Rich Nelson Uncategorized

80: Revelation – Introduction & Letters to churches & Seven seals – Revelation 3:14-22, 6:1-17

Get Ready

Revelation, the last book in the Bible, is also one of the most unusual books. Revelation promises: God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, [1:3]. It is the only book in the Bible to promise such a blessing.

Author

John, the Apostle, wrote Revelation very close to the end of the first century. He also wrote the gospel and the three New Testament letters that bear his name. 

Some scholars over the years have questioned John’s authorship, because of significant differences in style. However, John’s gospel is a narrative about Jesus’ life and ministry when he was here on Earth, while Revelation is a description of John’s vision of things that will happen in the future, in heaven as well as on Earth. The style of the writing should be quite different, (Compare the styles in works as different as Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and The Chronicles of Narnia; nobody argues that C.S. Lewis did not write all of them).

Context

Some of John’s images and symbols refer to Rome and the emperor, as well as to the church itself. These images point to the reign of Domitian, who presided over a violent persecution of the church and believers throughout the empire after several years (and several emperors) of relative freedom and peaceful growth.

In fact, John says he received his vision while he was exiled on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus, [1:9].

Structure

After the introduction and John’s description of how he received the vision, there are four main parts to Revelation:

  • Letters to the seven churches – Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. All the churches receive a judgment from Jesus, except Philadelphia, which gets an assurance that faith overcomes persecution, [2:1-3:32].
  • Three series of judgments – the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. A number of commentators see these images as different “snapshots” of the same judgments, since the seventh judgment in each series leads to the next series. A number of the judgments echo the plagues God sent on Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery, [6:1- 11:19 and 15:1-16:21].
  • Defeat of the antichrist – the conflict and ultimate victory of Christ and the church over evil is portrayed in two images, [12:1-14:20 and 17:1-19:10].
  • Christ’s ultimate victory and judgment, and the creation of the new heaven and earth, [19:11-22:21].

Interpreting Revelation

As soon this book was read in some of the churches, different interpretations of the images and symbols in the book surfaced. And immediately behind the differing interpretations came the arguments about which meanings were correct. They continue to this day.

Over the centuries there have been four primary approaches to interpreting Revelation:

  • Preterist – the images and symbols describe the early church and the events of John’s own time. This approach relates most of the evil images to the Roman Empire.
  • Historicist – the images and symbols are markers for the history of the church. This approach was popular with many of the Reformation leaders, who saw the Roman Catholic Church and the pope behind the anti-church images and symbols.
  • Futurist – the images and symbols describe the actual events that will occur before and after Christ’s return. This approach expects the images and symbols to have real counterparts in the final days of Earth’s history.
  • Symbolic – the images and symbols relate to the ongoing struggle between good and evil. This approach sees application of the book to Christians of any age, whether John’s in 98, Luther’s in 1545, or ours at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

As you think about the images and symbols, here are some points that have helped many believers understand the book:

  • The images and symbols had meaning to Christians in Asia Minor at the end of the first century. John’s readers understood what he was referring to in his book. 
  • Revelation is a prophecy [1:3] – a message from God, about God and his plans for his creation. (Prophecy is always a word from God; sometimes that word is about his future actions.)
  • The book is not a chronological “history.” John may be describing the visions in the order in which he received them, but he does not claim any specific sequence for the events he is describing. Middle Eastern culture does not place the premium on logic, sequence and order that western culture does. A Middle Eastern reader will likely consider the images and symbols as different “snapshots” or videos of a very complex event without worrying about which “snapshot” was actually “first.”

Get into the Word

1. Who wrote this book? What other books did this author write? Why do some folks think there is a different author? 

2. When was this book written? What was the writer’s situation at the time? What was the situation regarding the church at the time? How might this have influenced the author’s main themes?

3. How is this book organized? What are the major sections of the book? What does each section deal with? Do you think this organization helps or hinders understanding the book?

