Living Word Magazine October 2012

Living Word Magazine

If any man is in Christ he is a new creation.

(2 Corinthians 5:17) Go Deeper into God’s Word Issue 15 October 2012

Free Bible Studies from Reinhard Bonnke, Derek Williams, Arfon Lloyd Thomas, Mathew Bartlett, Edwin & Lillian Harvey & more!

Bible Studies Online International

www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk JOB 12:10 (NET) IN WHOSE HAND IS THE LIFE OF EVERY CREATURE ©Photos above Marafilm CoverDanilo Ascione photo Back cover Peter Saharov

In this month’s issue: 2.

Once a Son Always a Son

3.

Rebuilding the Walls Part 7

Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK)

5.

The Holy Spirit (2)

Reinhard Bonnke (CfaN)

7.

Await God’s Appointment

8.

The Prophecy of Amos Chapter 6

10.

Reader’s Article: Prayer

11.

The Struggles of the Soul (Psalm 13)

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

14.

The Message of Mark (1)

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

17.

The Book of Esther (1)

20.

Take and Use Home Bible Study

22.

In Depth Study – Revelation Chapter 20

Ken Legg (Australia)

Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA) Mathew Bartlett (UK) Isaac Mwagi (KENYA)

Derek Williams (UK) Mathew Bartlett (UK) Derek Williams (UK)

©Photos Above © Photoquest. Cover: © Katlyn Left © from top: Tarragona,Mrs Pants, Paul Prescott, Jorisfo,.Sebastian Grecu,Zoom-zoom Back Cover: Lori Martin.

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IN THIS ISSUE

Once A Son, Always A Son

By Ken Legg (Grace Roots #81) Image: © Tarragona

I am often asked the question. “Do you believe ‘once saved, always saved’?” My reply is, “I prefer to say, ‘once a son, always a son.’”

Christians are born again, and it’s impossible to be unborn. At times I may be a bad son or a rebellious son, but I am still a son.

When we were saved the Father gave us to the Son for safe-keeping.

Jesus promises, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (Jn.6:37). The term, ‘by no means,’ in the Greek language is a strong expression. It is a double negative. Jesus is saying, “Whoever comes to me I will never, no never, cast out.”

Jesus is not only our Saviour, but also our Great High Priest. He makes intercession for us at God’s right hand (see Rom.8:34). We see the high priestly ministry of Jesus in operation in the life of Peter. Just before Peter denied the Lord, Jesus said to him, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan ha s asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail” (Luke 22:31&32).

Peter failed, but Jesus his High Priest prevailed!

All the disciples were likewise given to Jesus by the Father, and He kept each one of them. At the end of His ministry on earth He prayed, “While

I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom Yougave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition...” (Jn.17:12). The son of perdition was Judas. It is clear from the New Testament that Judas was never a true believer. All the other disciples were believers and were kept safe and secure by Jesus’ high priestly ministry.

Jesus made this promise concerning those who are His sheep: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one”(Jn.10:28-29).

We are in Christ’s hand and Christ’s hand is wrapped around by the Father’s hand.

Double Wrapped When I became a Christian, at the age of 13, the pastor who led me to Christ placed a coin in his hand and said, “This is your life.” And then he closed his fist tightly around it. Next, he wrapped his other hand around that one and quoted Colossians 3:3: “…your life is hidden with Christ in God”. He said, “You are doublewrapped. No one can take you away from God!” I once heard a story that dates back to the days of slavery in the United 2

States. A black slave woman who was a believer was sharing with her mistress the confidence she had that she was eternally secure, based

on these verses. She said, “I am in Christ’s hand, and His hand is in the Father’s hand. No one can take me out of Christ’s hand now.” Her mistress was also a Christian, but did not be lieve in eternal security. She said to her, “But you can wriggle out of His hand, if you choose to do so.”

“Oh, but Madam, you don’t understand,” she replied, “I am not just in His hand, I am the little finger of His hand. How can I slip out of His hand when I am a part of His hand?

When we were saved we were joined to Christ so as to become actual members, or parts, of His body. If we perished this would mean a member of Christ’s body would be maimed. Can you imagine the body of Christ in heaven being dismembered, being short of a nose, missing an ear, etc.? The idea is ridiculous.

Dear friend, as a believer you are eternally secure because the Father has given you to the Son for safekeeping. You are safe in His hand!

Please pray for Ken's ministry in Indonesia (Jakarta and Semarang) 23 Sept - 1 October.

PRAYERS OF AGREEMENT NEHEMIAH chapter 9 verses 1-32

By Arfon Lloyd Thomas Photo © Paul Prescott What an amazing picture we have here in this chapter! The Word of God being living and active had a tremendous affect upon the gathered assembly.

The same people who had feasted and enjoyed the wonderful presence of the Lord, now come before Him in sackcloth and dust upon their heads.

This, for them, was an open declaration of their sinful past and a willingness to change.

For three hours they confessed their sins and listened carefully to the Word of God. Then, for a further three hours, they openly praised and worshipped.

What an impressive sight this must have been.

All their sense of inferiority and fear was gone, for they knew and understood that their God was a God of love, compassion and forgiveness.

I believe that we should take note of this very special atmosphere and put this into practice whenever we come before our God. We must learn to focus on Him as our King and Redeemer (Romans 12: 1-2). So

many today come in to worship at the last moment – they rush in and expect to meet with God – but their minds are not yet focused. They have not prepared themselves for God. The Bible has many prayers throughout and here in this section we have one of the greatest prayers found in the Old Testament. As we look at it we soon discover that it begins with worship, adoration and praise that is all grounded in Scripture.

I believe that if we want to build a good and pure wall of praise then we must first put down a good and solid foundation of prayer.

The more our prayers are rooted in God’s Word the more power packed they become. It’s amazing that when God is in the right place then all other things appear in their rightful place as well. The main focus of this prayer was not on the sinfulness of the people, but on the mercy of forgiving grace.

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The Bible tells us that when sin abounds then mercy abounds more.

Therefore, even in our weakness and hopelessness He does not abandon us.

As they begin to review their nation history their hope for the future is renewed. Likewise, whenever we reflect upon what God has done for us in the past, it enables us to have a clearer and more positive perspective of the present and the future. If we desire to be realists then all we need to do is to look and see what God has done.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please aid us to spend more time with you and less time in the World. Help us to corporately worship You with a new found fervour. Forgive us that we so often rush into Your presence filled with our own selfish thoughts. Help us to be more concerned with giving You the glory. Help us to build our lives on Your reflection of the past and the glory of the future. Amen.

