FSBCGuthrie

Sunday Morning Service

We finish our study of The Beginnings in Chapters 11, 12, 13, and 15 of Genesis. We start with a review of the Scriptural principles found in the early chapters of Genesis, then look at the events of the Tower of Babel, and finish with the Abrahamic Covenant

Chapter 10, along with the first 14 verses of chapter 11, are between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments. These passages between the sixth and seventh seals, trumpets, and bowls are to give us information about who and what is going on in addition to the judgments taking place. In chapter 10, John sees another strong or mighty angel coming from heaven with a little book in his hand. The angel stands with a foot on the ground and a foot on the sea and cries out with a loud voice and seven thunders uttered their voices. John was told not to write the words of the seven thunders, but to leave them sealed. The angel swore by the Creator who made the heavens and the earth that there should be no more delay, but when the seventh angel sounded the mystery of God would be finished John is told to take the little book from the angel and to eat it. It would taste sweet but become bitter in his stomach. Then John was told he was to prophecy more to many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.

Obadiah is a small, one-chapter Minor Prophet book of the Old Testament that speaks of judgment upon Edom and a future restoration of Israel. It is relevant to us in our day because in the prophetic view of Israel's restoration and important part in the Kingdom Age, their current enemies will be destroyed similar to Edom being destroyed as foretold in Obadiah

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Genesis 10 is a chapter of the genealogies of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. There are seventy nations listed by way of descendants that populated the world. It starts with Japheth, whose descendants went mostly to the European continent. Ham's descendants went mostly to the African continent, and Shem's descendants went mostly to Asia and the East. We see some names of descendants who became associated with geographic areas that we recall from prophetic Scriptures that are relevant to us in our day. Japheth's line is mentioned first, Ham's line second, and Shem's line the last to be mentioned. Dr. McGee points out that this follows a precedent we find in other places of Scripture where the most important of the list is mentioned last. Shem is the last one mentioned and it is from his line that the Messiah comes.

Chapter 8 begins with the opening of the 7th Seal, which gives way to the seven Trumpet Judgments. There is silence in heaven for a half hour before the seven angels with the seven trumpets begin. Another, eighth angel comes forth with a golden censer and offers much incense along with the prayers of the saints before the throne. He then fills the censer with fire from the altar and throws it upon the earth, resulting in thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. Then the angels begin to sound their trumpets. Many scholars refer to these judgments as the judgment of the "thirds" in that each seem to affect a third of whatever is targeted. Trumpet 1 -- a third of the trees and all green grass Trumpet 2 -- a third of the sea became blood; a third of the creatures in the sea died and a third of the ships were destroyed Trumpet 3 -- a third of the fresh water was contaminated with wormwood Trumpet 4 -- a third of all the lights in the lights in the heavens were darkened. Then an angel flew through the heavens shouting three woes fore the final three trumpets Trumpet 5 -- locusts from the bottomless pit came out to harm those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Those smitten would seek death but not find it Trumpet 6 -- angels were loosed from the Euphrates to kill a third of mankind We had already seen that during the Seal judgments a fourth of the population was destroyed, so now by this time a total of half the world's population will have died. The sad thing is that those who were still living, but unbelieving were still not inclined to repent and turn to God from their idolatry and wickedness.

James was the half brother to the Lord Jesus Christ, but he did not use that in his introduction to his letter. He instead referred to himself as a bondservant, a slave, to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. James addressed his letter to the twelve tribes scattered abroad; believing Jews who had left Jerusalem and Judea because of persecution for trusting in Christ. James gives more application of Christian, Biblical principles for us than doctrine. He seems to hit some big issues of life for us, one right after the other.

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Life after the Flood. Noah and his sons are to repopulate the earth. Man's diet how changes. No longer is he required to eat a vegetarian diet, but now he can eat from anthing that moves, only without the blood being in it. We also see that corporal punishment is instituted, the death penalty for murder.

Revelation chapter 7 is an interlude between the 6th and 7th Seal Judgments. The interludes give us valuable information to help us understand what is going on with people and events. Chapter 7 has two sections. The first one is the numbering of 12,000 Jewish men from each of 12 tribes of Israel. They will be evangelists during the Tribulation Period, Daniel's 70th Week. There are some peculiarities about the names of the 12 tribes that we mention and explain. The second section deals with an innumerable number of martyrs that are dressed in white and stand before the throne in heaven. These are Tribulation saints, people who trusted in Christ as the Messiah and their Savior after the Rapture of the Church and during the Tribulation Period. The sad thing is that the majority of them will have to give their lives for their faith.

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Chapter 13 ends the book of Hebrews. The writer brings some general Biblical principles to us in conclusion. He said to be careful to entertain strangers because we may have entertained angels without knowing it. Marriage is honorable, but sexual deviancy from God's Word will be judged. We are not to be covetous, a sin that is sometimes hidden in our hearts and minds. We are to be obedient and honor those who rule over us, those who are responsible for us. As Christ was taken outside the walls of the city to be crucified and shed His blood for the payment of our sins, we also should be willing to go outside the walls of the church to share the love of Christ with the world. The writer of Hebrews also reminds his readers that it is important to be thankful to God. In fact, offering God thanks in our prayers for the blessings He gives us is considered an sacrifice of praise unto God.

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Genesis 7 gives us information about the Flood. Seven pairs of clean animals (male and his female) and one pair of unclean animals came to Noah to be on the Ark. Noah and his family went into the Ark seven days before God closed the door and the Flood began. The circumstances and the condition of the world and the people in the days of Noah are relevant to us in our day because of what Jesus Himself said in Luke 17:26-27 "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all." In addition to life "as normal" as it seems, there were also giants in the land in those days and afterward (see Genesis 6:4) The situation in the world today is approaching as in the days of Noah, if we're not already there.

