Tomorrow’s World – Bible Study Course – Lesson 1 Notes

Keys to understanding the Bible:

1. Attitude
2. Obedience
3. Understanding specific verses in the context of the rest of the Bible
4. Start with the plain, clear verses on any subject

Day of Atonement

God commands us to fast on the Day of Atonement

Prophecy

Abraham and the disciples are ‘friend of God’ – given the gift of prophecy.  Daniel and John were ‘dearly beloved’ – given the gift of apocalyptic prophecy.

Greater Responsibility

God has revealed to me that with greater truth comes greater responsibility.  By asking him to reveal truth, I am asking for the things that go along with it.  For example, the idea of the Sabbath has been raised to my attention.  If the Lord reveals that this is an expectation to observe, that does represent growth in the Lord, while representing a new responsibility to respond to that truth with head (decisions) and hand (deeds).

Mark of the Beast – Linked to the Sabbath?

http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/booklets/tw-bk.cgi?category=Booklets1&item=1104414149

I’ve been introduced to the idea of the mark of the beast possibly being tied to the observance of the Sabbath.  ‘The Sabbath has been used historically as a test of faith’.  My initial reaction is that the fourth commandment exists, and there is nothing that tells me that the 4th commandment is any less of a commandment than any other.  I may be saved by grace, but obeying the commandments are still my best way of loving God.  Also, Sabbath contains the word ‘Abba’ (father), Sunday contains ‘Sun’ – what do I worship?  Additionally, it’s been raised that the idea of Sunday is actually a Catholic (man-made) idea, and not biblical at all!  Do I follow God’s law or man’s?  

I am going to investigate how I can remember and keep the Sabbath holy to best serve and honor my Lord and God.  This is an urgent research topic.

• Sabbath is actually Shabbat in Hebrew, which means ‘rest’ or ‘cessation’.  
• The day is blessed and sanctified according to Genesis 1.  
• Friday is the day of preparation for the Sabbath
• Sabbath is from Friday sun-down to Saturday sun-down
• The Sabbath was in place from the beginning (Genesis 1).  The commandment was a reminder.
• Recognizing the Sabbath is recognizing God as creator.
• The fourth commandment has more space devoted to it than any other
• "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it"
• The Sabbath points to creation – no other day of the week has been blessed by God
• The Sabbath is NOT about sacrifices, washings or ceremonial duties
• ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a SIGN between Me and you throughout your generations, THAT YOU MAY KNOW that I am the Lord who sanctifies you’" (Exodus 31:13).
• "Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a PERPETUAL covenant. It is a SIGN between Me and the children of Israel FOREVER, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed" (Exodus 31: 16-17)
• A ‘sign’ (above) is something voluntarily displayed.
• According to Paul, Gentile Christians were to be "grafted" into Israel and become spiritual Israelites (cf. Romans 11:17, 24; Galatians 3:28-29).
• "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God" (Romans 2:28-29). For these reasons, Paul called the New Testament Church the "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16)
• "Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil" (Isaiah 56:2).
• "Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants-everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant-even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for ALL NATIONS" (Isaiah 56: 6-7).
• Jesus tells us to follow Him – He is the light, yet many will argue why Sabbath keeping is not necessary
• Whoever therefore breaks one of the LEAST of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-19)

Ezekiel 3

Ezekiel 3 – our job is to be a witness (to warn).  It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convert souls

Sitting / Standing

Teachers sat… heralds stood

5 Crowns promised from Bema Seat judgments

1. Crown of Life – for those who have suffered for His sake
2. Crown of Righteousness – for those who loved His appearing
3. Crown of Glory – for those who feed the flock
4. Crown of Incorruption – for those who press on steadfastly
5. Crown of Rejoicing – for those who win souls

Hebrews

Bringing sons to glory

Sanctification

• After justification comes sanctification.  You are now a work in progress. Ultimately glorified by being resurrected with a new body. Some will receive more glory / reward than others.
• Ok… you’re saved… what have you done with it? Now what?