One of the essential aspects of Christian living is to corporately come before God in confessional prayer. This means admitting the wrongs – without excuse. Because, if we try to reason and excuse ourselves then that’s not true repentance.

The scene that is set before us must have been very moving. Each leader stood in line to sign a seal of covenant that committed them to keep the Lord’s commands. Surely this kind of commitment and humility could have only come through the clear and anointed exposition of the Word of God. Likewise, great things still happen like this today when the Holy Scriptures are clearly expounded through the power of the Holy Spirit’s anointing.

We close with the thought of the leaders affixing their seals to this written covenant. Making a binding covenant is one thing, keeping it is quite different. We know from History that man’s covenants and promises were often broken with god – and also with other nations.

However, the new covenant that we have today is not signed by man, written on paper, or sealed by human impression. This covenant is given freely by Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father, who, in His mercy and grace has written the binding covenant in His own blood.

The only response we have to make is humble confession. For, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

Thus, when we make our prayers of repentance, Hid agreement is that we should receive freely His forgiveness. We are truly blessed that God keeps His promise.

Christian Counsellor’s Companion from Ken Legg.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember this truth – that confession of sin must contain no excuses and apply it to our lives. Help us, that when we commit our lives to You we are not half-hearted in our actions.

Amen.

Building Walls Worldwide

the

Pastor Arfon Lloyd Thomas is an experienced minister with the Baptist church in the UK and is willing and available to conduct short term mission trips and revival schools both in Great Britain and overseas.

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Provides vital Bible-based counsel on a wide range of life-related issues and lists the main points to cover for various counselling topics.

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The Holy Spirit (Part Two) A Bible Study by Reinhard Bonnke Photo: © Sebastian Grecu

"Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Romans 8:14 The word of knowledge Wisdom and knowledge complement each other. If a special word of knowledge brings to light a particular set of circumstances, a word of wisdom may well also be needed so that it is possible to do what should be done. Four particular aspects define this kind of knowledge.

1. The basic knowledge of God, which can only occur by revelation through his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible calls it “understanding”, implying an intimate, living relationship with God. 2. A deeper heart-grasp of the word of God. 3. A divinely inspired sense of what is right and wrong or wise and foolish in life.

4. The Father knows all things, and those who know him may have his

confidence and share a little of what he sees.

This type of knowledge cannot be obtained by study. It is given by the Holy Spirit to our human spirit and is to be acted upon by our renewed mind. It is not a permanent possession; rather, it is essential for the moment. Studying the Bible prepares our hearts and minds to be open to receive a word of knowledge through Holy Spirit inspiration (2 Timothy 2:15).

The gift of faith Four kinds of faith can be identified: 1. Common faith – possessed by all people.

2. Saving faith – a gift, as evidenced in Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” 3. One of the fruit of the Spirit; everincreasing faith.

4. Faith that gives power; the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The latter, like the other gifts of the Spirit, is temporary and is released to meet the needs of the moment.

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As with the other gifts, a daily spiritual walk is essential to its operation. It is a manifestation of the Spirit and demonstrates the supernatural might of God. It is useless to exhort congregations to exercise faith on that level. They cannot have mountain-moving faith just by trying. It is not the product of striving, straining and concentrating.

The gift of healing “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 Healing is part of God’s plan of redemption. Jesus died for the forgiveness of sins and through his suffering we are healed, both spiritually and physically. The operation of this gift is relative to our response, as well as the response of the one for whom we are praying. It comes in response to faith, need and the will of God. The gift of healing is not a commission to heal all and sundry, but only those specifically revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. The gift of healing for one specific affliction only has no Biblical precedent. Be wary of those who claim to have such a gift.

The gift of miraculous powers The expression “miraculous powers” used in 1 Corinthians 12:10 is a translation of the Greek energemata dunameon, which means literally the “operations of powers” and covers a variety of signs and wonders, not specifying one particular miraculous work.

Christians generally tend to equate healing and deliverance with “miracles”, as described in Acts 8:67, “When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many and many paralytics and cripples were healed.”

However, Scripture indicates that more far-reaching power than simply the power to heal diseases is available. Jesus said in John 14:12, “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these.”

Jesus healed and delivered. Yet he said that believers would do more.

The power to work miracles is available to us today!

Prophecy The gift of prophecy as dealt with here is a momentary proclamation inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives inspiration to declare, tell or proclaim truth in a situation or conversation. Prophecy is used in ministering to others, without necessarily knowing their specific needs. It is also for edification,

exhortation and comfort, most frequently taking the form of proclamation rather than prediction.

All prophecy should focus people’s hopes, faith and conduct on eternal redemption and the Kingdom of God. Prophecy is not about utter glibly whatever enters our heads, prefacing it with “I, the Lord, proclaim unto you”. However, it is also true that the Lord encourages the bold prophet who steps out in faith and takes the initiative. The principle here is that the prophet is a servant of the Holy Spirit – and not the other way round.

At this point, a word should be said about false prophets or false prophecies. Prophecy has often been misused and just because someone claims to have a word from the Lord does not mean that it is necessarily true. We must always check prophecies against the word of God to guard against error.

Tongues interpretation

and

Speaking in tongues means making an utterance in a language that is unknown to the speaker and is given directly by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:1-6). It may be an earthly or a celestial language, spoken only by believers, as the Holy Spirit gives them the ability to do so. When used as a prayer language, the speaker is talking to God, not to men.

Tongues are for the unbeliever only if there is an interpretation. The interpretation of tongues is just that, an interpretation, and not a literal word-for-word translation. It follows the hearing of any language that is unknown to the person bringing the interpretation. Because of this, the interpretation of tongues is the only gift that operates in conjunction with another gift, i.e. the ability to speak in other tongues.

The gift of discernment The gift of discernment (more accurately, the “discerning of spirits”) is not a gift that enables us to see what is invisible, but the power to judge what is seen, whether good or bad. This gift can keep us from being led astray and is provided to empower us to bring deliverance to others. The gift of the discerning of spirits will help us to walk unharmed through dangerous enemy minefields. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, just as Jesus promised.

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Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist http://us.cfan.org/?lang=en-US Article reproduced with the kind permission of Christ for all Nations.

