STU:Knowing GOD through the New Testament

   What makes the New Testament new? What does it tell us that the Old
Testament does not? Why is it so controversial? Why is the New
Testament still able to speak so forcefully after almost 2, 000 years
of circulation? Where do we begin so that we can grasp its purpose and
place in the world and in our own lives?

   This booklet was written by David Egner to help you understand the
New Testament, its purpose, its people, its times, and its places. But
most important, the purpose of this booklet is to give you a better
understanding of God and yourself through the greatest book ever
written -- the Bible.

   A BOOK LOVED AND HATED

   The New Testament completes the story begun in the Old Testament. It
tells about the coming of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Jewish
Messiah. Even though He didn't write a word of it, the New Testament is
His book. It records His teachings and the story of His life, death,
and resurrection. His followers claimed to write and speak with an
authority granted by God. This book has had a more profound and
controversial impact on the world than any other book ever written.

   Millions have loved it. Down through the centuries, people
imprisoned by sin have found life and freedom through faith in the One
the New Testament was written to proclaim. Those who have been held
captive by bars and walls, such as Fyodor Dostoevski in Siberia and the
inmates of concentration camps, have found freedom of mind, heart, and
soul through its words. People enchained in broken bodies, or shackled
by physical suffering, or tortured by the unseen enemy, or enslaved in
spiritual darkness, or bound by relentless legalism, or crippled by a
fearsome self- doubt have responded by faith to its message of freedom.
They have stepped into the light of God's liberating, never-changing
love, as expressed in the New Testament.

   Millions have hated it. Emperors like Nero and Diocletian tried to
destroy the New Testament. Philosophers like Voltaire have proclaimed
it to be a dead book of lies. Social scientists have scoffed at the
solutions to man's problems set forth by the humble Galilean.
modernists and futurists have labeled its morals as hopelessly outdated
and proclaimed it to be a book for the past -- a book without the power
to make an impact on the world at the close of the 20th century.

   Even so, the New Testament lives on. The same burning message that
conquered the Roman world, lit the fires of the Reformation, and
ignited the great revivals of the 19th century continues to burn with
liberating brightness. In our day, the message of the New Testament has
sparked great revivals that have swept through Indonesia and Korea.
Current reports are that 27, 000 Chinese per day are placing their
trust in Christ. Romania is spiritually alive. And even the Soviet
Union must grudgingly admit that despite its atheism and its stern
efforts to quench the church, the number of Christians within its
borders continues to grow.

   Why is this collection of 27 books written in the last half of the
first century by a few zealous followers of the Jewish Messiah having
such an impact? Because it is part of the Bible, the one book in all
the world that can bring us to God. The gospel of Jesus Christ has the
power to break every chain that binds us. Yes, the New Testament brings
God to us and it can bring us to Him. Through it, we can know Him in a
personal, liberating, growing way.

   THE BACKGROUND OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

   God had been silent for 400 years. The devout of Israel had waited
in vain for God to speak again and for their anticipated Messiah to
come. But nothing had been revealed since the prophet Malachi put down
his pen, finishing the Old Testament. Then in sudden, bold,
broad-sweeping strokes, God revealed Himself in two ways: (1) through
the coming of Jesus Christ, His Son, and (2) through the writing of the
New Testament.

   The world had changed greatly during those 400 years of silence.
Palestine itself was vastly different from those struggling days when
Jewish zealots returned from Babylon to reconstruct their temple and
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

   To understand the impact of Christ's coming and the background of
the New Testament, we need to acquaint ourselves with political,
social, economic, and religious forces that were alive in the world
into which the Lord Jesus was born.

   The Roman World. Rome was the dominant force in the first-century
world. Its armies had marched with power and precision across Europe,
the Middle East, and Africa, bringing nation after nation under its
control. Palestine had fallen to General Pompey in 63 BC. Though taxed
heavily, Israel benefited from Roman rule:

   * Peace. The world was at peace in the days of the New Testament.

   * Government. The emperor had the power to force reigning governors
to rule well. In many cases, this kept them from amassing great private
wealth at the expense of the people.

   * Travel. Because of the Roman peace, people could travel freely
from country to country.

   * Communication. The flow of information was the best the world had
ever known.

