Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction of the Book of Daniel

Study 0 From the Book of Daniel is:  The Introduction of the Book of Daniel 

The book of Daniel is rich in spiritual instruction, and will reward prayerful study. It shows first of all, how those who believe in God can take their place in the society where they find themselves, ply their part in current affairs, and yet remain true to God, thereby bringing glory to Him and blessing to me. Such men and women are needed among the nations today.

            The book of Daniel is also tonic to faith.  The overthrow and exile of the Jews raised the question ‘Where is their God?  (Ps. 115:2).  The book of Daniel reveals God as sovereign over the nation, watchful over those who trust in Him, and working all things according to the counsel of his will’. The earlier chapters helped to bring home to the Jews the great truth of the sole Deity of the Lord. This weaned them from idol-worship (cf. Ps. 115:3-11). The later chapters of the book, with their exact prediction of the course of events, were the means by which the faith of the remnant was sustained amid the troubles and persecutions that they endured. This book should help also to sustain our own faith in days of darkness.

            The book of Daniel is also an integral part of Scripture in its revelation of things to come. This assumes that the book is a true record and prophecy belonging to the time of the exile.  There has been a strong trend in recent times to dispute this, and to assign the composition of the book to a period 400 years later, when many of its predictions had already become facts of history. The older view is not without its difficulties, but the progress of archaeology has already removed some of these, and in holding to the authenticity of the book, we are in line with the New Testament, which bears witness to its miracles and predictions (see, e.g., Heb. 11:33, 34; Mt. 24:15, and quotes from or alludes to it frequently, especially in the synoptic Gospel and the book of Revelation.

Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Jude 17-25

Study 3 From the Book of Jude is:  Jude 17-25

Tomorrow we will start the book of Daniel

1-     Verses 17-21. When confronted by the adverse influences of the world, what are we to do, and what will God do, to maintain our spiritual development?

2-     What should be our attitude as Christians to those around us who may be  going astray, and what to the sin that has defiled them?

3-     What may we learn from verses 24, 25 concerning the ground of our confidence, the source of our joy, and the object of our aspirations? What should such awareness move us to do?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Jude 1-16

Study 1 From the Book of Jude is: Jude 1-16

       1-     Contrast, clause by clause, the threefold description in Verse 1 of the faithful believers, to whom Jude is writing, with the description in verse 4 of the false intruders into the church, whom he condemns.

      2-     Compare Jude 4:16 with 2 Peter 2:1-18. What resemblances and differences do you find?

      3-     Verse 3. Are you contending for the faith? If it was once for all delivered to the saints, is there any scope for modification as the church develops?

Note. Refer the NBC for explanation of verses 9, 14, 15.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction of Jude

Study 0 From the Book of Jude is: The Introduction of the Book

Introduction

The writer of this Epistle has been generally identified with Judas, one of the brothers of the Lord (Mt. 13:55). The letter was probably written after the fall of Jerusalem, possibly between AD 75 and 80.

            The message of the Epistle is very similar to that of 2 Peter. Both authors write out of a sense of deep urgency (cf. Jude 3, ‘I found it necessary’). Evil men and evil ways had crept into the church, and were endangering its life. This evil must be fought; and the object of both Epistles is to stir up the Christians. Jude, like Peter, looks to the past for illustrations of divine judgement upon sin, and declares that judgement will fall as certainly as in the past upon those who are now turning their backs upon truth and righteousness. Finally, he exhorts his readers to keep themselves in the love of God, who will hold them fast, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Peter foretold the coming of false teachers, but they were already active when Jude wrote.

Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — 2 Peter 3:11-18

Study 5 From the Book of 2 Peter is: 2 Peter 3:11-18 

With this lesson we end the book of 2 Peter. Tomorrow we will start the book of Jude

      1-     Make a list of the practical conclusions which Peter draws from the certainty that the day of the Lord will come. How do these work out in the way you yourself live?

       2-     Verses 17, 18 sum up the theme of the whole Epistle. How are we to maintain stability in the Christian life? Show that to be stable is not to be static.