If you enjoyed this article, why not consider making a donation to CfaN? You may do so following this link: donate to CfaN

Await God’s Appointment An extract from “Kneeling we Triumph” by Edwin & Lillian Harvey ISBN 1-932774-08-4. 128 Pages Price $6.00. Image © Margaret M. Stewart Reproduced by kind permission of Harvey Publishers. www.harveycp.com

vision, willing to wait for explanation, till the eternal morning dawns and all the shadows flee away!

Photo © Keeweeboy

It is yet for a time appointed (Dan. 11:35).

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry (Hab. 2:3).

Delays are not refusals. Many a prayer is registered, and underneath it the words—“My time is not yet come.” God has a set time and way, as well as a set purpose. The loftiest level of answer is where there is absolutely no sign that God hears or cares. With all the repeated, importunate call, there seems to be none that regards the cry, as with the Baal worshippers on Carmel.

The Hearer of Prayer keeps silence.

Unbelief would say that the Throne of His Glory is disgraced. Years pass by, and life’s morning has reached noon, and noon has sunk to night, and there has been no sensible relief. When faith survives such a trial, and still triumphs in God, it rises to the highest level of the sublime, resting calmly on the changeless Word and character of God. It asks no sign, no voice, no

I asked Mr. Müller, a little before his death, whether he had ever prayed for a long time for a blessing, with no answer. He replied with his wonted precision, that, for more than sixty-five years and four months, he had besought God for the conversion of two men, yet in their sins. But he added: “I shall meet them both in Heaven. My Heavenly Father would not lay on me the burden of two souls for so many years, had He no purposes of mercy concerning them!” He died without the sight, but without the doubt, a rare example of a faith that could repose upon the immutable Promiser, though more than three score years of apparently vain supplication had put both faith and patience to the test.—A. T. Pierson.

When Samuel Pollard had spent just one year in his new role as missionary in China, something unusual was promised to him. He was only twenty-four years of age and was about to engage in a ten day special Mission. A week of prayer preceded these efforts.

Tuesday, the ninth day, was spent in fasting and the entire night was spent in prayer. He writes to a friend: “I shall never forget it. Our room was filled with glory, and I had a manifestation such as I had never realized before.

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The glory came down and so filled me that I felt the Holy Ghost from my head to the soles of my feet. I had a promise at that meeting that we are going to have thousands of souls. Mind, I believe that from the bottom of my heart. Some folks may say, ‘He’s a fool!’ Let them, we’ll have our thousands. ‘He’s gone mad.’ So be it, but we’ll have our thousands. ‘He’s young and enthusiastic.’ Yes, glory be to God, I am, and we’ll have our thousands.”

Did God keep His promise? Yes, but first there was much to be accomplished in Pollard’s youthful character. If the promise were fulfilled prematurely, he might worship “fruit” rather than follow on to know the Lord. The testing of faith and the trying of his soul were all necessary before the promised gift was given. Then, it came. After sixteen long years the answer came.

Pollard’s biographer tells how four Miao scouts came and told the missionaries of a whole tribe waiting for the new teaching. They swarmed round the missionary for tuition, advice, and counsel.

Samuel’s wife, fearing for his health, advised him to go up and lock the bedroom door, but what was her surprise to find later that twelve tribesmen were seated round his bed with their books, so happy to be privileged to have their teacher all to themselves. God had kept His promise, but it was for a time appointed.

The Prophecy of Amos – A Warning for Today

Another extract from our best- selling book.

Amos 6:1-14 Warning to the Unconcerned A Warning to the Unconcerned.

1. Alas for those who are at ease in Zion, and for those who feel secure on Mount Samaria, the notables of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel resorts!

Amos brought a message of warning to those who were: a) unconcerned.

Those in government did not care about the moral and spiritual state of the nation, nor their own moral bankruptcy. It is foolish and dangerous to be careless about one’s spiritual condition, especially with regard to one’s eternal salvation. (Hebrews 2:3 ; Luke 12:16 - 21).

b) inactive. Those who are “at ease” are doing nothing. They fail to fulfil their responsibility to God and men.

If the first point was about being careless about the condition of our own souls, the second is about being careless for the souls of others. In Christ’s parable, the unfaithful servant was judged for “doing nothing.” (Matthew 25:14 - 30). Let us be careful to fulfil our responsibilities to Christ, to His Church and to the unconverted. c) comfortable. Their conscience was undisturbed. To them, sin was not to be loathed, it was something to do when you wanted to.

Spurgeon says, “Their convictions are superficial...there is no subsoil ploughing, no turning up and breaking of the clods...no revelation of themselves to themselves.” (Cited

by Beeley).

When threatened with invasion, the people did not rest their confidence on God, but in the natural situation of Samaria, which being in the mountains seemed to offer a measure of protection and safety.

Their confidence was misplaced.

Today, many put their confidence in their own goodness or religious observance as the means of making them right with God, whereas Paul writes, “we have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 1:3) It is Christ alone who can save us.

Israel saw themselves as the greatest of nations and made this their boast. They had forgotten that it was God who had brought them out of Egypt to make them a nation and had given them the land they now occupied.

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2. Cross over to Calneh, and see; from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is your territory greater than their territory, The towns mentioned were once larger and more powerful than Samaria. Yet they had been destroyed by the Assyrian army. In the same way, Israel would not escape, since her sins were just as serious as those of the other nations.

3. O you that put far away the evil day, and bring near a reign of violence?

Because the people had not experienced God’s punishment for their sin immediately, they thought it would never come at all.

(Ecclesiastes 8:11). They continued unconcerned in their sin, but their obstinate attitude simply hastened the day when God would punish them.

Pride and Selfish Indulgence 4,5,6. Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

Amos describes the luxury in which the people lived. The well-known wealthy business men remained idle, sparing themselves no luxury as

they paid others next to nothing to do their work for them. The rich had all they wanted for themselves (note their rich diet) but did not once consider giving anything to the poor among God’s people.

Selfishness can be a problem in the Christian life, too. Perhaps we should ask ourselves whether we are giving our best to the Lord, or taking the best for ourselves and leaving God the left overs.

With time on their hands, they fancied themselves to be good musicians like David and invented instruments as he did. Yet David had devoted his talent to the service of God and for worship. They used their (lesser) talents for their own entertainment. How we use the gifts that God has given us is an important question. Is it for ourselves or for Him? God will hold us all accountable for what we do with our time, money and talents.

Even the best Christian “worship songs” can be no better than “idle singing” if sung for our own pleasure or entertainment rather than for God’s glory.

These revellers loved to party. Their drinking habits were excessive.

