Leaves Of Gold

A Call To Return To Biblical Teaching

"...to contend earnestly for the faith..."

Year One, Number 11 NOVEMBER 2006

MASTER OUTLINE NUMBER TEN

(Taken from "The Christian Life Bible", Thomas Nelson Publishers, Porter L. Barrington autor)

The Holy Spirit: His Ministry

Christians have great and many privileges as children of God because of who the Holy Spirit is, and what He can do in the life of every believer. It is most important to realize that the Holy Spirit is fully God. The deity of the Holy Spirit is affirmed in the Scriptures. He is declared to be God:

(1) By Peter, when Ananias and Sapphira tried to deceive God by bringing a portion of an offering, pretending to bring all of it. "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? .. You have not lied to men but to God' " (Acts 5:1-4). When Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, he therefore lied to God. The Holy Spirit is God, according to the Scriptures.

(2) By the apostle Paul, when he wrote to "the church of God which is at Corinth" (1 Cor. 1 ,2), asking them a most important question: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Cor. 3: 16). Every New Testament church is composed of born-again, Spirit-baptized believers. The building is not the church, it is the sanctuary where the church meets to worship; and God the Holy Spirit indwells each believer in the church. "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God "and you are not your own?" (1 Cor. 6:19, 20,). Yes, your physical body is the temple of God, the Holy Spirit.

(3) By attributes ascribed to the Holy Spirit that are also ascribed to God the Father and God the Son:

(a) Omnipresence-He is everywhere present in God's universe (Ps. 139;7-10).

(b) Omnipotence-He has all power in God's universe (Luke 1 :35).

Yes, the Holy Spirit is God, and we should desire everything He has for us.

This study on the Holy Spirit and His ministry will help you recognize your great need of His Christ-exalting presence in your life. Jesus said, "He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine [receive My teaching] and declare it to you" (John 16: 14). The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ in and through every child of God. If He is not exalting Christ in your life, it is because He is "grieved:' Paul said, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30). God the Holy Spirit is grieved by sin in the life of the believer. You are to put off the life-style of the old man (the flesh) and put on the Iife-style of the new man. Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh [first birth], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit [new spiritual birth]" (John 3:6). Paul lists some of the sins that grieve the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers (Eph. 4:22-32). Search your life and, if you find any sin therein, practice 1 John 1:9. As you confess your sins, call them by name; repent and forsake them, that you may be filled (controlled) with the Holy Spirit of power and joy (Acts 1 :8).

10-A. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit Before Pentecost (Judges 14:5, 6)

" And the Spirit of the LORD caine mightily upon him" (v. 6). Samson was a spiritual ,enigma. Before his birth he was chosen of God to be a "Nazirite to God" (Judg. 13:1-,5,). A Nazirite-could be either man or woman, set apart from things of the world for the service of God. Some Nazirites were separated unto God for a short period of time, but Samson was set apart by God for life. In failing to live the life of the Nazirite, he trusted Delilah and revealed to her the secret of his great physical strength (Judg.16:16, 17). While he slept, with his head in Delilah's lap, she called for a man to cut his hair. When he awoke, Delilah was saying, " The Philistines are upon you" upon you, Samson!" He said, "1 will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" Then we come to one of the saddest statements in the Bible-"But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him", (Judg. 16:18-21). When he lost the power of the Holy Spirit, he lost the victory, and the Philitines captured him. Finally, however, the Spirit again came mightily upon him and defeated the Philistines (Judges 16:29, 30)

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon the Lord's servants, but when they continued to disobey God, the Holy Spirit would leave them. For example, Samuel prophesied to Saul saying, "The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them [the prophets] and be turned into another man.'" (1 Sam. 10:6-10, ). But the time came when Saul, in disobedience to God, sinned so greatly that Holy Spirit departed from him (1 Sam. 16:14).