   Because of these factors, Christianity got a firm foothold and grew
rapidly under Roman rule.

   Greek Influence. Although the Greek Empire had collapsed before New
Testament days, it was still a powerful world influence in the
following ways:

   Language. Alexander the Great's lightning-fast conquests (331-322
BC) made Greek the dominant language of the civilized world. When the
Romans conquered territory, they encouraged its continued use. This
benefited Christianity because: (1) a common language made the spread
of the gospel easier, and (2) the New Testament was written in Greek
and could be understood by everyone.

   Culture. The Greek mind confronted basic questions about man, life,
and the supernatural. The Greek poets, dramatists, and philosophers had
thereby prepared the way for the satisfying answers Christianity
brought to a searching and dissatisfied world.

   Jewish Background. The Jewish background of the New Testament was
important because: (1) Christianity was born in a Jewish environment,
and (2) Christianity was rooted in what God had already made known to
His people through the Old Testament.

   When Christ was alive, Judea was governed by officials appointed by
Rome. Even so, the Jews were left to run their own internal affairs.
They did so through the Sanhedrin, a ruling body of 70 whose leader was
the high priest.

   The religious life of Israel was centered in two institutions. The
first was the temple, which had recently been rebuilt by Herod the
Great. It was a magnificent structure, constructed to appease the Jews.
Old Testament rituals were elaborately carried out by devout Jews from
all walks of life. The second, the synagogues, were centers of worship
and instruction scattered throughout the land. Their services were
simple, consisting of prayer, Scripture reading, and explanation.
Jewish boys were educated in synagogues, and their learning was
primarily religious. It was into this combination of Roman rule, Greek
thought and Jewish tradition that Jesus was born and Christianity took
root.

   KNOWING GOD THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT

   The New Testament is a collection of smaller books. The 27 books in
this "library" were written over a span of 50 years (AD 45-95) by eight
known authors (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, James, Jude) and
one unidentified author (Hebrews).

   The history of the Old Testament covers thousands of years; the New,
about a century. Yet that century was the most important in the history
of man. It was during those years that Jesus Christ was born, conducted
His public ministry, was crucified, and was resurrected. messianic
prophecy was fulfilled and God's plan of salvation was accomplished.
The birth, the establishment, and the initial expansion of the church
also occurred in that century.

   The books of the New Testament are not arranged in the order in
which they were written. Rather, they are placed in four literary
groupings:

   1. Gospels: Four biographies of Jesus Christ.

   2. Acts: The history of the early church.

   3. Letters: Twenty-one letters that define Christian belief and
practice.

   4. Revelation: A vision of the endtimes.

   The word testament means "covenant" or "agreement". The New
Testament, then, tells of a new relationship between God and man -- a
new way of knowing God. The old covenant was based on the Mosaic Law
and was made with the Jewish nation. The new (1 Cor. 11:25) was made
with people of every nation who accepted by faith the salvation offered
through Jesus Christ.

   The 27 books of the New Testament are filled with intense drama,
inspired teaching, and practical instruction. According to the New
Testament itself, they originated in the mind of God, came to us by
diving inspiration, and were kept from error through the ministry of
the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16).

   God became a man and dwelt among us (John 1:14), revealing Himself
more fully. The New Testament records the life, teaching, and impact of
this God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why an understanding of the
New Testament is essential if we are to know God better.

   1. Gospels: Biography

   The New Testament story begins with the cry of a newborn baby. In
Bethlehem of Judea, a son was born to Joseph of Nazareth and his young
wife Mary. But this was no ordinary birth. It was a virgin birth,
prophesied in the Old Testament, announced by angels, and made possible
by a miracle.

   Jesus' Birth. An angel appeared to Mary, a devout Jewish girl, to
tell her three astounding things: (1) She was to be the mother of the
"Son of the Highest" who would be given "the throne of His father
David". (2) He would be miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit. (3)
Her aged cousin Elizabeth was pregnant.

   Joseph, Mary's husband-to-be was troubled when he learned that she
was pregnant. But he was told by an angel that the baby conceived in
her was from the Holy Spirit, that he should marry her, and that this
child would "save His people from their sins."