Revelation chapter 6 begins the Tribulation Period, Daniel's 70th Week. We see Jesus as the Lamb loosing the seven seals to open the scroll He took from the Father's hand. As He loosens the individual seals, judgments come forth. The first seal brings the rider on the white horse, the antichrist who will deceive the world. The second seal brings the rider on the red horse and war is the result; peace is taken and people begin killing one another. The third seal brings the rider on the black horse and famine comes, the result of war. It will take a whole days wages just to buy one day's worth of food. The fourth seal brings the rider on the pale green horse and there is widespread death; one fourth of the world's population will die. The fifth seal brings the cry of the martyrs and God's response that they are to have patience until the remainder of their brethren join them. The sixth seal brings about cosmic disturbances to the sun and moon and a great earthquake such that the hills and mountains and islands are removed.The unbelieving people and leaders cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of God and the wrath of the Lamb. These verses attest to the fact that the Tribulation is well underway during the seal judgments.

Hebrews chapter 12 is an encouragement and exhortation for us to finish strong. The chapter begins with comparing the Christian life to a long distance, endurance run. Just as runners set aside any hindrances to their running successfully, we are to lay aside anything that would hinder us from successfully serving the Lord. Like a running nearing the finish line who keeps his eyes and focus on the finish line, we are to keep our eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our salvation. The writer tells us not to be disheartened by being chastised by the Lord, because the Bible says that God chastises His children--so being disciplined by God can even be an assurance that we are His children. We also are encouraged by being reminded that as we approach the end of our life or our age, we are coming to the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable number of angels and believers who have gone on before us.

Sunday Morning Service

Genesis chapter 6 deals with the Sons of God taking wives of the daughters of men that resulted in a hybrid race of men of renown, known as the Nephilim. There are two opposing views to who the "Sons of God" were: the more popular and more recent view is that the Sons of God were descendants of Seth who then married daughters of Cain. The view that it appears the early Church fathers and the Dead Sea Scrolls take is that the Sons of God are angelic beings, in this case, fallen angels who rebelled against God, left their first estate, as Jude put it, and cohabitated with human women which resulted in the Nephilim being born. My opinion is that based off Scriptures in Job and other places, the Sons of God were fallen angels and used by satan to attempt to corrupt the human genome in trying to thwart God's redemptive plan for mankind through the coming Messiah. This situation brought about the depraved, sinful condition of mankind on the earth at that time and resulted in God judging the world and all living things by the Flood of Noah. Noah walked with God and the Bible said he was "perfect in his generations", which I believe speaks to the fact that his family bloodline had not been corrupted. Since he found grace in God's eyes, God used him and his family to repopulate the earth after the Flood

Revelation 5 continues John's experience in the Throne Room of Heaven. He sees the seven sealed scroll in the Father's hand and weeps because no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth is worthy to loose the seals and open the scroll. Then one of the elders assured him that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, would prevail to open the scroll. But when John looked at Him, he described Him as a Lamb that had been slaughtered, standing with seven horns and seven eyes which were the seven Spirits of God. As Christ took the scroll, all in the throne room began to worship Him and bow before Him; the four living creatures, the elders, and the angels--and innumerable number. They sang, Worthy is the Lamb to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Even the number of things they sang He was worthy of were seven in number.

Hebrews 11 is often called the Hall of Faith. It starts with a very good definition of faith and then begins to list many names from Israel's past that are noted for the faith they had. Names listed include: Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. An important verse of chapter 11 is verse 6--"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him".

Today we look at Adam's descendants to the time of Noah. We are in Revelation chapter 5. We again see some basic fundamental Spiritual principles established in these early chapters of Genesis that are constant throughout the Bible; principles that the world today are trying to refute and disregard. Some of those principles we've looked at that show up again in chapter 5: - God's creation--God created everything, we're not here by evolution - God created man in His image--trinitarian; body, soul, and spirit - God's pattern for marriage--one man and one woman - God created 2 genders; male and female We also look at the late Dr. Chuck Missler's teaching of the meaning of the names of the men in the first ten generations when put together in a sentence gives the eternal redemptive plan of God for man.

Revelation 4 begins the third section of Revelation, the future. We saw the outline of the book back in chapter one, verse 19. There John was told to write the things which you have seen (past), the things which are (present), and the things which will take place after this (future). Meta tauta is the Greek wording for "after these things", which in context here means the things that will take place after the present church age, the Age of Grace. After the Church is removed from the earth at the Rapture, the time of Daniel's 70th Week will take place. We normally refer to those seven years as the Tribulation Period. That period begins in chapter 6 of Revelation. Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation give John's attempt at describing the scene from the throne room in heaven. Because of the amount of information involved, we will only be looking at chapter 4 today and will be in chapter 5 next week.

Hebrews 10 continues the comparison, showing Jesus to be superior to the Levitical Priesthood and the animal sacrifices that were under the Old Covenant. His death fulfilled God's will and plan for mankind's eternal salvation. His shed blood makes perfect those who trust in Him by completely removing the believers' sin. We are encouraged to hold fast our confession since we have a High Priest over the house of God who makes intercession for us. There is a warning not to willfully sin after we have trusted in Christ. Those who did so during the time of the writing of Hebrews, the transition period going from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant may have continued to take blood sacrifices to the temple. That would be a direct violation of the New Covenant that was consecrated by the blood of Christ once and for all, and anyone who did such could expect judgment. But the writer points out the the "just" shall live by faith, a quote from Habakkuk 2:4. This is the third time of a trilogy of that verse being quoted in the New Testament (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38).