When King David repented of his sin, knowing that the Holy Spirit had abandoned King Saul, he prayed "Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me" (Ps. 51:11). This psalm of repentance should be read often and when necessary practiced by every believer, lest the Holy Spirit be grieved (1 John 1:9). The Holy Spirit not only came upon prophets, kings, judges, and priests in the Old Testament, He also filled some for special work. "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying "See, I have called by name Bezalel .... And I have filled him with the Spirit of God'" (Ex. 31:1-11) Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God and given the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, to be a Spirit-filled craftsman who could supervise the building of the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, and all the furniture, and who could make all the clothes for the high priest and his sons (Ex. 35:31-36:7). The Holy Spirit came upon many, but only filled a few; the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, however, took place at Pentecost.

10-8. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and After (Acts 2:1-21)- When the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, there were certain super-natural manifestations that marked the beginning of His ministry in the church age. The 120 disciples were in the Upper Room and in accord with one accord with one another.

(1) The first supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit on this occasion was for the ear-"There was a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting, (v. 2). It was for the ear, not the eye. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of hearing God's Word (Rom. 10:17). The risen Savior sent letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor and closed each message with the words, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit [the Holy Spirit] says to the churches" (Rev. 2 and 3).

The sound was of hurricane force, without physical power. They could hear the wind, but did not feel its force. This lesson is simple but profound: The Holy Spirit is sovereign. He moves and does what He will (John 3:8). He does not conform to the will or expectations of man. Even though there was no physical power, however, this rushing mighty wind was filled with spiritual power. The Holy Spirit, will, Pentecostal power, moved the Upper Room congregation from their place of worship into the city streets and into the temple, to witness and share their faith in holy boldness (Acts 4:13).

(2) The second supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit was for the tongue-"Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat 'upon each of them" (v. 3). This was the cleansing of the tongue in preparation for witnessing (cf. Is. 6:5-8, James 3:5-10). After the tongue was cleansed, each of them could say with Isaiah, "Here am I! Send me" (Is. 6:8).

(3) The third supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit was for witnessing power (Acts 1:8)- "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (v. 4). All of the 12 disciples were chosen by the Holy Spirit to witness in language unknown to them, but not unknown to the hearers (vv. 7, 8). They witnessed in the power of the Holy Spilll7 and prepared the people for Simon Peter's message. This was a great miracle. People from many nations heard the Upper Room congregation share their faith in the language of the hearers. Verse 6 implies that when Peter preached in his language, each one heard him in his own language (vv. 6-36). It is no wonder that about three thousand who heard the gospel in their own language believed it in their hearts, repented of their sins, and were baptized and added to the church (vv. 37-42).

Note that the Upper Room congregation, filled with the Spirit, went to the temple and there exalted Christ, not their Pentecostal experience. They were filled with the Holy Spirit to tell the lost how to be save, I (Acts 1 :8).

10-C. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: The Evangelist (Acts 5:29-32)-

The apostles were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for evangelizing. They were accused of filling Jerusalem with the gospel-the Good News that Jesus Christ was resurrected after having been crucified. In holy boldness Peter said, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree, ... And we are His witnesses to these things [the death, burial, and resurrection], and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him" (vv. 30-32). Paraphrased, Peter was saying, "We are witnesses [evangelists] and the Holy Spirit is an evangelist also." We must live, that the lost may see Jesus in us; but even though they see Jesus in us, they cannot know how to be saved until they hear the gospel.

Bearing similar witness in the book of Romans, Paul quoted the prophet Joel: "For 'whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved'" (Rom. 10:13-17. cf. Joel 2:32). In verses 14 and 15 Paul asks four questions which pertain to verse 13:

(1) "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?" They cannot call on Jesus and be saved until they believe "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

(2) "How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" They cannot believe until they hear the gospel, the Good News of salvation. Seeing Christ in the Christian is not enough; they must hear to believe.

(3) "How shall they hear without a preacher?" The lost must have a witness in order to hear; they must hear in order to believe; they must believe in order to call; and they must call in order to be saved.

