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)
by Rick Marin | Apr 12, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
Where will the marriage of the Lamb take place?
(Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Revelation 14:6) Blog Apr. 09-15, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The war that began in heaven came to this earth. The book of Revelation gives the details of this war during the Christian era. It shows how Jesus prepares the church to be his bride and how she is to give his message to those outside of his church. Satan opposes every step, but in the end God will harvest a people who worship him in spirit and in truth.
View https://youtu.be/ROCYGhL5o5A for our study titled “On Mount Zion”
Preparation for Marriage
1. What is the focal point of God’s efforts in the book of Revelation? In Revelation God is preparing a bride for his son. Jesus paid the bride price & now works to prepare his church for the marriage (1 Cor. 6:20; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 5:9; 19:7).
2. What means does the Godhead use to prepare the church for the marriage of the Lamb? The Holy Spirit inspires & enables the bride in godly living, the Father sends forth his Word to cleanse the church, & Jesus ministers his blood & righteousness to purify her prayers & good deeds (Eph. 5:25-27; Tit. 3:5; Rev. 3:22; 6:2; 8:3).
3. Where will the marriage of the Lamb take place? The marriage of the Lamb takes place in heaven’s Most Holy Place, for there is the ark of the covenant containing the words of the covenant (Luke 19:15; Rev. 11:19).
4. How is God’s church pictured as she comes to the marriage? The symbol for the living, sealed in Christ church is the number 144,000 for it is the square of twelve, a number representing complete organization (Rev. 14:1-5).
5. How are God’s people described in Revelation 14? God’s people, the 144,000, are described as having a pure faith, as being perfect in God’s sight, & as freely confessing their unworthiness (Rev. 14:1-5).
6. Where in Revelation are we told that the bride became fully ready for the marriage? Revelation 19:7-8 tells us that the bride is ready for the marriage (Rev. 19:7-8).
Three Angels
7. Why are the 144,000 introduced just prior to the three angel’s messages? The 144,000 are introduced just prior to the three angel’s messages for they are God’s people who proclaim these messages to the world (Mark 16:15; Rev. 1:20; 14:1, 6).
8. Where were the three angels first introduced in the book of Revelation? The three angels were first introduced (together with the fourth) under the sixth trumpet in chapter 9, for until the time of the sixth church their messages were restrained by the enemy (Rev. 9:13-15).
9. What factors tell us when the three angel’s messages are proclaimed? Because they were not released until the time of the sixth trumpet, & their messages deal with the image to the beast, which is still future, & they are immediately followed by earth’s harvest, & their messages deal specifically with God’s end-time judgment, they are a last day’s message, God’s final message to humanity (Rev. 9:13-15; 14:6, 9, 15).
10. What important item does the first angel have as he begins his loud proclamation? The first angel has the everlasting gospel to preach to the whole world (Rev. 14:6).
The Gospel
11. What is the gospel? The gospel is the story of Jesus’ incarnation, birth, life, death, resurrection, & ascension (Mark 1:1; Luke 2:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:1-8).
12. What is the purpose of the gospel? The purpose of the gospel is the salvation of all who trust in it for their acceptance with God (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-2).
13. Is the gospel a doctrine, like justification by faith? No, the gospel is not a doctrine to be believed & taught, rather it is the story of our Substitute to be believed in. Doctrinal correctness saves no one (Matt. 7:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 1:11-13; Phil. 1:15-16; James 4:17).
14. Why does John call the gospel, “everlasting”? The gospel is everlasting for Jesus is the gospel & he was promised in Eden & he is the only One in whom is salvation throughout the entire span of earth’s history. The gospel also provides everlasting life (Gen. 3:15; John 3:36; 8:58; Acts 4:12; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 13:8; 1 John 5:11).
15. Why must the gospel be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people? Not only did Jesus command us to do this but the preaching of the gospel allows God to judge, for it is a person’s only hope in judgment (Mark 16:15; 1 Pet. 4:5-6).
Judgment
16. Why is the gospel our only hope in judgment? The gospel is the story of a perfect substitutionary life & atoning death that God will accept in our place when we are judged, for not the hearers of the law are justified but rather the doers of it are (Rom. 1:16-17; 2:13; 3:24-26; Tit. 3:5-7).
17. Why is it especially important that the gospel be preached in the last days? In the last days God’s judgment will turn from the cases of the dead to those of the living. Thus, it becomes imperative for the living to accept the gospel if they are to pass the judgment. And in the gospel proclamation comes the final test for humanity (Matt. 24:14; John 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 4:5-6).
18. What did Jesus say would follow the worldwide preaching of the gospel? Jesus said that the end would come as a result of the worldwide preaching of the gospel (Matt. 24:14).