4. What makes this book so difficult to understand? When did these problems arise? What are the predominant approaches to interpreting this book? How does each interpretation method deal with the images and symboles in the book? 

5. What understandings can help when reading and working to interpret Revelation? How might they help you explain this book to another person?

Notes: Apocalyptic Literature . . .

Revelation is a type of prophecy that talks about the end of the world – the modern English word for this type of writing is “apocalypse,” which in Greek means “revelation.” Jesus also talked about the battle between good and evil and the end of the world, [check Mark 13].

Apocalyptic literature has three common characteristics:

  • It claims to be a revelation from God – it is from God and about God and his actions at the end of the world. 
  • It focuses on God’s actions in our world at the end of time. By definition it is miraculous. It describes the battle and God’s victory over evil.
  • It is highly symbolic, not literal – it attempts to describe the end of the world – something no one has yet seen. To get an idea of this challenge, try to describe the internet using only the words and images your great grandparents would have understood (no television, no radio, no “highway,” no computers, no electricity, maybe a typewriter). This is why apocalyptic writing relies on weird images and unfamiliar symbols.

80: Letters to churches & Seven seals – Revelation 3:14-22, 6:1-17 

Get Ready

Do you enjoy watching “epic” movies that have sweeping scenery and great battle scenes with larger-than-life characters? What do you remember most about such movies? How do you deal with the “realistic” battle scenes with blood and wounds graphically depicted?

The Word

314 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation: 

15 “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. 20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. 21 To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

6Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer. 

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, “Come!”
4 And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another; and he was given a great sword. 

5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, 6 and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s pay, and three quarts of barley for a day’s pay, but do not damage the olive oil and the wine!” 

7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, “Come!” 8 I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth. 

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; 10 they cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” 11 They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed. 

12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and there came a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree drops its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What describes Christ in the message to Laodicea? How does it link to the message to this church? What is the complaint against this church? How does the message document the charge [see Notes]? What advice does Christ give the Laodiceans? What promise does he make to them if they change?

2. In chapter 6, who is the “Lamb”? What is he doing? What happens when the first seal is broken? What or who appears? What might these beings represent?

3. What does the second horse and rider represent. Why is its color appropriate. How about the third horse and rider? Why would this symbol be part of this group? 

4. What color is the fourth horse? Why would this be appropriate? What is the rider’s name? What does this horse and rider signify?

5. What happens when the fifth seal is broken? What does John see? What does he hear? How is God described? How does God’s respond to their complaint? What does John see when the sixth seal is opened? How do people react to these events? 










Get Personal

What concerns do you have about the future? How do they affect your walk with Christ? How does God free you from concern about judgment?

Notes . . .

3:14. Laodicea ⎯ a wealthy city in Asia Minor.
3:15. Neither hot nor cold ⎯ the city did not have its own water supply, so the hot water from a hot spring and the cold water from the mountains were both lukewarm by the time it was piped six miles. Evidently the church was the same, without purity (cold, clear water) or energy (hot, cleansing water). Just as the people did with the water, Christ will spit the church out of his mouth. 
6:2. White horse — Zechariah describes a vision of riders on colored horses and is told “they are the ones the Lord has sent out to patrol the earth,” [Zech 1:8-11]. For other Old Testament references to these four seals or judgments, check out: Lev 26:21-26, Ezek 4:16-17, and Jer 15:2-4.
6:5. Pair of scales — the black horse and rider represent famine and scarcity; these amounts are more than ten times the usual costs, so that a day’s earnings would not buy enough to feed a family for that day.