(4) "And how shall they preach (witness, proclaim the gospel), unless they are sent?" The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost to empower each believer to evangelize, (Acts 1:8) The risen Christ instructed His disciples: "Tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endured with power from on high", Luke 24:29. Before His death, Jesus instructed His followers: "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest", Matt. 9:38. The "Lord of the harvest", the Holy Spirit, answered that prayer on the Day of Pentecost. The 120 disciples were sent out into the fields, "already white for harvest", John 4:35. For almost two thousand years the "Lord of the harvest" (the Holy Spirit) has continued to send laborers into t he fields.

You the lost cannot be saved until they hear the Word of God. They cannot hear without a witness. You need to do as Isaiah in 6:8.

10-D. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: The Helper (John 14:15-17)-

"1 will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper" (v. 16). "Parakletos" is the Greek word used four times in the Gospel of John, and is translated "Helper." The word means, "one called alongside," i.e., to take the place of Jesus. The Lord Jesus was the first Helper sent by the Father; "He will give you another Helper" (v. 16). Now the Father would give the disciples the Holy Spirit (Paraclete) to "help" them and all believers, to be with them in the absence of Christ. The disciples were sorrowing because Jesus told them that He would go away, and they could not go with Him then. He said, "Let not your heart be troubled ... I go to prepare a place for you ... 1 will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1-3).

(1) The Helper will "abide with you forever ... and will be in you" (vv. 16, 17). Let this fact comfort you in these days of trials and tribulations. Paul said, "We also glory in tribulations ... because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom. 5:3-5). The Helper has been given to all believers to fill our hearts with the love of God.

(2) The Helper was sent by the Father, in the name of Jesus, to take His place and continue to teach His disciples all things. He would also cause them to remember all that Jesus taught them, so that they could give us the complete Word of God (John 14:26; cf. 2 Pet. 1:12).

(3) The Helper, "whom I shall send to you from the Father," was sent to "testify of Me" (John 15:26). For almost two thousand years the Holy Spirit has motivated believers to give testimony to the saving and keeping power of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:29-40). And the Helper will continue to fill obedient believers with the power to share their faith with the lost (Acts 1:8).

(4) "When He [the Helper] has come" (John 16:7-15):

(a) He will convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment;

(b) He will guide you into all truth;

(d) He will glorify Christ;

(e) He will take the things of Christ, and show it to you.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would take His doctrine and guide the apostles as they recorded what He taught. He would help them to remember, and show them things yet to come (Acts 1:1, 2). On the Day of Pentecost the Helper began His ministry of evangelizing the world and guiding the apostles as they wrote the New Testament. He has continued to evangelize the world and to guide believers as they study God's Word, helping them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. He will continue His great ministry until Jesus comes to rapture the redeemed (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

10-E. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: The Giver of Spiritual Gifts (1Corinthian~ 12:1-31)-

We find the Holy Trinity working together from Genesis to Revelation. So it is no surprise to find the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together in the church, the body of Christ (vv. 12-31), so, that the whole body of Christ may profit spiritually in every good thing (v. 7). The apostle Paul would not have us be ignorant of how the Trinity is involved in giving and using spiritual gifts for the edifying of the church:

(1) The Holy Spirit. "There are diversities [differences] of gifts, but the same Spirit" (v. 4). We are told to earnestly desire the best gifts (v. 31), especially the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1) "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church" (1 Cor. 14:40) You may choose a special gift and desire it, pray for it, and yet not receive it, because the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts according to His sovereign will, and not always according to your wishes. "But one and the same Spirit works all these things [spiritual gifts], distributing to each one individually as He Wills" (v. 11).

(2) The Lord Jesus Christ. "There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord" (v. 5). Paul says there are varieties of ministries in the church, and the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts according to His sovereign will, enabling all to perform their ministries in the power of the Holy Spirit, under the lordship of Christ, because Christ is the head of the church, the body of Christ (Col. 1:18, 19).