19. Who might suffer loss if the gospel is not preached? Those who die without hearing the gospel & those who neglect proclaiming it, both will suffer loss if the gospel is not preached (Eze. 33:8; Rom. 1:14; 1 Cor. 3:15).
by Rick Marin | Apr 5, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
When will the harvest take place?
(Mark 4:26-29; Galatians 6:7-9; Revelation 14:14-20) Blog Apr. 02-08, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: There was conflict in heaven. Adam allowed it to enter this earth. Jesus came to give us victory in the conflict and the three angels of Revelation 14 tell us how to end on the winning side. Love wins and love is a choice. God is love continually and in the end Satan’s alternative will be seen to be a disaster.
Harvest Principles
View https://youtu.be/P4lJCK3nni8 for our study titled “Earth’s Harvest.”
1. What symbol did Jesus use for earth’s harvest? Jesus compared seed that grows & produces ripened corn as a symbol of earth’s harvest (Mark 4:26-29).
2. When did Jesus say that earth’s harvest would come? Jesus said that earth’s harvest would come at the end of the world (Matt. 13:39).
3. How did Paul describe earth’s harvest? Paul taught that earth’s harvest was sure, that it would produce the same kind of crop as the seed sown, that it would come after the seed was sown, & that it would be more abundant than the seed sown (Hos. 8:7; 2 Cor. 9:10; Gal. 6:7-9).
4. What two kinds of seed can we plant before harvest day? We can plant fleshly seed that will end in death or spiritual seed that will end in eternal life (Gal. 6:8).
Why speak of harvest?
5. What does the harvest of Revelation 14 have to do with the three angel’s messages? The harvest scene immediately follows the three angel’s messages & describes the results of accepting or rejecting those messages (Rev. 14:14-15).
6. What two types of harvest does Revelation 14 describe? Revelation 14 describes a grain harvest for the righteous and a grape harvest for the wicked (Rev. 14:15-19).
7. What should we learn from the harvest story in Revelation 14? We should learn that in earth’s harvest there are only two classes, that there is no intermediate group expecting further purification, & that the rewards of harvest follow quickly (Rev. 14:15, 18; 15:1).
8. What is the first stage of the reward of the wicked after the harvest is complete? The seven last plagues are the first stage of God’s wrath that the wicked receive after the harvest is complete (Rev. 15:1; 16:1).
9. In the last half of Revelation 14, where are the “angels” found that are spoken of? The angels are in heaven for that is where God’s temple & golden altar are found (Rev. 14:17-18).
10. In the light of our answers to the previous questions, when does earth’s harvest take place? Earth’s harvest takes place at the end of the world just before the seven last plagues & the second coming of Jesus (Heb. 12:27; Rev. 14:19).
11. Where in the book of Revelation is the second coming of Jesus introduced? The second coming of Jesus is mentioned in chapters 1, 2, & 3, but only in chapter 19 is it described in detail, showing that it follows the seven last plagues (Rev. 1:7; 2:25; 3:11; 19:11-21).
Separation
12. If the harvest takes place before the second coming of Jesus, where especially does the separation of the righteous and the wicked take place? The separation of the righteous & the wicked takes place in heaven, for the record of their lives is kept there. They are not separated by some secret rapture of physical separation. The enactment of human laws brings their physical separation on earth (Dan. 12:2; Rev. 13:16-17).
13. Where does Daniel say that the separation of the righteous and wicked takes place? Daniel pictures the separation of the righteous & the wicked as taking place at God’s throne in heaven as a result of a heavenly judgment (Dan. 7:9-10; 13-14).
14. In what ways are the scenes of Daniel 7 and Revelation 14 parallel? Both Daniel & John picture Jesus as the Son of Man accompanied by clouds of angels receiving his kingdom (Dan. 7:13-14; Rev. 14:14-16).
15. How will the division between the righteous and wicked be made manifest to all? When Jesus comes in his glory there will be a physical dividing of the righteous & wicked. The righteous will enter the joy of their Lord while the wicked will be destroyed by the sword of his mouth (Matt. 25:31-32; 2 Thes. 1:7-10; Rev. 19:21).
16. When were the righteous separated from the wicked in Noah’s day? After the animals & Noah & his family entered the ark, God closed the door, thus separating the righteous from the wicked 7 days before the flood came (Gen. 7:7-10).
17. What determines whether we are part of the grain harvest or part of the grape harvest? In judgment God determines which harvest we will be part of, for he sees our response to the three angel’s messages which reveals if we give glory to him or to ourselves & the beast (Isa. 26:7).
by Rick Marin | Mar 29, 2023 | 2023 2nd Quarter
Why didn’t God destroy Lucifer immediately?
