11/5/12

Bible Reading, Nov. 5


Nov. 5
Isaiah 37-40

Isa 37:1 It happened, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into Yahweh's house.
Isa 37:2 He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.
Isa 37:3 They said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah, 'This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of rejection; for the children have come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring forth.
Isa 37:4 It may be Yahweh your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.' "
Isa 37:5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
Isa 37:6 Isaiah said to them, "Tell your master, 'Thus says Yahweh, "Don't be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
Isa 37:7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him and he will hear news, and will return to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." ' "
Isa 37:8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Isa 37:9 He heard news concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, "He has come out to fight against you." When he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
Isa 37:10 "Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, 'Don't let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, "Jerusalem won't be given into the hand of the king of Assyria."
Isa 37:11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly. Shall you be delivered?
Isa 37:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the children of Eden who were in Telassar?
Isa 37:13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?' "
Isa 37:14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to Yahweh's house, and spread it before Yahweh.
Isa 37:15 Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh, saying,
Isa 37:16 "Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, who is enthroned among the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
Isa 37:17 Turn your ear, Yahweh, and hear. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and behold. Hear all of the words of Sennacherib, who has sent to defy the living God.
Isa 37:18 Truly, Yahweh, the kings of Assyria have destroyed all the countries and their land,
Isa 37:19 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them.
Isa 37:20 Now therefore, Yahweh our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are Yahweh, even you only."
Isa 37:21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, 'Because you have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria,
Isa 37:22 this is the word which Yahweh has spoken concerning him. The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.
Isa 37:23 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 37:24 By your servants, have you defied the Lord, and have said, "With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon. I will cut down its tall cedars and its choice fir trees. I will enter into its farthest height, the forest of its fruitful field.
Isa 37:25 I have dug and drunk water, and with the sole of my feet I will dry up all the rivers of Egypt."
Isa 37:26 Have you not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it in ancient times? Now I have brought it to pass, that it should be yours to destroy fortified cities, turning them into ruinous heaps.
Isa 37:27 Therefore their inhabitants had little power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were like the grass of the field, and like the green herb, like the grass on the housetops, and like a field before its crop has grown.
Isa 37:28 But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me.
Isa 37:29 Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore will I put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.
Isa 37:30 This shall be the sign to you. You will eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs from the same; and in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
Isa 37:31 The remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah will again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
Isa 37:32 For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go forth, and survivors will escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.'
Isa 37:33 Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the king of Assyria, 'He will not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither will he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it.
Isa 37:34 By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come to this city,' says Yahweh.
Isa 37:35 'For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake.' "
Isa 37:36 The angel of Yahweh went out and struck one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the camp of the Assyrians. When men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.
Isa 37:37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, went away, returned to Nineveh, and stayed there.
Isa 37:38 It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esar Haddon his son reigned in his place.
 

Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.' "
Isa 38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh,
Isa 38:3 and said, "Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Isa 38:4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying,
Isa 38:5 "Go, and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
Isa 38:6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.
Isa 38:7 This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that he has spoken.
Isa 38:8 Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down." ' "
Isa 38:9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and had recovered of his sickness.
Isa 38:10 I said, "In the middle of my life I go into the gates of Sheol. I am deprived of the residue of my years."
Isa 38:11 I said, "I won't see Yah, Yah in the land of the living. I will see man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
Isa 38:12 My dwelling is removed, and is carried away from me like a shepherd's tent. I have rolled up, like a weaver, my life. He will cut me off from the loom. From day even to night you will make an end of me.
Isa 38:13 I waited patiently until morning. He breaks all my bones like a lion. From day even to night you will make an end of me.
Isa 38:14 I chattered like a swallow or a crane. I moaned like a dove. My eyes weaken looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed. Be my security."
Isa 38:15 What will I say? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it. I will walk carefully all my years because of the anguish of my soul.
Isa 38:16 Lord, men live by these things; and my spirit finds life in all of them: you restore me, and cause me to live.
Isa 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great anguish, but you have in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
Isa 38:18 For Sheol can't praise you. Death can't celebrate you. Those who go down into the pit can't hope for your truth.
Isa 38:19 The living, the living, he shall praise you, as I do this day. The father shall make known your truth to the children.
Isa 38:20 Yahweh will save me. Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of Yahweh.
Isa 38:21 Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a cake of figs, and lay it for a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover."
Isa 38:22 Hezekiah also had said, "What is the sign that I will go up to the house of Yahweh?"
 

Isa 39:1 At that time, Merodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he heard that he had been sick, and had recovered.
Isa 39:2 Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn't show them.
Isa 39:3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah, and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from to you?" Hezekiah said, "They have come from a country far from me, even from Babylon."
Isa 39:4 Then he asked, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them."
Isa 39:5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of Yahweh of Armies:
Isa 39:6 'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,' says Yahweh.
Isa 39:7 'They will take away your sons who will issue from you, whom you shall father, and they will be eunuchs in the king of Babylon's palace.' "
Isa 39:8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "Yahweh's word which you have spoken is good." He said moreover, "For there will be peace and truth in my days."
 