Instead of cups they used bowls.

The Living Bible translates the start of verse 6 as, “You drink wine by the bucketful.” Drink flowed freely in their parties.

The gospel writers record how a woman poured costly perfume on Jesus. (Mark 14:3). In this chapter we see the women spending large sums to pour perfume on themselves. The best of the sheep

and cattle should have been offered to God. Instead, they were eaten, a brazen insult to Jehovah. (Malachi 1:6 - 8).

All of this demonstrated that they had no concern for their own spiritual condition, that of the nation, nor for the hardships faced daily by their fellow countrymen.

They were callous, like Joseph's brothers who ate a meal as he cried to them from the pit. How different to the Lord Jesus Christ who wept over the city of Jerusalem because of the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of the people; and for what would happen to them subsequent to their rejection of Him. (Luke 19:41 - 44).

Ray Beeley asks, “How much selfindulgence am I prepared to allow my self? Remember how the Son, ‘pleased not Himself.’” (see John 6:38 ; Romans 15:3 ; Hebrews 5:8).

7. Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile, and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away.

These revellers would be the very first casualties of the war - taken captive by the enemy. In this way, God says, He will cause their revelry to cease.

8. The Lord GOD has sworn by himself (says the LORD, the God of hosts): I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds; and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.

God hated the pride and false glory of Israel. What they thought was glory to them - their wealth, influence, fame and importance was in His eyes shameful. God was 9

the true glory of the nation and they should have trusted in Him. In our modern day, we should fear for the security of any nation that boasts in its own glories, whether financial, cultural or military - but does not place its hope in God. Without Him, the greatest boast of any man or nation is empty. Because Israel trusted themselves and not God, they would be handed over to their enemies.

The Severity of the Coming Judgment 9. If ten people remain in one house, they shall die.

Amos again warns of the severity of the coming judgment. Even the survivors of the Assyrian attack would later die, probably of disease.

10. And if a relative, one who burns the dead, shall take up the body to bring it out of the house, and shall say to someone in the innermost parts of the house, "Is anyone else with you?" the answer will come, "No." Then the relative shall say, "Hush! We must not mention the name of the LORD." If any relative were still alive, he would be responsible to cremate the dead bodies, the usual practice of burial being impractical due to the large numbers of dead. At that time men would be unwilling to even mention the name of the Lord, most probably because they feared to anger Him further. There is no doubt that they recognised that the hand of the Lord was in the judgment which had fallen upon them. What is regrettable is that

they did not wish to acknowledge God, confess their sin and pray for His pardon.

11. See, the LORD commands, and the great house shall be shattered to bits, and the little house to pieces.

There would be no respect of wealth or rank in the coming judgment. The whole nation would be affected and great and small alike would suffer.

“Break into bits” means to leave gaps or breaches in the building and may refer not only to structural damage but also to the gaps left in families by death, “house” denoting household or family.

12. Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood-Would you expect a horse to run over rocks without being injured?

Could you plough rocks with oxen?

No, it is not sensible. Nor is it sensible for Israel to expect anything other than the judgment of God, since they had made the legal system a bitter poison through bias and unfairness so that the courts were corrupt and there was no justice in the land.

13. you who rejoice in Lo-debar, who say, "Have we not by our own strength taken Karnaim for ourselves?"

Israel was puffed up because of its recent military successes at the places mentioned. With such confidence in their own strength they thought themselves invincible.

But salvation and victory come only from the Lord.

Today, we would do well to remember this warning. Only the Lord is able to save us from sin, leaving us with nothing to boast about (Ephesians 2:9 ; 1 Corinthians 1:29 Romans 3:27 ; Galatians 6.14).

14. Indeed, I am raising up against you a nation, O house of Israel, says the LORD, the God of hosts, and they shall oppress you from Lebo-hamath to the Wadi Arabah.

God would raise up the Assyrians to punish Israel, “from the entrance of Hamath to the Valley of the Arabah”, i.e. the whole nation.

I have always realized that the Bible has promised we shall receive great things through prayer. We are told that anything we want and ask in prayer it shall be done unto us.

So why do we struggle in receiving some things that we have been adamantly praying for? One day I felt God give me the answer – God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. Some things we struggle for may not be in alignment to God's will. Although they may be very pleasant before our sight, God knows that the end result would not be profitable to us. God allows some difficult things to happen in our lives, but the struggles we face daily are meant to make us closer to our Lord. They strengthen our faith and dependence on God. Today as we were coming from church, my young boy who is 8 years old demanded that I buy him a wrist watch from a passing hawker. I had enough money with me. But on thinking about it I realised that a watch would be of little use to him. In school, the teachers to control the bell, and tell you when it is time for lessons. My boy was annoyed for a while, but I know when he is older, when it will be of use to him, I can and will buy him a watch. one.

In the same way, God knows the best time for us to receive the answers to our prayers. Of course, the Bible says that the prayer of a righteous man is active and powerful (James 5:16-18). Elijah was able to shut heavens for three and half years from bringing forth rain and later was able to open the heaven so that land could reproduce again. But this was in God’s time. When we truly love God, we too have the power through prayer to open and shut. We can command heavens to release blessings. We can shut the heavens. We I have the power to command and shut some things from not happening, for God has given us the key to such victory in prayer - yet it is all in His time.

By Isaac Mwagi, All Nations Pefa Church, Kenya.

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The Lyrics of Life

Struggles of the Soul

Psalm 13 Photo Š Mrspants 11

A Season of Depression (v 1 & 2) On the occasion of his writing this song, the Psalmist was experiencing a season of depression. It appeared to him as if God has left him.

Seemingly, God had forgotten all about him and was hiding his face from him, even though the Psalmist himself had no idea why this should be. Had he sinned in some way, to make God hide his face? His perplexity resulted in distress of soul and ultimately led to depression.

Such an experience is far more common among Christians than we might think. Like the Psalmist, we think that because God has not given the same tokens of his love as once he did, that he has forgotten us. We might no longer feel the exhilarating joy or the powerful infillings of the Spirit that we had once experienced. It may be such a long time since we soared in our spirit to heavenly heights, that we have forgotten what it is like to glimpse the glory of God and be lost in wonder love and praise. It is precisely because our experience is no longer what we think it ought to be that we think that God has left us.

Sadly, those of us who have had great experiences with God in the past can become so used to such experiences that we begin to measure our spiritual lives by them; so when God chooses not to give them, we think that he has forgotten us.

