Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: Since pride entered the heart of heaven’s highest angel, the controversy between good and evil continues. Lucifer uses deception and force to turn people from God and his Commandments, while God uses truth and love to bring people to himself. As this conflict draws to a close in our day, God seals his people with the Latter Rain of his Spirit, fitting them to pass through earth’s final crisis.
Hope in the Time of Trouble
1. With the final crisis just before God’s people where are they to look? In Isaiah God says that people should look to him (Isa. 45:22).
2. In Hebrews where are God’s people told that their hope is found? The hope of God’s people is found “within the veil” of heaven’s sanctuary, where Jesus is ministering for them (Heb. 6:18-20).
3. What special work does Jesus do for his people “within the veil” of heaven’s sanctuary? It is in the second apartment of heaven’s sanctuary that Jesus applies his finished atonement to blot out the sins of those who have persevered in faith unto the end (Matt. 24:13; Acts 3:19; Heb. 9:6-15; 10:1-2).
4. How does the blotting out of our sins give us hope? As God’s people understand that he not only forgives their sins but will blot out their sins, never to bring them up again, they have hope to pass through the time of trouble protected by God (Isa. 43:25-26; 44:22-23; Heb. 8:12; 10:17-18; Rev. 3:12).
5. What promises of protection in the time of trouble does the Bible give? In Psalms & Daniel God promises to keep & protect his people who have gathered by faith into heaven’s Most Holy Place; to hide his people in the time of trouble; & to deliver them. (Psa. 27:5; 41:1–2; 91:1-11; Jer. 14:8; Dan. 12:1).
6. Besides the hope of having our sins blotted out, what other hope gives God’s people encouragement to face the trials of the last days? The hope of Christ’s return in the clouds of heaven to deliver his people from their oppressors is a constant source of hope (Isa. 25:8-9; John 14:1-3; Tit. 2:13; Rev. 1:7).
The Millennium
7. How is earth’s time of trouble brought to a close? As God pours out the seven last plagues on earth, the nations become angry & enact laws against God’s people who have gathered by faith to heaven’s Most Holy Place. Then God intervenes by the brightness of Christ’s return with all the holy angels & casts the beast & the false prophet into the lake of fire while slaying all the wicked (Dan. 11:44-45; Rev. 11:18; 16:14-21; 19:11-21).
8. What happens to Satan and his angels when Christ returns? Satan & his angels are bound to this desolate, quaking earth for a thousand years with dead corpses all around them (Jer. 4:23-26; 25:33; Rev. 20:1-3).
9. With what symbolic event of the ceremonial law does the millennium correspond? The millennium is the antitype of the Sabbatical Year for it follows six thousand years of earth’s history with a thousand years when the earth is not cultivated (Lev. 25:1-4; Rev. 20:1-3).
10. Where are God’s people during the millennium? During the millennium God’s people are in heaven with him, for after raising the righteous dead he translated them together with the righteous living to heaven (Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Thes. 4:13-17; Rev. 20:4-6).
11. What are the righteous doing during the millennium? During the millennium the righteous are reviewing the records of the lost & with Jesus are deciding their sentencing (Matt. 19:28-30; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3, 9, 10; 2 Pet. 2:1, 4, 20, 21; Rev. 20:4, 11-15).
The Triumph of God’s Love
12. What happens at the end of the millennium? At the end of the thousand years the righteous descend from heaven with God in the New Jerusalem, the wicked dead are raised by God, & Satan organizes them to attack the holy city (Rev. 20:3-9; 21:2).
13. What happens to Satan and all his followers as they attack the New Jerusalem? Upon seeing a picture of their lives & rejection of God’s love, all confess that God is just & bow before him. God’s convicting Holy Spirit, like fire, is a torment to their consciences & they receive the sentence of death meted out for them according to how they lived (Isa. 44:22-23; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:11; Rev. 20:9-10, 14-15).
14. What is the final end of Satan and all his followers? In the end they will all be destroyed, both Satan, the root, & all his followers (Psa. 37:20; Mal. 4:1-2; Rev. 20:9, 14-15).
15. After the destruction of Satan and all his host, what great event will amaze the righteous? The righteous will be privileged to see God create a new earth(Isa. 65:17-19; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1).