(3) God the Father. "And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all" (v. 6). In the church there are varieties of operations; God the Father, working with God the Holy Spirit arid God the Son, enables those who have been given spiritual gifts to exercise them to the honor and glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one [in the body of Christ, the church 1 for the profit of all" (v. 7). Spiritual gifts, ministries, and operations are not bestowed on a person in order to attract attention to that person. They are given to attract sinners to Christ and to bless the whole body of Christ.

Every born-again child of God should have the attitude of John the Baptist. When asked, "Who are you?" he answered, "1 am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the LORD" , " (John 1:22,23). In John's humble opinion he was not important, he was just the voice of one; he was one of many who helped prepare for the first coming of Christ. John also said of Jesus, "He must increase, but 1 must decrease" (John 3:30).

Do you have a decreasing or expanding ego? The nearer you are to God, the smaller the ego; the farther you get from God, the bigger the ego. John delighted in exalting Christ, not himself. God the Father has exalted God the Son, and given Him a name above all names. At the name of the Son of God (not a servant of God), every knee in heaven, on earth, and in hell will bend; and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:1-11).

The apostle Paul lists nine spiritual gifts:

(1) the word of wisdom (v. 8)

(2) the word of knowledge (Y. 8)

(3) faith (v. 9)

(4) gifts of healing (v. 9)

(5) the working of miracles (v. 10)

(6) prophecy (v. 10)

(7) discerning of spirits (v. 10)

(8) different kinds of tongues (languages) (v. 10)

(9) interpretations of tongues (v. 10)

Remember:

(1) They are gifts of the Spirit; you cannot earn them by keeping the law or doing good works. They are gifts of pure grace, not of works-just like salvation (Eph. 2:8,9).

(2) Are all spiritual gifts given to every member of the body of Christ? The answer is obvious-No! (vs. 29,30).

(3) Can the individual Christian choose the spiritual gift he or she would like to receive? You are to "desire spiritual gifts" (1 Cor. 14:1); however, the gifts are given according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit (v. 11). You may desire the best gift; but you will not receive it unless it is the will of God.

(4) Are these spiritual gifts for the church today? Some say no-that God phased out some or all of the spiritual gifts, that they are not for the church today. It is true that these gifts are not apparent in many local churches, but that does not mean that they are not in any of the churches. Remember that God is sovereign, and does whatever pleases Him in heaven and on the earth (Ps. 135:6; Dan: 4:35).

At the close of chapter 12 Paul says, "But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way" (v. 31). In chapter 13 he reveals that love is the more excellent way to manifest spiritual gifts. It is surely the only effective, way. "Though I speak with the tongues [languages] of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal" (1 Cor. 13:1). There are two main Greek words for love:

(1) Phi/eo--this is love between friends (brotherly love); it is kindly feeling toward one another. This Greek word for love is found often in the Bible.

(2) Agapao, with the noun form agape-this is perfect love. God is agape-"God is love" (1 John 4:8).

Paul was saying that you may be blessed with spiritual gifts, but if you do not have agape ("the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us," Rom. 5:5)-,-your spiritual gifts will be ineffective. You will become "sounding brass or a clanging cymbal" (1 Cor. 13:1). In other words, you will be nothing but a religious noise .. (These studies will continue)

VIII Satan

(From the book "Rightly Dividing the Word" by Clarence Larkins. The charts may be found at: www.blueletterbile.org/study/lark05.html or //members.citynet/morton/charts.htm or http:lifeenchacements.tripod.com/chart0019.html )

There are many who deny the existence or Satan. They claim that what we call Satan is only a "principle of evil." That this "evil" is a sort of "malaria," an intangible thing like disease germs that floats about in the atmosphere and attacks people's hearts under certain conditions. The existence of Satan cannot be determined by the opinions of men. The only source of information is the Bible. That is the reason why Satan tries to discredit the Word of God. He is not a "principle of evil" he is a-Person. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet. 5: 8. He "walketh," he "roareth," he is to be· "chained." Rev. 20: 1-3. These could not be said of. a "principle of evil." He has many names or aliases-"Satan," "Devil," "Beelzebub," "Belial," "Adversary," "Dragon," "Serpent." He is mentioned by one or the other of these names 174 times in the Bible. He is a great "Celestial Potentate." He is "The Prince of the Powers of the Air." Eph. 2: 2; "The God of this World" (Age). 2 Cor. 4: 4.

