by Rick Marin | May 3, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
Who is “the prince that shall come”?
(Leviticus 16:16-31; Daniel 8:2-14; 9:23-27; Acts 3:19; 10:37-38; Heb. 8:1-5) Blog Apr. 30-May 06, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In the last days three angel messengers call humanity to enter God’s judgment. They carry the everlasting gospel, which is our only hope in a judgment that will examine our works and require obedience to God’s Law.
Judgment Day in Israel
1. When God gave Moses a symbol of heaven’s temple and its services for man’s salvation, what three aspects did that include? God gave Moses a pattern of a two-part sanctuary with an outer court & a two-part service that followed the dedication service (Ex. 25:8-9; Heb. 8:4-5; 9:1-10, 18-21).
2. What did the two parts of Israel’s sanctuary service include? The first part of the earthly sanctuary service included a continual priestly ministry of daily acceptance, individual forgiveness of sins, & a ministry of purification. The second part was a final reckoning in which sins were blotted out, the participants were confirmed as God’s covenant people, & those not represented by the high priest were excluded from God’s people (Ex. 29:38; Lev. 4:27-31; 16:20-22, 30; 23:27-29).
3. How was the second-part ministry (Day of Atonement) conducted on earth? On the Day of Atonement God’s people were to fast & afflict their souls while the high priest, their representative, entered the Most Holy Place (God’s throne room) with blood that would remove all the sins registered there. The priest then transferred them to a scapegoat that would bear them into the wilderness. Then he would bless the gathered congregation (Lev. 16:19-22, 29-30; Heb. 9:7).
4. How did the earthly services depict Christ’s heavenly, priestly ministry? The earthly services showed that after his “outer court” ministry on earth Jesus was to have a continual heavenly ministry followed by a final ministry that would blot out sins & seal God’s faithful people (Acts 2:38; 3:19; Heb. 5:1-10; 9:7-9; 10:9-10).
5. How is the Day of Atonement a type of God’s final judgment? The Day of Atonement was a day of judgment because on it the representative of God’s people entered the throne room where the covenant law was kept & on it all the sins confessed during the year were removed, resulting in final purification for those who entered by faith in their high priest (Lev. 16:16, 19; 23:27-29; Heb. 9:4-7).
6. What should we learn from the fact that the earthly, priestly ministry had two parts? Since the earthly service was a pattern of the heavenly it tells us that just because a person is justified there is no guarantee they will be saved in the end. Or, in other words, the idea of “once saved, always saved” is wrong (Eze. 33:13; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 6:4-6).
7. In what other way could the above idea be expressed? The same idea can be expressed by saying: “the forgiveness of sins is distinct from the blotting out of sins” (Jer. 18:23; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Heb. 8:12; Rev. 3:5).
The Timing of the Judgment
8. How did Israel’s feasts picture events that would take place in salvation history? Jesus was sacrificed as the Passover lamb at the cross. The feast of Pentecost followed fifty days later when God’s Spirit was poured out. In the 1800s the feast of trumpets heralded the nearness of God’s final judgment. Today we are living in the antitypical Day of Atonement which is followed by Christ’s return (Acts 2:1-4; 3:19-20; 1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 10:19; Rev. 9:13-15).
9. How can we know the timing of God’s final judgment? Knowing that the Day of Atonement was a type of judgment day, then we can see from Daniel when it was to begin (Dan. 7:3-10; 8:14).
10. How does the book of Daniel reveal the time when God’s judgment was to begin? In each of the four parallel prophesies of Daniel a final crisis occurs. That crisis is judgement & corresponds to the Day of Atonement. All Daniel’s prophesies place that day after Babylon, Medo-persia, Greece, Rome, & the reign of the Papal “little horn.” Daniel 8 says it will come after 2300 years & Daniel 9 explains the starting point for that time period: the Medo-persian decree to restore & rebuild Jerusalem (Dan. 2:39-44; 7:3-10; 8:5-14; 9:23-25; 11:40-44; 12:1-3).