16. How will God’s love ensure that sin never arises in the universe again? God allows Satan to fully demonstrate the principles of pride that led him into rebellion & God has demonstrated the infinite extent of his love in the sacrifice of himself for our salvation. These demonstrations together with the testimony of the redeemed throughout the universe will guarantee that sin will never rise again (Gen. 15:16; Nah. 1:9; John 3:16; Eph. 2:6-7).
17. Besides sharing the story of their redemption throughout the universe, what else will the righteous be doing throughout eternity? The eternal home of the righteous will be this earth where they will build houses & inhabit them & plant vineyards & orchards & eat the fruit of them. They will have continual fellowship with Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, & one another, & they will enjoy nature in all its varied forms without one taint of sin (Isa. 11:1-9; 65:21-25; 1 Thes. 4:15; Rev. 21:1-4 , 22-7; 22:1-5).
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: Lucifer uses deception and force to turn people from God and his Commandments. God uses truth and love to bring people to himself. As this conflict draws to a close its intensity heightens. Being on the right side is of utmost importance.
You may wish to watch our video on Revelation 7:
Discernment
1. What characteristic of God’s last church makes understanding the issues in the final conflict very difficult? The blindness of God’s last church makes understanding the issues very difficult (Rev. 3:17).
2. What remedy for blindness does God offer his last days’ people? God offers his people eyesalve: spiritual discernment to know God’s will & to distinguish between right & wrong, truth & error (Eccl. 8:5; Eze. 44:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Heb. 5:11-14; Rev. 3:18).
3. By what means does God bring wisdom and understanding to his people? Wisdom & understanding come to God’s people in the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ex. 31:3; Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17-19).
4. Primarily, through what means does the Holy Spirit come to us? The primary channel used by the Holy Spirit is the Word of God (2 Sam. 23:2; 1 Cor. 12:8; Eph. 6:17; Col. 3:16; Heb. 4:12).
5. Does God promise a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days? Yes, God promises a special outpouring of his Spirit like the blessing of the latter rain that ripens the harvest to perfection (Joel 2:23; Acts 3:19-21; Jam. 5:7).
6. What historical event corresponds to God’s outpouring of the former or early rain? The Christian church received the early rain on the day of Pentecost when God poured out the Holy Spirit on those gathered in the upper room (Hos. 6:3; Acts 2:1-4, 16-17, 33).
The Seal of God
7. What relationship exists between the gift of God’s Spirit and the seal of God? God seals people with his Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
8. When does God seal people with the Holy Spirit? God seals people when they repent & believe the Gospel & God has a final sealing of his people in the latter rain (Acts 2:38; 3:19; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; Rev. 7:3).
9. What heavenly act precedes the “early rain” seal of God’s Spirit? The “early rain” seal of God’s Spirit is preceded by the heavenly act of forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
10. What heavenly act precedes the “latter rain” seal of God’s Spirit? The “latter rain” seal of God’s Spirit is preceded by the heavenly act of the blotting out of sins (Acts 3:19).
11. When filled with God’s Spirit in latter rain power, what will God’s people do? God’s people will go forth in the strength of his Spirit to proclaim the wonderful works of God, filling the earth with a view of God’s glory & pointing away from any glory in man (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 18:1).
12. Where is God’s glorious character and the seal of his authority most succinctly revealed? The Ten Commandments are a revelation of God’s character & the fourth commandment contains his seal of authority for it gives his name, title, & territory & it is the central issue separating worship of God from worship of the beast (Ex. 20:8-11; 34:6-7; Rev. 13:4, 15; 14:7).
Results
13. What will take place when all believers are sealed with God’s Spirit in the latter rain? When all God’s people are sealed, the winds of human passion will be released from the control of God’s Holy Spirit & there will be a time of trouble such as has never been on earth (Dan. 12:1; Rev.7:1-3).
14. How will the beast and false prophet attempt to turn God’s loyal people from keeping his Commandments? The United States of America (the false prophet) will use economic embargoes & even the threat of death against those who refuse to worship the image to the Papacy (the beast) which she has formed (Rev. 13:15-17).
