LIFE ONLY IN CHRIST

STUDY – 1 ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND DESTINY OF SATAN 1- Have any others than the human family sinned?
“God spared not the angels that sinned.” 2 Peter 2:4
2- What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?
“Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41.
Note: He is known by other names: “the great dragon,” “that old serpent,” “Satan,” “Lucifer.” Revelation 12:9; Isaiah 14:12.
3- What was Satan’s condition when created?
“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:15.
Note: the prophet Ezekiel describes him thus: “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering…the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou are the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.” Ezekiel 28:12-14.

A- CAUSES OF SATAN`S FALL
4- What unholy, ambitious spirit led to Satan’s fall?
“Thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. “ Isaiah 14:13, 14. “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” Ezekiel 28:17.
5- Using the figure of the king of Babylon, what does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.
6- How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan’s fall?
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations”” Isaiah 14:12.
7- Why was Satan cast from his high position?
“Thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane outo fo the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.” Ezekiel 28:16.

B- SATAN CAST OUT
8- How is the conflict in heaven described?
“And there was war in heaven: Michael (Christ and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevaleed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.
9- In what terms did Christ refer to Satan’s fall?
“I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:18.
10- How does Peter describe the fate of evil angels?
“God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement.” 2 Peter 2.4.

C- SATANS SINCE THE FALL
11- What has been the character of Satan since his fall?
“The devil sinneth from the beginning.” 1 John 3:8.
12- Was he ever in the truth?
“He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” John 8:44.
Note: this implies that Satan, once in the truth, did not remain there.
13- What besides a murder did Christ say Satan is?
“He is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44.
14- What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?
“Thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17.
15- What did Satan say to Eve through the Serpent?
“Ye shall NOT surely die.” Genesis 3:4.
Note: This, as far as the record shows, was the first lie – a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents to commit sin; and, as “the wages of sin is death,” by it, also, he caused their death, and so became, in reality, the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the “God of truth” – Proverbs 6: 16-19; proverbs 12:19. “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Revelation 21:8 – Revelation 21:27; 22:15.
16- What has been the result of sin’s entrance into the world?
“By one man sin entered into the word, and death by sin”; “by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.” Romans 5:12, 19. “The whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1 John 5:19. “In Adam all die.” 1 Corinthians 15:22.
17- When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?
“He was there in the wilderness fort day, tempted of Satan.” Mark 1:13 – Matthew 4:1-11.
18- How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?
“(He was) touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all paints tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.
19- What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?
“And the dragon (Satan) say that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (the church).” Revelation 12:13.
Note: Untold millions of the people of God have been put do death by persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan.
20- Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?
“And 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.” Revelation 12:17.
21- Through what agency will Satan cause deception in the last days?
“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.” Revelation 13:14.
22- What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of Armageddon?
“They are the sprits of devils, working miracles, which fo forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:14.

D- SATAS`S MILLENINU AND DOOM
23- For how long is Satan to be bound at the Second Advent?
“An angel…laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand wars.” Revelation 20:1, 2.
24- What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle.” Revelation 20:7, 8.
25- Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her see, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 20:17.
26- Through what agency will Satan cause deception in the last days?
“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.” Revelation 13:14.

B- SATAN`S MILLENNIUM AND DOOM
27- For how is Satan to be bound at the Second Advent?
“An angel.. laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand year.” Revelation 20:1, 2.
28- What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out o deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle.” Revelation 20:7, 8.
29- What is the final fate of Satan and his host?
“They…compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Revelation 20:9.

C- PERSONAL DEFEAT OR VICTORY
30- How are Christians warned against Satan’s hatred?
“How are Christians warned against Satan’s hatred?
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.
31- Why will men be allowed thus to fall under the delusion of Satan?
“Because they received not he love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12 – see 1 Kings 22:20-23.
32- Why did Christ partake of our nature?
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14.
33- What was Christ’s weapon against Satan?
The word of God. “It is written.” - Matthew 4:4-10.
Note: The word of God is the “sword of the Spirit.” Ephesians 6:17. If Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we.

STUDY – 2 WHAT IS A MAN?

