Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 50
Acts 9; Acts 10
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats
against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and
asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any
there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem.3 As he neared Damascus on his journey,
suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to
the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute
me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I
am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now
get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 7 The
men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did
not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he
opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into
Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or
drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named
Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes,
Lord," he answered. 11 The Lord told him, "Go to the
house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for
he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias
come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." 13 "Lord,"
Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the
harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has
come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your
name." 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This
man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their
kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how
much he must suffer for my name." 17 Then Ananias went to
the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother
Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming
here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy
Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from
Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and
after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with
the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the
synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who
heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in
Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take
them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22 Yet Saul grew
more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that
Jesus is the Christ. 23 After many days had gone by, the Jews
conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day
and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But
his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening
in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the
disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a
disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the
apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the
Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the
name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about
freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He
talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When
the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off
to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and
Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the
Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. 32 As
Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. 33 There
he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight
years. 34 "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus
Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas
got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and
turned to the Lord. 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named
Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and
helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died,
and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda
was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent
two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" 39 Peter
went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the
widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing
that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter
sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed.
Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened
her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the
hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows
and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over
Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed
in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion
in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his
family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and
prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the
afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him
and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius stared at him in
fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your
prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now
send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He
is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." 7 When
the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a
devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them
everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. 9 About
noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city,
Peter went up on the roof to pray.10 He became hungry and wanted
something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He
saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by
its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed
animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then
a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." 14 "Surely
not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or
unclean." 15 The voice spoke to him a second time,
"Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 16 This
happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While
Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius
found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They
called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While
Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon,
three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs.
Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." 21 Peter
went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have
you come?" 22 The men replied, "We have come from
Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is
respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to
his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23 Then
Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter
started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. 24 The
following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had
called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter
entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But
Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man
myself." 27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found
a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: "You are
well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or
visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or
unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any
objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" 30 Cornelius
answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three
in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and
said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the
poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a
guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33 So
I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here
in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to
tell us." 34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now
realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but
accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You
know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of
peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know
what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that
John preached-- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who
were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 "We
are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised
him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He
was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already
chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He
commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God
appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the
prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives
forgiveness of sins through his name." 44 While Peter was
still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The
circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of
the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For
they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can
anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the
Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with
them for a few days.
Galatians 3
Galatians 3 (New International Version, ©2010)
Galatians 3
Faith or Works of the Law
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] 4 Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[c]
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."[d] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith."[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, "The person who does these things will live by them."[g] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole."[h] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
The Law and the Promise
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[i] meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3
Faith or Works of the Law
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] 4 Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[c]
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."[d] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith."[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, "The person who does these things will live by them."[g] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole."[h] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
The Law and the Promise
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[i] meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Revelation 14
Revelation 14 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 14
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
The Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
8 A second angel followed and said, "'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,'[a] which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name." 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man[b] with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
Revelation 14
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
The Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
8 A second angel followed and said, "'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,'[a] which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name." 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man[b] with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
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