6:9. Fifth seal — in a shift of vision, John sees the martyrs for the faith.
Souls — the Greek word means the person or his or her life, not the actual soul.
6:10. How long . . . — throughout history people have asked God this question [check Psalm 74:10, 94:3 or Habakkuk 1:2]. The martyrs’ cry for God to avenge is justified, [see Psalm 9:12, 13:2 or Deut 32:43]. 
6:12. Sixth seal — similar descriptions occur in Old Testament prophecy [check Isa 29:6-7, Ezek 32:7-8 and Joel 2:30-31.] Jesus also described similar events in Matthew 24. 
6:14. Rolled up — another echo from Isaiah: The heavens above will melt away and disappear like a rolled-up scroll, [34:4].
6:16. Fall on us — Hosea says, they will beg the mountains, “Bury us!” and plead with the hills, “Fall on us!” [10:8]. Check Joshua 10:16-27 to see how well this worked for some Canaanite kings Joshua defeated.

Memory Verse
But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert. [Mark 13:32-33].

Next Lesson
Revelation 19, 21: The new heaven and the new earth.

Rich Nelson Uncategorized

79: Jude – Introduction & Avoid false teachers — Jude 1-25

Get Ready

This book is often overlooked because of its brevity and its similarity to Peter’s second letter, but it contains some of the most powerful writing in the New Testament about resisting erroneous ideas and false teachers and standing firm on the faith.

Author

Most scholars agree that “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” [v. 1], is one of Jesus’ brothers mentioned in Matthew [13:55] and Mark [6:3]. Both he and his brother James, a leader in the Jerusalem church, did not follow Jesus during his earthly ministry, but became believers at some point after the resurrection. Paul refers to “brothers of the Lord” along with Peter [1 Cor 9:5] as active ministers for the Gospel.

Context

There is very little evidence to identify the time and place of writing or the intended recipients of this letter.

Jude probably wrote his letter in the middle of the first century before the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, since the author does not mention what would have been a significant event in the church’s early history. He also invites his readers to remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, [v. 17], so he must be writing after the first wave of missionary activity. These two clues point to a time around 60 CE.

This was evidently a time when false teachers were spreading heresy in some of the churches. Jude had intended to write a more extensive or theological explanation of salvation, but felt he had to respond more directly to the errors: I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints, [v. 3].

Structure

Jude’s organization of the letter is very straightforward, indicating that during his ministry he learned both Greek and Greek rhetoric quite well. There are five sections in the letter:

  • Greeting – using a common Greek approach.
  • Purpose – explaining why he is writing this letter.
  • Argument – setting out the errors in doctrine the false teachers were presenting to believers, as well as examples of God’s response to such errors in the past.
  • Exhortations – the “so what?” part of the letter – advising the reader how to respond to the false teaching.
  • Benediction (closing) – praising God and blessing the reader. Each section is direct and to the point. Jude does not waste any ink in getting his point across.

Major Themes

The church that Jude wrote to was similar to many churches in our time. Believers were struggling to maintain their faith while surrounded by a culture that tolerated many different beliefs about the gods and many different – and unrighteous – behaviors.

Jude urges his readers to remember that they have the truth and they need to make sure they grow in their faith, not water it down with false doctrines.

  • God has already judged those who promote error and false teaching. Jude uses examples from Jewish history: the rebellious angels were cast out of heaven [Gen 6]; God destroyed the Israelites who made and worshipped idols during the exodus; God also destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah [Gen 19]. Jude also mentions Cain, Balaam, and Korah as examples of how God deals with people who don’t remain true.
  • Believers should continue growing in faith: Build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit, [v. 20].
  • And they should also continue reaching out to others: And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire, [v. 22-23].

Jude is unique among New Testament authors in his use of examples from sources other than the Jewish scriptures and the writings of the Apostles. He refers to an argument between the archangel, Michael, and the devil [v. 9] that is not mentioned anywhere in Scripture; and he quotes a passage from the Apocryphal Book of Enoch
[v. 15], see Lesson 2 for more information on the Apocrypha].

Get into the Word

1. Who wrote this letter? Who are his relatives? How does this give him authority to write such a letter? How is he similar to his brother? 

2. When was this letter probably written? Who was it written to? Where was the writer at the time? What clues or hints do we have about these questions? How important are the answers?