11. Since Medo-persian kings gave three decrees how do we know which one is the starting point for the 2300 years? The only way to know the starting point of the 2300 years is by believing that all the demands of Daniel 9:24 were fulfilled by Jesus. Then measuring the “70 weeks” of Daniel 9, back from the cross we arrive at the third decree: 457 BC (Ezra 6:14; 7:12-16; Dan. 9:21-25; Heb. 7:26).
For more detail visit:
https://liferesearchinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PT-Vol.-8-4.pdf
“The prince that shall come”
12. What does the coming of the Messiah have to do with the “seventy weeks” determined upon God’s people? As a perfect representative of God’s people, the Messiah fulfilled, in their place, every demand recorded in Daniel 9:24 (Dan. 9:24; Matt. 3:15; Rom. 10:4).
13. Who is “the prince that shall come” as recorded in Daniel 9:26? Jesus is “the prince that shall come” for he is called that in verse 25 (Dan. 9:25-26).
14. If Jesus is the “Prince” in Daniel 9:26, how was he to “destroy the city and the sanctuary”? Jesus used the Roman army under Titus to destroy Jerusalem & its sanctuary (Matt. 22:7; 24:2).
15. How did Jesus “confirm the covenant for one week”? From when Jesus was anointed Messiah at his baptism until his ministry for the Jewish nation ended at the stoning of Stephen was 7 years. Since each day of the last week of Daniel 9 represents one year & since Bible covenants are confirmed by a weeklong ceremony then Jesus’ ministry to the Jews confirmed God’s everlasting covenant during those seven years (Gen. 29:27-28; Eze. 4:6; Dan. 9:27; Acts 7:51-53; 10:37-38).
16. What happened in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week? Daniel wrote that Messiah would be “cut off” in the 70th week & states that the Jewish sacrifices would cease in the middle of that week (obviously a reference to the cross where the Lamb of God was slain in our place) (Dan. 9:26-27; Rom. 5:6-8; Col. 2:14).
17. Since we are living in the antitypical Day of Atonement what should we be doing? We should by faith in our High Priest gather to heaven’s Most Holy Place, send our sins beforehand to judgment, afflict our souls in repentance, & plead the mercy of God (Lev. 16:16; Psa. 52:8; Joel 2:15-17; 1 Tim. 5:24; Heb. 10:19-25).
by Rick Marin | Apr 26, 2023 | 2Q2023S
¿Qué lugar tienen nuestras obras en el juicio
(Hechos 17:31; Romanos 2:12; Hebreos 12:21-29; Apoc. 14:6-7) Blog Apr. 23–29, 2023
Preparado por Ricardo Marín – Pregonero de Justicia PO Box 700, Fallbrook, CA 92088-0700 USA
REPASO: El último llamado de Dios a los habitantes de la tierra está representado por tres ángeles que vuelan en medio del cielo. Llevan la historia de la vida perfecta y la muerte expiatoria de Jesús y comienzan con un llamado a la fe en esa buena noticia. La razón dada por el primer ángel para hacer esto es porque ha llegado la hora en que Dios juzgue. Luego describe cómo prepararse para ese juicio.
Su tiempo
1. ¿Cuándo fueron liberados del río Éufrates los ángeles de Apocalipsis 14? Fue durante el tiempo en que el pueblo de Dios tocó la sexta trompeta y la caída del imperio otomano en la década de 1840 que los ángeles de Apocalipsis 14 fueron liberados para dar sus mensajes (Apoc. 9:13-15).
2. ¿Durante cuál de las siete iglesias abrió Dios la puerta de la cámara del juicio celestial? La puerta al Lugar Santísimo celestial se abrió durante el tiempo de la sexta iglesia (Filadelfia) (Apoc. 3:7-8; 11:19).
3. ¿Dónde aparece el juicio en los siete sellos? El juicio está simbolizado por un gran terremoto bajo el sexto sello y resulta en el sellamiento del pueblo de Dios (Heb. 12:25-28; Apoc. 6:12-17; 7:4-8).