15. When sealed with the latter rain, will any of God’s people lose that seal and be lost? No. While it is possible that some who receive the seal of the early rain turn from God & are lost, those who receive the seal of the latter rain are settled into the truth & are eternally secure (Acts 3:19-21; Heb. 6:21; Rev. 22:11-12).
16. What three characteristics distinguish God’s people from those who receive the mark of the beast? God’s people are distinguished from those who worship the beast & his image by their perseverance, their faith in Jesus as their Savior, & their tight grasp of God’s Ten Commandments as the way to show their love to him even when false religion tramples on the fourth Commandment (Matt. 24:13; John 14:15; Rev. 14:7, 12).
(Exodus 20:4-11; Daniel 7 & 8; Revelation 13 & 14) Blog Jun. 9-15, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: Lucifer’s attack against God’s government began in heaven and continues on earth, where through deception and force he seeks to turn people from God and his Commandments. One of his special deceptions is that people continue living even when they die.
The Last Great Battle
1. What three great powers does the Book of Revelation portray as opposing God’s people in the last days? Revelation lists “the dragon” “the beast” & “the false prophet” as uniting forces against God’s people in the last days (Rev. 16:13).
2. What does the prophetic symbol “the dragon” represent? The dragon is a symbol for Satan, especially as he works through spiritualistic paganism (Isa. 8:19; Jer. 51:34; Eze. 29:3; Rev. 12:3, 4, 9).
3. What does the prophetic symbol “the beast” represent? The beast is a symbol for the power that took the place of pagan Rome which gave it its seat, power, & authority (Rev. 13:1-2).
4. Judging by its characteristics and activities, what is the power that took the place of pagan Rome? The beast that rose up out of the sea of humanity replacing pagan Rome & persecuting God’s people, blaspheming God, his temple, & his people, & seeking to be worshipped must be the Papacy (Rev. 13:1-7).
5. What historical time period is attributed to the beast power? The beast power rose up when pagan Rome declined under barbarian (“ships of Chittim”) attack & she maintained power 42 prophetic months (1260 years) until the pope was taken captive in 1798, which was “a deadly wound” (Dan. 11:30; Rev. 13:3-5).
6. What does Revelation say will become of the Papacy in the last days? The deadly wound received by the Papacy will be healed & she will regain her former worldwide power (Rev. 13:3).
7. What symbol in Daniel corresponds with the sea beast of Revelation 13? The “little horn” of Daniel 7 & 8 is an exact fit for “the beast” (Dan. 7:8, 20-21, 25; 8:9-11; 11:30-32; Rev. 13:1-10; 17:5-8).
8. Besides persecuting God’s people and blaspheming God what other activities of the beast are mentioned in Daniel? The little horn beast also tampers with God’s Law, prophetic & holy time, & takes away justification (the daily) placing the forgiveness of sins in the hands of sinful men on earth (Dan. 7:25; 8:11-12).
Faith & Worship
9. At the time of God’s final judgment what does God call people to do? God calls people to believe and honor God considering judgment day has arrived (Rev. 14:6-7).
10. In what are people to put their faith? Our faith is to be in the mercy of God & the gospel of his Son’s life & death for us (not in our Christian experience or in our great faith) (Mark 1:15; Acts 16:30; Rev. 14:6, 7, 12).
11. How do believers honor God, give glory to him, and demonstrate their faith? We honor God by keeping his Commandments (which is true worship), by giving to advance his kingdom, & by keeping his Sabbath (Deut. 7:9; Prov. 3:9; Isa. 58:13; Jam. 2:18; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; Rev. 12:17).
12. How do people give honor to the Papacy? People honor the Papacy by trusting in something other than Jesus’ life & death for their acceptance with God, by disregarding the only day God has made holy, & by separating the 70th week of Daniel 9 from the 69 (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Dan. 7:25; 9:24; John 1:12; Acts 4:12; Rev. 14:7).
The Image to the Beast?
13. What world power is introduced after the Papacy in Revelation 13? The United States of America (the false prophet), like a bison with two little horns, is introduced in the last half of Revelation 13 (Rev. 13:11-12).
14. What things about the two-horned beast show that it represents the United States? It arose far from the massive sea of humanity, it began with lamblike principles of representative government & freedom of worship, & within it arose the fiery Pentecostal Movement (Rev. 13:11-14).
