STUDY – 1 THE SUBJECTS OF THE KINGDOMA- THE THINGS TO BE OVERCOME
1- What are we admonished to overcome?
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21.
Note: In 1 John 5:4 that which we are to overcome is called “the world”; and in 1 John 2:15-17 the things of which “the world” consists are described as “the lust of th flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of live.”
B- HOW TO OVERCOME
2- What only can overcome the world?
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.” 1 John 5:4.
3- What gives us the victory in our conflict with the world?
“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Same verse
C- PROMISES TO THE OVERCOMER
4- What promises are made by Christ to the overcomer?
a) “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7.
b) “He that overcometh shal not be hurt of the second death.” Verse 11.
c) “To him that overcometh will guve to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” verse 17.
d) “he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.” Verses 26-28.
e) “He that overcometh, the same shall b clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5.
f) “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” verse 12.
g) “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Verse 21.
5- In what one promise are all these promises summed up?
“He that overcometh shall inherit al things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:7.
Note: The exceeding great and precious promises to the overcomer embrace everything – eternal life, health, happiness, and an everlasting home. What more could be asked?
6- Upon whom was the name Israel first bestowed?
“And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Genesis 32:28.
7- Afterward who came to be called by this title?
“Now these are the name of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; …Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. …Joseph.” Exodus 1:1-5.
Note: In other words, the descendants of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, where known as the twelve tribes of Israel.
8- What special blessings were conferred on the Israelites?
“Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all.” Romans 9:4,5.
THE TRUE, SPIRITUAL ISRAEL
9- Who constitute the true Israel, or seed of Abraham?
“They are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are of the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Verses 6-8.
10- What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism?
“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able oh these stones to raise un children unto Abraham.” Matthew 3:9
11- What determines whether one is a child of Abraham?
“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” Galatians 3:7.
12- In what scripture are Christians recognized as Israel?
“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:16.
13- To whom is the gospel the power of God unto salvation?
“For I an not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16.
CRIST´S EARTHLY MINISTRY TO LITERAL ISRAEL
14- To whom did Jesus first send the twelve disciples?
Mat 10:5,6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, G not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
15- When the woman of Canaan came to Christ, beseeching Him to heal her daughter, what did He say?
“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Mathew 15:24.
16- When she persisted in her request, and fell down to worship Him, what did He say?
“But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children´s bread, and to cast il to dogs.” V.26
Note: By her persistent faith, this woman, although a Canaanite, showed that she was really a true child of Abraham.
17- While dining with Zacchaeus, what did Christ say?
“This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” Luke 19:9.
18- What did He say to the woman of Samaria as to the source of salvation?
“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the lews.” John 4:22.
GENTILES BECOME SPIRITUAL ISRAELITES
19- When the Jews rejected Paul´s preaching of the gospel, what did Paul and Barnabas say?
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we return to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46.
Note: From all this it is plain that had not the Jews as a nation rejected Christ, they would still have maintained the pre-eminence as the children of God, and as Gos´s light bears to the world. But because of this rejection, they were rejected as God´s peculiar people, and others took their place, and now bear the name of Israel in common with those who were first called by that name.
20- Under what figure are the Gentile believers represented who have become a part of the true Israel of God?
“And is some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the branches.” Romans 11:17, 18.
21- Lest the Gentile grafts should boast, saying that the Jews were broken off to let them come in, what warning is given them?
“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” Verses 20,21.
22- What encouragement is held out concerning the branches that have been broken off?
“And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.” Verse 23.
23- Before the Gentiles become Israelites, in what condition are they?
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles, … at that time, ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:11,12.
GOD´S LAST-DAY REMNANT PEOPLE
24- How are God´s remnant people described?
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.
25- Whose names are in the foundations of the holy city?
“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21:4.
26- Whose names are on the twelve gates of the city?
“And (the wall) had twelve gates, and at gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” Verse 12.
27- Who will walk in the light of the city?
“And the nations of them which are save shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour unto it.” Verse 24.
STUDY – 2 THE HOME OF THE SAVED
GOD´S PURPOSE IN CREATION
1- For what purpose was the earth created?
“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it be inhabit.” Isaiah 45:18.
2- To whom has God given the earth?
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord´s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16.
3- For what purpose was man made?
“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.” Psalm 8:6 – see Genesis 1:26; Hebrews 2:8.
