Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Romans 13
Romans 13 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 13
Submission to Governing Authorities
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet,"[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Romans 13
Submission to Governing Authorities
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet,"[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 90
Revelation 6;
Revelation 7; Revelation 8; Revelation 9; Revelation 10; Revelation 11
1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals.
Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder,
"Come!" 2 I looked, and there before me was a white
horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a
conqueror bent on conquest. 3 When the Lamb opened the second
seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4 Then
another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take
peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large
sword. 5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the
third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was
a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then
I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying,
"A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a
day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" 7 When
the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living
creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and there before
me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind
him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine
and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 9 When he
opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been
slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They
called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true,
until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then
each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little
longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be
killed as they had been was completed. 12 I watched as he
opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like
sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and
the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when
shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll,
rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then
the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and
every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the
mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks,
"Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and
from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their
wrath has come, and who can stand?"
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners
of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from
blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw
another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He
called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm
the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea
or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our
God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed:
144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. 5 From the tribe of
Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of
Gad 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe
of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7 from
the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of
Issachar 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the
tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. 9 After
this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could
count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the
throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding
palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud
voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the
Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne
and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their
faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and
strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then
one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where
did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you
know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great
tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of
God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne
will spread his tent over them. 16Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any
scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in
heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels
who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Another
angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much
incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar
before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with
the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then
the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on
the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and
an earthquake. 6 Then the seven angels who had the seven
trumpets prepared to sound them. 7 The first angel sounded his
trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down
upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were
burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 8 The second
angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was
thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a
third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were
destroyed. 10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great
star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on
the springs of water-- 11 the name of the star is Wormwood. A
third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had
become bitter. 12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a
third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so
that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and
also a third of the night. 13 As I watched, I heard an eagle
that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the
inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by
the other three angels!"
1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that
had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft
of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it
like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the
smoke from the Abyss. 3And out of the smoke locusts came down upon
the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They
were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only
those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They
were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months.
And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it
strikes a man. 6 During those days men will seek death, but
will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. 7 The
locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore
something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their
hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 They
had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was
like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They
had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to
torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them
the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek,
Apollyon. 12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to
come. 13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a
voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It
said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who
are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 And the four
angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year
were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the
mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. 17 The
horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were
fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled
the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A
third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that
came out of their mouths. 19The power of the horses was in their
mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with
which they inflict injury. 20 The rest of mankind that were
not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands;
they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone
and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did
they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or
their thefts.
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven.
He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the
sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a
little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea
and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like
the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And
when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from
heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it
down." 5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea
and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he
swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that
is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it,
and said, "There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days
when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will
be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets." 8 Then
the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take
the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea
and on the land." 9 So I went to the angel and asked him
to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will
turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." 10 I
took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as
honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then
I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations,
languages and kings."
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told,
"Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers
there. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it,
because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city
for 42 months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses,
and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These
are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of
the earth. 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from
their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm
them must die. 6 These men have power to shut up the sky so
that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power
to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague
as often as they want. 7 Now when they have finished their
testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and
overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the street
of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also
their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days men from
every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse
them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over
them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets
had tormented those who live on the earth. 11 But after the
three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on
their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they
heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And
they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.13 At
that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed.
Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were
terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second
woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. 15 The seventh
angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." 16 And the
twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their
faces and worshiped God,17 saying: "We give thanks to you,
Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your
great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were
angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for
rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence
your name, both small and great-- and for destroying those who destroy the
earth." 19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and
within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of
lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
Revelation 17
Revelation 17 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
Monday, April 20, 2015
Romans 12
Romans 12 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 89
Revelation 1;
Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4; Revelation 5
·
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show
his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel
to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he
saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed
is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear
it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. 4 John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him
who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his
throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the
firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who
loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and
has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be
glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 7 Look, he is coming
with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and
all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8 "I
am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was,
and who is to come, the Almighty." 9 I, John, your
brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that
are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and
the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the
Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which
said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches:
to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and
Laodicea." 12 I turned around to see the voice that was
speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and
among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a
robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His
head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like
blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a
furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In
his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp
double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When
I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on
me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I
am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I
hold the keys of death and Hades.19 "Write, therefore, what
you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The
mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven
golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These
are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks
among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your
hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men,
that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found
them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships
for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this
against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the
height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its
place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the
practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes,
I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of
God. 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These
are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life
again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are
rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a
synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about
to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you,
and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of
death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will
not be hurt at all by the second death. 12 "To the angel
of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp,
double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live--where Satan has
his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in
me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in
your city--where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few
things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam,
who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to
idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you
also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent
therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with
the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the
hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it. 18 "To the angel of
the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes
are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I
know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that
you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless,
I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a
prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and
the eating of food sacrificed to idols.21 I have given her time to
repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will
cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with
her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I
will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who
searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your
deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who
do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets
(I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on
to what you have until I come. 26 To him who overcomes and
does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-- 27 'He
will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'
-- just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will
also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These
are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I
know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.2 Wake
up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your
deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore,
what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake
up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to
you.4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their
clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He
who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his
name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and
his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. 7 "To the angel of the church in
Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds
the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can
open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an
open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you
have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those
who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not,
but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge
that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to
endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to
come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I
am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him
who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he
leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my
God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I
will also write on him my new name. 13 He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 14 "To the
angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I
know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one
or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor
cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.17 You say, 'I am
rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize
that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I
counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich;
and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve
to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I
rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I
am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who
overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I
overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door
standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a
trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place
after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there
before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And
the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling
an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne
were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.
They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From
the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before
the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also
before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were
covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living
creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like
a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living
creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his
wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE Lord
GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS, AND IS, AND IS TO COME." 9 Whenever
the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne
and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders
fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever
and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 "You
are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you
created all things, and by your will they were created and have their
being."
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne
a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And
I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break
the seals and open the scroll?" 3 But no one in heaven or
on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I
wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or
look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not
weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He
is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." 6 Then I
saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the
throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven
horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the
earth. 7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of
him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the
four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.
Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which
are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were
slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and
language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a
kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." 11 Then
I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon
thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and
the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they
sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and
wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" 13 Then
I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the
sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and
to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14 The
four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and
worshiped.
Revelation 16
Revelation 16 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 16
The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."
2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."
7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Revelation 16
The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."
2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."
7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Romans 11
Romans 11 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 11
The Remnant of Israel
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"[a]? 4 And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear,
to this very day."[c]
9 And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."[d]
Ingrafted Branches
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them when I take away their sins."[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"[j]
35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?"[k]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11
The Remnant of Israel
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"[a]? 4 And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear,
to this very day."[c]
9 And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."[d]
Ingrafted Branches
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them when I take away their sins."[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"[j]
35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?"[k]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 88
2 John 1; 3 John 1
1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I
love in the truth--and not I only, but also all who know the truth-- 2 because
of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace,
mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son,
will be with us in truth and love. 4 It has given me great joy
to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father
commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new
command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And
this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from
the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 7 Many
deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have
gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch
out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded
fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the
teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has
both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and
does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone
who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. 12 I have much to
write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit
you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The
children of your chosen sister send their greetings.
1 The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the
truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health
and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It
gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness
to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4 I
have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Dear
friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though
they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about
your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of
God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out,
receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to
show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. 9 I
wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing
to do with us. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what
he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he
refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts
them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is
evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who
does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well
spoken of by everyone--and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him,
and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I have much to
write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I
hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends
here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
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