3. What was the situation facing the church at this time? What was the author’s original plan for this letter? What caused him to change the plan? What does he want the readers to do with this letter?

4. How does the writer organize this letter? What are the major sections? What does each section cover? What is Jude’s style of writing? Do you think this helps get his message across or does it get in the way of understanding?

5. What is the primary message that Jude wants his readers to take away from this letter? How is the situation he writes about similar to issues the church is forced to deal with today? Is his message still relevant to us?

6. What does Jude say about heresy and those who promote erroneous teaching in the church? How does God respond to these situations? What examples does Jude give to support his assertions about false doctrine?

7. What does Jude encourage believers to do? What directions does he give about growing as a believer? What does he say about responding to error in other believers? 

Bible Trivia
One of the early church leaders, Eusebius, reports that Jude’s grandsons were questioned by Domitian, the Roman emperor (81-96), and were bishops when Trajan was emperor (98-117).

79: Avoid false teachers – Jude 1-25

Get Ready

How do you feel about magic tricks – illusions where you know the performer did something to get the end result but you don’t know exactly what happened? Do you just enjoy the performer’s skill at sleight-of-hand? Do you try to figure out how the person did it? Or do you reject it and walk away?

The Word

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

To those who are called, who are beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ: 

2 May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. 

3 Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4 For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

5 Now I desire to remind you, though you are fully informed, that the Lord, who once for all saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great Day. 7 Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 

8 Yet in the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. 11 Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These are blemishes on your love-feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever. 

14 It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict everyone of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers and malcontents; they indulge their own lusts; they are bombastic in speech, flattering people to their own advantage. 

17 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.” 19 It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some who are wavering;
23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies. 

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. How does Jude address his readers? What does he wish for them? What had he intended to write about? Why did he change his plan? What is the letter actually about?

2. Who is Jude writing about? How does he describe them? How are they related to God? To believers? What did they do in the church?

3. What examples does Jude use to make his point about those who do not follow God and teach false doctrine? Why do you suppose he chose these examples? How do they show God’s response to sin?

4. What individuals does he present as examples of people who are leading the church astray? How do you think his readers responded to these examples? How do you respond to them?

5. How does Jude describe the activities of theses “intruders?” What images does he use? Why do you think he feels as strongly as he does?

6. What direction does he give the believers? How should they respond to the false teaching? Who should they rely on for support?









Get Personal

Have you encountered teaching that discounts or waters down the Gospel? How did you respond to the person? How has God helped you to understand how to identify false teaching and avoid it?

Notes . . .

1. Jude . . . James — the writer felt that he and his brother were known well enough that he did not need any other title.
3. Contend for the faith — the urgency he just described calls for strong images.
4. Stolen in among you — evidently these false teachers presented themselves as legitimate Christ followers.
5. Saved people out of the land of Egypt — most if not all of Jude’s readers would have been familiar with the story of the exodus.
6. Angels — probably a reference to Gen 6:1-4, in which the “sons of God” took wives for themselves of all that they chose.
7. Sodom and Gomorrah — two cities that God destroyed because of their evil practices,
[Gen 19].
9. Archangel Michael — Jude’s source for this incident is probably The Assumption of Moses, an apocryphal book that is not part of the Bible.

11. Cain . . . Balaam . . . Korah — Cain murdered his brother out of jealousy [Gen 4]; Balaam prophesied because he was greedy, not because he was obeying God [Num 22-24]; and Korah challenged Moses’ authority during the exodus [Num 16]. All were banished by God.
14. Enoch — another apocryphal book – Jude’s readers would have been familiar with this book and quote.
17. Predictions —John, Peter, and Paul, as well as Jesus all predicted people who would discount the Gospel and spread false teaching, [check Acts 20:29-30, 1 Tim 4:1-3, John 15:9 and 1 Peter 3:3].
24. Him who is able — Jude closes with a very strong statement of hope and praise: God will keep believers safe from “falling” into heresy and make them “stand without blemish” in his presence.