4. ¿Qué evidencia interna en Apocalipsis 14 nos muestra que el juicio de Dios ocurre en los últimos días? La escena preliminar de los 144.000 con Jesús en el Monte Sión y la escena de la cosecha de la tierra después de los tres mensajes, muestran que la hora del juicio de Dios es un evento de los últimos días (Apoc. 14:1, 14-15).
5. ¿Cómo mostró Pablo en el Areópago que Dios estaba planeando llevar a cabo un juicio en los últimos días? Pablo dijo que Dios había establecido un día en el cual juzgaría al mundo con justicia (Hech. 17:31).
7. ¿En qué tiempo del verbo se refieren todos los escritores bíblicos al juicio de Dios? Todos los escritores de la Biblia se refieren al juicio de Dios sobre su pueblo como futuro (Deut. 32:36; 1 Sam. 2:10; Sal. 9:7-8; Isa. 2:4; Juan 12:48; Rom. 2: 16; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 10:30).
8. ¿Por qué debe tener lugar el juicio final de Dios sobre su pueblo antes de la segunda venida de Cristo? El juicio final de Dios para su pueblo tiene lugar antes de la segunda venida porque precede inmediatamente a la cosecha de la tierra, determina los nombres de quiénes serán retenidos y los nombres de quiénes serán borrados del libro de la vida, y cuando Cristo venga, nuestras recompensas ya han sido decididas, porque él trae ellos con él (Isa. 40:10; 43:25; 62:11; Hech. 3:19; Apoc. 3:5; 14:2; 22:12).
9. ¿Dónde coloca Daniel el juicio final de Dios? Daniel sitúa el juicio final de Dios en el cielo, después de los reinos de Babilonia, Medo-persia, Grecia, Roma y el “Sacro Imperio Romano”. (Dan. 7:3-10).
Su contenido
10. ¿Cuál es la fuente de evidencia en el juicio final de Dios? Los registros celestiales de nuestras vidas son la fuente de evidencia en el juicio (Dan. 7:10; 12:1; Apoc. 20:12).
11. ¿Quién supervisa el juicio final? Dios, el Padre, supervisa el juicio (Dan. 7:9-10).
12. ¿Quién es el juez en el juicio final de Dios? Jesús es abogado y juez en el juicio (Sal. 72:1-2; Dan. 7:13; Juan 5:22; 1 Cor. 4:4; 1 Juan 2:1).
13. ¿En el servicio terrenal los sacerdotes eran también jueces? Sí, los sacerdotes en la tierra eran abogados y jueces. Su deber fue defender al acusado y juzgar a su favor si fuera posible bajo la ley (Deut. 17:9; Eze. 44:15, 24).
14. ¿Cuál es la norma en el juicio final de Dios? La norma del juicio es la santa ley de Dios, los Diez Mandamientos (Rom. 2:12; Stgo. 2:12).
15. ¿Cómo describe Zacarías el juicio? Zacarías describe al pueblo de Dios entrando en el juicio con caracteres defectuosos que Satanás se apresura a señalar como una razón para que sean condenados. Pero Jesús los defiende, declarando que han sido rescatados del fuego, y los viste con su perfecta justicia (Zac. 3:1-5).
Su esperanza
16. ¿Son Apocalipsis 4 y 5 un cuadro del juicio final de Dios? No, Apocalipsis 4 y 5 representan la exaltación de Cristo al regresar al cielo después de su tiempo en la tierra y el derramamiento del Espíritu de Dios en el día de Pentecostés (Hech. 2:32-33; Apoc. 4:5; 5:6-7; 6:1-2).
17. ¿Qué similitudes aparecen entre Daniel 7 y Apocalipsis 4? Ambos pasajes representan a Dios en el trono y al Cordero delante de él rodeado de seres celestiales, pero Daniel ve el trono de Dios moverse del Lugar Santo al Lugar Santísimo, mientras que en Apocalipsis la escena tiene lugar en el Lugar Santo y el Cordero no está representado como un juez (Dan. 7:9-10; Apoc. 4:2; 5:6).
18. Considerando la alta norma de Dios y nuestra indignidad, ¿cómo debemos acercarnos al juicio? Debemos acercarnos al juicio como Israel se acercó al Monte Sinaí, con temor y temblor, porque no somos dignos de entrar en la santa presencia de Dios (Isa. 66:2; Jer. 5:22; Joel 2:1, 15-17; Fil. 2). :12; Heb. 12:21-29).