15. What does Revelation say that the USA will do? Revelation says that the USA (using deception & miracles) will make an image to the Papacy & cause all to worship the Papacy (Rev. 13:12-14).
16. What must an image of the Papacy include? An image of the Papacy must include the use of civil power to enforce religious dogmas & these dogmas must be Papal in nature (Rev. 13:12-17).
17. What must the USA do in order to form an image to the Papacy? The USA must change its constitution & Bill of Rights in order to make an image to the beast (US Bill of Rights, Amendment I).
18. How will the USA get people to worship the beast and its image? The USA will deceive people through wonders & miracles & resort to force by enacting commercial embargoes on all who do not bow to her laws, eventually resorting to a death decree (Rev. 13:12-17).
19. What part of the first angel’s message is clearly contrary to the demands of the image to the beast? The part that says “worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” is directly opposite the command to worship the beast & his image (Rev. 14:7, 9).
20. If the observance of the Sabbath is the outward sign of the everlasting covenant, how will that sign become extremely important in the final conflict? Before God judges the living he gives a visible test. That visible test is over worship as outlined in the fourth commandment (Ex. 20:8-11; 31:16-18; Rev. 14:6-12).
Preparado por Ricardo Marin: <PregonerodeJusticiaLRI@gmail.com>
REPASO: Después de su rebelión en el cielo, Lucifer trajo su doctrina a la tierra. Cuando Jesús lo derrotó en la cruz, intensificó su ataque contra el pueblo de Dios que guarda los Mandamientos de Dios y confía en Jesús para su salvación. Cuando la persecución no logró destruirlos, él trajo al mundo a la iglesia. Entonces Dios levantó Reformadores para purificar a su pueblo y cuando se enfriaron nuevos testigos surgieron para avivar las llamas del amor, hasta animar a la iglesia con la idea de que Cristo estaba por regresar. Para comprender la demora, Dios señaló a su pueblo el santuario celestial donde Jesús continuó ministrando y las verdades enterradas durante mucho tiempo bajo la basura del razonamiento humano.
Al principio
1. ¿Cuál es la premisa básica del espiritismo? El espiritismo se basa en la premisa de que los muertos no mueren sino que continúan viviendo en otro estado (Isa. 8:19).
2. ¿Cómo se expresó por primera vez en esta Tierra la mentira del espiritismo? Hablando a través de la serpiente, Lucifer le dijo a Eva: “No moriréis” (Gén. 3:4).
3. ¿Qué declaración directa de Dios contradijo Lucifer a Eva? Dios había dicho previamente que comer del árbol prohibido significaría una muerte segura (Gén. 2:16-17).
4. ¿Cómo explica el espiritismo la fuente de la información transmitida a través de los médiums? El espiritismo dice que la información que revelan proviene de consultar a los muertos cuando en verdad viene de demonios (Sal. 88:10; 115:17; Isa. 8:19).
5. ¿Qué dice la Biblia acerca de los que están muertos? La Biblia describe la muerte como un sueño inconsciente donde no hay recuerdo ni sentimiento (Sal. 6:5. Ecl. 9:5-6; Dan. 12:2; Juan 11:11-14).
Inmortalidad
6. ¿Qué doctrina pagana que entró en gran parte del cristianismo proporciona una base para la comunicación con los muertos? La doctrina de la inmortalidad natural del alma se presta a la idea de que los muertos pueden comunicarse con los vivos (Isa. 8:19-20).
7. ¿Quién dice la Biblia que tiene inmortalidad natural? Sólo Dios tiene inmortalidad natural (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15-16).
8. ¿Cuándo dice la Biblia que los seres humanos reciben la inmortalidad? La inmortalidad fue hecha posible por Jesús y se le da únicamente al pueblo de Dios en la resurrección de los justos en la segunda venida de Cristo (Rom. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Tim. 1:9-10).
9. ¿Qué es un alma? Dios creó a Adán del polvo, sopló en su nariz y se convirtió en un alma viviente. Por lo tanto, un alma es una persona viviente completa, no sólo una parte del hombre (Gén. 2:7; Apoc. 13:8).