Yet God never intended his children to trust in their experiences (however good), but only in Him. For us to mature and grow in our knowledge of him we must learn to trust him in all of life’s experiences.

If God chooses not shield us from the hard, difficult and tragic experiences of life, it is only that he might teach us to trust him. None of us would expect a baby to feed themselves or to put themselves to bed - we would carry them and feed them. But as a child becomes older, we want them to learn to walk, put their own clothes on and feed themselves. This is how God deals with His children. We must learn to grow, walking with Him by faith.

Our Christian faith must go beyond the blessings we receive from listening to Christian worship CDs. It must go beyond the next exciting meeting or the next sermon from some big name preacher on the GOD channel. It must even go beyond all of the ‘good feelings’ we have ever known in our experience with God so far. God would not have us to lean the weight of our confidence on anything other than Him. Through seasons of spiritual dryness and depression, God is teaching us to trust Him. Such lessons, if learned, do a work of immense value in our spiritual lives.

Yet the Psalmist’s experience of depression was so long and hard that he cries out, “How long?”. The trials of our faith are never easy, and however brief they actually are, it may appear to us that they last forever! Six months can seem like a 12

lifetime when you are in a season of depression. But no period of testing and training is meant to last forever.

The trial will pass.

For God’s training is never punitive he is not punishing us for our sins, but training us to share His holiness.

He is equipping us to live the kind of life that will honor Him - a mature and righteous life. That is why the writer to the Hebrews says,

Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 In the Psalmist’s case, the prolonged period of such testing was not pleasant, but it did pass.

When we read the words “counsel in my soul” we perceive that the Psalmist only has himself left to confide in. His prayers seem to go no further than the ceiling. The heavens are like brass. Yet faith says that even then, God is ever near (Hebrews 13:8). We are mistaken inf we think that Christian joy is merely a surge of good feelings and smiling happiness. The sorrows of the men and women of God are real and deep, and yet they can know a deep and sustaining joy within in the midst of the worst problems and the deepest sorrows.

During his season of depression, God had apparently even allowed the Psalmist’s enemies to prevail against him. But once again, this was only for a season, and served its

purpose by humbling the man of God and causing him to turn to God in prayer. Reader, are you in similar circumstances to those of the Psalmist? Then:

humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He might exalt you in due time.

A Soul’s Supplication (v 3 & 4) Notice the depth of the Psalmists prayer. He truly believed that the light in his own soul could be extinguished. And left to himself it might have been, had he not reckoned on the power of God. The devil would like to have God’s children believe that he can defeat and finish them, but he is a liar.

Christ has defeated him once and for all, so that all God’s children are secure from whatever evil he intends.

Consider Jesus Himself. He was arrested, tried, beaten and crucified and it appeared that God did not rescue him from these experiences.

Yet God did not leave his soul in Hades, nor did he suffer his holy one to see corruption. Instead, God raised him from the dead and so confounded all his enemies. They did their worst, but He triumphed at last and so He must always triumph and so will we in Him. The living Christ now dwell within His children, and however dark the experience may be, the light in our souls can never be put out.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:38-39 When the Psalmist’s life seemed under threat, he implored God to have mercy on him, to hear his prayer and to give light to his eyes. v4 If the psalmist had been beaten by his experience, if he were snuffed out and finished, this would only bring reproach on the Living God; for it would appear that God was unable to help and save His servant.

Such an argument assures us that God will act, on behalf of His servants, for His interest aligns with theirs.

Are we persecuted? The Lord was and told us that we would be. It may 13

be that times are coming in which our faith shall severely be tested in fiery persecution. It may seem that our enemies actually have the upper hand and are given power over us.

But though we face suffering or humiliation or prison or death, we shall live and reign with our Lord who has sat down at the right hand of God, and we shall be forever vindicated for our faith, just as our enemies shall be forever ashamed.

A Song of Deliverance (v 5 & 6) As happens so often in the Psalms, the Psalmist plea turns in the end to praise. It is as if his soul has broken through to God in prayer and that light and hope have burst in. The praying soul is assured that God has heard, and this is cause enough for praise even before the answer arrives. Praise always brings victory.

The song of praise is the outward expression of our inner assurance that we are in God’s hands - and that this is all that matters. If the Psalmist’s song of deliverance did not immediately herald the end of his depression, we might at least say that it was the beginning of the end.

From this time on, things could only get better.

What about you reader? Are you in a bit of a hole? Is yours a season of depression? Then learn the lessons the Psalmist intends you to learn.

Trust God. Pray and praise God in all of your troubles, and you will soon experience the victory.

The Message of Mark

An Introduction to St. Mark’s Gospel Chapter One: Jesus the Only Saviour (Mark 1:1-3:6) Mark titles his gospel “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” (1:1) and from the very beginning intends to show Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only Saviour of men.

Before we are introduced to the Lord Jesus we meet an unusual messenger (1:2-8) who is sent before Him to prepare His way (1:23). That messenger is John the Baptist, who preached that people should repent and be baptised as a sign of their repentance (1:4-5). His ministry was to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the coming Saviour. Mark gives little detail about this extraordinary individual; other than about his appearance (1:6); and that he spoke of the “Coming One” who would have authority to forgive sins and who would seal that forgiveness with “baptism in the Holy Spirit” (1:7-8).

As Jesus arrives to be baptised by John (1:9), Mark begins his portrait of the Saviour.

The Resources of the Saviour He is the Divine Son of God “This is my beloved Son” (1:10-11).

It is God the Father Himself who © Jorisvo

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gives this witness concerning Jesus Christ. Rather than just tell us that Jesus is the Son of God, Mark records many of the miracles of Christ in confirmation of his divinity.

John the Baptist’s own testimony is recorded in John 1:32-34.

Peter, James and John on the mount of transfiguration, were again to hear the voice of God saying “This is my beloved son” (Mark 9:2-8).

He is the Sinless Son of God As Jesus comes out of the water, the voice of God assures us that, “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Little is known about the life of Christ before he commenced his public ministry, aged about 30 (Luke 3:23). We may be sure however, that God knew all about it and here is His public testimony to all that Jesus had done during that time. “I am well pleased.” God was pleased with His Son who did no sin (1 Peter 2:22), and who was without fault in thought, word or deed (Heb. 7:26 and 2 Cor. 5:21).

Confronting his enemies on one occasion, the Lord asked "which of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46).

They were not able to answer him.

The whole New Testament confirms the simple truth that Christ was without sin.