19. ¿La historia de quién es un ejemplo bíblico apropiado para presentarse ante Dios en el juicio? La historia de la reina Ester entrando a la presencia del rey sin ser invitada es una imagen de cómo debemos entrar en un juicio donde nuestra única esperanza está en la misericordia de Dios y nuestra única defensa es la oración (Est. 4:10-5:3).
20. ¿Qué lugar tienen nuestras obras en el juicio? Nuestras obras testifican si nuestra fe es genuina o no. Si nuestra fe es genuina, entonces Jesús presenta su vida de obediencia y muerte expiatoria como nuestro Sustituto y borra nuestros pecados, dándonos vida eterna (Rom. 2:6-7; Stgo. 2:17-18).
by Rick Marin | Apr 26, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
What place do our works have in judgment?
(Acts 17:31; Romans 2:12; Hebrews 12:21-29; Rev. 14:6-7) Blog Apr. 23–29, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God’s final call to earth’s inhabitants is represented by three angels flying in mid heaven. They carry the story of Jesus’ perfect life and atoning death and begin with a call to faith in that good news. The reason given by the first angel to do this is because the time has come for God to judge. Then he outlines how to prepare for that judgment.
Its Timing
1. When were the angels of Revelation 14 released from the Euphrates River? It was during the time that God’s people blew the sixth trumpet & the fall of the Ottoman empire in the 1840s that the angels of Revelation 14 were released to give their messages (Rev. 9:13-15).
2. During which of the seven churches did God open the door to heaven’s judgment chamber? The door to heaven’s Most Holy Place was opened during the time of the sixth church (Philadelphia) (Rev. 3:7-8; 11:19).
3. Where does the judgment appear in the seven seals? The judgment is symbolized by a great earthquake under the sixth seal & results in the sealing of God’s people (Heb. 12:25-28; Rev. 6:12-17; 7:4-8).
4. What internal evidence in Revelation 14 shows us that God’s judgment occurs in the last days? The preliminary scene of the 144,000 with Jesus on Mount Zion & the scene of earth’s harvest following the three messages, show that the hour of God’s judgment is a last days’ event (Rev. 14:1, 14-15).
5. How did Paul on Mars Hill show that God was planning to conduct a last day’s judgment? Paul said that God had appointed a day in which he would judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).
7. In what tense of the verb do all the Bible writers refer to God’s judgment? All the Bibles writers refer to God’s judgment of his people as future (Deut. 32:36; 1 Sam. 2:10; Psa. 9:7-8; Isa. 2:4; John 12:48; Rom. 2:16; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 10:30).
8. Why must God’s final judgment of his people take place before Christ’s second coming? God’s final judgment for his people takes place before the second coming for it immediately precedes earth’s harvest, it determines whose names will be retained & whose blotted out of the book of life, & when Christ comes our rewards have already been decided, for he brings them with him (Isa. 40:10; 43:25; 62:11; Acts 3:19; Rev. 3:5; 14:2; 22:12).
9. Where does Daniel place God’s final judgment? Daniel places God’s final judgment in heaven, after the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-persia, Greece, Rome, & the “Holy Roman Empire.” (Dan. 7:3-10).
Its Content
10. What is the source of evidence in God’s final judgment? Heaven’s records of our lives are the source of evidence in the judgment (Dan. 7:10; 12:1; Rev. 20:12).
11. Who oversees God’s final judgment? God, the Father, oversees the judgment (Dan. 7:9-10).
12. Who is the judge in God’s final judgment? Jesus is both advocate & judge in the judgment (Psa. 72:1-2; Dan. 7:13; John 5:22; 1 Cor. 4:4; 1 John 2:1).
13. In the earthly service were priests also judges? Yes, the priests on earth were both advocates & judges. It was their duty to defend the accused & judge in their favor if at all possible under the law (Deut. 17:9; Eze. 44:15, 24).