1. His Origin.

This is more or less shrouded in mystery. One thing is certain, he is a "created being," and that of the most exalted type. He was before his fall "The Anointed Cherub That Covereth." That is, he was the guardian or protector of the "Throne of God." He was perfect in all his ways from the day that he was created, until iniquity was found in him. In him was the "fullness of wisdom," and the "perfection of beauty," but it was his "beauty" that caused the pride that was his downfall. He was clothed in a garment that was covered with the most rare and precious gems, the sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, sapphire, emerald, carbuncle, all woven in with g0td. He dwelt in Eden, the "Garden of God." This probably refers not to the earthly Eden, but to the "Paradise of God" on high, for Satan dwelt on the "Holy Mount of God."· All this we learn from Ezek. 28: 11-19, where the Prophet has a "foreview" of the Antichrist under the title of the "King of Tyrus," and as Antichrist is to be an incarnation of Satan, the Prophet here describes Satan's original glory from which he fell. There never has been as yet such a King of Tyrus as is here described.

The cause of Satan's fall is given in Isa. 14: 12-20. He is there called "Son of the Morning"

This was his glorious title when he was created, and this world of ours was made, at which time-

"The 'Morning Stars,' (probably other glorious created ruling beings like himself), sang together, and all the 'Sons of God,' (angels), shouted for joy." Job 38: 7.

It is well to note that the one here called "Lucifer, Son of the Morning," is in verse four (Isa. 14: 4) also called the "King of Babylon." As there never has beer. a King of Babylon like the one here described, the description must be that of a "future" King of Babylon. And as "Antichrist is to have for his Capital City Babylon rebuilt," this is probably a "foreview" by the Prophet of Antichrist, as indwelt by "Lucifer," or "Satan," in that day when he shall be "King of Babylon."

Some think that when this world was created and fit for habitation Satan was placed in charge of it, and it was then, as Isaiah declares, that Satan said in his heart"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the 'Stars of God' (other ruling powers) ; I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation, in the sides of the North. I will ascend above the clouds; I will be like The MOST HIGH:" and that it was for this presumptuous act that the "Pre-Adamite World" became a chaos, and "without form and void," as described in Gen. 1: 2. This would justify the claim of Satan that this world belongs to him, and that he had the right and power to transfer the "kingdoms of the world" to Christ, if He would only acknowledge Satan's supremacy. (Matt. 4: 8, 9.) And it accounts for the persistent war Satan is waging against the Almighty to retain his possession of the earth.

II. His Present Location.

The common notion is that Satan and his angels are imprisoned in Hell. This is not true. The angels described in 2 Pet. 2: 4, and Jude 6, as having left their "first estate," and being "reserved in everlasting chains under darkness," are not Satan's angels. They are a special class of angels whose sin caused the Flood. They are the "Spirits in Prison" of whom Peter speaks in I Pet. 3: 18-20. See the chapter on "Ages and Dispensations," under the cause of the Flood. Satan and his angels are at liberty.

We read in the first and second chapters of Job that it was the custom in Job's day for the "Sons of God" (angels), to appear at stated times in the presence of God to give an account of their stewardship, and that Satan always appeared with them. When the Lord said to Satan-"Whence comest thou?" he replied, "From going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it." Job. 1: 7; 2: 2. Satan then was at liberty "on the earth," and has "access to God," and was "not cast out of Heaven" in Job's day, B. C. 2000, and a. he has not been cast out since, he must still be at liberty in the heavenlies and on the earth. See Chart of "Satan,"

III. His Kingdom.

Satan is a King, and has a Kingdom. "If Satan cast out Satan he is divided against himself; how shall then his 'kingdom' stand?" Matt. 12: 24-30.

