What reward will wicked king Manasseh receive?
(Matthew 6:19-20; Hebrews 11:8-10, 24-29; 2 Peter 3:7, 10) Blog Feb. 5-11, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God has provided for the needs of all his creatures. When man sinned God gave his Son to rescue us. All who receive this gift are enabled to return to him the love he has shown to them. In his Word he instructs us how to live debt-free while returning tithes and offerings for the support of his kingdom.
Earthly Loss
1. When the Israelites stored manna for the next day, what happened? The manna held over for the second day spoiled & was full of worms (Ex. 16:20).
2. When Jeremiah stored his girdle in a hole in the cliff by the Euphrates River, what happened? Jeremiah’s girdle rotted & became good for nothing (Jer. 13:3-7).
3. What did the Assyrians do to the treasures of Israel? The Assyrians robbed Israel of all her treasures (Isa. 10:13).
4. What did Isaiah tell King Hezekiah would happen to all the treasures of Judah? Isaiah told the king that all Judah’s treasures would be carried into Babylon & nothing would be left (2 Kings 20:16-17).
5. What threats to our assets did Jesus mention in Matthew 6? Jesus mentioned moths, rust, & thieves as threats to our assets (Matt. 6:19).
6. Have you ever lost some of your possessions to moths, rust, or thieves? Moths ruined my high school class sweater, my child’s wagon rusted so bad it was unusable, & a thief stole my precious camera. Everyone has experienced losses like these (personal history).
7. Where on earth can a person find a safe place to store their valuables? On earth there is no safe place to store one’s valuables. Tornados, earthquakes, fires, & floods accomplish what moths, rust, & thieves have not already ruined (Isa. 29:6).
8. What does Peter say will eventually happen to all we own? Peter says all that we own will be consumed by fire at the end of the world (2 Pet. 3:7, 10).
Eternal Investments
9. Considering the transient nature of all our possessions, what does Jesus recommend that we do? Jesus tells us to place our treasures in heaven where they will last forever (Matt. 6:20).
10. How can we deposit our treasures in heaven? The only things that will go from this earth to heaven are people, so it must be investing in people that Jesus is talking about (Matt. 24:31; John 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).
11. What can we do to convert our assets into souls for God’s kingdom? By using our time, energy, & resources to turn people from rebellion to faith in God & by establishing them in the faith, we are laying up treasure in heaven, for all who believe in him unto the end will be saved (Matt. 24:13; 2 Cor. 5:20; 6:1-10).
12. How did the Philippians lay up treasure in heaven? The Philippian believers supported Paul in his missionary endeavors, so laying up treasure in heaven (Phil. 4:14-18).
13. What does Paul say will likely be our lot on earth if we are laying up treasure in heaven? Paul writes that those who are ambassadors for Christ are likely to suffer afflictions, necessities, distresses, & chastenings (2 Cor. 6:4-10).
14. What does the angel tell Daniel will be the future of those that lay up treasure in heaven? Those that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever (Dan. 12:3).
Life’s Choices
15. Was Noah foolish in exchanging an antediluvian fortune for a life of toil without pay? No, for choosing God’s way is always superior to any other way (Heb. 11:7).
16. What did Abraham inherit by following God’s instruction to leave his family and native land? Abraham became heir of this world & of a place in the New Jerusalem (Rom. 4:13; Heb. 11:8-10).
17. What did Lot lose by selfishly choosing the Jordan Valley for his herds and residence? By moving into Sodom, Lot lost all his possessions, his wife, & most his children (Gen. 13:10-11; 18:26).
18. What did Moses choose to leave behind in order to receive an eternal reward? Moses left behind the throne of Egypt, the pleasures of sin, & the treasures of Egypt in order to receive an eternal reward (Heb. 11:24-29).
19. What eternal reward will wicked king Manasseh receive? Wicked king Manasseh will be eternally blessed & dwell with God forever, for when taken captive to Babylon he humbled himself & asked God to forgive him (2 Chron. 33:10-16).
20. If you have been storing your treasure on earth, what hope does Paul offer for having fruit in heaven? Paul says that by receiving right doctrine we can be freed from the service of sin & by yielding ourselves as servants of righteousness thus bear fruit unto eternal life (Rom. 6:17-22).