14.What is the standard in God’s final judgment? The standard of judgment is God’s holy law, the Ten Commandments (Rom. 2:12; Jam. 2:12).
15. How does Zechariah portray the judgment? Zechariah depicts God’s people as entering the judgment with defective characters which Satan is quick to point to as a reason for them to be condemned. But Jesus defends them, declaring that they have been rescued from the fire, & he clothes them with his perfect righteousness (Zech. 3:1-5).
Its Hope
16. Is Revelation 4 and 5 a picture of God’s final judgment? No, Revelation 4 & 5 depict Christ’s exaltation upon returning to heaven after his time on earth & the pouring out of God’s Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:32-33; Rev. 4:5; 5:6-7; 6:1-2).
17. What similarities appear between Daniel 7 and Revelation 4? Both passages depict God on the throne & the Lamb before him while surrounded by heavenly beings, but Daniel sees God’s throne move from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place, while in Revelation the scene takes place in the Holy Place & the Lamb is not pictured as a judge (Dan. 7:9-10; Rev. 4:2; 5:6).
18. Considering God’s high standard and our unworthiness how should we approach the judgment? We should approach judgment like Israel approached Mount Sinai, with fear & trembling, for we are not worthy to enter God’s holy presence (Isa. 66:2; Jer. 5:22; Joel 2:1, 15-17; Phil. 2:12; Heb. 12:21-29).
19. Who’s story is a fitting Bible example of coming before God in judgment? The story of Queen Esther entering the king’s presence uninvited is a picture of how we are to enter a judgment where our only hope is in the mercy of God & our only defense is prayer (Est. 4:10-5:3).
20. What place do our works have in judgment? Our works testify as to whether our faith is genuine or not. If our faith is genuine then Jesus presents his life of obedience & atoning death as our Substitute & blots out our sins, giving us life eternal (Rom. 2:6-7; James 2:17-18).
by Rick Marin | Apr 19, 2023 | 2Q2023S
¿Donde está la FE en el mensaje del primer ángel?
(Eclesiastés 12:13 –14; 1 Corintios 10:31; Hebreos 11:6; Apocalipsis 14:7) Blog Abr. 16-22, 2023
Preparado por Ricardo Marín – Pregonero de Justicia PO Box 700, Fallbrook, CA 92088-0700 USA
REPASO: El mensaje de los tres ángeles de Apocalipsis 14 está precedido por una vista del pueblo de Dios en Cristo en el monte Sión y seguido por una vista de la cosecha final de la tierra. Estos tres ángeles llevan el último llamado de Dios a los habitantes de la tierra. Dios desea poner fin al conflicto que comenzó en el cielo. Jesús ha estado preparando a la iglesia para ser su esposa y estos ángeles llaman a todos a las bodas del Cordero.
“Temed a Dios”
1. ¿A quién dirige su mensaje el primer ángel de Apocalipsis 14? El mensaje del primer ángel es para todos los que moran en esta tierra (Apoc. 14:6).
2. ¿Por qué se debe dar el mensaje del primer ángel a todos en la tierra? Debido a que el mensaje del primer ángel da el método de preparación para el juicio final de Dios que incluirá a toda la humanidad, debe darse a todos (Apoc. 14:7).
3. ¿Qué preciosa verdad tiene el primer ángel que es la única esperanza de la humanidad en el juicio? El primer ángel tiene el evangelio eterno que es la única esperanza de la humanidad para pasar el juicio (Hech. 4:12; Apoc. 14:6).
4. ¿Cómo podemos hacer que la historia del evangelio de una vida perfecta y una muerte expiatoria sea nuestra historia? La vida perfecta y la muerte expiatoria de Jesús se cuentan como nuestras cuando creemos en Jesús (Juan 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 11:6).
5. Si se requiere fe en Jesús para recibir el evangelio, ¿qué debe incluir definitivamente el mensaje del primer ángel? Si el primer ángel está llamando a la humanidad a encontrar la salvación en Jesús, debe incluir un llamado a la fe (Rom. 3:22; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Heb. 11:1).