   When it came time for Mary to deliver, she and Joseph were in
Bethlehem, "the city of David", miles away from home because Rome had
demanded that everyone in Palestine enroll for the tax in the city of
their lineage. This fulfilled a prophecy of Micah.

   Angels heralded Jesus' birth to shepherds on a Judean hillside.
Eastern astrologers followed the leading of a star to worship Him.
Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream to flee to Egypt, saving the
child from a massacre by the jealous and cruel King Herod.

   Jesus' Inauguration. The child born to Elizabeth was John the
Baptizer. He began to preach, calling the Jews to repentance in
preparation for the kingdom of God. Those who purified their hearts
testified to their act of preparation by being baptized.

   One day, while John was baptizing in the Jordan River, Jesus came
and insisted on being baptized. While He was in the water, the Holy
Spirit descended on Him like a dove and the Father in heaven voiced His
approval. John's words, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin
of the world!" introduced Jesus to the world as its Messiah-Savior. The
next day, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where He
was tempted by Satan. Jesus thwarted His enemy's attack by quoting from
the Old Testament.

   Jesus' Public Ministry. After His temptation in the wilderness,
Jesus began to make Himself known to the people. His 3 years of public
life were marked by 3 major activities: teaching, performing miracles,
and training His apostles.

   The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus' first great teaching session. In
it He presented principles for living in His kingdom. His relationship
to the Law, and instruction in prayer. He taught in ways the common
people understood: parables, epigrams, and object lessons. Yet He
taught with authority.

   His teaching was accompanied by miracles. He demonstrated that His
claim to be the Son of God was true by showing His power over nature,
demons, disease, and even death.

   Jesus chose 12 men to be His apostles. During the last 2 years of
His public ministry, these men were with Him nearly all the time. This
was important because the responsibility of carrying out His plan would
fall squarely on their shoulders when He was gone.

   Crowds flocked to Jesus. It seemed that wherever He went, He was
surrounded by throngs. The common people accepted Him and He soon
became popular. The religious leaders of Israel, however, hated Him.
They resented His popularity and they despised His claims. To them He
was an imposter and a blasphemer, so they began plotting His death.

   As His ministry drew to a close, even the crowds forsook Him. His
enemies grew more bold. Finally, one of His own apostles conspired to
betray Him.

   Jesus' Death. Each of the four gospel writers closed his book with
an account of the last few days of Jesus' life. In Matthew, it covers 9
chapters; in Mark 6; in Luke, 4 1/2 long chapters; and in John, 10.
This should not surprise us, for Jesus had made it clear from the
beginning that He had come to give His life. Seven times He had told
His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and die.

   Jesus traveled to Jerusalem at Passover, the annual commemoration of
Israel's rescue from the slaying of the firstborn of Egypt. When He
came into the city of Zion in a triumphal entry, He was celebrated by
the common people. The next day, He threw the moneychangers out of the
temple.

   His enemies, masterminded by Caiaphas the high priest, planned
Jesus' death. He met with His disciples one last time in an upper room,
and while they were assembled Judas left to betray Him. Jesus initiated
the communion service before making His was to the Garden of Gethsemane
to pray. There He was arrested by a mob and then given an illegal trial
before the Sanhedrin, declared guilty, and brought before Pilate. When
the Roman proconsul could not persuade the mob to release Him, he
turned Him over to them. Jesus was led to Calvary, where He was
crucified with two criminals. When He died, His body was claimed by two
of His followers and placed in a new tomb.

   All seemed lost for Jesus' disciples. But 3 days later, He rose from
the dead. He appeared privately to His disciples on several occasions,
and was also seen by hundreds of others. He had conquered death! The
last sight of Him was His ascension into heaven 40 days after His
resurrection.

   Seeing God

   Because Jesus was God in the flesh, and because the gospels tell His
story, they tell us volumes about God. Here are some examples of what
Christ's life, death, and resurrection tell us about God.

   1. In Jesus' birth, we see the mercy of God as He humbled Himself to
come to our rescue (Matt. 1:21-23).

   2. In Jesus' teaching, we see the wisdom and goodness of God as He
tells us what to believe and how to live (John 12:49, 50).

   3. In Jesus' miracles, we see the unlimited power of God to control
nature, disease, and death (Mark 4:35-41; Luke 7:11-18; 9:37-42).