 

Memory Verse
Keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life, [Jude 21].

Next Lesson
Revelation 3, 6: Letters to churches and God’s judgments.

Rich Nelson Uncategorized

78: 1, 2 and 3 John –Introduction & Living as children of God — 1 John 3:1-24

Get Ready

The Apostle John is the author of five different books in the Bible: the Gospel of John, the three letters and the Revelation. In this he ranks with Moses and Paul in providing the content of scripture. The letters were probably written between 90 and 100 CE, from Ephesus.

Author

Most scholars agree that John, the Apostle and brother of James, (sons of Zebedee), wrote these three letters. In the second and third letters he identifies himself as “The elder.” But in the first letter he does not identify himself directly; instead he offers a very personal description of Christ and his relationship to the author: and concludes, we are writing these things so our joy may be complete, [1 John 1:4].

Context

All three letters were written toward the end of John’s ministry, probably between 90 and 100. At this time the author is living in the Roman province of Asia (modern Turkey). 

The Roman Empire is increasing its persecution of believers and the church. The emperor Domitian has declared that people must worship him as a god; anyone who does not is persecuted and excluded from all commercial activity. Obviously this created a difficult and dangerous situation for Christians (as well as for Jews).

The church was also dealing with false teaching (that would eventually be known as Gnosticism), which John deals with in his letters (as do Peter and Jude). The central heresy is that all matter is evil. This leads to two other false beliefs:

  • Christ did not actually have a physical body, he only appeared to be “of the flesh.”
  • Since the physical body will be destroyed, it does not matter what a person does with his or her body in this life. (Although some adherents did follow a rigid discipline about their behavior in order to be “pure.”)

Gnostics also believed that knowing “the truth” was more important than living consistent with that truth.

Structure

There are significant differences between the first letter and the second and third:

  • The first letter does not follow the pattern of ancient letters. It is more like a tract or printed sermon arguing a specific point of view. The second and third letters do follow the traditional
    structure: an opening greeting, the body of the letter and final greetings.
  • The first letter is addressed to the church at large (“My little children” in 2:1), whereas the second and third are addressed to specific recipients: “the elect lady and her children,” and “the beloved Gaius,” (although many scholars believe the “lady” of the second letter is a church and “her children” are church members.
  • 1 John is considerably longer and deals with more aspects of the believer’s relationship with Christ and the effect of that relationship on the person’s life.

Major Themes

John’s letters have two predominant messages:

  • Jesus Christ is fully and completely human – he is God “in the flesh.” Christ is the manifestation of God the Father in our world; he shows us who God is.
  • God is love – God’s essential and defining characteristic is love. Followers of Christ demonstrate their relationship with God in their love for one another.

Both messages refute the growing heresy facing the church and assure believers of their relationship with Christ. John actually tells his readers the purposes of his letters: 

  • We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete, [1 John 1:4].
  • I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin, [1 John 2:1].
  • I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you, [1 John 2:26].
  • I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life, [1 John 5:13].

The same ideas carry over into the second and third letters. In the second letter John says, Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward, [2 John 8]. 3 John cautions, Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God, [3 John 11].

John also stresses two primary images of God – light and love (these images also figure prominently in his Gospel). Christians walk “in the light” because they have a relationship with God, the source of light. And Christians love one another because they are intimately connected to the source of love: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, [1 John 4:7].

Get into the Word

1. Who wrote these letters? How does the writer identify himself in the different letters? What else did this author write?

2. When were the letters written? Where was the writer at the time? What was the situation of the church at this time? Who was persecuting believers? Why?

3. What was the internal situation for the church at this time? What were the “false” teachings? What did this say about Christ? About our physical bodies? About our lives? Why was this important to John? To believers?

4. What are the similarities among the three letters? How do the letters differ from each other? Who are the intended recipients of each letter? What is the subject of each letter? Why is the first letter longer than the other two? 

