by Rick Marin | Jun 21, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
Who is the “angel” of Revelation 18:1?
(Exodus 33:18-19; 1 Thes. 5:1-8; Revelation 18:1-5) Blog 18-24 Jun. 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Three angel messengers proclaim God’s last call to humanity. The first tells us how to prepare for the judgment that has just begun. The second announces the fall of what once was God’s true church. The third angel warns of the fate of those who worship something other than the Creator and shows that God’s people while keeping his Commandments trust in Jesus for their salvation.
Global Intensity
1. How does Paul, when quoting Isaiah, describe the intensity of the last days? Paul writes that only a remnant will be saved & God will bring his work to a quick end (Rom. 9:27-29).
2. How does Jesus describe the intensity of the last days? Jesus said that after the great tribulation the powers of heaven & earth would be shaken & signs would appear in the heaven in quick succession followed by his unexpected return (Matt. 24:29-30).
3. How does Paul, in Thessalonians, describe the surprising nature of Christ’s second coming? Paul says that sudden destruction comes when men are saying “Peace and safety,” & that the second coming will be a great surprise to the wicked but that God’s people who watch & are sober will not be surprised (1 Thes. 5:1-6).
4. What does it mean to watch and be sober? To “watch” means to be daily in God’s Word so you can overcome temptation & discern the meaning of events around you & to be “sober” means to have your mind under the control of reason not carried away with date-setting or frivolous talk, but rather filled with faith, hope, & love (Matt. 26:40-41; 1 Cor. 5:13; 1 Thes. 5:8; 1 Pet. 1:13).
5. What three great powers attempt to bring a final deception to the world just before Jesus returns? Pentecostalism, Spiritism, & Catholicism unite to convince the nations to oppose Christ’s second coming (Rev. 16:13–14).
6. How must God’s people be prepared so as not to be deceived by the agencies of Satan? It is only by a special outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit that his people will be prepared to resist the end time delusions of Satan (Zech. 10:1; Jam. 5:7-8; Rev. 18:1).
Another Angel
7. Who is the “angel” of Revelation 18:1, that lightens the earth with his glory? The “angel” having great power represents the Holy Spirit, who like Jesus in chapter ten, comes “down from heaven” (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 3:16-21; Rev. 9:14; 10:1; 18:1).
8. How did Jesus describe the work of the Holy Spirit? Jesus said that the Spirit would guide us into all truth & glorify Jesus (John 16:13-14).
9. To whom did the first angel say that we should give glory? The first angel said that we should glorify God (Rev. 14:7).
10. To whom do we naturally give glory? We naturally give glory to ourselves, our talents, & our deeds (Jer. 9:23-24; Dan. 5:23; Rom. 1:21; Heb. 5:5; Rev. 18:7).
11. When men glorify themselves, what often happens? When Nebuchadnezzar glorified himself, he was struck with a form of insanity, when Herod glorified himself, he was eaten by worms & died, & Paul writes that when men refuse to glorify God they become fools & God gives them up to uncleanness (Prov. 16:18; Dan. 4:30-32; Acts 12:20-23; Rom. 1:21-24).
Lightened with God’s Glory … See our video on Revelation 18 at: https://youtu.be/OkTqDHMYy50
12. When the fourth angel comes with whose glory does he fill the earth? The “angel” of Revelation 18 fills the earth with his own glory & that of Jesus & of the Father (John 16:13-14; Rev. 18:1).
13. What is the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? The glory of the Deity is their loving, gracious character that seeks the good of others (Ex. 33:18-19; Jer. 9:24; Rom. 15:9).
14. In the final crisis how will God’s people give him glory? God’s people will confess their sins, confess Jesus as Lord, honor God in the way they live, praise him, & be united (Josh. 7:19; Psa. 50:23; Matt. 5:16; Rom. 15:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:31; Phil. 2:11).
15. Why did God create mankind in the beginning? God created humanity for his glory. The catechism states “The purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” (Isa. 43:7).
16. Why is the term “Lamb” used continually in Revelation to refer to Jesus? John, the Baptist, said of Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” for just as in the Old Testament lambs were offered as a substitute for the sinner who deserved death, so Jesus is a Substitute sin offering for all who trust in him (John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21).
by Rick Marin | May 31, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
How does Pentecostalism attempt to influence the masses?