"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against Principalities, against Bowers, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this World (Age), against Spiritual Wickedness in High Places (the Heavenlies)." Eph. 6:12.

From this we see that his Kingdom consists of "Principalities," "Powers," "Age Rulers of Darkness," and

Wicked Spirits in the Heavenlies." These "Principalities" are ruled by "Princes," who control certain nations of our earth, as in the days of Daniel the Prophet, when a heavenly messenger was sent to Daniel, but was hindered "three weeks" from reaching him by the "Prince of the Kingdom of Persia," Satan's ruling "Prince of Persia," until Michael the Archangel came to his rescue. Dan. 10: 10-14.

IV. His Methods.

1. He Is the Deceiver of the World.

By the "world" is meant all those who belong to the "Satanic System," all those who are entangled in Satan's mesh.

"And we know that we are of God, and the whole World (the Satanic System), lieth in the Wicked One (Satan)." 1 John 5: 19.

Satan deceives by "blinding" the eyes of the world. "If our Gospel is hid, it is hid to them that 'are lost'; in whom the 'God of this World' (Satan), hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Cor. 4: 3, 4.

To this end Satan has his preachers who preach "another gospel." Gal. 1: 6-9. That gospel is the "doctrine of demons" 1 Tim. 4: 1. He is the instigator of "The Great Apostasy." Peter, speaking of the "latter times" says- "There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in 'Damnable Heresies,' even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their 'Pemicious Ways,' by reason of whom the 'WAY OF TRUTH' shall be evil spoken of." 2 Pet. 2: 1-2.

These "false teachers" are to be seen on every hand. They are those who deny the "Virgin Birth," "Deity," "Bodily Resurrection" and "Personal Premillennial Return" of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Satan is very subtle in his methods, and if it were possible he would deceive the very elect. He knows all the great Scripture subjects that are of universal interest to humanity, and he is too wise to attack them openly, so he adulterates them with false doctrine. He has tried to rob the Church of her "Blessed Hope" of the Lord's return by mixing with it a lot of false teaching and "time setting" as seen in "Millerism," "Seventh Day Adventism" and "Millennial Dawnism." To prevent mankind from turning to the Lord for healing, he has invented the systems of "Christian Science" and "New Thought." To satisfy the craving of the human mind to know what is going on in the Spirit World, Satan invented "Spiritism." Satan seeing that he could not stamp out the Church by violence and persecution has changed his tactics and is now trying to seduce her into conformity to the world, :and to try to better an "Age" that God has doomed to destruction. His present purpose is to build up a "magnificent civilization," and he has deceived the Church into believing that it can bring in the "Millennium," without Christ, by the Betterment of Society. His hope is that the "Gospel of Social Service" will take the place of the "Gospel of Grace," and by diverting the attention of Christian people to "secondary" things, they will neglect the primary work of soul saving, and thus delay the evangelization of the world, and postpone the Return of the Lord, and his own confinement in the Bottomless Pit.