Not only did He not commit sin, but He actively sought to do His Father’s will (John 8:29 and John 6:38).

Mark demonstrates this by the account of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness. Immediately after His baptism, Christ was ‘thrust out’ into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to

face His great enemy Satan (1:1213). Mark does not give us details of the temptation, as Matthew and Luke do (Matt 4:1-11 and Luke 4:113). Sufficient to say that though Christ was tempted by the devil, He did not succumb to the temptation.

He triumphed over Satan during the wilderness encounter as he did throughout the rest of his life.

Emerging from the trial victoriously, Jesus returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14).

He has Authority to Save Having returned to Galilee Jesus commenced His preaching ministry, entering Capernaum (1:14-15) where according to Matthew’s gospel He had taken up residence (Matt. 4:12-13). Having called some of the former disciples of John the Baptist to follow Him (1:16-20), He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began teaching the people (1:21). All were amazed at His teaching for “He taught them as one having authority” (1:22). And no wonder, for Christ is the Lord of Glory. In this first chapter alone we see his authority over evil spirits (1:23-27) and sickness (1:29-31). Not only was Peter’s mother-in-law healed, but the whole town gathered outside the door, (literally “treading on one another”) as Christ brought healing and deliverance to them all (1:32-34).

Yet Christ chose not to remain in Capernaum to enjoy the adulation of the crowds (1:35-39). His purpose was to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and indeed, to provide us with a gospel message to believe.

The apostle Paul sums up the

mission of Christ in 1 Tim 1:15; echoing the words of Christ Himself in Luke 19:10. Mark describes this same mission in 2:17.

The story of the paralysed man who was let done through the roof by his friends illustrates the authority of Christ to forgive sin and to save man’s soul (2:1-12). As the sick man is lowered in front of Christ, we read first that “Jesus saw their faith.”

Obviously, all the man’s friends had faith that the sick man would be healed; that is why they brought him to Jesus. But the sick man himself also realised his need of forgiveness and believed that Christ could forgive his sins. Why else would Jesus firstly speak to this man of forgiveness? By saying “your sins are forgiven,” Jesus was responding to the man’s own faith and meeting the need of his heart. Many people came to Christ to be healed, but of no one else are we told that Christ said “your sins are forgiven.”

Forgiveness for sin is far more important than healing. Physical healing will last only until a person dies, and if a person dies without being forgiven they will be eternally separated from God in hell (9:4344). But if our sins are forgiven by Christ then we have eternal life and the joyful prospect of a home in heaven.

Christ says these same words your sins are forgiven to all who come to him in faith. Some of those present questioned His authority to forgive sin. It seemed easy enough for Christ to say your sins are forgiven, since there was no outward evidence to show if forgiveness had 15

truly taken place. Only the man himself experienced the joy and peace that come with Christ’s forgiveness. So Christ hopes to convince his opponents of His power to forgive by demonstrating His power to heal. When Christ says to a paralysed man get up and walk it happens and so when Christ says your sins are forgiven we can be sure that His word is true.

How is Christ able to forgive sins?

His opponents had said only God can forgive sins and they were right.

Because Jesus Christ is the Son of God he - as God - is able to forgive sins.

A question that must be asked, however, which is how God can forgive our sins? God is holy and must punish sin, so how can God remain holy and punish our sin and forgive us?”

Mark does not avoid this problem.

God has punished our sin. The purpose of his gospel is to show how God gave his sinless Son to die on the cross, taking the punishment for sin that we deserved. Christ bore our sins in his own body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). By raising Jesus from the dead, God has declared that Christ has made salvation freely available to all who believe in Him (Rom. 4:25).

The Requirements of the Sinner Repentance Christ proclaimed “Repent and believe the Gospel” (1:15). And this

is wonderfully illustrated in the life of Matthew Levi and his friends (2:13-17).

When the Pharisees criticised Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners it was because they did not consider themselves sinners. In reality we are all sinners (Rom.3:1012). Isaiah says: “we like sheep have gone astray and have turned everyone to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). Every person living without Christ is going their own way, walking away from God and His will.

To repent means quite simply to turn around. Firstly we must admit that our way is wrong, that we have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. Then we must return to God, accepting the salvation that he offers us through faith in Christ.

Reconciliation Jesus dining with Matthew also presents a picture of reconciliation.

Matthew had lived far from God. His sin had separated him from God and made him God’s enemy. Mark shows how Christ called Matthew to a relationship with Himself, where he is no longer separated or alienated. Through his death on the cross, Christ reconciles us to God and we are no longer enemies but friends (Col. 1:21-22).

Regeneration (2:18-22) The parable of the wine skins teaches this important truth.

Christ’s message was not merely a continuation of all that had gone before. Christ brought something new. What men need is not their old sinful lives patched up, but a new

life principle - Christ living in them.

Jesus had come to be the head of a new creation. Christ explains to Nicodemus his need of being born again (John 3:3). When any one receives the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour they are born again by the power of the Spirit of God and become a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).

Conclusion This is the message that Jesus brought, and which Mark records, that God has sent his perfect Son to be our Saviour, that those who believe in Him may not perish but have eternal life.

Reality (not Religion) (2:23-28) The religious leaders in Christ’s day were bound by form and ritual. They were hypocrites, for though they claimed to keep the Sabbath, they failed to obey Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath (i.e. its master and creator). The disciples, on the other hand, had a living relationship with Christ which set them free from religious ritual. After Christ’s resurrection, His followers would learn to be governed by the Christ who lives in them, not by outward ritual.

Reception In order for a sinner to experience salvation, he must be spiritually receptive. In other words he must be ready to receive Christ as Saviour. The incident in Capernaum (3:1-6) where Jesus healed a man with a withered hand reveals that there were many who rejected Jesus Christ despite compelling evidence.

Many of Jews, including the some of the religious leaders at Capernaum, rejected Christ (John 1:12). But as John goes on to say “But to whoever did receive him and believed in His name, he gave the right to be called the sons of God.” 16

The Message of Mark is an easy to follow Bible guide, introducing a new generation to the gospel of Mark.

The paperback is available here: The Message of Mark Paperback Now available also on Kindle: The Message of Mark KINDLE

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The Book of Esther

Chapter One: A brief Bible study by Derek Williams.

Photo: Š Dreamstime Agency. Right: Zoom-zoom

Introduction: The book of Esther is one of the historical books of the Old Testament and is believed to have been written by Mordecai.