STUDY – 3 LIFE ONLY IN CHRIST
1-What is the wages of sin?
“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23
2- Through whom only is there salvation from sin?
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
3- Why did God send His only begotten Son to this world?
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
4- What does Christ declare Himself to be?
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6.
5-What does He say He gives to those who follow Him?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27, 28.
1- In whom is the life eternal?
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1 John 5:11.
“He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12. “He that heareth my word, and beleveth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

STUDY – 4 WHAT DEATH IS LIKE
1- By what figure does the Bible represent death?
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – see: 1 Corinthians 15:18, 20; John 11:11-14.
Note: In sound sleep one is wholly lost to consciousness; time goes by unmeasured; and mental activity is suspended for the time being.
2- Where do the dead sleep?
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” Daniel 12:2 – see Eclesiastes 3:20; 9:10.
3- What does one in this condition know about his family?
“His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” Job 14:21.
4- What becomes of man’s thoughts at death?
“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalm 146:4.
5- Do the dead know anything?
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing.” Ecclesiastes 9:5.
6- Do they take any part in earthly things?
“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for eve in any thing that is done under the sun.” Eclesiastes 9:6
In death one loses the attributes of mind – love, hatred, envy, etcc. Thus it is plain that his thoughts have perished, and that he can have nothing more to do with the things of this world. But if, as taught continue after death, he lives; and if he lives, he must be somewhere. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or in hell? If he goest to either place at death, what then is the need of a future judgment, or of a resurrection, or of the second coming of Christ? If men go to their reward at death, before the judgment takes place, then their rewards precede their awards.
7- How much does one know of God when dead?
“For in death there is no remembrance of thee.” Psalm 6:5.
Note: As already seen, the Bible everywhere represents the dead as asleep, with not even a remembrance of God, if they were in heaven of hell would Jesus have said, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth? John 11:11. if so, calling him to life was really was really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly him of the bliss of heaven that rightly belonged to him.

A- WHERE ARE THE DEAD?
8- Are not the righteous dead in heaven praising God?
“For David is not ascended into the heavens.” Acts 2:34.
“The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” Psalm 115:17.
9- Where did Job ay he would await his final change?
“If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” Job 14:21.
“If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in darkness.” Job 17:13.
Note: The Hebrew original for “grave” in this verse is sheol, meaning among other things a dark, hollow, subterranean place, used simply in reference to the abode of the dead in general, without distinguishing between the good and the bad. (Young’s Analytical Concordance).

B- WHEN THE DEAD RISE AGAIN
10- What must take place before the dead can praise God?
“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, we that dwell in the dust: for…the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isaiah 26:19
11- When did David say he would be satisfied?
“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15.
12- Were there to be no resurrection of the dead, what would be the condition of those fallen asleep in Christ?
“For if the dead rise not, them is not Christ raised…Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” 1 Corinthians 15:16-18.
13- When is the resurrection of the righteous to take place?
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
Note: If, as stated in Ecclesiastes 9:5, the dead know not anything, the, they have no knowledge of the lapse of time; it will seem to them when they awake that absolutely no time has elapsed. “Six thousand years in the grave to a dead man is no more than a wink of the eye to the living.” And herein lies a most comforting thought in the Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead. To those who sleep in Jesus, their sleep, whether one year, one thousand years, or six thousand year, will be but as if the moment of sad parting were followed instantly by the glad reunion in the presence of Jesus at his glorious appearing and the resurrection of the just.
It ought also to be a comforting thought to those whose lives have been filled with anxiety and grief for deceased loved ones who persisted in sin, to know tha they are not now suffering in torments, but, with all the rest of the dead, are quietly sleeping in their graves. (Job 3:17).
God’s way is best – that all sentient life, animation, activity, thought, and consciousness should cease at death, and that all should wait till the resurrection for their future life and eternal reward. (See Hebrews 11:39, 40).

STUDY – 5 THE TWO RESSURRECTION
A- SIN, DEATH, AND THE GRAVE
1- What comes to all men as the result of the fall?
“In Adam all die.” 1 Corinthians 15:22 – see: Romans 5:12.
2- In what condition is man while in the grave?
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with they might; for there is no work, no device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 – see 3:20.
Note: That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise God, or event think of Him (Psalm 6:5); for in the day he dies his thoughts perish. Psalm 146:2-4.

B- RANSOMED FROM THE GRAVE
3- What has been promised in order that man may be redeemed from this condition?
“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” Hosea 13:14.
4- Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?
“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22.
5- What would have been the result to the dead had not Christ procured their release from the grave?
“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” 1 Corinthians 15:16-18.
6- Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16.
2- What did the Sadducees in Christ’s time deny?
“Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection.” Luke 20:27.
3- Under what illustration from nature are the resurrection from nature are the resurrection and the final salvation of the righteous taught?
“That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.” 1 Corinthians 15:36. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24.
Note: The seed dies to spring forth into new life. In this we are taught the lesson of the resurrection. All who love God will spring forth to life, and live again through endless ages in the earth made new.
4- Whose voice raises the dead?
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” John 5:28, 29.