   4. In Jesus' training of the Twelve, we see God's desire to work
through His people (John 14:12).

   5. In Jesus' death, we see how far God would go to redeem us from
our sins (John 3:16).

   6. In Jesus' resurrection, we see the supernatural power of God to
conquer death (Mark 16:1-8).

   Your Response

   What does the story recorded in the gospels mean to us today? To
focus your response, look up the references and answer these questions:

   1. Read Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20. What does Christ's
coming to earth mean to you?

   2. Read John 1:29. What is your response to the words, "Behold! The
Lamb of God!"

   3. When Jesus called His disciples, He said, "Follow Me!" In what
ways do these words apply to you in this 20th century?

   4. Read Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-8. If you had been living, how would you
have felt at Jesus' crucifixion? At the news of His resurrection?

   5. Now read John 14:7-11. In what ways should Jesus' life influence
your life?

   2. Acts: History

   The hopes of Jesus' disciples were crushed when Jesus died. His
crucifixion had left them scattered and disillusioned. The news of His
resurrection, however, brought them hope, and His appearance
transformed them. Form that little band of men, the church grew rapidly
to worldwide dimensions. The book of Acts tells the story of the
beginnings of the church. We will look at it under four headings:
power, proclamation, persecution, and Paul.

   Power (Acts 1 - 2:13). Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He told
His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Ten days later, as the disciples were gathered on the Day of Pentecost,
the Holy Spirit came.

   Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of
a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were
sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and
one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance (Acts 2:1-4).

   This marked the beginning of the church, the "called out ones" of
all generations who compose the body of Christ. What appeared to be
flames rested on each of the disciples, and they began to speak in
foreign languages they had never learned. A sound like a howling wind
caused a crowd to gather, and people from many countries heard the
disciples speaking in their native dialects. That great institution for
this age, the church, had begun.

   Proclamation (2:14 - 3:26). Jesus had said that the disciples would
receive power to become His witnesses. The very day they received that
power, they began to proclaim Christ. Peter stood and addressed the
crowd with great courage. The theme of his sermon was this: you
crucified you long-awaited Messiah, but God raised Him from the dead.
When the people asked what they should do, Peter replied:

   Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit (2:38).

   That day about 3, 000 people trusted in Christ, and the church began
to grow. Peter and John preached again in Solomon's portico, and many
more believed in the saving message of the gospel.

   Persecution (Acts 4:1 - 8:3). With growth came opposition. Peter and
John were arrested for preaching, threatened, and ordered to stop. But
they refused to obey the order and prayed for even more boldness to
preach. The Sadducees were jealous of the apostles popularity, so they
had them arrested and imprisoned. After they were freed by an angel,
the apostles were recaptured and brought before the Jewish council,
where they were beaten and commanded not to preach. They told the
council that they would obey God rather than men, and they continued
daily in their preaching and teaching.

   The religious leaders hatred of the Christians finally focused on
Stephen. When he was brought before the high priest, Stephen preached
with tremendous power, concluding his address with these strong words
of condemnation:

   You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always
resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the
prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who
foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the
betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of
angels and have not kept it. (Acts 7:51- 53).

   The crowd was furious. Stirred up by the religious leaders, they
stoned Stephen to death. A man in that crowd named Saul held the
garments of those who threw the rocks. He then took the lead in
persecuting Christians, going from house to house and imprisoning men
and women alike. The followers of Jesus fled Jerusalem, and wherever
they scattered they took the gospel with them. Some went to Damascus,
and Saul got permission to go and arrest them.

   Paul (Acts 9:1 - 28:31). As Saul was traveling to Damascus, a
brilliant light stopped him and forced him to the ground. A voice spoke
to him from the light. When Saul asked who was speaking, Jesus
identified Himself. In an instant Saul was converted. He said, "Lord,
what do you want me to do?" Blinded, he was led to the house of Ananias
in Damascus, where his sight was restored.

   What a transformation! The persecutor became a follower; the
antagonist became a believer. He would become the great missionary to
the Gentiles -- the one who would break the European barrier and take
the gospel to the very heart of Rome itself.