10. ¿De qué maneras muestra la Biblia que es posible que un alma muera? Dios le dijo a Ezequiel: “El alma que pecare, esa morirá”. Y Jesús advirtió que debemos temer a aquel que puede destruir el alma y el cuerpo en el infierno (Eze. 18:4, 20; Mat. 10:28).
12. ¿Cómo describe la Biblia a quienes mueren confiando en Dios? Aquellos que mueren en el Señor descansan en la tumba esperando la resurrección de los justos cuando Jesús regrese (Isa. 26:19; Hech. 2:29; Apoc. 14:13).
13. ¿Cuándo recibirá el pueblo de Dios sus recompensas? En la resurrección de los justos el pueblo de Dios recibirá sus recompensas. Sólo entonces su redención será completa (Luc. 14:14; Juan 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:42, 52; Apoc. 20:4-5).
14. Si los justos muertos disfrutan de la vida en la presencia de Dios, ¿sería una bendición para ellos traerlos de vuelta a la vida en la Tierra? Ciertamente no. Jesús no habría resucitado a la hija de Jairo, al hijo de la viuda, ni a Lázaro si eso los hubiera quitado de la bienaventuranza eterna en el cielo (Mar. 5:41-42; Luc. 7:11-15; Juan 11:39-44).
El espiritismo en los últimos días
15. ¿Qué relatos bíblicos registran las “experiencias cercanas a la muerte” de los que fueron resucitados? No existen tales relatos, porque en la muerte no hay pensamiento ni recuerdo (Sal. 6:5; Ecl. 9:10).
16. ¿Cuál es la actitud de Dios hacia la consulta de médiums y brujas? Dios prohíbe a su pueblo consultar a espíritus familiares o a adivinos (Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:9-12).
17. ¿Qué debemos hacer cuando se nos invita a consultar a espíritus familiares? Debemos probar cada espíritu mediante la Ley y el Evangelio que se encuentran en la Palabra de Dios (Isa. 8:19-20; Mat. 8:16; 1 Juan 4:1-3).
18. ¿Qué imperio antiguo se caracterizaba por consultar con los espíritus malignos? Egipto era conocido por consultar a los espíritus malignos (Éx. 7:11-12; Isa. 19:3).
19. ¿Cómo describe Pablo el método que usará Satanás en los últimos días para hacer que los creyentes se aparten de la fe? Pablo escribe que al prestar atención a espíritus engañadores y a doctrinas de demonios que hablan mentiras con hipocresía, algunos se apartarán de la fe en los últimos días (1 Tim. 4:1-2).
20. En el tiempo de la sexta plaga ¿qué medios usa el diablo para engañar al mundo? Satanás usa espíritus inmundos (como los que Jesús y sus discípulos expulsaron) para reunir al mundo contra Jesús y su pueblo (Mar. 1:25-26; 5:8; Luc. 9:32; Hech. 8:7; 2 Tes. 2:3-4; Apoc. 16:13-14).
21. Además de comunicarse a través de médiums, ¿cómo pueden los espíritus mentirosos engañar a las personas? Los espíritus mentirosos aparecen en forma de seres queridos muertos para engañar a las personas y reunirlas para luchar contra Dios (Isa. 8:19-20; Apoc. 13:13-14; 16:13-14).
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: In every age God has warned his people of Lucifer’s deceptions in the controversy between good and evil. God uses messengers to guide his people in the way they should go and between the 6th and 7th trumpet of Revelation he pointed them to the true tabernacle in heaven.
A Look into Heaven
1. When between the 6th and 7th trumpet God’s people were told to “prophesy again” where were they directed? During the time of the church of Philadelphia God’s people were told to measure the temple: that is the sanctuary in heaven (Rev. 10:11; 11:1-2).
2. What room of the heavenly sanctuary was opened to John’s view in Revelation 11? In Revelation 11 John, who represents God’s people, was given a view into heaven’s Most Holy Place (Rev. 11:19).
3. What special piece of furniture was seen in heaven’s Most Holy Place? Heaven’s Most Holy Place contains the ark of the covenant, just as the pattern on earth contained the ark that Moses built (Ex. 26:31-34; Heb. 9:1-5; Rev. 11:19).
4. What is the covenant that the ark contains? The covenant contained in the ark is the Ten Commandments (Ex. 25:16; Heb. 9:4; Rev. 11:19).