5. What are the major themes of these letters? What message is John working to convey to the churches? Why are these points so important for John? Why are they important for the church in John’s time? Why are they important for us today?

6. What purpose does John give for these letters? How does he describe his reasons for writing? Do you think these purposes are still valid for believers today? How does he describe the purpose in the second and third letters?

7. What images of God does John present in these letters? How do these images relate to the argument John is making about our relationship with God? How do they relate to our daily lives? 

Bible Trivia

John closes the second and third letter by saying he has “much to write” but doesn’t want to use “pen and ink.” This could be an allusion to the persecution of believers, or just his belief that face-to-face communication is best.

Key Point

Even though the letters are full of fairly specific guidance about how believers should live, John is not setting out a test or qualifications to become a Christian. Nor is he making a checklist a person must complete in order to continue following Christ. He is describing how we can identify light from darkness, truth from error, and “know that we are God’s children,” [1 John 5:19].

78: Living as children of God –1 John 3:1-24

Get Ready

Many of our habits and ways of acting come from our family—we adopt what we saw around us as children. In some cases we were told, “this is the way we do things in this family.” Can you recall any specific actions or behaviors that were followed “because that’s what our family does?”

The Word

3See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.
3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 

4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
8 Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God. 10 The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters. 

Love one another

11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. 16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 

18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him
20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 

23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. How does John “measure” the amount of God’s love for us? How do you respond to this concept? When do we become God’s children? How does this affect other people?

2. What effect does our status have on our lives? On our actions? Why does John state that we should avoid sin? How are we able to not sin?

3. What is the difference between people who are part of God’s family through Jesus and those who are not? How does John describe people who aren’t children of God? 

4. What does loving others prove about a person? What is a person who doesn’t love other Christians? How do we know we are loving other Christians? How does this affect our relationship with God? How does this affect our daily life today?








Get Personal

How is God’s Spirit infecting your daily life? In what ways have you “given up” your life for others – placed their needs or comfort or happiness above your own – recently?

Notes . . .

3:1. Children of God — people who are in a relationship with God through Christ: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God, [Rom 8:14]. This phrase has often been translated “sons of God” but the Greek noun refers to both male and female children.
What we are — John is consistent, as are the other New Testament authors, in putting the new life and status as God’s “children” in the present tense. This is not some state in the future but is available to believers right now! Paul is just as definite in Galatians: And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God, [Gal 4:6-7].
3:4-6. Commits sin . . . sin . . . sins — the Greek word [originally “missing” or “off-target”] can refer to an individual act or action, but also the basis or cause of the action and the situation or state of being leading to such actions. John appears to be using all these meanings in this paragraph.
3:7. Righteous — faithful, truthful, just.
3:8. Devil — in the Greek the word is not capitalized, but John often referred to evil as if it were a specific individual [Satan].
3:11. Love one another — John is using agape, the Greek word for active, selfless compassion and kindness to another person, the result of a decision and not the emotions or feelings of family, friendship or sexual desire. It is a love that does not come naturally or from this world, but 

from God, and only those who are in a relationship with God can love in this manner: Support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love, [2 Peter 1:6-7].
3:12. Evil one . . . evil — the Greek word includes active harm, pain, hurt, sorrow.
3:14. John is echoing Jesus’ statement, Very truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life, [John 5:24].
3:16. We know love — Jesus used similar language: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, [John 15:12-13].
3:17. John’s explanation of active love parallels James: If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead, [James 2:15-17].
3:23. His commandment — Jesus set out the commandment in John: Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent,” [6:28-29] and I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another, [15:17].

Memory Verse
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, [1 John 4:7].

Next Lesson
Jude: True faith

Rich Nelson Uncategorized

77: 1 and 2 Peter – Introduction & Suffering and stewards of God’s grace –1 Peter 3:8 – 4:11

Get Ready

These two relatively short letters contain a very concise, very practical theology from one of the leaders of the early church. Even though he was writing to encourage believers in difficult times, his practical approach has value for readers at any point in their walk with Jesus [check out the Notes . . . below].