   Paul was called to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. Accompanied by
Barnabas, Silas, or Timothy, he went into city after city to proclaim
Christ. His method was to go to the synagogue and teach as a rabbi.
Usually the Jews would resist him, but he would still gather a
following. He would then stay in the city, meet with the believers in
homes, and continue to preach and teach as long as it was safe.
Sometimes it would take beatings, scourgings, or imprisonment to make
him move on. Thousands believed and churches were established in
private homes. After Paul moved on, he often wrote to the churches to
confirm the believers in the faith, to correct their doctrine, or
instruct them in Christian behavior.

   The day came when Paul could no longer avoid imprisonment. He was
arrested in jerusalem, where he appealed to his Roman citizenship. He
was transported at night to Caesarea, before being sent to Rome, where
he remained under house arrest for 2 years. But he was still able to
preach and teach and correspond with the churches he had planted.

   The initial work was done. The church, firmly established in
Jerusalem, had spread throughout the Roman world. Many thousands of
people from all walks of life had believed. And the flame that was
ignited on pentecost still burns brightly today.

   Seeing God

   We can know God better through the history of the church recorded in
Acts. Consider the following:

   1. In the coming of the Comforter, we see that God does not leave
His people without help (Acts 2).

   2. In the establishment and growth of the church, we see that God
has provided for the spiritual and personal needs of believers (Acts
2:40-47).

   3. In the boldness of the disciples, we see the power of the Holy
Spirit available to us today (Acts 4:33).

   4. In the persecution of the Christians, we see the way God turns
adversity into opportunity and accomplishment (Acts 8:4).

   5. In the missionary journeys, we see how God backs up His
commission with His help (Acts 16:20-26).

   Your Response

   The historical account of Acts should cause us to ask some probing
questions of ourselves. Read and answer the following passages and
questions:

   1. Read Acts 4:33. When was the last time you spoke boldly for
Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit?

   2. Read Acts 5:40, 40; 7:59,60; 16:20-25. Have you ever been
persecuted for your faith in Christ? What was your response?

   3. Read Acts 20:17-28. How are you supporting the church's effort to
meet the world's need?

   4. Read Acts 20:31-38. What kind of influence are you having on
people?

   5. Read Acts 28:30, 31. In what specific ways are you letting Christ
use you to build up His church?

   3. Letters: Instruction

   In the city of Corinth, a group of people responded to Paul's
preaching, became Christians, and formed a church. But they were
involved in immorality, division, and strife. In Philippi, a
discouraged group of believers needed lifting up. In Rome, a loyal band
of Christ's followers needed to clarify their beliefs about
righteousness, the Law, and sanctification. They had questions about
the Christian's everyday life. The believers at Thessalonica needed to
know about Christ's return and the last days. In Ephesus, the leaders
needed instruction about their position in Christ. Elsewhere,
Christains were suffering and didn't understand why. False teachers
were infiltrating churches and threatening to undermine the work. A
pastor at Crete needed encouragement.

   What was the best way to meet the needs of the growing church? The
apostles couldn't be everywhere at once. So they sent letters (also
known as epistles) to explain Christian teaching, to inspire God's
people to holiness, and to tell them how to live.

   The churches or individuals who received these letters were no doubt
overjoyed when they arrived. They were read aloud to the congregation
and passed around from church to church. Copies were made with
meticulous care for other churches. Believers began to collect them.
All in all, 21 such letters were judged to be inspired, and they became
a major portion of the New Testament.

   Although there is some history and some biography in these letters,
they were primarily written to amplify the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Most of them were written either to local bodies of believers (such as
those at Corinth or Rome) or to pastors (Timothy and Titus). The age
that began at Pentecost is known as the church age, and these letters
talk about church life. Among other things, they give instruction
regarding:

   * The unity of the church (Eph. 2:11-22).

   * The worship of the church (1 Cor. 14:26-40).

   * The leaders of the church (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1).

   * The discipline of the church (1 Tim. 6:3-5).

   * The ordinances of the church (1 Cor. 11:23-30).

   * The preaching of the church (2 Tim. 4:2).

   Although the epistles were church-centered, they were also useful
for individuals. A person with the opportunity to read them would learn
the principles to govern his conduct with his fellow believers and
before the world. Here's a sample:

   * We are to love one another (Rom. 12:10).