(Ezekiel 8:16; 20:24; Daniel 5:1-5; Revelation 13:13-14; 16:13-14; 18:1-5) Blog May 28 – Jun. 03, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In preparation for God’s final judgment three angels are sent with messages for earth’s inhabitants. The first angel emphasizes the gospel, faith, obedience, and worship. The second announces the fall of what once was God’s true church and gives the reason for her fall.
Historic Babylon
1. When Belshazzar served the wine of Babylon what vessels did he use? Belshazzar served the wine of Babylon in vessels taken from God’s temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 5:1-3).
2. While drinking the wine of Babylon what did Belshazzar and his guests do? They “praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.” (Dan. 5:4).
3. Why did God interrupt Belshazzar’s feast? God wrote on the plaster of the wall above God’s candlestick because Belshazzar’s & Babylon’s sin had reached unto heaven & their judgment was come (Dan. 5:5, 22-30; Rev. 18:4-8).
4. How did God explain his way of dealing with mankind by what he wrote on Belshazzar’s wall? The words God wrote were “Number, number,” “Weigh,” “Divide” which tell us that God keeps a record of the lives of men & nations, that finally they are weighed in God’s balances, & then quickly comes the execution of God’s judgment (Eccl. 12:13-14; Dan. 5:24-28; Mal. 3:16; Rom. 2:4-6; Rev. 20:15).
5. When Babylon conquered God’s people what areas of idol worship does Ezekiel warn them about? Ezekiel warns God’s people about making images, sacrificing their children to idols, sun worship, & Sabbath breaking (Eze. 8:16 ; 16:17-21; 20:24)
Apocalyptic Babylon
6. What are the three ideologies that combine to make up apocalyptic Babylon? Apocalyptic Babylon is composed of Lucifer’s (dragon’s) spiritualism, Papal (the beast’s) dogmas, & Pentecostal (the false prophet’s) emotionalism (Isa. 8:19-20; Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:13-14; 16:13-14).
7. What Bible truths are especially opposed by the three isms that comprise Babylon? Spiritualism opposes the doctrine of conditional immortality, Catholicism opposes the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment, & Pentecostalism opposes the truth of justification by faith alone (Gen. 2:1-3; Eccl. 9:5-6; Rom. 3:28).
8. How does spiritualism attempt to influence world leaders? When troubled about events or enemies, world leaders consult lying spirits for guidance in what to do. Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, & Belshazzar are prime examples of this (1 Sam. 28:7; Dan. 2:2; 5:7).
9. How also can lying spirits deceive individuals? Lying spirits appear in the form of lost loved ones to deceive individuals (Isa. 8:19-20; Rev. 13:13-14).
10. How does Roman Catholicism attempt to influence world leaders? The Papacy unites with world leaders to enforce her dogmas as she did in the Holy Roman Empire & the Inquisition (Dan. 7:24; Rev. 13:8).
11. How does Pentecostalism attempt to influence the masses? Pentecostalism uses music, miracles, & ecstatic experiences to woo the masses into believing she has the Spirit of God (Rev. 13:13-14).
12. What blessing does God add to the powerful three angels that greatly aides his people in withstanding Babylon’s aggression? God lightens the earth with the powerful latter rain by his Holy Spirit (Jam. 5:7; Rev. 18:1).
13. What assurance of final victory does God give in the third angel’s message? The third angel concludes his message with a view of God’s people through faith in Jesus on Mount Zion continuing to keep God’s commandments (Rev. 14:1, 12).
“The wine of the wrath of her fornication”
14. What does fornication have to do with wine? Wine dulls the senses so that a person is easily deceived & fornication often follows (Gen. 19:33; Prov. 20:1; 23:31-33; 31:4-5; Hab. 2:15).
15. What does wrath have to do with wine? Strong drink often makes a person angry & violent (Psa. 78:65; Prov. 4:17; 20:1).
16. What does fornication have to do with wrath? In Ezekiel God accuses his people of severe fornication that includes hatred of their husband & their children (Eze. 16:44; Rom. 1:28-29).
17. How does Babylon get the masses to drink her wine? Babylon offers her wine in golden goblets from God’s sanctuary, thus making it appear to come from God (Dan. 5:3).
18. What are some of the false doctrines Babylon has taught? Babylon teaches Satan’s first lie (that man is naturally immortal), that she has the right to change the Ten Commandments & the Sabbath, that the “little horn” of Daniel does not apply to her, & that justification is NOT by faith alone (Gen. 3:4; Dan. 7:25; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 2:20).
by Rick Marin | May 24, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
On what basis is the bride of Christ chosen?