C- TWO DISTINCT RESURRECTIONS
5- How many distinct classes will have a resurrection?
“There shall be a resurrection of th dead, both of the just and the unjust.” Acts 24:15.
6- By what terms did Christ refer to the two resurrections?
“All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28, 29.
7- When will the resurrection of the just occur?
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
8- When are the righteous to be recompensed?
“For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:14.
9- In what condition did David expect to rise?
“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15.
10- What great contrast will be seem between the present body and the one to be put on in the resurrection?
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body.” It is raised a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.
11- After whose body will these resurrected one be fashioned?
“We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change out vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20, 21.
12- In what words will their triumph over death and the grave be expressed?
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55.
13- How long will the righteous live?
“Neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Luke 20:36.
14- How long do the other class wait after the first resurrection before they are raised?
And they (the righteous) lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:4, 5.
15- What is to be their fate?
“And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Revelation 20:9.
16- Who are to share this fate?
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and whormongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8.
17- What is the last enemy to be destroyed?
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26. (See Revelation 20:13, 14).

STUDY – 6 FATE OF THE TRANSGRESSOR
A- CAUSE OF SINNER`S DESTRUCTION
1- What question does Peter ask regarding the wicked?
“What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.
2- What does the Bible say is the wages of sin?
“For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23. “The would that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4.

B- COMPLETENSS OF THE DESTRUCTION
3- What will be the character of this death?
“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
4- What will befall those who do not repent?
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3. “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.” 2 Peter 2:12.
5- How does John the Baptist describe this destruction?
“He will…gather his wheat into the gamer; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11,12.
6-For whom was this fire originally prepared?
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:4
Note: This fire is called “everlasting” (aionion, Greek, “age lasting”) because of the character of the work it does; just as it is called “unquenchable” (Greek asbestos, “unquenchable,” “unquenched”) because it cannot be put out, and not because it will not go out when it has done its work. “Eternal fire” reduced Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, (Jude9; 2 Peter 2:6).
7- Will any part of the wicked be left?
“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1
8- How completely will wicked man be destroyed in hell?
“Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
Note: this scripture proves that the soul is neither immortal nor indestructible.
The everlasting punishment – “everlasting destruction” – of the wicke is this destruction of soul and body in hell (Greek, Geenna – Gehenna).
Gehenna, a word for hell, is the Valley of Hinnom, the place outside Jerusalem for burning refuse, dead animals, and the bodies of criminals. Any such bodies if incompletely burned would be devoured by worms. So long as the fires were never quenched and the worms did not die, the result of being cast into Gehenna was utter destruction.
The unquenched flames of Gehenna – which do not preserve, but consume, whatever they feed on, aptly picture what other texts describe as the utter destruction of the wicked in unquenchable fire.

C- WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW
1- When will the wicked be punished?
“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7.
Note: The present heavens and earth and sinners await the fires of the last day. The Greek for “perditions” is apoleia, “loss,” “destruction”.
2- What will be the result of the fires of the last day?
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. “The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:12, 10.
3- How does Christ say sin and sinners will be eliminated?
“His angels…shall gather out of His kingdom all things that often, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire.” Matthew 13:41, 42.
4- When are the wicked dead to be raised to receive this final punishment?
“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:5.
5- Whence will come the fire that will destroy them?
“And they went up on the breadth on the earth, and compassed the camp of the sains about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” Revelation 20:9
Note: this is called God’s” strange act” and His “strange work” – the work of destruction. (Isaiah 28:21). But by this means God will once and forever cleanse the universe of sin and all its sad results. Death itself will then be at an end – cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14.
6- How is the destruction of the wicked described?
“And ye shall tread downs the wiched, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.” Malachi 4:3.
Note: The wicked are to be utterly destroyed – consumed away into smoke, brought to ashes. Through sin they have forfeited away into smoke, brought to ashes. Through sin they have forfeited the right to life and an immortal existence, and chosen the way of death and destruction. They will themselves have lost their probationary time. Their destruction will, in fact, be an act of love and mercy on the part of God; for to perpetuate their lives would only be to perpetuate sin sorrow, suffering, and misery. The experiment of sin will be over, and God’s original plan of peopling the earth with a race of holy, happy beings will be carried out.” 2 Peter 3:13.
7- What is this final destruction of the wicked called?
“This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14.
8- After the burning day, what will appear?
“Blessed are the meke: for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5 – see Psalm 37:11, 29; Isaiah 65:17-25. “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matthew 13:43.
Note: At present Satan and the wiched have this world as their “place”. In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin and sinners and restore it from sin and sinners and restore it, that He may five it to the saints of the Most high for an everlasting possession”. See Daniel 7:18, 22, and 27.