second-class citizens in our congregations? What should we do about this? Yes. Throughout the New Testament this issue is constantly being addressed. Christian Jews felt that even thought they were made righteous and justified before God in Christ they were closer to God because they adhered to the Law. Thus, making them better than Gentile Christians. The basis of our unity in Christ is that all those claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour are made the sons of God. In this way barriers fall because we are Christian human-beings before we are anything else. We are children of God that is the Christian identifies him/her self. Yes. Today, economic status, race, gender, non-essential doctrinal views, and denominational association often place Christians in inferior status to other Christians. It is like Paul never said "we are one in Christ." Despite Biblical teaching people continue to operate in whatever way they choose to. We should treat all men and women with dignity, with respect -- love your neighbor as yourself. Most importantly love the brethren.

Q1. (2 Timothy 4:6-7) What does it mean to have "fought the good fight" or "run the good race"? What does it take to "finish the race(course)" God has designed for you? What does it mean to "keep the faith"? Paul was likening his service and committment to Jesus Christ and preaching the gospel throughout the Mediterrean using athletic terms. It likened it to a battle or an athletic contest. He had kept the faith in a satanic world. Despite all kinds of hardship and persecution, Paul had continued to believe in and obey the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Additionally, as a steward, he had guarded the doctrine which had been committed to him and had passed it on to others in its orginal purity. Paul went the distance for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Being faithful to Jesus and overcoming this world will get me across the finish line. Keeping the faith means remaining committed to being a follower of Jesus Christ, honoring God the Father Almighty and engaging in the gospel ministry until I leave this world. I can do this through the grace of God in His Son Jesus Christ and fill with the Holy Spirit.

Q4. (2 Timothy 4:5) Why does Paul command Timothy to "discharge all the duties of your ministry"? What is the work of an evangelist that Timothy is to do? What does the command in verse 5 mean to you personally? Apparently Timothy may not have been carrying out all of his pastorial duties. He was possibly discouraged, timid, tired, distracted, etc. However, it appears Paul had to help motivate Timothy to get his head back in the game. The work of an evangelist is to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of the world. Verse 5 applies to me just as it did to Timothy.

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:1-2) Why do you think Paul has to resort to the command in verses 1-2? Why does he have to talk about being ready when it's inconvenient and when it is convenient? What problem is Paul trying to overcome here? How do these verses speak to you in particular? Paul is aggressively and strongly encouraging Timothy to preach the Word of God without fear and being timid. Additionally, Paul is instructing Timothy to preach the Gospel with a sense of urgency because Jesus Christ is coming again and at some point people are going to turn from sound doctrine to doctrines they are comfortable with. Furthermore, preach the gospel in situations that are both comfortable and/or uncomfortable. Paul is trying to overcome fear and complacancy in ministry. This speaks to me in that I too should minister to others with a sense of urgendy without fear or reluctance.

Q2. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In what ways does Scripture equip a Christian for ministry? In what different ways can the Scriptures function, according to verse 16? Scripture equips a Christian for ministry and every good work through teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. Scripture is God's Word and carries with it the authority and power to command and guide our actions in this life.

Q2. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In what ways does Scripture equip a Christian for ministry? In what different ways can the Scriptures function, according to verse 16? Scripture equips a Christian for ministry and every good work through teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. Scripture is God's Word and carries with it the authority and power to command and guide our actions in this life.

Q1. (2 Timothy 3:16) What does inspiration of Scripture mean? What does the term "God-breathed" tell us about the source and authority of Scripture? Why is the doctrine of inspiration of Scripture important? This is one of the most important verses in the Bible on the subject of inspiration. It informs and teaches us that the Scriptures are God-breathed. In a miraculous, supernatural way, God communicated His word to men and led them to write it down for permanent preservation. What they wrote was the very word of God, inspired and infallible. The words were given by the Holy Spirit and penned in the style of the writer. But again, the very words were given to the writers by the Holy Spirit. The source of the Scripture is God and God literally breathed His Word to the writers through the Holy Spirit. Thus, the source and authority of the Scripture is God. The doctrine of inspiration of Scripture is important because it establishes the authority of the Scriptures over humanity.

Q2. (Revelation 6:9-11) What do we learn about the Church from what is revealed in the Fifth Seal? Where are these "souls" at the time of this scene? What does their proximity to the altar signify? Why were they killed? Why do they ask for vengeance? Is that a Christian prayer? What does the white robe represent? What do we learn from their instruction to "wait a little longer"? We learn what Jesus foretold in Matt. 24:9 is has happened: "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers." (NLT) The Fitth Seal reveals the marytrs of the tribulation. Their souls are under the altar representing their sacrifice in maintaining their witness and testimony for Jesus Christ. They are asking God to avenge their blood because they are seeking justice for the wrong done to them. Yes, it is a Christian prayer. God is a just God. An aspect of His Holy character is justice. Judgment is justice. The Psalmist opens Psalms 94 by praying: " O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth, Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the pround what they deserve. How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant? ... He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them." Ps. 1-3 and 23. Read all of Psalm 94. In fact God's says vengenance is mine. Seeking justice is very Christian. Christians must forgive those who persecute and even kill them, but that doesn't excuse any person from the consequences of their sin. Justice is mentioned over 200 times in the Bible. The white robes are given to the martyrs, a symbol of their righteousness. They are instructed to "wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they hand been was completed." verse 11. When things are complete God will judge and avenge their blood.

Q1. (Revelation 6) Who initiates this great storm of destruction represented by the Seven Seals? Against whom is it directed? Is it just? Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, opens the seals. The destruction as the result of the opening of the seals is directed against the inhabitants of the earth -- humanity. This judgment is the direct result of human wickedness, rebellion, and sin against God Almighty the Maker of Heaven and Earth and His only Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Q4. (2 Timothy 3:10-12) How does a failure to accept the inevitability of persecution hinder our witness? Just what does it mean to "take up his cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and to "carry his cross" (Luke 14:27)? Is Jesus talking about persecution -- or something else? The failure to accept the inevitability of persecution makes a person timid, weak and ineffective as a witnesses for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Taking up the cross daily means to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this world whatever the cost, including suffering/persecution as Jesus did on the cross. Jesus was about real personal persecution as the result of witnessing for Him and living out a Christian life not something else.

Q3. (2 Timothy 3:5) Why is it so easy to become a hypocrite? How can we prevent our faith from degenerating into "a form of religion" without the power? If a person hasn't really accepted and invited Jesus Christ into their life they don't have the interaction of the Holy Spirit in their life. There is no transforming power in that person's life. There is a form of Godliness -- lipservice -- but no transforming power to change a person's life. If there isn't a true, pure, and vigorous relationship with Jesus Christ in a person's life then they aren't really hypocrites, but unbelivers attending church for whatever reason. Daily rejoicing in the Lord, prayer, Biblical study, service, and thanksgiving will keep a person's from degenerating into a "form of religion" withour power. Invite the Holy Spirit into your life to work and management every day and He will refresh and renew your spirit daily.