(Genesis 10:9-10; 11:1-9; Daniel 1:1; 5:1-4; Revelation 12:1-6; 14:8; 17:1-6) Blog May 21-27, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In preparation for God’s final judgment three angels are sent with messages for earth’s inhabitants. The first angel emphasizes the gospel, faith, obedience, and worship.
Who is Babylon?
1. When the second angel of Revelation 14 says “Babylon is fallen,” to whom does he refer? Babylon was a city built by Nimrod in rebellion against God & later the capital & country ruled by Nebuchadnezzar who conquered God’s people & their capital, Jerusalem. This is its first mention in Revelation & it is a symbol for a corrupt church or woman (like Jezebel) (Gen. 10:9-10; 11:1-9; Dan. 1:1; Rev. 2:20-21; 14:8).
2. How does the second angel’s message show that “Babylon” is a symbol? Revelation 14:8 refers to the city, Babylon, as a woman (“she”) who commits fornication and serves corrupt wine (Rev. 14:8).
3. What should we understand from the phrase “is fallen”? The phrase “is fallen” tells us that Babylon was once a pure church but has fallen from that original purity (Isa. 3:8; 21:9; Rev. 14:8).
4. Why does the angel repeat the phrase “is fallen”? The phrase is repeated because of the serious, unredeemable nature of Babylon’s fall (Deut. 19:15; 2 Cor. 13:1).
5. Of what is Babylon a symbol? Babylon is a symbol of the Apostolic church gone sour. Revelation portrays the church as God’s horse in battle that begins pure white and becomes deathly sick in the Middle Ages when God calls out a remnant in the Protestant Reformation (Jer. 51:6; Rev. 6:1-8).
Why is Babylon Fallen?
6. What is the reason that Babylon is fallen? Babylon is fallen because “because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She rejected the first angel’s message & taught false doctrine to the world’s inhabitants (Dan. 5:1-4; Rev. 14:8).
7. What does wine of fornication symbolize? Wine is a symbol of the blood of Christ with which Jesus introduced the new covenant, but here it is polluted for it teaches illicit union prior to marriage which is used here as a symbol of teaching that sanctification comes prior to justification (Matt. 26:27-28; Rom. 5:1-5; Eph. 2:8-10).
8. What are some of the false doctrines Babylon has taught? Babylon teaches Satan’s first lie (that man is naturally immortal), that she has the right to change the Ten Commandments & the Sabbath, that the “little horn” of Daniel does not apply to her, & that justification is NOT by faith alone (Gen. 3:4; Dan. 7:25; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 2:20).
9. Since the Protestant Reformation separated true believers from the church of Rome, how has Babylon’s boundaries been enlarged? Since the protestant Reformation there has been a continual drift back to Rome. Not only the Church of England but the entire Pentecostal, Charismatic Movement has accepted Rome’s doctrine of justification by an internal change thus bringing them into Babylon as daughters of the harlot (Rev. 3:1-4; 17:5).
Two Women
10. What other woman does Revelation talk about? In chapter 12 Revelation introduces a woman dressed in the sun with the moon under her feet & a crown of twelve stars on her head (Rev. 12:1).
11. What is the setting for the scenes presented in Revelation 12-18? The setting for the scenes presented in Revelation 12-18 is heaven’s Most Holy Place where the legal marriage of the Lamb takes place (Rev. 11:19).
12. Who is represented by the woman clothed in the sun? The woman clothed in the sun represents the church who is to become the bride of Christ. She is clothed in the righteousness of Christ (Mal. 4:2; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7; 21:2).
13. Is the woman clothed in the sun sinless? No, she became pregnant before the marriage due to her sin in Eden (Gen. 3:13; Rev. 12:2).
14. When Jesus comes to the marriage, what must he decide? Jesus must decide which of the two women who come to the marriage will be his bride (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 12:1; 17:4).
15. On what basis will God, the Father, and Jesus decide which woman will be the bride? The decision (just like the one Solomon had to make over two harlots) will be based on which one loves the Son (1 Kings 3:16-28).
