Saturday, July 18, 2015
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."
Galatians 6
Galatians 6 (New International Version, ©2010)
Galatians 6
Doing Good to All
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Not Circumcision but the New Creation
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Galatians 6
Doing Good to All
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Not Circumcision but the New Creation
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Galatians 5
Galatians 5 (New International Version, ©2010)
Galatians 5
Freedom in Christ
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5
Freedom in Christ
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 52
Acts 13; Acts 14
1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought
up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So
after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them
off. 4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,
went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When
they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish
synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6 They
traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a
Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was
an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent
man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But
Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to
turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also
called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 "You
are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full
of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right
ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you.
You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light
of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped
about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the
proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching
about the Lord. 13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed
to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14From
Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the
synagogue and sat down.15 After the reading from the Law and the
Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if
you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." 16 Standing
up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles
who worship God, listen to me! 17The God of the people of Israel
chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with
mighty power he led them out of that country, 18 he endured
their conduct for about forty years in the desert, 19 he
overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their
inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. "After
this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then
the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of
Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he
made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of
Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' 23 "From
this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he
promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached
repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John
was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one.
No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' 26 "Brothers,
children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this
message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem
and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled
the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though
they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him
executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written
about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But
God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen
by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his
witnesses to our people. 32 "We tell you the good news:
What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us,
their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:
" 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. ' 34 The
fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these
words: " 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' 35 So
it is stated elsewhere: " 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' 36 "For
when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he
was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. 37But the one
whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38 "Therefore,
my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is
proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is
justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40 Take
care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41 "
'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your
days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.' "42 As
Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak
further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the
congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in
the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw
the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what
Paul was saying. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them
boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it
and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the
Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
" 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation
to the ends of the earth.' " 48 When the Gentiles heard
this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were
appointed for eternal life believed.49 The word of the Lord spread through
the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing
women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So
they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to
Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with
the Holy Spirit.
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.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 51
Acts 11; Acts 12
1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that
the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when
Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and
said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with
them." 4 Peter began and explained everything to them
precisely as it had happened: 5 "I was in the city of
Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large
sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where
I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the
earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I
heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8 "I
replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my
mouth.' 9 "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do
not call anything impure that God has made clean.' 10 This
happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 "Right
then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where
I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation
about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the
man's house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in
his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He
will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be
saved.' 15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on
them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I
remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave them the
same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to
think that I could oppose God?" 18 When they heard this,
they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has
granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life." 19 Now
those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen
traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to
Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene,
went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news
about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a
great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News
of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to
Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace
of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all
their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit
and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then
Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found
him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with
the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called
Christians first at Antioch. 27 During this time some prophets
came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named
Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would
spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of
Claudius.) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability,
decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30 This
they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who
belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had
James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When
he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This
happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 After
arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four
squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial
after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the
church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night
before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two
soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly
an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on
the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains
fell off Peter's wrists.8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on
your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around
you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed
him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was
really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They
passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the
city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had
walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then
Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord
sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the
Jewish people were anticipating." 12When this had dawned on
him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where
many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at
the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When
she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening
it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" 15 "You're
out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so,
they said, "It must be his angel." 16 But Peter kept
on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter
motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had
brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this,"
he said, and then he left for another place. 18 In the
morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become
of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him
and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be
executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He
had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together
and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a
trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they
depended on the king's country for their food supply. 21 On the
appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a
public address to the people. 22 They shouted, "This is
the voice of a god, not of a man." 23 Immediately,
because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down,
and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God
continued to increase and spread. 25 When Barnabas and Saul
had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them
John, also called Mark.
Galatians 4
Galatians 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
Galatians 4
1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,[c] Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: "Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."[e]
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."[f] 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Galatians 4
1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,[c] Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: "Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."[e]
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."[f] 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Revelation 15
Revelation 15 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 15
Seven Angels With Seven Plagues
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God's wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."[b]
5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Revelation 15
Seven Angels With Seven Plagues
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God's wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."[b]
5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 49
Acts 7; Acts 8:1-40
1 Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges
true?" 2 To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers,
listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was
still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. 3 'Leave your
country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.'4 "So
he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his
father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. 5 He
gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him
that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at
that time Abraham had no child. 6 God spoke to him in this
way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they
will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 7 But I
will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they
will come out of that country and worship me in this place.' 8 Then
he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of
Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the
father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. 9 "Because
the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But
God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He
gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of
Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. 11 "Then
a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers
could not find food. 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain
in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. 13 On
their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned
about Joseph's family. 14 After this, Joseph sent for his
father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. 15 Then
Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. 16Their
bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had
bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. 17 "As
the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our
people in Egypt greatly increased. 18 Then another king, who
knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. 19 He dealt
treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to
throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. 20"At
that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was
cared for in his father's house. 21 When he was placed
outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22 Moses
was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and
action. 23 "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to
visit his fellow Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being
mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing
the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would
realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The
next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to
reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each
other?' 27 "But the man who was mistreating the other
pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us?28 Do
you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' 29 When
Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had
two sons. 30 "After forty years had passed, an angel
appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount
Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he
went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 32 'I
am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses
trembled with fear and did not dare to look. 33 "Then the
Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is
holy ground. 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people
in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now
come, I will send you back to Egypt.' 35 "This is the
same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and
judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the
angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of
Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for
forty years in the desert. 37 "This is that Moses who
told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own
people.' 38 He was in the assembly in the desert, with the
angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received
living words to pass on to us. 39 "But our fathers
refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back
to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before
us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt--we don't know what has
happened to him!' 41 That was the time they made an idol in
the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in
honor of what their hands had made. 42 But God turned away and
gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is
written in the book of the prophets: " 'Did you bring me sacrifices and
offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?43 You have
lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you
made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile' beyond Babylon. 44 "Our
forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had
been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 Having
received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when
they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in
the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God's favor
and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But
it was Solomon who built the house for him. 48 "However,
the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: 49 "
'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will
you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?50 Has
not my hand made all these things?' 51 "You stiff-necked
people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You
always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet
your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming
of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- 53 you
who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not
obeyed it." 54 When they heard this, they were furious
and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the
Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said,
"I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of
God." 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at
the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged
him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their
clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they
were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then
he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against
them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that
day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all
except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly
men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul
began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and
women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered
preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a
city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the
crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close
attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came
out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So
there was great joy in that city. 9 Now for some time a man
named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of
Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the
people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This
man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11 They
followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But
when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon
himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere,
astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 14 When the
apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they
sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed
for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because
the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been
baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and
John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When
Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he
offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this
ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy
Spirit." 20 Peter answered: "May your money perish
with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You
have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before
God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.
Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For
I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." 24 Then
Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may
happen to me." 25 When they had testified and proclaimed
the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the
gospel in many Samaritan villages. 26Now an angel of the Lord said
to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from
Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way
he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury
of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and
on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the
prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot
and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot
and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you
are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he
said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to
come up and sit with him. 32 The eunuch was reading this
passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a
lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In
his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."34 The eunuch asked
Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or
someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very
passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As
they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said,
"Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And
he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down
into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up
out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the
eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip,
however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the
towns until he reached Caesarea.
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