Author

Even though he identifies himself in the opening verse of these letter – as “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” scholars have argued almost from the beginning, that Peter could not have written theses two letters.

The initial argument is that he was “uneducated and ordinary” [Acts 4:13]; therefore he could not have written the literary Greek of these letters. The first weakness is relying on the assessment of Jewish scribes and priests who were questioning Peter in Acts. The second is overlooking the Jewish requirements that all male children study the Torah, which was available in Greek as well as Hebrew. The third error is not realizing that Jews in any trade would know at least some Greek because that was the language of commerce and government. In addition, Peter wrote these letters (probably with the help of a secretary) after more than twenty years of spreading the Gospel in a mostly Greek-speaking culture (see below).

Context

Most authorities believe Peter wrote these letters from Rome (“Babylon” in 5:13), probably after 60 CE. The first letter is addressed to the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, towns in what is now Turkey [1 Pet 1:1]. He borrows a phrase normally applied to Jews living outside of Palestine.

The second letter is more generally addressed to those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, [2 Pet 1:1]. Peter does call this the second letter I am writing to you, [2 Pet 3:1], which implies the same audience as the first letter.

Thirty years after Christ’s resurrection the church had spread throughout the Roman empire. However, the initial fervor of evangelism and mission work had given way to established practices and rituals in many areas. The early excitement and anticipation of Christ’s return waned with each year that passed. This led to the rise of heresies that work to explain away the teachings of the Gospel.

The first letter is a call to holy living and faithfulness, even though the author knows believers are being persecuted for their faith – they are outsiders in the pagan culture: Therefore prepare yourselves for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed, [1 Pet 1:13].

In the second letter Peter refutes those who are denying that Christ will return and disparaging the call to moral restraint: Therefore I intend to keep reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you, [2 Pet 1:12]. The second letter carries the urgency of Peter’s expectation that my death will come soon, [2 Pet 1:14].

Structure

Both letters follow a similar pattern, with a greeting, the main body and argument, and a closing with a final exhortation. The differences in subject and focus lead to different styles in the main section of the letters.

1 Peter has four main sections:

  • Thanks for our salvation and the nature of living as a Christian – including his description of believers as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, [1 Pet 2:9].
  • Christian relationships – including being subject to lawful authority, duties of slaves, relationships within the family.
  • The Christian response to suffering – including Christ’s example and his ultimate triumph, and the blessing of suffering for Christ.
  • Stewardship of God’s grace – including the need for discipline and maintaining constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins, [1 Pet 4:8].

2 Peter is a more directed argument against false teachers:

  • Christians are called by God and equipped with everything they need to live faithfully.
  • False teachers will be judged and punished.
  • Christ will return and judgment will occur.

Major Themes

Peter’s theme in both letters is the Gospel – God’s promise of salvation through faith in Christ and his crucifixion and resurrection. He assures us the Gospel is true and our salvation is sure. And then he calls us to live as God’s people – separate from the pagan culture that surrounds the church.

The secondary theme is “persevere.” Believers must remain true to their faith, even in times of persecution. Peter tells believers they must also live their faith, because Christ’s promise to return is also true. And his return will bring judgment: Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish, [2 Pet 3:14].

Get into the Word

1. Who wrote these letters? Why do some believe someone else must have written them? What evidence points to Peter as the author? How does he describe himself in the letters?

2. When did Peter write these letters? Where was he at the time? Who did he write the letters to? 

3. What was the situation of the church at the time? What forces were hindering the church? How had believers changed from the early years of the church? How does Peter address these issues in the two letters? How are the subjects different in each letter? How are they the same? What is significant about Peter’s personal situation in the second letter?

4. How are the letters organized? What parts are similar in each letter? Why does the main part of each letter differ from the other? What are the main sections of the first letter? How about the second letter? How is the tone different in each letter?