   * We are to submit to government (Rom. 13:1).

   * We are to imitate Christ (Eph. 5:1).

   * We are to care for one another (1 Cor. 16:1).

   * We are not to speak evil of anyone (Titus 3:2).

   * We are to confess our sins (1 John 1:9).

   These 21 letters were also written to define and clarify the basic
beliefs of Christianity. For example:

   * Jesus Christ is God (Col. 1:13-19).

   * The Holy Spirit indwells every believer (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).

   * All are sinners (Rom. 3:23).

   * Believers are to forsake sin (Rom. 6:1-14).

   * Righteousness comes through Christ (Rom. 3:21, 22).

   * The Bible is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16).

   * All will be resurrected (1 Cor. 15).

   Seeing God

   The epistles help us to know God in the following representative
ways. As you read these letters, you will see many other elements of
God's character.

   1. In the autobiographical writings of Paul, we see how able God is
to supply the deepest needs of those who are willing to serve Him (2
Cor. 4).

   2. In the doctrinal portions, we see how careful God has been to
provide a rescue that is as right as it is needed (Rom. 3:21-26).

   3. In the comforting passages, we see a God who is able to enter
into our pain and care about our struggles (2 Cor. 1:3-6).

   4. In the corrective sections, we see a God who not only loves us
enough to accept us just the way we are, but loves us so much that He
is not willing to leave us the way He found us (Heb. 12:7-13).

   5. In the prophetic passages, we see a God who has promised to
prepare for us an eternal kingdom where all evil and sin has been
removed (2 Pet. 3:10-13).

   Your Response

   1. Read Colossians 1:9-18. What is your personal relationship to
Christ, the preeminent One?

   2. Read Ephesians 4:7-16. how are you using your spiritual gift to
build up the body of Christ?

   3. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17. How does your faith in Christ
affect what you say and do?

   4. Read 2 Peter 2:1-3 and 1 John 4:1-6. How can you protect yourself
from false teachers?

   5. Read 1 Peter 1:6-9. In what ways does your suffering bring glory
to

   Christ's name?

   4. Revelation: Prophecy

   As we have worked through the New Testament, we have seen the story
of God's salvation in Christ revealed like the gradual unrolling of a
scroll. We have read of great events: the miraculous birth of Christ,
His 3 years of public ministry, His sacrificial death, and His
resurrection. Rising out of the disappointment of Calvary came the
transformed disciples who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, established
the church and extended it throughout the world. And the church still
lives today, perhaps stronger now than it has been for generations.

   But how will it all turn out? What will happen next? What lies ahead
for the church -- and for the world?

   The answers came to John, Jesus' beloved disciple, in a series of
dreams and visions. Written down in the book of Revelation in highly
figurative language, they set forth the future of the church and all
mankind.

   John's Vision of the Past (Rev. 1-3). John saw Christ, the Head of
the church, walking among lampstands that represented seven churches of
Asia Minor. To these churches He gave words of approval, accusation, or
admonition. Those who endured were promised spiritual reward at
Christ's return.

   John's Vision of Heaven (Rev. 4, 5). First he saw the throne of God
itself, shimmering in glory and surrounded by worshipers who exalted
God for His wonderful creation. When no one was found worthy to open a
large scroll, John wept. After he was told to stop weeping, he was
given the vision of a slain Lamb (representing Jesus Christ) standing
in the center of the throne in heaven. A chorus of praise rang out for
the Lamb, who was worthy to open the scroll because He had purchased
men with His own blood.

   John's Vision of the Future (Rev. 6-22). The majority of the book of
Revelation deals with future events. This portion may be divided into
three general sections: the tribulation (Rev. 6-18), the return of
Christ and related events (Rev. 19, 20), and a vision of heaven (Rev.
21, 22).