Mordecai was Esther's cousin and had brought her up because she was an orphan. The name of God does not appear in the book but it does demonstrate the love and care that He had for His people even though they had been taken away from Israel and into captivity because of their sin. It shows how God used both Esther and Mordecai to deliver the Jews from a plot to exterminate them. As we go through it we will discover how it can apply to Christians in today's world.

A Lavish Feast by an Arrogant Man 1.1. The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus.3 (I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces5 extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.)

The time in history is made clear.

Ahasuerus or Xerxes I in some translations, was King of Persia from 486 - 465 BC. To clarify this Ahasuerus we are told that he ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. No other king of Persia's domains covered this large area.

1.2. In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel, At this time the king ruled his empire from his royal throne at his palace of Susa in the city of the same name.

1.3. In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces.

The events recorded in the book happened in the third year of Ahasuerus's reign. At this time he laid on a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He also invited all the 17

military officers of Persia and Media and all the princes and nobles of the provinces that he ruled over.

1.4. The celebration lasted 180 days—a tremendous display of the opulent wealth of his empire and the pomp and splendor of his majesty.

This was not a one day affair but continued for 180 days! The purpose of this feast was so that the King could show off all his great wealth by the extravagance of the expense of such a feast. Also to impress his guests with the greatness of his majesty.

1.5. When those days were completed, the king then provided a seven-day banquet for all the people who were present in Susa the citadel, for those of highest standing to the most lowly. It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace.

When this extensive feast was over he then provided a seven day banquet for everybody who was then present in the city of Susa from

the highest to the lowest in society.

It was held in the courtyard of the palace garden.

The following verses give an inventory of the extravagant length this arrogant king went to in order to exalt himself and we shall see the outcome of it (Psalm 73:6, Proverbs 13:10).

In this first heading we have seen the pride of man with his disregard of God and his indulgence in the things of the world. John tells us that this is not of God the Father (1 John 2:16).

A Rebellious Woman

1.6. The furnishings included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of the finest linen and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone.

1.9. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus' royal palace.

Expense was of no considering in providing this feast. The canopies were made of linen and purple curtains hung from cords of the best linen. These were hung from silver rings and marble pillars. The couches on which the guests reclined while eating were made of gold and silver and resting on a mosaic floor of marble, mother of pearl and other costly stones.

1.10. On the seventh day, as King Ahasuerus was feeling the effects of the wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who attended him,

1.7. Drinks were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king's expense.

Drink was provided from the royal wine cellars in abundance at the king's expense and was served in golden goblets of many designs.

1.8. There were no restrictions on the drinking, for the king had instructed all of his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired.

There was no limit set about the amount a person could drink. The king instructed his servants to let the people have as much as they wanted to.

All this partying was for the men only, women were excluded! So Queen Vashti gave her own banquet exclusively for the women in the King's Palace.

On the last day of this seven day feast the king was irresponsibly merry because of his excessive drinking. In this state he called seven of his personal servants to attend to him.

1.11. to bring Queen Vashti into the king's presence wearing her royal high turban. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive.

There was no end to this man's show of arrogance! Not content with the elaborateness of his banquets he now wants to parade his number one wife, his queen, (Note: he would have had many wives) like a fashion model before all the people and officials because she was a very beautiful woman. So he tells his servants to go an tell her to come to him wearing her royal crown the token of her queenship.

1.12. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's bidding conveyed 18

through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed him.

Queen Vashti refused to obey the king's command. We may say quite right too why should she expose herself to a lot of drunken men! But we must keep in mind the age that she was living in that the King was supreme ruler. Not only was he her husband but he was her king. In the light of this her action was rebellious. The king became extremely angry and was consumed by his rage.

From the New Testament teachings we know that all are equal in Christ whether men or women, bond or free (1 Corinthian 12:13). However there are clear teachings as to how a woman and wife should conduct themselves (Ephesians 5: 22 - 24) and likewise men and husbands (Ephesians 5: 25). Let us make certain we do not follow King Ahasuerus' and Queen Vasti's example.

The Consequences of Arrogance and Rebellion 1.13. The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times — for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.

The king called for seven of his wise men and counselors who knew all the Persian laws and customs to ask them what he should do about this outrage of the Queen.

1.14. Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis and had the most prominent offices in the kingdom.

These were seven princes of Persia and Media and were very close to the king. They held the most important positions in the land and often met with the king to give him advise.

1.15. The king asked, "By law, what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?"

He asked them what according to the law could be done to Queen Vasti for refusing to obey his command (that he had given through the eunuchs) for her to come to him.

1.16. Memucan answered the king and his nobles, "Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire.

One of the princes, Memucan (his name means dignified) highlighted the far greater consequences of Queen Vashti's rebellion. It was not only the king she had wronged but every noble and citizen through the empire.

1.17. For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying, 'When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, she would not come.

It would be the signal for every woman to begin to treat their husbands with contempt, to defy or resist their authority. They would use Queen Vashti's refusal to obey the King as a precedent (example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time) to support this.

The exhortation in the New Testament and the example in the

Old Testament clearly state that a wife must respect her husband (Ephesians 5: 33, 1 Peter 3: 5 -6). To refuse to do as the word of God says is rebellion against God and showing a contempt for Him, to defy and resist His authority.

1.18. And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger!

He further said that before the day is over the wives of all the king's nobles through Persia and Media will have heard what Queen Vashti did and will behave in the same way to their husbands no matter what their position in life. They won't respect their husbands and their husbands will be angry with them.

1.19. If the king is so inclined, let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another who is more deserving than she.

The king's word was law and so Memucan and the other counselors could only advise him. Their advice was that he should make a royal decree that should be entered into the law books of Persia and Media that could not be annulled that Vashti was to be divorced and therefore no longer Queen and never come into the presence of the king again.

They further advised at the king should choose another queen who was more worthy than Vashti. The consequences of King Ahasuerus' arrogance was that he lost a wife and his queen. The consequences of 19

Vashti rebellion was that she lost her crown and was banished from the presence of the king.

There is a consequence to man's rebellion against God as there was with Satan. The devil was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12,Luke 10:18, Revelation 12: 7 - 9) and will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). So it will be for all people who follow in Satan's footsteps (Psalm 5:10, Romans 2:8).

1.20. And let the king's decision which he will enact be disseminated throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly."

This law was to be made known throughout the king's empire so that all the women will know the consequences of Vashti's disobedience to the king and they will show respect their husbands no matter what their rank whether rich or poor.