5. Why are the Ten Commandments given such a special place in God’s house? The Ten Commandments are the foundation of God’s government & are the words of the covenant that Jesus makes with his people (Ex. 34:28; Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10).
6. Since God is righteous, what description of righteousness does the Bible give? Righteousness is conformity to the Ten Commandments for they describe God’s glorious character. Notice the parallel between Exodus 20 & Exodus 34 (Ex.20:8-11; 33:18 – 34:7; Psa. 119:142; Rom. 3:5).
The Ten Commandments
7. How were the Ten Commandments summarized in the creation story? The two institutions established in Eden were the Sabbath & marriage. The Sabbath is a symbol of the first four commandments & marriage of the last six (Gen. 2:1-3, 21-24).
8. How did Jesus summarize the Ten Commandments? Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments as love to God (1-4) & love to one’s neighbor (5-10) (Matt. 22:36-40).
9. How does Paul describe God’s Law in Romans? The Law is holy, & the commandment holy, just, & good (Rom. 7:12).
10. How enduring are the words of God’s covenant law? God’s Law is eternal, for like his character & government there is no end (even to a thousand generations) (Deut. 7:9; Psa. 111:7-8; 119:89-90).
11. Of what does the book of James warn us about the commandments? James warns us that all Ten Commandments are to be kept, for omitting one is the same as breaking all of them (Jam. 2:8-11).
12. By what everlasting truth did God demonstrate that his Law could not be changed? In order to save mankind God made the sacrifice of his Son rather than alter his unchangeable law, for the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23; 8:32; 1 Cor. 15:3).
13. What did Jesus say he came to earth to do? Jesus said he came to fulfill God’s Law for it could not be changed (Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 10:5-10).
14. Besides living a perfect human life in our place what else did Jesus do that showed God’s Law could not be changed? Jesus also bore the curse of God’s Law for the wages of sin is death (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:10).
The Final Conflict
15. What oft-repeated word in Revelation 13 and 14 tells us what earth’s final crisis will be over? The oft-repeated word is “worship” (Rev. 13 & 14).
16. Where is true worship best defined? True worship is best defined in the Ten Commandments, especially the first four (Ex. 20:1-17; John 14:15).
17. Which of the commandments says who God is, and why he should be worshipped? The fourth commandment tells us that God is the Creator of this earth & everything in it. That is why we should worship him (Ex. 20:8-11).
18. What other reason for worship is given in Revelation 5? We are also to worship God because after we fell into sin, he redeemed us (Rev. 5:8-14).
19. What major characteristics identify God’s end-time people? God’s people are characterized by their obedience to God’s Law, their faith in Jesus, & their perseverance unto the end (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Col. 1:22-23; Rev. 12:17; 14:12).
20. How much faith must God’s people have to endure the final conflict? While it is true that our faith should always be increasing it is not the “amount” of faith but its “object” that determines our eternal destiny. Jesus said that a very small amount of faith could move mountains (even the mountain of his righteousness to our account) (Matt. 17:20; Luke 17:5; Heb. 12:2).
With what attire do we come to the marriage of the Lamb?
(Leviticus 16:21, 30; 23:26-32; Daniel 7:9-10; Hebrews 8:1-5; Revelation 11:1-2) Blog 19-25 May 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: God is continually working against Lucifer in the controversy between good and evil. He works to warn and guide his people on earth through messengers and through his prophetic Word. When his people expected the second coming of Jesus and were disappointed, he pointed them to the true tabernacle in heaven.
New Light Required
1. When God’s people, who expected Jesus to come in the 1800s, were severely disappointed, what instruction did he give them? God told his people that they must prophesy again (Rev. 10:11).
2. If God’s expectant people were wrong about the return of Jesus in the 1800s, what did they need before they could prophesy again and not be disappointed again? God’s people needed new light in order to understand their mistake & rightly present the prophesies of Daniel (1 Thes. 5:1-8).
3. To where did God direct his disappointed people between the 6th and 7th Trumpet? God told his people to measure the temple of God, the altar, & them that worship in the temple (Rev. 11:2).