5. What is the primary message of these letters? What is the secondary or “so what” message? Why would this be important to Peter? Why should it be important to the church? To believers? 

Notes . . .

Peter’s theology
Peter was very practical and his letters show a very practical theology:
God: the sovereign Father is holy and trustworthy; his children should copy him.
Christ: the Son is sinless and obedient; he died and rose again, so his followers should likewise die to sin and live in trust of his resurrection.
Holy Spirit: the Spirit is the agent of sanctification, our supporter, and the power behind our ministry.
Scripture: the Word is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit; it is the expression of God’s character, his love and his plan for creation.
The Church: believers are the body of the risen Christ, the manifestation of God’s love and purpose in this world.
Last Days: Christ will return in glory and complete our salvation; we respond by living as his disciples.

Bible Trivia
Peter acknowledges Paul in 2 Peter 3:15

77: Suffering and stewards of God’s grace –1 Peter 3:8 – 4:11

Get Ready

How do you feel when some one criticizes you or questions what you believe or insults you in front of other people? Do you try to walk away and not escalate the situation? Do you respond back with similar emotion? Do you try to explain yourself to the challenger?

The Word

3 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For “Those who desire life

and desire to see good days,
let them keep their tongues from evil
and their lips from speaking deceit; 
11 let them turn away from evil and do good;
let them seek peace and pursue it. 
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?

14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. 

4Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. 3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. 5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. 

7 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. How does the author begin this section of the letter? What does he encourage believers to do? How should they relate to one another? How should they deal with someone who hurts them? Why is this important?

2. What should be a Christian’s attitude toward suffering? What will ultimately happen in such cases? How is the believer protected? How should the believer respond to attacks or criticism about his or her faith? 

3. What example does Peter give on dealing with suffering? Why did Christ suffer? What was the result of his suffering? What happened to his body? What happened to his spirit?

4. What does Peter say about Christ’s activity after his death? Who else does he refer to? What do you think he is actually talking about here? What ultimately happens to Christ after his death?

5. How should a Christian relate to Christ? What should be her or his attitude toward suffering? How does this affect a believer’s life?





Get Personal

How do you respond when things go against you? How do you feel about God during such times? How does he help you focus on Christ and his promise of salvation? 

Notes . . .

3:8. Unity of spirit — literally, “be of the same mind.” Peter introduces general principles for relationships within the church.
3:10. For . . . — Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16, which describes righteous behavior.
3:13. Who will harm you — Peter is not saying that believers will not be persecuted; but ultimately they will not be harmed because they have Christ’s protection, which is clearer in v. 14. This is an echo of God’s word to Isaiah: Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy; and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread, [Isaiah 8:12].
3:15. Make your defense — while a Christian should not force his or her faith on another person, she or he should be ready and able to explain what Jesus means to their lives, with gentleness and reverence, [v. 16].
3:18. Christ also suffered — Peter points to Christ’s suffering for our sins; his physical body died on the cross, but his spirit lives with God forever.
Once for all — Christ’s sacrifice was

complete and sufficient, unlike the yearly sacrifice made by the Jewish high priest.
3:19. Spirits in prison — Peter does not explain this reference except to link it to baptism as the cleansing of our spirits, which allows us to come through God’s judgment. There is no definitive explanation of when Christ preached “in prison,” or what the spirits actually are [Acts 2:31 and Eph 4:9 are similarly confusing references].
4:1. Same intention — Peter calls on believers to trust God’s promise of salvation, just as Christ trusted God’s promise of resurrection. Christians live by the will – or spirit – of God. And unbelievers will persecute them because of their changed lives [v. 4].
4:7. The end of all things — like most early Christians, Peter believed the “end of the age” and Christ’s return would happen sooner rather than later. This gives urgency to his return to moral instruction, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, [v.11].

Memory Verse
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins,
[1 Peter 4:8].

Next Lesson
1 John 3: Living as children of God.