Isa 40:1 "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.
Isa 40:2 "Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh's hand double for all her sins."
Isa 40:3 The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
Isa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain.
Isa 40:5 The glory of Yahweh shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it."
Isa 40:6 The voice of one saying, "Cry!" One said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
Isa 40:7 The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh's breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.
Isa 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever."
Isa 40:9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Don't be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!"
Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
Isa 40:11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.
Isa 40:12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Isa 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of Yahweh, or has taught him as his counselor?
Isa 40:14 Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?
Isa 40:15 Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.
Isa 40:16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.
Isa 40:17 All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.
Isa 40:18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to him?
Isa 40:19 A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it.
Isa 40:20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up an engraved image for him that will not be moved.
Isa 40:21 Haven't you known? Haven't you heard, yet? Haven't you been told from the beginning? Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?
Isa 40:22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in;
Isa 40:23 who brings princes to nothing; who makes the judges of the earth like meaningless.
Isa 40:24 They are planted scarcely. They are sown scarcely. Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.
Isa 40:25 "To whom then will you liken me? Who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Isa 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their army by number. He calls them all by name. by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, Not one is lacking.
Isa 40:27 Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, "My way is hidden from Yahweh, and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?"
Isa 40:28 Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint. He isn't weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
Isa 40:29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
Isa 40:30 Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall;
Isa 40:31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.




Nov. 5
1 Timothy 5

1Ti 5:1 Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;
1Ti 5:2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
1Ti 5:3 Honor widows who are widows indeed.
1Ti 5:4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
1Ti 5:5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
1Ti 5:6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.
1Ti 5:7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.
1Ti 5:8 But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
1Ti 5:9 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
1Ti 5:10 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
1Ti 5:11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
1Ti 5:12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
1Ti 5:13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling.
1Ti 5:15 For already some have turned aside after Satan.
1Ti 5:16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don't let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.
1Ti 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
1Ti 5:18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
1Ti 5:19 Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.
1Ti 5:20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
1Ti 5:21 I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
1Ti 5:22 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.
1Ti 5:23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
1Ti 5:24 Some men's sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.
1Ti 5:25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can't be hidden.

Revelation, Chapter 1, Mark Copeland

                        "THE BOOK OF REVELATION"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To note that the Revelation was written to churches of things that
   would soon take place

2) To appreciate the implications of what is said about Jesus, both in
   the greeting by John and in the words of Jesus Himself

SUMMARY

The Revelation of Jesus Christ begins with a clear statement of origin
and purpose.  Given to Jesus by God to show His servants things which 
must soon take place, it is designed to bless those who read, hear and
keep the words of the prophecy (1-3).  John then addresses the seven
churches in Asia (western Turkey), offering grace and peace from each
member of the Godhead with descriptive terms which become more
significant later in the epistle (4-6).  His greeting is followed with
a declaration concerning the Lord's coming, and a self-designation as
expressed by the Lord Himself (7-8).

At this point John explains how he was commissioned to record the
Revelation.  While on the island of Patmos (likely in exile for 
preaching the word of God), he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day when
he heard a loud voice behind him.  The voice identified itself as "the
Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last", and then charged him to write
what he saw to seven churches in Asia (9-11).  Turning to see the
voice, John saw seven golden lampstands and in their midst the Son of
Man.  Describing the awesome appearance of the Son of Man and his own
reaction, John then records how Jesus comforted and then charged him to
write what he has seen and will see (12-19).  The chapter ends with the
Lord's explanation that the seven stars in His right hand represent the
angels (messengers?) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands
signify the seven churches themselves (20).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-8)

   A. INTRODUCTION AND BENEDICTION (1-3)
      1. Introducing the Revelation of Jesus Christ (1-2)
         a. Which God gave Him to show His servants
         b. Regarding things which much shortly take place
         c. Sent and signified by His angel
         d. To His servant John, who bore witness...
            1) To the word of God
            2) To the testimony of Jesus Christ
            3) To all things that he saw
      2. The benediction (3)
         a. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear this prophecy
         b. Blessed are those who keep those things written in it, for
            the time is near

   B. GREETINGS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (4-6)
      1. From John, to the seven churches in Asia (4a)
      2. With grace and peace (4b-6)
         a. From Him who is and who was and who is to come
         b. From the seven Spirits who are before His throne
         c. From Jesus Christ
            1) The faithful witness
            2) The firstborn from the dead
            3) The ruler over the kings of the earth
            4) Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own 
               blood
            5) Who made us kings and priests to His God and Father
            -- To Whom be glory and dominion forever and ever!

