Monday, October 19, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 26
Luke 12; Luke 13
1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had
gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak
first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the
Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed
that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What
you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have
whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the
roofs. 4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of
those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I
will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the
body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are
not five sparrows sold for two pennies ? Yet not one of them is forgotten by
God.7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't
be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 8 "I
tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also
acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9 But he who disowns
me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And
everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone
who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 "When
you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about
how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for
the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." 13 Someone
in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance
with me." 14 Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a
judge or an arbiter between you?" 15 Then he said to
them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's
life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."16 And
he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a
good crop. 17 He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have
no place to store my crops.' 18 "Then he said, 'This is
what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will
store all my grain and my goods.19 And I'll say to myself,
"You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy;
eat, drink and be merry." ' 20 "But God said to him,
'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will
get what you have prepared for yourself ?' 21 "This is
how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich
toward God." 22 Then Jesus said to his disciples:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or
about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than
food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens:
They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.
And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you
by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 26 Since you
cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 "Consider
how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.28 If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of
little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will
eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world
runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But
seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do
not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the
kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide
purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will
not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35 "Be
dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like
men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he
comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It
will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.
I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at
the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good
for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the
second or third watch of the night.39 But understand this: If the
owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not
have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready,
because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect
him." 41 Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this
parable to us, or to everyone?" 42 The Lord answered,
"Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge
of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It
will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he
returns. 44 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of
all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to
himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to
beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The
master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an
hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with
the unbelievers.47 "That servant who knows his master's will
and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with
many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things
deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with
much, much more will be asked. 49 "I have come to bring
fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But
I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is
completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No,
I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in
one family divided against each other, three against two and two against
three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son
against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against
mother-in-law." 54 He said to the crowd: "When you
see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and
it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's
going to be hot,' and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to
interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't
know how to interpret this present time?57 "Why don't you
judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with
your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way,
or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the
officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you,
you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. "
1 Now there were some present at that time who
told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their
sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these
Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered
this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too
will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower
in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others
living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent,
you too will all perish." 6 Then he told this parable:
"A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for
fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who
took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for
fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up
the soil?' 8 " 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone
for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If
it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' " 10On
a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and
a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was
bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus
saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free
from your infirmity." 13Then he put his hands on her, and
immediately she straightened up and praised God. 14 Indignant
because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the
people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days,
not on the Sabbath." 15 The Lord answered him, "You
hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the
stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not
this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long
years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" 17 When
he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted
with all the wonderful things he was doing. 18 Then Jesus
asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It
is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and
became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." 20 Again
he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?21 It is
like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it
worked all through the dough." 22 Then Jesus went through
the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone
asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said
to them,24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow
door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able
to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the
door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for
us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' 26 "Then
you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27 "But
he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you
evildoers!' 28 "There will be weeping there, and gnashing
of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the
kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will
come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the
feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are
last who will be first, and first who will be last." 31 At
that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place
and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." 32 He
replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today
and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' 33 In
any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no
prophet can die outside Jerusalem! 34 "O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I
have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under
her wings, but you were not willing! 35 Look, your house is
left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say,
'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' "
Revelation 20
Revelation 20 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 20
The Thousand Years
1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
The Judgment of Satan
7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20
The Thousand Years
1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
The Judgment of Satan
7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
2 Corinthians 11
2 Corinthians 11 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 Corinthians 11
Paul and the False Apostles
1 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles."[a] 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
2 Corinthians 11
Paul and the False Apostles
1 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles."[a] 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Revelation 19
Revelation 19 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 19
Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon's Fall
1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
"Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."
3 And again they shouted: "Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!"
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants,
you who fear him, both great and small!"
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)
9 Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" And he added, "These are the true words of God."
10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."
The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small."
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Revelation 19
Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon's Fall
1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
"Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."
3 And again they shouted: "Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!"
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants,
you who fear him, both great and small!"
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)
9 Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" And he added, "These are the true words of God."
10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."
The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small."