   1. The Tribulation. The outpouring of God's wrath was shown in a
vision to John in the opening of seven seals, the sounding of seven
trumpets, and the outpouring of the contents of seven bowls. Here is
what the opening of the seven seals revealed to John:

   1st seal: a white horse - Antichrist

   2nd seal: a read horse - war

   3rd seal: a black horse - famine

   4th seal: a pale horse - death

   5th seal: martyred souls under the altar

   6th seal: earthquakes - destruction

   7th seal: introduction of the seven trumpets

   The sounding of the trumpets will usher in terrible devastation on
the earth: A third of the vegetation of the earth will be destroyed by
hail and fire, a third of the creatures of the sea will be destroyed by
a flaming mountain, a third of the rivers will be poisoned by a falling
star, a third of the stars and planets will go dark, and a third of
earth's population will be killed by a fiendish army of 200 million.
Between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets, John saw a
vision of an angel with a little book and two witnesses.

   God will punish the rebellious nations of the earth. Meanwhile, His
enemies, Satan and his henchmen, will gain control of vast segments of
the world's population. The earth, reeling with war and death, will be
filled with blasphemy and evil.

   The seven bowls filled with God's wrath will be poured out on the
earth. One after another, plagues more terrible than ever seen before
will fall on the earth. Multitudes of Christians will die as martyrs.
And Satan's man, Antichrist, will assembly his armies in Palestine to
destroy the Jews.

   2. The Return of Christ. In this part of John's vision, he saw
heaven opened and the Lord Jesus Christ returning to earth in all His
glory, surrounded by vast armies. He also saw Antichrist defeated at
Armageddon and Satan chained for 1, 000 years in the bottomless pit.

   After the Jews turn in faith to Jesus Christ as their true Messiah,
He will establish His throne in Jerusalem for a 1, 000 year reign over
the earth in righteousness, prosperity, and peace. When the millennium
is over, Satan will be released and will lead a final revolt against
the Lord. The rebels will be destroyed by fire from heaven, and Satan
will be cast into the lake of fire forever. The earth and heavens as we
know them will be destroyed, and they will be replaced by a new heaven
and new earth. All unbelievers will be resurrected and judged before a
great white throne.

   3. A Look at Heaven. John's vision concludes with a grand survey of
the new heaven and new earth. The jeweled walls, crystal river, streets
of gold, and tree of life will be the believers' eternal home. They
will live in the presence of God and their Savior-King, the Lord Jesus
Christ, forever.

   Seeing God

   The magnificent yet terrifying visions of Revelation help us to know
God better. As you read this book, you will see many truths about God.
For example:

   1. In Christ's messages to the seven churches, we see God's deep
concern for the spiritual welfare of His people (Rev. 2, 3).

   2. In the vision of the throne in heaven, we see the majestic,
lofty, unlimited glory of God (Rev. 4).

   3. In the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments, we see God's anger over
a sinful and rebellious world (Rev. 6-18).

   4. In the defeat and banishment of Satan, we see that God has the
power to conquer sin and evil (Rev. 19, 20).

   5. In the description of heaven, we see the goodness of God
eternally displayed (Rev. 21, 22).

   Your Response

   In the light of our survey of Revelation, take a moment to respond
personally to these questions:

   1. Read Revelation 1:9-17; 5:6-14. What is your response to these
glimpses of Christ's glory?

   2. Read Revelation 2 and 3. If Christ wrote a letter to your church,
what would He commend? What would He condemn?

   3. Read Revelation 6:1-17. What does this tell you about the future
of rulers who continue to reject God and nations that mock His name?

   4. Read Revelation 20:11-15. How does the certainty of the final
judgment affect you? The lost?

   5. Read Revelation 21. What thoughts enter your mind when you read

   John's description of heaven?

   WHAT THE NAMES OF CHRIST TELL US ABOUT GOD

   The names of Jesus tell us about God's character. Let's look at four
of His most often-used names.

   Jesus.

   This name was given to Jesus by angelic pronouncement before His
birth (Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31). It is the Greek form of the Hebrew name
Joshua and it means "the Lord is salvation." The name is a reminder
that God delights in the salvation of His people. He delivered them in
the past (the exodus and the return from Babylon), He is delivering
people spiritually in the present, and He will deliver Israel literally
in the endtimes through Jesus.

   Christ.

   This name is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah, which
means "the anointed one." Because this term was politically charged,
Jesus used it of Himself sparingly. The name underscored the
reliability of God: He had promised a deliverer and now He had come "to
save His people from their sins."

   Son of Man.