   C. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHRIST'S COMING (7)
      1. He is coming with clouds
      2. Every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him
      3. All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him
      -- Even so, Amen (so be it)

   D. THE SELF-DESIGNATION (8)
      1. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End"
      2. "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty"

II. THE VISION OF THE SON OF MAN (9-20)

   A. JOHN'S CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING UP TO THE VISION (9-10a)
      1. Their brother and companion (9a)
         a. In tribulation
         b. In the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ
      2. On the island called Patmos (9b)
         a. For the word of God
         b. For the testimony of Jesus Christ
      3. In the Spirit on the Lord's Day (10a)

   B. WHAT HE HEARD BEHIND HIM (10b-11)
      1. A loud voice, as of a trumpet (10b)
      2. Saying to him... (11)
         a. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last"
         b. "What you see, write in a book"
         c. "Send it to the seven churches which are in Asia..."

   C. WHAT HE SAW, AND HIS REACTION (12-17a)
      1. Turning to see the voice, he saw... (12-16)
         a. Seven golden lampstands
         b. In the midst of the seven lampstands, One like the Son of
            Man
            1) Clothed with a garment down to the feet, girded about 
               the chest with a golden band
            2) His head and hair white as wool, white as snow
            3) His eyes like a flame of fire
            4) His feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace
            5) His voice as the sound of many waters
            6) In His right hand, seven stars
            7) Out of His mouth, a sharp two-edged sword
            8) His countenance like the sun shining in its strength
      2. Seeing Him, John fell at His feet as dead (17)

   D. THE LORD'S WORDS TO JOHN (17b-20)
      1. "Do not be afraid" (17b-18)
         a. "I am the First and the Last"
         b. "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive 
            forevermore. Amen."
         c. "I have the keys of Hades and of Death."
      2. "Write..." (19)
         a. "The things which you have seen"
         b. "The things which are"
         c. "The things which will take place after this"
      3. "The mystery of the seven stars...and the seven golden 
         lampstands"
         a. "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches"
         b. "The seven lampstands...are the seven churches"

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-8)
   - The vision of the Son of Man (9-20)

2) What was Jesus intending to show His servants? (1)
   - Things which must shortly take place (cf. 1:3; 22:6,10)

3) How is John described in verse 2?
   - As one who bore witness to the word of God, to the testimony of
     Jesus Christ, and to all things that he saw

4) Who is this book designed to bless?  Why? (3)
   - Those who read and hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the
     things written in it
   - For the time is near

5) To whom was the book addressed? (4,11)
   - Seven churches in Asia
   - Churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, 
     Philadelphia, Laodicea

6) How is God described in the greeting from John? The Holy Spirit? (4)
   - Who is and who was and who is to come
   - The seven Spirits who are before His throne (cf. 4:5; Zech 4:1-6)

7) How is Jesus Christ described by John in this greeting? (5-6)
   - The faithful witness
   - The firstborn from the dead
   - The ruler over the kings of the earth
   - Who loved us
   - Who washed us from our sins in His own blood
   - Who has made us kings and priests to His God and Father

8) What is said about the coming of Christ? (7)
   - He is coming with clouds
   - Every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him
   - All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him

9) How does the Lord designate Himself? (8)
   - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End"
   - "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty"

10) How does John identify himself to His readers? (9a)
   - Your brother and companion tribulation
   - In the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ

11) Where and when did John receive the Revelation? (9b-10)
   - On the island of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony
     of Jesus
   - While in the Spirit on the Lord's Day

12) What did he hear a loud voice say? (11)
   - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last"
   - "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches
     in Asia..."

13) When he turned to see the voice, what did he see? (12-13)
   - Seven golden lampstands, and in their midst One like the Son of 
     Man

14) How does John describe the Son of Man? (13-16)
   - Clothed with a garment down to the feet
   - Girded about the chest with a golden band
   - Head and hair white as wool, white as snow
   - Eyes like a flame of fire
   - Feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace
   - Voice as the sound of many waters
   - In His right hand, seven stars
   - Out of His mouth, a sharp two-edged sword
   - Countenance like the sun shining in its strength

15) What was John's reaction when he saw Him?  What was he first told?
    (17)
   - Fell at His feet as dead
   - "Do not be afraid"

16) How does the Son of Man identify Himself? (17-18)
   - "I am the First and the Last"
   - "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive 
     forevermore"
   - "I have the keys of Hades and of Death"

17) What is John told to write? (19)
   - "The things which you have seen"
   - "The things which are"
   - "The things which will take place after this"

18) What is the explanation of the seven stars and seven golden 
    lampstands? (20)
   - The seven stars are the seven angels (messengers?) of the seven 
     churches
   - The seven lampstands are the seven churches (in Asia)