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
2 Corinthians 10
2 Corinthians 10 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 Corinthians 10
Paul's Defense of His Ministry
1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
7 You are judging by appearances.[a] If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else's territory. 17 But, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."[b] 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10
Paul's Defense of His Ministry
1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
7 You are judging by appearances.[a] If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else's territory. 17 But, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."[b] 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Revelation 18
Revelation 18 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 18
Lament Over Fallen Babylon
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
"'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!'[a] She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Warning to Escape Babylon's Judgment
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
"'Come out of her, my people,'[b] so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts, 'I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;[c] I will never mourn.'
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
Threefold Woe Over Babylon's Fall
9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
"'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!'
11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'
20 "Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you."
The Finality of Babylon's Doom
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:
"With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world's important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth."
Revelation 18
Lament Over Fallen Babylon
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
"'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!'[a] She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Warning to Escape Babylon's Judgment
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
"'Come out of her, my people,'[b] so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts, 'I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;[c] I will never mourn.'
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
Threefold Woe Over Babylon's Fall
9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
"'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!'
11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'
20 "Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you."
The Finality of Babylon's Doom
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:
"With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world's important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth."
Friday, October 16, 2015
Oct 16: Russia, Far Eastern Federal District | Operation World
Oct 16: Russia, Far Eastern Federal District | Operation World
click on the link to get more information.
click on the link to get more information.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 25
John 10:22-42; Luke 10; Luke
11
22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at
Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area
walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around
him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the
Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered, "I did
tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak
for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my
sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they
follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never
perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father,
who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my
Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." 31 Again
the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to
them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of
these do you stone me?" 33 "We are not stoning you
for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you,
a mere man, claim to be God." 34 Jesus answered them,
"Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods' ?35 If
he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came--and the Scripture cannot
be broken-- 36what about the one whom the Father set apart as his
very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy
because I said, 'I am God's Son'? 37 Do not believe me unless
I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you
do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that
the Father is in me, and I in the Father." 39 Again they
tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. 40 Then Jesus
went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the
early days. Here he stayed 41 and many people came to him.
They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John
said about this man was true." 42 And in that place many
believed in Jesus.
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two
others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he
was about to go. 2 He told them, "The harvest is
plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to
send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending
you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag
or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 "When
you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' 6 If a
man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to
you. 7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they
give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to
house.8 "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is
set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them,
'The kingdom of God is near you.' 10 But when you enter a town
and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 'Even
the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be
sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.' 12 I tell you, it
will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 13 "Woe
to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed
in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago,
sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more
bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And
you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the
depths.16 "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects
you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." 17 The
seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to
us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall
like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to
trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy;
nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the
spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in
heaven." 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the
Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed
them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 22 "All
things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is
except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those
to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." 23 Then he turned
to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what
you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted
to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not
hear it." 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood
up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to
inherit eternal life?" 26 "What is written in the
Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27 He
answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.' " 28 "You have answered
correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 29 But
he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my
neighbor?" 30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going
down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They
stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half
dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and
when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So
too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other
side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man
was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to
him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on
his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The
next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look
after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra
expense you may have.' 36 "Which of these three do you
think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37 The
expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told
him, "Go and do likewise." 38 As Jesus and his
disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha
opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who
sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But
Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to
him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the
work by myself ? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha,
Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many
things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what
is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 9 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 Corinthians 9
1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord's people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
"They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."[a]
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9
1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord's people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
"They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."[a]
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
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."
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Oct 15: Russia, Urals Federal District, Siberian Federal District | Operation World
Oct 15: Russia, Urals Federal District, Siberian Federal District | Operation World
Click on the link to get more information.
Click on the link to get more information.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 24
John 9; John 10:1-21
1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from
birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned,
this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither
this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so
that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long
as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no
one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the
world." 6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made
some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go,"
he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So
the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors
and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same
man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some claimed that he was.
Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted,
"I am the man." 10 "How then were your eyes
opened?" they demanded. 11 He replied, "The man they
call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and
wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." 12 "Where
is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said. 13 They
brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now
the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a
Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had
received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied,
"and I washed, and now I see." 16 Some of the
Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the
Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous
signs?" So they were divided. 17 Finally they turned
again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes
he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet." 18 The
Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight
until they sent for the man's parents. 19 "Is this your
son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it
that now he can see?" 20 "We know he is our
son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. 21 But
how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of
age; he will speak for himself." 22 His parents said this
because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that
anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the
synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, "He is of
age; ask him." 24 A second time they summoned the man who
had been blind. "Give glory to God, " they said. "We know this
man is a sinner." 25 He replied, "Whether he is a
sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I
see!" 26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to
you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered, "I
have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again?
Do you want to become his disciples, too?" 28 Then they
hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are
disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as
for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from." 30 The
man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from,
yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to
sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody
has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If
this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 To
this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture
us!" And they threw him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had
thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son
of Man?" 36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked.
"Tell me so that I may believe in him." 37 Jesus
said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with
you." 38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe,"
and he worshiped him.39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come
into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become
blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say
this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 41 Jesus
said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you
claim you can see, your guilt remains.
1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does
not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a
thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the
shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and
the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them
out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead
of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But
they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because
they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used
this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling
them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the
truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before
me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I
am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go
out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and
kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the
full. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays
down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the
shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the
sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.13 The
man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 "I
am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just
as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the
sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I
must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one
flock and one shepherd.17 The reason my Father loves me is that I
lay down my life--only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it
from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down
and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my
Father." 19 At these words the Jews were again
divided. 20Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and
raving mad. Why listen to him?" 21 But others said,
"These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open
the eyes of the blind?"
2 Corinthians 8
2 Corinthians 8 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 Corinthians 8
The Collection for the Lord's People
1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."[b]
Titus Sent to Receive the Collection
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
2 Corinthians 8
The Collection for the Lord's People
1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."[b]
Titus Sent to Receive the Collection
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
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.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 23
John 7; John 8
1 Later Jesus was going about his business in
Galilee. He didn't want to travel in Judea because the Jews there were looking
for a chance to kill him. 2 It was near the time of
Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews. 3 His
brothers said, "Why don't you leave here and go up to the Feast so your
disciples can get a good look at the works you do? 4 No one
who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you're
serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the
world." 5 His brothers were pushing him like this because
they didn't believe in him either. 6 Jesus came back at them,
"Don't crowd me. This isn't my time. It's your time - it's always your
time; you have nothing to lose. 7 The world has nothing
against you, but it's up in arms against me. It's against me because I expose
the evil behind its pretensions. 8 You go ahead, go up to the
Feast. Don't wait for me. I'm not ready. It's not the right time for
me." 9 He said this and stayed on in Galilee. 10But
later, after his family had gone up to the Feast, he also went. But he kept out
of the way, careful not to draw attention to himself. 11 The
Jews were already out looking for him, asking around, "Where is that
man?" 12 There was a lot of contentious talk about him
circulating through the crowds. Some were saying, "He's a good man."
But others said, "Not so. He's selling snake oil." 13 This
kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish
leaders. 14 With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up
in the Temple, teaching. 15 The Jews were impressed, but
puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?" 16 Jesus
said, "I didn't make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent
me. 17 Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching
and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up. 18 A
person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to
honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn't tamper with
reality. 19 It was Moses, wasn't it, who gave you God's Law?
But none of you are living it. So why are you trying to kill me?" 20 The
crowd said, "You're crazy! Who's trying to kill you? You're
demon-possessed." 21 Jesus said, "I did one
miraculous thing a few months ago, and you're still standing around getting all
upset, wondering what I'm up to. 22 Moses prescribed
circumcision - originally it came not from Moses but from his ancestors - and
so you circumcise a man, dealing with one part of his body, even if it's the
Sabbath. 23 You do this in order to preserve one item in the
Law of Moses. So why are you upset with me because I made a man's whole body
well on the Sabbath? 24Don't be nitpickers; use your head - and
heart! - to discern what is right, to test what is authentically
right." 25 That's when some of the people of Jerusalem
said, "Isn't this the one they were out to kill?26 And here he
is out in the open, saying whatever he pleases, and no one is stopping him.