6. ¿Con qué palabras llama el primer ángel a la humanidad a creer? El llamado a la fe en el mensaje del primer ángel es: “Temed a Dios” (Gen. 42:18; Ex. 18:21; Ecl. 12:13; Apoc. 14:7).
7. ¿Qué don de Dios debe venir antes del ejercicio de cualquier virtud cristiana? La fe debe preceder a todas las demás virtudes cristianas, porque solo por ella somos justificados y se nos da el Espíritu Santo, cuyo poder es el único que puede inspirar, guiar y activar todas las demás virtudes cristianas, incluida dando gloria a Dios (Rom. 5:1-5; Efe. 2:8; Heb. 11:6).
Dadle gloria a Dios
8. ¿En qué áreas de nuestra vida debemos dar gloria a Dios? Pablo dice que en cada área de nuestras vidas debemos dar gloria a Dios, incluso en lo que comemos (1 Cor. 10:31).
9. Después de poner nuestra fe en Jesús, ¿cuál debería ser la primera forma en que damos gloria a Dios? Después de creer en Jesús, debemos confesarlo como Señor. Una forma de hacerlo es bautizándose (Rom. 6:4; 10:9-10; Fil. 2:11).
10. ¿Cómo es que la confesión de nuestros pecados da gloria a Dios? Confesar nuestros pecados reconoce que Dios y su Ley son justos y que somos culpables e injustos (Josué 7:19; 1 Juan 1:7-9).
11. ¿Qué cuatro formas de dar gloria a Dios menciona Pablo en Hebreos 13? Pablo menciona alabar a Dios, confesar su nombre, hacer el bien y ayuda mutua como formas en que damos gloria a Dios (Heb. 13:15-16; ver también Sal. 50:23; Juan 15:8).
12. ¿Cómo dio Abraham gloria a Dios? Abraham glorificó a Dios siendo fuerte en la fe, confiando en las promesas de Dios (Rom. 4:20).
13. ¿De qué otras maneras dice la Biblia que podemos dar gloria a Dios? También podemos dar gloria a Dios estando contentos con las cosas que tenemos, sufriendo por él, dándole ofrendas y manteniendo la unidad en la iglesia (1 Crón. 16:29; Rom. 15:5-6; Fil. 4:11; 1 Ped. 4:16).
Preparación para el Juicio
14. ¿Cómo nos prepara la fe para entrar en el juicio final de Dios? Solo la fe en la bondad y la misericordia de Dios nos dará confianza para entrar en el juicio de Dios (Sal. 35:24; Heb. 10:19-22).
15. ¿Cómo nos ayuda la fe a pasar el juicio de Dios? Justificados por la fe tenemos paz para con Dios, porque sin fe es imposible agradarle. Entonces, por fe tomamos a Jesús como nuestro Sustituto y Dios nos cuenta perfectos en él (Rom. 5:1; Fil. 3:9; Col. 2:10; Heb. 11:6).
16. Ya que “dar gloria a Dios” es hacer buenas obras, ¿cómo nos prepara eso para el juicio? En el juicio final de Dios, nuestras obras son examinadas, así que, cómo hemos glorificado a Dios será considerado en el juicio (Ecl. 12:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:10; Apoc. 20:12).
17. ¿Por qué examina Dios nuestras obras en el juicio final? Nuestras obras son examinadas en el juicio porque dan evidencia de si tenemos fe o no, porque sin fe es imposible hacer buenas obras (Isa. 59:12, 18; Mat. 7:20-21; Heb. 11:6; Stgo. 2:17-18).
18. ¿Quiénes pasarán el juicio final de Dios? Los vencedores pasarán el juicio final de Dios porque confiaron en la justicia de Jesús hasta el final y su fe fue demostrada por sus vidas dando gloria a Dios (Juan 16:33; Rom. 4:3-5; 1 Juan 5:4-5; Apoc. 2:26; 12:11; 21:7)
by Rick Marin | Apr 19, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
Where is FAITH found in the first angel’s message?