4. To what temple was God referring in Revelation 11? The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD as Gabriel & Jesus had predicted. The deacon Stephen was stoned for teaching that God’s true temple was now in heaven. The Apostle Paul wrote that the Old Covenant & its temple were vanishing away. So, the only temple to which Revelation could refer is the one in heaven where God’s people worship (Dan. 9:26; Matt. 24:2; Acts 6:13-14; 7:48; Heb. 8:13; Rev. 11:1; 13:6).
5. How was an understanding of God’s temple in heaven going to help the disappointed believers on earth? Those who expected Jesus to return for his bride in the 1800s understood that the sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the 2300-day prophesy was this earth to be cleansed by fire. Now they were directed to the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched in heaven. This truth was to bring light amid disappointment (Dan. 8:14; Rev. 13:4-7).
6. What conclusion did God’s people come to when considering the truth of the sanctuary being in heaven and not on earth? If the sanctuary to be cleansed was in heaven, then its cleansing must refer to the removal of the sins confessed there by God’s people & the typical Day of Atonement service would serve as a pattern for what would take place in heaven (Heb. 8:1-5; 10:1-4; Rev. 11:19).
7. How was the Day of Atonement pattern in the wilderness observed? On the Day of Atonement in the wilderness the high priest entered the second phase of his ministry by entering the Most Holy Place & making atonement for the people who placed their faith in him. Using blood, he removed the sins that had been confessed there during the year & they were sent away into the wilderness on the head of a scapegoat (Lev. 16:21-34; 23:26-32).
A heavenly explanation
8. Does the Bible teach that the high priest had a two-part ministry in the sanctuary on earth? Yes, the high priest was in charge of a daily ministry dealing with sin & sinners that included sacrifices & offerings & a yearly ministry that cleansed the sanctuary of sin & made final atonement for sinners (Ex. 29:38-42; Lev. 23:27; Heb. 9:1-7).
9. Since the earthly sanctuary service was a pattern for Christ’s high priestly ministry in heaven, what conclusion must we come to regarding its cleansing predicted by Daniel? The prophesy recorded in Daniel 8:14 must point to the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary (Ex. 25:40; Dan. 8:14; Heb. 8:1-5).
10. If the sins of God’s people are not finally dealt with until the heavenly Day of Atonement, what must we conclude about their salvation? We must conclude that they are not eternally secure (once saved, always saved) until the sanctuary in heaven is cleansed (Eze. 33:13; Dan. 7:13, 14, 22; 8:13-14; Rev. 11:16-17).
11. How does Peter refer to the two-part heavenly ministry of Jesus? In his first Pentecostal sermon Peter speaks of the forgiveness of sins, while in the second he speaks of the blotting out of sins” (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
12. What phrases does the New Covenant use to refer to the two-part ministry of Jesus? The New Covenant refers to “forgive iniquity” & “remember sin no more” (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12).
13. How did Jesus show that an investigative judgment must take place just prior to the marriage of the Lamb? In his story of the marriage that a king prepared for his son, Jesus taught that the King inspects the guests’ attire before proceeding with the marriage (Matt. 22:10-14; Heb. 9:27).
14. According to Zechariah, with what sort of attire do we come to the marriage of the Lamb? We come to God’s final judgment like we came to Jesus in the first place: with defective characters (Zech. 3:1-3).
Entering the Holiest
15. What hope do we have in God’s final judgment if we enter with defective characters? Our only hope is in the mercy of God & our only defense is prayer, for unless Jesus pleads his blood & righteousness for us in judgment & covers us with his perfect character, we are lost eternally (Neh. 13:22; Psa. 4:1; 51:1; Zech. 3:1-5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:22).
16. How does the book of Hebrews tell us to come to God’s final judgment? Paul tells us to come to judgment trusting in the blood (death) & righteousness (life) of Jesus who is our high priest, with our sins forgiven & living sanctified lives (Heb. 10:19-22).
17. How did Jesus express the thought that his mission was to live a perfect life in our place? Speaking to the Father, Jesus said that he came to earth to do God’s will, thus, fulfilling God’s covenant with man (Adam) (Heb. 10:5-10).
18. What blessing is given to God’s people when they pass God’s final judgment? Those who pass God’s judgment are given the Latter Rain of God’s Spirit that prepares them for Christ’s coming (Acts 3:19-21).