Could it be that the rulers know that he is, in fact, the Messiah? 27 And
yet we know where this man came from. The Messiah is going to come out of
nowhere. Nobody is going to know where he comes from." 28That
provoked Jesus, who was teaching in the Temple, to cry out, "Yes, you
think you know me and where I'm from, but that's not where I'm from. I didn't
set myself up in business. My true origin is in the One who sent me, and you
don't know him at all. 29 I come from him - that's how I know
him. He sent me here." 30 They were looking for a way to
arrest him, but not a hand was laid on him because it wasn't yet God's
time. 31 Many from the crowd committed themselves in faith to
him, saying, "Will the Messiah, when he comes, provide better or more
convincing evidence than this?" 32 The Pharisees, alarmed
at this seditious undertow going through the crowd, teamed up with the high
priests and sent their police to arrest him. 33 Jesus rebuffed
them: "I am with you only a short time. Then I go on to the One who sent
me. 34 You will look for me, but you won't find me. Where I
am, you can't come." 35The Jews put their heads together.
"Where do you think he is going that we won't be able to find him? Do you
think he is about to travel to the Greek world to teach the Jews? 36 What
is he talking about, anyway: 'You will look for me, but you won't find me,' and
'Where I am, you can't come'?" 37 On the final and
climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone
thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Rivers of living
water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this
way, just as the Scripture says." 39 (He said this in
regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The
Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.) 40 Those
in the crowd who heard these words were saying, "This has to be the
Prophet." 41 Others said, "He is the Messiah!"
But others were saying, "The Messiah doesn't come from Galilee, does
he? 42 Don't the Scriptures tell us that the Messiah comes
from David's line and from Bethlehem, David's village?" 43 So
there was a split in the crowd over him. 44 Some went so far
as wanting to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him. 45 That's
when the Temple police reported back to the high priests and Pharisees, who
demanded, "Why didn't you bring him with you?" 46 The
police answered, "Have you heard the way he talks? We've never heard
anyone speak like this man." 47The Pharisees said, "Are
you carried away like the rest of the rabble? 48 You don't see
any of the leaders believing in him, do you? Or any from the Pharisees? 49 It's
only this crowd, ignorant of God's Law, that is taken in by him - and
damned." 50 Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus
earlier and was both a ruler and a Pharisee, spoke up. 51 "Does
our Law decide about a man's guilt without first listening to him and finding
out what he is doing?" 52 But they cut him off. "Are
you also campaigning for the Galilean? 53 Examine the
evidence. See if any prophet ever comes from Galilee." Then they all went
home.
1 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, 2 but
he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down
and taught them. 3 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in
a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain
sight of everyone 4 and said, "Teacher, this woman was
caught red-handed in the act of adultery. 5 Moses, in the Law,
gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" 6 They
were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring
charges against him. 7 They kept at him, badgering him. He
straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the
stone." 8 Bending down again, he wrote some more in the
dirt. 9 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another,
beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. 10 Jesus
stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn
you?" 11 "No one, Master." "Neither do
I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin." You're
Missing God in All This 12 Jesus once again addressed them:
"I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the
darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." 13 The
Pharisees objected, "All we have is your word on this. We need more than
this to go on."14 Jesus replied, "You're right that you
only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I've come
from and where I go next. You don't know where I'm from or where I'm
headed. 15You decide according to what you can see and touch. I
don't make judgments like that. 16 But even if I did, my
judgment would be true because I wouldn't make it out of the narrowness of my
experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father. 17 That
fulfills the conditions set down in God's Law: that you can count on the
testimony of two witnesses. 18 And that is what you have: You
have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me." 19 They
said, "Where is this so-called Father of yours?" Jesus said,
"You're looking right at me and you don't see me. How do you expect to see
the Father? If you knew me, you would at the same time know the
Father." 20 He gave this speech in the Treasury while
teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him because his time wasn't yet
up. 21Then he went over the same ground again. "I'm leaving
and you are going to look for me, but you're missing God in this and are headed
for a dead end. There is no way you can come with me." 22 The
Jews said, "So, is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by 'You
can't come with me'?" 23Jesus said, "You're tied down to
the mundane; I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms
of what you see and touch. I'm living on other terms. 24 I
told you that you were missing God in all this. You're at a dead end. If you
won't believe I am who I say I am, you're at the dead end of sins. You're
missing God in your lives." 25 They said to him,
"Just who are you anyway?" 26 I have so many things
to say that concern you, judgments to make that affect you, but if you don't
accept the trustworthiness of the One who commanded my words and acts, none of
it matters. That is who you are questioning - not me but the One who sent
me." 27 They still didn't get it, didn't realize that he
was referring to the Father. 28 So Jesus tried again.