(Ecclesiastes 12:13 –14; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 14:7) Blog Apr. 16-22, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The message of the three angels of Revelation 14 is preceded by a picture of God’s people in Christ on Mount Zion and followed by a picture of earth’s final harvest. These three angels carry God’s final call to earth’s inhabitants. God desires to bring the war that began in heaven to an end. Jesus has been preparing the church to be his bride and these angels call everyone to the marriage of the Lamb.
“Fear God”
1. To whom does the first angel of Revelation 14 direct his message? The message of the first angel is for everyone dwelling on this earth (Rev. 14:6).
2. Why must the first angel’s message be given to everyone on earth? Because the first angel’s message gives the method of preparing for God’s final judgment that will include all humanity, it must be given to all (Rev. 14:7).
3. What precious truth does the first angel have that is humanity’s only hope in judgment? The first angel has the everlasting gospel which is humanity’s only hope for passing the judgment (Acts 4:12; Rev 14:6).
4. How can we make the gospel story of a perfect life and atoning death, our story? The perfect life & atoning death of Jesus is counted ours when we believe in Jesus (John 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 11:6).
5. If faith in Jesus is required in order to receive the gospel, what should the first angel’s message definitely include? If the first angel is calling humanity to find salvation in Jesus it must include a call to faith (Rom. 3:22; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Heb. 11:1).
6. With what words does the first angel call humanity to believe? The call to faith in the first angel’s message is: “Fear God” (Gen. 42:18; Ex. 18:21; Eccl. 12:13; Rev. 14:7).
7. What gift from God must come before the exercise of any Christian virtue? Faith must precede every other Christian virtue, for by it alone we are justified & given God’s Holy Spirit whose power alone can inspire, guide, & activate every other Christian virtue, including giving God glory (Rom. 5:1-5; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 11:6).
Give God Glory
8. In what areas of our life should we give glory to God? Paul says that in every area of our lives we should give glory to God, even in what we eat (1 Cor. 10:31).
9. After placing our faith in Jesus, what should be the first way we give glory to God? After believing in Jesus, we should confess him as Lord. One way to do this is by being baptized (Rom. 6:4; 10:9-10; Phil. 2:11).
10. How does confessing our sins give glory to God? Confessing our sins acknowledges that God & his Law are righteous & that we are guilty & unrighteous (Josh. 7:19; 1 John 1:7-9).
11. What four forms of giving God glory does Paul mention in Hebrews 13? Paul mentions praising God, giving him thanks, doing good, & communicating the truth to others as ways we give God glory (Heb. 13:15-16; see also Psa. 50:23; John 15:8).
12. How did Abraham give glory to God? Abraham glorified God by being strong in faith, trusting God’s promises (Rom. 4:20).
13. In what other ways does the Bible say we can give glory to God? We can also give glory to God by being content with such things as we have, by suffering for him, by giving offerings to him, & by maintaining unity in the church (1 Chron. 16:29; Rom. 15:5-6; Phil. 4:11; 1 Pet. 4:16).
Preparation for Judgment
14. How does faith prepare us to enter God’s final judgment? Only faith in the goodness & mercy of God will give us boldness to enter God’s judgment (Psa. 35:24; Heb. 10:19-22).
15. How does faith help us to pass God’s judgment? Being justified by faith we have peace with God, for without faith it is impossible to please him. So, by faith we take hold of Jesus as our Substitute & God counts us perfect in him (Rom. 5:1; Phil. 3:9; Col. 2:10; Heb. 11:6).
16. Since “giving glory to God” is doing good deeds, how does that prepare us for judgment? In God’s final judgment our works are examined, so, how we have glorified God will be considered in judgment (Eccl. 12:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12).
17. Why does God examine our works in final judgment? Our works are examined in judgment for they give evidence as to whether we have faith or not, for without faith it is impossible to do good works (Isa. 59:12, 18; Matt. 7:20-21; Heb. 11:6; Jam. 2:17-18).
18. Who will pass God’s final judgment? Overcomers will pass God’s final judgment for they trusted in the righteousness of Jesus unto the end & their faith was demonstrated by their lives of giving God glory (John 16:33; Rom. 4:3-5; 1 John 5:4-5; Rev. 2:26; 12:11; 21:7)
