The final few hours had come. Arrangements had been made – Judas would betray the one he’d followed for three years, and the Jewish authorities would seek the death penalty against this Jesus of Nazareth, the one that some claimed was King of the Jews. Would they have their way? Would the teachings of this man die, once people realized his promises were “empty”? Surely he could not be who he claimed to be, or could he? Where was God in all of this? Let’s go to the accounts of eyewitnesses of the events and see what they have to share.
Study note: Entire volumes have been written about the events we will discuss in this study. Due to time constraints, we will be unable to cover all the events of that night and the next day. We will focus on a few questions to help direct our thoughts. You are encouraged to read the accounts for yourself and spend some time reflecting on how they impact your understanding of Jesus Christ and what He has done for you.
In John 18, we join Jesus in the Garden just after he’d prayed. His disciples are near him, and Judas approaches with soldiers and some of the officers from the chief priests. You can almost feel the tension. It’s late at night, and the city is overflowing with those who had come to the Passover.
The United Nations was born in 1946 and now includes most of the nations of the world. It has a history replete with failure to resolve conflicts around the world without aid of superpowers. Some hold to a universal government as the only hope for world peace. This hope will manifest itself during the Tribulation period.
The prophets of the Bible predict that there will be one universal government that embraces the whole world. The prophet Daniel prophesied this in Daniel 7. First, he prophesied the fall ofBabylon. He was carried to Babylon as a child after Babylon conquered Jerusalem. He further prophesied all the nations that would rise and fall before the 2nd Coming of Christ (see a detailed study of these events)
Daniel outlined the world empires of Babylon, Medes and Persians, Greece, and the Roman Empire. He predicted a final stage to the Roman Empire that is still future from our time. This is the final world empire led by a world dictator discussed in our previous study. He will push the world toward the final world war called Armageddon. That final war will end all human attempts at world government when Christ comes in the 2nd Coming (see diagram 2). Jesus will directly rule the world in justice during the Millennial period (see diagram 1).
Daniel predicted that there will be a new confederacy of Mediterranean nations (Daniel 7:7). This will be the final form of the Roman Empire emerging from the leaders from ten nations in the geographical territory of the former Roman Empire . Thus, the fourth kingdom will be revived in the last days and set the stage for a world dictator (Daniel 7:23,24).
The coming world dictator will initially express himself as a peacemaker in the Middle East . This will take place during the first stage of the revived Roman Empire emerging from the ten-nation confederacy (Daniel 7:8). He will soon seize power of the ten-nation confederacy by first conquering three of the original ten countries. The other seven leaders will yield control of the Mediterranean region to this leader. Daniel indicates that he will eventually become the final world dictator after a period of forty-two months.
The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time (3 and ½ years; that is, during the Great Tribulation—last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation, Daniel 12:11; Revelation 13:5).
“A picture is worth a thousand words”, the saying goes. Tucked into the book of Ruth is a beautiful picture of redemption. What does it mean to be redeemed? This concept seems foreign to many today. Take this study about a true account of commitment, loyalty and redemption.
This podcast based on Josh McDowell’s book, A Quest for Answers is a great way to learn about some of the controversial “facts” presented in Dan Brown’s, The Da Vinci Code.
The first episode is an introduction to the podcast.
Download the mp3 (Right Click / Save As) or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.
If you don’t use iTunes, the podcast feed is available here.
Note: this podcast is #2 in iTunes so it may take a time to download. View iTunes page.
Update: The second mp3 will be coming available at 4:00 PM EDT. It’s about Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion.
]]>Matthew 26; Luke 19
Imagine yourself nearly two thousand years ago, living in a land promised by God to the descendents of Abraham. Whether you were Jew or Gentile (non-Jew), you conducted your daily affairs under the watchful eye and authority of a Roman government. The land is populated primarily by the Jews, and Jewish religious leaders also exercise authority over the people of the land, especially in religious matters. From time to time, some have sought to break the bondage of the occupying Roman authority.
You have likely heard of a man called Jesus of Nazareth. Some say he’s demon-possessed, some say he is a dangerous rebel, and others say he is one sent from God. He has healed many, and some say he has even raised several from the dead. In fact, though a carpenter by trade, his miracles and his teachings have created enough of a stir that the Jewish religious leaders have taken steps to entrap him and eliminate him from the scene. Yet they are savvy enough to know that many people are following him and believe that he is the Messiah, the one who will deliver them from bondage.
It is the spring of the year and is nearly time for Passover, the annual commemoration of the time when the children of Israel were freed from their bondage in Egypt. Consider with us the events surrounding this man Jesus, approximately three years after he’d first begun his public ministry. Time does not permit us to look at every recorded event in his final days, so join as we look at several distinct events shortly before his final dinner with his disciples, his trial and sentencing and his death.
Anointing John 12:1-8 (See also Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9)
In John 12, we find Jesus and his disciples arriving in Bethany for dinner with friends. Lazarus lived there with his sisters Mary and Martha. While at the dinner (banquet), Mary took a large quantity of fragrant perfume or ointment, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus. Other writers said that his head was anointed, and given the amount, it’s apparent that both head and feet were anointed.
Television show Marriage Uncensored and its host Dr. Dave Currie sits down with marital therapist Kirby Hanawalt to discuss the issues on affairs in marriages. In this short video clip, learn how to put hedges around you and your spouse to protect your marriage as both Dr. Currie and Mr. Hanawalt share knowledge and tips on affair-proofing the marriage relationship.
Watch the video clip.
Visit Marriage Uncensored online to get the full discussion on affair-proofing the marriage relationship. You can also see other episodes of Marriage Uncensored online and obtain further marital or family resources by visiting their website at www.marriageuncensored.com
Philippians 4:2-7.
So often we are reminded, “Choose joy.” Is that the same as wearing a mask or painting a smile on your face? Does joy just come easier to some people, or is it truly a matter of an obedient choice? We know that a joyful attitude and heart make a huge difference. Take this study to learn how to sit at Paul’s feet and learn several practical steps you can take, based on Philippians 4:2-7.
Verse-By-Verse Commentary
The tomb was empty! (See John 20-21) Those who knew this one, who had been crucified recently, claimed that he had prophesied that he would rise from the dead. Had they stolen the body, or had the impossible happened? Eternity hangs on the answer to this question and our response to it.
Jesus of Nazareth had faced betrayal, trial, condemnation and death in the preceding week. His followers were devastated, and some had gone into hiding. His body had been prepared quickly and laid in a borrowed tomb, for the Sabbath was at hand. Guards had been posted.