"When you raise up the Son of Man, then you will know who I am - that I'm
not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught me. 29 The
One who sent me stays with me. He doesn't abandon me. He sees how much joy I
take in pleasing him." 30When he put it in these terms, many
people decided to believe. 31 Then Jesus turned to the Jews
who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out
what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. 32 Then you
will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free
you." 33 Surprised, they said, "But we're
descendants of Abraham. We've never been slaves to anyone. How can you say,
'The truth will free you'?" 34 Jesus said, "I tell
you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a
dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. 35 A slave is a
transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established
position, the run of the house. 36 So if the Son sets you
free, you are free through and through. 37 I know you are
Abraham's descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because
my message hasn't yet penetrated your thick skulls. 38 I'm
talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you
just go on doing what you have heard from your father." 39 They
were indignant. "Our father is Abraham!" 40 And yet
here you are trying to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth he got
straight from God! Abraham never did that sort of thing. 41 You
persist in repeating the works of your father." They said, "We're not
bastards. We have a legitimate father: the one and only God." 42 "If
God was your father," said Jesus, "you would love me, for I came from
God and arrived here. I didn't come on my own. He sent me. 43 Why
can't you understand one word I say? Here's why: You can't handle it. 44 You're
from your father, the Devil, and all you want to do is please him. He was a
killer from the very start. He couldn't stand the truth because there wasn't a
shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying
nature and fills the world with lies. 45 I arrive on the
scene, tell you the plain truth, and you refuse to have a thing to do with
me. 46 Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading
word, a single sinful act? But if I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe
me? 47 Anyone on God's side listens to God's words. This is
why you're not listening - because you're not on God's side." 48 The
Jews then said, "That clinches it. We were right all along when we called
you a Samaritan and said you were crazy - demon-possessed!"49 Jesus
said, "I'm not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor
me. 50 I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends
something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it
about. 51 I say this with absolute confidence. If you practice
what I'm telling you, you'll never have to look death in the face." 52 At
this point the Jews said, "Now we know you're crazy. Abraham died. The
prophets died. And you show up saying, 'If you practice what I'm telling you,
you'll never have to face death, not even a taste.' 53 Are you
greater than Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you think you
are!" 54 Jesus said, "If I turned the spotlight on
myself, it wouldn't amount to anything. But my Father, the same One you say is
your Father, put me here at this time and place of splendor. 55 You
haven't recognized him in this. But I have. If I, in false modesty, said I
didn't know what was going on, I would be as much of a liar as you are. But I
do know, and I am doing what he says. 56 Abraham - your
'father' - with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw my
day coming. He saw it and cheered." 57 The Jews said,
"You're not even fifty years old - and Abraham saw you?" 58 "Believe
me," said Jesus, "I am who I am long before Abraham was
anything." 59 That did it - pushed them over the edge.
They picked up rocks to throw at him. But Jesus slipped away, getting out of
the Temple.
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