1.21.

The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan.

This advice pleased the king and the princes and so the king set his seal upon this new law.

1.22. He sent letters throughout all the royal provinces, to each province according to its own script and to each people according to its own language, that every man should be ruling his family and should be speaking the language of his own people.

Letters we sent throughout the kings provinces written in their own language that every man should be master in his own house and ruling his family (1 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 5:23).

Our Bible study guide ‘The Message of Mark’ is accompanied (on our website) by a series of Home Group Bible study notes.

The Savior Read Mark Chapter 1v1 to 3v6. List those who, in this section of Mark’s gospel, give witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (don’t forget 1:10-11)! __________________________________________________________________

These notes have been tried and tested in church, home and youth groups for the last decade.

They are a great way to introduce yourself or your group to the message of Mark’s gospel – that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior of humankind!

__________________________________________________________________

If you like these notes, look for more at our website :

__________________________________________________________________

MARK HOME STUDIES

(1:10-11) How can you be sure that Jesus Christ was without sin? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ In what ways does Christ demonstrate His authority (in the first chapter) __________________________________________________________________

(2:1-12) Why do you think that Jesus first said to the paralyzed man “your sins are forgiven”, before healing him? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ (2:13-17). Why do you think that the Pharisees complained about Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners? And why were they wrong to do so? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ (2:18-22) What do you think Jesus is teaching in the parable of the wine skins? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Jesus performs another miracle in (3:1-6) in front of the Pharisees. How do you account for their rejection of Christ in the face of such evidence?

For Kindle click here. __________________________________________________________________

For paperback click here

__________________________________________________________________

20

Our In Depth Study.

Revelation 20.

By Derek R. Williams. Photo © Godfer Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Time of the End of the World Satan Bound for 1000 Years.

1. “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.”

In Rev. 9:11 the key to the abyss (bottomless pit) was temporarily given to Satan that he might unlock it and release the demons to torment the people of earth. Now an angel of God once again has possession of the key and holds a great chain in his hand.

2. “He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.”

With God given might and authority the angel seizes and overpowers Satan. (Note: All the names given to Satan in the Bible are listed here, except Lucifer, the name he lost when he rebelled against God Isaiah 14:12). The devil is securely bound with the chain of God’s authority and purpose (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6).

3. “And he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.”

The Devil is then hurled into the abyss which is shut, locked and sealed so that no one can free him.

He was securely bound so that he would not be able to deceive the nations for a period of 1000 years.

After this time God has determined to set him free for a season.

The Saint’s Reign with Christ.

4. “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

The vision that John has here is of two groups of people joined as one.

Firstly, the Church which was taken up in the rapture (1 Thes. 4:16 - 17).

To them is given the right to judge the world (1 Cor. 6:2). But in addition, the group now includes those who lost their lives because they did not worship the Anti-Christ or his image or receive his mark.

These are the 144,000 who were sealed in Rev. 7:4. These two groups have now become one to live and reign with Christ during the millennium period.

5. “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years 21

were finished. This is the first resurrection.”

Those belonging to Christ who had died before the rapture were resurrected first (1 Thes. 4:15 - 16).

Those who were alive at His coming were changed together with them (1 Cor. 15:50 - 52). The term “First Resurrection” is used here is to distinguish between the resurrection of the faithful who were slaughtered by the Anti-Christ and the resurrection of unbelievers that shall take place after Christ’s Millennium Reign. However, the following verse shows that the “First Resurrection” embraces all the saints, those raised at the time of the rapture and the faithful who are killed by the AntiChrist. The distinction is simple: believers are resurrected first to eternal life and then unbelievers to eternal judgement.

6. “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

Those who partake in the “First Resurrection” are blessed and holy.

The second death has no power over them for they were saved from it by Jesus Christ. They will be priests of God and Christ forever and will reign with Him during the Millennium.

Verse 14 and Rev. 21:8 make it clear

that the phrase “second death” refers to being thrown into the lake of fire. This is not the utter annihilation of the soul, for the soul will never cease to exist. Rather, it is a state of eternal separation from God and perpetual torment.

Satan Released.

7, 8. “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.”

For a thousand years the earth will be free from all strife and enjoy the blessings of God. “Yet, amid all the tokens of God’s goodness, amid prosperity and fruitfulness, human nature will remain unchanged” (Fredk. A. Tatford). Remember that during this time the Lord Jesus Christ will rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15). The nations of earth will submit to his rule, but not willingly.

When the thousand years have ended Satan will be released from his prison and return to his former business of deceiving the nations.

They will be ready and willing to be taken in by him. Satan will gather together “Gog and Magog” a reference to all the nations of the ungodly. They will be too numerous to count and will gather together to destroy the saints.

9. “They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city.

And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.”

The hosts of Satan spread over the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints outside Jerusalem, encircling the whole city.

But the battle was never fought. Fire came down from God out of heaven and consumed His enemies.

10. “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the lake of fire where the Anti-Christ and false prophet were. There they will be continually tormented forevermore.

The Judgement of Unbelievers.

11. “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.”

The scene is now set for the great white throne judgement, which immediately follows the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ. At this bar of God, unbelievers will receive their final sentence. It is great because the One who sits on it is the judge of the whole earth and will judge justly (Gen. 18:25). The absolute purity and holiness of this Supreme Court are symbolised by the throne’s white colour. The One who has been appointed to judge by God is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:22; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16). Before this judgement takes place the heavens and the earth will be dissolved. They will be found no more (2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 6:14).

12. “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

At this second resurrection the unbelieving dead, whatever their station in life, shall stand before God. The books containing the record of every individual’s deeds 22

throughout life will be opened. The Book of Life in which is written all the names of those who received the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour will also be opened. This is simply to show that the names of those standing before the Great White Throne are not in it and that their rejection of Christ who could have forgiven their sins has sealed their ultimate doom. The dead are judged and punished according to what they had done, which was written in the books.

13. “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.”

This verse makes clear that the Great White Throne will be a universal and general judgement of unbelievers. The sea, death or hell could not withhold the dead as each was summoned to be judged according to his deeds.

14. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

Death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire as there is no further use for them. No one will ever die physically again and no one else will go to hell anymore. The second death is the lake of fire, a conscious state of torment and separation from God. 15. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

This is the punishment due to all whose names are not found written in the Book of Life, who had not trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour - they were thrown into the lake of fire.

An excerpt taken from The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Derek Williams (paperback £6.99) Buy now for Kindle!

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