SATAN, AND MAN´S LOST DOMINION
4- How did man lose his dominion?
Through sin. Romans 5:12; 6:23.
5- When man lost his dominion, to whom did he yield it?
“For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2ª Peter 2:19.
Note: Man was overcome by Satan in the Garden of Eden, and there yielded himself and his possessions into the hands of his captor.
6- In tempting Christ, what ownership did Satan claim?
“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” Luke 4:5,6.
CHRIST AND THE RESTORED DOMINION
7- Why did Christ say the meek are blessed?
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Mathew 5:5.
Note: This inheritance cannot be realized in this life, for here the truly meek generally have little of earth´s good things.
8- Who does the Psalmist say have most now?
“For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. …Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” Psalm 73:3-7.
9- What promise was made to Abraham concerning the land?
“And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy SEED for ever.” Genesis 13:14,15.
10- How much did this promise comprehend?
“For by the promise, that he would be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, trough the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Romans 4:13.
11- How much of the land of Canaan did Abraham own in his lifetime?
“And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him when as yet he had no child.” Acts 7:5 – see Hebrews 11:13.
12- How much of the promised possession did Abraham expect during his lifetime?
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10.
13- Who is the seed to whom this promise was made?
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:16.
14- Who are heirs of the promise?
“And if ye be Christ´s, then are ye Abraham seed, and heirs, according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29.
15- Why did not these ancient worthies receive the promise?
“And these all, having obtained a good report, through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39,40.
WHEN THIS EARTH IS MADE NEW
16- What is to become of our earth in the day of the Lord?
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.
17- What will follow this great conflagration?
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13.
Note: As shown in the reading on “The Millennium,” at the coming Christ, the living wicked will die, and the saints will be taken to heaven to dwell with Christ a thousand years, or until the wicked of all ages are judged, and the time comes for their destruction and the purification of the earth by the fires of the last day. Following this, the earth will be formed anew, and man, redeemed from sin, will be restored to his original dominion.
18- To what Old Testament promise did Peter evidently refer?
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isaiah 65:17.
19- What was shown the apostle John in vision?
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Revelation 21:1.
20- What will the saints do in the new earth?
“And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.” Isaiah 65:21-23.
21- How readily will their wants be supplied?
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24.
22- What peaceful condition will reign throughout the earth then?
“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent´s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 65:25.
23- What seasons of worship will be observed in the new earth?
“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:22,23.
24- What will the ransomed of the Lord then do?
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:10
STUDY – 3 THE CONFLIT ENDED
1- In narrating the work of creation, what statement in made concerning its completion?
“This heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made.” Genesis 2:1,2.
Note: God´s work here referred to was “very good” Genesis 1:31. Had it not been for sin, this first plan of God would not have been followed by the three steps we shall now study.
2- When expiring on the cross, what did Christ say?
“When Jesus therefore ha received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30.
Note: Christ came into the world to save sinners. Costly though the prince was, He paid it. Bitter as was the cup, He drank its last dregs. In that final moment He said, “It is finished.”
3- At the pouring out of the seventh plague, what announcement will be made?
“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” Revelation 16:17.
Note: This outpouring of God´s wrath is upon the rejecters of Weaven´s mercy. Human probation has closed, and when the great voice cries, “It is done,” Christ starts on His way to earth the second time.
4- And when the new heavens and the new earth have appeared, and the holy city, New Jerusalem, has descended from God and become the metropolis of the new creation, what announcement will then be made?
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, Il is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 21:5,6.
A- PLEASURES FOREVERMORE
5- In the new earth, what will be no more?
“And God shall wipe away all tear from their eyes; shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – v. 4. “And there shall be no more curse.” Revelation 22:3.
6- What will then be the condition of all the earth?
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice´ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:6-9.
7- What universal chorus of praise will then be heard?
“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, he unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:13.
B- SEEING HI AS HE IS
8- What will finally be the privilege of God´s children?
“And they shall see his face.” Revelation 22:4.
9- How perfect will be their knowledge of God?
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12.
10- Whom will they be like?
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2.
11- From what ills will the saints be forever delivered?
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4.
12- Who will dwell with the redeemed?
“He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:3.
13- What will it mean to dwell in God´s presence?
“In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11
14- How long will they possess the future kingdom?
“But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.” Daniel 7:18.
15- How long will they reign?
“And they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5.