2. He is the Adversary of God's People.

The warfare between "Good" and "Evil," as recorded in the Bible from Gen. 3: 15 to Rev. 20: 10, is most intensely interesting reading. Satan tempts Eve. She eats and Adam with her. Result the Fall. Satan to prevent the birth of the "Promised Seed" causes Cain to kill Abel. To bring about the destruction of the human race Satan gets the "Sons of God" to marry the "Daughters of Men." Result the Flood. To destroy the unity of the race Satan suggests the building of the "Tower of Babel." Result the "Confusion of Tongues." But the story is too long. All down through the Old Testament we see Satan at work trying to frustrate the plan of God for the "Redemption of the Race." When the time came that Christ was born it was Satan who prompted Herod to destroy all the male children at Bethlehem under two years of age. It was Satan who tried to overcome Christ when weakened by fasting in the wilderness, and who suggested that He throw Himself down from the Pinnacle of the Temple. The attempt of the people to throw Christ from the hilltop at Nazareth, and the two storms on the sea of Galilee were plans of Satan to destroy Christ; and when foiled in these Satan renewed the fight through Priests and Pharisees, and succeeded at last in getting Judas to sell his Master. Then, amid the shades of Gethsemane, he sought to kill Christ by physical weakness before He could reach the Cross and make atonement for sin. When Christ was crucified Satan thought he had at last conquered, but when Christ rose from the dead Satan's rage knew no bounds. In all probability Satan and his angels contested the Ascension of Christ, and the history of the Christian Church is but one long story of the "Irrepress," ible Conflict" between Satan and God's people.

V. His Doom

As we have seen Satan still has his abode in the "Heavenlies" and has access to God. But the time is coming when he shall be cast out of the "Heavenlies" on to the earth (Rev. 12: 9-12), and there shall be great "WOE" on the earth because of Satan's wrath, that he shall exercise through the "Beast," the "ANTICHRIST" (Rev. 13: 2-8), for he will then know that his time "IS SHORT," only 3 1/2 years. At the close of the "Tribulation Period," the "Beast" arid the "False Prophet" will be cast "alive" into the "Lake of Fire," and an angel from Heaven will seize Satan and bind him with a great chain. already forged, and cast him into the "Bottomless Pit," where he shall remain for 1000 years. Rev. 20: 1-3. At the end of which time he shall be loosed for a season, and then with his angels he shall be cast into the "Lake of Fire"prepared for him in the long ago to spend the Ages of the Ages. Rev. 20: 7-10. Matt. 25: 41. (These studies will continue)

I. THE LORD'S CHURCH WAS, AND IS, HIS BRIDE John 3:29

1. In reading II Corinthians 11: 2 one notices the words "chaste" and "virgin." Paul is speaking here to the Corinthian Church, and says that he has "engaged" (espoused) her to one husband. This word "espoused" is frequently used with reference to a newly married young person, but it also means one engaged. In this verse this is the meaning because of the rest of the verse, "...that I may present you..." As one follows the thought he will see that this is future.

2. The relationship NOW is "Bridal," with a view of becoming His wife in the future, so far as the principle of the relationship is concerned, which principle follows. Ephesians 5:25-27 and Revelation 19:7 reveal clearly that the relationship is as a bride, or, engaged, and that the marriage is a future event.

3. The engagement was announced by John the Baptist in John 3:29. This was God's man to do so. John, pointing to the Lord and His assembly, called them the bride and groom. He called himself the friend of the bridegroom. He said his "joy was fulfilled in this witness." God blessed this first Missionary Baptist preacher with this honor, and thanks be to him for it.

4. II. THE LORD'S CHURCH INSTITUTION, AS HIS BRIDE, ENGAGED TO HIM, IS TO BE:

1. Faithful to her bridegroom while she is awaiting the wedding, Luke 16:9-13.

a. She loves Him more than anyone or anything else in this world, Matthew 10:37. A bride should love the one to whom she is engaged more than anyone else or anything else.

b. She talks of her beloved more than anyone else, because He is on her mind more than anyone else, Philippians 1:20, 21; Acts 4:19, 20. One's first love, greatest concern", and desire, the object of his affection and hope"-is; of course, what he talks about most. So, it is

no wonder that one hears so much about Christ and His coming around one of His true churches.

c. She looks forward, with great expectation, to His coming back and to their wedding day. In I Corinthians 1:4-8, Titus 2:13, and Revelation 19:7, 8 the teaching is clear that a faithful bride looks forward to His glorious coming. A young lady engaged to be married holds the actual wedding day uppermost in her mind. It is the BIG day to her. Excitement, anticipation, joy, and all that goes with such great events builds up as the day draws near. So it is with the coming of the Lord to the true church institution. The coming of Jesus is being preached and taught more and more simply because of the awareness of the nearness of the great day. Why not talk about it? Nothing is wrong with it; just keep enjoying the talking concerning the marriage of the bride and groom when Jesus comes.