(Isaiah 14:12-14; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:1-17) Blog Mar. 26 – Apr. 1, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: God’s last call to humanity is given in the last half of the book of Revelation. This quarter we will look especially at the three angel’s messages as recorded in chapter 14. They tell us how to prepare for the events just before us.
Its Origin
1. What first disturbed the peace of the universe? Heaven’s brightest angel let pride control his heart. That led him to covet God’s throne. Next, he led a full rebellion against God (Isa. 14:12-14).
2. How did God respond to Lucifer’s rebellion? By observing God’s dealing with Cain, we know that God spoke to Lucifer about his defection, that he warned him of where it would lead, & that he told him the remedy (Gen. 4:5-7; Deut. 32:4; Psa. 145:17).
3. When other methods failed to dissuade Lucifer, what course was God forced to take? When Lucifer decided to control heaven by force, God, in the Person of his Son was forced to fight against Lucifer and the angels that sided with him (Eze. 28:16; Rev. 12:7-9).
4. What was the result of the great battle that took place in heaven? Lucifer & his angels lost the battle & were cast out of heaven to this earth (Rev. 12:4, 8, 9).
5. Why didn’t God destroy Lucifer immediately without letting him continue his rebellion on this earth? For the universe to understand the nature & results of Lucifer’s rebellion it was necessary for God to allow it to fully demonstrate its principles so that rebellion would never arise again (Nah. 1:9; Matt. 7:17-20; Rom. 2:4).
6. How did Lucifer’s rebellion enter this earth? When Adam, the federal head of humanity, ate the forbidden fruit, rebellion became a part of the human existence (Gen. 3:6; Rom. 5:12-14).
Its Progress
7. Was Lucifer satisfied with his victory over Adam and Eve, or did he seek to develop further conflict on earth? Lucifer was not satisfied, but rather inspired hatred among the first family resulting in the death of Abel & continued hatred & conflict in future generations (Gen. 4:8, 23-24; 6:5).
8. What became the old serpent’s special object of attack after hearing God’s curse on him in Eden? Lucifer’s special object of attack became “the seed of the woman” from Abel’s day until Christ’s day (Gen. 3:15; 2 Kings 11:1-3; Matt. 2:13-16).
9. How does Revelation 12 describe Herod’s attempt to kill the Christ child? John in vision wrote: “the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” (Matt. 2:13-16; Rev. 12:4).
10. In John’s vision, who does the woman clothed with the sun represent? The woman in Revelation 12 represents God’s church, for she is clothed in the righteousness of Christ & stands on the foundation of the twelve tribes of Israel, with the twelve apostles for a diadem (Gen. 37:9-10; Rev. 12:1).
11. What picture of the woman in history does John describe in Revelation twelve? John describes the repeated attacks of Satan against God’s church after Christ ascended to heaven, including the 1260 years of Papal supremacy when the church fled into the wilderness & was preserved by God (Num. 14:34; Dan. 7:25; Rev. 12:6, 13-16).
12. How does John describe Satan’s end game after God opened the Western Hemisphere for the persecuted woman to escape Papal persecution? John says: the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17).
Our Place
13. What two things characterize God’s true church? God’s true church is characterized by keeping the Ten Commandments & trusting in the gospel of Jesus (Rev. 12:17; 14:12).
14. With all Satan’s attacks against the members of God’s church, what hope do we have of overcoming? John tells us that other members of God’s church overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb & the word of their testimony, so we know that the devil is not invincible & that the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7; Rev. 12:11)
15. When was Satan cast out of heaven? Satan was cast out of heaven into this formless world before God created life on this planet (Gen. 1:2; Rev. 12:9).
16. To what event does Revelation 12:10 refer? The day of salvation came when Christ was crucified. In anticipation of his death Jesus said: “I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven (Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:10).
17. If Jesus already won the victory over Lucifer in heaven, what value does his death on the cross have? When Jesus came to earth, he came not as God alone. Rather his victory over Satan at the cross was accomplished as a human being. He took Adam’s place as federal head of humanity. His victory on earth is our victory if we believe in him (John 1:12; Rom. 5:15-18; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Heb. 2:9-16).
18. How did Jesus express the power that his followers will have over Satan? He said, “I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19).
19. How far will Satan go to destroy God’s people? Revelation 13 describes how the Papacy would war against the saints & “overcome them” & how American Pentecostalism would legislate embargoes against God’s people & even issue a death decree if they would not worship the Papacy or receive its mark (Rev. 13:7-8, 14-17).