16. How is love for the Son demonstrated in the pre-marriage judgment? Jesus said “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
17. How do each of these two women try to convince others to join their ranks? Babylon uses lies & the unlawful union (fornication) of church and state to convince others by force to join her ranks while the New Jerusalem uses the presentation of the Word of God to convince others to join her ranks (John 8:44; Rom. 10:8; 2 Tim 4:2; Rev. 13:15-17; 17:6).
18. When the Angel of Revelation 18 joins the three angels, what call regarding Babylon does Jesus make? Jesus says, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4).
by Rick Marin | May 10, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
What does worship have to do with judgment?
(Exodus 20:2-11; Acts 17:23-24; James 2:13, 18, 20; 1 John 4:10-14; Rev.14:7) Blog May 07-13, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The three angels of Revelation 14 call humanity to enter God’s judgment. They carry the everlasting gospel and tell us how to prepare for a judgment that will examine our works and require obedience to God’s Law. This judgment brings to a close Christ’s heavenly ministry of mercy. When it is finished there will be no further hope of salvation for the lost.
Why?
1. Why does the first angel of Revelation 14 mention “worship” as a preparation for judgment? Chapters 13 & 14 in Revelation show that the controversy between Christ & Satan is over worship & that worship will be the final test that divides the world (Rev. 13:4, 8, 12, 15; 14:7, 9, 11).
2. What objects of worship does Revelation list? Revelation lists God (the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) as the true object of worship & Satan, the beast, the image of the beast, angels, & created things as false objects of worship (Rev. 1:8, 11, 17-18; 4:10-11; 9:20; 13:8; 14:9-11; 19:10; 22:9).
3. Why should we worship God rather than the Satanic trinity? While the Satanic trinity has much power & earthly authority its members had NO part in our creation nor in our redemption. Rather, they are created beings like us & not worthy of worship (Eze. 28:2, 15; Col. 2:16; Heb. 1:1-8).
4. What reason does the first angel give that we should worship God? The reason we should worship God is that he made heaven, earth, the sea, & the fountains of waters (Rev. 14:7).
5. From what source is the first angel quoting when referring to creation? The first angel is quoting from Exodus 20 when referring to creation (Ex. 20:11).
6. What reason to worship God does the Bible continually give? The Bible continually gives “creation” as the reason we should worship God (Neh. 9:6; Psa. 95:6; Acts 17:23-24; Rev. 14:7).
How?
7. Where in the Bible are we given a brief description of how to worship God? The Ten Commandments give us a brief description of how to worship God (Ex. 20:2-17).
8. Which commandment especially points to God as Creator? The fourth commandment specifically points to God as Creator (Ex. 20:8-11).
9. If true worship is especially defined in the fourth commandment, what must be the specific test in earth’s final crisis? In earth’s final crisis the day of worship must be the specific test (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 12:17; 14:12).
True Worship
10. What do the Bible writers say that the commandments are? The Bible writers say that the commandments are holy, just, & good: an expression of love (Matt. 22:37-39; Rom. 7:12; 13:10; 1 John 5:3).
11. Since love is the fulfilling of the law, then what must true worship be? True worship is love for God & for our fellow men (Matt. 22:37-39; John 4:23-24).
12. How did God demonstrate his love for us? The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. The Son died for us while we were yet sinners. The Holy Spirit gives us faith to believe the Gospel & indwells those who believe. God is love (Rom. 5:6-8; 8:9; 1 John 4:10-14).
13. How does our love for God compare to his love for us? Our love for God is extremely small in comparison to God’s love for us (Rom. 3:10, 19; 1 John 4:10).
14. Because our love for God (our worship) is so weak, what is our only hope in judgment? Our only hope in judgment is the mercy of God that is willing to accept the life & sacrifice of Jesus as our Substitute & Surety if we are found in him (Psa. 35:24; 2 Cor. 5:21; Col. 2:10; Jam. 2:13).
15. If we have a Substitute in judgment, then why should we care if we have love (true worship) or not? Only those who trust in Jesus have a Substitute & that faith (trust) is only evidenced by our acts of love. Our life record reveals whether we have a Substitute or not (Eccl. 12:13-14; Matt. 12:36-37; Rom. 2:7-10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jam. 2:18-20).
16. How will true believers demonstrate their love for God in the final crisis? True believers will demonstrate their love for God in the final crisis (test) by keeping God’s Commandments – especially the fourth (Ex. 31:16-17; John 14:15; Rev. 12:17; 14:7, 12).
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 | 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).