Note. Verse 12.’Hastening’ (RSV) is better than ‘hasting unto’(AV). The day is being hastened as by our repentance and zeal we remove the need for God’s forbearance (verses 9:15). Rom 2:4

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — 2 Peter 3:1-10

Study 4 From the Book of 2 Peter is: 2 Peter 3:1-10

WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED 2018

 1-     What arguments do the scoffers of verse 3 use? What is the best defence against them (verse 2)?

      2-     In verses 5-7 Peter refutes the scoffers by reference to the unfailing fulfilment of God’s word. Explain from these three verses how the words and actions of God in the past assure us that in the future He will again do what He has said. Is there a similarity between the people of Noah’s day and our own (cf. Mt. 24:37-39)?    

     3-     Why is ‘the day’ so slow in coming (verse 9)? Cf. Ezk. 18:23, 32.

Note. Verse 10. 'Elements’: the material elements of the universe; but as many think, with specific reference to the heavenly bodies.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — 2 Peter 2

Study 3 From the Book of 2 Peter is: 2 Peter 2

      1-     Although we have the lamp of prophecy it is necessary to beware of false teachers. Note from today’s passage the forms of evil in which the false teachers of whom the apostle speaks, indulged. By which are you most liable to the snared?   How far is this kind of behaviour seen in modern society? How would you meet the claim of those who profess to be free from the restraints of convention (verse 19, cf. Jn. 8:34-36)? Cf. verse 20 with Mt. 12:43-45; Heb. 6:4-8.

Note. Verses 4-10 are parenthetical, interrupting the description of the false teachers which is resumed in 10b.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — 2 Peter 1:12-21

Study 2 From the Book of 2 Peter is: 2 Peter 1:12-21

       1-     Of what does Peter take such care to remind his readers? Does any Christian not need this kind of reminder? Cf. 3:1, 2; Dt. 32:18; Heb. 2:1.

       2-     How do verses 16:21 provide an answer to theologians who claim that truth does not require a basis of historic fact?

        3-     Explain from verses 20, 21 the nature of the inspiration of Scripture. What gives it its authority, and what should govern its interpretation.

Note. Verse 19. ‘The written word of prophecy has been confirmed by the vision of the Lord’s glory…on the mount of Transfiguration, and Christian may well trust themselves to its guidance in this dark world, till light has dawned, which will render the lamp of an external revelation unnecessary’ (Swete). This lamp of prophecy is referred to again in 3:2.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — 2 Peter 1:1-11

Study 1 From the Book of 2 Peter is: 2 Peter 1:1-11

      1-     How do verses 1 and 10 describe the Christian’s relation to God? What is meant by ‘knowledge’ in verses 2, 3, 8? What provision has God made for our present life, and what will be our final position (verses 3, 4, 11)

      2-     If our salvation is the product of God’s call and power (verses 10, 3), why are we urged to zealous effort (verses 5, 10)?

      3-     Analyse the picture of the fully developed Christian, given in verses 5-7, in relation to (a) his personal character; (b) his attitude to God; and (c) his dealings with others. Observe that all rests upon. A basis of faith, but faith without these added qualities is not enough.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — The Introduction of 2 Peter

Study 0 From the Book of 2 Peter is:  The Introduction of the Book

The second Epistle of Peter was written just before his death (1:14, 15). We may regard it as his last word, and this fact lends added significance to the final message, ‘Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’ (3:18).

            Peter is obviously concerned about the heresies and moral evil which have crept into the church, and is writing to warn, to exhort and to comfort. In contrast with the gloomy picture which he draws is the prominence he gives to the hope of our Lord’s return. He explains that this is delayed, not through any slackness on God’s part, but through His forbearance (3:9). He is afraid that the Christians, under the stress of persecution and temptation, will forget the commandments which have been delivered to them through the prophets and the apostles.  He writes to remind them of their calling and to stir them up (1:9, 12, 13, 15; 3:1, 2).

            Chapter 2 is strikingly similar in content to the Epistle of Jude. As Peter dwells on the evil which is rampant, he stresses more than ever the call to holiness which he had given in his first letter.  ‘You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lets you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability’ (3:17). The essential antidote to error is the true knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the key to this Epistle. See 1:2, 3, 8; 2:20; 3:18.