   This was the term Jesus used most often of Himself. It was used
prophetically of Jesus in Daniel 7:13, 14. Jesus used this name to
identify with mankind in general (Ps. 8:4; 80:17). This name tells us
that God was willing to identify with His people and become their
substitute to bring them salvation.

   Son of God.

   Jesus did not use this name for Himself very often. It was given to
Him by the Father at His baptism and transfiguration (Matt. 3:17; Luke
9:35). It identified Christ as God's Son -- equal with the Father and
having power to do things only God can do (see John 5:25, 26). This
name reminds us that He truly was God among men.

   THE MESSAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

   Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He instructed His followers to go
into all the world, proclaim the gospel, and become disciple makers
(Matt. 28:19, 20). He also promised that they would be given power by
the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses throughout the earth (Acts 1:8).
The message the followers of Christ were sent to proclaim is also the
essential message of the New Testament. It may be summarized as follows:

   Who Christ Is.

   The teaching of the New Testament is based on the identification of
Jesus Christ. He is God the Son, born of a virgin in Bethlehem. he took
on our human nature so that He could be our substitute. He lived
without sin, though He was tempted with all the temptations that
confront us (Heb. 4:15). He fulfilled the Father's plan in exact
detail, submitting to the Father's will (John 4:34). He was the
God-man: fully God and fully man.

   Christ's Resurrection.

   But Christ did not stay in the tomb. Three days after He died, He
was raised from the dead. Some women, His disciples, and more than 500
others at one time were witnesses of the truth of the resurrection (1
Cor. 15:1-8). Because death is the penalty for sin (Rom. 5:12-14), His
resurrection demonstrates that God accepted His death as a suitable
sacrifice for sin. Death's power is broken (1 Cor. 15:54- 57).

   Our Response.

   How does a person respond to the message proclaimed by Christ's
followers? How does he appropriate to himself the merit of Christ's
sacrifice on his behalf? By faith. He first hears the gospel story --
the good news of Christ's death for his sin -- and them he believes and
is born again (John 3:16). This rescue does not come by works,
heritage, baptism, or self-denial -- it comes to all who trust in Jesus
Christ as their personal Savior. And when a person believes, he is
forgiven of his sins (Eph. 4:32); he becomes a member of God's family
(John 1:12); he is baptized into the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor.
12:13); and he is justified in God's sight (Rom. 5:1).

   The Future.

   An inexpressible future awaits those who accept the message of the
New Testament. Jesus Christ has promised to return for His own (John
14:1-3). When the endtime comes, He will punish the earth for its evil
and purge it of its sin (2 Pet. 3:10-16). The wrongs of this world will
be made right by Christ the perfect judge (Rev. 19:11), and believers
will live forever in heaven. They will be completely satisfied, filled
with a knowledge of God that will give them eternal joy and ultimate
fulfillment in His presence.

   THE NEW TESTAMENT AND YOU

   Now that we have surveyed the New Testament with a view toward
knowing God and have looked closely at its message, it's time to
respond to what we have learned. If you are already a believer, your
heart should be rejoicing at the message of salvation and hope that is
at the very core of the New Testament. If you are born again, you have
the assurance that a wonderful life in heaven awaits you.

   The New Testament, as we have seen, is filled with specific
instructions for you. It calls for personal purity through obedience to
Jesus Christ. It commands you to witness. It demands a life of self-
sacrifice. It assumes that you will be an active member of a local
church. So how are you doing? Any review of the glorious message of the
gospel should fill you with renewed dedication.

   But what if you are not a Christian? Your next step is clear. To
know God through the New Testament, you must trust in His Son, Jesus
Christ, as your Savior. He died for you! To receive Him, you must first
acknowledge that you are a sinner and that you cannot save yourself.
Then, in simple prayer, ask Jesus to save you, believing that He will.
He has promised to give new life to all who call on Him in faith.

   Trust Christ today.

   The Bible asks, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a
salvation?" (Heb. 2:3). When you receive Him, you will experience the
freedom from sin and guilt that Jesus Christ promises to all who trust
in Him.

   Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed (John
8:36).

   Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version, (c) 1979,
1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

   "New Testament: Know God Through the New Testament" by Richard De
Haan. Copyright 1988 Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Used by
Permission.
