Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 85
2 Timothy 1; 2 Timothy
2; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Timothy 4
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To
Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ
Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers
did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my
prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I
may be filled with joy. 5 I have been reminded of your sincere
faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice
and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the
laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of
timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So
do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But
join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who
has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done
but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ
Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been
revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed
death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And
of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That
is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have
believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to
him for that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the
pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard
the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy
Spirit who lives in us. 15 You know that everyone in the
province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May
the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed
me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when
he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May
the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very
well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence
of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach
others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of
Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in
civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly,
if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless
he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer
should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect
on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 8 Remember
Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my
gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being
chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10 Therefore
I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the
salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here
is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if
we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown
us; 13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he
cannot disown himself. 14 Keep reminding them of these things.
Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and
only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and
who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless
chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more
ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among
them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away
from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and
they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God's solid
foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows
those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord
must turn away from wickedness." 20 In a large house
there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some
are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man
cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes,
made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee
the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don't
have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they
produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel;
instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those
who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them
repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and
that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who
has taken them captive to do his will.
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last
days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful,
unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without
self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous,
rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having
a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 6 They
are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed
women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil
desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the
truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also
these men oppose the truth--men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is
concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far
because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to
everyone. 10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way
of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions,
sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra,
the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In
fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad
to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you,
continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you
know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy
you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge
the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give
you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and
out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful
instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up
with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather
around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to
hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn
aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations,
endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your
ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink
offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to
all who have longed for his appearing. 9 Do your best to come
to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has
deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and
Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring
him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I
sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak
that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the
parchments. 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal
of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You
too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our
message. 16 At my first defense, no one came to my support,
but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But
the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message
might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was
delivered from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me
from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him
be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19 Greet Priscilla and
Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in
Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best
to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia
and all the brothers. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace
be with you.
Ephesians 2
Ephesians 2 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 2
Made Alive in Christ
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
Ephesians 2
Made Alive in Christ
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the 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.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 84
Hebrews 11; Hebrews
12; Hebrews 13
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended
for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at
God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4 By
faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was
commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by
faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5 By faith
Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could
not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was
commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is
impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he
exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 7 By
faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to
save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the
righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when
called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and
went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By
faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign
country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of
the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city
with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By
faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was
enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the
promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,
came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the
sand on the seashore. 13 All these people were still living by
faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw
them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens
and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show
that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they
had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity
to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country--a
heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has
prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested
him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about
to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said
to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be
reckoned." 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the
dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. 20 By
faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21By
faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as
he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when
his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave
instructions about his bones. 23 By faith Moses' parents hid
him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary
child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By
faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's
daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people
of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He
regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures
of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By
faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw
him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the
sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the
firstborn of Israel. 29 By faith the people passed through the
Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were
drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the
people had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the
prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who
were disobedient. 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have
time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the
prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms,
administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of
lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the
edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became
powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women
received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and
refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some
faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in
prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were
put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,
destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- 38 the world was not
worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes
in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith,
yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had
planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be
made perfect.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud
of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter
of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider
him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow
weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have
not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have
forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son,
do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he
rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7 Endure
hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not
disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and
everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true
sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us
and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of
our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a
little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we
may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the
time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness
and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore,
strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make
level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but
rather healed. 14 Make every effort to live in peace with all
men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See
to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to
cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually
immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance
rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he
wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no
change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. 18 You
have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire;
to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such
a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be
spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was
commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be
stoned." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said,
"I am trembling with fear." 22 But you have come to
Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have
come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to
the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come
to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made
perfect, 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the
sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See
to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they
refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away
from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice
shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only
the earth but also the heavens." 27 The words "once
more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created
things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and
so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our
"God is a consuming fire."
1 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do
not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained
angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if
you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you
yourselves were suffering. 4 Marriage should be honored by
all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all
the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of
money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will
I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with
confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do
to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of
God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their
faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and
forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange
teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by
ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. 10 We
have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to
eat. 11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the
Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the
camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to
make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then,
go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For
here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is
to come. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer
to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And
do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God
is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them
so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no
advantage to you. 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a
clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I
particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. 20 May
the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip
you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is
pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen. 22 Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of
exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. 23 I
want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives
soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your
leaders and all God's people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace
be with you all.
Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God's holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God's holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
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.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 83
Hebrews 7; Hebrews 8;
Hebrews 9; Hebrews 10
1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most
High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed
him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his
name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of
Salem" means "king of peace." 3 Without father
or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like
the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how
great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now
the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth
from the people--that is, their brothers--even though their brothers are
descended from Abraham. 6This man, however, did not trace his
descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who
had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser person is
blessed by the greater.8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by
men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One
might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through
Abraham,10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in
the body of his ancestor. 11 If perfection could have been attained
through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to
the people), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the
order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when
there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the
law. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a
different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For
it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses
said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even
more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one
who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but
on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it
is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of
Melchizedek." 18 The former regulation is set aside
because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing
perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. 20 And
it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but
he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.' " 22 Because
of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now
there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from
continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he
has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save
completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to
intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need--one
who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the
heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to
offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins
of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered
himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are
weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been
made perfect forever.
1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a
high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in
heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle
set up by the Lord, not by man. 3 Every high priest is
appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this
one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he
would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed
by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and
shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to
build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the
pattern shown you on the mountain." 6 But the ministry
Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is
mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better
promises. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that
first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But
God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares
the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the
house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with
their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because
they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will make with
the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in
their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will
be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a
man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from
the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their
wickedness and will remember their sins no more." 13 By
calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and
what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
1 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and
also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its
first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was
called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room
called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of
incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold
jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the
covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,
overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail
now. 6 When everything had been arranged like this, the
priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But
only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and
never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people
had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by
this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long
as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is an
illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices
being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They
are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external
regulations applying until the time of the new order. 11 When
Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went
through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is
to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by
means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once
for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The
blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are
ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How
much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to
death, so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason
Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive
the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them
free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 16 In
the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made
it, 17because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it
never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This
is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When
Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took
the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop,
and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said,
"This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to
keep." 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood
both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In
fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and
without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 It
was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with
these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices
than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary
that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear
for us in God's presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer
himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place
every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ
would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he
has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the
sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once,
and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed
once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time,
not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are
coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same
sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near
to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered?
For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer
have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an
annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the
blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when
Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not
desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings
and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, 'Here I
am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'
" 8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt
offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with
them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then
he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the
first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have
been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for
all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his
religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can
never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for
all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since
that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because
by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.15 The
Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This
is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will
put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then
he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And
where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore,
brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of
Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the
curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great
priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a
sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to
cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure
water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for
he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not
give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If
we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the
truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful
expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of
God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without
mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much
more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the
Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the
covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For
we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and
again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a
dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 Remember
those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground
in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you
were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side
by side with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized
with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,
because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So
do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You
need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive
what he has promised. 37 For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 But my
righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased
with him." 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and
are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
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