2. His bride has pictures to remind her constantly of Him.

They are baptism and the Lord's Supper. Just as a young bride has pictures setting out in plain view to remind her constantly of her first love, which pictures she will not part with, but guard with her life, so it is with the Lord's bride. The church, as the bride of Christ, is to "keep the ordinances" as they were delivered to her, I Corinthians 11:2.

a. Baptism is a "figure" (picture) of His burial and resurrection, I Peter 3:18-21. And,

b. The Lord's Supper is a picture to remind her of His death, I Corinthians 11:23-26.

Both of these picture the gospel, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Christ. They are to remind the bride constantly of her bridegroom and how much He loves her.

3. She is to be pure, true, and loyal to her engagement to the groom, Christ. This simply means TRUSTING His Word, DOING His Word, and LOOKING for His coming. A New Testament church, true to Him, finds herself described by Paul in Philippians 3:20, 21. Thus, FAITHFULNESS is THE requirement of a bride. And the above-mentioned teachings reveal this very plainly.

III. PROMISES (VOWS) MADE TO THE BRIDE AND HER EXPECTATION OF THEM

1. Although there were "many mansions" in heaven for the saved when Jesus comforted His bride just before He left her in the world, John 14:1-6, He promised her something definite.

a. Jesus assured her that He was going to "prepare a place for her," John 14:2. Evidently there is something SPECIAL for His bride that is more than the mansions referred to in John 14:2. It is the writer's personal belief that the home of the bride is what John describes in Revelation 21:9-27. He does not believe this description in Revelation is figurative; he believes it is an actual description, and that this is the SPECIAL PLACE for His bride.

b. Jesus promises her that "Where He is, there she will be also," because, said Jesus, "I will come again to receive you unto myself," John 14:3. One of the first things an engaged couple begins to make plans for is a place to live. Whether a large or small home or apartment, they make plans for A PLACE. Jesus' love for His bride is seen in the fact that He has gone to prepare a special place for her to dwell when He returns for her.

2. As any groom wants to protect his bride to whom he is engaged, Jesus also said, "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age," Matthew 28:19, 20. This promise is, of course, contingent upon her being faithful in her engagement to preach His Gospel, baptize and teach His commandments. By this, He is with her always. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church institution that HE builds up. That the New Testament church institution will continue is also taught in Ephesians 3:21.

3. Jesus prayed for His church in John chapter 17. Special attention is called to verses 19-26. The last words of verse 26 about sum up the great prayer of the Lord for is church when He prayed that the same love the Father had toward Him be in THEM. By this all men could know that His church was composed of genuine disciples of His, John 13:35.

LESSON IN REVIEW

1. Remember, the Lord deals with each local church as though she were the only one on earth. He teaches that the church institution is a local, visible congregation of saved, baptized people united upon His doctrines, for the purpose of doing His will on earth. Thus, each local church with scriptural identification in origin, doctrine, and practice, is THE BRIDE OF CHRIST. Now, this does not mean that Christ has many brides, bodies, etc., but simply that He deals NOW, while under the great commission in this world, with each church in the local concept; hence, the church institution, as such, is His bride.

2. With this in mind, discuss how a church can be unfaithful as His bride.

3. Why does the bride talk so much of her bridegroom? Review from point number two.

4. What are the pictures she has of her groom? How do they remind her of Him?

5. What would Jesus think of His bride if she had someone else's picture (alien baptism and open communion) when He returned?

6. What is the greatest expectation of the bride? Why?

7. Name some of the great promises Jesus made to His bride. (There will be one more lesson in this series)

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